Should have been four, but didn't want to miss Bolt running in the 200m World Finals - right choice! Another amazing performance by Usain, another gold, another world record, another field decimated. Wow!
My run was very, very sedate by comparison. Full kit run again, but really sweated as the weather is so warm and close.
Not much more running now before 18.30 on Friday 28th......
Thursday, 20 August 2009
Wednesday, 19 August 2009
Easy Eight
Full kit work out today, even down to the mini gaiters and little sachet of crystallised ginger.
Ran a made up route that took me up Leeds Road to Bar House End, then walked with poles up Old Pool Bank to the very top of the hill and the old school. Packed the poles away and ran down into Bramhope, cut down by the Fox and Hounds (cricketers hang out), back along Oltey Road to the Dyneley Arms, then cut up through a little snicket to Old Pool Village and back through Chevin Forest to arrive at Danefield Gate.
This is usually the 'best view in the world', which I fully intended to capture on camera (found a spot for it at last), but sadly arrived after the sun had sunk below the Cow Calf rocks and was faced with a dull grey sky. Still, took photo, will post it below later.
Ran a made up route that took me up Leeds Road to Bar House End, then walked with poles up Old Pool Bank to the very top of the hill and the old school. Packed the poles away and ran down into Bramhope, cut down by the Fox and Hounds (cricketers hang out), back along Oltey Road to the Dyneley Arms, then cut up through a little snicket to Old Pool Village and back through Chevin Forest to arrive at Danefield Gate.
This is usually the 'best view in the world', which I fully intended to capture on camera (found a spot for it at last), but sadly arrived after the sun had sunk below the Cow Calf rocks and was faced with a dull grey sky. Still, took photo, will post it below later.
Fast Four
Short run yesterday, the usual four mile circuit around Otley, but ran it fast and wore the UTMB back pack again. Balance was good even at speed.
Monday, 17 August 2009
Pool Seven
Back from a weekend of more rest and over indulgence! Guests at our house from Thursday through Sunday, so lots of cooking, entertaining and wine!
Run today was good though. Ran with Olmo 5 back pack, bottles and poles.
Pack still holding up, stable and comfortable. Used the poles up Pool Bank and feels good once you have a rhythm. Also a great feeling when you pack them away and start running again 'hands free'.
Hopefully more runs out most of this week adding bits of kit and looking for the elusive 'ideal' spot for the camera...
Run today was good though. Ran with Olmo 5 back pack, bottles and poles.
Pack still holding up, stable and comfortable. Used the poles up Pool Bank and feels good once you have a rhythm. Also a great feeling when you pack them away and start running again 'hands free'.
Hopefully more runs out most of this week adding bits of kit and looking for the elusive 'ideal' spot for the camera...
Wednesday, 12 August 2009
Roughly seven
Well, that was more like it, about seven miles in all, up East Chevin Road and then kept on going all the way to the trig point deep in Danefield forest but also the 'summit' of our little hill.
Used the poles to the top then packed them away onto the Olmo 5 back pack. Really like this bit of kit, but typical Raidlight seem to have skimped on strength to go lightweight and one of the bungees to secure the poles snapped. This pack is only about 30 miles out of the wrapper......still, managed to fix it up and carried on through forest, out to Old Pool village and back in on the Leeds Road.
Fantastic evening, bright, breezy, quiet and perfect for running.
Used the poles to the top then packed them away onto the Olmo 5 back pack. Really like this bit of kit, but typical Raidlight seem to have skimped on strength to go lightweight and one of the bungees to secure the poles snapped. This pack is only about 30 miles out of the wrapper......still, managed to fix it up and carried on through forest, out to Old Pool village and back in on the Leeds Road.
Fantastic evening, bright, breezy, quiet and perfect for running.
Tuesday, 11 August 2009
Easy Three
I is officially taperin'!
Decided to take some rest last week after feeling tired of so much running. Its actually harder than you might think not to run - your body is happy with the concept but your mind insists that you are undoing all those weeks and months of training. Which is, of course, rubbish.
