My fourth time of riding to the gym and back this morning for my strength and conditioning workout.
According to Strava, I'm getting much quicker at this, having taken 5 minutes off my outward journey and 4 minutes off my homeward bound journey since the first time I did it two weeks ago.
I'm still struggling to climb the hill out of Limbrick on the way home though, but I'm always so tired from the weights workout I've just done. It's funny because, when I did this hill on my old Sunn bike during the summer, it was much easier. In fact, climbing hills in general seemed much easier on my old crappy bike. Duncan keeps telling me my new bike is miles better and, it probably is on descents, but on ascents I'm pretty sure my Sunn was better. It was built as a race bike though and it has skinnier wheels than my Saracen.
I'm really enjoying my rides to and from the gym, especially the ride there. Because it's so early and dark, I see all sorts of wildlife like foxes, owls and deer. Love it!
Total distance - 15 miles
Wednesday 30 November 2016
Sunday 27 November 2016
Making Progress on the MTB
It was lovely out this morning and I decided to head off for a ride on my mountain bike but Duncan was already going out with Barry, so I had to go on my own.
I only really have one route I do around here on a weekend because I'm finding it hard to find other routes which aren't too technical for me and which don't involve riding where I shouldn't be. I don't mind keep doing the same route for the time being though, as it is helping me to see my progression.
From home, I rode along to Rivington, turning off at the Bowling Club and heading up to Yarrow Reservoir. At the end of the trail, I turned right onto the road and along into Lead Mines Clough.
Now was time to face my demons - the hill out of Lead Mines Clough heading towards Jepsons Gate. It's only a short hill but it's pretty steep and is full of loose stones and so far I have never managed to get to the top without slipping and having to put my foot down and not being able to get going again.
Today however, I made it!!! I nearly killed myself doing it but I was so pleased when I reached the gate. I did slip a few times, but I managed to keep the bike going and not put my foot down and eventually I got there. Obviously I had to then stop to take a photo of this momentous occasion.
From there, I rode along to Jepsons Gate then down the road to Watermans Cottage and then headed into White Coppice. The trail into White Coppice was really icy and muddy and it was hard working getting through it all. From White Coppice I rode up the road and headed for the bridleway through Healey Nab.
I came down through the nab pretty quickly (for me) and looking at my Strava trace later on, I had vastly improved since the first time I did it. In fact, I had improved on practically everything. There were loads of segment PRs so that's really pleasing to see.
After Healey Nab, I rode along Back Lane to the Yew Tree and then rode up the cascade back towards Yarrow and down to the bowling club. I then headed home via Rivington feeling very pleased with my little self.
Total distance - 12 miles
I only really have one route I do around here on a weekend because I'm finding it hard to find other routes which aren't too technical for me and which don't involve riding where I shouldn't be. I don't mind keep doing the same route for the time being though, as it is helping me to see my progression.
From home, I rode along to Rivington, turning off at the Bowling Club and heading up to Yarrow Reservoir. At the end of the trail, I turned right onto the road and along into Lead Mines Clough.
Now was time to face my demons - the hill out of Lead Mines Clough heading towards Jepsons Gate. It's only a short hill but it's pretty steep and is full of loose stones and so far I have never managed to get to the top without slipping and having to put my foot down and not being able to get going again.
Today however, I made it!!! I nearly killed myself doing it but I was so pleased when I reached the gate. I did slip a few times, but I managed to keep the bike going and not put my foot down and eventually I got there. Obviously I had to then stop to take a photo of this momentous occasion.
From there, I rode along to Jepsons Gate then down the road to Watermans Cottage and then headed into White Coppice. The trail into White Coppice was really icy and muddy and it was hard working getting through it all. From White Coppice I rode up the road and headed for the bridleway through Healey Nab.
I came down through the nab pretty quickly (for me) and looking at my Strava trace later on, I had vastly improved since the first time I did it. In fact, I had improved on practically everything. There were loads of segment PRs so that's really pleasing to see.
After Healey Nab, I rode along Back Lane to the Yew Tree and then rode up the cascade back towards Yarrow and down to the bowling club. I then headed home via Rivington feeling very pleased with my little self.
