As I was running up to George's Lane tonight, for some reason it popped into my head that I haven't had a fall for a while whilst running. As soon as that popped into my head, I cursed myself for thinking it because when I think something like that, it usually ends up happening (yes, I have little voices in my head).
Ruby and I ran along George's Lane and up the Pike via the Pike Race route.
I got a Strava PR on my ascent from the gate to the Pike but, unfortunately, am still 9 seconds off the goal I set myself to get up there in under 4 minutes. However, on a more pleasing note, when I was running up tonight, I actually stopped a short way up the hill so I could let Ruby off the lead because she was getting under my feet, so I know that I could easily knock that 9 seconds off if I want to because it took me longer than that to get her over to me and get her off the lead. I have until the end of October to complete my goal so I'm pretty confident I'll do this easily, as long as I don't have Ruby trying to trip me!
We then ran down to the little gate leading to the mast, but turned immediately left through the gate and headed off along the sheep trod to Noon Hill. It's here where I went flying. Flat on my face into the mud. As usual, I blame Ruby. This time she didn't stop dead in front of me though, she jolted off after a sheep which I hadn't seen and it took me by surprise and I lost my balance (she was on the lead). At least it was a nice soft landing though.
So, it appears I'm a little psychic and can predict my falls before they happen.
After Noon Hill, we dropped down onto Belmont Road (I'm pretty sure this is called Belmont Road, even though a lot of people still refer to it as George's Lane but, as far as I'm aware, George's Lane forks off left at the Pigeon Tower and goes down to the car park - correct me if I'm wrong though).
I wasn't going to go up to the Pike again but Ruby seemed to want to go that way so we did. Instead of going up the steps, we went up the steep grassy slope to the left hand side of them.
On this climb to the Pike, I got my second fastest time Strava-wise but when looking at it on Strava I was surprised to see that I'm somehow ranked 2 out of 50 in women for this segment. I'm not sure how that has happened but am pretty damn certain that some of the people ranked lower than me (not mentioning any names here) clearly weren't trying at the time they ran this segment because there is no way on God's green earth that I would be faster than them if they were trying. Good for a short term ego boost though :-)
I let Ruby off the lead so I could enjoy the fast descent off the Pike but, as she was running behind me and I couldn't see her, I wasn't overly confident so didn't get a decent Strava time on this one.
Yes, I am obsessed with Strava but it's great for motivation so why not?
Positive Comments: Felt really strong on both climbs to Pike, really enjoyed muddy run.
Total distance - 5.5 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/185683966
Tuesday, 26 August 2014
Sunday, 24 August 2014
3 x 4 x 1/4 miles
Speed work day today. I drove down to the barn and warmed up for a mile to get to the other side of the dam on The Street - my new favourite speed work place (thanks Dave Jackson!).
My aim was to do 3 x 4 x 1/4 mile at a 7.00 to 7.30 minute mile pace, with 30 seconds recovery between each set and two minutes recovery between each set.
As each rep went on, the thirty seconds rest seemed to get shorter and shorter and by the last few reps it felt like only about five seconds rest!
Four reps in I was really feeling the burn and starting to think that I'd only do one more set rather than two more but I shoved those thoughts aside. I had set out to do twelve reps and twelve reps is what I would do, even if it meant slowing down considerably for the last ones.
My reps were as follows, which I'm pretty pleased with as only three of them were over a 7.30 minute mile pace and two of those were only slightly over:
Rep 1 - 7.08
Rep 2 - 7.00
Rep 3 - 7.16
Rep 4 - 7.08
Rep 5 - 6.40
Rep 6 - 7.32
Rep 7 - 7.24
Rep 8 - 7.24
Rep 9 - 7.16
Rep 10 - 7.36
Rep 11 - 7.56
Rep 12 - 7.16
The fastest rep, by quite a long way, was on rep 5 which is surprising as the odd numbered reps had more of an incline than the even number reps (odd numbered reps had 30ft of ascent).
