Lanhydrock Parkrun 09-08-14

On holiday in Polruan in Cornwall I had decided to check if there was a parkrun anywhere nearby and it turned out that there was one near Bodmin, at Lanhyrock Castle, a National Trust property. As with all parkruns, it was a 9am start so we set off from our campsite at Polruan just before 8. The roads from Polruan are all really narrow, with passing spaces, so it was impossible to go at more than 20mph. At Lerryn, we met a man with a guitar who was hitchhiking so we picked him up and dropped him off at Lostwithiel.

At Lanhydrock, a stream of fit looking and not so fit looking persons in running gear was headed into the park. The start was marked out but the crowd didn't seem too big. There was a distinct lack of kiddies, old folk and unfit looking persons. This should have been a clue. I'd had a look at the map beforehand and the route looked good, through parkland and woodland, just one lap. However, the map did not show the contours.

After the parkrun - a bit hot.

Off we set, without much preamble from the organiser, at a mad gallop, downhill past the lovely manor house. Through some woods and then some more downhill. And more. And more. This was NOT good. The running was good dry trail with some tricky tree roots but it was TOO MUCH downhill. Eventually the route reached the river Fowey and levelled off. Then came the evil uphill puff and slog. I had to walk a bit, my legs would not let me run. Eventually I made it back to the start. Hells bells what a tough one. I think my time was 29 mins + which would have had me weeping at Marple. The first placed runner was from Keswick AC.

On the way back, we went via the little car ferry at Bodinnick which is so efficient and cut out some of the more hair raising roads.

Top tip. Do your research. However, parkruns are always a great way to get out there and do a bit of running in good company, totally free, totally brilliant.

Stoney Middleton Fell Race

Here's a novelty, a CS fell race! Can't be a bad thing for a plodder like me can it? Well on one of the hottest days of the year, it can.

I've been back out and at it for 2 months now and I can feel myself getting fitter but by heck, the heat does me no good at all. I set off with good intentions but am reduced to a red-faced, panting mess after a couple of miles.

Stoney Middleton Fell race is definitely NOT a fell race. It's a trail race really but  it's a nice one and a 5 mile leg stretcher. It sets off from the playing fields just outside the village on the A623.  Good old fashioned race registration, £5 entry and fill out your own sticky label for results. A good race for the novice or the more nervous competitor. A friendly atmosphere and a good range of types there from the lean mean and keen to the stout middle-aged person. (Me).

Nice to see the gang out, Tracy, Mary, Chris, Mark W etc. I think that the same hardcore from the club have done most of the races this year.

After the start on the football field we trotted, with some bunching and queuing, along the path through Stoney Middleton to the Moon Inn, where a lane veers steeply upwards.

Up and up we ran. Or walked in my case. Right to the top of the edge above the village. There were quite a few friendly locals out to cheer us on. At the top of the lane the route took a left along a broad stony track, there was a water station at this point which was very welcome. The track led on for a couple of miles up and down, giving good views across the landscape. I was plodding dreadfully slowly but I could still see Chris ahead and I had plenty of folks around me so I didn't feel as discouraged as I sometimes do in races.

At the end of a ridge a narrow path led us downhill thorough some genuine off road terrain. It was very gravelly, pointy limestone in places and quite painful through the soles of my crappy Karrimor trail shoes. (The only ones that fit my insoles properly). There were even some small unwelcome patches of scree from quarry waste down the narrow dale that led back toward the finish.

A small uphill close to the end threatened to kill me off, it is terrible that at the end of a race, if someone even puts a molehill in my way it feels like Everest!

Down to the playing field and through to the finish. Everyone was waiting for me and I was desperate for a drink my mouth felt like it had fur in it it was that dry.

Well done team GVS and thanks to the organisers, a nice little race on a fine Summer's evening.

Hayfield May Queen Race 16-05-14

Another week, another fell race.... I'm getting back in the swing and Hayfield May Queen was a championship race this year so why not?  

Why not? Because I'm still very slow and unfit and short, fast races are never my thing.

Still, Lantern Pike is my stamping ground and it was a lovely evening. Good to see Chris, Tracey and Mary all out too. Paid my £4, got my number and eventually we set off up the lane from Hayfield Scout Hut and peeled off up the track that leads towards Little Hayfield round the bottom of Lantern Pike and then climbs upwards to join the Pennine Bridleway. I set off at the back and fell even further back, legs like rubber, unwilling to climb. I was forced to walk and couldn't urge myself on. A quick uphill start is never my thing.

There were several juniors running too and they all overtook me. I puffed my way up the narrow rocky path to the top of Lantern Pike and was relieved than that it was all over, just a tricky downhill skid through the bilberry and heather, down the lanes, across the fields and back to the field behind the Scout Hut.

Oh well.... things can only improve from a very poor performance and it is always a pleasure to be up and out with the gang in the evening air.

Rainow 5

My 3rd outing to Rainow 5 and this one is a lovely little race I'd be very sad to miss. The start is at the Rainow Institute and there are cakes and refreshments provided in the crowded hall by the Brownies and Guides which gives it a village fete atmosphere. The scenery around Rainow is very pretty and hilly but not aggressively so, it is the very edge of the Peak District where it meets the Cheshire Plain.

I was pleased to see plenty of familiar faces including Raj, Rebecca and Paul O fresh from their superb efforts at the London Marathon. My old nemesis Trevor from Wilmslow was also there.

