Though I'm not sure what it's actual objective was! I first noticed it when I was climbing up from home to George's Lane. It was just a normal housefly (not horsefly) but it wouldn't leave me alone, buzzing in my ear and flying around my head. It carried on for the entire run! I'm pretty sure it was the same fly the whole time. I kept whipping it with my pony tail but it was just so determined to annoy me (ahhh, there's the objective then!). Given that flies are attracted to poo, I'm feeling a little paranoid!
The run itself was lovely, save for the fly of course. From George's lane we (Ruby and I) ran along to the Pigeon Tower then turned right to following the lane around. Once we got to the woods on the left, we climbed over the stile on the right and ran up to Noon Hill. I was feeling really good tonight and the climbing came quite easily for a change.
Once on top of Noon Hill, I had to make a decision - Pike or Mast. I decided on Mast but, part way there, Ruby had other ideas. It was really boggy and she wasn't at all happy as she kept sinking and it looked like it was going to get more boggy so we turned around and went back up Noon Hill. We then headed along the trod to the Pike. I really like that run and Ruby seemed to enjoy it too, even though from her viewpoint, all she gets is a face full of long grass.
We ran up to the Pike and then ran down the Pike Race route where I let Ruby off the lead for a bit to try to avoid her tripping me up. It really is pretty scary running downhill with a less than intelligent dog with you. There is a constant fear of them running between your legs and sending you flying.
I got her back on the lead and we headed home along George's Lane. As the other night, the field opposite the dog hotel was free of sheep so we went that way as it's one of my favourite downhill runs. At the bottom, once through the gate, we turned right which took us down to the stables, where we turned left and ran down towards Wylderswoode Stud. I wonder why it is spelled that way, rather than the same way as Wilderswood itself?
Total distance - 5.6 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/173584088/overview
Thursday, 31 July 2014
Wednesday, 30 July 2014
6 x 1/2 Mile Speed Session
Due to missing the track session last night I parked up at Rivvy Barn this morning with a view to doing some reps along The Street.
I warmed up for a mile which took me to the start line of the Junior Jubilee race, which seemed like a good place to start the reps. I decided to do 6 x 1/2 mile reps, intending on a 7.30 pace.
The rep from the start line starts off really flat but then at the other side of the dam it starts to go uphill a little. My first rep was OK but not great, my legs got tired pretty quick. The second rep, however, starts on a nice downhill so that was much better.
The third was horrific. I felt like throwing up and I wasn't even going that fast (see below for split pace). At the end of if, during my 90 minute rest, I was wondering whether to call it a day at just four reps because I felt so rough. I decided to make my mind up at the end of rep four.
Rep four didn't go too badly, again this is a partially downhill rep, so I decided to stick to my original plan and finish the session I had decided on.
Rep five was awful. Going up the hill at the other side of the dam was really hard work, even though it isn't much of a hill. Again, I felt like I was going to chunder.
Rep six took me back to the Jubilee start line, where a great sense of relief came over me that it was all done and I just needed to jog back to the car.
The session wasn't as good as I had hoped with my pace for each rep as follows (the odd number reps had an uphill section and the even numbers a downhill section):
Rep 1 - 7.59
Rep 2 - 7.26
Rep 3 - 8.09
Rep 4 - 7.38
Rep 5 - 8.17
Rep 6 - 7.24
Not great but better than sitting on my backside at home.
I hate doing speed sessions but no pain no gain so it's a necessary evil if I want to get faster.
Total distance - 5 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/172940369
I warmed up for a mile which took me to the start line of the Junior Jubilee race, which seemed like a good place to start the reps. I decided to do 6 x 1/2 mile reps, intending on a 7.30 pace.
The rep from the start line starts off really flat but then at the other side of the dam it starts to go uphill a little. My first rep was OK but not great, my legs got tired pretty quick. The second rep, however, starts on a nice downhill so that was much better.
The third was horrific. I felt like throwing up and I wasn't even going that fast (see below for split pace). At the end of if, during my 90 minute rest, I was wondering whether to call it a day at just four reps because I felt so rough. I decided to make my mind up at the end of rep four.
Rep four didn't go too badly, again this is a partially downhill rep, so I decided to stick to my original plan and finish the session I had decided on.
Rep five was awful. Going up the hill at the other side of the dam was really hard work, even though it isn't much of a hill. Again, I felt like I was going to chunder.
Rep six took me back to the Jubilee start line, where a great sense of relief came over me that it was all done and I just needed to jog back to the car.
The session wasn't as good as I had hoped with my pace for each rep as follows (the odd number reps had an uphill section and the even numbers a downhill section):
Rep 1 - 7.59
Rep 2 - 7.26
Rep 3 - 8.09
Rep 4 - 7.38
Rep 5 - 8.17
Rep 6 - 7.24
Not great but better than sitting on my backside at home.
