Distance: About 4 miles
Chuffin' hell, this month has been a wash out as far as cycling or running is concerned. I was still struggling last week and had decided to rest up completely for a few days as we were due to attend a wedding on Saturday then drive over to Grange-over-Sands to meet up with Mel for a few days on Sunday. As it was it didn't quite work out like that due to my numptiness however I did rest up. Having too much beer at the wedding helped and it was too hot for me on Monday evening anyway (lack of motivation didn't help).
I decided I was definitely going running yesterday. It lashed down on the way home from work but I still got all my kit on then faffed for about and hour as it rained again. I did manage to organise tea and speak to Mel in this time but could have done with getting out earlier. The rain had stopped for a while when I got out and it had freshened up nicely. I decided to pick a loop which was quite easy - Brownedge Road, Leyland Road, cut down the field to the Penwortham playing fields, over the embankment and back along the tramway. My legs felt like lead for a while but I was running well (strong tailwind as it would turn out), really enjoyed it all the way until running back in the headwind along the tramway and it started raining heavily again. It wouldn't have been too bad if a couple of very large raindrops hadn't hit my eyeball (really hurt). I got pretty soaked in the last mile and the headwind was surprisingly strong, still good to get out.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Pendle Pedal, no more...
I decided last week not to do this as I just haven't gotten over being ill as well as I would have liked, spent next to no time on a bike anyway. The decision did seem to lift a bit of pressure so I think it was the right thing to do.
.......and anyway I appear to have double booked myself. I though Mel and the girls were down Sat 26th - Tue 29th July when it would actually transpire it is from Tues 29th to late on Sat 2nd. I completely misheard the dates when we were discussing it to the point that Jez and I had sorted out leave for Monday and Tuesday which had to be rearranged. I have managed to move my leave to Thursday and Friday however Jez can only get Friday afternoon off as he has just come back from Oz and had told everyone at work he would be available from Wednesday - meetings ahoy that he can't get out of. Ooopsadaisy!
On reflection with Mel, the girls (including one slightly stroppy 14 year old) and Leslie he's probably better off out of it until Friday night anyway, too much of a girliefest for hime.
.......and anyway I appear to have double booked myself. I though Mel and the girls were down Sat 26th - Tue 29th July when it would actually transpire it is from Tues 29th to late on Sat 2nd. I completely misheard the dates when we were discussing it to the point that Jez and I had sorted out leave for Monday and Tuesday which had to be rearranged. I have managed to move my leave to Thursday and Friday however Jez can only get Friday afternoon off as he has just come back from Oz and had told everyone at work he would be available from Wednesday - meetings ahoy that he can't get out of. Ooopsadaisy!
On reflection with Mel, the girls (including one slightly stroppy 14 year old) and Leslie he's probably better off out of it until Friday night anyway, too much of a girliefest for hime.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Tuesday 22nd July: Lunchtime Run
I had intended on going out in the evening offroad but then remembered last night I had an appointment with Alan for a sports massage this evening, not that I'll need much doing after being ill. The forecast was for a sunny day so I decided to take my kit to work and run at lunchtime, which is something I used to do a lot but kind of stopped once I joined the Harriers and ran more in the evenings. It would be a good change from the norm as St Annes is pan flat and on a nice day running along the sea front is really pleasant. It turned out grey and drizzly in St Annes and didn't brighten up before I was due to run, it looked cold and I'd brought a sleeveless top. Once changed I walked to the main gate and was shivering a bit. I decided to run north towards Blackpool on the streets then head to the sea front and follow that down to Fairhaven Lake then head back to work, should be about six miles or so.
I set off into the wind and drizzle just heading north, it doesn't take me long to get fed up with the constant disruption of street junctions, I'd forgotten about this, its not until actually on the prom that I can get any sort of decent spell of uninterrupted running. I keep heading north on long St Annes streets until I reach a street running perpendicular then turn for the sea front, now I'm really in the wind though at least te drizzle has stopped! I decide to pop up on the little dunes for a look see trying not to get too much sand in my shoes. The tide is out and there looks to be some nice flat sand, I know it gets quite "muddy" further round so I decided to run on the beach until just after the pier then pop up back on the prom. The sand is reasonably firm but it is still quite slow going but at least the wind is diagonally behind me now. There are one or two hardy souls on this part of the beach, its not really that cold (now that I'm running). I pass under the pier and there are loads of people on this part of the beach, lots of those little tenty things everywhere. I have a look up at the pier and there is a sign which says that you are not supposed to go climb on or pass under the pier, I didn't see one on the other side, hey ho.
