A short week - wb 25th April

After a couple of weeks off it was back to work Tuesday - as always it's like you've never been away.
Had two good weeks running, clocking up about 50 miles running each week, including other exercise.
Monday was a great 8 mile run with Nick, 5 climbs and 1400ft.
Tuesday - Badminton for an hour.
Wednesday - 5 a side football for an hour, then a 3 mile run with the girls.
Thursday - Badminton for an hour.

Now the fell racing scene is up and running with gusto. I'm not really one for 'Fell races' as such. I do enjoy the running out there, exploring, seeing how far I can get, how many climbs etc. I prefer that to racing. On the 1st of May however is a local race - Great Hameldon Hill, 6 miles and 1100ft. This is one of the few races that I tend to do each year. At present my hamstrings are a tad sore and I'd thought about giving the race a miss, but, I do think I'll be there. It will be interesting, because it is a route we run quite regularly as training runs.
The course record is 36.12 set by Rob Hope in 2004! Now that's fast.
If I can get round in under 54 minutes, my time 2 years ago, that should put me about 1/2 way, I'll be happy.

25th April - Bank Holiday Monday

Went for a run with Nick at 1.00pm.
Met at Clough Head Car Park, unsure of where, how far we were to go etc.
Having spoken to Nick when I got there, I was none the wiser, so we decided to head off on the reservoir side and just see where the run took us.
It would be fair to say that we both felt a little leggy, so the run was 'steady' and uphill.
We followed the route out towards 'Hog Lowe Pike' picking up the Rossendale Way - the views here on a clear day are something else!

A view of the valley

We carried on along the Rossendale Way - I mentined to Nick that for all the years of running around here I'd never actually followed the path. We had a bit of a discussion as to whether we actually were on the Rossendale Way, which we were before heading into the woods.

Abandoned farms on the Rossendale Way

Once in the woods we picked the pace slightly, heading to the second climb. The climb itself is only about 400ft and not a difficult climb at all, but towards the end of the climb, the track is very rocky and very steep and if you try to climb at speed it does get to you.

A bit of a rest here, before the next climb to Hog Lowe Pike.

We returned from here and ran out to the ,chimney' at Musburry Heights.

Chimney

I had a great decent off the hills here following the Rossendale Way until back up the climb for the second time. Again tough when you try to run at speed.

We followed the route back through the woods, before another short but steep climb back out of the woods returning to the Rossendale Way, before following our normal route off here back to the Grane Rd. We took at slightly different route back to the car, picking up speed quite sharply for the last mile.

A really great run with 5 climbs! (although some only small) - 1400 ft of climbing and 8 miles.

Penyghent - Friday 22nd April

Not run for a few days, but had a round of golf on Wednesday and played some badminton Tuesday and Thursday. Nick rang Thursday and suggested a run so run it was.

Friday am Nick was at the door at 6.55am. After a quick brew off we went towards Horton in Ribblesdale for a run up and around Penyghent.

We parked up down a little known side street, the sun was shining, what a way to spend a morning.

We followed the path out towards the farm, before taking the path upwards through the fields towards the bottom of the mountain. This bit always reminds me of the 'drag' to the bottom of Pendle from Barley car park - tough running.

Once through the fields we passed a few walkers, one replied to my "good morning" with "bloody idiots, running up here!"

The ground was really dry and dusty, not ideal for fell shoes. When we go back, if the weather is anything like then road shoes would be better.

We followed this path, climbing all the time.

Before we new it we were at the steep climb - this was tough!

The path turned into steps and up we went.

Virtually at the top we had a 1/4 of a mile run to the cairn.

We took the style over the wall and headed right by the wall in the direction of Plover Hill - a great run out to this point. Coming off Plover hill was a man made path with steps. I soon left these much preferring the fell to run on. On such a steep descent, my thighs were really feeling it.

At the bottom was a sign showing the way back to Horton in Ribblesdale. This we took, upping the speed over every mile.
The last couple of miles were over very rocky paths, not good / easy running!

Overall a fantastic run!
2000+ ft of climbing, over 8 miles in 108 minutes.
Not quick I know, but mile 2 we did in 23 minutes, because of the steepness of the climb, admiring the views and being slowed down by walkers.
The last few miles we did in about 7.5 minutes each - not bad for a recce.

