Today’s long run wasn’t terribly long at only 12 miles but I was in a bit of a rush today as I had a wedding to go to.
As there was no UTUP posted on the WFDBWGUA blog, I had a bit of a lie in until 9.15 and then set off for a leisurely reasonably flat run, which took me through Rivington, along to Yarrow Res, through the Anglezarke Woodland Trail and out at Waterman’s Cottage, where I had planned to run along to White Coppice and then back on myself but, due to a field full of cows, I carried on round the road and up the steps, through the muddy field to Healey Nab. I ran up to the cairn at the top and back down again, then along towards the Yew Tree pub and back into Rivington, where I went up to the top barn and then ran home.
I must admit, I was really tired today and the run was a struggle but I managed to keep going and didn’t turn round and go home early.
Positive Comments – Kept running even though I was really tired and struggling. Could have turned round early and headed home but didn’t.
Total distance – 12 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/187269294/overview
Saturday 30 August 2014
Friday 29 August 2014
Muddy Miles
Ruby and I had a lovely run this evening.
We went on my new favourite route (Two Lads, Mast, Pike), but added in Noon Hill after the Pike to get a bit more distance in. Ruby loves running over all the soft ground and she can keep up a good pace much longer than on the trails, which probably hurt her little paw pads a bit.
We both got absolutely caked in mud running from the mast to the Pike but then cleaned it all back off again on the run over to Noon Hill because it was just so wet.
From Noon Hill, we just dropped down onto Belmont Road, along to the Pigeon Tower and along George's Lane to the dog hotel, where we then ran down through the field as there were no sheep or horses in it.
Positive comments: Really enjoyable run, I felt good, Ruby felt good, we both got covered in mud, had a great time!
Total Distance - 7.3 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/187008967/overview
We went on my new favourite route (Two Lads, Mast, Pike), but added in Noon Hill after the Pike to get a bit more distance in. Ruby loves running over all the soft ground and she can keep up a good pace much longer than on the trails, which probably hurt her little paw pads a bit.
We both got absolutely caked in mud running from the mast to the Pike but then cleaned it all back off again on the run over to Noon Hill because it was just so wet.
From Noon Hill, we just dropped down onto Belmont Road, along to the Pigeon Tower and along George's Lane to the dog hotel, where we then ran down through the field as there were no sheep or horses in it.
Positive comments: Really enjoyable run, I felt good, Ruby felt good, we both got covered in mud, had a great time!
Total Distance - 7.3 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/187008967/overview
Thursday 28 August 2014
Mission Accomplished!!!
I set out on my run this morning with one thing in mind - to achieve my goal of under twelve minutes on the 'secondary to primary' Strava segment.
I'm pleased to say I managed it... by one second! I did it in 11.59 which also set a new ladies' course record by 44 seconds.
I know there are some of you who read this blog and tut at the whole Strava thing, but it's clearly working for me as setting these goals, for example, makes me work harder to try to accomplish them so that can only be a good thing, right?
The segment is from Rivington & Blackrod School to the prep school in Rivington, using the path alongside the reservoir. After I got to the prep school, I then continued my run by heading along the road up to Rivington Green, then turning right towards the bottom barn and just running along the path to the side of the road back to Rivington & Blackrod School, then back home.
I used my new custom insoles this morning from Sweatshop as my other ones died a death. They're only supposed to last 1,000 miles but I think I have done about 1,500 in mine.
Underside of old insole with bits of plastic coming out of it - think they are pretty dead:
Old and new:
Positive comments: accomplished Strava goal and set course record whilst doing it!
Total distance - 4.1 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/186383000
I'm pleased to say I managed it... by one second! I did it in 11.59 which also set a new ladies' course record by 44 seconds.
I know there are some of you who read this blog and tut at the whole Strava thing, but it's clearly working for me as setting these goals, for example, makes me work harder to try to accomplish them so that can only be a good thing, right?
The segment is from Rivington & Blackrod School to the prep school in Rivington, using the path alongside the reservoir. After I got to the prep school, I then continued my run by heading along the road up to Rivington Green, then turning right towards the bottom barn and just running along the path to the side of the road back to Rivington & Blackrod School, then back home.
I used my new custom insoles this morning from Sweatshop as my other ones died a death. They're only supposed to last 1,000 miles but I think I have done about 1,500 in mine.
Underside of old insole with bits of plastic coming out of it - think they are pretty dead:
Old and new:
Positive comments: accomplished Strava goal and set course record whilst doing it!
Total distance - 4.1 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/186383000
Tuesday 26 August 2014
Am I Psychic... or just nuts?
As I was running up to George's Lane tonight, for some reason it popped into my head that I haven't had a fall for a while whilst running. As soon as that popped into my head, I cursed myself for thinking it because when I think something like that, it usually ends up happening (yes, I have little voices in my head).
Ruby and I ran along George's Lane and up the Pike via the Pike Race route.
I got a Strava PR on my ascent from the gate to the Pike but, unfortunately, am still 9 seconds off the goal I set myself to get up there in under 4 minutes. However, on a more pleasing note, when I was running up tonight, I actually stopped a short way up the hill so I could let Ruby off the lead because she was getting under my feet, so I know that I could easily knock that 9 seconds off if I want to because it took me longer than that to get her over to me and get her off the lead. I have until the end of October to complete my goal so I'm pretty confident I'll do this easily, as long as I don't have Ruby trying to trip me!
We then ran down to the little gate leading to the mast, but turned immediately left through the gate and headed off along the sheep trod to Noon Hill. It's here where I went flying. Flat on my face into the mud. As usual, I blame Ruby. This time she didn't stop dead in front of me though, she jolted off after a sheep which I hadn't seen and it took me by surprise and I lost my balance (she was on the lead). At least it was a nice soft landing though.
So, it appears I'm a little psychic and can predict my falls before they happen.
After Noon Hill, we dropped down onto Belmont Road (I'm pretty sure this is called Belmont Road, even though a lot of people still refer to it as George's Lane but, as far as I'm aware, George's Lane forks off left at the Pigeon Tower and goes down to the car park - correct me if I'm wrong though).
I wasn't going to go up to the Pike again but Ruby seemed to want to go that way so we did. Instead of going up the steps, we went up the steep grassy slope to the left hand side of them.
