Coastal Runs, Ice Cream and a Poorly Knee

I’d popped to the beach in Porth and while not deliberately scouting for run routes, I’d spotted the coastal path while lazing around on the beach. It seemed a shame to come to Cornwall and not take advantage of the opportunity for a bit of off-road running. Besides, there might be an opportunity for some Cornish ice cream at some point along the route …

I’d meant to start early but that didn't happen as there was an unexpected chance for a holiday lie-in. Lie-ins are few and far between for me so I pulled the duvet over my head and finally got my trainers and kit on about 10am after drinking a lot of water, a coffee and a big bowl of cornflakes. The day was going to be a hot one and I didn’t really want to have to carry water with me.

I started from the car park by the beach and ran up the hill on the pavement for about 200 metres – almost the only part of my route that was on a paved path. I crossed in front of a refreshments hut and onto a sandy path bordered by smooth rabbit-nibbled turf.

It was beautiful and the views were straight from a holiday brochure. I ran too fast for the first part but it was so much fun and knowing that I didn't have a time limit for my run made it all the better. Usually I have to fit my runs into a lunch hour at work or before everyone’s tea or bedtimes. It was bliss knowing I could run for as long  - or as short! – as I wanted to.

There was an iron-age fort on the point so I ran over the bridge and up to the top of the island and down to the end. I couldn’t help it. I stopped and looked at the views and the sea crashing around the rocks. It was beautiful.  

I followed the path up the hill past the hotels and following the line of the coast. A lot of walkers were out and all were pretty friendly and most greeted me and got out of the way when they saw a runner coming by stepping off of the path or moving to one side. In most places the path was only wide enough for one person – and at some points hardly that so it was most appreciated!

There were some gorgeous views. It was such a warm day, but clear with no mist over the hills or hiding the views. I took a few photos but not as many as I would have liked. The sea was a perfect bluey-green and with the sandy beaches and craggy cliffs, it hardly looked real.

The coastal path was really steep as the path followed the coastline and ran over the cliffs. The trail was hard going and very damaged in places. I had to watch my step and the path was often very deep and rutted. Other places the path was paved or maintained gravel. It differed very much over the double 9 miles. Even with the heat, there were still muddy patches. The hardest parts were the natural stone steps going up and down the cliff sides but there was no chance for getting bored of the path or scenery at any point. 

Coming in towards Watergate Bay the path disappeared and I had run down the main road for about 100 metres. The path wasn’t clearly marked and there wasn’t a pavement which wasn’t great as there were a fair amount of cars coming down the road on both sides. It was difficult to re-find the coastal path even though I’d checked the satellite maps previously and knew the markers to look out for (Car park on right, villas on left). I went up the road too far and had to re-trace my steps.

I found a nice beach in Trenance after about 5.5 miles and spotted an ice cream shop. It seemed silly to pass up such a good opportunity so I stopped. I decided on a scoop of the apple crumble flavoured ice cream and a scoop of the orange fudge with chocolate bits in. It was delicious and I made a mental note to return at some point for more ice cream. Had a chat to an elderly couple who were staying down here for a month from Manchester. Had to stifle my jealousy. Just think how many miles I could do in this gorgeous area if I had a month’s worth of running! 

I had to run across the sandy beach and up Bedruthan Steps to rejoin the path. It felt strange to be out in the middle of the day dashing across the beach past all of these people in swimming trunks and bikinis! I’d rather be running than lying on the beach.

My knee started playing up at about mile 6. It hurt when I walked or after I stopped for any reason but when I ran on it, it seemed to improve and didn't hurt at all. Obviously not something I could maintain indefinitely though and it became a pain when I had to let people pass on the path or go through a gate. 

Ran on and decided would make run up to 18 miles - the long run I'd had to miss because of my cold last week. I went past an estuary at Craigmorrick at mile 8.5 and decided I would turn around at the top of the opposite hill to have a nice downhill as my return run.

My knee really starting to play up and every time I had to pause – to tie my shoelaces, to take a photo or go up steps it started really throbbing and felt weak and wobbly. After about 10 steps of running, the pain eased but it was very sore when I started running or walked.

I spotted an ice cream van on top of one of the cliffs and stopped for a coke and just sat and enjoyed the view. I just couldn’t get over how gorgeous it was. I wasn’t even finished yet, but already it was one of my favourite runs ever.

I was meeting everyone else at the beach and got a call when I was about 2 miles from my finish point to say I'd passed them all at the last bay! Whoops! Would have waved if I’d known! I had meant to run back around the iron age fort but decided that I shouldn't really aggravate the knee any more than necessary so I ran straight back to the starting point and had a well deserved cold drink.

Got back and realised I hadn’t been quite as careful with the sun cream as I’d meant to be. I was burned in all places open to the sunshine today from the run. The weather had felt hot but not burning hot but it obviously was as I now looked as though I still had my running gear on. White, outlined in red! Not a good look.

Stats

Distance:                    17.35 mi

Time:                           3:21:26

Avg Pace:                  11:37 min/mi

Elevation Gain:           2,390 ft

Calories:                     1,666 C

Timing

Time:                           3:21:26

Moving Time:              3:13:50

Elapsed Time:            4:06:12

Avg Pace:                  11:37 min/mi

Avg Moving Pace:     11:10 min/mi

Best Pace:                  4:05 min/mi

Elevation

Elevation Gain:           2,390 ft

Elevation Loss:           2,375 ft

Min Elevation:             6 ft

Max Elevation:            278 ft

My Trainers - Demoted to Mud Running

I bought my first pair of running trainers from a discount sports shop just under 2 years ago. Luckily, the chap advising me showed me some pink Asics 2160s and blue 2140s (rather than Converse or daps) and these were the ones I bought.  There were a blue pair and a pink pair. The blue pair were my outside running trainers and my pink ones were my gym trainers.