Monday 18th April

Another beautiful day today!
All week we've had sunshine and no rain! - Fantastic!
I've had a few scans of the OS map and tried to find another longish route that looks great running ground.
A real difference from fell running to road running.
Not content with running on roads, but exploring the area you live near is brill.
Set off with Nick from the Grane Rd at about 1.30pm.
Steady away! - the first few miles were taken easy out towards Hog Lowe Pike.

Dropped off from here towards Darwen, crossing the road that would take you towards Turton.
Having checked the OS map it showed that following a small stream would take us to Wayoh reservoir.
Easier said than done!
There were no visible tracks or paths to follow by the stream that became more and more inaccessible the further we went.
We literally were in the middle of no where, so much so that we came across a lone dear!
Realising that we were going no where fast we climbed out from the stream,  (uphill running) to see where we were. We'd been out for a while at this point, so decided to head homewards.

We followed a track upwards where we came across two amazing part re built farm houses. What a place to live it would be. 

The track lead us to a coniferous wood. We headed into it and got cut to shreds by brambles.

We ran around the edge of the wood, crossed the road, came out at Hog Lowe Pike again and followed the track back home.

I checked the route on Google Earth when we got back.

It turns out that we were only 1 mile from the reservoirs.

Definitely be going back there to make the res next time.

A good 10 mile run, very enjoyable! - 1400ft

Saturday 16th April

Another run - 4 out of 5 ain't bad!
Set off from Clough Head Car Park at 3.00pm.
There was a want to run, but a desire to get back for the football - FA Cup Semi City V the others.
A steady run was the order for the day - calfs were and still are sore at the moment, particularly the right one which travels down to my achilles, one to watch.
Took the normal route out to 13 stone hill and then took the route out along the Rossendale Way. It's been a few years since I last took this route and I wanted to double check I knew my way in along.
After a mile or so I noticed a path into the middle of no where so ... I took it.
Tough running, tussocky grass and very boggy in places. This was getting meno where fast, so I re traced my route and carried on.
I followed the normal / usual route from this point, deviating to take in Troy quary ( met a couple of climbers) then took the drag back out.

The run out from the quarry can be a tough run at this section, but today very enjoyable.
Took the normal route home - just over 7 miles in 70 minutes and 1300 ft of climbing.

Long run, new route planned for Monday pm.

14th April - Thursday

Three out of three!
Got up this morning tired and achy.
Hip still sore and my right knee twingy.
The plan was to have a rest day, well that was the plan.
Nick turned up and so ... we ran.
Great Hameldon race route.
Started steady and picked the pace up as we went.
1/2 way around I was feeling quite good and this stayed with me all the way around.
There were sections where I could really pick up speed on the return section - particularly from the trig onwards.

Trig at the summit

No real niggles until the last half mile when my knee and hip played up a bit.
from a day where I thought I was having a  day off, it turned into a really enjoyable run.
Another 6 miles and pleasingly I could have done quite a few more.

Plenty of resting, but some quick running too (Into the 5+ minute mileing.) Not bad for a rest day!

PM _
1 hr walk with the children then, badminton for an hour.
And it was surposed to be a rest day!

13th April

I was having a lazy ish day, generally pottering about, sorting the children etc when ... one of the neighbours rang and invited the children round for a few hours - obviously an opportunity not to be turned down and an opportunity to run.
Ran from Hasligden Old Rd bridleway.
My thought was to see how far it was to the trig point and also to get a look at a route towards the reservoir at Turton. The run was steady with the legs still heavy after the run yesterday. The run to the Grane Rd was easy ish and I felt as though I had run off the aches. I took the Rossendale way route and headed towards Hog Lowe Pike. I deviated off the Rossendale Way towards the trig. Felt ok at this point. From the trig I could make out the route needed to make it out towards Turton res. The route follows a large copse of trees and looks to be all downhill for a few miles which is ok until you have to run home!

One of my favorite pictures of the moors

Followed the route from the trig out towards the path to the chimney. Was beginning to feel a bit achey at this point. My left knee was sore especially when going down hill. Followed the route back into the woods above the res. Then up and out again onto the Rossendale way. I stayed on the higher path here, one i'd never taken before  passing a number of derelict old farm houses.

Farm track i'd never been on before

Old farmhouse by the track

Arriving at the Grane I was pretty tired and drained - this is the mental struggle you go through when your body says stop and you make your mind say carry on!
Climbed up from the Grane and back towrads home. The run back was painful - I had shooting pains in my left hip. Never had this before and desperate for it not to happen again! - Real pain!
Got back to the car having covered 8 miles.
Not massive mileage, but good training although painful.