So, just a selection of shortish runs now I think until the big day, but lots of messing around with kit!
Today's dilemma, where to carry my camera.....
Which is of course essential, so I can take lots of pictures, like these from Berwick-upon-Tweed at the weekend:
Tuesday, 4 August 2009
Muggy, Muggy Four
Once swam off a beach called Muggy, Muggy. We were trying to snorkel but couldn't see a thing.
Visibility around Otley this evening was very clear, but the atmosphere very close. Not a pleasant run at all.
Oh, and Muggy, Muggy beach is off Dunk Island on the Great Barrier Reef....
Visibility around Otley this evening was very clear, but the atmosphere very close. Not a pleasant run at all.
Oh, and Muggy, Muggy beach is off Dunk Island on the Great Barrier Reef....
Sunday, 2 August 2009
Pembrokeshire Coast Path
Trip down to Wales this weekend to collect Emma after her weeks holiday with cousins Sophie and Amy.
Drove down Friday evening and stopped over at the The Bell in Skenfrith. This is an old pub that is now a restaurant with rooms and is featured in the book 'Hip Hotels'.
Unfortunately, it rained the whole time we were there, so no chance to explore the riverside, ruined castle or what looked like a lovely flower and vegetable garden. Still, the room was very luxurious and the meal absolutely delicious - check out their website if you are interested: http://www.skenfrith.co.uk/
Saturday (after a very nice breakfast - all local produce) we set off for the the very far south west corner of Wales. After a picturesque if slow drive we reached 'Dale' at the mouth of Milford Sound just before 2 pm. Here Pamela dropped me off to run the 28 miles along the coast path to the caravan at Newgale.
St Bride's Castle
View north across St Bride's Bay
After about an hour of this, and still some 8 miles from Newgale I phoned Pamela to give an update. It took another 30 odd minutes to cover the next mile to Broad Haven so I called in to get picked up - I could have run on up the road for the last 7 miles in, but I was going to be well over schedule and late for tea! Anyway, I'd run a good 4 and 1/2 hours which was good training and I'd had the chance to test out all my new kit.
Drove down Friday evening and stopped over at the The Bell in Skenfrith. This is an old pub that is now a restaurant with rooms and is featured in the book 'Hip Hotels'.
The Bell at Skenfrith
Unfortunately, it rained the whole time we were there, so no chance to explore the riverside, ruined castle or what looked like a lovely flower and vegetable garden. Still, the room was very luxurious and the meal absolutely delicious - check out their website if you are interested: http://www.skenfrith.co.uk/ Saturday (after a very nice breakfast - all local produce) we set off for the the very far south west corner of Wales. After a picturesque if slow drive we reached 'Dale' at the mouth of Milford Sound just before 2 pm. Here Pamela dropped me off to run the 28 miles along the coast path to the caravan at Newgale.
Dale
Marloes Sands
View north across St Bride's BayBy now the rain had cleared and it was a glorious sunny day - I'll download some photos later in the week. All in all in was great run, until the last few miles before Broad Haven when the path became overgrown and treacherously muddy. It was thick, slippy clay and impossible to run in and only just walkable - my feet slid with ever step.
Broad Haven
After about an hour of this, and still some 8 miles from Newgale I phoned Pamela to give an update. It took another 30 odd minutes to cover the next mile to Broad Haven so I called in to get picked up - I could have run on up the road for the last 7 miles in, but I was going to be well over schedule and late for tea! Anyway, I'd run a good 4 and 1/2 hours which was good training and I'd had the chance to test out all my new kit.Saturday night's accomodation....
Friday, 31 July 2009
Burley Menston
Ran this regular route yesterday in glorious sunshine. Its either six or seven miles, not really quite sure, but a nice circular route with some fine views despite the main roads.
Big news yesterday was the arrival of various bits of UTMB kit - back pack, short sleeve Helly Trailwizard, gaiters, water bottles, collapsible beaker......hope to test these out over the weekend.