I can see the nice sand strip narrows a lot further on so I climb up off the beach and onto the prom. There is a pool thing near the lifeboat station and there are some kids inside large inflatable ball things floating on the pool. They looked great fun, one of the kids was running in it like a hamster on a wheel, far more fun that going back to work. I keep running down towards Ansdell enjoying having the wind behind me but I'd forgotten how long a stretch this was. I could see the whole way down Clifton Drive and it seemed to take ages to make any progress. I got to Fairhaven Lake eventually then headed back to work, which meant heading north again and into the wind. I took the footpath that cuts through Royal Lytham golf course, surprisingly few golfers around for a change so no worries about getting hit by a stray ball. I jogged the last mile or so back to work. I actually quite enjoyed it as it is so completely different to the runs I have been doing lately, though I can see why I was getting bored of it last autumn.
=======Summary=======
Distance: 6.27m
Time taken: 00:55:49
Average/Max Speed : 6.74mph / 8.25mph
Average/Min Pace : 00:08:54 / 00:07:16
Average/Max heart rate: 160/175
Calories used: 683
======Splits======
12:24:15 1.00m 00:08:52 6.76mph 7.82mph 152bpm 167bpm1
2:33:08 1.00m 00:09:17 6.46mph 7.88mph 154bpm 175bpm
12:43:48 1.00m 00:08:54 6.73mph 7.92mph 162bpm 171bpm
12:54:07 1.00m 00:08:18 7.23mph 8.19mph 166bpm 173bpm
13:03:09 1.00m 00:08:57 6.69mph 8.25mph 163bpm 171bpm
13:12:41 1.00m 00:09:01 6.65mph 7.89mph 166bpm 171bpm
13:22:15 0.27m 00:02:26 6.67mph 7.93mph 169bpm 172bpm
I set off into the wind and drizzle just heading north, it doesn't take me long to get fed up with the constant disruption of street junctions, I'd forgotten about this, its not until actually on the prom that I can get any sort of decent spell of uninterrupted running. I keep heading north on long St Annes streets until I reach a street running perpendicular then turn for the sea front, now I'm really in the wind though at least te drizzle has stopped! I decide to pop up on the little dunes for a look see trying not to get too much sand in my shoes. The tide is out and there looks to be some nice flat sand, I know it gets quite "muddy" further round so I decided to run on the beach until just after the pier then pop up back on the prom. The sand is reasonably firm but it is still quite slow going but at least the wind is diagonally behind me now. There are one or two hardy souls on this part of the beach, its not really that cold (now that I'm running). I pass under the pier and there are loads of people on this part of the beach, lots of those little tenty things everywhere. I have a look up at the pier and there is a sign which says that you are not supposed to go climb on or pass under the pier, I didn't see one on the other side, hey ho.
I can see the nice sand strip narrows a lot further on so I climb up off the beach and onto the prom. There is a pool thing near the lifeboat station and there are some kids inside large inflatable ball things floating on the pool. They looked great fun, one of the kids was running in it like a hamster on a wheel, far more fun that going back to work. I keep running down towards Ansdell enjoying having the wind behind me but I'd forgotten how long a stretch this was. I could see the whole way down Clifton Drive and it seemed to take ages to make any progress. I got to Fairhaven Lake eventually then headed back to work, which meant heading north again and into the wind. I took the footpath that cuts through Royal Lytham golf course, surprisingly few golfers around for a change so no worries about getting hit by a stray ball. I jogged the last mile or so back to work. I actually quite enjoyed it as it is so completely different to the runs I have been doing lately, though I can see why I was getting bored of it last autumn.
=======Summary=======
Distance: 6.27m
Time taken: 00:55:49
Average/Max Speed : 6.74mph / 8.25mph
Average/Min Pace : 00:08:54 / 00:07:16
Average/Max heart rate: 160/175
Calories used: 683
======Splits======
12:24:15 1.00m 00:08:52 6.76mph 7.82mph 152bpm 167bpm1
2:33:08 1.00m 00:09:17 6.46mph 7.88mph 154bpm 175bpm
12:43:48 1.00m 00:08:54 6.73mph 7.92mph 162bpm 171bpm
12:54:07 1.00m 00:08:18 7.23mph 8.19mph 166bpm 173bpm
13:03:09 1.00m 00:08:57 6.69mph 8.25mph 163bpm 171bpm
13:12:41 1.00m 00:09:01 6.65mph 7.89mph 166bpm 171bpm
13:22:15 0.27m 00:02:26 6.67mph 7.93mph 169bpm 172bpm
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Friday 18th July: Offroad Run
Another rubbish day, windy and wet. I got out for another offroad run. As I hadn't been out of Abbey Village for a while I headed there. I actually parked up at Ryal Fold in the end rather than the village but close enough. I wanted to run up the long drag to the tower, last time I tried it I found it ok apart from a touch of cramp half way up. As I got out the car to get ready it properly rained and I couldn't see the top of the hill as it was in cloud, oh lovely. At least it wasn't that cold. I decided to run up the cobbly track from Ryal Fold then make my way to the bottom of the drag then head to the Tower at that point I would decided where to go next based on how I felt.