On this climb to the Pike, I got my second fastest time Strava-wise but when looking at it on Strava I was surprised to see that I'm somehow ranked 2 out of 50 in women for this segment. I'm not sure how that has happened but am pretty damn certain that some of the people ranked lower than me (not mentioning any names here) clearly weren't trying at the time they ran this segment because there is no way on God's green earth that I would be faster than them if they were trying. Good for a short term ego boost though :-)
I let Ruby off the lead so I could enjoy the fast descent off the Pike but, as she was running behind me and I couldn't see her, I wasn't overly confident so didn't get a decent Strava time on this one.
Yes, I am obsessed with Strava but it's great for motivation so why not?
Positive Comments: Felt really strong on both climbs to Pike, really enjoyed muddy run.
Total distance - 5.5 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/185683966
Ruby and I ran along George's Lane and up the Pike via the Pike Race route.
I got a Strava PR on my ascent from the gate to the Pike but, unfortunately, am still 9 seconds off the goal I set myself to get up there in under 4 minutes. However, on a more pleasing note, when I was running up tonight, I actually stopped a short way up the hill so I could let Ruby off the lead because she was getting under my feet, so I know that I could easily knock that 9 seconds off if I want to because it took me longer than that to get her over to me and get her off the lead. I have until the end of October to complete my goal so I'm pretty confident I'll do this easily, as long as I don't have Ruby trying to trip me!
We then ran down to the little gate leading to the mast, but turned immediately left through the gate and headed off along the sheep trod to Noon Hill. It's here where I went flying. Flat on my face into the mud. As usual, I blame Ruby. This time she didn't stop dead in front of me though, she jolted off after a sheep which I hadn't seen and it took me by surprise and I lost my balance (she was on the lead). At least it was a nice soft landing though.
So, it appears I'm a little psychic and can predict my falls before they happen.
After Noon Hill, we dropped down onto Belmont Road (I'm pretty sure this is called Belmont Road, even though a lot of people still refer to it as George's Lane but, as far as I'm aware, George's Lane forks off left at the Pigeon Tower and goes down to the car park - correct me if I'm wrong though).
I wasn't going to go up to the Pike again but Ruby seemed to want to go that way so we did. Instead of going up the steps, we went up the steep grassy slope to the left hand side of them.
On this climb to the Pike, I got my second fastest time Strava-wise but when looking at it on Strava I was surprised to see that I'm somehow ranked 2 out of 50 in women for this segment. I'm not sure how that has happened but am pretty damn certain that some of the people ranked lower than me (not mentioning any names here) clearly weren't trying at the time they ran this segment because there is no way on God's green earth that I would be faster than them if they were trying. Good for a short term ego boost though :-)
I let Ruby off the lead so I could enjoy the fast descent off the Pike but, as she was running behind me and I couldn't see her, I wasn't overly confident so didn't get a decent Strava time on this one.
Yes, I am obsessed with Strava but it's great for motivation so why not?
Positive Comments: Felt really strong on both climbs to Pike, really enjoyed muddy run.
Total distance - 5.5 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/185683966
Sunday 24 August 2014
3 x 4 x 1/4 miles
Speed work day today. I drove down to the barn and warmed up for a mile to get to the other side of the dam on The Street - my new favourite speed work place (thanks Dave Jackson!).
My aim was to do 3 x 4 x 1/4 mile at a 7.00 to 7.30 minute mile pace, with 30 seconds recovery between each set and two minutes recovery between each set.
As each rep went on, the thirty seconds rest seemed to get shorter and shorter and by the last few reps it felt like only about five seconds rest!
Four reps in I was really feeling the burn and starting to think that I'd only do one more set rather than two more but I shoved those thoughts aside. I had set out to do twelve reps and twelve reps is what I would do, even if it meant slowing down considerably for the last ones.
My reps were as follows, which I'm pretty pleased with as only three of them were over a 7.30 minute mile pace and two of those were only slightly over:
Rep 1 - 7.08
Rep 2 - 7.00
Rep 3 - 7.16
Rep 4 - 7.08
Rep 5 - 6.40
Rep 6 - 7.32
Rep 7 - 7.24
Rep 8 - 7.24
Rep 9 - 7.16
Rep 10 - 7.36
Rep 11 - 7.56
Rep 12 - 7.16
The fastest rep, by quite a long way, was on rep 5 which is surprising as the odd numbered reps had more of an incline than the even number reps (odd numbered reps had 30ft of ascent).
Positive comments: Did the whole session, even though I really wanted to quit. Pleased with pace, especially on rep 5.
Total distance - 5 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/184633166/laps
(cool down - http://www.strava.com/activities/184633140)
My aim was to do 3 x 4 x 1/4 mile at a 7.00 to 7.30 minute mile pace, with 30 seconds recovery between each set and two minutes recovery between each set.
As each rep went on, the thirty seconds rest seemed to get shorter and shorter and by the last few reps it felt like only about five seconds rest!
Four reps in I was really feeling the burn and starting to think that I'd only do one more set rather than two more but I shoved those thoughts aside. I had set out to do twelve reps and twelve reps is what I would do, even if it meant slowing down considerably for the last ones.
My reps were as follows, which I'm pretty pleased with as only three of them were over a 7.30 minute mile pace and two of those were only slightly over:
Rep 1 - 7.08
Rep 2 - 7.00
Rep 3 - 7.16
Rep 4 - 7.08
Rep 5 - 6.40
Rep 6 - 7.32
Rep 7 - 7.24
Rep 8 - 7.24
Rep 9 - 7.16
Rep 10 - 7.36
Rep 11 - 7.56
Rep 12 - 7.16
The fastest rep, by quite a long way, was on rep 5 which is surprising as the odd numbered reps had more of an incline than the even number reps (odd numbered reps had 30ft of ascent).
Positive comments: Did the whole session, even though I really wanted to quit. Pleased with pace, especially on rep 5.
Total distance - 5 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/184633166/laps
(cool down - http://www.strava.com/activities/184633140)
Saturday 23 August 2014
Darwen Tower and Great Hill
I met the WFDBWGUA guys this morning for what will probably be my last run with them until the end of September. Out today was Ed, Kev and Hazel.
On my request, we headed off towards Darwen Tower, waterproofed up because it was pretty cold and wet. I even went for long tights today because, whilst walking Ruby earlier on in shorts, I was freezing and knew it would be even colder up on the tops. After a mile or so the weather completely changed though and it was lovely and sunny so the cag came off and I regretted the long tights decision.
From the bottom barn, where we were parked, we ran up to the top barn then across to dangerous corner, along the road a little bit, before turning off left onto the farm track towards the ruins at Higher Hempshaws.
