Day 153 - five

Just five today, the usual Otley loop. Not much to report, still windy, Otley AC were out in force and its still windy!

Five more miles takes the tally to 765.

Day 152 - tired two.

Long day, no energy for anything more than two miles. Still very windy, so battling in one direction, flying in the other!

Still, another day ticked off and the running total rises to 760 miles.

Day 151 - just two

Very early start tomorrow so decided to do just two, that and the fact I think I'm still recovering from Saturday's race!

So, usual Otley two, two more miles and the tally creeps up to 758 miles.

Day 150 - five windy and wet miles

Not the best conditions for celebrating the landmark of running everyday for 150 days, but at least it makes the same old routes (today, five mile loop around Otley) at least feel different.

Ran in my new Brooks Cascadia 7's tonight. I was a bit apprehensive as my first try on they felt a bit odd and I was definitely put off by the asymmetrical lacing. However, the first five miles were a joy. They feel really light, fit well, felt nicely cushioned for a trail shoe on pavements so I'll definitely be doing a few miles to break them in for WCU. Though I'll also be taking my muddy, well worn Cascadia 6's!!

Five more miles takes the tally to 756.

Day 149 - seven mile recovery run

No ill effects after yesterday's moorland marathon. Easy seven miler out to Pool in Wharfedale and back. Most of the snow has now gone, though there were a few icy patches and it was very muddy and slippery in places. Most of the snow is now in the River Wharfe which was bank full at Pool with bankside tress now sitting proudly mid-stream.

A relatively high mileage week for me at 56 miles, but with the Wild Coast Ultra now only two weeks away I can comfortably cut back the mileage.

Seven more miles takes the running tally to 751.

Day 148 - Yorkshire Moors Marathon

26.2 miles today. Whitby Abbey to Robin Hood's Bay, on to Ravenscar, up Ravensdale onto the moors, turnaround and back to the Abbey.

Day started with an interesting drive at 6 am from Scarborough over the moors to Whitby. After the heavy snow fall the roads were passable, thanks to the busy snowploughs, but there was still quite a lot of snow on the roads....

The race itself was tough. A good start along the coast path which was partly frozen, nice dusting of snow and only occasionally muddy. The cycle track from Robin Hood's Bay to Ravenscar was good for running too, deeper snow, maybe four inches and drifting in places, but compacted quickly to create a good surface.

The climb up from Ravenscar was a challenge, with thigh deep snow drifts in places and once reaching the top and heading out onto the moors we ran straight into an icy headwind. Last year this section was very runnable, but today it was knee to thigh deep snow, very rough going, lots of stumbling and falling over and very little running.

It was a relief to get to the checkpoint at the A171 but I was not looking forward to the return leg.

Luckily, with the wind behind and a few more feet having compacted the snow it was a completely different experience and it was possible to run.

Unfortunately the snow back on the cycle track and on the coast path had melted quickly (it was a lovely sunny day!) and the coast path was just a sea of mud, slush and water. Very cold, very slippy, not fun!!

Still, a good workout ahead of WCU. 5 hours 26 minutes to be precise! and, amazingly, a negative split. I'd reached the half way point in 2 hours 50 minutes.

26 miles takes the running tally to 744 and that was also my 27th marathon.

Day 147 (Friday 25 January - amusement arcades, windy sea fronts and model train shops

Yes, Scarborough does indeed have it all!

Overnight stay in Scarborough ahead of the Yorkshire Moors Marathon and went out for 30 minutes running to tick off today's run on the 365 challenge. Completely surreal moment running along the promenade at South Beach, windy whipping in off the North Sea, sand stinging my face, completely deserted, yet three massive penny arcades were fully open. Lights on, music blaring, but not a soul in sight.

Also discovered that Scarborough has a shop dedicated solely to the supply of model trains......

Another three miles run, 718 now in total.

Day 146 - five miles

A run of two halves. First half mostly still icy, so spikes were again put to good use. Second half was mostly clear pavement, time for the spikes to come off. Did walk some sections as I neared home, ice is so slippy when you are not wearing Kahtoolas!!

Five more miles keeps the tally ticking along nicely. 715 miles now run.

Day 145 - just two.

Decided to skip tonight's five miler and do that tomorrow lunchtime in daylight! So, just two, spikes on, all very simple.

Total mileage now stands at 710.

