New Year's Eve Run With Ruby

Just a short one this morning with Ruby.  We ran along to the top barn, then to the Pigeon Tower car park, then zigzagged up through the terraced gardens to the Pigeon Tower.  We then ran up the Pike and back down onto Georges Lane, then home via my favourite field.

The sun was really low this morning so it was difficult to see and I was concerned that there might be dogs up ahead which I couldn't see so I had Ruby on her lead a bit more than I would have liked to today.


Total distance - 5 miles

Garmin Forerunner 15 - How Does it Know???

I bought myself a new Garmin the other day, just a cheap one to use as a backup for when the battery runs out on my 610.

It's a Forerunner 15 and it's a pretty basic watch but has a daily activity tracker thing on it.  I'm not really interested in that function as it's all about daily number of steps taken and I'm pretty sure I take enough steps during the day not to have to worry about these things.  It also reminds me to get up and move when I've been inactive for a certain length of time, which might actually come in handy at the office when I'm engrossed in my work.

It also has a sleep analysis thing on it which I thought I'd try out last night as I'm always tired and put it down to not sleeping very deeply.  Turns out, I was right.  Well, according to my watch anyway. Here's a print out of my night's sleep, which shows that of the 9 hours 20 minutes I was asleep, I was only in a deep sleep for 23 minutes of this.

What gets me though is, how did it know when I fell asleep?  I get how it knows when I got up because obviously I started walking around, but how did it know I went to sleep at 11.40 given that, last night, I went to bed at 9.30 but then read for a couple of hours???  How did it not start my sleep cycle from when I became inactive at 9.30?  Magic!

And before anyone says it, it isn't based on heart rate because I wasn't wearing a HRM.

Don't worry though, I'm not going to get all obsessive about my sleep patterns like I do about my running stats. Honest!

Today's run was just an easy one with Ruby through the mud.  I had only intended on doing my regular five mile route with her but we were enjoying ourselves and so went a little further.  We ran up from home to Two Lads, then cross country to the mast where we stopped for a quick chat with Gary and Doug.

It was then down to the shooting hut and up to Smithills reservoir, then down onto Coal Pit Road and back to the mast road, to the water tanks, then down through Wilderswood and home.

Lovely day to be out and now looking forward to a few drinks and some grub with good friends tonight!


Total distance - 7.15 miles

Blistering Heat!

I got up nice and early this morning so that I could get that long run in that I had intended to do yesterday.

I thought that today I'd give myself a nice flat start rather than going up hill straight away to give me a chance to warm up a little.

I headed from home down the school then along the path to Liverpool Castle.  I can't believe how warm it was!  I had gone out in a short sleeved t-shirt with a very light windproof over the top, thin gloves and a thin hat.  By a mile in, I was already stopping to remove layers and ended up running in just the t-shirt!  It's nearly the end of December, how can it be so warm?  Not that I'm complaining of course.

I skirted the side of Lower Rivington Reservoir and had to come slightly inland at one point as the water had come up over the path.  I kinda felt like I was by the seaside as the waves were crashing onto the shore!

I came out at the prep school then ran to the bowling club and up the path by Yarrow then dropped down 'the slipway' and carried on to Healey Nab.  I ran up to the cairn then back down again and down into White Coppice.  It was on the way down to White Coppice that I realised how much my feet were hurting.  My shoes were rubbing me on my arches and had caused blisters.  As they were on the soles of my feet it made running quite difficult and I could feel myself running on the outside of my feet to try to stop the pain.  I had a sit down and tried to make some adjustments but it didn't really help.  I carried on and pondered whether I should ring Duncan to pick me up somewhere or whether to just man up and carry on.

Manning up won over and I decided to carry on, albeit I changed my route and decided to start heading back home rather than carrying on further away from home just in case it got really bad and Duncan wasn't around to pick me up.

I ran to Waterman's Cottage and then along the path around Anglezarke coming out onto Knowsley Road.  I then ran up the road to the end of the path past Yarrow Reservoir then ran along to Rivington Green.

I carried on to the Lower Barn but, instead of just going home, I decided to head up a little just to get an extra bit of mileage in as, by now, the pain in my feet had turned into more of a burning sensation which was bearable.