Positive comments: Did the whole session, even though I really wanted to quit. Pleased with pace, especially on rep 5.
Total distance - 5 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/184633166/laps
(cool down - http://www.strava.com/activities/184633140)
My aim was to do 3 x 4 x 1/4 mile at a 7.00 to 7.30 minute mile pace, with 30 seconds recovery between each set and two minutes recovery between each set.
As each rep went on, the thirty seconds rest seemed to get shorter and shorter and by the last few reps it felt like only about five seconds rest!
Four reps in I was really feeling the burn and starting to think that I'd only do one more set rather than two more but I shoved those thoughts aside. I had set out to do twelve reps and twelve reps is what I would do, even if it meant slowing down considerably for the last ones.
My reps were as follows, which I'm pretty pleased with as only three of them were over a 7.30 minute mile pace and two of those were only slightly over:
Rep 1 - 7.08
Rep 2 - 7.00
Rep 3 - 7.16
Rep 4 - 7.08
Rep 5 - 6.40
Rep 6 - 7.32
Rep 7 - 7.24
Rep 8 - 7.24
Rep 9 - 7.16
Rep 10 - 7.36
Rep 11 - 7.56
Rep 12 - 7.16
The fastest rep, by quite a long way, was on rep 5 which is surprising as the odd numbered reps had more of an incline than the even number reps (odd numbered reps had 30ft of ascent).
Positive comments: Did the whole session, even though I really wanted to quit. Pleased with pace, especially on rep 5.
Total distance - 5 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/184633166/laps
(cool down - http://www.strava.com/activities/184633140)
Saturday, 23 August 2014
Darwen Tower and Great Hill
I met the WFDBWGUA guys this morning for what will probably be my last run with them until the end of September. Out today was Ed, Kev and Hazel.
On my request, we headed off towards Darwen Tower, waterproofed up because it was pretty cold and wet. I even went for long tights today because, whilst walking Ruby earlier on in shorts, I was freezing and knew it would be even colder up on the tops. After a mile or so the weather completely changed though and it was lovely and sunny so the cag came off and I regretted the long tights decision.
From the bottom barn, where we were parked, we ran up to the top barn then across to dangerous corner, along the road a little bit, before turning off left onto the farm track towards the ruins at Higher Hempshaws.
We then headed up to Spitlers where Ed and Hazel decided to leave us as they had a deadline and didn't think they'd make it to Darwen Tower and back in time. Before we parted, Ed gave me some useful advice on how to remember the name of the place I'm staying on holiday (Drumnadrochit) but I'll leave Ed to tell that one.
Kev and I headed off across the boggy sheep trod down to Piccadilly, then crossed the road and went through Roddlesworth Woods. We crossed Tockholes Road and decided to take the Aggie's Staircase route up to the Tower, which we both found incredibly hard going today. A quick stretch at the top and we ran over to the Tower and then climbed it. Well it would be rude not to really.
After admiring the scenery for a few minutes (it was really clear today and you could see for miles) we headed back for home, this time going down the less steep but undulating path taking us back down to Roddlesworth Woods.
From Piccadilly we went straight up to Great Hill, rather than going back the way we had come. From there we ran back down towards Higher Hempshaws but instead of going back to Rivington Road, we went straight on, coming out by the campsite on Dean Head Lane and then going along the top of Dean Wood and dropping down to Dean Brook. Only a mile back to the cars now, along Dean Brook, up the steps, across the field, through the kissing gate and along the path at the side of the road.
A really enjoyable run and I'm gutted I won't be out with the guys for a month now, I'll really miss all the banter.
Good luck Ed on your ultra race next weekend! It will give you lots of time to think up some Tim Vine style jokes!
Positive Comments - really enjoyable run. Didn't feel too bad on the climbs.
Total Distance - 14.7 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/184304972
On my request, we headed off towards Darwen Tower, waterproofed up because it was pretty cold and wet. I even went for long tights today because, whilst walking Ruby earlier on in shorts, I was freezing and knew it would be even colder up on the tops. After a mile or so the weather completely changed though and it was lovely and sunny so the cag came off and I regretted the long tights decision.