After an episode at the gym where I left a little pile of mud behind the treadmill thanks to a rather muddy and visited-by-cows cross country run the day before I had decided this was a neccessity. The pink ones were so pretty they had to be my indoor shoes. I’m not a girly girl, but these were pretty shoes.

The pink ones are long gone, having racked up their 500 miles or so and have gone to the great Shoe Rack in the sky. (Think Monty Python hands opening a gap in the clouds and a choir singing) However, the blue ones are still with me. They have been demoted to my mud running shoes after lots of miles and mud had dimmed their blue and white and silver colours to blues and muddy greys.

They have done Wolf Run and got me through the end to 4th female position. And they’ve gone through the washing machine. They’ve done Sole Destroyer and made it through ALL of those bloody rivers and hill repeats and got me to 4th female position. And they’ve gone through the washing machine again. They have managed Tough Mudder and got through all that barbed wire and river swimming and fire walking and got me to 3rd female position and a place in the World’s Toughest Mudder. And back through the washing machine.

Ironically, because of all the soapy Fairy goodnes and 1000rpm spin cycle, they’re actually looking pretty good. They’re certainly whiter than all of the other trainers I’m currently running in and there aren’t any visible rips or damage to the uppers. I’m sure any running store clerk or Asics representative would look at them and shudder ... especially after 3 trips throughthe washing machine, but to me these are the hardcore, butt kicking, over muscled Schwarzeneggers of the trainer world. I like pretty trainers, but these bad boys have EARNED their place on my shoe rack.

Running with a Rucksack

Decided to have a go at using my slimline rucksack for running. I’d found it pretty good when I used it walking (although the pockets on it are TEENY) so I thought I’d give it a go for running. I’m useless at drinking water on the go (always end up wet, choking and bedraggled) and hate carrying it in my hand (feel all lopsided) so thought it had to be worth a shot.

Got all togged up and to be honest the rucksack sat fairly comfortably. I had worried it might move around too much or be too heavy filled with water but it felt OK. It has 2 clip-in straps and I had to move the top one right up so it sat above my boobs rather than underneath which rucked the shoulder straps a bit but it felt secure and hardly moved at all when I ran.

The sloshing noise from the water bladder was a bit offputting. I felt I sounded like I was jumping in jelly but it was comfortable to wear and was easy to drink from. I’d worried about it chafing my shoulders – especially when the water bladder was full and heavy but I didn’t have any problems at all.

The pockets felt teeny – I had struggled to fit in loo roll, a tenner and my driving license in the side pocket, and my iphone (in a very bulky case) on top of the water bladder … or so I had thought but when I took a wrong turning past Trerice Manor I had found a really old green glass bottle sticking out a bank that I put in the main pocket of the rucksack. It fit in there without too much trouble so the pockets can’t be that tiny.

So … if you’re looking for a running rucksack that’s cheap, doesn’t get in the way of your boobs, is fairly comfortable and that you can fit miscellaneous crap in, I’d recommend the Eurohike Aqua4. It must be a couple of years old but I’m positive I didn’t spend more than £15 on it and it’s turned out to be a pretty good buy!

(As a note, I later googled the bottle - it's over 100 years old!)

Eerie but Interesting

I’d had a week off of running due to a stinking cold, bogies and all the associated unpleasantness of a head cold but I’d decided enough was enough so I got myself organised and got out of the door. Besides, I’m on holiday in Cornwall and I’d had a look at google maps and there were miles and miles of lanes that needed exploring … it seemed rude not to!

After such a long break from running, my legs went mad for the first mile. If legs could talk, mine would have been saying “Wheeeeee! We’re RUNNING again! Thank God – all that walking was getting REALLY boring!” I had to keep slowing myself down consciously as I could still feel the cold lingering and I didn’t want to have to make the embarrassing phone call that would have been a request for a pick up as I’d run out of steam. Besides, I probably would have been unable to describe exactly where I was in the lanes (my geography of the area is best described as ‘sketchy’) which would have cause additional embarrassment so I thought I’d best take it slow and steady.

Didn’t see many cars at all, although I flattened myself in the hedge whenever I did see one as the lanes were far too narrow for two cars to pass and often too narrow for a car to comfortably pass a runner. One difference I noticed, was that in Warwickshire and in Dorset was that if you get out of the way of the cars they will always thank you with a wave or smile, whereas in Cornwall the car drivers just took it as their right to zoom past you taking up the whole road. I got one acknowledgment the whole run – from a police car – not even from the tractor driver who crashed on past banging a trailer on behind him.

I stopped and took a photo at a bridge as it was so pretty and the water in the river was pink! The soil in parts of Devon is often reddish, so I assumed that it must be around here too. It looked very odd but very pretty. 

Unfortunately, I didn’t get to see many views as after about four miles, the fog descended and my visibility was limited to about two hundred metres or so. It felt very odd as the mist deadened the sounds and it made me feel like I was the only person for miles and miles. Quite unsettling really, especially as the lanes were so lonely and I’d often go for quite some time before passing a house or a farm. I didn’t pass another pedestrian at all!

Also, in the distance I would occasionally hear a horn blowing. It was quite odd as it sounded like an ancient factory horn and it was bizarre to hear it coming out of nowhere in such a rural setting. It added to the spookiness. I later found out that Lappa Valley railway was in this area.

