Tonight, Ruby and I ran up to Two Lads and then up towards the mast. Whilst running in the dark, I lost track of my usual cross-country route to the mast and ended up on the mast road instead. Probably for the best, as my cross-country path is very boggy at the minute. We ran up the mast road but Ruby was really starting to tire so once we got to the cattle grid we just turned around and went back down the road. We turned off towards the water tanks and then ran down to George's Lane before running back through Wilderswood and home.
I ordered my new Hope head torch today. I went for the R4 as I managed to find it for only a small amount more than the R1. Hopefully it will arrive early next week. I can't wait to give it a try out! Should be like running in daylight.
Total distance - 4.35 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/213967799
Friday, 31 October 2014
Thursday, 30 October 2014
First Solo Head Torch Run of the Winter
As the title suggests, this was the first time this winter I have ventured out with just Ruby in the dark. I have done it many times before of course as I ran all last winter in the dark but there's something a bit nerve-racking about the first one after a long break. The nerves quickly went away though once we got going.
We only did a quick run tonight as I was going out for my mum’s 65th birthday and I had already left the house later than I had planned. We just ran to the school then along to the top barn, did a loop and came back again. The great thing about running in the dark is that I can see other people who potentially have a dog with them before Ruby does because I will see their torch light up ahead. This meant that I could let Ruby off the lead and have more of a chance of getting her back on it again if somebody came along. I let her off once we had turned off the road by the school and I didn’t have to put her back on again until we got back to that spot as we didn’t see a single other person, another one of the joys of running in the dark – people tend to stick to walking their dogs on the roads instead.
I decided tonight though that I think I need to invest in a better torch to see me through the winter as, although my Led Lenser is OK and gives a decent amount of light, it's not very sturdy and when running downhill the torch flops down and points to my nose, which isn't ideal when running downhill at a bit of speed. I'm going to treat myself to a Hope! Goodbye cash!
Total distance – 3.4 miles
Wednesday, 29 October 2014
The Yorkshire Two Peaks
On a cold but beautifully sunny day, myself, Julie L and the Swift brothers headed off t’Yorkshire to run two of the Yorkshire Three Peaks.
We parked up at Horton in Ribblesdale and met up with Chris B who is living in Settle. Chris drove us over to Ribblehead where we started our journey.
The first peak was Whernside which was quite a gentle runnable ascent. Unfortunately, Chris had to leave us before we got to the top as he was on a strict time limit imposed by his good lady wife. After saying our farewells we continued on our way and finally reached the summit where we had a chat to a couple of girls who were sat drinking mugs of tea which we were pretty jealous of.
We then made our way along to Ingleborough, which was another gentle ascent to start with but then became more of a scramble as we climbed our way up to the top. After having felt really tired and lacking in energy at the beginning of our outing, I started to come into my own at this point and motored my way up the rocky climb. Once I get into a stride I don’t really like to break it as then I find it harder to get going again so I just carried on ahead.
I reached the gate and went through it and then saw that there was still another steep climb to come. I had thought I was at the top but no such luck. I continued up the next climb using my hands as well because I was so tired and then final got to the easily runnable table top. Even though I was close to collapse at this point, I made a point of running all the way to the trig point. I would have been rude not to really. I then had a sit down with some walkers who were in awe at the fact that I was running when they had struggled to even walk. The object of their awe and respect then turned to John, who I pointed out as he came up onto the table top in the distance and told them of his age. They just couldn’t believe it and were completely gobsmacked. Next Ed and Julie appeared and one of the walkers was then impressed by the fact that Ed was not only running, but was wearing shorts in this cold weather!
After chilling out a bit at the top, the final descent began. It was quite steep and rocky at first as we went down the same side as we had come up but it then got nice and easy going and the five miles back to Horton passed very quickly.
Yet another brilliant day with awesome people. Really enjoyed it and thanks very much to Julie for driving us all there, much appreciated.
Bring on the next one!
Total distance – 14.5 miles
Sunday, 26 October 2014
Sunday Afternoon Outing with Steve
Steve Pearson came round at midday today to join me for a run starting from my house. Clare McKenna was supposed to join us too but, unfortunately, she hurt her ankle at XC yesterday so wanted to take it easy today.
