Week 17 - A Whole 20 Miles!!!

Monday, 23 April 

I woke up this morning full of energy (what's that all about?) and so I asked Duncan if he would drop me off up the road on his way to work so that I could go for a run but starting from somewhere other than home as I get really bored of running from home all the time.  

He dropped me off on George's Lane and I ran up through the quarry.  The path here has been changed as I had intended to run up past Armstrongs but they have blocked off the path and put in a new one which takes you across to the slightly overgrown narrow path which I walked Ruby on the other day. 

I came out at Burnt Edge and turned right towards 'haunted house', where I then went along the driveway and over to Holden's Farm.  I contemplated whether to turn right along to the trespass stone then up to the mast but decided against it as I'm really busy at work so thought it would be best to just start heading home.  

I therefore turned left and headed alongside Holden's Plantation, coming out on the mast road then running up to Two Lads.  

From Two Lads, I ran down to the kennels then straight across and through my favourite field.  I felt like I was flying through there but I was still ten seconds behind my Strava course record, I must have been on fire that day. 

It was after my favourite field where I surprised myself as, instead of going straight home, I turned left, running back UP onto George's Lane.  I think I just had it in my head that I wanted to run five miles and knew that if I didn't go back up I would be half a mile short.  I just ran along George's Lane a short way, turning into Wilderswood and down the broad track through the middle, coming out on Brinks Row.  From there it was just straight home. 

I love being out at this time in the morning.  I didn't pass a single other person in the whole five miles and I felt like I had the entire moors to myself.  

Total distance - 5 miles 


Wednesday, 25 April 

I managed to get out for another run today - shocker!  This time Duncan dropped me off outside Rivington and Blackrod School and I ran a short way down Dryfield Lane, then turned off, heading towards Liverpool Castle.  I ran along the side of the reservoir out to the  prep school, then along to the Bowling Club, turning down the side, heading for Yarrow.  I didn't go up to Yarrow Reservoir though, instead turning right downhill to Dean Brook and following this back into Rivington.  From there, I took the path which runs alongside the road back to Rivington and Blackrod School, then headed home via dog poo alley.

Total distance - 4.1 miles 


Friday, 27 April 

ANOTHER run today!  This time it was just a gentle one with Ruby.  I don't go out with her much these days as she gets tired quite quickly but it was raining today and this seemed to give her more energy.  She did really well and stayed by my side most of the time, although I did go quite slowly for her.

We ran along to the school then long the path behind it which heads over to the top barn.  When we got to the path crossroads half way along the track, we turned right, along the top of the Pinetum.  At the next track junction we again turned right, heading up through the terraced gardens and then turned right onto Roynton Lane, making our way up to George's Lane.   From there, we ran along George's Lane then down through Wilderswood home.

It was lovely to be out with Ruby again, especially when she was so full of beans.

Total distance - 4 miles 


Saturday, 28 April 

I went to the gym this morning to see how I'd get on with a strength and conditioning session.  I haven't done any since the beginning of March due to a holiday and then my pulled muscle caused by violent coughing.  I knew that I wouldn't be able to do my actual session because a lot of the exercises in that were too intense and would hurt my ribs so I made up my own tamer session.   It went well and I'm glad to be getting back into it, even if it isn't the proper session.  I had a quick word with the physio there and she said that I shouldn't worry about my ribs yet as it could be another couple of weeks before they're fully healed but if they're not right by then I should think about getting some treatment on them.  


Sunday, 29 April 

Unbelievable!  I got out for yet another run today!  I haven't run this much in AGES. I've managed twenty miles this week now.  I know that isn't much compared with what I used to do but I haven't run twenty miles in a week for a very long time. 

I set out only intending to do around four miles but I soon became obsessed with getting some distance in.

I ran up to George's Lane via Wilderswood to start with, although I did walk a little bit of this as I bumped into Claire walking her dogs and had a natter for a bit.

Once on George's Lane I headed up the stream climb towards Two Lads but turned right at the water tanks, into Smithills Estate.  I ran along to Holden's Farm, then turned right and climbed up the hill to 'haunted house'.  I came out of the driveway then turned right along to Burnt Edge.  I then crossed the path I had come up on and dropped down to the stream crossing with the steps either side of it, running along and out onto the mast road.  From there, I went up Two Lads and down to Pike Cottage.  Looking at my watch I decided that I now wanted to get six miles in but if I went straight home I'd only manage about 5.5.  I therefore decided to turn left along George's Lane and run past Wilderwood Car Park and onto the footpath on the right which goes past the old quarry towards Arcon Village.  After the quarry, I turned right down a path and into the Memorial Forest.  When I came out of the forest I crossed over Foxholes and onto the adjacent path, coming out on Factory Hill.  I then went along Brinks Row and down past Wylderswoode Stud heading home but I then decided that it would be nice to get up to seven miles and to do this I needed to add on a further 0.6 of a mile.  Instead of turning right onto dog poo alley and going home, I turned left onto dog poo alley and dropped down, doing a loop at the bottom, back up dog poo alley but when I came back out on Brownlow I realised I would still be 0.1 of a mile short if I carried on home so I ran back up a short while, turned round and ran back down.  I was so determined that I would get twenty miles in this week that I was just running around in circles.