From the bottom barn, where we were parked, we ran up to the top barn then across to dangerous corner, along the road a little bit, before turning off left onto the farm track towards the ruins at Higher Hempshaws.
We then headed up to Spitlers where Ed and Hazel decided to leave us as they had a deadline and didn't think they'd make it to Darwen Tower and back in time. Before we parted, Ed gave me some useful advice on how to remember the name of the place I'm staying on holiday (Drumnadrochit) but I'll leave Ed to tell that one.
Kev and I headed off across the boggy sheep trod down to Piccadilly, then crossed the road and went through Roddlesworth Woods. We crossed Tockholes Road and decided to take the Aggie's Staircase route up to the Tower, which we both found incredibly hard going today. A quick stretch at the top and we ran over to the Tower and then climbed it. Well it would be rude not to really.
After admiring the scenery for a few minutes (it was really clear today and you could see for miles) we headed back for home, this time going down the less steep but undulating path taking us back down to Roddlesworth Woods.
From Piccadilly we went straight up to Great Hill, rather than going back the way we had come. From there we ran back down towards Higher Hempshaws but instead of going back to Rivington Road, we went straight on, coming out by the campsite on Dean Head Lane and then going along the top of Dean Wood and dropping down to Dean Brook. Only a mile back to the cars now, along Dean Brook, up the steps, across the field, through the kissing gate and along the path at the side of the road.
A really enjoyable run and I'm gutted I won't be out with the guys for a month now, I'll really miss all the banter.
Good luck Ed on your ultra race next weekend! It will give you lots of time to think up some Tim Vine style jokes!
Positive Comments - really enjoyable run. Didn't feel too bad on the climbs.
Total Distance - 14.7 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/184304972
Thursday, 21 August 2014
My New Favourite Short Ruby Route
I did this same route last Thursday and really enjoyed it so had another go tonight. The route goes straight up from my house through the edge of Wilderswood, up to Two Lads, over to the Mast then across to the Pike and home.
The reason I like it is because it’s a good route for Ruby. As the majority of it is on muddy fells, it’s nice and soft on her paws and I find that she doesn’t get as tired as quickly. Also, when I’m between Two Lads and the Mast and between the Mast and the Pike, as long as I can see that there are no sheep around, I can let her off the lead which is nice. I am a bit afraid though in case there are sheep I can’t see and she catches sight of one. I really don’t know what I’d do because she wouldn’t come back and the thought of it terrifies me as she’d probably end up getting shot.
When I was running back home down Brownlow Road, a Citroen Picasso was in front of me and it was driving that slow that I ended up having to walk behind it until I could safely overtake it. Come on mate, there’s something seriously wrong if you’re getting overtaken by me!!!
Positive comments – Really enjoyed the run, felt sluggish at first but got into a good stride after a while
Tuesday, 19 August 2014
Easy Run with an Annoying Dog
Lots of exercise today, starting with a mile swim this morning and a run this evening, followed by a yoga session.
Tonight's run was OK but Ruby was being really annoying. I felt like I spent the whole run shouting at her. She's getting harder and harder to run with and no matter how much advice I take from people on how to stop her dragging off after everything, nothing works and I really do have to admit defeat. She's just too set in her ways to change.
She'd be a great running companion if there were no other dogs, sheep, squirrels, llamas, deer, cows, pigeons, magpies, rabbits, hares, (the list goes on) around. She's so obedient when there is no distraction but if she catches a glimpse of any one of the aforementioned critters there's just no talking to her. I might as well not be there.
We just ran from home, along to the top barn, up to the pigeon tower, along George's Lane and back home down the Two Lads route.
Positive comment: Feeling quite fresh.
