Tonight, Ruby and I ran up to Two Lads and then up towards the mast. Whilst running in the dark, I lost track of my usual cross-country route to the mast and ended up on the mast road instead. Probably for the best, as my cross-country path is very boggy at the minute. We ran up the mast road but Ruby was really starting to tire so once we got to the cattle grid we just turned around and went back down the road. We turned off towards the water tanks and then ran down to George's Lane before running back through Wilderswood and home.
I ordered my new Hope head torch today. I went for the R4 as I managed to find it for only a small amount more than the R1. Hopefully it will arrive early next week. I can't wait to give it a try out! Should be like running in daylight.
Total distance - 4.35 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/213967799
Friday 31 October 2014
Thursday 30 October 2014
First Solo Head Torch Run of the Winter
As the title suggests, this was the first time this winter I have ventured out with just Ruby in the dark. I have done it many times before of course as I ran all last winter in the dark but there's something a bit nerve-racking about the first one after a long break. The nerves quickly went away though once we got going.
We only did a quick run tonight as I was going out for my mum’s 65th birthday and I had already left the house later than I had planned. We just ran to the school then along to the top barn, did a loop and came back again. The great thing about running in the dark is that I can see other people who potentially have a dog with them before Ruby does because I will see their torch light up ahead. This meant that I could let Ruby off the lead and have more of a chance of getting her back on it again if somebody came along. I let her off once we had turned off the road by the school and I didn’t have to put her back on again until we got back to that spot as we didn’t see a single other person, another one of the joys of running in the dark – people tend to stick to walking their dogs on the roads instead.
I decided tonight though that I think I need to invest in a better torch to see me through the winter as, although my Led Lenser is OK and gives a decent amount of light, it's not very sturdy and when running downhill the torch flops down and points to my nose, which isn't ideal when running downhill at a bit of speed. I'm going to treat myself to a Hope! Goodbye cash!
Total distance – 3.4 miles
Wednesday 29 October 2014
The Yorkshire Two Peaks
On a cold but beautifully sunny day, myself, Julie L and the Swift brothers headed off t’Yorkshire to run two of the Yorkshire Three Peaks.
We parked up at Horton in Ribblesdale and met up with Chris B who is living in Settle. Chris drove us over to Ribblehead where we started our journey.
The first peak was Whernside which was quite a gentle runnable ascent. Unfortunately, Chris had to leave us before we got to the top as he was on a strict time limit imposed by his good lady wife. After saying our farewells we continued on our way and finally reached the summit where we had a chat to a couple of girls who were sat drinking mugs of tea which we were pretty jealous of.
We then made our way along to Ingleborough, which was another gentle ascent to start with but then became more of a scramble as we climbed our way up to the top. After having felt really tired and lacking in energy at the beginning of our outing, I started to come into my own at this point and motored my way up the rocky climb. Once I get into a stride I don’t really like to break it as then I find it harder to get going again so I just carried on ahead.
I reached the gate and went through it and then saw that there was still another steep climb to come. I had thought I was at the top but no such luck. I continued up the next climb using my hands as well because I was so tired and then final got to the easily runnable table top. Even though I was close to collapse at this point, I made a point of running all the way to the trig point. I would have been rude not to really. I then had a sit down with some walkers who were in awe at the fact that I was running when they had struggled to even walk. The object of their awe and respect then turned to John, who I pointed out as he came up onto the table top in the distance and told them of his age. They just couldn’t believe it and were completely gobsmacked. Next Ed and Julie appeared and one of the walkers was then impressed by the fact that Ed was not only running, but was wearing shorts in this cold weather!
After chilling out a bit at the top, the final descent began. It was quite steep and rocky at first as we went down the same side as we had come up but it then got nice and easy going and the five miles back to Horton passed very quickly.
Yet another brilliant day with awesome people. Really enjoyed it and thanks very much to Julie for driving us all there, much appreciated.
Bring on the next one!
Total distance – 14.5 miles
Sunday 26 October 2014
Sunday Afternoon Outing with Steve
Steve Pearson came round at midday today to join me for a run starting from my house. Clare McKenna was supposed to join us too but, unfortunately, she hurt her ankle at XC yesterday so wanted to take it easy today.
After leaving Ruby, who was looking at us with the most pitiful look on her face because we were going out without her, we headed off along dog poo alley and up the continuation of Brownlow Road out onto George's Lane (the reverse of the Two Lads race route).
We ran along to the Pike and up the Pike Race route. We both got up there really well in my opinion and, after a very brief pause, headed back down again at the steps side, although we took the grassy route to the side of the steps.
Back on George's Lane we ran along and turned right at the Pigeon Tower and headed over to Noon Hill. We ran straight off Noon Hill back down to George's Lane (although I think it's called Belmont Road at this point) and along towards the diagonal.
After starting up the diagonal, we turned off to the left and followed the contours around. I think the route we took was part of the Belmont Winter Hill Fell Race route and I haven't been along this trod since doing that race nearly three years ago.
We crossed the stile onto the muddy path which goes up to the top of Winter Hill from Hordern Stoops but it was horribly muddy so further up, we crossed back onto the other side of the wall and went up the really steep way, again part of the Belmont Winter Hill race route.
No rest for the wicked, as soon as we reached the top we continued on and along to the Mast Road. We headed down the Mast Road, where it was incredibly windy, to the cattle grid, then turned left down the flags to the Shooting Hut.
We cut through Roscoe's Tenament and out onto Coal Pit Lane, then along past the farm and followed the path which brings you back out onto the Mast Road, which we crossed straight over and followed the path to the water tanks then up to Two Lads.
From Two Lads, we ran down to the kennels then down through the field opposite the kennels coming out at the stables which are just up from my house. We then turned right and ran down the track and out onto Green Lane where we then just ran though the housing estate (past David Jackson's house, which I pointed out to Steve, along with lots of other runner's houses, it was like a guided tour of the Pennine Road estate) and back to my house.
It was a really enjoyable run and great to have good company. One thing about today which is unusual for me is that Steve kept going, rather than stopping for a breather at the top of hills which I think will have done me good and it's something I need to start doing a lot more.
Great run!
After leaving Ruby, who was looking at us with the most pitiful look on her face because we were going out without her, we headed off along dog poo alley and up the continuation of Brownlow Road out onto George's Lane (the reverse of the Two Lads race route).
We ran along to the Pike and up the Pike Race route. We both got up there really well in my opinion and, after a very brief pause, headed back down again at the steps side, although we took the grassy route to the side of the steps.
Back on George's Lane we ran along and turned right at the Pigeon Tower and headed over to Noon Hill. We ran straight off Noon Hill back down to George's Lane (although I think it's called Belmont Road at this point) and along towards the diagonal.
After starting up the diagonal, we turned off to the left and followed the contours around. I think the route we took was part of the Belmont Winter Hill Fell Race route and I haven't been along this trod since doing that race nearly three years ago.
We crossed the stile onto the muddy path which goes up to the top of Winter Hill from Hordern Stoops but it was horribly muddy so further up, we crossed back onto the other side of the wall and went up the really steep way, again part of the Belmont Winter Hill race route.
No rest for the wicked, as soon as we reached the top we continued on and along to the Mast Road. We headed down the Mast Road, where it was incredibly windy, to the cattle grid, then turned left down the flags to the Shooting Hut.
We cut through Roscoe's Tenament and out onto Coal Pit Lane, then along past the farm and followed the path which brings you back out onto the Mast Road, which we crossed straight over and followed the path to the water tanks then up to Two Lads.
From Two Lads, we ran down to the kennels then down through the field opposite the kennels coming out at the stables which are just up from my house. We then turned right and ran down the track and out onto Green Lane where we then just ran though the housing estate (past David Jackson's house, which I pointed out to Steve, along with lots of other runner's houses, it was like a guided tour of the Pennine Road estate) and back to my house.
It was a really enjoyable run and great to have good company. One thing about today which is unusual for me is that Steve kept going, rather than stopping for a breather at the top of hills which I think will have done me good and it's something I need to start doing a lot more.
Great run!
Total Distance - 8.43 miles
Saturday 25 October 2014
Mid Lancs XC - Hyndburn
My first cross country race of the season.