I must admit I'm suffering for it now though, as I completely ceasing up.  Think I might just lie on the couch all day now.

Total distance - 7 miles 

Week 16 - Getting Back on it?

After my weekend in the Lakes I had a couple of days of not doing a right lot, other than walking Ruby.


Wednesday, 18 April 

Knowing that it was going to be lovely and sunny this evening, I decided to go to the morning altitude spin class so that I could get outside in the evening sunshine.

The morning spin class is easier than the evening one though as there is more rest between the sets, it's still a good workout though, I just don't almost die in it like I do in the evening one.

Tonight was Leo's Duathlon which is a low key Lostock Running Club event.  Aa with last year, Josie was borrowing my bike so I rode a mile up the hill to meet her.  The problem is, once I got there, I didn't actually want to stop and just wanted to go for a nice bike ride in the sunshine.  Ah well, there's always another day.

Whilst the duathlon was taking place, I had a little run up the stream climb to the water tanks and across to the mast road, which is where the transition from bike to run takes place.  After that, I ran back down again with a competitor who wasn't sure where she was going.

The first home was Julian, but he's a Horwich RMI athlete and so not eligible for prizes as they are awarded to Lostock athletes only.  First lady home was Josie and obviously I took credit for having the winning bike.  I think Josie has the bug now as she really enjoyed riding my bike and wants to get one of her own.

After the race, I rode back down with Julian and Sally.

Quite an epic day really as I also took Ruby on a three mile walk before going up to the Duathlon.

Total spin bike distance - 21km
Total walking distance - 3 miles 
Total MTB distance - approx. 2 miles
Total running distance - approx. 1 mile



Thursday, 19 April 

Tonight I just went for a longish walk with Ruby, again in the sunshine.  I can't believe this weather - I was wearing gloves less than a week ago and today I'm wearing suncream! 

Total walking distance -  4 miles (classed as longish when it's straight from work and with the length of time Ruby spends stopping and sniffing)

Friday, 20 April 

After being stuck in the office all day, I got off the train and, knowing I had running kit in the back of the van, decided to park in the car park by the school at Rivington and go for a short run before getting home to Ruby.  

I just ran along to the reservoir then alongside it all the way to the prep school.  I then headed to the bottom barn and crossed the road, going up through the woods which run parallel with the lane to the top barn.  I came out and then ran along the track which comes out at Rivington and Blackrod School and I then made my way home along dog poo alley.  

Once home, I went straight back out again with Ruby and looped my way back to the car park to retrieve the van. 

Total run distance - 3.3 miles

Total walk distance - 2 miles 

Saturday, 21 April

This morning Duncan and I drove to Chorley to get some shopping and go to Screwfix.  Duncan then drove me over to Brinscall and I got onto my mountain bike.  

I just wanted an easy ride as my ribs are still not right from my violent coughing attack over four weeks ago so I didn't want to do anything which involved too much core work and I knew the route back from Brinscall was just mildly undulating rather than steep hilly.  

I rode along the back alongside the goit and didn't realise that part of this is footpath and cyclists shouldn't be on it.  This is an example of where I think that rule is daft.  I'm wholly onboard with some footpaths being unsuitable for cyclists - ones which are soft underfoot and so easily eroded, however when it is a compact path like this one, I really don't see any issue as long as you respect other path users. 

I rode along to White Coppice then straight across on the track, coming out at Waterman's Cottage.  From there, I turned right along the road and then up onto the bridleway through Healey Nab.  I'm not a competent enough MTBer to tackle the purpose built MTB trails within Healey Nab so I just stayed on the bridleway, coming out onto Back Lane.  I was on the road for a bit now as I turned along Knowsley Lane and then headed up Parson's Bullough Road.  I turned off the road at the top of the hill and went along the path by the side of Yarrow Reservoir, coming out at the bowling club.  

I then made my way through Rivington and along to the school before heading home.