Day 144 - ice, ice, Kahtoola!

Freezing temperatures overnight meant that all the slushy snow had frozen and with side roads pressed into ice rinks it was perfect territory for my microspikes. Great run out to Pool, up Pool Bank and back down the Leeds Road, and all before 9 am. Great start to the day. To top things off the sun even came out for my cycle to the station mid morning, beautiful.

So, seven more snowy miles takes the tally up to 708 miles run.

Day 143 - (Monday 21 January) 701 miles!

Working at home today rather fortuitously so got to run in daylight in the snow! A bit tough going up the Leeds Road, OK in the deep snow (a good 6 inches) but slippy in others footprints and slushy near the road.

Once off road and into the Chevin Forest though it was just a winter wonderland. Awesome!

And, those six miles take the tally on the 365 challenge to over 700!

Day 142 - Sunday long run

17 miles of snow, ice and tarmac today. To be honest, a bit of a slog!

Usual 17 mile route; Menston, Guiseley, Horsforth, Lawnswood, Adel, Bramhope and then home. Nothing too treacherous about the underfoot conditions just slow going uphill with not all of your energy actually driving you forward.

Ran with the UltrAspire Surge back pack, one litre of Nuun electrolyte and carried (but didn't need to use) Gortex over gloves and Kahtoola microspikes. Also took my camera, some snowy pics below.

So 17 more miles tally now up to 695.

Day 141 - snowy parkrun! + seven steady before nightfall

Both Bradford and Leeds parkruns were on today despite the snow though the turnout was far lower than last week and, unsurprisingly there were no 'new' runners!

Underfoot conditions were good though but it was cold running into an easterly wind, really did make my head ache. Still, a good run, 21:05 and 7th place.

Might run again later, but for now that's another 3 miles taking the tally to 671.

Back from that 'run later'. Seven miles out to Pool, up Pool Bank and back down the Leeds Road. Underfoot conditions were good, mix of slush and tarmac through Otley and out along Pool Road, nice, clean, squeaky snow up Pool Bank and down Leeds Road.

Ten miles for the day, 678 on the challenge.

Day 140 - two more snowy miles

Well, we haven't had the massive fall of snow that was forecast or indeed has landed elsewhere today, but there was a light cover by the time I went for my run. Still snowing now so might be more by the morning.

Anyway, just two tonight, pretty cold though into an easterly wind.

Total miles now run on his challenge 668 with 225 days to go!

Day 139 - snow is falling......ch ch ch

Contrasting weather day started with a very chilly ride to the station early this morning followed by an even colder, one might say Baltic, ride along the banks of the River Tyne to the Newcastle office. By the time I got back to Otley it was snowing and noticeably warmer, though still sub-zero!

With snow lying on the ground I decided that the scheduled speed work was probably not the best idea, so instead enjoyed a steady, and snow deadened, five mile Tour d'Otley. Appropriate really given that we learnt today that the Tour de France will be visiting Otley in 2014!!

Five more miles takes the tally to 666.....oops, didn't see that coming!

Day 138 - cold, but very little ice

About minus two degrees this evening, positively balmy after the minus four when I left home at 6.30 am today!

Usual five mile circuit around Otley and really surprised at the lack of ice, which is a very good thing.

Five miles takes the tally to 661.

Day 137 - cold and just a bit slippy

Just the bare minimum two miles this evening. Not much snow or ice left on the pavements, but the odd patch here and there which made for very careful running, quick tricky conditions really, lots of baby steps and concentration.

Still, day 137 ticked off, another two miles run and the tally edges up to 656.

Day 136 - snow and ice!

Snow, but not as much as forecast, which made driving to work OK, but made for a slightly disappointing run.

Donned the Kahtoola's for a run up into the forest but was met with muddy snow covered fields, clear pavements and muddy trails. However, as I climbed higher the ground started to freeze and the spikes came into their own.

The pavements were also starting to freeze over as I got back towards home but all in all the spikes coped pretty well with all surfaces.

Best bit though, running in several inches of fresh, white power snow illuminated by the beam of my heardtorch. Awesome!!

Six miles in all, running total now up to 654.

Day 135 - Sunday 13 February

Five early morning miles around Otley before heading off to a motorway junction on the M1 near Chesterfield for Dad's birthday lunch. Fun times were had by all and the Micro Scalextric GB cycling set we brought for him went down a storm!