Last year, I didn't have much luck at Hyndburn as I went over on my ankle and ended up in the St John's Ambulance tent at the end. I did finish the race though, however in a pitiful time of 37.18 (What?! For just over 5k? How muddy was it?!?!?!?!?), so I was really confident I could beat that this year.
I'm pleased to say that I did, finishing in a time of 32.05. Over 5 minutes faster! Really pleased with my performance and it's put me back on a high after my poor performance at Gin Pit the other week. I can't actually believe the difference because, even though I went over last year I didn't think it had affected my performance that much because it wasn't until after the race I realised I had hurt it. To any of my non off-road running friends just under a ten minute mile pace might sound incredibly slow but trust me, cross country is hard work, it's just mud mud mud and a bit more mud! Don't get me wrong, it's not an overly fast pace, I came 103rd out of 166 but you just can't compare it to running on the road.
Before the race I went back and forth trying to decide whether to wear spikes or not. Both Suzanne and Clare said that they always wear spikes for cross country but personally for me it depends on the course. The course today had a lot of running through woods which were full of twigs and leaves and these all get stuck in your spikes. After having a brief trial run in my spikes I decided to get back into my Mudclaws and I'm really glad I did now.
The route was pretty muddy (as usual at Hyndburn!) and twice I found myself jumping over somebody's shoe which had come off and been lodged in the mud.
After the race, Duncan and our mate Barry picked me up and we went over to Kendal to pick up our new T4 campervan. I drove it a little bit and practiced parking it down at the train station and it all seemed easy enough. Can't wait to go away in it. Anyone know a good place to wild camp in the Lakes?
All in all, a great day!
Total Distance - 3.21 miles
Full results http://www.race-results.co.uk/results/2014/ml141.htm
http://www.strava.com/activities/211542978/overview
Last year, I didn't have much luck at Hyndburn as I went over on my ankle and ended up in the St John's Ambulance tent at the end. I did finish the race though, however in a pitiful time of 37.18 (What?! For just over 5k? How muddy was it?!?!?!?!?), so I was really confident I could beat that this year.
I'm pleased to say that I did, finishing in a time of 32.05. Over 5 minutes faster! Really pleased with my performance and it's put me back on a high after my poor performance at Gin Pit the other week. I can't actually believe the difference because, even though I went over last year I didn't think it had affected my performance that much because it wasn't until after the race I realised I had hurt it. To any of my non off-road running friends just under a ten minute mile pace might sound incredibly slow but trust me, cross country is hard work, it's just mud mud mud and a bit more mud! Don't get me wrong, it's not an overly fast pace, I came 103rd out of 166 but you just can't compare it to running on the road.
Before the race I went back and forth trying to decide whether to wear spikes or not. Both Suzanne and Clare said that they always wear spikes for cross country but personally for me it depends on the course. The course today had a lot of running through woods which were full of twigs and leaves and these all get stuck in your spikes. After having a brief trial run in my spikes I decided to get back into my Mudclaws and I'm really glad I did now.
The route was pretty muddy (as usual at Hyndburn!) and twice I found myself jumping over somebody's shoe which had come off and been lodged in the mud.
After the race, Duncan and our mate Barry picked me up and we went over to Kendal to pick up our new T4 campervan. I drove it a little bit and practiced parking it down at the train station and it all seemed easy enough. Can't wait to go away in it. Anyone know a good place to wild camp in the Lakes?
All in all, a great day!
Total Distance - 3.21 miles
Full results http://www.race-results.co.uk/results/2014/ml141.htm
http://www.strava.com/activities/211542978/overview
Thursday 23 October 2014
Worrying About Worrying
Tonight I went to the Harriers hill session, something I really need to make an effort to get to more often.
Steve took the mickey out of me a lot tonight for something I know I'm extremely guilty of - worrying. He asked whether I worry about not having anything to worry about. He has a good point, I really do worry about absolutely everything.
I'm meeting Steve and Clare on Sunday for a run and I'm even worried about that because I'm bothered that I'll slow them down and ruin their run. I get this when I run with other people, which is why I prefer to go solo but I know I need to change this and get over my fears as running with others can and should be really enjoyable.
I also had a discussion with both Steve and Clare tonight about how hit and miss I am with running. Everybody has 'off'' days, but 50% of my days seem to be off days. That might be a slight exaggeration but I really do have an awful lot of off days. Steve commented on how well I climbed up Stickle Ghyll the other week and left the others behind and I told him that I was feeling really good that day and full of energy, although about five days before I had been out with the WFDBWGUA group on a Saturday morning and not only was I struggling to run up moderate hills but I could barely even walk up them. It's bizarre and I wonder if anybody else gets this? It's another of the reasons I fear going running with others, in case I have one of my off days and ruin the whole run.
Anyway, the session itself involved starting from Gingham Brow and running up to the bus stop after Georges's Lane. We had to do 60 seconds of hard effort with 30 seconds recovery in between. I could have gone out harder than I did but, true to form, I worried about pushing myself too hard before the race on Saturday and didn't want to tire myself out too much.
I really need to make more progress with my Chimp Paradox book but that's a story for another day's blog.
Total Distance - 5.1 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/210806859
Steve took the mickey out of me a lot tonight for something I know I'm extremely guilty of - worrying. He asked whether I worry about not having anything to worry about. He has a good point, I really do worry about absolutely everything.
I'm meeting Steve and Clare on Sunday for a run and I'm even worried about that because I'm bothered that I'll slow them down and ruin their run. I get this when I run with other people, which is why I prefer to go solo but I know I need to change this and get over my fears as running with others can and should be really enjoyable.
I also had a discussion with both Steve and Clare tonight about how hit and miss I am with running. Everybody has 'off'' days, but 50% of my days seem to be off days. That might be a slight exaggeration but I really do have an awful lot of off days. Steve commented on how well I climbed up Stickle Ghyll the other week and left the others behind and I told him that I was feeling really good that day and full of energy, although about five days before I had been out with the WFDBWGUA group on a Saturday morning and not only was I struggling to run up moderate hills but I could barely even walk up them. It's bizarre and I wonder if anybody else gets this? It's another of the reasons I fear going running with others, in case I have one of my off days and ruin the whole run.
Anyway, the session itself involved starting from Gingham Brow and running up to the bus stop after Georges's Lane. We had to do 60 seconds of hard effort with 30 seconds recovery in between. I could have gone out harder than I did but, true to form, I worried about pushing myself too hard before the race on Saturday and didn't want to tire myself out too much.
I really need to make more progress with my Chimp Paradox book but that's a story for another day's blog.
Total Distance - 5.1 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/210806859
Tuesday 21 October 2014
Getting Back in the Game... Hopefully!
Still on a high from last night's spin class, where I discovered that I had much better fitness than I thought (well, lung capacity anyway), I headed off into the stormy weather with Ruby for a jaunt round Rivington.
Just a short pretty flat one tonight as I didn't know whether I'd be achy from last night but I actually felt really good. I started to regret not having brought my head torch because I knew I couldn't now extend my run.
We ran along to the top barn, then down Sheephouse Lane and along to the bottom barn, along the path at the side of the road, back to the school, then home.
The weather was awful tonight and Ruby didn't really want to go out but was fine once we got out there. I love running in bad weather though, as I've said before, it makes you feel alive!
Once home I fed Ruby and Croker (the cat) and then headed up to my exercise room for some strength training which I have been neglecting a lot lately.
Last night has helped me find my motivation again and I'm hoping it keeps up and I get a lot more non-running training in and build up a good base over the winter.
Total distance - 4.15 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/210065719
Just a short pretty flat one tonight as I didn't know whether I'd be achy from last night but I actually felt really good. I started to regret not having brought my head torch because I knew I couldn't now extend my run.
We ran along to the top barn, then down Sheephouse Lane and along to the bottom barn, along the path at the side of the road, back to the school, then home.
The weather was awful tonight and Ruby didn't really want to go out but was fine once we got out there. I love running in bad weather though, as I've said before, it makes you feel alive!
Once home I fed Ruby and Croker (the cat) and then headed up to my exercise room for some strength training which I have been neglecting a lot lately.
Last night has helped me find my motivation again and I'm hoping it keeps up and I get a lot more non-running training in and build up a good base over the winter.
