Whilst walking Ruby last night with Duncan, we discovered a short track that neither of us had been down before. It's at the far side of the 'secret' reservoir and just drops you back down onto Coal Pit Lane. Not very exciting I hear you say but, to me, all new routes are exciting! It also means that when I run to the reservoir I can loop round, rather than turning round and retracing my steps or going up the dreaded boundary wall to the top of Winter Hill which I really don't like when I'm with Ruby as she sinks all the time and I have to drag her out of the mud. I'd still like to know how I can continue a route from Egg Hillock though, without having to fight through bracken. Anyone know a good route?
Anyway, I decided to use my new found track on tonight's run with Ruby so we set off from home, straight up through Wilderswood, up the path towards Two Lads, but turning right at the water tanks and across to the gate on the other side of the mast road. We then ran towards the farms and out onto Coal Pit Lane and we went up the new found path to the secret reservoir.
After chilling out at 'the beach' for a few minutes whilst Ruby had a paddle, we ran around the reservoir and down the steps and along to the Trespass Stone.
We then ran back partially the same way but came out higher up on the mast road and ran up to Two Lads then down to the dog hotel and along George's Lane down Old Rake.
It was a lovely evening for a run and I really enjoyed it, although Ruby drove me mad for the first mile as she was sniffing and spraying everything. I've never known a girl dog scent mark like Ruby does. She cocks her leg like a boy dog and sprays everything. Nice!
Positive comments: a lovely run and always great to find a new path, no matter how short.
Total distance - 7.1 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/189885629
Thursday, 4 September 2014
Tuesday, 2 September 2014
What's with all the flies?
My second run of the day took Ruby and I along to the top barn, up to the Pigeon Tower, along George's Lane and home via the field opposite the dog hotel.
For the second night running, I was getting attacked by flying insects. They were all over me, flying around my head and attaching themselves to my t-shirt. It really wasn't nice at all. People seeing me must have thought I was a right freak, flailing my arms all over the place trying to get them away from me.
Positive comments - second run of the day and felt tired but did a longer distance than I had planned.
Total distance - 5.1 miles (7.5 miles total today)
http://www.strava.com/activities/188888211
For the second night running, I was getting attacked by flying insects. They were all over me, flying around my head and attaching themselves to my t-shirt. It really wasn't nice at all. People seeing me must have thought I was a right freak, flailing my arms all over the place trying to get them away from me.
Positive comments - second run of the day and felt tired but did a longer distance than I had planned.
Total distance - 5.1 miles (7.5 miles total today)
http://www.strava.com/activities/188888211
12 x 80m Hill Sprints
First thing this morning I ran along to the lane off Green Lane which leads to the stables and to Tiger's Clough (Devil's Steps).
After a half mile warm up I did some hill sprints which were 0.05 of a mile long each (i.e. around 80 metres). I had set off to do 8 but, as it wasn't that long a distance, I decided to do 10 instead. Feeling really good though, I ended up doing 12. I'm not going to lie, it was hard work but I feel like I did really well, even though I got very close to chundering.
I cooled down by running up to the stables, along to the corner of Wilderswood and down Brownlow Road to home.
Positive comments: Felt really strong sprinting up the hill, could have carried on longer if I wasn't pushed for time.
Total distance - 2.4 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/188747010
After a half mile warm up I did some hill sprints which were 0.05 of a mile long each (i.e. around 80 metres). I had set off to do 8 but, as it wasn't that long a distance, I decided to do 10 instead. Feeling really good though, I ended up doing 12. I'm not going to lie, it was hard work but I feel like I did really well, even though I got very close to chundering.
I cooled down by running up to the stables, along to the corner of Wilderswood and down Brownlow Road to home.
Positive comments: Felt really strong sprinting up the hill, could have carried on longer if I wasn't pushed for time.
Total distance - 2.4 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/188747010
Monday, 1 September 2014
Dangerous Corner Climb
Tonight, Ruby and I ran down to Rivvy School and then along towards the top barn, but turned off half way there and made our way towards the Pigeon Tower car park. We then ran along to Dangerous Corner, going through the woods, where we saw two beautiful deer who just stood and stared at us for a while before running off.
From Dangerous Corner, we ran up the hill called the something (camel, sheep, snake???)'s back. We then just ran along to the Pigeon Tower, along George's Lane and home.
One of my thoughts during this run was... how well would Mo Farah do in a fell race? Any thoughts on that one?
Positive comments: Actually got out the door even though I was obscenely tired and just wanted to go to bed!
Total distance - 5.45 miles
Saturday, 30 August 2014
Loop to Healey Nab
Today’s long run wasn’t terribly long at only 12 miles but I was in a bit of a rush today as I had a wedding to go to.