I headed up through the terraced gardens coming out onto George's Lane, then ran along and headed for home through Wilderswood.

I didn't do quite as far as I had wanted (I wanted to between 15 and 20 miles) but I wasn't far off and at least my feet will now live to run another day, rather than being in utter tatters, although they're not a pretty sight right now and I'm going to have to stick a couple of blister plasters on them - if I can find some big enough!

Total distance - 14.1 miles

Overindulging

Today I wanted to get a long run in to burn off all the calories from the last couple of days.  However, I think the overindulgence was my undoing.  I had nothing.  My climb up to George's Lane from home was pitiful.  I was a little better on the climb to the water tanks, as I ran with Derek Kay so the chatting helped pass the time and ease the pain.  I had to stop at the tanks for a breather though whilst Derek carried on towards the quarries and Matchmore Lane.

After my breather, I headed along to Coal Pit Road, continuing on along the road, past the Trespass Stone, then turning left up the hill, coming out at the far end of Smithills Reservoir.

I ran around the reservoir and, on my way down towards the shooting hut, the view was breathtaking so I had to stop to take some photos. As always, my photos do the actual view no justice!

My shadow with a halo! 


Eventually, I carried on past the shooting hut and up to the mast.  From there, I ran down the mast road and then up Two Lads, before dropping down to the kennels.  I then started heading over towards the Pigeon Tower but decided that enough was enough.  I was shuffling pathetically so thought I might as well just admit defeat and try again at a long run tomorrow.

Ah well, it's not all bad, it was a beautiful day and it felt great to be out in it.

Total distance - 8 miles

Merry Christmas!

This morning, after opening some fantastic presents, I ran with Ruby to the Pike and Duncan came along with us on his mountain bike.

Once on top of the Pike, we bumped into the Sweatmans and some of their friends.  They handed round the brandy and coffee, which was very welcome on this drizzly day and we all had a good natter.

Then the Whites came along bearing gifts of Christmas cake.  Does life get any better?

Just as Ruby was about to freeze to death and I was feeling pretty chilly myself, Duncan's mountain biking friend, Libby, came along.  Unfortunately, Ruby and I were so chilly that we had to say our goodbyes and head off home, leaving Duncan nattering to Libby and saying he would catch me up on the decent.

He didn't catch me up, not because I was going at any great speed but because he was gabbing too long.

Lovely Christmas Day trip out to the pike, despite the wet weather.

Thanks for the brandy and cake guys!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Total distance - 3.3 miles

Running or Paddling?

After a couple of lazy days, I really needed to get out this morning but, pushed for time, I decided to stay low and try to get more distance in less time.

I just ran out along the side of Lower Rivington Reservoir, coming out at the prep school then turning left along Horrobin Lane.

Horrobin Lane was flooded and I got absolutely soaked running through it - where were my Roosters when I needed them?

Freezing feet, I continued on down The Street the along Knowsley Lane and up 'the slipway'.  I then ran to Rivington Green via Dean Brook and took the path along side the road back to Rivington and Blackrod School, then ran home.

Happy Christmas everyone!

Total distance - 6.25 miles

Mud Bath

I couldn't make the Monday Night Cake Run (or should I say fudge run as was the case this evening) as I had to chauffeur Duncan on a night out with the Singletrack guys so instead I went out earlier with Ruby.

We had a really good run, heading up to George's Lane then to the water tanks, turning right along the path to the mast road, then crossing straight over and doing the Two Lads race route back to the mast road, then taking the diagonal mud bath up to the mast.  From there, we took another mud bath to Two Lads but I must say it was much nicer running it in this direction, rather than the way we usually go on a Monday night.  I also took Josie's advice and didn't go out of my way to get across the really muddy bit which is actually sturdier than it looks.

Once on Two Lads, three runners arrived up there at the same time.  One was wearing a Lostock top and I asked his name.  He said it was Paul so I asked if he was the Paul Josie had said we were supposed to meet last week and he confirmed that he was, but had been running late.

After a quick chat, Ruby and I headed down to the kennels then back home via Brinks Row.

Total distance - 5.35 miles

Circumnavigating Winter Hill

At this morning’s UTUP were myself, John, Ed, Julie and Kev.  Unfortunately, Julie and Kev weren’t running with us and had just popped along for Christmas card delivery and a little chit chat, which was nice.  After a natter, John, Ed and I set off towards the top barn. 