We then headed up to Spitlers where Ed and Hazel decided to leave us as they had a deadline and didn't think they'd make it to Darwen Tower and back in time. Before we parted, Ed gave me some useful advice on how to remember the name of the place I'm staying on holiday (Drumnadrochit) but I'll leave Ed to tell that one.
Kev and I headed off across the boggy sheep trod down to Piccadilly, then crossed the road and went through Roddlesworth Woods. We crossed Tockholes Road and decided to take the Aggie's Staircase route up to the Tower, which we both found incredibly hard going today. A quick stretch at the top and we ran over to the Tower and then climbed it. Well it would be rude not to really.
After admiring the scenery for a few minutes (it was really clear today and you could see for miles) we headed back for home, this time going down the less steep but undulating path taking us back down to Roddlesworth Woods.
From Piccadilly we went straight up to Great Hill, rather than going back the way we had come. From there we ran back down towards Higher Hempshaws but instead of going back to Rivington Road, we went straight on, coming out by the campsite on Dean Head Lane and then going along the top of Dean Wood and dropping down to Dean Brook. Only a mile back to the cars now, along Dean Brook, up the steps, across the field, through the kissing gate and along the path at the side of the road.
A really enjoyable run and I'm gutted I won't be out with the guys for a month now, I'll really miss all the banter.
Good luck Ed on your ultra race next weekend! It will give you lots of time to think up some Tim Vine style jokes!
Positive Comments - really enjoyable run. Didn't feel too bad on the climbs.
Total Distance - 14.7 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/184304972
On my request, we headed off towards Darwen Tower, waterproofed up because it was pretty cold and wet. I even went for long tights today because, whilst walking Ruby earlier on in shorts, I was freezing and knew it would be even colder up on the tops. After a mile or so the weather completely changed though and it was lovely and sunny so the cag came off and I regretted the long tights decision.
From the bottom barn, where we were parked, we ran up to the top barn then across to dangerous corner, along the road a little bit, before turning off left onto the farm track towards the ruins at Higher Hempshaws.
We then headed up to Spitlers where Ed and Hazel decided to leave us as they had a deadline and didn't think they'd make it to Darwen Tower and back in time. Before we parted, Ed gave me some useful advice on how to remember the name of the place I'm staying on holiday (Drumnadrochit) but I'll leave Ed to tell that one.
Kev and I headed off across the boggy sheep trod down to Piccadilly, then crossed the road and went through Roddlesworth Woods. We crossed Tockholes Road and decided to take the Aggie's Staircase route up to the Tower, which we both found incredibly hard going today. A quick stretch at the top and we ran over to the Tower and then climbed it. Well it would be rude not to really.
After admiring the scenery for a few minutes (it was really clear today and you could see for miles) we headed back for home, this time going down the less steep but undulating path taking us back down to Roddlesworth Woods.
From Piccadilly we went straight up to Great Hill, rather than going back the way we had come. From there we ran back down towards Higher Hempshaws but instead of going back to Rivington Road, we went straight on, coming out by the campsite on Dean Head Lane and then going along the top of Dean Wood and dropping down to Dean Brook. Only a mile back to the cars now, along Dean Brook, up the steps, across the field, through the kissing gate and along the path at the side of the road.
A really enjoyable run and I'm gutted I won't be out with the guys for a month now, I'll really miss all the banter.
Good luck Ed on your ultra race next weekend! It will give you lots of time to think up some Tim Vine style jokes!
Positive Comments - really enjoyable run. Didn't feel too bad on the climbs.
Total Distance - 14.7 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/184304972
Thursday 21 August 2014
My New Favourite Short Ruby Route
I did this same route last Thursday and really enjoyed it so had another go tonight. The route goes straight up from my house through the edge of Wilderswood, up to Two Lads, over to the Mast then across to the Pike and home.
The reason I like it is because it’s a good route for Ruby. As the majority of it is on muddy fells, it’s nice and soft on her paws and I find that she doesn’t get as tired as quickly. Also, when I’m between Two Lads and the Mast and between the Mast and the Pike, as long as I can see that there are no sheep around, I can let her off the lead which is nice. I am a bit afraid though in case there are sheep I can’t see and she catches sight of one. I really don’t know what I’d do because she wouldn’t come back and the thought of it terrifies me as she’d probably end up getting shot.
When I was running back home down Brownlow Road, a Citroen Picasso was in front of me and it was driving that slow that I ended up having to walk behind it until I could safely overtake it. Come on mate, there’s something seriously wrong if you’re getting overtaken by me!!!
Positive comments – Really enjoyed the run, felt sluggish at first but got into a good stride after a while
Tuesday 19 August 2014
Easy Run with an Annoying Dog
Lots of exercise today, starting with a mile swim this morning and a run this evening, followed by a yoga session.
Tonight's run was OK but Ruby was being really annoying. I felt like I spent the whole run shouting at her. She's getting harder and harder to run with and no matter how much advice I take from people on how to stop her dragging off after everything, nothing works and I really do have to admit defeat. She's just too set in her ways to change.
She'd be a great running companion if there were no other dogs, sheep, squirrels, llamas, deer, cows, pigeons, magpies, rabbits, hares, (the list goes on) around. She's so obedient when there is no distraction but if she catches a glimpse of any one of the aforementioned critters there's just no talking to her. I might as well not be there.
We just ran from home, along to the top barn, up to the pigeon tower, along George's Lane and back home down the Two Lads route.
Positive comment: Feeling quite fresh.
Total distance - 4.1 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/182423985/overview
Tonight's run was OK but Ruby was being really annoying. I felt like I spent the whole run shouting at her. She's getting harder and harder to run with and no matter how much advice I take from people on how to stop her dragging off after everything, nothing works and I really do have to admit defeat. She's just too set in her ways to change.
She'd be a great running companion if there were no other dogs, sheep, squirrels, llamas, deer, cows, pigeons, magpies, rabbits, hares, (the list goes on) around. She's so obedient when there is no distraction but if she catches a glimpse of any one of the aforementioned critters there's just no talking to her. I might as well not be there.
We just ran from home, along to the top barn, up to the pigeon tower, along George's Lane and back home down the Two Lads route.
Positive comment: Feeling quite fresh.