After leaving Ruby, who was looking at us with the most pitiful look on her face because we were going out without her, we headed off along dog poo alley and up the continuation of Brownlow Road out onto George's Lane (the reverse of the Two Lads race route).
We ran along to the Pike and up the Pike Race route. We both got up there really well in my opinion and, after a very brief pause, headed back down again at the steps side, although we took the grassy route to the side of the steps.
Back on George's Lane we ran along and turned right at the Pigeon Tower and headed over to Noon Hill. We ran straight off Noon Hill back down to George's Lane (although I think it's called Belmont Road at this point) and along towards the diagonal.
After starting up the diagonal, we turned off to the left and followed the contours around. I think the route we took was part of the Belmont Winter Hill Fell Race route and I haven't been along this trod since doing that race nearly three years ago.
We crossed the stile onto the muddy path which goes up to the top of Winter Hill from Hordern Stoops but it was horribly muddy so further up, we crossed back onto the other side of the wall and went up the really steep way, again part of the Belmont Winter Hill race route.
No rest for the wicked, as soon as we reached the top we continued on and along to the Mast Road. We headed down the Mast Road, where it was incredibly windy, to the cattle grid, then turned left down the flags to the Shooting Hut.
We cut through Roscoe's Tenament and out onto Coal Pit Lane, then along past the farm and followed the path which brings you back out onto the Mast Road, which we crossed straight over and followed the path to the water tanks then up to Two Lads.
From Two Lads, we ran down to the kennels then down through the field opposite the kennels coming out at the stables which are just up from my house. We then turned right and ran down the track and out onto Green Lane where we then just ran though the housing estate (past David Jackson's house, which I pointed out to Steve, along with lots of other runner's houses, it was like a guided tour of the Pennine Road estate) and back to my house.
It was a really enjoyable run and great to have good company. One thing about today which is unusual for me is that Steve kept going, rather than stopping for a breather at the top of hills which I think will have done me good and it's something I need to start doing a lot more.
Great run!
After leaving Ruby, who was looking at us with the most pitiful look on her face because we were going out without her, we headed off along dog poo alley and up the continuation of Brownlow Road out onto George's Lane (the reverse of the Two Lads race route).
We ran along to the Pike and up the Pike Race route. We both got up there really well in my opinion and, after a very brief pause, headed back down again at the steps side, although we took the grassy route to the side of the steps.
Back on George's Lane we ran along and turned right at the Pigeon Tower and headed over to Noon Hill. We ran straight off Noon Hill back down to George's Lane (although I think it's called Belmont Road at this point) and along towards the diagonal.
After starting up the diagonal, we turned off to the left and followed the contours around. I think the route we took was part of the Belmont Winter Hill Fell Race route and I haven't been along this trod since doing that race nearly three years ago.
We crossed the stile onto the muddy path which goes up to the top of Winter Hill from Hordern Stoops but it was horribly muddy so further up, we crossed back onto the other side of the wall and went up the really steep way, again part of the Belmont Winter Hill race route.
No rest for the wicked, as soon as we reached the top we continued on and along to the Mast Road. We headed down the Mast Road, where it was incredibly windy, to the cattle grid, then turned left down the flags to the Shooting Hut.
We cut through Roscoe's Tenament and out onto Coal Pit Lane, then along past the farm and followed the path which brings you back out onto the Mast Road, which we crossed straight over and followed the path to the water tanks then up to Two Lads.
From Two Lads, we ran down to the kennels then down through the field opposite the kennels coming out at the stables which are just up from my house. We then turned right and ran down the track and out onto Green Lane where we then just ran though the housing estate (past David Jackson's house, which I pointed out to Steve, along with lots of other runner's houses, it was like a guided tour of the Pennine Road estate) and back to my house.
It was a really enjoyable run and great to have good company. One thing about today which is unusual for me is that Steve kept going, rather than stopping for a breather at the top of hills which I think will have done me good and it's something I need to start doing a lot more.
Great run!
Total Distance - 8.43 miles
Saturday, 25 October 2014
Mid Lancs XC - Hyndburn
My first cross country race of the season.
