Just a short but sweet one today to the barn and back to blow off the cobwebs before tomorrow's XC race at Barrow.
Ruby got utterly filthy so I've just had to throw her in the shower ahead of her vet's appointment in 20 minutes which I don't think she's going to like as I'm pretty sure she has 'rear end' trouble and may have to be probed.
So that's a shower and a probing - not a good day for Ruby.
Total distance - 3.4 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/219167175
Friday, 14 November 2014
Wednesday, 12 November 2014
Poppy Pike
I finally got around to running up to the Pike tonight to see the poppy. Can't believe it has taken me this long given that it's only a mile and a half away from my house. I set off with Ruby at about 4.40pm so was trying to hurry up there to see the switch on at 5pm which, if I had been running on my own, wouldn't have been a problem but Ruby, as ever, decided to sniff and pee on everything en route.
I used my new Hope head torch tonight which was excellent. I only had it on the trail setting (there are three brighter settings than this) and it was fine for this run. If I had run down the steep way off the Pike I would have had to up it a setting but other than that the trail setting was perfectly fine and I didn't fall over anything.
We got there at about 5.05 but the van with the blokes in who set up all the gear was only just setting off up from George's Lane and it took them ages to get up there, then it took them ages to set up. We were both getting really cold so we ran down the steps and then back up the steep slippery way to the left of the steps a couple of times to keep warm. Eventually they got it started at about 5.25.
Sorry for the rather dodgy picture but it was the best of a bad bunch. I was struggling to hold the camera steady due to the wind up there and the fact that my hands were trembling with cold after being stood around for ages.
Ruby went out today sporting her very own poppy and here's a picture I took when we got back home. As you can see, she's a mucky mess and was thrown straight into the shower, much to her dismay. I think she already sensed the shower coming, given the look on her face in this picture.
Total distance - 3.5 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/218540309/overview
I used my new Hope head torch tonight which was excellent. I only had it on the trail setting (there are three brighter settings than this) and it was fine for this run. If I had run down the steep way off the Pike I would have had to up it a setting but other than that the trail setting was perfectly fine and I didn't fall over anything.
We got there at about 5.05 but the van with the blokes in who set up all the gear was only just setting off up from George's Lane and it took them ages to get up there, then it took them ages to set up. We were both getting really cold so we ran down the steps and then back up the steep slippery way to the left of the steps a couple of times to keep warm. Eventually they got it started at about 5.25.
Sorry for the rather dodgy picture but it was the best of a bad bunch. I was struggling to hold the camera steady due to the wind up there and the fact that my hands were trembling with cold after being stood around for ages.
Ruby went out today sporting her very own poppy and here's a picture I took when we got back home. As you can see, she's a mucky mess and was thrown straight into the shower, much to her dismay. I think she already sensed the shower coming, given the look on her face in this picture.
Total distance - 3.5 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/218540309/overview
Tuesday, 11 November 2014
Armistice Day - Bomber Memorial
I ran over to Bomber Memorial this morning, which has become an annual thing for me on Armistice Day.
When I got there, the wind had blown poppies all over the place so I spent a few minutes picking them all up and trying to secure them back on the monument. It was really windy up there so I'm not sure if they'll stay put or not but I did the best I could.
After a quiet moment I made my way back down the steps, which were incredibly slippery! I'm quite glad I did this run during the day rather than at night with my head torch as I think I would have slipped over.
On my way out this morning, I passed an elderly lady in dog poo alley who informed me that Murphy, the Bernese Mountain Dog which had been missing since 29 October, had been found. What a brilliant piece of news, which kept me smiling for a good while. I couldn't wait to get home to check this was true and share the news on Facebook and I'm pleased to say it is true!
Total Distance - 7.4 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/218043725
When I got there, the wind had blown poppies all over the place so I spent a few minutes picking them all up and trying to secure them back on the monument. It was really windy up there so I'm not sure if they'll stay put or not but I did the best I could.