Later on today, I took Ruby out for a nice walk in the sunshine.  We headed up past Wylderswoode Stud but then turned off down Brinks Row, crossing over Factory Hill onto the footpath to Foxholes, then across to the adjacent footpath which goes through the memorial forest.   From there, we went up the side of the disused quarry onto George's Lane, then along a bit, climbing up at the Armstrongs Quarry.  I haven't been this way in ages so it was nice to have a change of scenery and I prefer this neck of the woods as it is much quieter than Rivington.  In fact, despite the beautiful warm sunny weather, I barely saw a soul until I was asked for directions back to Smithills by a couple of ladies near Burnt Edge.

I made my way though the Smithills Estate, coming out onto the mast road and then crossing over and heading for the water tanks.  I was looking over at the Pike where I could see tens of people on top, yet where I was and on top of Two Lads, there was nobody.

From the water tanks we just dropped down onto George's Lane and back home via Wilderswood.  

Total MTB distance - 8.75 miles
Total walking distance - 4.25 miles 

Week 15 - Spring in Lakeland

I STILL have my pulled muscles from violently coughing three weeks ago!  Really just want to get back onto the weight training but that's definitely out until the pain stops.


Wednesday, 11 April

Altitude spin tonight.  I'm still having to do the standing up bits sitting down because of my ribs but I'm not complaining because it makes the workout even harder as I still use the gears I should be in if I was standing up.  It's just good to be able to do something that doesn't cause any pain.

Total 'distance' - 22km


Thursday, 12 April 

I went for a 3.5 mile walk with Ruby today, just to test out my new walking boots.  I have finally decided that now I'm more of a walker than a runner, I really should have the proper kit but it feels really weird to be wearing heavy boots (the boots themselves aren't actually heavy, just heavy in comparison to wearing fell trainers).  I've been wearing them around the office for the past couple of days trying to get used to them before venturing outside in them, rendering them unreturnable, but I decided to bite the bullet tonight and just get out there.  They actually felt OK, although I did have to stop to make a couple of lacing adjustments.

I made sure I went both uphill and downhill in them to see how they felt and when I was going downhill I did notice my toes sliding down to the front a bit too much so I had to adjust the laces again and this sorted it out.  I'm planning on doing my weekend walking in Ambleside in them but that's going to be a lot more than 3.5 miles so I'd better take a pair of fell shoes too, just in case.

Total walking distance - 3.5 miles


Friday, 13 April 

I got the train up to Windermere today and, rather than getting a bus to Amebleside, decided to walk there using part of the Windermere Way. 

The route starts by climbing up to Orrest Head.  When I did this route last year it was in thick fog and I couldn't see a thing when I got to the Orrest Head viewpoint but today it was a little better.  It was still foggy but I could see the lake, unlike last time when I could barely see a few meters ahead.

After Orrest Head, it all started to go wrong.  I remember last year the the directions were a little questionable in places but this year it was even worse as some tracks had been messed about with around a farm and a signpost was lying on the ground and so not pointing in the correct directions.  I spent about half an hour wandering aimlessly around various farm fields with a huge herd of sheep and lambs following me around (literally only a meter away from me) baaing very loudly as they must have thought I was their feeder.  Eventually, I decided to just walk down the farm driveway and by sheer luck ended up coming out exactly where I was supposed to.  I am my own worst enemy because I actually had an OS map in my bag but it was raining and I had the rain cover on and I couldn't be bothered messing around trying to find the map.  Yeah yeah, rookie mistake - I should have kept the map close to hand.  I was in no rush though so it didn't matter how long it took.

The footbridge is still out at Troutbeck so I had to walk the long way round along the road.  Once I got onto Robin Lane behind the Post Office, I decided to have a sit down and a bit of flapjack and, whilst sitting on the bench, noticed this stone on the ground in front of me which reads 'TO REMEMBER THE SHEEPDOGS OF TROUTBECK 2006'

Another picture of Lake Windermere (which actually just looks like another cloud), taken from Robin Lane...

Instead of just dropping down into Ambleside, the route goes over Wansfell.  I have to say that if I never do that descent from Wansfell into Ambleside again, it won't be the worst thing that could happen.  It is a horrible descent and I was actually jealous of all the people going in the opposite direction which, if you know me, is pretty surprising as I much prefer going downhill than uphill.  It appeared that I was the only person doing it this way around as it's just not a nice way to go down, especially when it's wet as some of the rocks are pretty slippery.

'View' from the top of Wansfell towards Ambleside...

On arrival in Ambleside I quickly found a cafe where I just intended to get a coffee and a sandwich but then I spotted a cake which I just couldn't resist trying out... Dandelion and Burdock cake!!!  It was as tasty as it sounded.