Total distance - 4.1 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/182423985/overview
Tonight's run was OK but Ruby was being really annoying. I felt like I spent the whole run shouting at her. She's getting harder and harder to run with and no matter how much advice I take from people on how to stop her dragging off after everything, nothing works and I really do have to admit defeat. She's just too set in her ways to change.
She'd be a great running companion if there were no other dogs, sheep, squirrels, llamas, deer, cows, pigeons, magpies, rabbits, hares, (the list goes on) around. She's so obedient when there is no distraction but if she catches a glimpse of any one of the aforementioned critters there's just no talking to her. I might as well not be there.
We just ran from home, along to the top barn, up to the pigeon tower, along George's Lane and back home down the Two Lads route.
Positive comment: Feeling quite fresh.
Total distance - 4.1 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/182423985/overview
Monday, 18 August 2014
Langdale Horseshoe Recce
Well I can quite honestly say that I'm glad I did a recce of this race and didn't just go into the race blind because there's no way I'm actually going to do the race now! What a horrid route! How anyone can do this in under two hours (the record is one hour 55 minutes) is beyond me. It's practically all on rocks! Huge respect to anyone who races this!
Anyway to the 'run' itself, I went up to Langdale with Ed Swift, Steve Pearson and John Parker.
The climb up to Stickle Tarn, which is the bit I had been dreading the most (I always struggle on the first climb of a run), turned out to be the most enjoyable part of the whole run. I felt really good on the way up and at this point thought I'd quite like to do the race itself.
We ran through the ghyll and continued along the side of Stickle Tarn towards checkpoint 1.
When we had left the car park earlier it was really warm and sunny and I was a bit worried that I had forgotten my sun cream, however shortly after leaving Stickle Tarn, the heavens opens and we all had to stop to put on our waterproofs. I didn't take my Kamleika smock off again after that as it was pretty cold up on the tops and rained on and off.
The rain didn't help our progress at all because all the rocks were really slippery so it was pretty hard going.
At one point, Ed sank his foot/leg quite far into some very smelly mud and all I could think about was the 'Bog of Eternal Stench' from the film Labyrinth!
The best bit of the recce was the views. They were phenomenal and definitely worth the hard work.
Now for the worst bit - 'The Bad Step', which Wainwright describes as 'the most difficult obstacle met on any of the regular walkers' paths in Lakeland'. It is apparently a 10 foot drop which you have to dangle from and then drop down! John had a huge sense of humour failure at this point and we decided to take an alternative route, although Steve had already gone down the bad step so would have to wait for us.
The Bad Step:
(library photo)
As it had got really late we had to make a route choice of whether to head back to the car the direct route or whether to go up the last Pike o Blisco which is the last climb on the race route. As I had decided way back that I wouldn't be doing the race itself and John had seconded this, we decided to give it a miss and head back to the car. Even the decent down to Langdale was horrible and rocky, with both Steve and Ed having falls which looked really bad but they were both OK, save for a bit of cramp.
The only good running we managed to do was the run into the car park from the bottom of the hill. The car was a very welcome sight and my peppered pork butties tasted amazing - I had been fantasizing about them for the last few miles.
We had walked practically the entire route, not much running going on at all. Whilst I could have gone much faster in various places, a lot of it I would do at the same speed in a race so my race time would be absolutely rubbish! I'd be well over four hours I would imagine, possibly nearer five!
I enjoyed the day itself and the great company but just wouldn't want to do the route under race circumstances.
I had just bought some new Inov8 Mudclaws on Saturday so gave them a try out today and they served me well - I didn't fall over anyway.
Before:
Positive comments: Felt strong going uphill, did a bit of navigation training, great company!
Total distance - 13.65 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/182296599/overview
Anyway to the 'run' itself, I went up to Langdale with Ed Swift, Steve Pearson and John Parker.
The climb up to Stickle Tarn, which is the bit I had been dreading the most (I always struggle on the first climb of a run), turned out to be the most enjoyable part of the whole run. I felt really good on the way up and at this point thought I'd quite like to do the race itself.
