Run run and run somemore

A good weekend of running.
On Saturday afternoon I met Nick on the Grane Rd.
We had no real idea where we were going, how far or for how long.
At times I like these types of sessions - no pressure, we just run!
Away we went over the moors, towards the Rossendale way, before doubling back into the woods above the reservoirs.
The weather was very wet to state the least - It poured down!
As I was running I was wondering if I enjoyed running in the rain - only a few weeks ago I was running in Spain it temperatures of 100+ degrees.
After 5 minutes the answer was well and truly YES and not just running in the rain, just running.
We headed along the way above the reservoir. I set off quick ish - the plan I would run the mile route twice, Nick once and I would see how close I could get to Nick. I ended up running 1 and a half of the route, knowing I couldn't realistically get close to Nick, me running 2 miles, Nick 1.
However with me running 1.5 miles and Nick 1 I got to within 10 seconds of him!
Pushed hard, tired, but legs were good, it was a lack of breathing that was tough, I put this down to not enough running recently.
We carried on, covering 7 miles in about 1 hour and 15 mins.

Saturday evening we all embarked on a 5 mile walk - Towards the end of the run underneath my foot was sore. Never had that pain before, hurt lots when walking.

Sunday - 9 mile run, whilst the rest ride bikes!
Friends of ours are able to get their hands on a number of bikes, so today, Sunday, the family and friends went for a bike ride. The route was from Preston out to the river Ribble which we followed for 4.5 miles until we got to a floating centre with coffee shop, cakes and ice cream!

The floating coffee shop etc at Brockhall

As I said, they rode bikes, I ran as our youngest (just turned 7 isn't brilliant on mountain bikes.)
The route was undulating, but very pleasant!
After 4.5 miles I was ready for my ice cream!
On the way back we stopped off on a great playground, had a quick 5 minutes of fun and headed back.
The run back seemed much quicker.

All in all a great weekend!
About 16 miles of running and 5+ miles walking - all in 27 hours!

Another week of no REAL running

Another week of too much work and not enough time to run.
That doesn't mean that I haven't been training hard.
From Monday to Friday this week

• 2,500 steps on the stepper at tension 2 out of 5.
• 3 hours on the bike - Turbo time, basically a variety of tensions with the reps never dropping below 80 rpm and averaging at around 95 rpm.
• 2.5 hours of badminton - very fast and very furious.
• Plenty of body weight exercises. Again a variety of reps and speeds concentrating on squats, sit ups and puss ups.

All in all a good week.

A good run is planned for tomorrow.

Out on the fells at last!

Next week I plan to get out and do quite a lot of hill work.

The only problem ... it will all be on roads.

That was the week that was.

That was the week that was

Overall it's been a good week in terms of fitness and exercise, although I haven't done much in the way of all out running, due to work, family etc.
This isn't necessarily a bad thing though, there are times when you need a break, or change to re charge the batteries a bit and ... it's been proved that to get really fit, you need to do a whole range of exercises, a variety of cardio etc
Well it's been one of those weeks -
Monday - 40 minutes turbo, which I found pretty tough, but I haven't done much on the bike for a while so what should I expect really?? This was followed by 500 steps, then 250 sit ups and press ups in a variety of sets.
Tuesday - 1 hour of badminton. This really was fast and furious, a great cardio session!
Wednesday - Stepper record - 881 steps in 20 minutes, with the tension set at 2, then carried on to complete 1000 steps. Then on the bike for 40 minutes at a high tempo, upping the tension after 10 minute intervals.
Thursday - Badminton for an hour - again fast and furious.
Feeling pretty good at the moment.
NEED to run over the weekend though with a big race planned for November -


Basically you run up different sections of Pendle Hill 6 times. Run up, run back down, run around the wide, up another section of it, back down the infamous geronimo descent, up again, back down the other side again, up it again, back down, up it again, back down and up a very steep climb to the summit then a fast run off. Sounds contrived, but somehow it works. Brilliant race.

17 miles and only 4800 ft of ascent, this feels much harder than the figures suggest. Classic race, competitive field as always in this area, a real hot bed of fell running with many strong clubs (CLEM, Horwich, Wharfedale, Kieghley, Calder Valley et al.) all fairly local. Great race, first half is very fast running but the second half really makes you feel those early miles.

New stepper record!

After badminton on Thursday pm, I did no cardio Friday.
Instead concentrated on body weight exercises, squats, sit ups and press ups, 9 sets for each exercise,w ith the last set being almost to maximum.
Running tomorrow, but, thought I'd have a go on the stepper.
After 5 minutes I realised I was going well.
My best has been 789 in 20  inutes with the tension set at 2.
After 20 minutes I was dripping and tired, but had done 840 reps in 20 minutes.
Chuffed with that!
Next time I'll go for 1000 reps and what time I can do it in.
Looking forward to a good run tomorrow - hilly and far would be good!

More runs on the moors

Originally we had planned to run from Pendleton on Tuesday, but with so may things going on, busy busy busy, we had to settle for a run closer to home. Grane road (Clough Head Car Park) was the choice for the day!
Met Nick at around 1.45pm.
Weather great, cool, but not cold and no wind.
We set off having no idea where we were going (route choice) which was actually quite refreshing.
When you know where you are going, I tend to check times speeds etc, this was a much more relaxed affair.
Basically we just ran.
We got to the Rossendale way, headed into the woods above Calf Hey res and then on to the tower!
We chatted most of the way until climbs, then head down, arse up for me and go for it.
Hammed the climbs and ... felt good!

Got to the chimney before heading off again out to the moors.
Spent a while exploring before heading back.
Took in another climb on the way back, where we did a number of shuttle runs up hill, 1 back, 2 back 3 back swap etc all up hill!
Great for the thighs and the lungs.
After the exertion of the hill reps, it was a steady run back to the car park.
About 7 miles running - a good session - loved it!

That pm - plenty of body weight exercises, squats, situps and pushups.
I've a great session for these, not too time consuming, but very good.