The cobbly track was actually masquerading as a stream, water was just running down it, thankfully very shallow so my feet stayed reasonably dry. I got to the top, its not a difficult climb but is a bit of a rude awakening straight out the car. I followed the wide track round and down until I got onto tarmac, I got about two strides in and I felt something twang around my right heel, bloody tarmac! I changed plan and decided to run round the small res, the track would likely be soft but should help my feet out. The track was generally quite firm but the grassy stuff along side it was very wet, by the time I'd gotten to the end of this track my feet were sopping, my shorts were sopping (some of the grass was tall) and I'd been over my ankles in mud about three times. My trainers felt like they'd doubled in weight.
At the bottom of the climb I wondered about going up the steep side but then headed up the longer climb instead, which was also a stream. I ran it all with no problems, though not as strongly as I did last time, not surprising with being ill though. I got to the top and couldn't see the tower, glad I know these tracks quite well, its quite disorienting ony being able to see the inside of a cloud. I headed along the track towards the Tower and all of a sudden it loomed out of the murk, I wished I had my camera as it was quite atmospheric really. The view from the tower was non-existent. I decided to run round the rutty track to see what damage the water was doing to it, it really was flowing fast, cutting deeper channels. A few more bog hops and I pop out onto one of the wider tracks and climb back up. As I couldn't see very far ahead this climb seemed over with very quickly and there are a couple of very ominous looking puddles now, will be going round them on the bike or getting someone else to ride through them first!
I stayed on the path over to cartridge hill and half way down the other side taking the grassy track to the farm, which was very soft. A bit of a jog along a nice flat section then backdown the cobbly stream/track to the car. I had a few slipping moments on it as it was so wet.
Another good offroad run but I so need to get out on a bike. I managed to stop the Garmin again, don't know why I just don't leave the autopause to get on with it., it was just over 6 miles again really according to Memory Map.
=======Summary=======
Distance: 5.47m
Time taken: 00:54:55
Average/Max Speed : 5.97mph / 8.94mph
Average/Min Pace : 00:10:02 / 00:06:42
Average/Max heart rate: 157/176
Calories used: 574
======Splits======
18:17:29 1.00m 00:09:56 6.03mph 8.85mph 149bpm 163bpm
18:29:45 1.00m 00:10:50 5.53mph 7.98mph 155bpm 174bpm
18:48:08 1.00m 00:10:02 5.98mph 8.94mph 164bpm 176bpm
19:00:44 1.00m 00:10:49 5.54mph 8.09mph 160bpm 173bpm
19:13:38 1.00m 00:09:36 6.24mph 8.89mph 155bpm 170bpm
19:29:16 0.47m 00:03:39 7.71mph 8.85mph 164bpm 171bpm
The cobbly track was actually masquerading as a stream, water was just running down it, thankfully very shallow so my feet stayed reasonably dry. I got to the top, its not a difficult climb but is a bit of a rude awakening straight out the car. I followed the wide track round and down until I got onto tarmac, I got about two strides in and I felt something twang around my right heel, bloody tarmac! I changed plan and decided to run round the small res, the track would likely be soft but should help my feet out. The track was generally quite firm but the grassy stuff along side it was very wet, by the time I'd gotten to the end of this track my feet were sopping, my shorts were sopping (some of the grass was tall) and I'd been over my ankles in mud about three times. My trainers felt like they'd doubled in weight.
