A good stress relieving run was in order today to get rid of the anger caused by my train journey home full of selfish people. Why do Apple insist on manufacturing absolute piece of garbage headphones that enable the entire carriage to listen to some terrible music? Isn’t the whole purpose of headphones so that the user can keep their music to themselves instead of inflicting it on all around? Seriously every single day I sit on the train and have to listen to somebody else’s music and usually it’s utter rubbish pop drivel. Thing is, you always know who the culprit is by the mere fact that their headphones are white.
Deep breath… and relax…
Back to our run…
I wanted to get a good few miles in today seeing as it’s only the second day I have run this week and I won’t be running again now until Saturday, meaning that I’ll have only had four days of running all week.
We set off from home down to Rivington & Blackrod School, then off towards top barn. From there we went out onto Sheephouse Lane, to the bowling club and then up past Yarrow Reservoir before dropping down to the road and onto The Street. We ran along The Street, onto Horrobin Lane and then back up to top barn and back home again.
The rain was torrential the entire time and we were soaked to the bone by the time we got home.
To be honest, boring as that is, it’s all I have to say about today’s run. It was really uneventful and right now I’m anxious to start watching the Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin so, quite frankly, can’t be bothered writing anymore.
Just one question before I sign off though… is it normal for my dog to eat horse poo?
Total distance – 6.85 miles
Thursday, 9 January 2014
Tuesday, 7 January 2014
Bad Dog!
Well it was back to the head torch today after two weeks of being able to run in daylight. Is it just me or does anybody else find it really hard work to get out the door for a solo head torch run? I’m really not keen, probably because my mind starts playing tricks on me and, in my head, all those glowing sheep eyes are actually goblins waiting to eat me.
Speaking of sheep, this brings me to the reason for today’s title. We set off from home down towards Rivington and Blackrod School and then did the Pike Race route up to the Pike. The farm fields were full of sheep and Ruby was going mental trying to get at them. I had her on the lead an no matter how many times I yanked her back, yelled at her, got hold of her face and yelled at her eye to eye, she just would not stop trying to go after them. It’s so infuriating. You’d think that being yanked about and yelled at so much she would get the hint that it’s not OK to attack sheep. It’s for her own good - I don’t want her being shot by an angry farmer! If only I could speak dog and tell her that.
After leaving the Pike we headed along to the Pigeon Tower and then turned left straight after it, down the steep muddy slope. When I’m not running with Ruby I love going down this hill as downhill running is what I’m best at. However, with Ruby there are two problems with going down a steep hill at speed, namely:
1. She stops dead right in front of me, causing me to trip over her and go face first down the hill.
2. She does the exact opposite and runs really fast, causing me to lunge forward when the extension lead reaches its maximum length, making me fall onto either my backside or my face and slide down the hill.
Still I suppose falling down the hill might be a quicker way of getting to the bottom?
From the bottom of the slippery slope we climbed back up, zig-zagging back to the Pigeon Tower. We then ran back home along Georges Lane and down Factory Hill in a desperate attempt to get Ruby to dry off and run off some of the mud she had accumulated so I wouldn’t have to get her in the shower again when we got home.
This didn’t happen – she was filthy.
Total distance – 5.05miles.
Sunday, 5 January 2014
No Beep Beep for us
I woke up this morning and, for the first time in about two years, decided I wanted to do a road run. My pure and simple reason for this is that I really didn’t want to have to bath Ruby again when we got back so I figured if we went for a road run she would stay reasonably clean.
I didn’t want to run on busy roads so set off from mine, down dog poo alley and then up Factory Hill. It wasn’t until I was on Factory Hill that I realised how icy it was (hadn’t noticed the ice all over the car when I passed it on the drive!). After me slipping three times and my four leg drive companion slipping twice, I decided to go home via Brinks Row.
A quick change of shoes later and we were back out again and where we belong – on the trails!