I looked over a fence and saw some really fluffy black and white cows. They saw me looking and came over to the gate to see me so I stopped. Now … I know I’m not local to this area but cows shouldn’t growl should they? Every pre-schooler knows that cows say “Moooo”. Well one of these cows was growling at me. 

It really was. I KNOW cows don’t growl, but this cow definitely was. I thought it was a bit funny and popped it on twitter for my friends to have a laugh at and carried on running.

The fog had really come down quite thickly now and everything was wet. Every time I went under trees, the drops would patter down on me and on the road and everything was still and damp.

I got to a crossroads and stopped. Each lane led off in a different direction and each was shrouded in fog after a few metres. I deliberated for a while. There was a signpost, but the directions on it didn’t make much sense and it looked as though something had knocked into it and maybe knocked it out of true so that the arms were pointing the wrong way. I took my phone out to have a look at the map and at that moment a tweet popped up as a reply to my cow tweet. It was from @runrabbit and simply said “Growling? Hmm bit of a worry. Is something else hidden in the fog …”

I chose a direction quickly and repacked running rucksack and set off at a somewhat quicker pace than before. Checking back over my shoulder every few metres. I run for miles in country lanes, but the fog and not quite knowing where I was made it a bit eerie …

I got to Trerice Manor and had a look through the gates at the beautiful house. There was a rather disturbing-looking stone lion guarding the path to the house. I’m sure in sunshine it probably looked quite lovely but in the fog and damp it wasn’t the most welcoming statue.

I turned right, following the main road at the top of the hill past the manor and up the hill past some cottages. A collie barked at me from behind a gate and I picked up the pace not wanting to be chased to my destination. A nice downhill slope, past a beautiful, welcoming-looking cottage with a glowing golden light coming from its window and … to a main road! Cars whooshed past in both directions and it was strange to suddenly see these signs of modern life. Unfortunately, it meant I’d taken a wrong turn as I hadn’t planned to cross any main roads. A quick look at the map and it looked as though I’d have to retrace my steps to Trerice Manor and take a left at the top of the hill. Sod.

Running back up the hill, I saw something in the bank where the dirt had fallen away and I picked up an old heavy green glass bottle with Goodall Backhouse & Co stencilled into the thick green glass. I emptied it of dirt and wiped it on the ivy of the bank before popping it into my running rucksack.

I made it back to the Manor quickly and found the right path. I ran past some beautiful cottages and the lanes became more picturesque than before. I ran down a long downhill and past an elderly lady sweeping the road outside her cottage with a broom and down at the bottom of the hill I came across a ford!

The ford was deep and swift and I was glad for the footbridge which crossed to the right of it.

At the top of the hill I came to a crossroads that I recognised and I took the right fork, through some of the smallest lanes yet and came out at the top of a very steep hill, next to the campsite and home. An eerie, but interesting route today.

Sulky and Sniffly

This cold is still hanging on. I’m grumpy and blocked up and sulky. I’m not good to be around when I can’t go out for a run to chill out. I’m being encouraged to run from all angles – I’m obviously getting near the ‚She’s-Driving-Me-Barmy‘ stage, but my head feels like an overstuffed pillow and I haven’t found a way to stop my nose running. I don’t even think an applicator tampon stuck up each nostril will help.  Although I may get the look of Arnie from Total Recall when he’s pulling the locator from his nose ...

 

I’m tempted to go for a run tonight, but the cold isn’t quite as bad as yesterday and I don’t want to bring it back ... as though not going for a run is like a superstition. This cold WILL go away if I just don’t run for a bit. Although my hands are freezing, but my back is boiling hot. I think the run is off for today too ...

That’s five whole days.

I could be going for a long run. I could be doing Zombies, Run! Intervals, I could be finding new hills to run up. And down. Or listening to my new audiobook on the LSRs.

Instead I’m sitting here, surrounded by snotty tissues. And stinky mugs of lempsip. (Well I assume they’re stinky – I can’t smell them) And being grumpy

Lost in Dorset

Popped down to the parent’s house in Dorset for a relaxing weekend and decided to take advantage of the lovely hills and lanes to get a run in. It was only supposed to be 6 or 7 miles, but my Dad got a bit enthusiastic about driving me to a good destination (he obviously wanted an hour or so of peace) and dropped me off about 13 miles from home.

It was a really nice idea, but as he knows the lanes and the area so well he drove with a commentary, saying things like “Of course you could always add in 2 miles by going left back there and running around there ...” and “You don’t have to go this way at all, you could cut off this bit by running up that lane, left at the end, past the tree shaped like a chimney...” and such helpful and highly confusing comments. As a result, I got dropped somewhere in a maze of lanes with a vague idea that my first couple of markers were a right into a lane, a left then immediate left into an almost identical lane and then I would pass a post box at some point. Hmmm ... a good start to ‘Operation Get-Completely-Lost’.

To my credit, I managed to follow the route back fairly well. Not a mean task considering my route took place on lanes with almost uniformly green and 12 foot high hedges. Forget all this quaint hawthorne hedge and patchwork fields stuff, these were the summer hedges hiding mad pigeons and roaring tractors and with nettles growing out of them which I had to press myself into every time a car driver came roaring around the bend. It was a nice run nevertheless, although very warm and that coupled with the hills meant I wished I’d brought a bottle of water.

I stopped briefly while passing the pub in Stourton Caundle to let an elderly Nissan driver attempt a parallel park outside the pub. He didn’t seem to realise he would be blocking the pub entrance or notice that he was attempting to mow down a runner so I thought I’d stop and do my part for Help the Aged by allowing him to go first.