After a quiet moment I made my way back down the steps, which were incredibly slippery! I'm quite glad I did this run during the day rather than at night with my head torch as I think I would have slipped over.
On my way out this morning, I passed an elderly lady in dog poo alley who informed me that Murphy, the Bernese Mountain Dog which had been missing since 29 October, had been found. What a brilliant piece of news, which kept me smiling for a good while. I couldn't wait to get home to check this was true and share the news on Facebook and I'm pleased to say it is true!
Total Distance - 7.4 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/218043725
Monday, 10 November 2014
Monday in Manchester
Another run along the canal and river with Kathryn at lunch today. We took a slightly different route to last week which involved going along a track at the side of the Metrolink for a while, although I don’t think I’d take this route if I was on my own. Funny, I feel so much safer up on the fells in the dark with a head torch than I do in some of these areas in Manchester.
I must admit to feeling pretty tired today, although we did set off much faster than last week, probably because we were being dragged along by a couple of blokes who work at the same place at Kathryn, but we soon let them get ahead of us and didn’t bother trying to stay with them.
My tiredness might also be because I haven’t run since last Tuesday due to some foot pain which I have been ignoring for a while. I can pinpoint it back to about five months ago, the first time I did the Coope’s Dozen. A short way through the dozen I realised my shoes weren’t tight enough so I tightened up the laces, however it turned out I had them too tight as a few miles from the end the top of my right foot was getting sore. Ever since then I have had problems with it. Most of the time, there is no pain at all but sometimes there will be a dull ache and occasionally, a shooting pain down my big toe. I did speak to my physio about it last time I was there and she thought it might be tendon related and told me to ice it and keep bending my toes as if using them to pick up an object. Unfortunately, I didn’t heed the icing advice very well and only did it very rarely. On Wednesday morning when I stepped out of bed, my foot was really sore, so much so that I winced out loud. I decided then that I would be best off not running for a while to see if I could sort it out once and for all so I have spent the last five days icing it a lot, exercising the toes and trying to keep weight off the foot as much as possible so have been on my exercise bike instead whilst watching DVDs of Friends to keep me amused.
**Warning the following paragraph contains too much information which some readers might find inappropriate**
One of the other reasons I was so tired today was due to a bit of stomach ache. Most people who know me well know that I have a certain 'issue' with going for number twos in public toilets. It's really odd because I'm in no way prudish and can talk about poo without embarrassment but for some reason, my body rebels against me doing it unless I'm on my own throne. This means that I can't go at work, which can sometimes be a problem, as it was today.
**Sorry about that, those who skipped the last paragraph can carry on from this point**
Really enjoyed the run again, even though I felt like throwing up towards the end. Running with Kathryn is doing me a world of good because, as mentioned last week, I’m running much faster than I do on my own with Ruby. Also, even if I had been running on my own along the canal, I would have slowed down because I was so tired and belly achy but running with somebody else makes you keep going at a faster pace because you don’t want to slow then down.
My foot felt absolutely fine during the run, however later on when I walked Ruby, I got the shooting pain down the toe. It's really weird because I can sit and move my toes any which way to try to replicate the pain but it doesn't happen. Also, if I prod my feet and toes to find a sore spot there isn't one so I'm really confused as to what the problem is and why it only hurts every now and then without rhyme nor reason. Whilst typing, I'm sat with my trusty bag of frozen peas on my foot. Hope it sorts itself out as I don't want to take more time off running with it, last week was so boring on my exercise bike.
Good luck at weekend Kathryn!!!
Total distance – 5.41 miles
Tuesday, 4 November 2014
Running by Candlelight!
Tonight I went for an easy run with Ruby. We went along to the top barn, round the back and along to the Pigeon Tower car park. We went up the driveway then turned off on the left for the steep climb up to the Pigeon Tower.
We then ran along George's Lane towards the Pike and I stopped to take a photo of the horizon after the sun had dipped below it.