Last year, I didn't have much luck at Hyndburn as I went over on my ankle and ended up in the St John's Ambulance tent at the end. I did finish the race though, however in a pitiful time of 37.18 (What?! For just over 5k? How muddy was it?!?!?!?!?), so I was really confident I could beat that this year.
I'm pleased to say that I did, finishing in a time of 32.05. Over 5 minutes faster! Really pleased with my performance and it's put me back on a high after my poor performance at Gin Pit the other week. I can't actually believe the difference because, even though I went over last year I didn't think it had affected my performance that much because it wasn't until after the race I realised I had hurt it. To any of my non off-road running friends just under a ten minute mile pace might sound incredibly slow but trust me, cross country is hard work, it's just mud mud mud and a bit more mud! Don't get me wrong, it's not an overly fast pace, I came 103rd out of 166 but you just can't compare it to running on the road.
Before the race I went back and forth trying to decide whether to wear spikes or not. Both Suzanne and Clare said that they always wear spikes for cross country but personally for me it depends on the course. The course today had a lot of running through woods which were full of twigs and leaves and these all get stuck in your spikes. After having a brief trial run in my spikes I decided to get back into my Mudclaws and I'm really glad I did now.
The route was pretty muddy (as usual at Hyndburn!) and twice I found myself jumping over somebody's shoe which had come off and been lodged in the mud.
After the race, Duncan and our mate Barry picked me up and we went over to Kendal to pick up our new T4 campervan. I drove it a little bit and practiced parking it down at the train station and it all seemed easy enough. Can't wait to go away in it. Anyone know a good place to wild camp in the Lakes?
All in all, a great day!
Total Distance - 3.21 miles
Full results http://www.race-results.co.uk/results/2014/ml141.htm
http://www.strava.com/activities/211542978/overview
Last year, I didn't have much luck at Hyndburn as I went over on my ankle and ended up in the St John's Ambulance tent at the end. I did finish the race though, however in a pitiful time of 37.18 (What?! For just over 5k? How muddy was it?!?!?!?!?), so I was really confident I could beat that this year.
I'm pleased to say that I did, finishing in a time of 32.05. Over 5 minutes faster! Really pleased with my performance and it's put me back on a high after my poor performance at Gin Pit the other week. I can't actually believe the difference because, even though I went over last year I didn't think it had affected my performance that much because it wasn't until after the race I realised I had hurt it. To any of my non off-road running friends just under a ten minute mile pace might sound incredibly slow but trust me, cross country is hard work, it's just mud mud mud and a bit more mud! Don't get me wrong, it's not an overly fast pace, I came 103rd out of 166 but you just can't compare it to running on the road.
Before the race I went back and forth trying to decide whether to wear spikes or not. Both Suzanne and Clare said that they always wear spikes for cross country but personally for me it depends on the course. The course today had a lot of running through woods which were full of twigs and leaves and these all get stuck in your spikes. After having a brief trial run in my spikes I decided to get back into my Mudclaws and I'm really glad I did now.
The route was pretty muddy (as usual at Hyndburn!) and twice I found myself jumping over somebody's shoe which had come off and been lodged in the mud.
After the race, Duncan and our mate Barry picked me up and we went over to Kendal to pick up our new T4 campervan. I drove it a little bit and practiced parking it down at the train station and it all seemed easy enough. Can't wait to go away in it. Anyone know a good place to wild camp in the Lakes?
All in all, a great day!
Total Distance - 3.21 miles
Full results http://www.race-results.co.uk/results/2014/ml141.htm
http://www.strava.com/activities/211542978/overview
Thursday, 23 October 2014
Worrying About Worrying
Tonight I went to the Harriers hill session, something I really need to make an effort to get to more often.
Steve took the mickey out of me a lot tonight for something I know I'm extremely guilty of - worrying. He asked whether I worry about not having anything to worry about. He has a good point, I really do worry about absolutely everything.
I'm meeting Steve and Clare on Sunday for a run and I'm even worried about that because I'm bothered that I'll slow them down and ruin their run. I get this when I run with other people, which is why I prefer to go solo but I know I need to change this and get over my fears as running with others can and should be really enjoyable.
