I wanted to go out this morning with the WFDBWGUA lot but due to a change in Duncan's plans, this didn't happen. The three of us went to my mum and dad's in the morning as it's my dad's birthday today so I put off my long run until the afternoon.
Duncan dropped us off at the end of Coal Pit Lane and we ran along to the trespass stone, then up to Smithills Reservoir. We ran around this but once at the other side turned back as I didn't want to run up the boundary wall again with Ruby as she kept sinking in the mud last time and as it's been raining so much I'm guessing it's not any drier yet. We went back to the trespass stone then turned right towards Holden's Plantation. We started heading towards the mast road, which is where we started to see some of the runners from the Bolton Hill Marathon coming towards us. They were only about 3 miles from the finish by this point and were looking very tired. I decided to run along the marathon route in the opposite direction to cheer on the runners as they went by. We came out onto the mast road and then headed down the path past two lads onto George's Lane. We stopped at the drinks station and had a natter with the marshals, before continuing along George's Lane and to the gate opposite the bottom of the Pike. We turned through the gate and headed down the field (the route of the Pike Race). It looked like torture for the marathon runners having to make this climb so far into the race. They were all in good spirits though and said a cheery hello to us as we passed. One of them asked if they could borrow Ruby for a bit so she could give them a tow up the hill. We headed down the road towards the school but turned right then left, taking us down the other side of the school through some really muddy ground which the marathon runners were struggling to walk up. We came out onto Lever Park Avenue, crossed over and followed the path which runs alongside the road towards the barn.
After the barn, we turned left and headed towards the prep school, before turning right past the bowling club. The runners were very few and far between at this point and so we now stopped continuing along the marathon route and we turned left and followed Dean Brook back into Rivington Green. We then headed up to top barn and up through the terraced gardens back onto George's Lane. As we ran along George's Lane towards the kennels, we started passing the marathon runners again. By this point, Ruby was barely moving. She was trotting along really slowly and had been since we were at the top barn. I found myself keep saying 'faster Ruby, faster' but she just didn't want to. Maybe she was having an 'off day' - it happens to us all!
We passed the kennels and then turned right following the path by the side of Wilderswood back home.
Once home, Ruby went straight into her bed and lay there looking sorry for herself. She seems to have perked up now though after her shower so hopefully she was just a bit tired and there's nothing actually wrong.
We're off to Viva Espana at 6pm with Brenda and Tony for some tapas so I'd better start getting ready!
Total distance - 11 miles
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