Total distance - 4.15 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/210065719
Monday 20 October 2014
Spin Class - At Altitude!
I'll admit it, I have spent the whole day dreading this spin class which Suzanne talked me into going to. I have never done a normal spin class before and this one had a difference... it was at altitude. Not properly at altitude of course as it was in Chorley and not even on top of a hill in Chorley. It's simulated altitude and all the spin bikes are inside a chamber where the oxygen is gradually reduced (at least I think that's how it works anyway - probably a bit more technical than that).
I got there and was greeted by not only Suzanne but Nadine from Horwich RMI too! It was starting to look like a club session. Dave, the instructor took us, along with two other ladies and two fellas into the 'chamber' where the bikes awaited us.
Dave showed us the four different standing positions, which just involved having your hands at different positions on the bars and leaning forward on some positions but being upright on others.
After the warm up, we did various stints at different rpms and in different gears which at some points were really challenging.
What can I say, I loved it! It really showed me how fit I am because I followed Dave's instructions to the letter, keeping up more than the speed he was telling us to be at and having the gear where he was telling us, yet I was still able to keep going and, during the rest periods, was able to talk easily despite sweating profusely. Turns out my lung capacity is much better than I give it credit for and we got up to 9,500 ft I think.
At the very end Dave issued a challenge and had everybody stand up at position 3 with gear 16 and see who would be the last to sit down. I'm not embarrassed to say that I was the first to sit down. The reason I'm not embarrassed though is because it wasn't because I was tired (although I'm not going to say I wasn't tired at all as that would be a blatant lie) but was because my right hip was sore and felt like it was jerking and, even though I was trying desperately not to give up, I thought I might be doing myself more harm than good if I carried on. I sat down but I kept going at just under 140 rpm and stayed in gear 16 so it's not like I shirked off completely and gave up. My hip just didn't hurt when I was sat down, although my backside did and I think I'll have to wear padded cycling shorts next time!
Suzanne, as I suspected, was last to sit down, along with a young lad who seemed determined not to be outdone by a lady. In fact, neither sat down at all and Dave stopped the session because I think otherwise the competition would have gone on all night.
We were on the bikes for around 45 minutes altogether and it was a great workout. I'll definitely be back and it was really nice to catch up with Nadine who I haven't seen for a while.
We were told that they can accommodate group sessions so come on happy harriers, give it a go!
These Strava stats will show absolutely nothing as I wasn't wearing a heart rate monitor so the rpm it shows bears no resemblance to what I was doing but they're there anyway.
http://www.strava.com/activities/209735760
I got there and was greeted by not only Suzanne but Nadine from Horwich RMI too! It was starting to look like a club session. Dave, the instructor took us, along with two other ladies and two fellas into the 'chamber' where the bikes awaited us.
Dave showed us the four different standing positions, which just involved having your hands at different positions on the bars and leaning forward on some positions but being upright on others.
After the warm up, we did various stints at different rpms and in different gears which at some points were really challenging.
What can I say, I loved it! It really showed me how fit I am because I followed Dave's instructions to the letter, keeping up more than the speed he was telling us to be at and having the gear where he was telling us, yet I was still able to keep going and, during the rest periods, was able to talk easily despite sweating profusely. Turns out my lung capacity is much better than I give it credit for and we got up to 9,500 ft I think.
At the very end Dave issued a challenge and had everybody stand up at position 3 with gear 16 and see who would be the last to sit down. I'm not embarrassed to say that I was the first to sit down. The reason I'm not embarrassed though is because it wasn't because I was tired (although I'm not going to say I wasn't tired at all as that would be a blatant lie) but was because my right hip was sore and felt like it was jerking and, even though I was trying desperately not to give up, I thought I might be doing myself more harm than good if I carried on. I sat down but I kept going at just under 140 rpm and stayed in gear 16 so it's not like I shirked off completely and gave up. My hip just didn't hurt when I was sat down, although my backside did and I think I'll have to wear padded cycling shorts next time!
Suzanne, as I suspected, was last to sit down, along with a young lad who seemed determined not to be outdone by a lady. In fact, neither sat down at all and Dave stopped the session because I think otherwise the competition would have gone on all night.
We were on the bikes for around 45 minutes altogether and it was a great workout. I'll definitely be back and it was really nice to catch up with Nadine who I haven't seen for a while.
We were told that they can accommodate group sessions so come on happy harriers, give it a go!
These Strava stats will show absolutely nothing as I wasn't wearing a heart rate monitor so the rpm it shows bears no resemblance to what I was doing but they're there anyway.
http://www.strava.com/activities/209735760
Saturday 18 October 2014
Pike, Two Lads, Trig Point, Great Hill, White Coppice
At the UTUP this morning were myself, Julie, John S, Kev and Gordon. Just after we set off, John C was getting out of his car on the way up to the top barn and joined our merry group as we headed off for the Pike.
On arrival at the Pike, John C had asked that we didn't wait for him as he was going to do his own thing, so we headed off down to George's Lane and then along to the kennels and up to Two Lads. I'm not going to lie, I was quite tired this morning and the climb to Two Lads was hard work.
Once at Two Lads we headed up for the trig point, but decided to avoid the 'wet' route today and ran mostly along the mast road.
On arrival at the Pike, John C had asked that we didn't wait for him as he was going to do his own thing, so we headed off down to George's Lane and then along to the kennels and up to Two Lads. I'm not going to lie, I was quite tired this morning and the climb to Two Lads was hard work.
Once at Two Lads we headed up for the trig point, but decided to avoid the 'wet' route today and ran mostly along the mast road.
Just before the trig point, we bumped into John P, David and his two dogs so Kev kindly took a photo of the group, although only one of the dogs featured in it, the other one enjoying itself running around the place...
From the trig point, we went down the diagonal and onto Belmont Road, where John C was also arriving at the same time. From here, Julie, John and John headed back towards the barn and myself, Kev and Gordon went the other way and over to Hordern Stoops.
We ran up to Great Hill but I was struggling a bit as the flagging was really slippery and I kept nearly doing the splits on it (at one point even squealing like a girl) but it was too boggy at the side of the flagging to run on that instead. This seemed to be one of those occasions where having grippy shoes on was more of a hindrance than having less grip so my Mud Claws weren't doing me proud.
Once at the top of Great Hill, where a full of beans Kev had been waiting for a while, we headed off down to White Coppice and then along to Waterman's Cottage. We then took the path through the woods and along to Angelzarke before coming out onto Knowlsey Lane.
I told Gordon about the Strava segment for 'slipway steep bit' so he was determined to get up there in a decent time. I, on the other hand, was totally done in. I couldn't summon any strength to get up that very short hill at any effort. Gordon looked to be going pretty well so I think he may have beaten my segment time but I'm not sure at the point of writing.
We then ran back down towards Rivington, via Dean Brook, up the steps and across the field.
On returning to the barn, Gordon went straight home but Kev and I retreated to the barn for a drink and a well deserved piece of carrot cake.
Another enjoyable Saturday morning with good company. I have made the decision not to do the Red Rose XC this year because if I do both that and Mid Lancs then every Saturday in November will be taken up by an XC race and I really don't want to miss out on my Saturday morning UTUP for the sake of a 5k race through boring fields.
Total Distance - 12.8 miles
Thursday 16 October 2014
Watch Out Gordon!
I couldn't make the hill session tonight, which seems to be becoming a theme. Instead I took Ruby out for a run on the tops.
We set off straight up through Wilderswood and out onto George's Lane and then started to climb up to two lads.
When I turned the corner at the water tanks, I realised that I had been going quite well and cast my mind back to a message I received a couple of weeks back from Gordon, challenging me to beat his Strava time for this George's Lane to Two Lads ascent so I tried a bit harder to get to the top without slowing. On looking at my stats when I got home, unfortunately I'm still 35 seconds behind Gordon however, I'm fairly certain I can get much closer as, when I was near the bottom of the climb, I stopped to let Ruby sniff a bit and then stopped to let her off the lead so I probably wasted nearly 35 seconds there.
Watch out Gordon, I'm coming to get you!!!