Big news yesterday was the arrival of various bits of UTMB kit - back pack, short sleeve Helly Trailwizard, gaiters, water bottles, collapsible beaker......hope to test these out over the weekend.
Wednesday, 29 July 2009
Pool Seven in the Rain
Bit of a feature recently, but yet another run in the rain. Always difficult to know what kit to wear, its definitely not cold, but the body chills quite quickly when wet so there is always a need to stay warm.
Still, good run, luckily I avoided the heaviest of the rain and quite enjoyed the route (up Leeds Road to the Dyneley Arms junction, down the big hill into Pool, back to Otley along Pool Road).
Still, good run, luckily I avoided the heaviest of the rain and quite enjoyed the route (up Leeds Road to the Dyneley Arms junction, down the big hill into Pool, back to Otley along Pool Road).
Tuesday, 28 July 2009
Monday, 27 July 2009
Ring Road sixteen
Not the most glamorous location for a training run, but convenient!
After a weekend at the parents and dropping Emma off for a holiday with her cousins I got dropped off on the way home near the junction of the M1and the A63. I then followed the Ring Road through places like Cross Gates and Roundhay to Moortown and then cut up through Adel, onto the Leeds Road and home.
Quite a good run, including a quick second half, covering the route from the Lanswood pub to home in 41 minutes.
Also tested out an SIS fig and raisin bar (glorified fig roll) that went down very well, so might form part of my UTMB diet.
After a weekend at the parents and dropping Emma off for a holiday with her cousins I got dropped off on the way home near the junction of the M1and the A63. I then followed the Ring Road through places like Cross Gates and Roundhay to Moortown and then cut up through Adel, onto the Leeds Road and home.
Quite a good run, including a quick second half, covering the route from the Lanswood pub to home in 41 minutes.
Also tested out an SIS fig and raisin bar (glorified fig roll) that went down very well, so might form part of my UTMB diet.
Friday, 24 July 2009
Just Three
But a nice three - up East Chevin Road, little circuit around Danefield Forest and then back.
Should have been a rest day today, but had decided to do tomorrow's 2 hr run today instead (free up some weekend time), but then just didn't feel like it some how.
So, back on track Sunday (I hope).
Should have been a rest day today, but had decided to do tomorrow's 2 hr run today instead (free up some weekend time), but then just didn't feel like it some how.
So, back on track Sunday (I hope).
Wednesday, 22 July 2009
Old Pool Bank six
A really enjoyable run this evening, despite the outward half climb.
Ran up the Leeds Road to Old Pool Bank and then carried on to the very top of the hill. From here there are great views across Wharfedale and of Armscliffe Crag.
The run back is mostly downhill through Danefield Forest, coming out onto East Chevin Road at Danefield Gate for one of the best views in the world - Wharfedale, Rombalds Moor, Cow and Calf rocks, Beamsley Beacon and, on a really clear day, right out to the hills of the Yorkshire Dales.
Ran up the Leeds Road to Old Pool Bank and then carried on to the very top of the hill. From here there are great views across Wharfedale and of Armscliffe Crag.
The run back is mostly downhill through Danefield Forest, coming out onto East Chevin Road at Danefield Gate for one of the best views in the world - Wharfedale, Rombalds Moor, Cow and Calf rocks, Beamsley Beacon and, on a really clear day, right out to the hills of the Yorkshire Dales.
Tuesday, 21 July 2009
Pool seven
Quick seven miles in between the heavy showers tonight. Not much to report, no space junk or crashed world war two bombers.
Although earlier in the day I ventured across the Pennines again to a place called Birchwood, near Warrington. Very nice business park (home to BNFL, Atomic Energy Authority, Atomic Police Agency...) but the shopping centre and housing all around were, well, a tad different.
The really spooky thing was wondering back to the station (there were no sign posts so it was all a bit hit and miss - its clearly modelled on Milton Keynes, so lots of paths and cycleways, but with no pavement on the roads, also no signs so no idea where I was going...) and found myself on 'Dunnock Avenue', which lead to Goldfinch Close, Dipper Way, Blackbird's Nest......very twilight zone.