Over the next couple of miles I regretted my decision not to stop for a drink as it got hotter and hotter and the next 2 villages didn’t have a local pub. Focusing all my attention on the Gainsborough Public House in the next village and dreaming of my nice icy cold coke, I missed a turning which meant a 2 mile detour and U-turn ... and the cold drink being put back by another 18 minutes or so. Sod.

Got a *too late* call from my Dad telling me I’d missed my turn. Worryingly all of my family seem to have developed stalker tendencies since the advent of ‘Find My friends’ app on the iPhone. I told him I had worked it out and was on my way to the pub. Dad perked up considerably and told me he could leave the BBQ in the capable hands of my Mum and he would join me for a half a cider at the pub.

Needless to say, I got to the pub, cold drinks were enjoyed and the last 2 miles of the run were abandoned for a lift home. One day I may develop will power and lose the need to stop at pubs during long runs for a nice cold coke ... well. Stranger things have happened.

Bad Habit #1 - Stopping at Pubs

I’ve developed a worrying habit of stopping at pubs halfway through my long runs for a coke. I know it isn’t as though I’m stopping for a vodka and tonic (lots of ice and a slice of lemon, please) but the point is that I’m stopping.

The whole point of a long run is that it is a long ... run. Not two short runs with a coca-cola in between. The point is to get used to running for a couple of hours – or longer without stopping and to make sure my  legs get used to keeping going. Otherwise I’ll have to stop halfway through Liverpool marathon, hop over the barriers, find a suitable drinking establishment, order coke, drink said beverage and re-join the marathon. I’m pretty sure that sort of thing is frowned upon.

Although my Twitter running buddy was fairly enthusiastic about it.

Maybe I'll start a new running revolution ...

An Unscheduled Break

I tend to run in every lunch break as 1) it’s easier to fit it in at lunchtime with my crazy evening schedule  2) it stops me eating sweets and going to the pub for lunch 3) it means the run is done for the day and I can be smug for the rest of the afternoon.

I went to get changed in the work changing room for my lunchtime run. I got in there and picked up my kit ... and then put it down again.

I didn't feel Like a run today. I mean I REALLY didn’t feel like a run and that's not like me. Sometimes I have to remind myself how nice it will feel when I’m outside and running but I rarely struggle to get out there.

But I turned around and went to the pub for a coke and some peanuts instead and had a rest day.

Sometimes you've just got to listen to your body and I was being told firmly that running was NOT a good idea. I didn’t have any particular niggles but I Love running and I don't want it to turn into a chore or something that I have to force myself to do.

Women’s Running magazine – The Great Debate

Wow! So yesterday was an eye opener!

I went to take part in the Great Debate which is about a hot topic chosen every month by Women’s Running magazine and you can volunteer to take part and chat to other runners about the topic of the month!

It was in Central London so a 1.5hr drive and 3 different trains were required to get there but it was in a good location – a decent pub! – and the other ladies were great so it was worth the hassle!

When Claire from Women’s Running magazine put the dictaphone on the table, there was silence. No one wanted to be the first person to speak. All of a sudden, the chit chat disappeared, but then Helen broke the silence and we all got caught up in each other’s stories. It was nice. All of the nervousness disappeared and we all got chatting about the subject that interested us ... our running – why we do it, how we do it and what and where we’re planning to run!

Some of the stories were sad,  some were painful and others were amazing and hopeful but all of the stories were inspiring.

The ladies were eleoquent, interesting and funny and it will be good to stay in contact on Twitter and Facebook and follow how their running is going although I’m a little concerned that I’m going to be the donut of the group. I’m fully expecting my sole contribution to be "I like running, me". Meh.

Women's Running Magazine link

Parkrun - a day of 1sts ...

Had an early start after my race last night as I was taking a few friends for their first taste of parkrun. Very exciting, although thanks to a late bedtime last night my eyes weren’t fully open until the M6! However, I wore my bright pink compression socks just so they could find me and fish me out of the hedge when I fell asleep on the course and got trampled by the other 300 enthusiastic parkrunners!

Had a wander around the Memorial Park when we got there and someone asked me about how effective the compression socks were. Not sure how effecive they are but I don’t tend to get achy legs after a long run if I have a cold bath and pop some compression gear on.

Sphinx AC were recruiting new members at the parkrun. Had a bit of a chat with a few members and they seem a nice, friendly group and the membership is a LOT cheaper than I currently pay at Rugby & Northampton. Might pop down towards the end of my R&N membership and see how I get on. Lots of blue and gold vests there today.

The parkrun started off and there were lots of people in front of me who weren’t quite sure where they should be. The start is quite narrow and of course everyone is chasing a PB and people don’t want to get stuck in the bottlenecks between the parkbenches and the flowerbeds. It was chaos as different people vied for the front and slower runners got caught up between prams and people trying to overtake them. I stayed back and kept my pace as steady as possible – no point getting run down by a parent with crazed eyes and a running buggy.

The first lap flew by and it felt quite comfortable. When I first started parkrun, just under 2 years ago, I used to tell myself „Just get through this. You don’t have to do it next week if you don’t want to. In fact, you never have to parkrun again after this. Just don’t drop out!“ Of course I would always go back to parkrun the next week. It still hurts every week, of course, but now I know that the hurt is only temporary. And completely overshadowed by a new PB.

I finished the run with a sprint finish with a chap and I beat him by a whisker, but forgot to stop my Garmin so absolutely no idea whether it was a PB or how I’d done! Went and got my chip scanned and went to clap the others in. Tom was first, then Vicky and I went to catch up with Ali. She was doing SO well and running at a steady pace up the final hill. She overtook another runner on the final straight and made it through the funnel to applause. She was overcome. She had run so many miles and started running for her Dad and now she had done it. She had completed her first race.