There was a border collie looking terribly lost and running about the place and I kept trying to call it over because I was worried about it but we couldn’t get anywhere near it, to the point that it would run off when we were as far away as 100 metres.  We slightly changed our course so we could try to see where it went but it had completely disappeared.  I haven’t stopped worrying about the poor thing since and really hope it’s OK. 

After failing to find the dog, we headed up through the terraced gardens, coming out onto George’s Lane and then ran along to the kennels and up to Two Lads.  From there it was along the mast road then down the San Marino ramp.  At the bottom of the ramp, Ed was pushed for time and so he turned around and went back up again, leaving John and I running along the road into Belmont.  We carried on all the way to Piccadilly which was the least enjoyable part of the run as, in parts, there is no pavement and the cars drive pretty fast along there.  Personally, I would have gone around the reservoir at Belmont and onto Witton Weavers Way, but John had a set route which he has done before and wanted to compare times.  A bit of road running is good for speed anyway so no complaints from me.

At Piccadilly, we headed off into the woods and down towards Tockholes, before founding Roddlesworth Reservoir, coming out into Abbey Village.  We then crossed the road and headed up the road to Brinscall and along the trail to White Coppice.  By now, we were both getting pretty tired.  This is the furthest I have run since my marathon training, having only done a maximum of 12 miles since the beginning of September.  We then followed the road to the Bridleway though Healey Nab, coming out onto Back Lane and running along to the Yew Tree.  We then went up ‘the slipway’ and down to the Bowling Green into Rivington Green and then back to the lower barn. 

A very mixed bag of mostly trail and road today with a bit of fell thrown in for good measure.  Good to get a decent amount of mileage under the belt! 

Thanks for the company John!

Total distance – 18.9 miles

Fancy Dress Cake Run and Secret Santa

At tonight’s Monday night cake run, some of us decided to get our fancy dress on for the occasion.  When I arrived at the barn dressed as an elf, I was slightly alarmed to see that nobody else was there, other than Albert’s empty van.  Eventually everyone turned up though and it was good to see that others had put on their fancy dress and hadn’t just conned me into being the only one.  Josie had arrived in her PJ’s, Albert as a reindeer and Mark as Ironman! 

Josie and I did comment that it felt quite liberating running in ridiculous clothing and she was happy that she could just go straight home and get in bed without having to get changed.  Judging by the mud accumulated on the PJ trouser legs though, I fear this plan may not have come to fruition.

We were also joined by Jocelyn, Josh and Tony who were all dressed up as fell runners. 

We did the usual Monday night run and it was incredibly foggy up on the tops.  When we reached the mast road, I saw a bike looming towards us and it turned out to be Colin Jones.  I wonder what was going through his head when he suddenly saw an elf emerging through the fog, followed by a girl in PJs?

After chatting to Colin for a while, I started to get really cold so just wanted to get moving.  Turns out an elf outfit isn’t great in the rain. 

We went down the diagonal and down to dangerous corner and were heading back to the barn when we bumped into Duncan and his mate, Dwain, out on their mountain bikes.  Again we had a brief natter then carried on back to the barn where we were greeted by a group of hillbillies who had come out to join us for cakes and our secret santa exchange. 

We had a great laugh exchanging gifts and there were some hilarious ones, like Speedy’s t-shirt and Mark’s veg box.  My gift from Michele (secret santa became not so secret santa) was a selfie stick!  Or a stick of narcissism as I prefer to call it.  I also got a lovely ‘writer’s block’ pencil and sharpener set which were designed as a plunger and toilet!  Ha ha, secret santa is great fun!

Total distance – 6 miles

Hurst Green Turkey Trot 2015

As I mentioned in my blog on this race last year, this is a great race, one of my favourites, probably because it’s not at all serious and is just a really good laugh.  The majority of runners get on board with the fancy dress which makes it such good fun and has everyone in high spirits. 

I had planned to wear an elf outfit for the race, however Suzanne and Lindsey had kindly made outfits for all three of us – the three wise women.  Goldie, Frankie-no-Sense and Myrtle.  I was Myrtle. 

I only had a very short warm up and decided to run up the start of the route and back down again.  I don’t remember the hill being so steep last year! 