We went straight up onto George’s Lane and the along towards the Pike. We went past the first gate to the Pike and along to the old toilet block. When we got there, the gate had been knocked down. It didn’t look like wind had done it but more like somebody had rammed it down.
We went up the Pike avoiding the steps as they were really icy. We then went straight back down, onto George’s Lane and up to 2 Lads by the side of the kennels. I was feeling pretty strong this morning so it was frustrating that Ruby kept stopping dead in front of me and breaking my stride. Equally frustrating was that she decided to pick up the pace on the way back down, nearly dragging me down on my backside. For a small dog she is remarkably strong and really pulls, especially if she sees another animal.
From there we headed back home through Wilderswood and, when we got there, hopped straight into the shower – both of us.
Moral of the story – road running sucks!
Total distance – 6.3 miles
Week’s total distance - 37.2 miles
I didn’t want to run on busy roads so set off from mine, down dog poo alley and then up Factory Hill. It wasn’t until I was on Factory Hill that I realised how icy it was (hadn’t noticed the ice all over the car when I passed it on the drive!). After me slipping three times and my four leg drive companion slipping twice, I decided to go home via Brinks Row.
A quick change of shoes later and we were back out again and where we belong – on the trails!
We went straight up onto George’s Lane and the along towards the Pike. We went past the first gate to the Pike and along to the old toilet block. When we got there, the gate had been knocked down. It didn’t look like wind had done it but more like somebody had rammed it down.
We went up the Pike avoiding the steps as they were really icy. We then went straight back down, onto George’s Lane and up to 2 Lads by the side of the kennels. I was feeling pretty strong this morning so it was frustrating that Ruby kept stopping dead in front of me and breaking my stride. Equally frustrating was that she decided to pick up the pace on the way back down, nearly dragging me down on my backside. For a small dog she is remarkably strong and really pulls, especially if she sees another animal.
From there we headed back home through Wilderswood and, when we got there, hopped straight into the shower – both of us.
Moral of the story – road running sucks!
Total distance – 6.3 miles
Week’s total distance - 37.2 miles
Saturday, 4 January 2014
Canals, Bikes and Unfit Boys
As Duncan announced this morning that he was driving out to the now closed Bridge 63 pub to have a bike ride along the canal with his mate, Iain, I decided to tag along and go for a run. I got them to drop me and Ruby off near Suzannah's restaurant though in Blackrod because I thought that, seeing as we were running and they were on bikes, we wouldn't be able to cover as much distance in the same time so would need a head start.
I was wrong.
We ran down from Suzannah's to the canal and then along to Bridge 63 pub, this was around 1.8 miles. I saw our car parked up there and so carried on along the canal in the direction of Haigh Hall. About 0.2 of a mile along from the pub I passed them!
I can forgive Duncan for this as he had a hip replacement five weeks ago and this was his first time out on a bike since and probably only his fifth bike ride since his accident six years ago. Iain, however, has no excuse other than many many years of a very sedentary lifestyle and lots of junk food.
We passed them with ease and carried on going, past the bridge to Haigh Hall. We turned round when I knew that it would be at least five miles by the time we got back to Bridge 63.
Once back at Bridge 63, Duncan and Iain had just finished their ride - they made it to Bridge number 61!!!! I don't think they even covered a mile! Ah well, as they say at Tesco, every little helps!
Total distance - 5.4 miles
Friday, 3 January 2014
Diggers and Bras
We set off today with only one goal in mind – hills! We’ve been avoiding them for most of this week so it was time to get back up there and so off we went from home straight up to 2 Lads. Unusually, I was feeling really good at this point. I say unusually because most times when I go straight up from home I’m totally knackered before I even hit George’s Lane. I made the decision that if I still felt good once I got up the Pike I’d make this my long run which I would usually do on a Saturday. It turns out I was feeling good on top of the Pike, so much so that when I ran down it I decided to go back up again.