I hate doing speed sessions but no pain no gain so it's a necessary evil if I want to get faster.
Total distance - 5 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/172940369
Tuesday, 29 July 2014
Stupid Dog!
I did a route I haven't done for a while today, which I did really frequently throughout the winter.
I ran with Ruby and we went along to the top barn, across to Sheephouse Lane, up to the Pigeon Tower car park and then zigzagged up through the terraced gardens to the Pigeon Tower. We then ran up the pike via the steep track to the left of the steps and ran down my favourite route (Pike Race route) where I let Ruby off the lead as there were no animals in sight.
We then got onto George's Lane and I put her back on the lead. I really wish we could run lead-free. It would be much better for both of us but I have come to terms with the fact that, unfortunately, it's never going to happen.
As I approached the dog hotel, I noticed that, unusually, there were no sheep or horses in the field opposite. I love running home through that field but it's very rare that I can because it's always full of livestock and Ruby will just drag after them. As it was empty we had a great run though but, as we were getting to the bottom, Ruby suddenly ran into my path and I went flying over her, kicking her in the head in the process! Sorry Ruby but it really was your own stupid fault!
She's OK though, and didn't cry or anything so no harm done. Oh, and I'm OK too, I managed to stay on my feet but have no idea how!
Total distance - 5.4 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/172604476
I ran with Ruby and we went along to the top barn, across to Sheephouse Lane, up to the Pigeon Tower car park and then zigzagged up through the terraced gardens to the Pigeon Tower. We then ran up the pike via the steep track to the left of the steps and ran down my favourite route (Pike Race route) where I let Ruby off the lead as there were no animals in sight.
We then got onto George's Lane and I put her back on the lead. I really wish we could run lead-free. It would be much better for both of us but I have come to terms with the fact that, unfortunately, it's never going to happen.
As I approached the dog hotel, I noticed that, unusually, there were no sheep or horses in the field opposite. I love running home through that field but it's very rare that I can because it's always full of livestock and Ruby will just drag after them. As it was empty we had a great run though but, as we were getting to the bottom, Ruby suddenly ran into my path and I went flying over her, kicking her in the head in the process! Sorry Ruby but it really was your own stupid fault!
She's OK though, and didn't cry or anything so no harm done. Oh, and I'm OK too, I managed to stay on my feet but have no idea how!
Total distance - 5.4 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/172604476
Sunday, 27 July 2014
Cool Runnings
What a difference in temperature between this morning and yesterday morning. Today was much better for running, lovely and breezy and a good deal of cloud cover.
After yesterday's rubbish effort, I went for an easy one today, just along Rivington Reservoir, down Horrobin Lane and along the Street where I saw a huge bird of prey making a real racket. I tried to take a picture of it but it flew off into a tree. I took a picture of the tree thinking I might see the bird when I blew the picture up but I can't. It will have been a buzzard but it was massive! If I didn't know better I would have thought it was an eagle! Feel free to try to find it in the tree if you're really bored...
I took a picture of the reservoir whilst I was there too, just because it looked so pretty...
From The Street, we ran along Knowsley Lane and up 'the slipway' where I got a Strava PB. I'm only 7 seconds off the women's course record for this short climb so I'll have to try harder next time.
We then dropped down and ran along Dean Brook, up the steps, across the field, through the kissing gate, up Sheephouse Lane, then along the path from the barn back home.
My performance today was in complete contrast to yesterday. I was feeling really fresh and energetic and, if I hadn't had Ruby with me, I would have been happy to go a lot faster.
Ruby was brilliant today too, the cooler temperature really made a difference. At no point was I dragging her behind me and she seemed to be really enjoying herself. I have been a bit worried lately that Ruby's running days are over but it seems it's just running in the heat which is a problem for her. That makes two of us then!
Total distance - 6.1 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/171501534
After yesterday's rubbish effort, I went for an easy one today, just along Rivington Reservoir, down Horrobin Lane and along the Street where I saw a huge bird of prey making a real racket. I tried to take a picture of it but it flew off into a tree. I took a picture of the tree thinking I might see the bird when I blew the picture up but I can't. It will have been a buzzard but it was massive! If I didn't know better I would have thought it was an eagle! Feel free to try to find it in the tree if you're really bored...
I took a picture of the reservoir whilst I was there too, just because it looked so pretty...
From The Street, we ran along Knowsley Lane and up 'the slipway' where I got a Strava PB. I'm only 7 seconds off the women's course record for this short climb so I'll have to try harder next time.
We then dropped down and ran along Dean Brook, up the steps, across the field, through the kissing gate, up Sheephouse Lane, then along the path from the barn back home.