Five more miles, tally up to 648.

Day 134 - Back to Bradford parkrun and ten sunset miles

Guiding duties at Bradford parkrun this morning. Helen's first run of 2013 so Christmas excesses took there toll a little! Target time was 28 minutes, we clocked 28:30, which given we started right at the back, took some time to cross the line and, with over 300 runners today also got held up in the first kilometre (real bottle neck getting passed Cartwright Hall), means that if we'd had chip timing we probably smashed it!

No Emma today, having a lie in after yesterday's physics AS exam and her Saturday job. Pamela ran again and went off like a bullet. We managed to pass her on the second lap but think she might have posted a Bradford PB!

5km takes the tally up to 633 with another run planned for later on today........

Other run done! Ten miles, out to Arthington, up Creskeld Lane etc etc. Cold, but quite still and with a a clear sky quite a nice sunset too.

Ten more miles makes 643 so far.

Day 133 - six still miles

Weird atmosphere this evening for my run, which seems to have been a combination of the cold night air and the stillness, no wind/breeze, nothing.

Six miles down the Pool Road, up Old Pool Bank and back down Leeds Road.

630 miles now run and England are back in India winning at cricket!

Day 132 - speed work!

90 seconds fast then 90 seconds slow, repeated eight times. Ran about four miles. Quite enjoyed it!

624 miles now run.

Day 131 - three more in west Swindon....

Early morning run today. 7.15 am start to avoid a late, late run this evening.

Did more meandering around a warren of Swindon cul de sacs avoiding just the one Rottweiler this time to clock up another easy three.

Running tally now 620 miles.

Day 130 - three miles in Swindon.....

Not the most scenic of runs (and not just because it was dark!), but despite being at a conference at a former stately home (Lydiard House) the run round the ornamental lake was marred by encounters with a variety of pit bull and other attack dogs!

The venture out into the surrounding housing estate was no less relaxing - very Privet Drive and I wouldn't have been surprised if I had encountered a dementor!!

Still, job done, three more miles and tally up to 617.

Day 129 - three runs in one day!

Bit complicated today, but with the car needing to go into the garage it started with a run home from the garage, 1.7 miles downhill and then uphill.

A run back at the end of the day to collect the car (now running like a dream apparently) another 1.7 miles, parked up then went for a meander around Otley to clock up another 2.6 miles to clock up 6 miles.

So, tally moves on to 614 miles.

Day 128 - ten mild miles

Positively warm for an early January long, Sunday run. Ten miles today, nice and steady, out to Arthington via Pool, up Creskeld Lane to Bramhope and home down the Leeds Road.

Ten more miles takes the tally to 608 miles. So, currently averaging exactly 4.75 miles day.

Day 127 - Bradford parkrun

All the Tranter's turned out for today's Bradford parkrun. We set off together but Emma had some difficulties with her breathing so she and I held back while Pamela raced off!

We all completed the run, Emma and I in just over 30 minutes, Pamela maybe 30 seconds to a minute ahead.

Today was my 97th parkrun, so hopefully I'll get to 100 by the end of the month. more significantly though it was Emma's 10th, so hopefully we'll be able to pick up our 10 and 100 T-shirts at the same time.

Three more miles to the tally, 598 miles now run.

Day 126 - just two

Well, normally a Friday night would be a rest day, so most Fridays are now likely to be 'just two', at least until the end of August!

Two more miles and the tally edges towards 600. 595 miles now run.

Day 125 - proper training!

Hill repeats today, proper hard work. 10 x 30 secs fast uphill, jog back down, repeat!

Do my training on East Chevin Road, the hill is about 1 in 8 at that point......

With a short warm up run, about two miles taking the tally up to 593.

Still, East Chevin Road isn't as steep as this;

Day 124 - six miles

No fuss, no thrills, just a simple six miles. Up the Leeds Road, down Old Pool Bank and back home along the Pool Road (the one that floods).

Six miles takes the tally to 591.

Day 123 - 2013!

Happy New Year!

Day 123 and the start of a new year and today's run already ticked off with Leeds parkrun. Bright sunny morning, cold wind, mud, puddles but all good fun.

Ran with Emma and Andy for the first 2km then was told to run ahead - 10:21 for the first 2km, 11:54 for the next 3km. Finished in 52nd place.

So, day 123 on the challenge, day one of 2013 and one race already run.