I also had a discussion with both Steve and Clare tonight about how hit and miss I am with running. Everybody has 'off'' days, but 50% of my days seem to be off days. That might be a slight exaggeration but I really do have an awful lot of off days. Steve commented on how well I climbed up Stickle Ghyll the other week and left the others behind and I told him that I was feeling really good that day and full of energy, although about five days before I had been out with the WFDBWGUA group on a Saturday morning and not only was I struggling to run up moderate hills but I could barely even walk up them. It's bizarre and I wonder if anybody else gets this? It's another of the reasons I fear going running with others, in case I have one of my off days and ruin the whole run.
Anyway, the session itself involved starting from Gingham Brow and running up to the bus stop after Georges's Lane. We had to do 60 seconds of hard effort with 30 seconds recovery in between. I could have gone out harder than I did but, true to form, I worried about pushing myself too hard before the race on Saturday and didn't want to tire myself out too much.
I really need to make more progress with my Chimp Paradox book but that's a story for another day's blog.
Total Distance - 5.1 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/210806859
Steve took the mickey out of me a lot tonight for something I know I'm extremely guilty of - worrying. He asked whether I worry about not having anything to worry about. He has a good point, I really do worry about absolutely everything.
I'm meeting Steve and Clare on Sunday for a run and I'm even worried about that because I'm bothered that I'll slow them down and ruin their run. I get this when I run with other people, which is why I prefer to go solo but I know I need to change this and get over my fears as running with others can and should be really enjoyable.
I also had a discussion with both Steve and Clare tonight about how hit and miss I am with running. Everybody has 'off'' days, but 50% of my days seem to be off days. That might be a slight exaggeration but I really do have an awful lot of off days. Steve commented on how well I climbed up Stickle Ghyll the other week and left the others behind and I told him that I was feeling really good that day and full of energy, although about five days before I had been out with the WFDBWGUA group on a Saturday morning and not only was I struggling to run up moderate hills but I could barely even walk up them. It's bizarre and I wonder if anybody else gets this? It's another of the reasons I fear going running with others, in case I have one of my off days and ruin the whole run.
Anyway, the session itself involved starting from Gingham Brow and running up to the bus stop after Georges's Lane. We had to do 60 seconds of hard effort with 30 seconds recovery in between. I could have gone out harder than I did but, true to form, I worried about pushing myself too hard before the race on Saturday and didn't want to tire myself out too much.
I really need to make more progress with my Chimp Paradox book but that's a story for another day's blog.
Total Distance - 5.1 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/210806859
Tuesday, 21 October 2014
Getting Back in the Game... Hopefully!
Still on a high from last night's spin class, where I discovered that I had much better fitness than I thought (well, lung capacity anyway), I headed off into the stormy weather with Ruby for a jaunt round Rivington.
Just a short pretty flat one tonight as I didn't know whether I'd be achy from last night but I actually felt really good. I started to regret not having brought my head torch because I knew I couldn't now extend my run.
We ran along to the top barn, then down Sheephouse Lane and along to the bottom barn, along the path at the side of the road, back to the school, then home.
The weather was awful tonight and Ruby didn't really want to go out but was fine once we got out there. I love running in bad weather though, as I've said before, it makes you feel alive!
Once home I fed Ruby and Croker (the cat) and then headed up to my exercise room for some strength training which I have been neglecting a lot lately.
Last night has helped me find my motivation again and I'm hoping it keeps up and I get a lot more non-running training in and build up a good base over the winter.
Total distance - 4.15 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/210065719
Just a short pretty flat one tonight as I didn't know whether I'd be achy from last night but I actually felt really good. I started to regret not having brought my head torch because I knew I couldn't now extend my run.
We ran along to the top barn, then down Sheephouse Lane and along to the bottom barn, along the path at the side of the road, back to the school, then home.
The weather was awful tonight and Ruby didn't really want to go out but was fine once we got out there. I love running in bad weather though, as I've said before, it makes you feel alive!
Once home I fed Ruby and Croker (the cat) and then headed up to my exercise room for some strength training which I have been neglecting a lot lately.
Last night has helped me find my motivation again and I'm hoping it keeps up and I get a lot more non-running training in and build up a good base over the winter.
Total distance - 4.15 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/210065719
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