The Countdown Continues.....

As the day of reckoning draws ever closer I thought I'd make today my last run before the Coniston 10k - I figure a couple of swims and maybe a massage next week is the way to go!

So after Tuesdays 12.5k effort (my longest run) my knees were feeling the strain so Thursday I decide to hit the tarmac again and just keep my hand in with a gentle 5.5k - hardest run ever.

A few days off got me thinking - 'Could I actually run a half Marathon?' with the 3 days rest and a little bit of eagerness to venture into some of the local hills Sunday morning seemed an unlikely candidate for  me to try a half! What a glorious day to set off in to the wild green yonder, with the sun beating down at every turn some welcome shade was sought in forests and woodland I never knew existed. Out on to Caton Moors and behind the local windfarm then down past the old quarry (I had often wondered where the brickworks ropeway went - now I know!) Only a couple of hesitations in the Moors as to whether I was on track but you can't really get too lost all roads lead to somewhere. Out at the Fenwick Arms and dropping down to the river - here was the biggest mis-judgement made to date - always be on the right side of the fence. i got myself hemmed into a corner where jump or long slog back were the options - of course jump I hear you cry. I did! It was a good 10ft vertical into a silty, sludgy beck but I made it. With a good few kilometers left before I hit the magical 21.2k my knees were now really feeling it, mostly from the vicious descent past the quarry but I'm sure the landing from the jump hadn't helped. At 19.5k I felt the will fast leaving me and the knees were giving up quick, but on I trudged in ow walk, jog, ow, ow, ow, walk, jog, ow kind of way eventually making it home - so in answer to my earlier question - yes I can run trail/hill/fell half marathon! Another bonus is that between the calf guards and some kinesiology tape the shins were fine!

The Longest Run

With just over a week to go before my first event I thought I'd have one last long field run, with around 16k in mind I set out once more into the fields behind my old Primary School. It's a fair old ascent the the mere fat lad and by the time I had topped it out I was pretty knackered and could feel the shins starting to act up again.

The next part of the journey was involve a constant uphill slog on tarmac, but with the shins starting again I decided to give it a miss and sacrifice the 16k. Instead I diverted across the 'Big Dipper' (yes, I know more tarmacked hills) and headed for the softer ground of the river.

A new angle on to the river almost brought things to a halt as where I had once known access was all now eroded and fenced off - fear not intrepid readers I got through it (very slowly)! Off around my usual haunt on the river banks this time including the loop by the breakwater towards Halton. From here I ventured further into the woods than ever before expecting to end up somewhere near the old station, sadly it only actually added .5k onto the total.

I was now on the home leg back on the cycle track, my shins were aching and my knee throbbing from a slip I encountered earlier in the week but I pressed on. Into the woods, out of Halton road end and up the hill to home.

Having set out to complete 16k I was semi-glad I hadn't but still chuffed to have completed 12.5k, just a couple more runs now and it will soon be 11am Saturday 5th Otober at Coniston Old Hall waiting for the starters siren!!

Once was lost.....

Despite the error of my navigation ways on the 20th I sought guidance from a local dog walker and headed back to the fields - success!! The pathway I was searching for was apparently right under my feet!!

So with the sheep seen off I was back onto the tarmac across the 'Big Dipper' down the hill and into the fields by the river as per usual, only this time I added in the extra 1k of the meander in the river. over the pipe bridge and into the woods with the light ever fading this time I was prepared with trusty head torch - that was as much use a candle in the wind (that's 2 song references in this post!)

Woods navigated and back into the fields by the river light still disappearing and mileage not totting up - I had to add the next set of woods in. Ordinarily I'd run these the other way round so figured I'd know what was where how very wrong I was and how very different it was. A vague glimmer of light to show me the way along the knotty, tangled mess of roots only a slip away from being in the drink and my knowledge of what I thought I knew to see me through to the other side. What with it being dark and me not having much light I decided an exploration was the best idea only to hit a dead end and have to come back anyway to the dreaded steps. At this point you should note that the 1 kilometre part of the run that incorporated the steps took nearly 9 mins to complete mostly due to the wet, mossy, shiny, dark, dark steps that go all the way up and then all the way back down!

At last I was out of the woods in more than one way but still short on mileage for the 10k I had in mind. a quick dash up the lit cycle path, a brief stop in the local stores for a pint of milk, a delivery of a spare key and home - now what better way can you think of to spend an evening!!

Lost in a field

With a view to getting some hill work in and getting back upto 10k out into the fields I head with my route in mind having Google Mapped it. Being the ever conscientious countryside gent I stick to the way marked paths - mistake as I end up nowhere near where I want to be and have to hit the roads to complete the circuit. As I get to the top of the hill I remember a vague tail of another path to take me back towards Caton and the old Forge Mill, so off into another field I trot still not really sure where I'm headed. I end up doing one big u-turn arriving back on the road 300 yards lower than when I went into the field!! (see the 'square circle')

With the light fading fast I give up and stick to what I know - down onto the river. I ended up on hte old faithful river run through some woods - not my greatest idea as it was all but pitch black fortunately I have a rough idea where it heads.

So despite getting lost in the fields and having to avoid rocks and roots in the dark it was a pretty good run.

Saturday Morning Running

Having managed to drag myself from bed before 9am on a Saturday I thought I'd try Wednesdays trail run again - you know just for shits and giggles.