I had booked to stay in a B&B for three nights (yes, I know I own a campervan but I like a bit of luxury now and then!) and it was described as having a 'mountain view'.  It certainly did, however with a garden centre obscuring most of it...

Total walking distance - 9 miles


Saturday, 14 April 

Breakfast is only served at my B&B between 8.15 and 9.00 but, being an early bird, I was wide awake by 6.30 and wondering what to do with myself so decided to go for a little run up the hill behind the B&B.  I didn't actually realise quite how steep a hill it was and I was absolutely knackered just a few minutes in.  It climbs up a very narrow lane and then goes into Skelghyll Wood to Jenkin Crag.  With the length of time it took me to run up, together with stopping to take a load of piccies, it was soon time to start heading back down for brekkie as I was absolutely starving.

Can you spot the duck shaped topiary?

Total running distance - 2 miles (wow!)


After breakfast I wandered along to Waterhead where I had booked a sit on top kayak for a couple of hours.

It was lovely out on Windermere, so quiet and peaceful (surprising or what!).  It felt like I had the whole lake to myself.  I went along the river a little bit, although when I could see that it was getting quite shallow I turned around out of fear of becoming 'beached'.

This is the second time I've gone kayaking recently and I really enjoyed it.  It's quite tiring though as I'm not used to all the work in the arms.  I definitely need to refine my technique as I'm not sure you're supposed to get quite as wet as I did without actually falling in.  I also have a lovely blister on my hand from holding the paddle.

Total kayaking distance - 5 miles 

I walked back to the B&B along the track I had run over this morning through Skelghyll Woods and, by now, the day was shaping up pretty well...

It was now around noon and I decided to get my shorts on and go out for another walk, this time just a reasonably low level one around Loughrigg.  I say low level but it starts with quite a steep road climb out of Ambleside, which is the same way out as Spring in Lakeland will go tomorrow.

The route then drops back down again, coming out at Loughrigg Tarn, which I descended to and sat on a rock to eat my lunch.  It would have been rude not to.

Onwards and upwards I continued on the circular route which goes through Loughrigg Terrace which has lovely views across Grasmere to Helm Crag.

I then dropped down to Rydal Water and made my way through Rydal Park back into Ambleside, where I went to yet another cafe for yet another piece of cake, this time sticky chocolate orange cake.

Total walking distance - 7 miles

Action packed day!


Sunday, 15 April 

Spring in Lakeland today.  This is the fourth time for me on this walk, albeit only the second time officially.  I first did the actual challenge walk in 2016 but, about a month later, I did it again with YJ as he wasn't able to take part in the actual event.  This was the day that my foot injury flared up big time and YJ had to drive my van back home again because I couldn't press the clutch pedal through the pain.  The third time I did it was on my own last year because the event itself was cancelled but I liked it so much that I did it anyway.

When I did the event back in 2016 I ran it, as I did all the LDWA events at that time, but this year I'd just be walking, in my new boots of course which had now done around 19 miles and my feet so far remained pain free.

At the start I saw Albert and Mark who were both taking part in this event for the first time.  I knew I wouldn't see them again though as they'd be running it so would finish ages before me and be long gone by the time I got back.

I also saw a lady I recognised from other walks and we had a chat before the start, trying to work out what clothing to wear it was actually quite warm but had been raining and it was tricky to decide what to set off in.  I was in shorts but had the zip-off legs in my bag in case it got cold and I had a thermal base layer, a t-shirt and a long sleeved lightweight hoody on, with my tissue paper thin waterproof jacket in my bag.

After a couple of miles, I ended up walking at the same pace as the lady I had been chatting to earlier and we then spent the majority of the rest of the walk together.  All was going well until she announced her utter hatred of cats (using the phrase - 'too many cats, not enough recipes').  Ah well, each to their own I suppose.

I always forget how long the section from High Tilberthwaite to Coniston takes.  In my head, it's just a climb up and a winding descent down but I always forget about the bit in between which goes on for quite a while.  I was ravenous and couldn't wait to get to the checkpoint at Coniston.  Once there, I wolfed down a bunch of cheese and pickle sandwiches, plus a couple of cakes and continued on my way, leaving my new walking companion at the checkpoint.

I'm really not very good at taking selfies.  I'm not ashamed of that though.

There is a bit in this walk where you come to the end of a lane and have to immediately turn back on yourself down an enclosed path which descends steeply to a car park and then climbs back up again alongside Tom Ghyll up to Tarn Hows.  I noticed last time I did the event, and after speaking to others on the event, that a lot of runners tend to miss this bit out, instead staying on the road so they don't have to drop down and back up again.  I can't understand this as it's such a pretty section and is part of the route so why miss it out to run along a boring old road?