At the bottom of the climb I wondered about going up the steep side but then headed up the longer climb instead, which was also a stream. I ran it all with no problems, though not as strongly as I did last time, not surprising with being ill though. I got to the top and couldn't see the tower, glad I know these tracks quite well, its quite disorienting ony being able to see the inside of a cloud. I headed along the track towards the Tower and all of a sudden it loomed out of the murk, I wished I had my camera as it was quite atmospheric really. The view from the tower was non-existent. I decided to run round the rutty track to see what damage the water was doing to it, it really was flowing fast, cutting deeper channels. A few more bog hops and I pop out onto one of the wider tracks and climb back up. As I couldn't see very far ahead this climb seemed over with very quickly and there are a couple of very ominous looking puddles now, will be going round them on the bike or getting someone else to ride through them first!
I stayed on the path over to cartridge hill and half way down the other side taking the grassy track to the farm, which was very soft. A bit of a jog along a nice flat section then backdown the cobbly stream/track to the car. I had a few slipping moments on it as it was so wet.
Another good offroad run but I so need to get out on a bike. I managed to stop the Garmin again, don't know why I just don't leave the autopause to get on with it., it was just over 6 miles again really according to Memory Map.
=======Summary=======
Distance: 5.47m
Time taken: 00:54:55
Average/Max Speed : 5.97mph / 8.94mph
Average/Min Pace : 00:10:02 / 00:06:42
Average/Max heart rate: 157/176
Calories used: 574
======Splits======
18:17:29 1.00m 00:09:56 6.03mph 8.85mph 149bpm 163bpm
18:29:45 1.00m 00:10:50 5.53mph 7.98mph 155bpm 174bpm
18:48:08 1.00m 00:10:02 5.98mph 8.94mph 164bpm 176bpm
19:00:44 1.00m 00:10:49 5.54mph 8.09mph 160bpm 173bpm
19:13:38 1.00m 00:09:36 6.24mph 8.89mph 155bpm 170bpm
19:29:16 0.47m 00:03:39 7.71mph 8.85mph 164bpm 171bpm
Friday, July 18, 2008
Wednesday 15th July: Offroad Run
Distance: 6.01 Miles Time: 1:02:28
I really wanted to get out on a bike tonight but the wind was just stupid, it seems to have just blown a hoolie for the whole of July and I'm fed up with it (stamps foot petulantly), in some ways I've been glad I've been ill as its given me a good reason not to go out in it. I didn't want to run down the tramway but at the same time I didn't think it would be brilliant heading up onto the hills - I'm still in take it easy phase. I got the map out and decided I was going to head to White Coppice and run around Anglezarke, with a bit of a detour around the Nab. I figured it would be reasonably sheltered, undulating rather than hilly and at 7 miles a decent length without being too silly. If I was tired I could always miss out the Nab anyway. I chucked my kit in the car, just shoes and stuff, no rucksack or anything else.
As I arrive at WC there are loads of cars everywhere and I was worried about getting parked but it was ok up towards the cricket ground. As I drove past I saw signs for a garden which had been opened to the public for a day or something. My curiosity was piqued, there are some posh houses round WC and I felt like being nosy. I ignored it all and get ready to run and realised I didn't have my Shuffle. If it had been a solo road run I was about to embark on I would've been very annoyed but as it was offroad I don't mind so much, I switch it off a lot to enjoy the silence anyway. Its quite sheltered in WC and as I was lacing up my trainers I had the first wavering about my choice of route, it looked lovely up toward Great Hill......I set off towards the cricket ground and broke into a jog. I got to the ground cricketers were out again,, past the hut (or pavilion if you like) and then I jogged through the gate where I had a major indecision moment - turn right towards Anglezarke or left towards Brinscall and ultimately Great Hill, I chose the latter. I set up the short climb to the undulating track, I felt quite good.
Considering all the rain lately the track was in pretty good condition, one good thing about the wind I suppose. I really enjoyed whizzing along here, deliberately trying to get the lungs and legs working a bit. I ran the slog of a climb quite well then popped out at the motorway path where I met a MTBer about to head up to Great Hill. I set off first and it took him a while to catch me, in fact he didn't until the long flat section. It wasn't until I started running that I realised exactly how slow I sometimes climb on my MTB, I can pretty much run a similar pace. I caught up with him at Drinkwaters as he had another map check and I continued up the last kick of a climb to the top. A quick look around as visibility was good then I turned to run down, straight into the wind! I was going to head back to WC across the moor track which I was expecting to be boggy as hell. There is generally enough of a gradient for most of this descent to offset a bit of the wind but not always. I tried to run a bit too fast down the top section so calmed down a bit ready for the unsurfaced path which was surprisingly dry. There were one or two soft spots but in general it was perfect for running on. I really enjoyed the run all the way back to WC and the car, I was grinning all the way -much more like it!