A few stretches, the new (muddy) kit on and we're off. This time remembering not to set off like a scalded cat!

Into the woods again determined not to be beaten by the steps and out around the river - a bit cool and breezy but nice nonetheless. After a short stint on the track I headed into the dew laden fields on the banks of the River Lune (awww - that's poetic isn't it!) the muddy kit now mostly clean but very very wet.

A slight change in the return leg this time coming back down the other side of the river and home via the cycle track again. Another reasonable time but now looking ot build the distance to 10k and 15k with some hill work and hope that he legs hold up - a few little tracks in mind involving Caton Moors so they will probably have to wait for next weekend and some daylight - don't fancy getting lost on the moors it's all a little bit American Werewolf in London!!

Post Run Kit Review

Having given the new kit a little bit of wellie on Wednesday night I am overall pleased with the performance.

The New Balance 710 runners held there own in most places - they tend to shake their head a bit at wet shiny cobbles, wet mossy wood and the deeper muddier puddles. Other than that they were very comfortable both on and off road and also held up to the bits of tarmac running - just how long they'd last full out on tarmac we'll have to wait and see. Despite not being waterproof any water they let in 

Dirty New Balance 710s

(and there was plenty) soon felt dispersed (either that or my feet were too wet to care). The lightweight construction is still very supportive despite feeling like you aren't wearing any shoes. I think for the coming muddier, wetter months I will upgrade to something with a bit more grip as I feel these are better suited to a summer time or drier season trail shoe.

The Zoot calf guards are by far the definite winner in the new kit stakes. From the first step to the day after my legs feel brilliant. They are totally supportive on the run and stabilise any movement preventing any mid-run niggles. After the run and into the day after my calves felt loose and strain free - I feel these were a worthy purchase.

At least my legs were clean!

Back on the horse - so to speak

Wednesday night I managed to get back into the trail running with a chance to try out the new kit mentioned in my previous post. With a little bit of woodland I have run before in my mind I wanted to turn it into and 8k run so off I set in the shiny new trainers and calf guards. being my first run in about a week I clearly had too much energy as it turns out I set off like a scalded cat which made the first 2k very difficult including the uphill woodland step challenge (best said in the voice of Keith Lemon as per a Celebrity Juice challenge!). I managed to settle into a stride and headed off down the banks of the River Lune (sung to the tune of a Madness song) as far as the pipe bridge, across  the fields and onto the cycle track and back home. A sub 50min 8k wasnt too bad for my 1st trail run/8k since return and the prospect of doing it again over the weekend should push me for a similar time.

Kit Review

Before being laid off through injury I had purchased some new trail running shoes as the road shoes just weren't hacking the mud and grass. These are still brand new in the box due to said injury so in the light of having booked 2 trail events I thought I best dust them off and head off in them.

Having read many reviews and looked at all sorts of trail shoes I decided I wanted to see how my first pair would fair so didn't want to spend a fortune - in stepped New Balance Factory Store at Shap. Despite not being my first choice they are still very comfy and supportive (and they're black and orange!!) Plenty of good grippy tread to get stuck into the mud and puddles with once I finally head out - post run review to follow.

Having been injured and still concerned about future injury not only have I looked at some massage for the old legs but have been reading about compression kit. A quick chat with the local Runners Centre and I was sold on a pair of Zoot CRX Calf Sleeves. Hopefully between massage, ice, rest and the sleeves I can keep the calf issues at bay log enough to complete the event I have entered. Again, post run review to follow.

That's Done It!!

Having seen our lass complete her 1st 10k road race coupled with being off for a while it spurred me on to set a goal - so that's what I did. Not once but twice!!

So I am now fully signed up for:

Lakeland Trails Coniston 10k - 05/10/13 http://www.lakelandtrails.org/coniston/index.php
Kendal Mountain Festival Haglofs 10k - 16/11/13 http://www.openadventure.com/kmf/

All that is left to do is shift the calf problem and get some training done!!

1st Egg Chase of the Year

Well that was better than expected! Half a game in the back row and a 95 -5 win. Calves as per usual at the moment are now very tight so a swim tomorrow and some rest me thinks!

Recover Run Episode 2

Well I'm back from a fortnight of camping in what turned out to be some reasonable weather - however 16 days on the Isle Of Man is far too long no matter how much you like bikes!!

A little light cycling and plenty of walking was about the only exercise I got in between twirling spanners and splashing fuel about but the daft lad came home in one piece and with another replica for his finishing time so well done Crofty (apart from smooching Nick Jefferies!)

Now that's all over and done with back to my running. This week I have managed to get out twice for a couple more light runs to test out how the leg is holding up - new orthotics in and off we go.....

Monday

A reasonable effort given a fortnight of Stella, Pizza, Kebab, Stella, Curry, Chinese & Stella


Wednesday

Again steady away so not to tempt fate!


Well the weekend is upon us so I was planning an 8-10k trail to get back into the offroad stuff but an offer of a run out with Kirkby 2nds has reared it's head so I may well go egg chasing instead and swim on Sun - I guess we'll wait and see........

Recovery Run - Episode 1

After a couple of weeks out I decided to try a quick run beofre heading off to the Isle Of Man for just over 2 weeks. I was feeling fit and just wanted to get back out there....
Not a bad effort after injury! A fortnight off now.....