Cracken Edge, South Head and round the Roych

I set off from the car park in Whaley at 9am today in the company of Ade, Dave and Tracey. I had planned a route to go up from Buxworth, over Cracken Edge and to South Head. It had snowed again in the night and though it looks pretty on the hills I wish it would turn a little more Springlike now.

Tracey at South Head

We set off along the canal to Buxworth then up across the fields, with a bit of messing around (my fault) and up the steep lanes to join the track to Cracken Edge. Tracey and I followed the bridleway round to Peep o' Day, the boys went via Big Stone and we met at the road. We crossed the main road and climbed up the track to South Head. Once again, the boys showed their mettle by going up to the summit whilst Tracey and I toiled round the track. I will not bore you with the excuses (my stiff leg, Tracey's chest) but suffice to say my progress was slow.

Ade and Dave run down from South Head

We continued along the bridleway all the way via Roych Clough (fell over here in the mud, again) until it meets the main road that leads to Mam Tor. We then dropped down towards Chinley and picked up the tram track to return. By this time I was absolutely knackered and could scarcely run so Tracey and I pottered back to Whaley and let the boys run on.

Time nearly 4 hours. Views stunning.

Kinder Downfall pt 2: The Mummies Return

Ruth and Barbara looking windswept

So what should a Mum like me expect to do on Mothering Sunday? A spa day? Shopping in town? A lovely   
meal? A 10 mile run round Kinder?
Yes, you are correct. Ruth, Barbara and I set off from Hayfield for the second stage of our training for the Kinder Downfall race.
A small amount of snow had fallen, not enough to be troublesome, but it was incredibly cold and icy and the wind was bitter.
We aimed to make better progress than last week but conditions underfoot were treacherous. By the time we reached the shooting cabin I had already fallen over (in front of a group of girl guides). As we progressed up Williams Clough the ice got worse and the wind blew even stronger once we reached the top. I was wearing 4 layers of clothing which I have never done before. We paused near the trig point for flapjacks and toffee crisp pieces to keep our energy levels up.
It was still stunning though and the views were marvellous, thank goodness it was dry and no low cloud to obscure the path.
It was a relief to reach Edale Cross and shelter. The path down was too slippery to run at all. It is a nasty path littered with broken rock at the best of times.
Back down to Hayfield and straight home for hot showers. Time nearly 3 hrs.

Kinder Downfall

A lovely bright Spring day again and Ruth, Barbara, Tess the dog and I set off to recce the Kinder Downfall race route. We have all entered this race and hope not to keep the marshals waiting too long at the finish line.  The initial run up out of Hayfield up to the shooting cabin above the reservoir is not too steep but then comes the leg busting, rocky, hop and skip climb up Williams Clough. Once that's done it's up up up again to the top of Kinder and the Downfall. There was still plenty of snow on the ground which made the uphills very tricky. The views are stunning though and there is such exhilaration in running up so high and free. We met a few familiar faces up there and got some race tips from the Buckleys of Glossopdale who I had spoken to at parkrun yesterday The descent from Edale Cross passed rapidly but our legs were like rubber on the lane back down by the campsite. Paul had passed us on the route, being a speedy chap, and he was waiting at the Royal in Hayfield where we had a well-earned drink outside. A lovely end to a great morning run out.

Marple Parkrun

Along the riverbank

A lovely crisp, bright morning and I decided to go down to Brabyn's Park for the parkrun. I always enjoy Marple parkrun, there is a good atmosphere and the slight competitive feeling makes me run faster than I would normally do. No mud today, it has been dry for a week, so I pelted round as fast as seemed reasonable given the still twinging right hamstring/nerve pain. Finished in 27.22 which is my best this year but could do better (of course).