We had a coffee afterwards and chilled out in the sunshine. We were in no hurry, just soaking up the sun and enjoying the glow of a job – run – well done. I was surprised when the results came in - I was 1st woman and with a new Coventry parkrun PB. A good run.

The Beacon Hill Trail Run - Woodhouse Eaves near Loughborough

This is a gorgeous hilly run set in a country park and winding around the hills. I’m sure there must be a flat part to the run somewhere, but try as I might I can’t remember any flat sections at all! It’s all steep uphills and windy paths and glorious fast downhills!

The run is set mainly in woods although you come out of these on the top of the hill by the trig point and get an amazing view across Leicestershire. Although after the first mile being entirely uphill, I wasn’t really in that much of an appreciative state of mind at the time. The trails are lovely sandy paths with some uneven patches but this adds to the fun and it’s the whole point of running trails. If you want flat and boring and predictable stick to roads!

The carpark was busy but there were loads of spaces although the amount of club vests and club stickers on cars was a bit daunting. I had visions of trailing in at the back end of the race to find out that the coffee van (yes there was one but £2.50 a cup!) had run out, but it was pretty friendly and I had a few minutes to chill out with my sleeping toddler and Simon before the run and enjoy the gorgeous evening.

This run is open to canicrossers too and all the dogs started at the front of the pack and were raring to go! The dogs were howling and barking and it sounded like werewolves were being fed! I decided that they should have started the dogs at the back of the runners as the thought of that lot behind me would definitely make me run faster!

The first mile was ALL uphill. It was a gorgeous trail under tall trees and through patches of dappled evening sunlight but the trail was quite damaged and you needed to watch your step. It got progressively steeper and steeper and at one point even before the one mile mark, I was tempted to walk ... although not THAT tempted. I reminded myself that if I were feeling like this then the other people would be too and bizarrely the thought of shared misery helped me push through. I know. What happened to runner’s cameraderie?

There were people watching and cheering us on just before the final push to the top and then out of the trees and the first site of the Old Man of The Hill – the unusual rock formation on the top of Beacon Hill which looks like an old man and then the views opened up and you could see for miles!

The 2nd mile was ALL downhill which was a lovely respite from the uphill push although my legs weren’t terribly impressed with the idea of a fast run to try and make up the time from the slow up hill climb. I tried to relax myself and my arms and shoulder on my outward breaths as suggested by one of the chaps at my running club and it helped. Flew down the 2nd mile but was overtaken by a few tall runners with longer legs than me, I’d overtaken on the uphill.  One day I will  grow an extra half an inch reach the heady heights of 5“4 ...

Didn’t stop for a drink at the water station, but there were quite a few spectators cheering us on there which was lovely.  The third mile flew past in gentle up and downhills, but I was counting down towards the end of the 4th mile as I knew the last mile was all downhill! The last uphill between an avenue of trees was steep and hard but I could see runners going downhill past the wall on the other side and knew that that was the start of the last long downhill and fast stretch to the end.

Flew down the last hill but my legs were not impressed witha  mile of sprinting ... my short legs just aren’t made to go that fast! Finished with a final sprint with a burst of energy from somewhere and overtook 2 chaps in front of me and then slowed down at the finish flags ... which were 15 metres in front of the finish! Whoops!

As I came past the finish line, I was told I was the 2nd woman home too! What a lovely finish to a lovely run! And totally unexpected.  And best of all, a great big cup of coffee top finish off a really good run.

Beacon Hill Trail Run
The awesome pics by Runner Photos

Stupid zombies. Stupid bogs. Grr. Arg.

Running with zombies again today but had a few problems. First of all the app seems to have developed a bit of a bug. The music no longer dips in volume when the ‚transmissions‘ come in so you can’t hear them properly. Also every time there was a ‚transmission‘, it restarted the playlist so I had Jeff Bukley’s Hallelujah and Lola by the Kinks so I was alternately depressed and romanced 4 times.

To top it all off, the path I’d chosen today was ankle deep in mud in places and the rest of the path was slippery so not the best option for intervals. Although it was probably entertaining to watch as I had several leg-spinning Roadrunner type moments. Still ... not good for avoiding zombies. As  a result I got caught by the zombies TWICE breaking my clean and shiny record of not being eaten. Never mind ... I would have tasted of thick black marsh mud anyway.

Where I got caught by the zombies

My poor shoes!

Mud Doesn't Count!

Nice gentle run yesterday – with about 30% - 50% trail running. I would have been quite happy to keep running through the fields and trails but without the incentive of the promised pub stop halfway through the route, I didn’t think the running buddies would have been terribly impressed!

The paths were a bit muddy but mainly dry and no-one lost a trainer to the mud tonight which is one better than we did last time. The slugs and snails were also hiding so I didn’t have to hop about avoiding them or else feel like an invertebrate mass murderer with alternate footfaulls going „squish“ and „crunch“.

One of the girls headed off before the halfway point as she had a bit of tightness behind her knee and wanted to rest it before the parktun on Saturday so WolfRunner and me headed up the hills to get to the pub at the top. It was nice to sit down but refiills of fizzy drinks probably weren’t the best option to run after and I was alternately burping and trying not to fart all the way back down the hills. I would say I was trying to remain ladylike but quite frankly I was dressed in lycra and slightly concerned that my capri trousers would blow up like a balloon and take off.

Made it home just before the rain and with dry trainers for the first time in a while. Meh ... mud doesn’t count.

English weather and running don't mix

I’m not sure English weather and running mix. Went out for a quick trot with a friend and the heavens opened. The gutters were overflowing, there was water pouring out of drives onto the pavements and I’m pretty sure my makeup was turning me into a parody of Alice Cooper.