My performance today was in complete contrast to yesterday. I was feeling really fresh and energetic and, if I hadn't had Ruby with me, I would have been happy to go a lot faster.
Ruby was brilliant today too, the cooler temperature really made a difference. At no point was I dragging her behind me and she seemed to be really enjoying herself. I have been a bit worried lately that Ruby's running days are over but it seems it's just running in the heat which is a problem for her. That makes two of us then!
Total distance - 6.1 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/171501534
Saturday, 26 July 2014
From One Week to the Next
I met up with the WFDBWGUA group again this morning. John, Pauline and Mark were at the barn when I got there and Gordon caught up with us later on at Healey Nab.
John wanted to do the same route as last week so he could do a direct comparison and I was more than happy with that as I really enjoyed last week's run.
Not far into the run, it soon became apparent that I was struggling though. I felt quite sick and put it down to having eaten a huge bowl of porridge an hour and a half before running, which I'm not sure is long enough, given the amount of porridge.
I've only run with Mark twice and both times I've had a terrible run - honestly Mark I'm not always that bad!
When we reached White Coppice I really wanted to turn back and go home but the guys encouraged me to stay with them and that it didn't matter if I was slowing them down.
Climbing up out of White Coppice heading towards Great Hill was the worst bit of the run. I felt so bad that just walking was too difficult. I was going dizzy and my left eye was blurring. I had to stop completely a couple of times to pull myself together before continuing. John was great and kept with me all the time even though he could have carried on at a decent pace with the others.
I just can't believe how different I felt this week from last week. Last week I motored my way up Great Hill and felt amazing.
As an example of the difference between last week and this, here is my Strava segment comparison of the run from the Cricket Club at White Coppice to Great Hill. http://www.strava.com/segments/3512201?filter=my_results Bear in mind that last week's time involved me being the one waiting around so the time doesn't accurately reflect my ability last week, however this week's time does reflect it (and it doesn't look good). The segment is only 1.7 miles and i did it 7 and a half minutes quicker last week, which is a huge difference over such a short distance, especially seeing as it will have actually been more than 7.5 minutes!
You beat yourself up trying to work out why you feel so bad when you're having a day like this but, truth is, there probably is no real reason, it's just an off day. I just seem to have an awful lot of them! It got me to thinking, when one of the 'fast lads' have an off day, would the rest of us even notice, or would their off day just involved doing a 6.5 minute mile instead of a 6? I'm pretty sure they wouldn't resort to walking anyway.
I was pretty relieved once we got to the top of Great Hill as I knew most of the return journey was downhill, save for a couple of minor bits here and there.
When running in towards the barn a great weight lifted off my shoulders as I could see the 'finish line'. I've never been so pleased to see the beige mobile in my life, sat there waiting for me in all it's golden glory.
When we stopped running I went so dizzy that I had to squat down on the floor for a minute. I don't think it was the heat as I had drank plenty of water before and during the run.
Last week, the night before our run, I had a couple of glasses of wine and I felt great so perhaps that's the answer :-)
Thanks for keeping me going guys, even though it was a terrible run I did it and have the miles under my belt so thanks again.
Total distance - 10.9 miles (slightly shorter than last week but the only thing I did different was that I stayed on the flags off Great Hill, rather than going cross country like I did last week, which takes you a bit further out)
http://www.strava.com/activities/171036678/overview
John wanted to do the same route as last week so he could do a direct comparison and I was more than happy with that as I really enjoyed last week's run.
Not far into the run, it soon became apparent that I was struggling though. I felt quite sick and put it down to having eaten a huge bowl of porridge an hour and a half before running, which I'm not sure is long enough, given the amount of porridge.
I've only run with Mark twice and both times I've had a terrible run - honestly Mark I'm not always that bad!
When we reached White Coppice I really wanted to turn back and go home but the guys encouraged me to stay with them and that it didn't matter if I was slowing them down.
Climbing up out of White Coppice heading towards Great Hill was the worst bit of the run. I felt so bad that just walking was too difficult. I was going dizzy and my left eye was blurring. I had to stop completely a couple of times to pull myself together before continuing. John was great and kept with me all the time even though he could have carried on at a decent pace with the others.
I just can't believe how different I felt this week from last week. Last week I motored my way up Great Hill and felt amazing.
As an example of the difference between last week and this, here is my Strava segment comparison of the run from the Cricket Club at White Coppice to Great Hill. http://www.strava.com/segments/3512201?filter=my_results Bear in mind that last week's time involved me being the one waiting around so the time doesn't accurately reflect my ability last week, however this week's time does reflect it (and it doesn't look good). The segment is only 1.7 miles and i did it 7 and a half minutes quicker last week, which is a huge difference over such a short distance, especially seeing as it will have actually been more than 7.5 minutes!
