Last Friday I ran from Marple to Disley via the Peak Forest Canal and then followed the Gritstone trail to Bollington. The ground was very soggy indeed and the it was slow going from Bowstones to Sponds Hill as I dodged the claggy swamps. Once at Bollington I decided to join the Macclesfied canal and continue all the way back to Marple for simplicity. By Adlington my thighs and glutes were killing me and I was running out of steam. I'd had a small snack of chocolate and a fruit bar at Bollington but it wasn't enough fuel. Lesson learned. I stopped at Higher Poynton for Ribena and a Freddo chocolate bar and in my haste to eat and drink I left my Hilly gloves on a table outside. Annoying.
I had been aiming for modest 12 minute miles to avoid running out of steam too early but I made the mistake of unevenly pacing myself and spending the last 4 miles or so jogging lamely and whining to myself.
Still, lesson learned, I set off today armed with chocolate and plenty of jelly babies and a plan to have a small snacklet every 3-4 miles whether I wanted it or not. I wore road shoes, because most of the route was to be lanes and paths, aimed for the same pace and didn't gallop off too fast. (Not very likely in any case). Miles 2-3 are all uphill from Marple Bridge to 5 Lane Ends at the county border at the top of Mellor Moor End. I made reasonable progress and the weather was very good today. Downhill into New Mills was a nice free ride for my legs and then I crossed the Hayfield road to Laneside. I followed Laneside up and up and up. God it was steep. I did a lot of walking but if I hadn't I would have been catching the 358 bus back from Hayfield later. From Laneside I joined the track that becomes Over Hill Road, commonly known as Tesco view to GVS. I reached Chinley in 1.5 hrs (8.5 miles) and turned left at the war memorial to follow Maynestone Road, a pleasant (but uphill) little lane that leads to Peep o' Day on the Hayfield-Chapel road. At Peep o' Day I took a picture of the cracking view towards Kinder and had one of my scheduled snacks. I then followed the path across the fields to Phoside, it was very slippy and I fell over twice in the sticky mud. I could hear Tracy Vernon laughing in my mind. I was glad I didn't have to do the nasty uphill up Foxholes Clough that features in the Famous Grouse race.
Down into Hayfield (11.5 miles 2hrs 18mins) and a quick pee stop at the Visitor Centre (because it was there). I trotted along the Sett Valley trail and as I got to 14 miles I could feel my legs getting a bit rubbery. I think I'm still only good for Half-marathon in comfort. At Thornsett I was overtaken by two mad galloping horses on the loose which was quite alarming. I went through New Mills and along the Strines Road, as I knew that the Torrs trail would be a slow mudbath. At Strines I walked up to Plucksbridge and joined the Peak Forest canal for the last few miles into Marple. It was nice to meet my old colleage Sue along the towpath and have a quick chat.
I arrived home after 4hrs 20mins or so. The auto pause on the Garmin makes you seem faster than you really are so I always look at the real time elapsed. Not too bad and almost on target. 19.69 miles in total.
