After not running since last Wednesday due to my bad hip, I thought I'd try a nice easy three miles today just down to Rivvy Barn and back.
It wasn't too bad really. There were a couple of slight niggles but nothing major.
The problem is, my pain doesn't actually happen much whilst running which makes it difficult to know whether I'm overdoing it or not. It's later on once I get home that it starts to hurt. I get a dull ache in the 'iliac crest' (the sticky out hip bone). It wasn't too bad today though. Not gone completely, but not as sore as it has been.
Once I got home I did my glute strengthening and stretching exercises again and iced my hip as recommended by Maria, my physio. I've been doing that since Wednesday now, as often as possible (at weekend I had set my stop watch to beep at me every two hours so I knew when to ice!)
It really does seem to be working and it's feeling much better (thanks in a huge way to Maria) so hopefully I'll be able to get rid of it completely soon and have a lovely toned bottom as an added extra!
Total distance - 3 miles.
Monday, 14 April 2014
Wednesday, 9 April 2014
Physio!
Working from home again so an early run today on my own. Duncan dropped me off on Rivington Road (at the parking area at the bottom of Hordern Stoops). I only went for a short one though as I had a lot of work to get through so wanted to make an early start. I just ran along the road to the end of Belmont Road and then ran all the way along to the Pigeon Tower and along George's Lane, past Wilderswood then home.
It was cold! The sun was shining when I left home and I had shorts on and a long sleeve top but no coat. When I stepped out of my front door I thought it was quite pleasant but it wasn't until I got out of the car on the other side of Winter Hill that I realised how cold it was. It was really windy on that side of the hill, which it wasn't on my side. Needless to say, I ran pretty fast just to get warm so it turned out to be a really good, if short, session, leaving me pretty tired.
It's lovely running at that time of day when there are very few people around. I only saw one person, who was sat out by the Pike trying to photograph birds.
Total distance - 4 miles
Hopefully Albert will read this as I have a question and I'm pretty sure he'll know the answer...
When running along George's Lane with the Pike on your left, you pass the gate to the field down to the farm on the Pike Race route on your right. After that, there is then a kissing gate on your right. Where does that go? It just seems to have a steep stepped descent behind it but then I can't see where it takes you out and I haven't ventured down it yet to have a look.
Just lately, my glute/hip troubles, which have always been on my right side, have now appeared on my left side. I can't decide whether it's just muscular or something more sinister, or both. Some of it feels muscular and if I press on my glute it is tender, like the muscles are knotted. However, I sometimes get an ache in the sticky out hip bone, which makes me worry a bit about arthritis. I went for physio with Maria at lunch today and she thinks it is just a case of strengthening the glute muscles.
After some painful deep tissue massage, acupuncture and stretching exercises, I went home. I had more of an in depth look on the internet about my injury and found the name of the bone that I get the pain in. It's called the iliac crest and when I googled pain in it, it brought up lots of running related sites. Funny because I hadn't mentioned running at all in my google. A lot of what I read was pretty reassuring and, as Maria had said, was down to having to strengthen the muscles. I did read a few things though saying that the pain in the iliac crest is very often caused by running on uneven surfaces, which actually ties in with when I first discovered the problem. My originally hip injury came on after I started running off road all the time. I never had a problem back in my road runner days. I'd go into more detail on the reasons why off-road running causes this pain but, to be brutally honest, I can't be bothered so if you're interested, google it :)
I'm going to take a couple of days off running I think as the hip pain has really flared up and I'm going to concentrate on LOTS of strengthening exercises instead. Hope I manage to sort it soon.
It was cold! The sun was shining when I left home and I had shorts on and a long sleeve top but no coat. When I stepped out of my front door I thought it was quite pleasant but it wasn't until I got out of the car on the other side of Winter Hill that I realised how cold it was. It was really windy on that side of the hill, which it wasn't on my side. Needless to say, I ran pretty fast just to get warm so it turned out to be a really good, if short, session, leaving me pretty tired.
It's lovely running at that time of day when there are very few people around. I only saw one person, who was sat out by the Pike trying to photograph birds.
Total distance - 4 miles
Hopefully Albert will read this as I have a question and I'm pretty sure he'll know the answer...
When running along George's Lane with the Pike on your left, you pass the gate to the field down to the farm on the Pike Race route on your right. After that, there is then a kissing gate on your right. Where does that go? It just seems to have a steep stepped descent behind it but then I can't see where it takes you out and I haven't ventured down it yet to have a look.