Total distance - 4.1 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/182423985/overview
Monday 18 August 2014
Langdale Horseshoe Recce
Well I can quite honestly say that I'm glad I did a recce of this race and didn't just go into the race blind because there's no way I'm actually going to do the race now! What a horrid route! How anyone can do this in under two hours (the record is one hour 55 minutes) is beyond me. It's practically all on rocks! Huge respect to anyone who races this!
Anyway to the 'run' itself, I went up to Langdale with Ed Swift, Steve Pearson and John Parker.
The climb up to Stickle Tarn, which is the bit I had been dreading the most (I always struggle on the first climb of a run), turned out to be the most enjoyable part of the whole run. I felt really good on the way up and at this point thought I'd quite like to do the race itself.
We ran through the ghyll and continued along the side of Stickle Tarn towards checkpoint 1.
When we had left the car park earlier it was really warm and sunny and I was a bit worried that I had forgotten my sun cream, however shortly after leaving Stickle Tarn, the heavens opens and we all had to stop to put on our waterproofs. I didn't take my Kamleika smock off again after that as it was pretty cold up on the tops and rained on and off.
The rain didn't help our progress at all because all the rocks were really slippery so it was pretty hard going.
At one point, Ed sank his foot/leg quite far into some very smelly mud and all I could think about was the 'Bog of Eternal Stench' from the film Labyrinth!
The best bit of the recce was the views. They were phenomenal and definitely worth the hard work.
Now for the worst bit - 'The Bad Step', which Wainwright describes as 'the most difficult obstacle met on any of the regular walkers' paths in Lakeland'. It is apparently a 10 foot drop which you have to dangle from and then drop down! John had a huge sense of humour failure at this point and we decided to take an alternative route, although Steve had already gone down the bad step so would have to wait for us.
The Bad Step:
(library photo)
As it had got really late we had to make a route choice of whether to head back to the car the direct route or whether to go up the last Pike o Blisco which is the last climb on the race route. As I had decided way back that I wouldn't be doing the race itself and John had seconded this, we decided to give it a miss and head back to the car. Even the decent down to Langdale was horrible and rocky, with both Steve and Ed having falls which looked really bad but they were both OK, save for a bit of cramp.
The only good running we managed to do was the run into the car park from the bottom of the hill. The car was a very welcome sight and my peppered pork butties tasted amazing - I had been fantasizing about them for the last few miles.
We had walked practically the entire route, not much running going on at all. Whilst I could have gone much faster in various places, a lot of it I would do at the same speed in a race so my race time would be absolutely rubbish! I'd be well over four hours I would imagine, possibly nearer five!
I enjoyed the day itself and the great company but just wouldn't want to do the route under race circumstances.
I had just bought some new Inov8 Mudclaws on Saturday so gave them a try out today and they served me well - I didn't fall over anyway.
Before:
Positive comments: Felt strong going uphill, did a bit of navigation training, great company!
Total distance - 13.65 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/182296599/overview
Anyway to the 'run' itself, I went up to Langdale with Ed Swift, Steve Pearson and John Parker.
The climb up to Stickle Tarn, which is the bit I had been dreading the most (I always struggle on the first climb of a run), turned out to be the most enjoyable part of the whole run. I felt really good on the way up and at this point thought I'd quite like to do the race itself.
We ran through the ghyll and continued along the side of Stickle Tarn towards checkpoint 1.
When we had left the car park earlier it was really warm and sunny and I was a bit worried that I had forgotten my sun cream, however shortly after leaving Stickle Tarn, the heavens opens and we all had to stop to put on our waterproofs. I didn't take my Kamleika smock off again after that as it was pretty cold up on the tops and rained on and off.
The rain didn't help our progress at all because all the rocks were really slippery so it was pretty hard going.
At one point, Ed sank his foot/leg quite far into some very smelly mud and all I could think about was the 'Bog of Eternal Stench' from the film Labyrinth!
The best bit of the recce was the views. They were phenomenal and definitely worth the hard work.
Now for the worst bit - 'The Bad Step', which Wainwright describes as 'the most difficult obstacle met on any of the regular walkers' paths in Lakeland'. It is apparently a 10 foot drop which you have to dangle from and then drop down! John had a huge sense of humour failure at this point and we decided to take an alternative route, although Steve had already gone down the bad step so would have to wait for us.
The Bad Step:
As it had got really late we had to make a route choice of whether to head back to the car the direct route or whether to go up the last Pike o Blisco which is the last climb on the race route. As I had decided way back that I wouldn't be doing the race itself and John had seconded this, we decided to give it a miss and head back to the car. Even the decent down to Langdale was horrible and rocky, with both Steve and Ed having falls which looked really bad but they were both OK, save for a bit of cramp.
The only good running we managed to do was the run into the car park from the bottom of the hill. The car was a very welcome sight and my peppered pork butties tasted amazing - I had been fantasizing about them for the last few miles.
We had walked practically the entire route, not much running going on at all. Whilst I could have gone much faster in various places, a lot of it I would do at the same speed in a race so my race time would be absolutely rubbish! I'd be well over four hours I would imagine, possibly nearer five!
I enjoyed the day itself and the great company but just wouldn't want to do the route under race circumstances.
I had just bought some new Inov8 Mudclaws on Saturday so gave them a try out today and they served me well - I didn't fall over anyway.
Before:
After:
Positive comments: Felt strong going uphill, did a bit of navigation training, great company!
Total distance - 13.65 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/182296599/overview
Sunday 17 August 2014
Aborted Run - Forgotten Orthotics
It was my birthday yesterday and Duncan, Ruby and I took a trip to Pete Bland Sports in Kendal so I could spend some gift vouchers on some new fell shoes. I've only ever had one pair of fell shoes as I find that a good trail shoe is good enough for the terrain around here but I wanted some proper fell shoes for going to other places like the Lakes. I currently have Walsh PBs but I just don't get on with them. I always go over on my ankle when it's wet and I don't feel like they give me enough support.
I ended up with a pair of Inov8 Mudclaw 300s in a lovely shade of bright yellow!
This morning I thought I'd give them a try out because I didn't want my first outing in them to be the 13ish miles I'm going to be doing tomorrow on the Langdale Horseshoe recce.
I intended to run up to George's Lane via the farm field to the kennels, along past the Pigeon Tower, up to Noon Hill, across to the Pike, cross-country to the Mast then cross-country to Two Lads as I thought there would be a lot of good terrain to test them out on.
