Epping Forest run/walk, Longhorn cattle & Radicals on Wansted flats

Off message: Gill and I went for a great run/walk in Epping Forest today. We are both out of condition so walked uphill and ran down hill (also slowly) and on level paths. We started off near the Queen Elizabeth Hunting Lodge in Chingford then followed the Epping Forest Holly Trail path. It took us about 45 minutes start to finish.

Epping Forest is lovely at this time of the year (in fact all times of the year!). There is a carpet of leaves in the woods and the trees are turning autumnal brown but there is still a large amount of greenery.

We came across some of the longhorn cows grazing in the Forest. Despite the scary horns and being very large, they are pretty docile. There was a Forest Ranger near them who told us that in a couple of weeks they will all be moved to winter pastures. I asked her when will cattle be reintroduced into Wansted Flats (there used to be roaming cattle near us before BSE - aka "Mad Cow disease") and she just smiled.

I hope to attend the local history talk "On the Edge - Religions and Radicals on Wanstead Flats" on 9 November. Check out https://newsfromnowhereweb.wordpress.com/meetings/on-the-edge-religions-and-radicals-on-wanstead-flats/

London Marathon 2012 Week 22: Cattle in the City

Only 4 Sunday's to go before the London Marathon 2012 (22 April)! Run of the week was on Sunday when I did a double circuit of Wanstead flats and Wanstead Park for 2

hours. During which I did intermittent interval (or fartlek) training.

Due to work commitments I haven't been out as often as I should (only 4 times last week rather than 6) but I have kept all the endurance and sprint sessions. My left Achilles tender is much better (thanks to a brace and the
wobble board) but I still have a "niggle" in my left knee.

The training must have had some effect since people I meet ask if I have been on holiday lately? Since I apparently look "tanned and healthy". I tell them that I am training for a marathon and actually feel knackered and in pain for most of the time.

On my second circuit I ran past this "Warning Cattle" road sign Woodford Road. It is just a little bit out of date. When I first moved her in 1988 there use to be cattle roaming the flats since it was "common land". They also use to turn up in the front garden eating plants and hedges. Occasionally you had to rescue them from the local kids who would chase them down the street. It was amazing that in the midst of a great city you would see herds of cattle wondering around regardless of traffic. Sadly BSE and "foot and mouth" disease put an end to this. There are "plans" to reintroduce cattle (and sheep) which I hope one day will come to fruition.

 I am running the London Marathon for a charity set up to prevent young people becoming homeless and helping them if they do. Check out "Alone in London". Click here to sponsor me on the Justgiving website.