Another rest day tomorrow, won't go to the club as I may end up working too hard when with other people.
=======Summary=======
Distance: 6.02m
Time taken: 01:02:28
Average/Max Speed : 5.78mph / 9.68mph
Average/Min Pace : 00:10:23 / 00:06:11
Average/Max heart rate: 162/180
Calories used: 641
======Splits======
18:36:17 1.00m 00:10:21 5.79mph 7.92mph 146bpm 166bpm
18:48:45 1.00m 00:12:55 4.64mph 8.10mph 158bpm 171bpm
19:03:23 1.00m 00:09:59 6.01mph 7.42mph 167bpm 173bpm
19:13:22 1.00m 00:11:06 5.40mph 8.43mph 170bpm 180bpm
19:25:29 1.00m 00:08:26 7.11mph 9.68mph 171bpm 178bpm
19:34:10 1.00m 00:09:28 6.33mph 8.62mph 163bpm 172bpm
I really wanted to get out on a bike tonight but the wind was just stupid, it seems to have just blown a hoolie for the whole of July and I'm fed up with it (stamps foot petulantly), in some ways I've been glad I've been ill as its given me a good reason not to go out in it. I didn't want to run down the tramway but at the same time I didn't think it would be brilliant heading up onto the hills - I'm still in take it easy phase. I got the map out and decided I was going to head to White Coppice and run around Anglezarke, with a bit of a detour around the Nab. I figured it would be reasonably sheltered, undulating rather than hilly and at 7 miles a decent length without being too silly. If I was tired I could always miss out the Nab anyway. I chucked my kit in the car, just shoes and stuff, no rucksack or anything else.
As I arrive at WC there are loads of cars everywhere and I was worried about getting parked but it was ok up towards the cricket ground. As I drove past I saw signs for a garden which had been opened to the public for a day or something. My curiosity was piqued, there are some posh houses round WC and I felt like being nosy. I ignored it all and get ready to run and realised I didn't have my Shuffle. If it had been a solo road run I was about to embark on I would've been very annoyed but as it was offroad I don't mind so much, I switch it off a lot to enjoy the silence anyway. Its quite sheltered in WC and as I was lacing up my trainers I had the first wavering about my choice of route, it looked lovely up toward Great Hill......I set off towards the cricket ground and broke into a jog. I got to the ground cricketers were out again,, past the hut (or pavilion if you like) and then I jogged through the gate where I had a major indecision moment - turn right towards Anglezarke or left towards Brinscall and ultimately Great Hill, I chose the latter. I set up the short climb to the undulating track, I felt quite good.
Considering all the rain lately the track was in pretty good condition, one good thing about the wind I suppose. I really enjoyed whizzing along here, deliberately trying to get the lungs and legs working a bit. I ran the slog of a climb quite well then popped out at the motorway path where I met a MTBer about to head up to Great Hill. I set off first and it took him a while to catch me, in fact he didn't until the long flat section. It wasn't until I started running that I realised exactly how slow I sometimes climb on my MTB, I can pretty much run a similar pace. I caught up with him at Drinkwaters as he had another map check and I continued up the last kick of a climb to the top. A quick look around as visibility was good then I turned to run down, straight into the wind! I was going to head back to WC across the moor track which I was expecting to be boggy as hell. There is generally enough of a gradient for most of this descent to offset a bit of the wind but not always. I tried to run a bit too fast down the top section so calmed down a bit ready for the unsurfaced path which was surprisingly dry. There were one or two soft spots but in general it was perfect for running on. I really enjoyed the run all the way back to WC and the car, I was grinning all the way -much more like it!
Another rest day tomorrow, won't go to the club as I may end up working too hard when with other people.
=======Summary=======
Distance: 6.02m
Time taken: 01:02:28
Average/Max Speed : 5.78mph / 9.68mph
Average/Min Pace : 00:10:23 / 00:06:11
Average/Max heart rate: 162/180
Calories used: 641
======Splits======
18:36:17 1.00m 00:10:21 5.79mph 7.92mph 146bpm 166bpm
18:48:45 1.00m 00:12:55 4.64mph 8.10mph 158bpm 171bpm
19:03:23 1.00m 00:09:59 6.01mph 7.42mph 167bpm 173bpm
19:13:22 1.00m 00:11:06 5.40mph 8.43mph 170bpm 180bpm
19:25:29 1.00m 00:08:26 7.11mph 9.68mph 171bpm 178bpm
19:34:10 1.00m 00:09:28 6.33mph 8.62mph 163bpm 172bpm
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