I don’t think I’ve been that wet on a run since I had to do the river swims for Tough Mudder.

My friend was laughing at me because my trainers squelching made me sound like I had ducks on my feet and I was laughing at her because her trainers squalching made her sound like she was walking like E.T.

Zombies and Mud

Had a 5 mile run yesterday using the Zombies Run app on my iphone. Was an awesome run – one of my favourite routes. It goes out of the Industrial estate and out towards the golf course and then it’s all trails. The next mile is mainly uphill but it’s jumping over branches and avoiding muddy patches and nettles and going in and out of dappled sunlight patches. All the fun things that should be included on a run!

The only problem was that my first zombie chase on the app started when I was under trees so although the Garmin picked up my speed the app didn’t and I was doing 5:30 minute miles and they were still getting closer! I was panting like a dirty caller and still couln’t out run the zombies although when I checked when I finished the run apparently they didn’t get me after all. I DO understand that these are VIRTUAL zombies. Honest.

A run past the Abbey and round the lake and an unintentional paddle in the muddy puddles and it was back to work.

Running with friends

Had a relaxed run last night. It was lovely. 2 friends and I ran on footpaths and chatted the whole way. It was a hot summers evening with no breeze but a perfectly bue sky. It was wonderful!

We took it really easy and talked about everything and about our days and what was happening in the office. It was a girly chat but with running. Awesome.

We even stopped at the pub halfway for a cold drink. A perfect run.

Run 24

Set alarm for 6am and dragged myself out of bed for breakfast of porridge and dried fruit but didn't leave until 7.15. Early morning organisation is not my strong point. Roads were clear so got to Wasing Park well before 9am. The event was signposted and the marshalls were on the ball and even let me pull up to the portaloos before setting up camp! Definitely impressed with THAT!

Field was marked out with tape for team camping so set up at the end near the changeover point. PA system already blasting out Fatboy Slim ... a loop which continued for about 8 hours! Set up tent then faffed about moving car and trying to work out where 6 other tents and a camper van were going to go ...

I was nominated to do the first lap as I was one of the 4 wanting to do 4+ laps. The excitement was intense and the whole team was around me wishing me luck and getting all jittery on my behalf! I started off too fast, caught up in the enthusiasm and pelted up the first hill at between 6 and 7 minute mile but as the first 2 miles were uphill this didn’t last long. I didn’t have a clue what to expect from a 24 hour event so wanted to do the first lap slowly to get a feel for the course and not tire my legs out.

The route started off in a field and then moved onto a road which gradually moved uphill and into woods, over a cattle grid and past a sign for a cottage and walled garden. Staying on a road, the hill sharpened and past a field of cows on the right and a view across fields on the left.  Around a cattle grid and under some trees and past a skittish pony on the right who wanted to get out of the field and show these crazy people how to REALLY run.

Around a cattle grid and onto a grassed path which was only narrow enough to run in single file. Down a hill which was grassy and fun to run on and a nice recovery from the hills so far! Under trees and between high shrubs and up a hill and up to mile 1 sign which my body felt I should have passed half a mile ago! The path was stones and grass and occasional mud and puddles. A proper trail run – lovely! The route undulated with some sharp but small up and down hills into a more intense hill about mile 2 – the top of which was marked by a deflated foil balloon and a line across the trail then a lovely long downhill all the way to and slightly past mile 3. Past lakes with waterlilies and under trees with the sun slanting through. It was very hot in the parts where the trees thinned out and I tried to run in the shade as much as possible.

Mile 3 was flat until about 3.20 then you turn right and up a small incline which gradually gets steeper and steeper. Past logs and trees piled up and what looked like a strange anthill, up and over the trails which were uneven and puddly and with lumps of wood littered throughout. The incline flattened a bit to lull you into a false sense of security, then it sharpened and a long, steep drag up to the top and a marshall tent, then a blissful downhill past a sign which warned you about an uneven surface (why warn me NOW?) and a long blissful steep downhill through a field of long grass, past the mile 4 sign and through the gateway into a field.

The finish was visible as you come through the gateway but you still have about ¾ of a mile of flat running looping across the field between tape which clattered like applause as you ran between it. Past the tents of the campsite, under oak trees and on the last straight to the blow up blue finish and your team mate waiting for the yellow wristband!

It was laps that mattered, not timing but I felt justified being the 3rd woman across the lap finish line to hand over to my team mate. The handover was smooth and I tried to collapse for a breather but I was surrounded by anxious team mates wanting an update on the course and all asking about the hills and where the water points were. Lovely to have the support, but I just wanted 2 minutes to catch my breath!

The 2nd lap much quieter and lonelier – there didn’t seem to be as many people on the course as we didn’t all start in a big rush like my first lap. I kept myself motivated by counting people I overtook and trying to catch up as many people as possible. Managed 19 people. Followed someone for a mile or so who gave up and started walking on the hill. I told him that according to my Garmin we had 0.08miles before the top so he started running again. I overtook him at the top and heard him coming up behind me on the field by the finish in an overtake attempt but I moved up a gear. A few people tried to overtake me but no one managed it. It’s the little victories that keep you going. I was only 30 seconds slower than first lap so I was happy about that. It isn’t like a 20 mile run, but several separate races and I didn’t want to slow down too much for each.

Lyn cooked me a massive fry up with 4 bits of bacon 4 sausages and beans. Tasted AMAZING. Thank you Lyn!!

Watched everyone come in from their laps and cheered them as they came into the field and up to the changeover point! Really great team spirit and a olot of camaraderie between all of the runners and campers.