The race started a little late but we set off at 1.10 and I was laughing from the start.  I was running amongst four girls dressed as stars who kept singing Christmas carols all the way round.  They definitely kept me amused which was great because I wasn’t really enjoying the first couple of miles.  It’s al up hill and I was feeling a bit sick and lethargic. 

Once we got into the woods though, everything changed and I came alive and started really enjoying myself.  As usual, there were huge puddles and very deep muddy sections and you can really tell the road runners from the fell runners at these points because the road runners all scream and squeal and try to tiptoe around the mud whereas the fell runners just plough through it, soaking all the roadies as they pass (sorry to the girl I covered in mud!).

After a loop through the woods it was back down again and I knew the way back was all down hill so I really let myself go and tried to make up for how slowly I had come up the hill.

(I appear to be gurning a little in this pic!)

I passed quite a lot of people on the way down and was really pleased with myself.  In the end, I was about 25 seconds slower than last year, but the terrain was worse and there were also quite a lot more runners around my level so I had to stand around waiting at gates for people.  This was backed up when I looked at Strava later on as my moving time was faster than last year but the elapsed time was slower so it must have been due to me hanging around at gates. 

Who cares about times anyway, it was a fun run and I definitely had fun!  Same again next year!

As usual, the prize giving was hilarious as winners were given the choice of gambling their prize for a pick of twenty envelopes containing up to £50 in cash but some just had fake money in them.  People who decided to gamble were met with chants of ‘greedy, greedy!’. 

Lindsey was second lady and Suzanne won her age category.  There didn’t seem to be any team prizes but we wouldn’t have won anyway, however would have been second. 

Total distance - 5 miles 

Running at 5.50 in the Morning!!!

It is our firm’s Christmas party tonight so I wanted to get some exercise in to pre-burn all the calories I’ll be scoffing later. 

I had arranged to run with Rachel first thing from the office and so I decided that to make the run longer, I would also run down to the train station.  Problem is, I had to take not only my clothes for getting changed into when I got to work but also my clothes for the party in the evening, together with a pair of boots, make up, perfume, etc.  My bag was pretty heavy but it’s not far to run and is all down hill so it wasn’t too bad.  I was pretty slow but didn’t expect anything other than that, given it was before 6am and I was carrying a heavy load. 

Distance – 2.75 miles

When I arrived at the train station, I realised I had a text from Rachel saying that she had overslept and therefore wouldn’t be running.  I don’t really like running in Manchester on my own but decided to man up and do it anyway because I had wanted to get at least six miles in today, due to not having done much in the week.  Just to be safe, I took my attack spray with me, which had been attached to my backpack. 

I did the usual run to and around the Etihad stadium and was pretty impressed with how quickly I did it.  My pace was 8.39 minute mile but that includes the time spent stopped waiting for traffic which was over a minute so I’m looking forward to uploading my Garmin and seeing what my moving pace was.

Distance – 3.5 miles

Total distance – 6.25 miles

Can't Be Arsed Run

Just an easy one with Ruby-Doo this morning.  I was feeling incredibly lazy and didn’t want to run up the hill from home so drove to Wilderswood car park and had a nice flat run along George’s Lane and through the terraced gardens.  I feel no shame!

Total distance – 3.3 miles

Honeycomb Muffins!

I had announced this weekend that I would bake the cakes for tonight’s cake run as I knew that making a promise like that would mean that I would actually turn up and not talk myself out of it. 

Tonight at the barn were me, Josie, Michelle (not Sunter), Albert, Tony V, Tony M, Mark, Josh, Andy and Darren.  We did the usual Monday route and it stayed nice and dry for us, although the ground was far from dry and was very slippery in places.  Have I ever mentioned that I love my Roosters? 

Back at the barn out came my honeycomb muffins which seemed to go down well as there were 20 of them and none left at the end. 

Annoyingly, my Garmin seems to have stopped after 4 miles and it thinks I ended my run somewhere on the trail down from George’s Lane.  I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again – stupid Garmin!

Total distance – 6 miles

Blown Away

Having been out drinking the previous two nights, I wasn’t expecting much from today’s run.  I didn’t quite get up early enough to meet up with any of the guys who run from the barn so I set off on my own, heading up to George’s Lane.  After only a few minute I was boiling so took my gloves and wind proof jacket off.  Once on George’s Lane, however, it was blowing a gale so the layers went back on. 