Going dark
Within minutes it was pretty dark and I got my head torch (my old one, still haven't picked the new one up yet) out of my bag. I switched it on and thought it must be on a low setting as it was really dim but, you guessed it, it wasn't, the battery was dying! I was still about 1.5 miles away from home at this point and it was getting darker and darker. I decided to carry on along George's Lane, rather than turning off through Wilderswood and headed towards Factory Hill instead as this seemed a better option with very little light coming from my torch.
Before Factory Hill, when I got to the car park at Wilderswood, a small white van pulled up to an abrupt stop and the doors opened before the engine was even switched off. One of the men shouted something and I had no idea whether he was shouting to me or to his van companion. He shouted again and still I didn't know what he said. I just carried on running. Apologies if this was anyone I know but you scared the hell out of me so I just ran off.
Even though I had gone down the road after George's Lane, I still had to cut off along Binks Row and down past Wylderswoode Stud which is quite uneven underfoot. I did manage to get home without falling over although it was at quite a totter because Ruby was tired and barely moving, even though I wanted to get home as quickly as possible.
Not sure how I managed not to have charged the torch has I always put it straight on charge when I get in. I blamed Duncan for using it to walk Ruby in the morning and not charging it but he swears blind he hasn't used it. Question is, do I believe him?
Total distance - 4.8 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/215571153
We then ran along George's Lane towards the Pike and I stopped to take a photo of the horizon after the sun had dipped below it.
Within minutes it was pretty dark and I got my head torch (my old one, still haven't picked the new one up yet) out of my bag. I switched it on and thought it must be on a low setting as it was really dim but, you guessed it, it wasn't, the battery was dying! I was still about 1.5 miles away from home at this point and it was getting darker and darker. I decided to carry on along George's Lane, rather than turning off through Wilderswood and headed towards Factory Hill instead as this seemed a better option with very little light coming from my torch.
Before Factory Hill, when I got to the car park at Wilderswood, a small white van pulled up to an abrupt stop and the doors opened before the engine was even switched off. One of the men shouted something and I had no idea whether he was shouting to me or to his van companion. He shouted again and still I didn't know what he said. I just carried on running. Apologies if this was anyone I know but you scared the hell out of me so I just ran off.
Even though I had gone down the road after George's Lane, I still had to cut off along Binks Row and down past Wylderswoode Stud which is quite uneven underfoot. I did manage to get home without falling over although it was at quite a totter because Ruby was tired and barely moving, even though I wanted to get home as quickly as possible.
Not sure how I managed not to have charged the torch has I always put it straight on charge when I get in. I blamed Duncan for using it to walk Ruby in the morning and not charging it but he swears blind he hasn't used it. Question is, do I believe him?
Total distance - 4.8 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/215571153
Monday, 3 November 2014
Lunchtime Run Along the Canal with Kathryn
As arranged a couple of weeks ago, I met up with Kathryn, a friend who runs for Lostock and works in my building, today for a lunchtime run.
We ran along Canal Street then down onto the Rochdale Canal and all the way along to Old Trafford before looping back round by the side of the River Irwell.
Not often I get into my road shoes but I actually really enjoyed it. It was a lovely sunny but cool day (although not too cool, I did get quite a sweat on!) and Kathryn was great company. We had a good natter all the way around and I was surprised by how fresh I was feeling. I had thought beforehand that I would be really tired running faster than my usual plods with Ruby and that I wouldn't be able to talk through the gasps of breath but I felt great.
It's also really nice to know that by 1.30pm I was done for the day and could have a relaxing evening once I got home. I did toy with going out with Josie and the gang as well at 6pm as I felt really good all afternoon but a) I haven't got my good head torch yet and b) I was waiting in for a call from my mum about my dad's hip replacement surgery he has had today (I have just this minute spoken to my mum and all has gone well).
Maybe next week I'll double up! Or is that a bit optimistic?