Unfortunately, as I was climbing up to George's Lane from my house, my arches started to really hurt and I realised that I hadn't swapped my orthotics into my new shoes. I persevered a bit more in the hope that it might wear off, but by the time I got to the gate to the field which takes you up to the dog hotel, I had to admit defeat and go back home.
Running downhill, the arches don't hurt as much. It must be something to do with being up on my toes a lot more going uphill.
When I got back home and took my shoes off my arches were really sore and my right ankle was also aching a little (the ankle I recently twisted) so I thought I'd probably be better off calling it a day and saving myself for tomorrow, which is a shame as I was feeling full of energy this morning and was doing really well going up the hill.
Positive comments: Felt really strong going uphill, new shoes have good grip
Total distance - 1.5 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/181392533
Friday 15 August 2014
Two Lads - Mast - Pike
I had a lovely run tonight with Ruby. I really enjoyed it and as I was running through the mud and and slush from the mast to the Pike I looked up to the sky and took a deep breath feeling euphoric. I was brought crashing (almost literally) back to earth though as Ruby had stopped dead in front of me and I nearly fell over her. I could see the ground getting closer to my face but managed to right myself before landing face first in a puddle of mud.
We ran from home up through Wilderswood onto George's Lane and then headed up to Two Lads via the water tanks. I stopped to chat for a while to Sean and Ruby had a great time playing with her old house mates (Ruby used to belong to Sean so she had a little reunion with his other dogs).
We then carried on to Two Lads and then headed cross country for the mast then, when reaching the mast road, turned almost back on ourselves and headed over to the Pike.
As I mentioned above, it was really wet going across to the Pike but I was in one of those moods where I felt that the dirtier I got the better my run would be so I just motored through it all and loved every minute.
We got to the Pike and I let Ruby off the lead for the run down. She did her usual trick of stopping dead right in front of me though but I was able to stop in time. It's really unnerving running down a steep hill with a dog as stupid as Ruby with you.
I made it to the bottom in one piece and got Ruby back on her lead and we headed home, although I could have stayed out for hours. Ruby didn't share this feeling as by this point she had started trailing behind me and I was having to slow to a near walk so she could keep up.
Positive comments: Good strength on hills, really enjoyed run, no ankle pain.
Total distance - 5 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/180662951
Thursday 14 August 2014
Very Short Trot
First run since going over on my ankle on Saturday so just a short one to test it.
It was completely pain free, although still slightly stiffer than the left ankle. When I got home I put some ice on it again and it feels fine now. Hopefully that's the end of that issue. Off to do a recce of the Langdale Horseshoe on Monday so going to take it easy over the weekend.
The run itself was with Ruby and we just ran down to Lever Park Avenue, crossed over onto the path which runs along the road,where some young scallywag on a crosser bike came past us. We turned left at the house and ran down to the next path on the left which takes you back to the path up to Liverpool Castle and again the young lad came past on the crosser. At the end of the path we turned left again instead to take us back to Lever Park Avenue and then ran back home.
Why does Rivington attract chavs?
Positive comment: Managed to run without any ankle pain!
Total distance - 2.25 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/180172738
It was completely pain free, although still slightly stiffer than the left ankle. When I got home I put some ice on it again and it feels fine now. Hopefully that's the end of that issue. Off to do a recce of the Langdale Horseshoe on Monday so going to take it easy over the weekend.
The run itself was with Ruby and we just ran down to Lever Park Avenue, crossed over onto the path which runs along the road,where some young scallywag on a crosser bike came past us. We turned left at the house and ran down to the next path on the left which takes you back to the path up to Liverpool Castle and again the young lad came past on the crosser. At the end of the path we turned left again instead to take us back to Lever Park Avenue and then ran back home.
Why does Rivington attract chavs?
Positive comment: Managed to run without any ankle pain!
Total distance - 2.25 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/180172738
Tuesday 12 August 2014
Swimming!
A trip to Horwich Leisure Centre was in order this morning as I'm really struggling to stay sedentary through my ankle/foot injury.
I haven't been swimming for about two years so decided to just do 50 lengths of breaststroke (proper head under water breaststroke though, none of this trying to keep your hair dry malarkey).
The three lanes all had a few people in each of them so I just got into the main pool area to start with as there were only about six people in it. The first few lengths were the hardest and I was wondering whether 50 was a bit optimistic but I soon got into my stride and it got much easier. After about eight lengths I noticed there was nobody in the middle lane so I went into there as I had spent my first lengths going in zigzags to get round other people, even though there were only a few in the pool.
I got to 50 lengths but didn't feel anywhere near tired enough and had only been in the pool for 35 minutes so I decided to do a few more.
When I got to 60 I decided I'd better start thinking about leaving, seeing as I had to go home and work so I made the decision to just do four more and make it a mile.
It took me about 45 minutes to do the mile which isn't ace but I'm quite pleased seeing as I haven't been swimming for so long and it was all in breaststroke.
My foot is much better today and the swelling has gone down almost completely. It's still a little painful on movement so I'm not going to try to run until it's pain free as I don't want any more setbacks. It didn't hurt at all whilst swimming so I'm going to try to find time to fit more sessions in but it's difficult as this is the only day this week that I can go in the morning and it's too busy for me in the evenings but I might just have to put up with it. I hate how groups of women go and stand chatting in the shallow end so you can't reach the end and do a full length. Why go to the baths if all you're going to do is stand around and talk? They're there for about an hour and probably only do ten lengths in that time.
Sorry for the rant.
Total distance - 1 mile (64 lengths or 1600metres)
http://www.strava.com/activities/179132840
I haven't been swimming for about two years so decided to just do 50 lengths of breaststroke (proper head under water breaststroke though, none of this trying to keep your hair dry malarkey).
The three lanes all had a few people in each of them so I just got into the main pool area to start with as there were only about six people in it. The first few lengths were the hardest and I was wondering whether 50 was a bit optimistic but I soon got into my stride and it got much easier. After about eight lengths I noticed there was nobody in the middle lane so I went into there as I had spent my first lengths going in zigzags to get round other people, even though there were only a few in the pool.
I got to 50 lengths but didn't feel anywhere near tired enough and had only been in the pool for 35 minutes so I decided to do a few more.
When I got to 60 I decided I'd better start thinking about leaving, seeing as I had to go home and work so I made the decision to just do four more and make it a mile.
It took me about 45 minutes to do the mile which isn't ace but I'm quite pleased seeing as I haven't been swimming for so long and it was all in breaststroke.