I ran up to the water tanks, which is when the heavens opened.  I had to get my wind proof off and swap it for my water proof, which was easier said that done as the wind was really strong and was threatening to rip the water proof from my hands and send it sailing off over Winter Hill.  Eventually, I managed to swap jackets and continued on my way, turning right towards the mast road.  The short trail to the mast road has a small channel at the side of it with a stream and the wind was so strong that it blew me down into the channel!  I managed to stay on my feet though and made my way back out and onto the road.

I then ran along the trails past the farm and out onto Coal Pit Road, which I ran along all the way past the trespass stone, to the little wooden bridge over the stream which leads up a short steep hill to the far end of the secret reservoir.  Again, the wind was really strong on top of here and I did feel I was in danger of being blown into the reservoir, which would not be very pleasant!

I managed to hold my ground though and ran along the side of the reservoir and down towards the shooting hut.  I then started along the path up to the mast, where I bumped into Josie, Erica and Mark coming in the opposite direction.  I was quite envious because, not only were they running downhill, they were also running with the wind, whereas I was being pushed back by it.  I could barely see a thing as I had my hood up but the driving rain and wind were blowing it into my eyes and also making me squint so I kept tripping over things.  After a brief chat with the guys and deciding it was too cold to be hanging around gabbing, I carried on up to the mast. 

By now I was really cold.  I had originally intended to drop down from the mast road towards Hordern Stoops and make my way over to Lead Mines Clough before returning home but I was so cold now that I changed my mind and went down the diagonal with the intention of then running back along George’s Lane to home.  

Once I got down the diagonal and had been running along George’s Lane for a few minutes, I had warmed up and now regretted not going further.  Just to add a bit of mileage, I went up to the Pike but then came back down the curly route and back to the pigeon tower then ran down the path to the side of it (which was more like a waterfall than a path!) and then zigzagged back up to the pigeon tower through terraced gardens. 

As I then started heading home and was rounding the bottom of the Pike, I bumped into Mike and Brian on their way back to the barn (pretty embarrassing as I think I still had half of last night’s make up on!).  They said that they had waited for me this morning to join them on their run so I felt a bit guilty for not turning up and lazing in bed instead.  I soon got over the guilt though J

Before reaching home, I treated myself to a run through my favourite field, and nearly slipped onto my backside at one point because of all the mud!

Total distance – 10.15 miles

Pre 'Do' Run

I had a lovely run with Ruby today to burn some calories in advance of tonight's do at Rivington Barn.

It was beautifully sunny out today, which is a rare occurrence at the minute.  We ran down towards the school, then up the middle track into the terraced gardens and zig-zagged our way up to the Pigeon Tower.

From there, we then ran along Geroge's Lane and up the Pike.  I decided on the curly route back down because I wanted to get a bit more distance in.  We then went along George's Lane, to the kennels then up to Two Lads.

It was then back down to George's Lane, to Wilderswood Car Park and then through Wilderswood back home.

Total distance - 5 miles

Slippery Tow Path

I took Rachel out along the canal at lunch again today.  It wasn't raining but had been and the tow path was incredibly slippery in places which made for an interesting run. Maybe I need to start wearing my Orocs for my lunch time runs?

This time I showed Rachel the 'wasteland' route, as this wasn't as slippery as staying by the canal but there were quite a few huge puddles to jump over.  I like it, makes it feel a bit more off-roady!

Total distance - 5.3 miles 

Near-Explosive Calves

This morning I went for a short run with Rachel down to the Etihad Stadium and back. 

My calves were really tight after Monday’s stair climbing session and ‘recovery’ run in the evening (I put the word recovery in inverted commas because, to the other guys it might be a recovery run but, to me, it’s flippin’ hard work!) so today was just going to be an easy one. 

Rachel was in the same boat though as her calves were also sore from Monday’s stair efforts.  I thought stair climbing used the same muscles as running up hill but it must use some extra ones as my calves have never felt this tight before after a hill running session.

It may have been a pretty slow one but at least we got out and burned a few calories to set us up for the day!

Total distance – 3.3 miles