As there was no UTUP posted on the WFDBWGUA blog, I had a bit of a lie in until 9.15 and then set off for a leisurely reasonably flat run, which took me through Rivington, along to Yarrow Res, through the Anglezarke Woodland Trail and out at Waterman’s Cottage, where I had planned to run along to White Coppice and then back on myself but, due to a field full of cows, I carried on round the road and up the steps, through the muddy field to Healey Nab. I ran up to the cairn at the top and back down again, then along towards the Yew Tree pub and back into Rivington, where I went up to the top barn and then ran home.
I must admit, I was really tired today and the run was a struggle but I managed to keep going and didn’t turn round and go home early.
Positive Comments – Kept running even though I was really tired and struggling. Could have turned round early and headed home but didn’t.
Total distance – 12 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/187269294/overview
As there was no UTUP posted on the WFDBWGUA blog, I had a bit of a lie in until 9.15 and then set off for a leisurely reasonably flat run, which took me through Rivington, along to Yarrow Res, through the Anglezarke Woodland Trail and out at Waterman’s Cottage, where I had planned to run along to White Coppice and then back on myself but, due to a field full of cows, I carried on round the road and up the steps, through the muddy field to Healey Nab. I ran up to the cairn at the top and back down again, then along towards the Yew Tree pub and back into Rivington, where I went up to the top barn and then ran home.
I must admit, I was really tired today and the run was a struggle but I managed to keep going and didn’t turn round and go home early.
Positive Comments – Kept running even though I was really tired and struggling. Could have turned round early and headed home but didn’t.
Total distance – 12 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/187269294/overview
Friday, 29 August 2014
Muddy Miles
Ruby and I had a lovely run this evening.
We went on my new favourite route (Two Lads, Mast, Pike), but added in Noon Hill after the Pike to get a bit more distance in. Ruby loves running over all the soft ground and she can keep up a good pace much longer than on the trails, which probably hurt her little paw pads a bit.
We both got absolutely caked in mud running from the mast to the Pike but then cleaned it all back off again on the run over to Noon Hill because it was just so wet.
From Noon Hill, we just dropped down onto Belmont Road, along to the Pigeon Tower and along George's Lane to the dog hotel, where we then ran down through the field as there were no sheep or horses in it.
Positive comments: Really enjoyable run, I felt good, Ruby felt good, we both got covered in mud, had a great time!
Total Distance - 7.3 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/187008967/overview
We went on my new favourite route (Two Lads, Mast, Pike), but added in Noon Hill after the Pike to get a bit more distance in. Ruby loves running over all the soft ground and she can keep up a good pace much longer than on the trails, which probably hurt her little paw pads a bit.
We both got absolutely caked in mud running from the mast to the Pike but then cleaned it all back off again on the run over to Noon Hill because it was just so wet.
From Noon Hill, we just dropped down onto Belmont Road, along to the Pigeon Tower and along George's Lane to the dog hotel, where we then ran down through the field as there were no sheep or horses in it.
Positive comments: Really enjoyable run, I felt good, Ruby felt good, we both got covered in mud, had a great time!
Total Distance - 7.3 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/187008967/overview
Thursday, 28 August 2014
Mission Accomplished!!!
I set out on my run this morning with one thing in mind - to achieve my goal of under twelve minutes on the 'secondary to primary' Strava segment.
I'm pleased to say I managed it... by one second! I did it in 11.59 which also set a new ladies' course record by 44 seconds.
I know there are some of you who read this blog and tut at the whole Strava thing, but it's clearly working for me as setting these goals, for example, makes me work harder to try to accomplish them so that can only be a good thing, right?
The segment is from Rivington & Blackrod School to the prep school in Rivington, using the path alongside the reservoir. After I got to the prep school, I then continued my run by heading along the road up to Rivington Green, then turning right towards the bottom barn and just running along the path to the side of the road back to Rivington & Blackrod School, then back home.
I used my new custom insoles this morning from Sweatshop as my other ones died a death. They're only supposed to last 1,000 miles but I think I have done about 1,500 in mine.
Underside of old insole with bits of plastic coming out of it - think they are pretty dead:
Old and new:
Positive comments: accomplished Strava goal and set course record whilst doing it!
Total distance - 4.1 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/186383000
I'm pleased to say I managed it... by one second! I did it in 11.59 which also set a new ladies' course record by 44 seconds.
I know there are some of you who read this blog and tut at the whole Strava thing, but it's clearly working for me as setting these goals, for example, makes me work harder to try to accomplish them so that can only be a good thing, right?
The segment is from Rivington & Blackrod School to the prep school in Rivington, using the path alongside the reservoir. After I got to the prep school, I then continued my run by heading along the road up to Rivington Green, then turning right towards the bottom barn and just running along the path to the side of the road back to Rivington & Blackrod School, then back home.
I used my new custom insoles this morning from Sweatshop as my other ones died a death. They're only supposed to last 1,000 miles but I think I have done about 1,500 in mine.
Underside of old insole with bits of plastic coming out of it - think they are pretty dead:
Old and new:
Positive comments: accomplished Strava goal and set course record whilst doing it!
Total distance - 4.1 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/186383000
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