My foot is much better today and the swelling has gone down almost completely. It's still a little painful on movement so I'm not going to try to run until it's pain free as I don't want any more setbacks. It didn't hurt at all whilst swimming so I'm going to try to find time to fit more sessions in but it's difficult as this is the only day this week that I can go in the morning and it's too busy for me in the evenings but I might just have to put up with it. I hate how groups of women go and stand chatting in the shallow end so you can't reach the end and do a full length. Why go to the baths if all you're going to do is stand around and talk? They're there for about an hour and probably only do ten lengths in that time.
Sorry for the rant.
Total distance - 1 mile (64 lengths or 1600metres)
http://www.strava.com/activities/179132840
Saturday 9 August 2014
Coope's Dozen... Again!
Having never done Coope's Dozen before May this year, I have now done it three times (one of which was the 'baker's' dozen).
Not many of us today, just me, Ed, John and Kev, although Kev wasn't going to be with us for the whole duration.
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The first few summits (Noon Hill, Rivington Pike, Two Lads, Whinberry Hill and Egg Hillock) seemed to go by quite quickly and were easy running (save for the first hill up through the plantation onto George's Lane, which we walked). Getting from Egg Hillock to Counting Hill was ridiculous though! The bracken was really high and we could really have done with a machete each to chop our way though it all, it was like being in a jungle. Legs cut to ribbons (well mine at least), we finally got through it all and made our way to Counting Hill. For me, that's the worst part of the run over with and the biggest climbs too.
We then made our way up from Counting Hill to the trig point on Winter Hill but, on the way up, I went over on my right ankle a couple of times. It hurt a little but wore off as I kept on running and didn't bother me again.
After the trig point, we went down to Hordern Stoops where Ed, as usual, had left us a stash of water, bananas and cereal bars.
A little rest later, we headed off to Old Adams. Kev left us at this point and continued along the flagging, probably towards Great Hill.
Again, going down the dip before the climb to Old Adams, the tussocks were really high and it was hard going, each of us making our own way through different routes, with Ed and myself reaching the fencing before the summit first and finding a little gate to climb over so we didn't need to battle with the barbed wire fence. No cows in the field this time so we didn't need to send Ed over on his own to risk life and limb (interestingly, on the cows point, there is actually an article about the dangers of cows in the most recent Fellrunner Magazine, so I'm not being daft being afraid of them).
From Old Adams we made our way back up, through yet more tussocks and bracken, to Spitlers Edge and from there to Great Hill where Ed had left us another stash.
On leaving Great Hill we made our way across to Round Loaf and then there was only one summit left. I'm not sure how, but on the way from Round Loaf to White Coppice, we seem to have got onto the wrong side of the gully and again found ourselves fighting our way through the bracken. I don't think I'll be wearing short skirts for a while as my legs are in tatters!
We got to the bottom and crossed onto the right side and then made our way into White Coppice where we were very tempted to stop and watch the cricket with a cold beer. We resisted the temptation though and made our way along towards Healey Nab.
On nearing Healey Nab, the final summit, my right ankle started to hurt. It had been about 12 miles since I went over on it and it had been pain free up until this point but the more I ran (or even just walked), the more it hurt. I'm really angry with myself now for carrying on when it was hurting so much as I'll have only made it worse, but we were still four miles from the car and there was nobody I could have rang to pick me up so I had no choice but to keep going.
Apologies for those of a nervous disposition but a disgusting foot picture is about to follow, my feet are pretty grim at the best of times. As you can see, the right one is red and swollen compared with the left one (you can't see the veins and bones in it so it actually improves it to be honest!!!).
I've had ice on it every couple of hours and a compression bandage but it's still quite swollen and painful (I'm typing this and took this photo 24 hours after the run). Feeling really annoyed with myself for letting it get like this but I just didn't know until the last few miles that I had hurt it.
Really enjoyed the run itself though, as usual. We seem to have done half a mile more this time than in May which is probably due to a difference in route in a couple of places. In May, we did the off-road route from the Pike to Two Lads and this time John and I took the George's Lane route. Also, in May we took the Shaly Dingle route from Egg Hillock to Counting Hill which we didn't do this time.
Below is the timing for each hill, although I might not be 100% accurate as I just worked this out from my Garmin Connect map so might have got some of the summits in the wrong place.
I'm not sure about the moving time to Counting Hill as 19 minutes seems way too fast to here - perhaps Garmin mistook our incredibly slow pace through the bracken for us being stopped altogether.
Total Distance - 19 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/178258908/overview
Not many of us today, just me, Ed, John and Kev, although Kev wasn't going to be with us for the whole duration.
The first few summits (Noon Hill, Rivington Pike, Two Lads, Whinberry Hill and Egg Hillock) seemed to go by quite quickly and were easy running (save for the first hill up through the plantation onto George's Lane, which we walked). Getting from Egg Hillock to Counting Hill was ridiculous though! The bracken was really high and we could really have done with a machete each to chop our way though it all, it was like being in a jungle. Legs cut to ribbons (well mine at least), we finally got through it all and made our way to Counting Hill. For me, that's the worst part of the run over with and the biggest climbs too.
We then made our way up from Counting Hill to the trig point on Winter Hill but, on the way up, I went over on my right ankle a couple of times. It hurt a little but wore off as I kept on running and didn't bother me again.
After the trig point, we went down to Hordern Stoops where Ed, as usual, had left us a stash of water, bananas and cereal bars.
A little rest later, we headed off to Old Adams. Kev left us at this point and continued along the flagging, probably towards Great Hill.
Again, going down the dip before the climb to Old Adams, the tussocks were really high and it was hard going, each of us making our own way through different routes, with Ed and myself reaching the fencing before the summit first and finding a little gate to climb over so we didn't need to battle with the barbed wire fence. No cows in the field this time so we didn't need to send Ed over on his own to risk life and limb (interestingly, on the cows point, there is actually an article about the dangers of cows in the most recent Fellrunner Magazine, so I'm not being daft being afraid of them).
From Old Adams we made our way back up, through yet more tussocks and bracken, to Spitlers Edge and from there to Great Hill where Ed had left us another stash.
On leaving Great Hill we made our way across to Round Loaf and then there was only one summit left. I'm not sure how, but on the way from Round Loaf to White Coppice, we seem to have got onto the wrong side of the gully and again found ourselves fighting our way through the bracken. I don't think I'll be wearing short skirts for a while as my legs are in tatters!