The start along the lane is gentle enough and I ploughed along gamely my foot twinged slightly but didn't get worse. The route turns through the fields  and kissing gates down to the river. This start is, inevitably then followed by a climb up the path and then steeply up again to White Nancy. I lost loads of time on the uphill, I knew I didn't have the form to attack it and Trevor overtook me on the climb up, which pleased him no end. 

With lungs and legs burning, it's a straight run along the ridge to Kerridge end. The views are fantastic and make the run worthwhile. By this time I was right at the back but then again, I was last year too. The descent and run through the fields is straightforward enough.  The scent of bluebells was heavy in the air and the wooded countryside on a Spring evening was a delight that made up for my tiredness. I had lost all of my energy by the time I reached around the four mile mark and trailed wearily back up from the river, through the fields and down the lane to the finish. 

I was welcomed back by Trevor (gloating)  Tracey, Chris and other GVS and we went back to the hall for tea and fairy cakes. A good return to running, though there is still much to be done to regain my stamina.

I'm Back at the Back of the Pack

Some time has elapsed since my last post and with good reason, I have had Plantar Fasciitis. When I tell you it was painful beyond belief you must believe me, it is like having a nail driven into your heel 24/7. Standing up after resting is so painful it brings tears to your eyes. Running was out of the question and I had to have Naproxen from the doc. to calm it down. The GP helpfully told me to lose weight which I pointed out was rather difficult since I could not run or even walk much. I had had it for 2 weeks and thought I could cope with it and stupidly ran Cloud 9 at Congleton on 2nd March. Agony. I would rather have gone through childbirth.

 I do believe it was brought on after I started to up my miles in January and because I have rather flat feet.

I stupidly sought advice from Dr. Internet and convinced myself that recovery would be a very long job. I was in despair. I missed my running, I missed my pals, I cancelled Grindleford; life looked very bleak and I was in a foul temper.

I sought advice from a very good podiatrist in Macclesfield and she assured me it was a muscle tear and not true plantar fasciitis and that it would ease off in 6 weeks or so. She strapped up my foot with tape and made me some insoles to wear. I rolled my foot on a tennis ball a lot when I could and on a frozen water bottle to massage it and I did stretches for my calves on a step, lowering my heels.

The author 

After 4 weeks it was easing, the podiatrist said I could try to run when I felt I could. So I did, 2 weeks ago. I hobbled round Brabyns park and back and when I got home although my heel ached it was no worse than when I set off. So I tried another run up the canal 2 days later and it felt much better. I was so pleased I cannot describe the joy. I went out with the Thursday night group of GVS on 24th April and got dragged up Eccles Pike feeling reasonably OK and then they made me do it again on 29th April! It was so fantastic to be out with my pals again - what a lovely bunch they are.

I'm due back to see the Pod soon, hopefully I'll get some proper insoles sorted. I will wear well-cushioned shoes from now on especially for distance work and always wear good shoes. I have bought some very ugly Birkenstock slippers but they are super-comfy.

Tracy V on the descent

SO - this brought me to Fox Cross Four, 4th May. A run from The Fox at Brookbottom to Mellor Cross. How could I resist? It's my manor after all. Organised by Tony Ward from Harriers there were about 80 entrants. Sally and Matthew kindly gave me a lift and we walked across the golf course to the start. It was a very dry day, quite warm with some low cloud. It was lovely to see Tracey V. and others from the club there and I took my place near the back and set off at a trot. I couldn't and wouldn't run the uphills but I made a steady pace and really enjoyed it, It was good to see Rosie Brook marshaling near the Shielan and Steve came to support me at the Cross. What a lovely place I live in! It's such a joyful thing to run and be free in such beautiful surroundings with good company.

My time was 43.40 which was better than I hoped for and a good starting point to get back to running.

Prizegiving

To Chinley and Hayfield from Marple

Armed with my new Garmin Forerunner 10 (thankyou Steve), I have been logging my recent runs whilst I try to get the miles up in preparation for the Grindleford  Gallop in March. When I ran this in 2012 I was underprepared and ran out of steam very badly by Chatsworth. I got very cross and tired and I don't want that to happen again so preparation is the key I guess. 
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.

Cressbrook Crawl 11-05-13

This race started at the Cressbrook Club in the lovely White Peak. There were only myself and Lee from GVS present as the Mt Famine race (too fast, too steep, too hard) was on the same day. Lots of runners came from the Eastern areas of Derbys and Notts but I didn't feel isolated as these races are always so friendly. The race itself is 6.5 miles 1100ft and I had deluded myself that it was a category C but it appeared to be upgraded to a B. The weather was ideal for running, cool and damp.


After a short road section the run drops down to Litton Mill and as we know in fell races, an early downhill preceded a very stiff climb up the other side of Millers Dale then across through fields to High Dale and along to Monsal Dale. The White Peak scenery provided a lovely contrast to the gritstone of the Dark Peak and the fields were full of cowslips and violets. However I didn't have chance to study them in detail as I was actually trying to run. Many walkers looked on in awe and wonder as idiotic middle aged people in vests bombed past them on Monsal Dale. The final section was a killer and not because of any hills, the Monsal trail is flat as flat and drained my little legs. The final climb up to the club in on road and very horrid uphill all the way. However there was a warm welcome and a lovely pint at the end which made it all worthwhile.