Total Distance - 5.4 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/215119037/overview (I think the pace is off on the first mile as my Garmin hadn't located a satellite when we set off)
We ran along Canal Street then down onto the Rochdale Canal and all the way along to Old Trafford before looping back round by the side of the River Irwell.
Not often I get into my road shoes but I actually really enjoyed it. It was a lovely sunny but cool day (although not too cool, I did get quite a sweat on!) and Kathryn was great company. We had a good natter all the way around and I was surprised by how fresh I was feeling. I had thought beforehand that I would be really tired running faster than my usual plods with Ruby and that I wouldn't be able to talk through the gasps of breath but I felt great.
It's also really nice to know that by 1.30pm I was done for the day and could have a relaxing evening once I got home. I did toy with going out with Josie and the gang as well at 6pm as I felt really good all afternoon but a) I haven't got my good head torch yet and b) I was waiting in for a call from my mum about my dad's hip replacement surgery he has had today (I have just this minute spoken to my mum and all has gone well).
Maybe next week I'll double up! Or is that a bit optimistic?
Total Distance - 5.4 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/215119037/overview (I think the pace is off on the first mile as my Garmin hadn't located a satellite when we set off)
Saturday, 1 November 2014
San Marino Time Trial
At the UTUP today was myself, the Swift brothers, Kev and Jim Leyland, who I have never met before and hasn't been a the UTUP for a long time but is now living back in Horwich so joined us for this morning's outing.
We set off from the barn and headed straight up to the Pike. From the Pike we ran down to George's Lane then up to Two Lads at the side of the kennels.
From Two Lads we ran up the mast road to the gate before the descent to San Marino.
Ed had planned a time trial here which is something he and the others used to do years back and he wanted to revive it. We had to run down to the gate (the first gate you come to before the woods), check your time, then run back up again and the goal is to try to do the descent in less than half the time of the climb but there's no holding back on the climb!
We were supposed to do it on a handicap basis and I was told I was supposed to go last (not sure why as I'm a rubbish ascender) but when I arrived at the top gate, Ed and John were still chatting away further down the mast road so I got too cold and decided to set off regardless.
To be honest, I could feel myself holding back a bit on the descent but I'm not really sure why. I was feeling a bit tentative. I got down in 8 minutes 21 seconds, which is a bit poor for me. I then turned round and started the ascent but was feeling pretty tired from the off. Around half way up, I decided that I was running that slowly that a fast walk would most likely be quicker. From there to the top, I alternated slow running with fast walking, eventually getting to the top in 15 minutes 50 seconds.
Jim did 10.01 on the down, but an impressive 14.59 on the up. At the time of writing, I'm not sure about the other's times but I'll post them up if and when I find them out. Ed seemed to motor up though!
Edit, times taken from Ed's post in WFDBWGUA:
down up total down up percentage
Me - 8:21 15:50 24:11 52.7%
Kev - 8:46 16:05 24:51 54.5%
Jim 10:01 14:59 25:00 66.9%
Ed - 10:57 16:07 27:04 67.9%
John - 15:29 16:03 31:32 94.7%
Once we all got back to the top, Jim and I decided to head home so we said our farewells and made our way back down the mast road and down to the kennels then home via the Two Lads race route.
The reason I wanted to break off the run early was because I was taking the camper van out for it's first outing with Duncan and Ruby today.
We drove up to the Lakes and on the way up the motorway we were driving behind another T4 in a green colour. Duncan mentioned that his friend, Nick from somewhere in the Midlands, had a T4 in that camper so he made me look him up on Facebook to see whether there were any pictures of his van to see if this was the same one. Coincidence of coincidence, it was! Duncan stalked him for a while as he had no idea that it was us behind him and he pulled off into Westmoreland Services so we followed. He was really surprised to see us as it has probably been around nine years since we last saw him!
After a catch up, we carried on up the Motorway, coming off at the Shap turn off. We drove around for a while and then decided on Haweswater as our camp for the night. We decided to wild camp rather than pay for a site and we parked up in a deep layby next to the lake. It was lovely!