We got to the bottom and crossed onto the right side and then made our way into White Coppice where we were very tempted to stop and watch the cricket with a cold beer. We resisted the temptation though and made our way along towards Healey Nab.
On nearing Healey Nab, the final summit, my right ankle started to hurt. It had been about 12 miles since I went over on it and it had been pain free up until this point but the more I ran (or even just walked), the more it hurt. I'm really angry with myself now for carrying on when it was hurting so much as I'll have only made it worse, but we were still four miles from the car and there was nobody I could have rang to pick me up so I had no choice but to keep going.
Apologies for those of a nervous disposition but a disgusting foot picture is about to follow, my feet are pretty grim at the best of times. As you can see, the right one is red and swollen compared with the left one (you can't see the veins and bones in it so it actually improves it to be honest!!!).
I've had ice on it every couple of hours and a compression bandage but it's still quite swollen and painful (I'm typing this and took this photo 24 hours after the run). Feeling really annoyed with myself for letting it get like this but I just didn't know until the last few miles that I had hurt it.
Really enjoyed the run itself though, as usual. We seem to have done half a mile more this time than in May which is probably due to a difference in route in a couple of places. In May, we did the off-road route from the Pike to Two Lads and this time John and I took the George's Lane route. Also, in May we took the Shaly Dingle route from Egg Hillock to Counting Hill which we didn't do this time.
Below is the timing for each hill, although I might not be 100% accurate as I just worked this out from my Garmin Connect map so might have got some of the summits in the wrong place.
Total Distance - 19 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/178258908/overview
Thursday 7 August 2014
Astley Park Trail Race
My first race since the road relays in March!
I had spent all day trying to think up excuses not to do it and I felt sick with worry (I have no idea why - you all know by now that I'm an oddball!) but I'm glad I managed to push all the negative thoughts aside and just man up!
Once I was on the way in the car with Brenda and Tony, all the nerves went away and I started to look forward to racing.
After watching the kids race and having a brief warm up with Mark, the race got underway.
The first lap seemed to go on forever but I was feeling pretty good even though Gordon had gone flying past me with ease on the way through the woods. Laurence had also passed me but I managed to get past him again on the second ascent of the dreaded hill, although it's no longer dreaded for me and is possibly my second favourite part of the race now as I go past everyone and nobody goes past me (my favourite part of the race is going through the woods and coming out back at the start as it's undulating and you can get a good speed up).
Once at the top of the hill though, I started to feel a bit ill. My stomach really hurt and I felt like I might be sick. This lasted for about ¾ of a mile but it then passed and I started feeling good again.
Other than that brief stomach ache, I felt fairly good throughout the race and felt like I was really motoring so I was a little disappointed when I crossed the line and checked my pace - 8.30 minute mile! I felt like it should have been much faster that that. My pace last year was 8.25, although I can’t compare the race time itself as it was a different course.
After the race, my stomach got really bad. I’m not sure why, maybe it was the oats overload I had (porridge for breakfast, a flapjack with lunch and another flapjack for my pre-race snack a couple of hours before) but I couldn’t eat anything when I got home after the race and felt really ill. This might account for why I didn’t do as well as I should have, or am I just making excuses?
In an effort to start seeing more positives in my runs than negatives, I am going to start putting three points at the end of each blog post showing the positives from that day’s session so no better place to start than with today’s race.
Total distance - 4.3 miles + warm up and cool down
http://www.strava.com/activities/176871047/overview
I had spent all day trying to think up excuses not to do it and I felt sick with worry (I have no idea why - you all know by now that I'm an oddball!) but I'm glad I managed to push all the negative thoughts aside and just man up!
Once I was on the way in the car with Brenda and Tony, all the nerves went away and I started to look forward to racing.
After watching the kids race and having a brief warm up with Mark, the race got underway.
The first lap seemed to go on forever but I was feeling pretty good even though Gordon had gone flying past me with ease on the way through the woods. Laurence had also passed me but I managed to get past him again on the second ascent of the dreaded hill, although it's no longer dreaded for me and is possibly my second favourite part of the race now as I go past everyone and nobody goes past me (my favourite part of the race is going through the woods and coming out back at the start as it's undulating and you can get a good speed up).
Once at the top of the hill though, I started to feel a bit ill. My stomach really hurt and I felt like I might be sick. This lasted for about ¾ of a mile but it then passed and I started feeling good again.
Other than that brief stomach ache, I felt fairly good throughout the race and felt like I was really motoring so I was a little disappointed when I crossed the line and checked my pace - 8.30 minute mile! I felt like it should have been much faster that that. My pace last year was 8.25, although I can’t compare the race time itself as it was a different course.
After the race, my stomach got really bad. I’m not sure why, maybe it was the oats overload I had (porridge for breakfast, a flapjack with lunch and another flapjack for my pre-race snack a couple of hours before) but I couldn’t eat anything when I got home after the race and felt really ill. This might account for why I didn’t do as well as I should have, or am I just making excuses?
In an effort to start seeing more positives in my runs than negatives, I am going to start putting three points at the end of each blog post showing the positives from that day’s session so no better place to start than with today’s race.
- I did really well on all three ascensions of the hill. Looking at the segments on Strava, I have the second fastest time on that hill and the people below me have faster times than me on the other sections of the course, which shows that I'm getting much better at hills!
- I had a strong finish and felt really good during the last mile or so.
- I actually did it, even though I had been trying to talk myself out of it all day.
Total distance - 4.3 miles + warm up and cool down
http://www.strava.com/activities/176871047/overview
Monday 4 August 2014
To race or not to race...
...that is the question I was asking myself throughout tonight's run.
I'm trying to decide whether to do the Chorley 4.4 on Wednesday night. As you might be aware, I fell out with racing earlier this year and haven't raced since the road relays in March. I don't want to do the race on Wednesday but I know that the longer I leave it, the worse my anxiety of racing will get.
I'm not going to run it because it's part of the road champs, as I have no chance of getting anywhere with that this year now, haven't done enough races, but it's just a race I have always quite liked so I thought it might be a good one to help me get back into it.
I've never liked racing (apart from the crossing the finish line bit of course) but I've always wanted to like it, which is why I kept doing it in the hope that the more races I did, the less bothered I would be beforehand, but it doesn't seem to have worked and I still get terrible anxiety and spend the hours before a race trying to talk myself out of it. Most of you will be thinking 'why race if you hate it so much' but, like I said, I WANT to start to enjoy it. I just don't know how to take the pressure off myself and stop the anxiety. The only pressure is the pressure I put on myself and I'm well aware of that.