Total distance - 12 miles
Wednesday 23 November 2016
Achy Back Ride
My Wednesday morning rides to the gym are in darkness at the minute as I'm leaving home just after 6am so am having to use lights on my bike. The weird thing is, not being able to see very well is actually helping my MTB skills because not being able to see how rocky the trail is makes me fear it less.
The ride out was pretty uneventful but the ride back almost had me in tears. My back was killing me and I had to keep stopping to stretch it out. I don't know why though and whether I have my bike set up badly, or whether I'm doing something wrong when I'm climbing hills as that's where the pain starts.
Also, on my way back home, I was coming down a bumpy section near the top barn and couldn't understand why my bike felt so rigid as the suspension wasn't locked out but it really felt like it. It wasn't until I was speaking with my brother later about it that he told me it was because when Duncan borrowed my bike on Sunday he had adjusted the air in the suspension so that it was right for his weight, meaning that for my weight it was as good as useless so I had to let a load of air back out. Thanks Duncan, that's you never borrowing my bike again. He also brought it back to me filthy and with the seat post clasp thing sticking out (I have no idea how to name technical parts of my bike yet, please excuse my ignorance).
Duncan has adjusted my seat for me and brought it forward a bit so I'll see next time I ride whether this helps with my back ache.
Total distance - 15 miles
The ride out was pretty uneventful but the ride back almost had me in tears. My back was killing me and I had to keep stopping to stretch it out. I don't know why though and whether I have my bike set up badly, or whether I'm doing something wrong when I'm climbing hills as that's where the pain starts.
Also, on my way back home, I was coming down a bumpy section near the top barn and couldn't understand why my bike felt so rigid as the suspension wasn't locked out but it really felt like it. It wasn't until I was speaking with my brother later about it that he told me it was because when Duncan borrowed my bike on Sunday he had adjusted the air in the suspension so that it was right for his weight, meaning that for my weight it was as good as useless so I had to let a load of air back out. Thanks Duncan, that's you never borrowing my bike again. He also brought it back to me filthy and with the seat post clasp thing sticking out (I have no idea how to name technical parts of my bike yet, please excuse my ignorance).
Duncan has adjusted my seat for me and brought it forward a bit so I'll see next time I ride whether this helps with my back ache.
Total distance - 15 miles
Tuesday 22 November 2016
Boxing!
Given my lack of running lately, I'm trying to mix it up a bit and try new things and a boxing class has just started at my gym so I decided to give it a whirl as I quite like the idea of taking my aggression out on a punch bag.
I must admit I was really nervous. I have absolutely no co-ordination of which to speak so was terrified of making a complete arse of myself.
When I got there, I found that I was the only one in the class so I got a one to one session. The instructor's name is Scott Mitchell and he's an ex pro so really knows his stuff.
First of all, he took me though how to stand properly so as to keep a stable posture and we then went through how to move around whilst staying in this stable position.
After that, we moved onto the jab, firstly with the left arm and, once I got the hang of that, with the right. We then moved onto the left hook, followed by the right upper cut, left upper cut and, finally, the right hook.
Once I had got the hang of it all a bit more, Scott put on some pads and we did some pad work, which I really enjoyed. The bit I was struggling with the most, was moving my hands back to my face after throwing the punches.
After a bit of pad work, he moved me onto the punching bag. It's harder work than it looks jumping around it and punching the hell out of it. I had to do this for a minute, and then do a minute of either star jumps or burpees, both made harder by the use of an aerobic step. It really did make me feel unfit. I started off the burpees thinking they were easy but by the end of the minute, I was basically just stepping off the step, rather than jumping off it.
We finished the session off with some core work and I must admit I was dying by the end of it. Can't wait to go back though, it was a great workout and was actually proper boxing rather than the boxercise classes you see in most gyms.
I must admit I was really nervous. I have absolutely no co-ordination of which to speak so was terrified of making a complete arse of myself.
When I got there, I found that I was the only one in the class so I got a one to one session. The instructor's name is Scott Mitchell and he's an ex pro so really knows his stuff.
First of all, he took me though how to stand properly so as to keep a stable posture and we then went through how to move around whilst staying in this stable position.
After that, we moved onto the jab, firstly with the left arm and, once I got the hang of that, with the right. We then moved onto the left hook, followed by the right upper cut, left upper cut and, finally, the right hook.