You beat yourself up trying to work out why you feel so bad when you're having a day like this but, truth is, there probably is no real reason, it's just an off day. I just seem to have an awful lot of them! It got me to thinking, when one of the 'fast lads' have an off day, would the rest of us even notice, or would their off day just involved doing a 6.5 minute mile instead of a 6? I'm pretty sure they wouldn't resort to walking anyway.
I was pretty relieved once we got to the top of Great Hill as I knew most of the return journey was downhill, save for a couple of minor bits here and there.
When running in towards the barn a great weight lifted off my shoulders as I could see the 'finish line'. I've never been so pleased to see the beige mobile in my life, sat there waiting for me in all it's golden glory.
When we stopped running I went so dizzy that I had to squat down on the floor for a minute. I don't think it was the heat as I had drank plenty of water before and during the run.
Last week, the night before our run, I had a couple of glasses of wine and I felt great so perhaps that's the answer :-)
Thanks for keeping me going guys, even though it was a terrible run I did it and have the miles under my belt so thanks again.
Total distance - 10.9 miles (slightly shorter than last week but the only thing I did different was that I stayed on the flags off Great Hill, rather than going cross country like I did last week, which takes you a bit further out)
http://www.strava.com/activities/171036678/overview
Friday, 25 July 2014
Wet Feet
If there's one thing I didn't expect this morning, it was wet feet. It hasn't rained for days and has been scorching so I was quite surprised at how boggy it still was on the path which follows the road from Belmont towards Hordern Stoops.
Duncan had dropped me off on his way to work at the Blue Lagoon and I ran along this path, heading back home. It was boiling and was only 7.30 in the morning! My legs were quite tired this morning and, even though that path only ascends very slightly, it was quite hard work.
Once out onto the road, I ran along until I got to Belmont Road (continuation of George's Lane). I ran along this a bit before climbing up the diagonal to the trig point, which really was a struggle this morning and I did a pathetic five minutes slower than my Strava PB.
Mostly downhill now so that was a relief. I ran down the mast road a little then turned off just after the mast and went cross-country to Two Lads, then down to George's Lane, through Wilderswood and home.
Total distance - 5 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/170631151/overview
Duncan had dropped me off on his way to work at the Blue Lagoon and I ran along this path, heading back home. It was boiling and was only 7.30 in the morning! My legs were quite tired this morning and, even though that path only ascends very slightly, it was quite hard work.
Once out onto the road, I ran along until I got to Belmont Road (continuation of George's Lane). I ran along this a bit before climbing up the diagonal to the trig point, which really was a struggle this morning and I did a pathetic five minutes slower than my Strava PB.
Mostly downhill now so that was a relief. I ran down the mast road a little then turned off just after the mast and went cross-country to Two Lads, then down to George's Lane, through Wilderswood and home.
Total distance - 5 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/170631151/overview
Thursday, 24 July 2014
Six miles... in nearly two hours!!!
In my defence, that two hours wasn't all moving time. Because the strap broke on my Garmin, I had it in my bum bag so I didn't stop it when I was nattering to Sean and Maria for a while and I also didn't stop it when I sat chilling by the 'secret' reservoir whilst Ruby had a paddle:
We had a lovely run but Ruby was definitely feeling the heat and there was a lot of stop starting. I chose this route because I know there are lots of streams along it where Ruby could get a drink and have a paddle. We ran straight up to George's Lane via the edge of Wilderswood then up the path to Two Lads but turned off to the right rather than turning left to the top. We crossed the mast road (having a chat with Sean and Maria for a few minutes) then ran along through the farms before turning off through Roscow's Tenement, coming out near the shooting hut. We then ran up the hill and along to the reservoir and stopped at 'the beach' for a good while whilst Ruby cooled herself down.
After that, we pretty much retraced our steps home, save for a slight detour to the trespass stone.
I think it was possibly a bit too far for Ruby in this heat but she seemed to be enjoying herself, albeit very slowly.
Total distance - 6.1 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/170403991
We had a lovely run but Ruby was definitely feeling the heat and there was a lot of stop starting. I chose this route because I know there are lots of streams along it where Ruby could get a drink and have a paddle. We ran straight up to George's Lane via the edge of Wilderswood then up the path to Two Lads but turned off to the right rather than turning left to the top. We crossed the mast road (having a chat with Sean and Maria for a few minutes) then ran along through the farms before turning off through Roscow's Tenement, coming out near the shooting hut. We then ran up the hill and along to the reservoir and stopped at 'the beach' for a good while whilst Ruby cooled herself down.
After that, we pretty much retraced our steps home, save for a slight detour to the trespass stone.
I think it was possibly a bit too far for Ruby in this heat but she seemed to be enjoying herself, albeit very slowly.
Total distance - 6.1 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/170403991
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