Just lately, my glute/hip troubles, which have always been on my right side, have now appeared on my left side. I can't decide whether it's just muscular or something more sinister, or both. Some of it feels muscular and if I press on my glute it is tender, like the muscles are knotted. However, I sometimes get an ache in the sticky out hip bone, which makes me worry a bit about arthritis. I went for physio with Maria at lunch today and she thinks it is just a case of strengthening the glute muscles.
After some painful deep tissue massage, acupuncture and stretching exercises, I went home. I had more of an in depth look on the internet about my injury and found the name of the bone that I get the pain in. It's called the iliac crest and when I googled pain in it, it brought up lots of running related sites. Funny because I hadn't mentioned running at all in my google. A lot of what I read was pretty reassuring and, as Maria had said, was down to having to strengthen the muscles. I did read a few things though saying that the pain in the iliac crest is very often caused by running on uneven surfaces, which actually ties in with when I first discovered the problem. My originally hip injury came on after I started running off road all the time. I never had a problem back in my road runner days. I'd go into more detail on the reasons why off-road running causes this pain but, to be brutally honest, I can't be bothered so if you're interested, google it :)
I'm going to take a couple of days off running I think as the hip pain has really flared up and I'm going to concentrate on LOTS of strengthening exercises instead. Hope I manage to sort it soon.
Tuesday, 8 April 2014
O Motivation, Where Art Thou?
As the title implies, I'm really lacking in motivation at the minute. I have no idea why as you'd think the nice light (and sometimes sunny) evenings would be really encouraging but since coming back off my holiday I'm really struggling to get out the door for a run. Don't get me wrong, I'm still getting out, but only after having to give myself a good talking to. I'm not chomping at the bit to get out there and I don't know why. I think I need a new goal but I don't know what to go after. I'll have to have a think I suppose.
I'm also starting to get a bit disheartened about running with Ruby. This blog may well have to change it's title soon as my runs with her are getting fewer and fewer. It's not that I'm not enjoying it but more that I think she isn't. She just trundles along and I find myself going no faster than an 11 minute mile pace. I suppose that's fine for my easy runs but I can't do any steady runs or speed sessions with her. I think I'll have to just go for a couple of easy, short runs a week with her and stop taking her on my long runs and faster runs. It's a shame though as I really love running with her but I don't want to tire her out too much and make her age faster than she should.
Tonight we had a leisurely jaunt around Rivington Reservoir, past the bowling club and then down to Dean Brook, where we came back on ourselves, went up the steps, through the field and came out at the stocks on Rivington Green. From there we followed the path by the side of the road all the way back to Rivington School and then home. I was feeling quite energetic and wanted to go further but Ruby was tired, which made it all the more annoying when Duncan drove past us near the school and didn't see us as I would have liked him to pick Ruby up so I could carry on the run on my own and get a few more miles in. Thanks Duncan!
Total distance - 5 miles
I'm also starting to get a bit disheartened about running with Ruby. This blog may well have to change it's title soon as my runs with her are getting fewer and fewer. It's not that I'm not enjoying it but more that I think she isn't. She just trundles along and I find myself going no faster than an 11 minute mile pace. I suppose that's fine for my easy runs but I can't do any steady runs or speed sessions with her. I think I'll have to just go for a couple of easy, short runs a week with her and stop taking her on my long runs and faster runs. It's a shame though as I really love running with her but I don't want to tire her out too much and make her age faster than she should.
Tonight we had a leisurely jaunt around Rivington Reservoir, past the bowling club and then down to Dean Brook, where we came back on ourselves, went up the steps, through the field and came out at the stocks on Rivington Green. From there we followed the path by the side of the road all the way back to Rivington School and then home. I was feeling quite energetic and wanted to go further but Ruby was tired, which made it all the more annoying when Duncan drove past us near the school and didn't see us as I would have liked him to pick Ruby up so I could carry on the run on my own and get a few more miles in. Thanks Duncan!
Total distance - 5 miles
Sunday, 6 April 2014
Hot and Bothered
I went straight out for a quick run with Ruby this morning as soon as I woke up.
At this time of year and and this time of day, it's quite difficult to know what kit to wear so you won't be too hot/cold. I opted for 3/4 leggings, a long sleeved top and a windproof gilet.
Wrong decision.
I was BOILING! I only ran a short distance and at a slow pace but the sweat was dripping off me. My top had a half zip so I had this zipped down and my gilet zipped down which cooled me off a little but it was still really warm. I was actually quite relieved when it started to rain (on that note, again I didn't see any other runners out this morning in the grey weather).
We just did a quick loop to the barn, up to George's Lane and back home through Wilderswood. Both of us were pretty tired this morning so it was a slow run but enjoyable all the same.