Once I had got the hang of it all a bit more, Scott put on some pads and we did some pad work, which I really enjoyed. The bit I was struggling with the most, was moving my hands back to my face after throwing the punches.
After a bit of pad work, he moved me onto the punching bag. It's harder work than it looks jumping around it and punching the hell out of it. I had to do this for a minute, and then do a minute of either star jumps or burpees, both made harder by the use of an aerobic step. It really did make me feel unfit. I started off the burpees thinking they were easy but by the end of the minute, I was basically just stepping off the step, rather than jumping off it.
We finished the session off with some core work and I must admit I was dying by the end of it. Can't wait to go back though, it was a great workout and was actually proper boxing rather than the boxercise classes you see in most gyms.
Saturday 19 November 2016
Icy Ride to Gym and Back
My new riding to the gym thing is supposed to be just for Wednesdays because I usually go shopping on a Saturday morning after the gym but I wasn't doing today as I had already been yesterday so I decided to ride there and back again.
I went the same route out as I did on Wednesday but coming back I made a slight alteration and went up the cascade instead of along The Street just because I'm on a mountain bike so I'd rather be off road and the reason I don't do this on a Wednesday is because I'm rushing to get back home to log on for work and the road is obviously quicker.
I'm getting much better at riding now, although I know that going up the cascade and down the side of Yarrow is hardly technical but it can still be quite scary to a newbie like me when you're going over uneven ground at speed and you know it will hurt if you fall off.
It was pretty icy this morning so when I was going down the steep road hill under the motorway before coming into Limbrick I was quite frightened because I didn't want to brake and skid but was going too fast not to brake. I wonder when I'll stop being afraid altogether of going downhill at speed? I'm getting there, slowly but surely.
Total distance - 15 miles
I went the same route out as I did on Wednesday but coming back I made a slight alteration and went up the cascade instead of along The Street just because I'm on a mountain bike so I'd rather be off road and the reason I don't do this on a Wednesday is because I'm rushing to get back home to log on for work and the road is obviously quicker.
I'm getting much better at riding now, although I know that going up the cascade and down the side of Yarrow is hardly technical but it can still be quite scary to a newbie like me when you're going over uneven ground at speed and you know it will hurt if you fall off.
It was pretty icy this morning so when I was going down the steep road hill under the motorway before coming into Limbrick I was quite frightened because I didn't want to brake and skid but was going too fast not to brake. I wonder when I'll stop being afraid altogether of going downhill at speed? I'm getting there, slowly but surely.
Total distance - 15 miles
Wednesday 16 November 2016
MTB Ride to the Gym
My exercise is pretty minimal at the minute and this is showing in my clothes, or more in their lack of fit.
With this in mind, I decided to start riding to the gym on a Wednesday morning. It's 7.5 miles each way so I get in a decent distances altogether. The problem is trying to find an off-road route there as I won't ride on roads.
From home, I head into Rivington using the bridleway at the back of the school and then drop down and cross the road and head down to the prep school. From there, I ride along Horrobin Lane, then turn down The Street and head to the Yew Tree. At the Yew Tree I turn right along Back Lane. This is quite a long stretch of road, but it's a very quiet narrow road so very few cars go along it and when they do it's nice and slow so it doesn't bother me. Not one single car passed me on my way out and just one did on my way back.
The road brings me out into Limbrick, which is where I have a stretch of road that I don't really want to ride along. I know that you can get onto the canal from Limbrick as I've done this on the White Bear Way, but I can't remember what the terrain is like and whether or not it is OK for bikes. I need to go for a walk there one day and check it out.
The next place I know I can get onto the canal is at Cowling so I have to ride along the road a bit to get there, although I must admit to having gone on the pavement the first time because I'm just not confident with roads. Before you mock, how many of my road riding friends can honestly say they have never been knocked off or clipped by a car? Not many I bet.
From Cowling I ride along the canal until bridge 78 which takes me into a housing estate. I ride down the road, then cross Eaves Lane, making my way down some terraced streets and then eventually come out near Aldi, ride through the car park and arrive at the gym.
Riding there is the easy bit, riding home not so much. Not only is it practically all up hill but I've also just finished an hour's worth of weight training so I'm usually pretty knackered!
Total distance - 15 miles
With this in mind, I decided to start riding to the gym on a Wednesday morning. It's 7.5 miles each way so I get in a decent distances altogether. The problem is trying to find an off-road route there as I won't ride on roads.