There was a Land Rover parked on the road up to the Pike at the gate to the path to the mast and there was a sign up saying ‘danger plant machinery’. In the distance, on the way to the mast, was a digger. No idea what UU are up to now but I wouldn’t be surprised if they ban us from running over there too.
We dropped down onto Georges Lane, to the Pigeon Tower, and then continued along Belmont Road. At the far side of Belmont Road, before coming out onto Rivington Road, I passed through the gate where I found a bra hanging from the fence! Not really something one just loses when out and about in the country like a glove or hat.
We then ran along Rivington Road a bit towards Dangerous Corner, but then turned off towards what I only know as being called ‘Old Rachael’. The path we followed leads through farmland and eventually comes out into Lead Mines Clough. From here we ran up to Bomber Memorial then back down again, through Leads Mines Clough and out towards Yarrow Reservoir. We then ran along the side of Yarrow back towards Rivington, to the top barn and then home.
Whilst running through the farmland before Lead Mines Clough I started to get a bit anxious as many times when I’ve run this way there has been a herd of cows. I’ve never been bothered about cows before but recently people keep telling me stories about cow tramplings and that these are sometimes triggered by dogs. I haven’t run amongst cows with Ruby before and I got to thinking – how fast do cows run? Could I outrun one? Luckily I didn’t need to find out as there were no cows, just a lot of sheep which Ruby wanted to chase but thankfully I kept her on the lead. You’d think after being yelled at that much and yanked back she would learn but alas, no!
Total distance – 11.1 miles
There was a Land Rover parked on the road up to the Pike at the gate to the path to the mast and there was a sign up saying ‘danger plant machinery’. In the distance, on the way to the mast, was a digger. No idea what UU are up to now but I wouldn’t be surprised if they ban us from running over there too.
We dropped down onto Georges Lane, to the Pigeon Tower, and then continued along Belmont Road. At the far side of Belmont Road, before coming out onto Rivington Road, I passed through the gate where I found a bra hanging from the fence! Not really something one just loses when out and about in the country like a glove or hat.
We then ran along Rivington Road a bit towards Dangerous Corner, but then turned off towards what I only know as being called ‘Old Rachael’. The path we followed leads through farmland and eventually comes out into Lead Mines Clough. From here we ran up to Bomber Memorial then back down again, through Leads Mines Clough and out towards Yarrow Reservoir. We then ran along the side of Yarrow back towards Rivington, to the top barn and then home.
Whilst running through the farmland before Lead Mines Clough I started to get a bit anxious as many times when I’ve run this way there has been a herd of cows. I’ve never been bothered about cows before but recently people keep telling me stories about cow tramplings and that these are sometimes triggered by dogs. I haven’t run amongst cows with Ruby before and I got to thinking – how fast do cows run? Could I outrun one? Luckily I didn’t need to find out as there were no cows, just a lot of sheep which Ruby wanted to chase but thankfully I kept her on the lead. You’d think after being yelled at that much and yanked back she would learn but alas, no!
Total distance – 11.1 miles
Thursday, 2 January 2014
Ruby the Bodyguard?
No running for us today as I thought I’d give my quads and hamstrings a well deserved rest and I’m sure Ruby needs the odd day off too. Instead, I drove to Jepson’s Gate and we went for a walk around Lead Mines Clough in the beautiful sunshine.
We went up to the Bomber Memorial and then carried on up, following the path by the edge of the farm which then takes you out to a waterfall a good way down. Whilst walking along this path I passed two blokes who, whilst were probably very nice people and did say hello to me, looked a little bit dodgy. This got me thinking – would Ruby be an effective deterrent for any would-be attacker? She’s only little but would the mere fact that she has teeth scare someone enough to leave me alone? Answers on a postcard please.
We continued on across the bridge over the waterfall and then made our way over the fields before dropping back down into Lead Mines Clough, where I got chatting to a nice 71 year old gentleman who, sadly, had recently lost his wife to cancer. Ruby really took a shine to him as he fed her a digestive biscuit… which again got me thinking – could any would-be attacker just hand Ruby a biscuit to get her off their case? Probably!