As I was climbing up Tom Ghyll, a couple of other walkers on the route were coming back down the other way, saying they had made a wrong turn as they had veered off too far from the waterfall and I had nearly done the same thing.  I ended up staying with these walkers right to the end, with my earlier companion catching up with us after a short while.

As with all the previous times I have walked this route, the directions for the last section just didn't make sense.  I got to where I was supposed to be going, but whether I got there the right way is anyone's guess.  It just doesn't add up and I'm not alone in thinking this as my other companions couldn't make head nor tail of it either, nor Mark and Albert.

My clothing choice worked well for me as it was pretty warm and dry, except for the very end when the heavens opened for the final five minutes of the walk but at this point I couldn't be bothered digging out my jacket and just decided to get wet, knowing that I would soon be warm and dry indoors.

As for my boots, they get a big thumbs up.  My feet and ankles did feel a little strange and slightly achy in the evening but I'm guessing that's just because they're not used to this type of footwear.

Love this event and will definitely be back again.

Total walking distance - 22.75 miles 


Wow, most exercise I've done for ages this week!

Week 14 - A Little Ray of Sunshine

Monday, 2 April

Today I met up with the East Lancs LDWA lot for a group walk, entitled 'A Little Ray of Sunshine'.  The title was highly deceptive as the weather was rotten.  It was sleety, windy and rainy.  Due to the weather, Norman, the walk leader, decided to take a different, more low level route than he had originally planned.

It was a lovely walk, despite the weather, and from the start at Wallsuches we headed over to White Coppice via Anglezarke Reservoir, coming back through Healey Nab.

I love these group walks, everyone is so friendly and it's a good laugh.  I just have to get my clothing right!  I forget that it isn't as fast moving a walk as when I'm on my own and there is also much more stopping (I tend not to stop but to eat on the go) so I found that I didn't have enough layers on and kept getting cold.  As a seasoned walker/runner though, I do carry extra kit in my bag so when we had a lunch stop at White Coppice I put on an extra top and swapped into some dry gloves, which made a world of difference.

Total distance - 14.75 miles 


Wednesday, 4 April 

Finally got back to an altitude spin class today, however it soon became apparent that my rib pain was being exacerbated.  Fortunately, it only hurt when I was doing the standing sections so I did my own thing and stayed sitting for the rest of the session.  I actually made the session harder for myself because I still used the same gears as the guys standing were using and it is incredibly hard work sitting down in gears 20+.  Good training for mountain biking though!


Friday, 6 April

Another spin class today!  Go me!  I went to the morning session though and I wasn't half feeling Wednesday's session in my legs still.  They felt really heavy.  I came alive after about 20 minutes though and had another good session, although I did continue to stay seated during the standing sections.  As long as I do this and stay hunched forward, my ribs don't hurt at all.


That's it for this week, unless I can include moshing at a rock gig (Massive Wagons in Glasgow on Sunday night) as exercise?

Week 13 - Office Move Week

This week is was my last at 3 Piccadilly Place, my company having moved over to Spinningfields.  I'm now an 'agile worker' meaning that I have no fixed desk and am able to work from home up to three days a week.  I'm hoping this will help with getting some decent exercise in as I'll save two hours a day on travelling when I work from home.  Watch this space!


Monday, 26 March

I took Ruby out for a little run today but, unfortunately, she wasn't feeling it so it turned into more of a jog/walk.  It was a lovely sunny day though, my first of the year in shorts.

We ran down to the school, then round the back of it and along the path, heading in the direction of the top barn.  When we got to the path junction though, we turned right and climbed up to George's Lane through the terraced gardens.

By the time we got to the top, Ruby was struggling with running.  I kept trying to get her to drink water as it was quite warm but she wasn't interested.  We spent the rest of the outing alternating between walking and a very slow jog but at least I got out.

We went along George's Lane to Pike Cottage, then went down through my favourite field, probably my slowest ever time on this Strava section!  We then headed to the stables and then down Brownlow Road and back home along dog poo alley.

Ah well, a crap run is better than no run!


Tuesday, 28 March

Today, I attempted to do a strength and conditioning session but my muscles still haven't healed since my violent coughing fit last week and so it was a no go.  The only exercise I tried which didn't hurt was the leg press so, after 40 minutes of trying various things, I gave up and went home in a bad mood.

According to Dave at the gym, intercostal muscle injuries can take up to six weeks to heal!  Six whole weeks!  It's surprising how many activities aggravate it too, you wouldn't think you'd use the side of your torso that much!


That was it for me for the week, other than a few walks with Ruby. 

Yet again, the training is non existent!