After Two Lads we continued on our new favourite short route and went cross country to the mast. It was then across to the Pike through lots and lots of mud. I kept sinking up to my shins and nearly lost a shoe at one point. Poor Ruby, she was sinking up to her neck. She seemed to be really enjoying herself though as I had her off the lead because there were no dogs or sheep in sight. That's why I love running across there because I can see any potential snacks for Ruby before she is close enough to get near them.
From the Pike we just ran down to George's Lane and back home.
Total distance - 5 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/208063120
We set off straight up through Wilderswood and out onto George's Lane and then started to climb up to two lads.
When I turned the corner at the water tanks, I realised that I had been going quite well and cast my mind back to a message I received a couple of weeks back from Gordon, challenging me to beat his Strava time for this George's Lane to Two Lads ascent so I tried a bit harder to get to the top without slowing. On looking at my stats when I got home, unfortunately I'm still 35 seconds behind Gordon however, I'm fairly certain I can get much closer as, when I was near the bottom of the climb, I stopped to let Ruby sniff a bit and then stopped to let her off the lead so I probably wasted nearly 35 seconds there.
Watch out Gordon, I'm coming to get you!!!
After Two Lads we continued on our new favourite short route and went cross country to the mast. It was then across to the Pike through lots and lots of mud. I kept sinking up to my shins and nearly lost a shoe at one point. Poor Ruby, she was sinking up to her neck. She seemed to be really enjoying herself though as I had her off the lead because there were no dogs or sheep in sight. That's why I love running across there because I can see any potential snacks for Ruby before she is close enough to get near them.
From the Pike we just ran down to George's Lane and back home.
Total distance - 5 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/208063120
Wednesday 15 October 2014
Tempo Session
Duncan dropped me off this morning at the car park at Hordern Stoops and I did a mile warm up along the diagonal and over to Higher Hempshaws. I then attempted to do the next three miles at around an 8.15 minute mile pace. Admittedly, I did stop my watch at one point because I had to remove some layers and dig out a stone in my shoe and I didn't want to keep my watch running and distort the average pace which is a bit of a cheat really but, hey, I'm only cheating myself!
After the three miles, I realised that I was still two miles from home so thought I might as well make the next mile half decent (although quite a bit slower than the previous three as I was really tired) before a mile cool down.
On first looking at my trace for today's tempo session when I got home I was really pleased as I was under eight minute miling... until I realised that the majority of the 'speed' section of the run was downhill!
Ah well, nevermind, it still feels like it did me a world of good because I got home absolutely cream crackered and dripping with sweat and when I run with Ruby that doesn't happen because there is very little effort involved so doing a session like this or a speed session every week should really help with my racing if that isn't stating the obvious too much.
Total distance - 6.5 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/207618042
After the three miles, I realised that I was still two miles from home so thought I might as well make the next mile half decent (although quite a bit slower than the previous three as I was really tired) before a mile cool down.
On first looking at my trace for today's tempo session when I got home I was really pleased as I was under eight minute miling... until I realised that the majority of the 'speed' section of the run was downhill!
Ah well, nevermind, it still feels like it did me a world of good because I got home absolutely cream crackered and dripping with sweat and when I run with Ruby that doesn't happen because there is very little effort involved so doing a session like this or a speed session every week should really help with my racing if that isn't stating the obvious too much.
Total distance - 6.5 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/207618042
Tuesday 14 October 2014
Limbo!
Well, I made it out the door, if only for a short run, this evening.
As you might have read on my Facebook post today, I'm feeling really down at the minute but for no particular reason. It's making me feel really unmotivated and lethargic so last night I just couldn't be bothered going out for a run, but then this just made me feel even more miserable later on.
Tonight I knew I had to get out but I was stuck for time as I had to pick Duncan up at 6pm and wouldn't get time for a run after that for various reasons.
I drove along to the barn and went for a run with Ruby along to Yarrow Reservoir. I didn't really have any particular route in mind and was just making it up as I went along. We reached the road and went down the hill towards Anglezarke and I then decided to loop back round and up 'slipway - steep bit' which is a Strava segment I have a goal on. The goal was to do it in under 1 minute 45 seconds and I did it in 1 minute 39 so that was pleasing, although I felt I could do it much faster if I didn't have Ruby so I might have to make the goal a bit tougher. The ladies CR on that bit is 1.32 so I'm going to set a goal of under that, maybe even under 1.30.
When I got back up to Yarrow, I headed back down towards Rivington, but then turned left and followed the road along to the farm fields. We ran along the right hand edge of the farm field which leads to a kissing gate onto a narrow trail. We followed the trail until it came out on the road by the campsite and it was at this point that I realised the path I had just come along was actually closed, although it didn't say at the end I entered it from that it was, but it had orange barriers across the exit onto the road. I went through and along the road, climbing up to Sheephouse Lane. That's when I was met with the barrier which I had assumed was just for cars and that I'd be able to squeeze around the side of but apparently not as they were right up to the walls on either side and secured with rope.
I could have untied the rope and moved the fencing but I thought it seemed much easier to just limbo under it through the mud (as the muddy bit to the right of the picture between the yellow plastic base and the cone was the bit with the biggest gap) so that's what I did. Good job I'm scrawny!
Muddy arsed, I continued on my way and we just went down the path at the side of Sheephouse Lane, along to the top barn and then through the field back to the car.
I must say I'm feeling much better now. It's surprising what a run, even a short slow one, can do to lift your mood.
Looking forward to heading out again in the morning for a speed or tempo session, haven't decided yet!
Total Distance - 4.3 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/207324251/overview
As you might have read on my Facebook post today, I'm feeling really down at the minute but for no particular reason. It's making me feel really unmotivated and lethargic so last night I just couldn't be bothered going out for a run, but then this just made me feel even more miserable later on.
Tonight I knew I had to get out but I was stuck for time as I had to pick Duncan up at 6pm and wouldn't get time for a run after that for various reasons.
I drove along to the barn and went for a run with Ruby along to Yarrow Reservoir. I didn't really have any particular route in mind and was just making it up as I went along. We reached the road and went down the hill towards Anglezarke and I then decided to loop back round and up 'slipway - steep bit' which is a Strava segment I have a goal on. The goal was to do it in under 1 minute 45 seconds and I did it in 1 minute 39 so that was pleasing, although I felt I could do it much faster if I didn't have Ruby so I might have to make the goal a bit tougher. The ladies CR on that bit is 1.32 so I'm going to set a goal of under that, maybe even under 1.30.
When I got back up to Yarrow, I headed back down towards Rivington, but then turned left and followed the road along to the farm fields. We ran along the right hand edge of the farm field which leads to a kissing gate onto a narrow trail. We followed the trail until it came out on the road by the campsite and it was at this point that I realised the path I had just come along was actually closed, although it didn't say at the end I entered it from that it was, but it had orange barriers across the exit onto the road. I went through and along the road, climbing up to Sheephouse Lane. That's when I was met with the barrier which I had assumed was just for cars and that I'd be able to squeeze around the side of but apparently not as they were right up to the walls on either side and secured with rope.
I could have untied the rope and moved the fencing but I thought it seemed much easier to just limbo under it through the mud (as the muddy bit to the right of the picture between the yellow plastic base and the cone was the bit with the biggest gap) so that's what I did. Good job I'm scrawny!
Muddy arsed, I continued on my way and we just went down the path at the side of Sheephouse Lane, along to the top barn and then through the field back to the car.
I must say I'm feeling much better now. It's surprising what a run, even a short slow one, can do to lift your mood.
Looking forward to heading out again in the morning for a speed or tempo session, haven't decided yet!
Total Distance - 4.3 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/207324251/overview
Sunday 12 October 2014
Gin Pit 5
The last race in this year's Central Lancs Grand Prix took place at Tyldesley today and I was there in my red and black vest along with Gordon, Steve, Lawrence, Tom, Sean, Rudolf, Nick and Barry (though he was only in his red and black buff and a blue vest). Hope I haven't missed anyone off.
It was not a good race for me for a variety of reasons, all of my own making (of course, who else's fault would it be?).
At first I felt OK and was really comfortable with my pace but after the small loop and the beginning of the first large loop, I really started to feel ill. I had had a bad stomach all morning, as had Duncan, which we put down to the curry we had last night, but I thought that I had got over it and was feeling OK until I started running. My stomach was churning and I felt really weak.