At the 5 mile mark I was OK, then the 1.5 mile drag up hill really got to me.
Note to self - take a drink and a snack next time!

Plans for the next two weeks

I've been thinking recently about running further.
The question is though, how much is further?
I know I can pretty comfortably run 20 miles and I'm aware that each mile on to this can have pretty dramatic effects upon running performance.
From running pretty comfortably you can, and I have suddenly hit the proverbial wall.
I have been thinking for a while about a 30 mile route from my front door, out to Peel Tower and back.
So ... that has to be a goal for sometime next week.
Depending upon the weather I think I'll just go for it.
The plan will be to 'get round'
I'll put a time on the run, but I certainly wont be hammering the course at any point, no matter how well I may hopefully be feeling.
So that's the plan.
I'll get plenty of running in this week and go for it.

WB 11th April

Well, the holidays have arrived!
I have approximately 2 weeks off from work.
This should give me ample time to get plenty of runs in.
I've felt pretty lethargic over the last week or so, probably due to the sudden shock of no work and finally relaxing. I've also felt a number of aches and pains since I last ran. Hoping that when I start again (turbo tonight) that I start to feel back to normal.
Plans for this week - turbo and a few longish runs, building up to a long run out early next week. I'm still planning on my 30 mile run next week and also want a recce out towards the reservoirs at Turton.
Lots to look forward to!
Bring it on!
Monday - Turbo time! - 45 minutes with the tension set at 30 out of 50 and revs above 90 per minute. Not the most punishing of sessions but still a good one and one that hopefully will set me up for a good run tomorrow pm. Not too sure where, when and how far, but just need to get out! Maybe an hour or so around Ossy moors area from Clough Head car park.Or Hameldon Hill? - Time will tell.
Tuesday am -
It was Hameldon and a new route. A 7 mile circular route taking in the 'Golf ball' - part of the Golf ball fell race route.

Felt a bit apprehensive before the run, having not run in anger for a couple of weeks and feeling pretty tired. Met Dave at 2.00pm and set off through the Coppice. The climb was surprisingly ok. The run off the top was tougher, taking me a while to settle into smooth running. We took the race route to Hameldon, but rather than run up Hameldon we turned right6 and headed out. This took us towards the golf ball. Scooted around here and headed back towards Hameldon. We turned and headed towards Hameldon Scouts.

Having run along the top of the scouts we ran into the quarry, then followed a track back out. What a fantastic hill that was. A real tough climb, but one that makes you feel great when you make the top still running. The run from here was quicker. I was feeling back to normal at this point. We joined the original Hameldon route here. One last climb which we took at a quick pace. HR reached 176 at this point.
A great run and a great circular route. All we need to do is incorporate a climb up Hameldon on the way out and maybe on the way in as well for it to become a classic!
Thoroughly enjoyed the run and ... it's great to be back!

Tuesday pm - An hours badminton. After the run this afternoon I was unsure how I would be. Initially a bit tight, particularly abductors and lower stomach muscles. A good session lots of quick running. The last 10 minutes were pretty tough but good fun!

Wednesday am - 8 mile run over Ossy moors, over the Grane rd, Hog Lowe Pike, towards the chimney, back through the woods above the res along the Rossendale Way back home.

WB 4th April

After a week of struggling I aim to get back to it over the next few weeks.
Finish work on Friday for a couple of weeks, so there should / will be ample opportunity to run then.
This weeks plan is to up the sessions in preparation for then.

Monday - Turbo. 45 minutes. Started off steady, revs at 80 for a couple of mins, then up to 90+. After 10 minutes revs were up to 100. This stayed there or there about until the 35 minute mark, then up to 110 and 120!
Felt good. Abductors have eased off.
Sit ups - 1 set of 100, 4 sets of 50.
Tuesday - Badminton for an hour - Quick and pacey. Sit ups 4 sets of 50, squats 4 sets of 50.
Wednesday - 1 hour 'games' competition! Really good fun. Very fast and quick running for 15 minute sessions. Similar to doing sets of shuttle runs. PM bike for 35 minutes. Steady session, warming up at the 80 revs mark and then biking at 90 - 100 with the tension set at 30 out of 50. Tired at the end.
Thursday - Rest
Friday - Rest
Weekend - Mainly still taken up with hospital visits! Little running as such, but still managing to get some form of exercise in, long ish walks being the main order of the day.