From home, I head into Rivington using the bridleway at the back of the school and then drop down and cross the road and head down to the prep school. From there, I ride along Horrobin Lane, then turn down The Street and head to the Yew Tree. At the Yew Tree I turn right along Back Lane. This is quite a long stretch of road, but it's a very quiet narrow road so very few cars go along it and when they do it's nice and slow so it doesn't bother me. Not one single car passed me on my way out and just one did on my way back.
The road brings me out into Limbrick, which is where I have a stretch of road that I don't really want to ride along. I know that you can get onto the canal from Limbrick as I've done this on the White Bear Way, but I can't remember what the terrain is like and whether or not it is OK for bikes. I need to go for a walk there one day and check it out.
The next place I know I can get onto the canal is at Cowling so I have to ride along the road a bit to get there, although I must admit to having gone on the pavement the first time because I'm just not confident with roads. Before you mock, how many of my road riding friends can honestly say they have never been knocked off or clipped by a car? Not many I bet.
From Cowling I ride along the canal until bridge 78 which takes me into a housing estate. I ride down the road, then cross Eaves Lane, making my way down some terraced streets and then eventually come out near Aldi, ride through the car park and arrive at the gym.
Riding there is the easy bit, riding home not so much. Not only is it practically all up hill but I've also just finished an hour's worth of weight training so I'm usually pretty knackered!
Total distance - 15 miles
Saturday 12 November 2016
Post S&C Easy Run
On the way back from my strength and conditioning workout this morning, I decided to park up on Horrobin Lane again and go for a quick run up to Bomber Memorial. I go to Bomber Memorial every year on either Armistice Day or Remembrance Sunday but this year I was unable to go yesterday due to a hospital appointment and wouldn't be able to go tomorrow either. The day in between would have to do this year.
From Horrobin Lane, I ran to the bowling club and then turned down the side of it. Instead of running up to Yarrow, I turned right and headed down to Dean Brook. I then ran along the lane and hopped over the stile into the field. I went through the fields, coming out onto the road and then dropped down to the gate into Lead Mines Clough.
After running up to the bomber memorial and paying my respects, I continued upwards running along the path which takes you out towards the waterfalls. I didn't go to the waterfalls though and turned left at the end of the path, climbing the ladder stile into the field and making my way along, dropping back down into Lead Mines Clough.
I ran through the Clough, out onto the road and then turned left towards Yarrow Reservoir, before dropping back down to the bowling club and back to the van.
Total distance - 4.4 miles
From Horrobin Lane, I ran to the bowling club and then turned down the side of it. Instead of running up to Yarrow, I turned right and headed down to Dean Brook. I then ran along the lane and hopped over the stile into the field. I went through the fields, coming out onto the road and then dropped down to the gate into Lead Mines Clough.
After running up to the bomber memorial and paying my respects, I continued upwards running along the path which takes you out towards the waterfalls. I didn't go to the waterfalls though and turned left at the end of the path, climbing the ladder stile into the field and making my way along, dropping back down into Lead Mines Clough.
I ran through the Clough, out onto the road and then turned left towards Yarrow Reservoir, before dropping back down to the bowling club and back to the van.
Total distance - 4.4 miles
Thursday 10 November 2016
Short Trot to Meet Duncan and Ruby
Duncan said that he was going to drive out and walk Ruby from the Yew Tree this evening so suggested that I run from home and meet him there. It's only about three miles so I decided it would be a good idea as I didn't have time to go any further than that.
I'm finding it really hard to fit things in these days. I have no idea how people with kids manage because I don't have kids and have a flexible job where I finish at 3.30 every day, but I still find I don't have time for anything. I'm finding it really hard just to write this blog and am actually typing this entry some three and a half weeks after the event.
The run was pretty uneventful. I went from home, along to the bottom barn then down to the bowling club and up to Yarrow before dropping down the cascade and running along Knowsley Lane to meet Duncan and Ruby.
Total distance - 3.1 miles
I'm finding it really hard to fit things in these days. I have no idea how people with kids manage because I don't have kids and have a flexible job where I finish at 3.30 every day, but I still find I don't have time for anything. I'm finding it really hard just to write this blog and am actually typing this entry some three and a half weeks after the event.