Total distance - 4.35 miles
Week's total distance - 26.45
Not much running this week - must try harder next week!
At this time of year and and this time of day, it's quite difficult to know what kit to wear so you won't be too hot/cold. I opted for 3/4 leggings, a long sleeved top and a windproof gilet.
Wrong decision.
I was BOILING! I only ran a short distance and at a slow pace but the sweat was dripping off me. My top had a half zip so I had this zipped down and my gilet zipped down which cooled me off a little but it was still really warm. I was actually quite relieved when it started to rain (on that note, again I didn't see any other runners out this morning in the grey weather).
We just did a quick loop to the barn, up to George's Lane and back home through Wilderswood. Both of us were pretty tired this morning so it was a slow run but enjoyable all the same.
Total distance - 4.35 miles
Week's total distance - 26.45
Not much running this week - must try harder next week!
Saturday, 5 April 2014
Fairweather Running
My long run today wasn't terribly long as I had a busy day ahead, but in the nine and a bit miles I did run, I didn't see a single other runner. This time last week I saw LOADS of runners.
This may have something to do with the fact that today it was raining and last week it was beautifully sunny.
I started out at Rivvy Barn today as Duncan had driven there with Ruby to play ball and I wanted to get out on my own this morning so I could get round quicker. I decided to do a run which I really like and was introduced to by Tony Hesketh. The run took me past the bowling club and along to Yarrow Reservoir. I then ran around Anglezarke Reservoir coming out at Waterman's Cottage and then up a load of steps into a muddy field, where I continued my round Anglezarke route, eventually coming out opposite the end of The Street. I then headed back to Rivington and skirted the outside of Rivington Reservoir, up to Liverpool Castle and then home.
Nothing really to report on this run, it was just a really refreshing run in the rain and I felt really good for it. It's a great feeling when you get in from a run in the rain to a lovely cosy warm house and a nice cup of tea.
So to all you fairweather runners out there, get out of bed and embrace the great British weather. If you only run when the weather is good you'll hardly ever get out the door. Get out into the rain, sleet, hail, wind - feel alive!
Total distance 9.25 miles
This may have something to do with the fact that today it was raining and last week it was beautifully sunny.
I started out at Rivvy Barn today as Duncan had driven there with Ruby to play ball and I wanted to get out on my own this morning so I could get round quicker. I decided to do a run which I really like and was introduced to by Tony Hesketh. The run took me past the bowling club and along to Yarrow Reservoir. I then ran around Anglezarke Reservoir coming out at Waterman's Cottage and then up a load of steps into a muddy field, where I continued my round Anglezarke route, eventually coming out opposite the end of The Street. I then headed back to Rivington and skirted the outside of Rivington Reservoir, up to Liverpool Castle and then home.
Nothing really to report on this run, it was just a really refreshing run in the rain and I felt really good for it. It's a great feeling when you get in from a run in the rain to a lovely cosy warm house and a nice cup of tea.
So to all you fairweather runners out there, get out of bed and embrace the great British weather. If you only run when the weather is good you'll hardly ever get out the door. Get out into the rain, sleet, hail, wind - feel alive!
Total distance 9.25 miles
Thursday, 3 April 2014
Am I Going to be Beaten by a Walker...?
I had wanted to go to the club’s hill session tonight now that it is back off road again but, due to Duncan going out on his bike, I decided to give it a miss for a reason which some of you just won’t understand: Ruby! She has been in on her own all day from 7.30am to 4.30pm so there’s no way I can then leave her again for another couple of hours in the evening. She hates being left on her own and she gets major separation anxiety so I try to keep her time alone to a minimum. If you're a dog lover, I'm sure you'll understand.
I decided to do my own brand of hill session though to ease the guilt a little so Ruby and I ran from home and had a gentle warm up to top barn. From there, we ran to that bit that I can never describe - the zig-zag graveled path which runs from behind the barn up to 'the driveway'. It's a short but steepish path. I decided that all the short steep bits I would try to run up as fast as I possible could so, after a stretch at the bottom, up we went. I let Ruby off the lead so that she wouldn't stop and sniff and slow me down. I was gasping for air by the time I reached the top but felt really good. We then headed down towards the pigeon tower car park, past a burnt out Nissan Micra (scumbags!). We then climbed the rocky route up to the Pigeon Tower, which was really hard work tonight. i think I exerted myself too much on my earlier uphill sprint ha ha.
From the Pigeon Tower we then headed over to the Pike. Again I let Ruby off the lead as there were no other dogs around and we took the steep grass route to the left hand side of the steps. Again as this was a short and steep bit, I ran it as fast as I could. When I got to the top, we ran straight off down the Pike Race route, which is my favourite bit of running round here.