I was aware of just being overtaken and overtaken and overtaken and I felt like I was running right at the back of the field. I started to contemplate pulling out, which would be my first DNF. This thought stayed with me for the entire lap and at one point I very nearly stopped but I had to sort my head out, even if it meant running slower I couldn't drop out without good reason. I knew that if I dropped out of this race, it might be the start of dropping out of other races which isn't a route I want to go down.
I climbed the hill for the second time and then started the final loop, around two more miles to go. I started to pick up a bit now, knowing the next time I went up the hill would be seconds before the finish line. I overtook a girl who I had been behind for the past mile or so and I kept going. I got nearer and nearer to the pack in front of me but unfortunately I didn't manage to catch them before the finish line.
I finished 36 seconds slower than last year which is pretty disappointing, however I felt like I had been a lot slower than I actually had.
One of the things I was thinking about on my way round is how bad my training has been lately. Last year I really improved in my running, which I put down to the fact that I was getting out much more since having Ruby because I had to walk her every night so why not run. This got me to a better level but, unfortunately, I've now reached a plateau because, even though I'm still going out a lot more than I was, I'm not doing much in the way of speed work and am just plodding out slow miles with Ruby. I really need to get some structure into my training if I want to improve and stop being disappointed with my race times.
On a good note, Horwich came first and second (Tom Carson and Nick Leigh) and Gordon had a storming race, beating me by something like 4 minutes! Well done Gordon, you have come on in leaps and bounds in the past six months. I still have Bull Hill though and I'm hanging on to that one.
Excuses/Action Points:
1. Never eat curry the night before a race.
2. Get in MUCH more speed work and stop just plodding along with Ruby every night.
3. Man up and run with a faster group who I have to chase, even though it scares me.
4. Stop setting off to fast at the start of races - this is a problem I'm always aware of but still seem to end up doing.
5. Get some strength training in.
Total distance - 4.9 miles + 0.6 miles warm up
http://www.strava.com/activities/206453612
It was not a good race for me for a variety of reasons, all of my own making (of course, who else's fault would it be?).
At first I felt OK and was really comfortable with my pace but after the small loop and the beginning of the first large loop, I really started to feel ill. I had had a bad stomach all morning, as had Duncan, which we put down to the curry we had last night, but I thought that I had got over it and was feeling OK until I started running. My stomach was churning and I felt really weak.
I was aware of just being overtaken and overtaken and overtaken and I felt like I was running right at the back of the field. I started to contemplate pulling out, which would be my first DNF. This thought stayed with me for the entire lap and at one point I very nearly stopped but I had to sort my head out, even if it meant running slower I couldn't drop out without good reason. I knew that if I dropped out of this race, it might be the start of dropping out of other races which isn't a route I want to go down.
I climbed the hill for the second time and then started the final loop, around two more miles to go. I started to pick up a bit now, knowing the next time I went up the hill would be seconds before the finish line. I overtook a girl who I had been behind for the past mile or so and I kept going. I got nearer and nearer to the pack in front of me but unfortunately I didn't manage to catch them before the finish line.
I finished 36 seconds slower than last year which is pretty disappointing, however I felt like I had been a lot slower than I actually had.
One of the things I was thinking about on my way round is how bad my training has been lately. Last year I really improved in my running, which I put down to the fact that I was getting out much more since having Ruby because I had to walk her every night so why not run. This got me to a better level but, unfortunately, I've now reached a plateau because, even though I'm still going out a lot more than I was, I'm not doing much in the way of speed work and am just plodding out slow miles with Ruby. I really need to get some structure into my training if I want to improve and stop being disappointed with my race times.
On a good note, Horwich came first and second (Tom Carson and Nick Leigh) and Gordon had a storming race, beating me by something like 4 minutes! Well done Gordon, you have come on in leaps and bounds in the past six months. I still have Bull Hill though and I'm hanging on to that one.
Excuses/Action Points:
1. Never eat curry the night before a race.
2. Get in MUCH more speed work and stop just plodding along with Ruby every night.
3. Man up and run with a faster group who I have to chase, even though it scares me.
4. Stop setting off to fast at the start of races - this is a problem I'm always aware of but still seem to end up doing.
5. Get some strength training in.
Total distance - 4.9 miles + 0.6 miles warm up
http://www.strava.com/activities/206453612
Saturday 11 October 2014
Floating Mast
I met up with the guys this morning, even though I had said last week that I wouldn't be at the UTUP due to a cross country race but I decided not to bother with the race as I'm racing tomorrow as well so thought a nice run with good company was in order instead this morning.
Today there was myself, Ed, John S, Kev and John Coope, who hasn't been running with us for a while so it was really good to see him.
We started off by running up to the Pike and from there we went down to George's Lane and across to Two Lads. John C didn't join us for this bit and instead went straight over to Hordern Stoops from the Pike.
When we reached Two Lads, I took a photo of Ed, John S and Kev with the mast seemingly floating in the background...
From Two Lads we went cross country to the mast where it was really thick with fog and I was running up front and couldn't see the guys behind me even though I could hear them really clearly so knew they weren't far behind. I saw a runner coming towards me wearing the exact same gear as John C had been wearing and I was convinced it was him until he got within a couple of metres of me. It wasn't though.
We reached the mast and then headed up the road to the trig point and then down the diagonal onto Belmont Road. We then ran along to Rivington Road and met up with John C at Hordern Stoops.
We all then ran along to Higher Hempshaws and followed the path to Lead Mines Clough, where we climbed up to the bomber memorial before running back down and along to the road.
We turned left on the road and decided to have a race up the hill to the stile on the right. I jetted off waaaaaay too fast and soon ran out of steam, being overtaken by Ed who, when we reached the stile, I was a little worried was going to collapse in a big heap.
We then ran along to Dean Brook and back up into Rivington Green. Ed and John S decided they wanted to get some extra mileage in and headed for the top barn, whilst the rest of us went back to the cars at the bottom barn.
On our return to the cars, John C, Kev and I went in for a well deserved cappuccino where we bumped into Ray McGloin and had a good post-run natter.
As usual, a most enjoyable Saturday morning.
Total Distance - 9.35 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/205909301
Today there was myself, Ed, John S, Kev and John Coope, who hasn't been running with us for a while so it was really good to see him.
We started off by running up to the Pike and from there we went down to George's Lane and across to Two Lads. John C didn't join us for this bit and instead went straight over to Hordern Stoops from the Pike.
When we reached Two Lads, I took a photo of Ed, John S and Kev with the mast seemingly floating in the background...
From Two Lads we went cross country to the mast where it was really thick with fog and I was running up front and couldn't see the guys behind me even though I could hear them really clearly so knew they weren't far behind. I saw a runner coming towards me wearing the exact same gear as John C had been wearing and I was convinced it was him until he got within a couple of metres of me. It wasn't though.
We reached the mast and then headed up the road to the trig point and then down the diagonal onto Belmont Road. We then ran along to Rivington Road and met up with John C at Hordern Stoops.
We all then ran along to Higher Hempshaws and followed the path to Lead Mines Clough, where we climbed up to the bomber memorial before running back down and along to the road.
We turned left on the road and decided to have a race up the hill to the stile on the right. I jetted off waaaaaay too fast and soon ran out of steam, being overtaken by Ed who, when we reached the stile, I was a little worried was going to collapse in a big heap.
We then ran along to Dean Brook and back up into Rivington Green. Ed and John S decided they wanted to get some extra mileage in and headed for the top barn, whilst the rest of us went back to the cars at the bottom barn.
On our return to the cars, John C, Kev and I went in for a well deserved cappuccino where we bumped into Ray McGloin and had a good post-run natter.
Photo courtesy of Ray McGloin
As usual, a most enjoyable Saturday morning.
Total Distance - 9.35 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/205909301
Thursday 9 October 2014
Uncontrolled Dogs (and I'm not talking about Ruby)
Another easy run today, seems to be a theme lately. Just finding it hard to fit anything else in and take Ruby out at the same time. She doesn't do speed sessions!
We went down to Rivington Reservoir because I wanted to stay reasonably flat due to tight calves.