We ran through the ghyll and continued along the side of Stickle Tarn towards checkpoint 1.
When we had left the car park earlier it was really warm and sunny and I was a bit worried that I had forgotten my sun cream, however shortly after leaving Stickle Tarn, the heavens opens and we all had to stop to put on our waterproofs. I didn't take my Kamleika smock off again after that as it was pretty cold up on the tops and rained on and off.
The rain didn't help our progress at all because all the rocks were really slippery so it was pretty hard going.
At one point, Ed sank his foot/leg quite far into some very smelly mud and all I could think about was the 'Bog of Eternal Stench' from the film Labyrinth!
The best bit of the recce was the views. They were phenomenal and definitely worth the hard work.
Now for the worst bit - 'The Bad Step', which Wainwright describes as 'the most difficult obstacle met on any of the regular walkers' paths in Lakeland'. It is apparently a 10 foot drop which you have to dangle from and then drop down! John had a huge sense of humour failure at this point and we decided to take an alternative route, although Steve had already gone down the bad step so would have to wait for us.
The Bad Step:
As it had got really late we had to make a route choice of whether to head back to the car the direct route or whether to go up the last Pike o Blisco which is the last climb on the race route. As I had decided way back that I wouldn't be doing the race itself and John had seconded this, we decided to give it a miss and head back to the car. Even the decent down to Langdale was horrible and rocky, with both Steve and Ed having falls which looked really bad but they were both OK, save for a bit of cramp.
The only good running we managed to do was the run into the car park from the bottom of the hill. The car was a very welcome sight and my peppered pork butties tasted amazing - I had been fantasizing about them for the last few miles.
We had walked practically the entire route, not much running going on at all. Whilst I could have gone much faster in various places, a lot of it I would do at the same speed in a race so my race time would be absolutely rubbish! I'd be well over four hours I would imagine, possibly nearer five!
I enjoyed the day itself and the great company but just wouldn't want to do the route under race circumstances.
I had just bought some new Inov8 Mudclaws on Saturday so gave them a try out today and they served me well - I didn't fall over anyway.
Before:
After:
Positive comments: Felt strong going uphill, did a bit of navigation training, great company!
Total distance - 13.65 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/182296599/overview
Sunday, 17 August 2014
Aborted Run - Forgotten Orthotics
It was my birthday yesterday and Duncan, Ruby and I took a trip to Pete Bland Sports in Kendal so I could spend some gift vouchers on some new fell shoes. I've only ever had one pair of fell shoes as I find that a good trail shoe is good enough for the terrain around here but I wanted some proper fell shoes for going to other places like the Lakes. I currently have Walsh PBs but I just don't get on with them. I always go over on my ankle when it's wet and I don't feel like they give me enough support.
I ended up with a pair of Inov8 Mudclaw 300s in a lovely shade of bright yellow!
This morning I thought I'd give them a try out because I didn't want my first outing in them to be the 13ish miles I'm going to be doing tomorrow on the Langdale Horseshoe recce.
I intended to run up to George's Lane via the farm field to the kennels, along past the Pigeon Tower, up to Noon Hill, across to the Pike, cross-country to the Mast then cross-country to Two Lads as I thought there would be a lot of good terrain to test them out on.
Unfortunately, as I was climbing up to George's Lane from my house, my arches started to really hurt and I realised that I hadn't swapped my orthotics into my new shoes. I persevered a bit more in the hope that it might wear off, but by the time I got to the gate to the field which takes you up to the dog hotel, I had to admit defeat and go back home.
Running downhill, the arches don't hurt as much. It must be something to do with being up on my toes a lot more going uphill.
When I got back home and took my shoes off my arches were really sore and my right ankle was also aching a little (the ankle I recently twisted) so I thought I'd probably be better off calling it a day and saving myself for tomorrow, which is a shame as I was feeling full of energy this morning and was doing really well going up the hill.
Positive comments: Felt really strong going uphill, new shoes have good grip
Total distance - 1.5 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/181392533
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