Although earlier in the day I ventured across the Pennines again to a place called Birchwood, near Warrington. Very nice business park (home to BNFL, Atomic Energy Authority, Atomic Police Agency...) but the shopping centre and housing all around were, well, a tad different.
The really spooky thing was wondering back to the station (there were no sign posts so it was all a bit hit and miss - its clearly modelled on Milton Keynes, so lots of paths and cycleways, but with no pavement on the roads, also no signs so no idea where I was going...) and found myself on 'Dunnock Avenue', which lead to Goldfinch Close, Dipper Way, Blackbird's Nest......very twilight zone.
Saturday, 18 July 2009
Three more Peaks
Yes, back to the Dales today for another round of the Three Peaks. Wasn't sure how this one would go coming off the back of yesterday's 24 miles (that and the fact it had rained non-stop yesterday and last night), but in the end I had a really good run.
Weather was spot on. Very clear with fantastic views - Pendle Hill to the south, Morecombe out to the west and although it was cloudy, the cloud stayed off the tops for each of my visits. PERFECT!
It was also drier underfoot than last Sunday (that'll be that fast draining karst topography), and with the wind blowing even the descent off Whernside wasn't as slippy.
Busier than last week, but not too congested and overall felt pretty pleased with myself.
Weather was spot on. Very clear with fantastic views - Pendle Hill to the south, Morecombe out to the west and although it was cloudy, the cloud stayed off the tops for each of my visits. PERFECT!
It was also drier underfoot than last Sunday (that'll be that fast draining karst topography), and with the wind blowing even the descent off Whernside wasn't as slippy.
Busier than last week, but not too congested and overall felt pretty pleased with myself.
Friday, 17 July 2009
Four and Twenty
It was an awfully wet day today, not a 'tad' wet, but constant, unrelenting RAIN.
So, ideal conditions for a quick four mile run at lunchtime and then a little 20 mile jaunt this evening! NOT.
So, ideal conditions for a quick four mile run at lunchtime and then a little 20 mile jaunt this evening! NOT.
Wednesday, 15 July 2009
Dario Melaragni - WHW Race Director
I was shocked today to read that Dario, Race Director of the West Highland Way Race for the last 10 years, died tragically on Sunday whilst out Munro bagging with friends (many of whom are WHW runners).
It really was a shock and I found it hard to believe it was true (given the propensity of WHW forumites to go completely off the wall). Needless to say the tributes are many and moving, and if you knew Dario, or had any involvement in the race, do read them.
http://www.westhighlandwayrace.org/
It really was a shock and I found it hard to believe it was true (given the propensity of WHW forumites to go completely off the wall). Needless to say the tributes are many and moving, and if you knew Dario, or had any involvement in the race, do read them.
http://www.westhighlandwayrace.org/
Three up hill and down dale
No idea how this happened, but my schedule today stated '3 x mile'. In other words, SPEED work?! in the middle of an ultra training plan. Weird.
So, I ignored the speed bit and stuck to the three bit, walking up the 1 in 8 gradient East Chevin Road (poles in use of course) into Danefield forest, and then enjoyed the gentle run through the woods and back into glorious sunshine with stunning views up and down Wharfedale.
Fantastic evening to be running in, but found those three miles quite hard....
So, I ignored the speed bit and stuck to the three bit, walking up the 1 in 8 gradient East Chevin Road (poles in use of course) into Danefield forest, and then enjoyed the gentle run through the woods and back into glorious sunshine with stunning views up and down Wharfedale.
Fantastic evening to be running in, but found those three miles quite hard....
Tuesday, 14 July 2009
Thunderous Five!
Just a short five mile loop around Otley, but made all the more interesting this evening by a huge thunderstorm. Not too much in the way of thunder and lightning, but lots, and lots of stair-rod rainfall! Got home a tad wet....
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