As we were halfway along the reservoir there was a group of people with dogs off leads. As we ran by, Ruby did her usual pulling towards them and I kept her back and told her off. These people were watching this and could see that I was trying to keep her away but they allowed their dogs to run over to us. Despite me trying to keep Ruby away, they still did nothing and I carried on running and the dogs chased us, whilst their owners just watched. After my conversation yesterday with the greyhound owners, I was really annoyed because these dogs were chasing us and Ruby was getting really stressed because they were right behind her. They were only playing but it's not the point. Why didn't the owners call them back. Ruby was obviously getting annoyed at these dogs jumping all over her. In the end I loudly said 'It's OK Ruby, you might as well just bite them because nobody else is trying to control them'. Not sure if that got a response as I just carried on running and couldn't hear anything.
After that, we carried on by the side of the reservoir and came out at the prep school. We then did our usual loop past the bowling club and down to Dean Brook then up the steps, across the field and through the kissing gate. We then ran up Sheephouse Lane and along to the top barn and then ran back home.
Two races this weekend - the first Red Rose XC on Saturday and Gin Pit on Sunday. I'm definitely doing Gin Pit as I've pre-entered but I still can't decide whether to double up and do XC as well. At the moment I'm thinking I'll just do Gin Pit and UTUP on Saturday morning instead. I change my mind every five minutes though so this may all change by Saturday.
We'll see.
Total distance - 5.1 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/205310814
We went down to Rivington Reservoir because I wanted to stay reasonably flat due to tight calves.
As we were halfway along the reservoir there was a group of people with dogs off leads. As we ran by, Ruby did her usual pulling towards them and I kept her back and told her off. These people were watching this and could see that I was trying to keep her away but they allowed their dogs to run over to us. Despite me trying to keep Ruby away, they still did nothing and I carried on running and the dogs chased us, whilst their owners just watched. After my conversation yesterday with the greyhound owners, I was really annoyed because these dogs were chasing us and Ruby was getting really stressed because they were right behind her. They were only playing but it's not the point. Why didn't the owners call them back. Ruby was obviously getting annoyed at these dogs jumping all over her. In the end I loudly said 'It's OK Ruby, you might as well just bite them because nobody else is trying to control them'. Not sure if that got a response as I just carried on running and couldn't hear anything.
After that, we carried on by the side of the reservoir and came out at the prep school. We then did our usual loop past the bowling club and down to Dean Brook then up the steps, across the field and through the kissing gate. We then ran up Sheephouse Lane and along to the top barn and then ran back home.
Two races this weekend - the first Red Rose XC on Saturday and Gin Pit on Sunday. I'm definitely doing Gin Pit as I've pre-entered but I still can't decide whether to double up and do XC as well. At the moment I'm thinking I'll just do Gin Pit and UTUP on Saturday morning instead. I change my mind every five minutes though so this may all change by Saturday.
We'll see.
Total distance - 5.1 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/205310814
Wednesday 8 October 2014
Ruby! What am I going to do with you???
Easy run with Ruby tonight just along to the top barn, pigeon tower car park, zigzagged up to the pigeon tower, then headed home along George's Lane.
When I was nearing Wylderswoode Stud, a couple were coming up the other way with a greyhound. The girl approached me and said that Ruby bit the greyhound last week. I do remember this as I commented on it to Duncan when I got home and had really yelled at Ruby because she has never bit a dog like that before. She sometimes give them a quick snap on the nose, but with this greyhound she bit its undercarriage.
Anyway, the girl told me that later on they noticed that the dog was cut and has had to be patched up and was wearing a cone for a few days. She showed me the plaster still on the dogs stomach. I was mortified. I apologised profusely and offered to pay for any vets bills but they wouldn't hear of it and just advised me to keep her on the lead so she doesn't do it again.
I keep thinking about getting her a muzzle because of this but I'm worried that then she can't defend herself if something attacks her.
Does anyone have any ideas at all what I can do to stop her? I rarely let her off the lead and, if I do, as soon as I see another dog I get her back on but this time she saw the dog before I did.
I know the answer is to never let her off the lead but it just seems such a rubbish solution. I really wish there was a way I could train this out of her but she's just too set in her ways.
The conversation left me feeling really disheartened but it was good to know that there are nice people around as there are quite a lot of people who would have been yelling at me and demanding compensation. I wouldn't have blamed them if they had!!!
Total distance - 5.1 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/204886245
When I was nearing Wylderswoode Stud, a couple were coming up the other way with a greyhound. The girl approached me and said that Ruby bit the greyhound last week. I do remember this as I commented on it to Duncan when I got home and had really yelled at Ruby because she has never bit a dog like that before. She sometimes give them a quick snap on the nose, but with this greyhound she bit its undercarriage.
Anyway, the girl told me that later on they noticed that the dog was cut and has had to be patched up and was wearing a cone for a few days. She showed me the plaster still on the dogs stomach. I was mortified. I apologised profusely and offered to pay for any vets bills but they wouldn't hear of it and just advised me to keep her on the lead so she doesn't do it again.
I keep thinking about getting her a muzzle because of this but I'm worried that then she can't defend herself if something attacks her.
Does anyone have any ideas at all what I can do to stop her? I rarely let her off the lead and, if I do, as soon as I see another dog I get her back on but this time she saw the dog before I did.
I know the answer is to never let her off the lead but it just seems such a rubbish solution. I really wish there was a way I could train this out of her but she's just too set in her ways.
The conversation left me feeling really disheartened but it was good to know that there are nice people around as there are quite a lot of people who would have been yelling at me and demanding compensation. I wouldn't have blamed them if they had!!!
Total distance - 5.1 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/204886245
Monday 6 October 2014
Head Torches and Film Crews
I couldn't think of a title for today's blog. I wanted to do a play on Josie and the Pussycats but Duncan looked at me blankly and said 'what does that mean' and then informed me that nobody would have heard of Josie and the Pussycats so wouldn't get it. Is he right? Or is he just young?
Anyway, tonight I met up with Josie, Albert, Tony V, Tony M, Andy and Darren on their regular Monday night run from the lower barn.
Photo courtesy of Albert Sunter
We set off and zigzagged through the terraced gardens up to George's Lane, which was full of film crew! Apparently they are making a film (A Monster Calls?) staring Liam Neeson and Sigourney Weaver but we didn't get a glimpse of them.
We were unable to go up to the pike the way we wanted because of the film crew so we ran along to the gate and along to the steps. As per my promise, I ran all the way to the top but was knackered when I got there.
After a short rest, we ran down to George's Lane and along to the kennels then up to Two Lads. Half way up, I got tired and started to walk but Albert and Tony encouraged me on and convinced me to keep running, even if it was very slowly, which I did and soon got onto the top. Most of the climbing was now over and lots of lovely downhill awaited.
From Two Lads we ran cross country to the mast then up the mast road, past the trig point and to the top of the 'diagonal'. It was now time to break out the head torches. It was that annoying light really, which was too light for torches, but too dark to be able to see well.
Head torches donned, we ran off down the diagonal onto Belmont Road. Now came a section I have never done before. We crossed straight over Belmont Road, climbed over a fence and ran along a kind of sheep trod, even though there are apparently no sheep in that area anymore. We came to a barbed wire fence which Josie vaulted over with ease, whereas I was left pansying around trying not to snag my brand new 2XU's.
After a bit more running I finally realised where we were, just down from Dangerous Corner. We ran along through the woods and into Pigeon Tower car park and from there headed back to the cars, with a little horseplay from some of the guys along the way.
After being quite nervous beforehand at the thought of running with this bunch of speed demons, I had a really enjoyable evening and will definitely be out again.
Thanks guys for all the encouragement.
Total Distance - 6.17 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/204137365
Anyway, tonight I met up with Josie, Albert, Tony V, Tony M, Andy and Darren on their regular Monday night run from the lower barn.
We set off and zigzagged through the terraced gardens up to George's Lane, which was full of film crew! Apparently they are making a film (A Monster Calls?) staring Liam Neeson and Sigourney Weaver but we didn't get a glimpse of them.