First cuppa in the van (not at the place we actually camped up though, this photo was taken at the car park at Haweswater) - not entirely sure why Duncan looks so miserable!
Wild camping (it rained A LOT last night)
On Sunday morning, we went for a walk up the Gatesgarth Path and climbed to the top of a mountain, although I have no idea which one. Perhaps one of my fell running friends with an in depth knowledge of the Lakes will be able to tell me from the photos.
Saturday's run total distance - 9.5 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/214130837
Sunday's walk distance approx 3.5 miles (although only 2 miles captured on Strava) http://www.strava.com/activities/214763711
We set off from the barn and headed straight up to the Pike. From the Pike we ran down to George's Lane then up to Two Lads at the side of the kennels.
From Two Lads we ran up the mast road to the gate before the descent to San Marino.
Ed had planned a time trial here which is something he and the others used to do years back and he wanted to revive it. We had to run down to the gate (the first gate you come to before the woods), check your time, then run back up again and the goal is to try to do the descent in less than half the time of the climb but there's no holding back on the climb!
We were supposed to do it on a handicap basis and I was told I was supposed to go last (not sure why as I'm a rubbish ascender) but when I arrived at the top gate, Ed and John were still chatting away further down the mast road so I got too cold and decided to set off regardless.
To be honest, I could feel myself holding back a bit on the descent but I'm not really sure why. I was feeling a bit tentative. I got down in 8 minutes 21 seconds, which is a bit poor for me. I then turned round and started the ascent but was feeling pretty tired from the off. Around half way up, I decided that I was running that slowly that a fast walk would most likely be quicker. From there to the top, I alternated slow running with fast walking, eventually getting to the top in 15 minutes 50 seconds.
Jim did 10.01 on the down, but an impressive 14.59 on the up. At the time of writing, I'm not sure about the other's times but I'll post them up if and when I find them out. Ed seemed to motor up though!
Edit, times taken from Ed's post in WFDBWGUA:
down up total down up percentage
Me - 8:21 15:50 24:11 52.7%
Kev - 8:46 16:05 24:51 54.5%
Jim 10:01 14:59 25:00 66.9%
Ed - 10:57 16:07 27:04 67.9%
John - 15:29 16:03 31:32 94.7%
Once we all got back to the top, Jim and I decided to head home so we said our farewells and made our way back down the mast road and down to the kennels then home via the Two Lads race route.
The reason I wanted to break off the run early was because I was taking the camper van out for it's first outing with Duncan and Ruby today.
We drove up to the Lakes and on the way up the motorway we were driving behind another T4 in a green colour. Duncan mentioned that his friend, Nick from somewhere in the Midlands, had a T4 in that camper so he made me look him up on Facebook to see whether there were any pictures of his van to see if this was the same one. Coincidence of coincidence, it was! Duncan stalked him for a while as he had no idea that it was us behind him and he pulled off into Westmoreland Services so we followed. He was really surprised to see us as it has probably been around nine years since we last saw him!
After a catch up, we carried on up the Motorway, coming off at the Shap turn off. We drove around for a while and then decided on Haweswater as our camp for the night. We decided to wild camp rather than pay for a site and we parked up in a deep layby next to the lake. It was lovely!
First cuppa in the van (not at the place we actually camped up though, this photo was taken at the car park at Haweswater) - not entirely sure why Duncan looks so miserable!
Wild camping (it rained A LOT last night)
On Sunday morning, we went for a walk up the Gatesgarth Path and climbed to the top of a mountain, although I have no idea which one. Perhaps one of my fell running friends with an in depth knowledge of the Lakes will be able to tell me from the photos.
Saturday's run total distance - 9.5 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/214130837
Sunday's walk distance approx 3.5 miles (although only 2 miles captured on Strava) http://www.strava.com/activities/214763711
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