Perhaps I should trade her in for an Alsatian or a Doberman…
…not a chance!
We went up to the Bomber Memorial and then carried on up, following the path by the edge of the farm which then takes you out to a waterfall a good way down. Whilst walking along this path I passed two blokes who, whilst were probably very nice people and did say hello to me, looked a little bit dodgy. This got me thinking – would Ruby be an effective deterrent for any would-be attacker? She’s only little but would the mere fact that she has teeth scare someone enough to leave me alone? Answers on a postcard please.
We continued on across the bridge over the waterfall and then made our way over the fields before dropping back down into Lead Mines Clough, where I got chatting to a nice 71 year old gentleman who, sadly, had recently lost his wife to cancer. Ruby really took a shine to him as he fed her a digestive biscuit… which again got me thinking – could any would-be attacker just hand Ruby a biscuit to get her off their case? Probably!
Perhaps I should trade her in for an Alsatian or a Doberman…
…not a chance!
Wednesday, 1 January 2014
Happy New Year!
I hope you had a good celebration last night and would like to wish you all the best for 2014!
Despite a few glasses of wine and champagne last night I was feeling surprisingly well this morning and so Duncan and I took Ruby to the ‘beach’ at Rivington Reservoir to play ball.
By about 3.20pm I was starting to feel anxious to go for a run, even though I had today down as a rest day. I just felt that I wanted to start the year as I meant to go on. As my quads and hamstrings are quite tight at the minute, I decided to just do another easy run on the flat.
Whilst a largely unremarkable run, it had the desired effect of easing the guilt of all the food and drink I’ve been consuming lately. The highlight of the session, however, had to be a rather trendy girl in a white faux fur coat and light coloured Ugg boots trying to get across a very muddy section of trail in Rivvy, not helped by Ruby splashing her way through in very close proximity.
We just about managed to get home before it got too dark and I again had to throw Ruby in the shower. It’s becoming daily now so hopefully she will start to take it for granted soon. She’s a good girl really and, whilst you can tell she’s not overly keen on it, she doesn’t scrabble about and just takes it in her stride.
I was hoping to get out with the WFDBWGUA group tomorrow morning but unfortunately I have to take Duncan down to the health centre at 9.30 so won’t be able to make it. I’ll try to make it for Saturday’s run though.
As for the year ahead, hopefully my running times will continue to improve and I’ll get more confident with my navigation skills.
Here’s to a great 2014!
Total distance – 4.1 miles
Despite a few glasses of wine and champagne last night I was feeling surprisingly well this morning and so Duncan and I took Ruby to the ‘beach’ at Rivington Reservoir to play ball.
By about 3.20pm I was starting to feel anxious to go for a run, even though I had today down as a rest day. I just felt that I wanted to start the year as I meant to go on. As my quads and hamstrings are quite tight at the minute, I decided to just do another easy run on the flat.
Whilst a largely unremarkable run, it had the desired effect of easing the guilt of all the food and drink I’ve been consuming lately. The highlight of the session, however, had to be a rather trendy girl in a white faux fur coat and light coloured Ugg boots trying to get across a very muddy section of trail in Rivvy, not helped by Ruby splashing her way through in very close proximity.
We just about managed to get home before it got too dark and I again had to throw Ruby in the shower. It’s becoming daily now so hopefully she will start to take it for granted soon. She’s a good girl really and, whilst you can tell she’s not overly keen on it, she doesn’t scrabble about and just takes it in her stride.
I was hoping to get out with the WFDBWGUA group tomorrow morning but unfortunately I have to take Duncan down to the health centre at 9.30 so won’t be able to make it. I’ll try to make it for Saturday’s run though.
As for the year ahead, hopefully my running times will continue to improve and I’ll get more confident with my navigation skills.
Here’s to a great 2014!
Total distance – 4.1 miles
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