We were unable to go up to the pike the way we wanted because of the film crew so we ran along to the gate and along to the steps. As per my promise, I ran all the way to the top but was knackered when I got there.
After a short rest, we ran down to George's Lane and along to the kennels then up to Two Lads. Half way up, I got tired and started to walk but Albert and Tony encouraged me on and convinced me to keep running, even if it was very slowly, which I did and soon got onto the top. Most of the climbing was now over and lots of lovely downhill awaited.
From Two Lads we ran cross country to the mast then up the mast road, past the trig point and to the top of the 'diagonal'. It was now time to break out the head torches. It was that annoying light really, which was too light for torches, but too dark to be able to see well.
Head torches donned, we ran off down the diagonal onto Belmont Road. Now came a section I have never done before. We crossed straight over Belmont Road, climbed over a fence and ran along a kind of sheep trod, even though there are apparently no sheep in that area anymore. We came to a barbed wire fence which Josie vaulted over with ease, whereas I was left pansying around trying not to snag my brand new 2XU's.
After a bit more running I finally realised where we were, just down from Dangerous Corner. We ran along through the woods and into Pigeon Tower car park and from there headed back to the cars, with a little horseplay from some of the guys along the way.
After being quite nervous beforehand at the thought of running with this bunch of speed demons, I had a really enjoyable evening and will definitely be out again.
Thanks guys for all the encouragement.
Total Distance - 6.17 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/204137365
Sunday 5 October 2014
Spoiling Ruby
This morning Duncan, Ruby and had a little trip up to the Lakes. We had planned this last weekend and midway through the week I realised that it was the Ian Hodgson Fell Relays in Patterdale so we decided to go along to cheer on the Horwich RMI team.
We arrived at the start/finish area in Patterdale and had a natter with Andy, Tim, Mick and another Andy (I think, I'm not sure though as I haven't spoken to him before) as they were waiting to head off to the start points for their legs.
Mick told us where the next couple of changeover points where so we could park up and go along to cheer on the guys. Unfortunately though, we couldn't park anywhere! We didn't have a permit so they wouldn't let us park up at the checkpoints so, after driving round for a while, we decided to just get on with our day out and we drove over to Ambleside. Touristy I know but Duncan wanted a couple of things from outdoor shops and there are so many in Ambleside it seemed like a good bet.
As usual, I succumbed to impulse purchasing and ended up buying Ruby a lovely new Ruffwear harness and a hands free lead. I already have a hands free lead, but it's too heavy for little Ruby and the one I bought today is much more lightweight.
We then had a little drive out and went for a pint and some lunch in a pub called The Crown in Higher Newton as Duncan wanted to bring back some memories from when he was a kid and stayed in the B&B there on family holidays.
After that we just had a leisurely drive back home via Asda where we had a good natter with Josie in the bread aisle. Josie encouraged me to join them for a run tomorrow night from the bottom barn so hopefully I'll be able to get to that. The only problem with it is that it's at 6pm so it would involve leaving Ruby on her own for a little bit until Duncan gets home which, as she is on her own all day whilst we're at work, I don't really like doing but it will only be for 10 minutes or so so hopefully I'll be able to man up and leave the house whilst those sad brown puppy eyes stare at me begging me not to go.
Obviously when we got home I had to try out Ruby's new gear so we went for a short plod around Rivington. The harness and lead worked really well so looking forward to using that more and stopping the shoulder ache I get when Ruby suddenly runs off after sheep. Now she'll probably just put my back out instead!
Total Distance - 4.5 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/203728721
We arrived at the start/finish area in Patterdale and had a natter with Andy, Tim, Mick and another Andy (I think, I'm not sure though as I haven't spoken to him before) as they were waiting to head off to the start points for their legs.
Mick told us where the next couple of changeover points where so we could park up and go along to cheer on the guys. Unfortunately though, we couldn't park anywhere! We didn't have a permit so they wouldn't let us park up at the checkpoints so, after driving round for a while, we decided to just get on with our day out and we drove over to Ambleside. Touristy I know but Duncan wanted a couple of things from outdoor shops and there are so many in Ambleside it seemed like a good bet.
As usual, I succumbed to impulse purchasing and ended up buying Ruby a lovely new Ruffwear harness and a hands free lead. I already have a hands free lead, but it's too heavy for little Ruby and the one I bought today is much more lightweight.
We then had a little drive out and went for a pint and some lunch in a pub called The Crown in Higher Newton as Duncan wanted to bring back some memories from when he was a kid and stayed in the B&B there on family holidays.
After that we just had a leisurely drive back home via Asda where we had a good natter with Josie in the bread aisle. Josie encouraged me to join them for a run tomorrow night from the bottom barn so hopefully I'll be able to get to that. The only problem with it is that it's at 6pm so it would involve leaving Ruby on her own for a little bit until Duncan gets home which, as she is on her own all day whilst we're at work, I don't really like doing but it will only be for 10 minutes or so so hopefully I'll be able to man up and leave the house whilst those sad brown puppy eyes stare at me begging me not to go.
Obviously when we got home I had to try out Ruby's new gear so we went for a short plod around Rivington. The harness and lead worked really well so looking forward to using that more and stopping the shoulder ache I get when Ruby suddenly runs off after sheep. Now she'll probably just put my back out instead!
Total Distance - 4.5 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/203728721
Saturday 4 October 2014
Impulse Purchase!
This morning I headed off to the barn for a long overdue UTUP. I haven't had a run with the guys for a good while now so I was really looking forward to getting out. There was only myself and Ed today braving the rainy conditions.
We headed off to Rivington Green, through the kissing gate, across the field and down to Dean Brook, before turning right along the private road, up the hill and across the fields out onto Dean Head Lane. We then ran up the road a little and there's a ladder stile on the left which I said to Ed I had never been over before and neither had Ed so we decided to explore. At first there was a discernible path but this soon turned into moorland but we made our way across, picking up a couple of direction markers, coming out at the path junction near Higher Hempshaws. We took the path straight across which brings you out at Hordern Stoopes. We then ran up the steep hill to Winter Hill, where, half way up, there was a stile on the right which I commented I had never been over before. Ed said 'get over it then' so I did and started to climb a rocky path up to winter hill which I realised I had been up before because it's the last climb on the old Belmont Winter Hill Fell Race route.
We ran along to the trig point then down to Two Lads. From there we ran down to the kennels then along George's Lane and up the Pike.
I made a promise to myself a couple of years ago that I would never, no matter what, walk any part of the route up to the Pike and, so far, I have kept that promise so off I went. I was gutted when I got home and uploaded my Strava to see that my time for this segment was 4.01 minutes. The reason I was gutted is that a few months ago I had turned this segment into a goal which I'm due to complete by the end of the year and involves me getting up there in four minutes or less. I was ONE SECOND over my goal!!!
From the Pike we headed back down to the barn as Ed needed to get home by 11.00 for a family get together.
After leaving Ed, I used the facilities at the barn and realised that it is extremely difficult to pull back up a pair of very wet 2XU compression tights. I was in there for ages trying to wriggle my way back into them. Sorry if that's too much information.
I then carried on towards home but decided to stop at Rivington School and cheer in the half marathon runners. I arrived just as Tom Carson was crossing the finish line as first runner home. I ran in behind him but on the other side of the tape and the young girls handing out the medals shouted to me to go onto the other side of the tape and come through the finish. They actually thought I was in the race! Just behind Tom Carson... I wish!!!!
Later on we went into Bolton to Camp Craft as Duncan wanted to buy a 1:16 scale map they have of the Winter Hill area. The map is priced at £5.50 but we came out of the shop having spent £100.50!!! The reason for this is that I got chatting to a young lad there who actually competes at track and field for Horwich and he showed me an extremely lightweight Berghaus smock that they had in, priced at £120. As soon as I saw it I knew it was just what I had been looking for for a while but which I couldn't afford. It's fully waterproof with taped seams and is FRA approved but is much more compact and lightweight than my OMM Kamlieka smock. I commented that if I had the money I would buy it there and then but unfortunately I didn't. One of the other blokes in the shop, probably the manager, then told me that as it was end of season for this smock I could have it for £95. Deal done! I took a picture of it next to a pen to show the size of it packed up. It's around the size of a medium apple.