In the evening, it got very cold and I felt very chilled so sat in the car charging the Garmin and Ipod and with the heating on. I couldn't sleep as had a lap at around 2.15am but I didn’t get tired until 9ish and I was worried about feeling groggy if I slept in between.

1.20am ... Currently waiting in car with all kit on waiting for Heather to come back and Julian to go then it's my turn. Looking forward to running in the dark. I'll go a lot slower though as it’s a VERY dark night. There was a bright moon earlier but everything is clouded over now. Very dark. Have been to loos about 12 times as have been drinking so much coffee and water. Getting very cold waiting around for next lap.

I did the 3rd lap in the dark at about 2.15am. I overtook 17 people and was overtaken by 1 person who was running very fast and waving his torch around like he was doing the lighting for a disco! Couldn't find any more people to overtake. I got very muddy and managed to get both feet wet going through puddles I missed in the dark. It was nice running in the dark and seeing the headtorches bobbing towards me. Counting my overtakes. Counting towards my sleeping bag and snooze. Bliss! Settled at a nice pace just over 8m/mile. I didn't turn my ankles in potholes but put both feet in a puddle!

My headtorch was fantastic and it was surprising how much more of the route felt downhill in the dark. There were a few animal eyes peering at me from hedges although not as many as I expected and there were a few owl screeches and bats around. Overtook 8 people - there didn't seem to be many people on the course and there were a lot of people walking, probably the Ultra Runners notching up some night time mileage. Last stretch of hill on mile 3.65 seemed to last a long time. The route was all different in the dark and I was alone but not lonely.

It was a sloppy handover to Aurian but I put a sprint on for the finish and ended up with a night time lap of 41:32.

Did some quick stretches and had some cheese and changed into compression tights and pjs and got into my sleeping bag. Absolute bliss! Was complete and utter bliss. Absolutely wonderful moment. So relieved to be there after spending last 6 hours thinking about it! Even updated twitter with my relief! My Twitter guys being fantastic keeping me going!

Woke after 2.5hrs feeling like I'd had 8 hours sleep. Bliss! Couldn't get back to sleep very well though and got up about 7.30am as I heard Heather leave for her changeover as I knew it was her then Julian then me. Got up and into running gear and had a banana and snickers for breakfast. Lap seemed to come around quickly. Absolutely gorgeous morning and very warm.

The first hill was tough and I resisted urge to look at my Garmin as I knew it was a slow one. Started overtaking people and started counting them. Most people seemed to be walking or running very slowly as no one overtook me. Tucked in behind a runner and paced him up mile 2 hill then overtook him. Mile 3.65 hill was hard but I just ran it slowly and enjoyed the long downhill. Overtook Mr 29 halfway down and no one in front of me! Found Mr ultra walker just before funnel for line who became my Mr 30. Managed a strong finish and I was sorry that it was my last lap.

Lyn made me a wonderful cooked breakfast with fried eggs, bacon and beans. Sounded as though Reuben might end up with a 4th lap which he wasn't too keen about so offered to take it which was accepted! Woo - chance for lap 5. Simon and Peter would have to keep their times about the same for me to fit it in!

The suspense was building but the last runner arrived at finish at 12:03 which was too late for a handover so we missed out on a final lap. Oh well. We all ran across the finish line together as a team and got our medals at the end.

It was very rainy putting the tent down and the wind started up. Watched the presentation ceremony. There were some very impressive distances from both the teams and the Ultras and there seemed to be a fair amount of people who had notched up 100 miles. That’s a LONG way.

38:10 lap 1. 3rd woman home. 12 midday

38:45 lap 2. overtakes - 19 people. 7.15pm

41:30 Lap 3. overtakes - 8 people. 2.15am

40:49 Lap 4. overtakes - 30 people. 9.30am

Worlds Toughest Mudder 2012

I qualified for World’s Toughest Mudder! That means I was in the top 5% of finishers! Woo!

Tough Mudder was awesome ... and hard ...and muddy.

But they give you beer at the end. Free!

Also 3rd lady!

First Club Run ... Thumbs Down!!

First race with the club made me feel I had really let myself ... and everyone else down.

I had had a tummy upset throughout the day but had felt fine in myself and was really looking forward to the run. I was a bit nervous as it was my first run with the club – with any club - so I wanted to do well and I was meeting up with a few people there.

A few people had said how hilly it was, but I tend to do quite well on hilly courses usually and I find they’re a bit more strategic than the flat out runs. A bit more interesting too. But I struggled from the off.

I went off too fast and got caught up in the moment. After 2.5km my tummy started gurgling and I started thinking about dropping out. I’ve never not finished a race before and I was telling myself to keep going otherwise the next race will feel harder but I hated every moment of it. I kept visualising a big DNF next to my name and thinking about how humiliating it would be. At 3km there was a corner and I stood next to the marshall and said „I’m out“. But a clubmate caught up to me and said, „come on, run with me and we’ll walk up the next hill“.  A club member who’s quicker than me at track and who I’ve hardly spoken to before, slowed down to help me.

Totally summed up the friendliness of the club. Someone who hardly knows me stopped to help and to encourage me. We ran the whole way to the finish, overtaking people and not really being overtaken and running up all the hills. I didn’t feel great and a marshall driving past asked if I were OK – obviously not looking my healthiest at that moment – but I didn’t stop.

The last 0.4km was the hardest. Bizarrely the sign which said 400m to go made me feel worse not better. But I kept going and overtook someone else with about 200m to go.

I finished almost 4.5 minutes slower than my last 10k but so, so grateful to my club mate for pushing me through. A friend who joined the club recently did really well and I could honestly be thrilled at her success rather than jealous. My irritation was purely at myself for not doing enough tempo work. But ... learn from mistakes. At least I now know what I need to concentrate on.