Tonight's run was a leisurely plod to the pub with Ruby. I set off down towards the school, where I bumped into Dave Jackson and had a natter for ten minutes about all sorts from dogs to speed training. Dave gave me some pretty good training advice that I'll definitely be trying out.
We then continued on our way, running down to Rivington Reservoir and following it along to the prep school. We then turned right past the bowling club and up towards Yarrow. I do this route a lot at the minute because I know there's plenty of water around for Ruby to drink in this hot weather. We carried on all the way to the road, where we turned left down the hill then left again at the bottom and along Knowsley Lane all the way to the Yew Tree.
By now I was really looking forward to a cold drink but as we went round the bend and the pub came into sight, I could see no cars at all in the car park and the place looking very quite. Yes, it was closed.
Duncan pulled up about ten minutes later as I had arranged to meet him there and he was gutted too so we drove round to the bowling club and had a drink there instead.
Total distance - 4.25 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/175426972
I'm trying to decide whether to do the Chorley 4.4 on Wednesday night. As you might be aware, I fell out with racing earlier this year and haven't raced since the road relays in March. I don't want to do the race on Wednesday but I know that the longer I leave it, the worse my anxiety of racing will get.
I'm not going to run it because it's part of the road champs, as I have no chance of getting anywhere with that this year now, haven't done enough races, but it's just a race I have always quite liked so I thought it might be a good one to help me get back into it.
I've never liked racing (apart from the crossing the finish line bit of course) but I've always wanted to like it, which is why I kept doing it in the hope that the more races I did, the less bothered I would be beforehand, but it doesn't seem to have worked and I still get terrible anxiety and spend the hours before a race trying to talk myself out of it. Most of you will be thinking 'why race if you hate it so much' but, like I said, I WANT to start to enjoy it. I just don't know how to take the pressure off myself and stop the anxiety. The only pressure is the pressure I put on myself and I'm well aware of that.
Tonight's run was a leisurely plod to the pub with Ruby. I set off down towards the school, where I bumped into Dave Jackson and had a natter for ten minutes about all sorts from dogs to speed training. Dave gave me some pretty good training advice that I'll definitely be trying out.
We then continued on our way, running down to Rivington Reservoir and following it along to the prep school. We then turned right past the bowling club and up towards Yarrow. I do this route a lot at the minute because I know there's plenty of water around for Ruby to drink in this hot weather. We carried on all the way to the road, where we turned left down the hill then left again at the bottom and along Knowsley Lane all the way to the Yew Tree.
By now I was really looking forward to a cold drink but as we went round the bend and the pub came into sight, I could see no cars at all in the car park and the place looking very quite. Yes, it was closed.
Duncan pulled up about ten minutes later as I had arranged to meet him there and he was gutted too so we drove round to the bowling club and had a drink there instead.
Total distance - 4.25 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/175426972
Saturday 2 August 2014
Fueling Issues
As the title says, I seem to be having some fueling issues at the minute - either eating too much before or a run, or eating too little.
Today was the latter. I got up at around 8am this morning and had a pre-run granola bar. However, whilst Duncan was in the bathroom I decided to get back into bed for five minutes and then didn't wake up until after 11am. I had someone coming round at 12.00 so didn't have time for a run before that. At around 12.30 I had a small snack from my Graze box (about 150 calories) and then at about 1.15 I set off for my run.
I drove to Rivvy barn and then ran along to the bowling club and up towards Yarrow. At this point I was feeling fine and as moving well. I went to the end of the track and then turned right on the road into Lead Mines Clough. I ran to the bridge and then went right to go up the big hill and out towards Jepson's Gate, however, when I got to the gate at the top of the hill, the field through the gate was full of cows and calves. The calves were right on the other side of the gate so I really didn't want to go through. Strangely, all of the cows were black but all of the calves were white. Every single one of them.
I went back down the hill and then did a small loop through the clough before running back out again onto the road and then following the road all the way to the bottom and towards Anglezarke car park. By now, only 2.5 miles in, I was getting really tired. I was light headed and energyless and can only put it down to not having eaten enough. It was now nearly 2pm and I had only eaten 300 calories all day, which for me is very little. I get really lighted headed if I don't eat properly, which is why I can't run in the morning without having had breakfast.
Last week I ate too much and had indigestion all the way round so I really need to work on correct fueling - amongst all the other things I need to work on!
I ran the woodland trail round around Anglezarke and then headed back towards Yarrow via 'the slipway' and then headed down to Dean Brook. It was at this point that a fly shot into my mouth and no amount of 'hocking' could get it back up again. I could feel it at the back of my throat but could do nothing about it. Ah well, I probably needed the protein!
Total distance - 6.3 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/174393817/overview
Today was the latter. I got up at around 8am this morning and had a pre-run granola bar. However, whilst Duncan was in the bathroom I decided to get back into bed for five minutes and then didn't wake up until after 11am. I had someone coming round at 12.00 so didn't have time for a run before that. At around 12.30 I had a small snack from my Graze box (about 150 calories) and then at about 1.15 I set off for my run.
I drove to Rivvy barn and then ran along to the bowling club and up towards Yarrow. At this point I was feeling fine and as moving well. I went to the end of the track and then turned right on the road into Lead Mines Clough. I ran to the bridge and then went right to go up the big hill and out towards Jepson's Gate, however, when I got to the gate at the top of the hill, the field through the gate was full of cows and calves. The calves were right on the other side of the gate so I really didn't want to go through. Strangely, all of the cows were black but all of the calves were white. Every single one of them.
I went back down the hill and then did a small loop through the clough before running back out again onto the road and then following the road all the way to the bottom and towards Anglezarke car park. By now, only 2.5 miles in, I was getting really tired. I was light headed and energyless and can only put it down to not having eaten enough. It was now nearly 2pm and I had only eaten 300 calories all day, which for me is very little. I get really lighted headed if I don't eat properly, which is why I can't run in the morning without having had breakfast.
Last week I ate too much and had indigestion all the way round so I really need to work on correct fueling - amongst all the other things I need to work on!
I ran the woodland trail round around Anglezarke and then headed back towards Yarrow via 'the slipway' and then headed down to Dean Brook. It was at this point that a fly shot into my mouth and no amount of 'hocking' could get it back up again. I could feel it at the back of my throat but could do nothing about it. Ah well, I probably needed the protein!
Total distance - 6.3 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/174393817/overview
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