Total Distance 9.3 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/203175485/overview
We headed off to Rivington Green, through the kissing gate, across the field and down to Dean Brook, before turning right along the private road, up the hill and across the fields out onto Dean Head Lane. We then ran up the road a little and there's a ladder stile on the left which I said to Ed I had never been over before and neither had Ed so we decided to explore. At first there was a discernible path but this soon turned into moorland but we made our way across, picking up a couple of direction markers, coming out at the path junction near Higher Hempshaws. We took the path straight across which brings you out at Hordern Stoopes. We then ran up the steep hill to Winter Hill, where, half way up, there was a stile on the right which I commented I had never been over before. Ed said 'get over it then' so I did and started to climb a rocky path up to winter hill which I realised I had been up before because it's the last climb on the old Belmont Winter Hill Fell Race route.
We ran along to the trig point then down to Two Lads. From there we ran down to the kennels then along George's Lane and up the Pike.
I made a promise to myself a couple of years ago that I would never, no matter what, walk any part of the route up to the Pike and, so far, I have kept that promise so off I went. I was gutted when I got home and uploaded my Strava to see that my time for this segment was 4.01 minutes. The reason I was gutted is that a few months ago I had turned this segment into a goal which I'm due to complete by the end of the year and involves me getting up there in four minutes or less. I was ONE SECOND over my goal!!!
From the Pike we headed back down to the barn as Ed needed to get home by 11.00 for a family get together.
After leaving Ed, I used the facilities at the barn and realised that it is extremely difficult to pull back up a pair of very wet 2XU compression tights. I was in there for ages trying to wriggle my way back into them. Sorry if that's too much information.
I then carried on towards home but decided to stop at Rivington School and cheer in the half marathon runners. I arrived just as Tom Carson was crossing the finish line as first runner home. I ran in behind him but on the other side of the tape and the young girls handing out the medals shouted to me to go onto the other side of the tape and come through the finish. They actually thought I was in the race! Just behind Tom Carson... I wish!!!!
Later on we went into Bolton to Camp Craft as Duncan wanted to buy a 1:16 scale map they have of the Winter Hill area. The map is priced at £5.50 but we came out of the shop having spent £100.50!!! The reason for this is that I got chatting to a young lad there who actually competes at track and field for Horwich and he showed me an extremely lightweight Berghaus smock that they had in, priced at £120. As soon as I saw it I knew it was just what I had been looking for for a while but which I couldn't afford. It's fully waterproof with taped seams and is FRA approved but is much more compact and lightweight than my OMM Kamlieka smock. I commented that if I had the money I would buy it there and then but unfortunately I didn't. One of the other blokes in the shop, probably the manager, then told me that as it was end of season for this smock I could have it for £95. Deal done! I took a picture of it next to a pen to show the size of it packed up. It's around the size of a medium apple.
Total Distance 9.3 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/203175485/overview
Friday 3 October 2014
Home from Piccadilly, via Great Hill
For all my non-local friends, no that does not refer to me running home from work at Piccadilly in Manchester, it refers to a little area called Piccadilly which is on the road between Belmont and Abbey Village.
Duncan dropped me off there this morning on his way to work and I ran up towards Great Hill. The reason for this run, aside from it being quite a nice one up on the fells, was to try to find a good route for Duncan and his mate, Barry, to ride from home to Tockholes on their mountain bikes tonight. I was going to check out whether the conditions were rideable or not, which is a bit tricky for me as I don't ride much so sorry if I get it wrong guys.
The way up from Piccadilly to Great Hill is mostly nice running but with some boggy bits which might be a bit tricky on mountain bikes but there aren't many of them and it is mostly quite rideable, well in my opinion anyway, if that counts for anything.
There is one bit which is quite steep and flagged/stoned which might be a bit dodgy to come down on a bike but, again, it's a very short section so shouldn't be a problem.
Once on top of Great Hill, I realised that the route I had come up isn't overly clear and might be a bit hard for me to explain to the guys so I made a little arrow out of stones, although whether it's still there tonight or not is anyone's guess. Follow the arrow straight on guys, not round to the left as it looks like the path goes in this picture.
The problem is, there is another path slightly to the left of this one that you might take by accident. Basically, if you come up via the flagging from Spitlers, once you get to the top of Great Hill, you pretty much need to do a V back on yourselves. If it is light enough when you get there, this is the direction you should be heading (it will seem a bit boggy at first but honestly, it's not too bad):
So, if you were to stand right in front of that post, looking at the little plaque on it, stick your left arm straight out and that's pretty much the direction you need to follow.
Hope that is helpful and you don't get lost because of me!
After messing about making arrows on top of Great Hill, I headed for home and followed the flags along to Spitlers. Ed would shout at me for running on the flags and I tried to stay off them as much as possible but it was pretty boggy at the sides of them today so I did find myself on them more than off them.
Ever since I first set off my Garmin had been beeping at me to tell me the battery was low so, when I reached Hordern Stoops I took out my phone and used the Strava app on that too so if my Garmin died I'd still be able to record the rest of my run.
From Hordern Stoops I ran along the road a little and then onto Belmont Road for a bit, then up the diagonal to the top of Winter Hill. I was absolutely knackered by now though, feeling very heavy legged this morning so the climb up to Winter Hill wasn't much more than a walk.
I then headed off down the mast road and then cut off the corner cross-country and up to Two Lads.
From Two Lads, it was just a lovely downhill run home through Wilderswood.
Total distance - approx 7.4 miles (Strava is showing 8.8 miles but there is about a 1.4 mile overlap between my Strava recorded time and my Garmin recorded time)
http://www.strava.com/activities/202621968
http://www.strava.com/activities/202620209
Duncan dropped me off there this morning on his way to work and I ran up towards Great Hill. The reason for this run, aside from it being quite a nice one up on the fells, was to try to find a good route for Duncan and his mate, Barry, to ride from home to Tockholes on their mountain bikes tonight. I was going to check out whether the conditions were rideable or not, which is a bit tricky for me as I don't ride much so sorry if I get it wrong guys.
The way up from Piccadilly to Great Hill is mostly nice running but with some boggy bits which might be a bit tricky on mountain bikes but there aren't many of them and it is mostly quite rideable, well in my opinion anyway, if that counts for anything.
There is one bit which is quite steep and flagged/stoned which might be a bit dodgy to come down on a bike but, again, it's a very short section so shouldn't be a problem.
Once on top of Great Hill, I realised that the route I had come up isn't overly clear and might be a bit hard for me to explain to the guys so I made a little arrow out of stones, although whether it's still there tonight or not is anyone's guess. Follow the arrow straight on guys, not round to the left as it looks like the path goes in this picture.
The problem is, there is another path slightly to the left of this one that you might take by accident. Basically, if you come up via the flagging from Spitlers, once you get to the top of Great Hill, you pretty much need to do a V back on yourselves. If it is light enough when you get there, this is the direction you should be heading (it will seem a bit boggy at first but honestly, it's not too bad):
So, if you were to stand right in front of that post, looking at the little plaque on it, stick your left arm straight out and that's pretty much the direction you need to follow.
Hope that is helpful and you don't get lost because of me!
After messing about making arrows on top of Great Hill, I headed for home and followed the flags along to Spitlers. Ed would shout at me for running on the flags and I tried to stay off them as much as possible but it was pretty boggy at the sides of them today so I did find myself on them more than off them.
Ever since I first set off my Garmin had been beeping at me to tell me the battery was low so, when I reached Hordern Stoops I took out my phone and used the Strava app on that too so if my Garmin died I'd still be able to record the rest of my run.
From Hordern Stoops I ran along the road a little and then onto Belmont Road for a bit, then up the diagonal to the top of Winter Hill. I was absolutely knackered by now though, feeling very heavy legged this morning so the climb up to Winter Hill wasn't much more than a walk.
I then headed off down the mast road and then cut off the corner cross-country and up to Two Lads.
From Two Lads, it was just a lovely downhill run home through Wilderswood.
Total distance - approx 7.4 miles (Strava is showing 8.8 miles but there is about a 1.4 mile overlap between my Strava recorded time and my Garmin recorded time)
http://www.strava.com/activities/202621968
http://www.strava.com/activities/202620209
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