We got back onto George's Lane and ran along to the kennels and turned off left to head to Two Lads. As we went through the kissing gate, a walker went through just before us. Ruby stopped for a number 1 at the bottom so the walker was now half way up the first bit of hill before we started the climb. We started to make our way up but I was totally cream crackered by this point. I kept berating myself for not being able to catch up to the walker and I got more and more determined that he wasn't going to beat me to the top. Granted, he was walking pretty damn fast but still I wasn't going to let him beat me so I pushed and pushed and pushed. I eventually went past him about 200 metres from the top but he arrived at the top only about 15 seconds after me.
After a brief chat with the walker who, thankfully, admitted that he was walking really fast, we headed home which I'm pleased to say was all downhill.
I really felt like we had a good hill session and I'm pleased with myself for getting out and doing it. Still a bit sad that I didn't get to the actual hill session but there's always next week.
Total distance – 5.70 miles
I decided to do my own brand of hill session though to ease the guilt a little so Ruby and I ran from home and had a gentle warm up to top barn. From there, we ran to that bit that I can never describe - the zig-zag graveled path which runs from behind the barn up to 'the driveway'. It's a short but steepish path. I decided that all the short steep bits I would try to run up as fast as I possible could so, after a stretch at the bottom, up we went. I let Ruby off the lead so that she wouldn't stop and sniff and slow me down. I was gasping for air by the time I reached the top but felt really good. We then headed down towards the pigeon tower car park, past a burnt out Nissan Micra (scumbags!). We then climbed the rocky route up to the Pigeon Tower, which was really hard work tonight. i think I exerted myself too much on my earlier uphill sprint ha ha.
From the Pigeon Tower we then headed over to the Pike. Again I let Ruby off the lead as there were no other dogs around and we took the steep grass route to the left hand side of the steps. Again as this was a short and steep bit, I ran it as fast as I could. When I got to the top, we ran straight off down the Pike Race route, which is my favourite bit of running round here.
We got back onto George's Lane and ran along to the kennels and turned off left to head to Two Lads. As we went through the kissing gate, a walker went through just before us. Ruby stopped for a number 1 at the bottom so the walker was now half way up the first bit of hill before we started the climb. We started to make our way up but I was totally cream crackered by this point. I kept berating myself for not being able to catch up to the walker and I got more and more determined that he wasn't going to beat me to the top. Granted, he was walking pretty damn fast but still I wasn't going to let him beat me so I pushed and pushed and pushed. I eventually went past him about 200 metres from the top but he arrived at the top only about 15 seconds after me.
After a brief chat with the walker who, thankfully, admitted that he was walking really fast, we headed home which I'm pleased to say was all downhill.
I really felt like we had a good hill session and I'm pleased with myself for getting out and doing it. Still a bit sad that I didn't get to the actual hill session but there's always next week.
Total distance – 5.70 miles
Tuesday, 1 April 2014
I Can See My House From Here!
What a lovely evening for a run. Hope this marks the start of a great summer.
Ruby and I set off from home at 4.50pm and headed towards the top barn. From there we went along to Sheephouse Lane and along the path running at the side of it all the way to the Pigeon Tower car park. We then went through the fields and woods before climbing up to Dangerous Corner. It was still ridiculously boggy on the way up to Dangerous Corner and I sank to my ankles in some really stinky mud. Yuk!
We then ran along Rivington Road a bit and up to the end of Belmont Road (continuation of George's Lane).
I let Ruby off the lead at this point and we carried on along to the Pigeon Tower where I put her back on again as there were lots of other dogs around. After chatting to some other dog walkers, we then climbed up to the Pike where we had a chat with Gary Chadderton. I noticed that there was nobody coming up the steep side of the Pike so I let Ruby off the lead again as I love running down that bit but usually when I have Ruby with me I go down the less steep curly route as otherwise she drags me down. We had a really good run off the Pike and I have missed it a bit because it's my favourite kind of running. I then put her back on the lead at the bottom of the Pike where we bumped into Maria Lowe and Dave Jackson. We stopped for a good chat again before continuing on our way home along George's Lane.
Just before starting the descent back home, I stopped to take this picture in which you can see my house... if you have a magnifying glass.
We finally arrived home at 6.30pm and I felt great and pleased that I had run off that delicious peanut butter chocolate brownie I had at lunch. Yum!
Total distance - 7.15 miles (a very short distance considering I was out for an hour and 40 minutes due to chatting to every man and his dog!)
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