Exploring England

Taking advantage of the long weekend, I decided to go for a bit of an explore. The weather had stopped drizzling so the paths were wet but not too full of puddles and everything smelled of green. I headed up a long straight, footpath under trees which alternated between sandy gravel and cinders ... the remnants of an old disused railway line. Followed this for about a mile accidentally surprising a lady plugged into her ipod although I’d shouted a greeting so as not to startle her.

Turn off the main straight under the trees onto a muddy path, squelch, squelch, with the drops from the rain on the trees occasionally making it into the dim greenness and hitting the ground with dull splots. Circle round back onto the main path overtaking a runner I’d seen briefly earlier and heading up a ramp onto a grassy track over an old railway bridge and through a gate into a field. No more long green grass... the diggers had started putting foundations in for more houses. They’ll have the best view in the town – a straight look across the houses to the fields beyond the town where the church spires and the school clock tower showed like spines on the horizon.

Through the field and wet grass into a housing estate and straight into a sharp hill. It’s deceptive. I’ve run a couple of miles now but this hill always hurts a bit more than it should. Footsteps, pat, pat, pat on the pavement. Into the estate where its a slight incline but always feels flat after the last hills and up past the shop and under the pylon.

Up the bank and past the lorry park where I’d startled a couple of lorry drivers a week ago and up to the big motorway roundabout and over the motorway running along the verge. Quick sprints past the exits while the traffic lightw were red and onto the safety of the verge of the road on the other side. Quick trot over the verge avoiding roadsigns and litter and down a little lane.

It doesn’t matter what the weather like is when I run down this lane, it always feels summery and slightly dusty in my head. It’s a dreamy little lane, waiting for tractors pulling trailers full of hay and children on bicycles. Down, down past a broken down car and people with their heads under the bonnet. Down the hill and past houses with Jubilee flags outside and red, white and blue petunias in pots outside their front doors.

Dusty lanes and overgrown hedges. No cars except one who pulls over for me to run past in safety. Past an industrial site with muddy ruts and wire fencing. Strange to be tucked away down a lane like this. Footfalls, pat, pat, pat.

Up a hill but no reward of a view at the top as the summer hedge is too high, then back down the hill under the old trees where the crack of a pigeons wing startles me and I jump as I run. Down the hill and round a bend and the ford has flooded the road! Over the footbridge avoiding damp feet and up to the old redbrick bridge and a moment of coldness.  

Long slow hill. Long and slow. Slow. Past another industrial site and under the old trees and past the hedges. Slow.

A proper road! No cars today – the Jubilee seems to have kept everyone off the road so I pattered down the side near the hedges ready to leap onto the verge should some mad driver suddenly appear. End of the road and a new tiny lane. Up a sharp hill but the grass growing in the road and the uneven surface makes the hill feel less than it was. Past houses tucked away with pictures of the Queen in the window. Past a field of cows with their distinctive smell which makes me think of the village at home. Past a church, squat and symmetrical, round a corner and back onto the main road.

Pavement and main road brings me back into the 21st century and cars and speed bumps. Down the main road with cars and trucks and verge leaping. Up a hill, running on the verge with the town on the horizon and fields to the left and right. An old humped bridge narrows the road and i cross the road and scoot down the side of the bridge onto the canal path.

Mud .. sticky ... black and squelchy slows me to a walk after the sliding and splatting streaks my legs with mud. Run ... and walk. Long canal tunnel coming closer but no lights on in it ... only a circle the size of a lightbulb at the other end. Run up the side and over the tunnel to the stile and field at the top. Over the field and back onto the main road with the humped bridge just behind me. Onto a large verge with dried, hard tractor tyre marks on it. Ouch ankle. Cross again past the bend and onto the pavement and down a fast, steep hill past a pub where two young boys shout something. I raise my arms and shout „going for the olympics“ as I fly past and on to the long slight hill and on to the end of the road.

Decisions ... left and home? Or right and through town? Right and on smooth new pavements and past roundabouts with dead ends. Under a concrete bridge and past the stink of dead animal. End of the pavement, wiat for the cars and sprint!

Up the hill, past the pub whihc looks very quiet. The corner shops are closed although the takeaways are open and neon signs are already lit in the daylight. Up the hill, past the cars parked at the side of the road, past the men with long, greasy heair and studded leather jackets. Past the dog walkers and over the traffic lights.

Past the petrol station with its drinks of water, past the pub with it’s smell of beer and smoke and peanuts. Over the crossing and dodging the smokers outside the pub enjoying the sunshine which has come out. Onto cobbles and past the tourists peering at the school... into the main street and stop.

Best ... coca cola ... ever. And a sit down to enjoy it in the sunshine.

Across the street, dodging people strolling and up the forked high street and onto the road, sheltered from the sun by the tall buildings of the school and privet hedges. More tourist dodging and up old, bumpy pavements.

Onto the road which feels downhill running both directions and past the cemetary and central walk... footsteps... pat, pat, pat. Past the playground, past the pub and down the last hill over the railway. Nice smooth concrete and the hill steepens down to where the water and mud have puddled on a dip in the pavement. Footsteps, pat, pat, splat!, pat, pat.

Cross the road, past the industrial estates, no sound or noise today and cross the road and more industrioal estates. Quick sprint across the road to the pavement and home stretch. Smooth stones, but uneven pavements and lots of roads to cross. Avoiding the teenagers spread across the path and across the path, over the road and home.

Home to a cool shower, a long drink and a sense of satisfaction.