The run was pretty uneventful. I went from home, along to the bottom barn then down to the bowling club and up to Yarrow before dropping down the cascade and running along Knowsley Lane to meet Duncan and Ruby.
Total distance - 3.1 miles
Monday 7 November 2016
Monday Night Recovery Run Revisited
Tonight, after being nervous all day about it, I joined the guys at the bottom barn for the Monday night recovery run.
I haven't been for about six months and I don't know why but I got really anxious about it.
It was also time to try out my new, very expensive, Hoka Mafate Speed 2 shoes which appear to be the only Hokas with a decent tread on them.
There were ten of us out tonight: Me, Abigail, Albert, Tony V, Tony M, Mark, Darren, Michelle, Joc and Brian
But no Josie! I don't think I've ever been to a Monday night recovery run which Josie hasn't been at before. I was really looking forward to seeing her too as it's been ages!
I was expecting to be utterly useless tonight, given that I have barely run in the past 5.5 months but I actually surprised myself. I wasn't great on the descents as I must admit to being a bit wary of them at the minute, given that my foot issue hasn't fully resolved but I didn't do as badly as I thought I was. I did make quite a few more girly noises than usual though!
The shoes didn't let me down and I didn't slip any more than normal, even going down the scar (I did slightly go over on my ankle but I ALWAYS do running down the scar).
As we were running past the top barn at the end I commented to Joc that it felt like I was wearing slippers they were that comfortable. She said I looked like I was springing along.
It felt great to be back out with the lovely Monday night runners who were all very encouraging and supportive.
Total distance - 6 miles
I haven't been for about six months and I don't know why but I got really anxious about it.
It was also time to try out my new, very expensive, Hoka Mafate Speed 2 shoes which appear to be the only Hokas with a decent tread on them.
There were ten of us out tonight: Me, Abigail, Albert, Tony V, Tony M, Mark, Darren, Michelle, Joc and Brian
But no Josie! I don't think I've ever been to a Monday night recovery run which Josie hasn't been at before. I was really looking forward to seeing her too as it's been ages!
I was expecting to be utterly useless tonight, given that I have barely run in the past 5.5 months but I actually surprised myself. I wasn't great on the descents as I must admit to being a bit wary of them at the minute, given that my foot issue hasn't fully resolved but I didn't do as badly as I thought I was. I did make quite a few more girly noises than usual though!
The shoes didn't let me down and I didn't slip any more than normal, even going down the scar (I did slightly go over on my ankle but I ALWAYS do running down the scar).
As we were running past the top barn at the end I commented to Joc that it felt like I was wearing slippers they were that comfortable. She said I looked like I was springing along.
It felt great to be back out with the lovely Monday night runners who were all very encouraging and supportive.
Total distance - 6 miles
Thursday 3 November 2016
Run Ruby, Run
Last night whilst walking Ruby, I realised that it was getting dark and that if I continued to walk I wouldn’t make it home before it got properly dark and I had no torch with me. I therefore decided to have a little jog with her.
We didn’t go far, under three miles but I realised that I really missed running with her as she’s my little companion who makes me feel safe when I’m out in the dark on my own.
With that in mind, tonight I decided to have a proper run with her, like the old days, seeing as she kept up so well last night.
The problem with running with Ruby, as I have mentioned in previous posts, is that because she has a problem with other dogs and wants to bite them, I have to keep her on the lead all the time but she’s rubbish to run with on a lead because she wants to sniff and scent mark everything.
In the dark though, and especially when it’s rainy as it was tonight, I can generally let her off the lead for almost the entire run because I can see before her if there are any other dogs around. If there are other dog walkers they’ll have a torch so I can spot them far away and I also seem to notice the glow of dogs (or sheep or deer) eyes before she does too.
Tonight, I was able to let her off the lead by the school and then keep her off it for the entirety of the rest of the run, save for a brief period when a bloke and two dogs were coming the other way and I inadvertently blinded him with my Hope.
We ran along towards the top barn, and then climbed our way through the terraced gardens up onto George’s Lane. It was horrendously foggy tonight and I could barely see a thing, just about two feet in front of me.
We ran along George’s Lane and then back home through Wilderswood.
It’s great to have Ruby back.
Total distance – 4.3 miles (+ around 2.75 from yesterday)
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