Posted on Mar 10, 2013 under 10-15k, All Weather Running, Long Runs, Milestones, Trail Running |
Time for the Sunday long run, and for a spring day in March the weather was a bit grim – blowing a strong icy wind, freezing cold. Still, the sun was out and shades went on, but only managed to sweat and feel warm when shielded from the wind at brief times in the woods.
Started off towards Hyde, went past Sweatshop and glanced in the window but didn’t see anyone, then headed up to the old railway tracks and ran to the end out towards the hills, then all the way back to Denton. Bumped into a number of friendly dogs and a chap who asked for directions to the canal paths, to get to a pub outing with some mates, I was a bit lost at the time so just told him to head for Gibraltar Bridge and he could get the canal from there.
Got quite muddy in places and the ascent up Stockport Road was a bit of a killer, but made it, then trundled and plodded the last km and rounded off to 13k, or just over 8 miles, just as the Garmin was about to die!
Posted on Mar 06, 2013 under 5-10k, 5k, Regular Runs, Tempo Runs |
Had to go to Ashton to bank a bit of cash, so decided to get the bus in running kit and then run back.
Wasn’t the nicest of runs, route mostly clogged with traffic and therefore fumes, and plenty of obstructions and speeding lunatics steering chariots of deadly metal as fast as possible for no reason, though one or two were polite enough to let me cross.
Had to slow down at one point when my pace was edging under 9 minute miles as didn’t want to risk any injuries again, but was happy to dip under 10 minute mile pace for most of the run and feel comfortable running a bit quicker with no niggles, hopefully building back up slowly will see me ready for a good outing in the Great Manchester Run in May!
Posted on Mar 03, 2013 under 10-15k, Health, Long Runs, Milestones, Trail Running |
Something of a Sunday long run, and just under 7 miles is certainly quite long considering my breaks due to injury lately. Was nice to get a substantial distance under my belt, and felt good, though the first few K and the last few were quite tough, in different ways.
Set off down Town Lane, plan was to run out to Reddish Vale and see how I got on. Felt pretty cold to start with, and took it easy, enjoying the the uneven ground and the greenery around me. Bumped into a bunch of vans who looked like they were getting ready for pony trekking, then began the descent to the park, where I started to feel a bit odd, and had to stop for a moment as my heart felt slightly odd and I felt a tingling in my fingers. I put my hand on it and it seemed to have a weird fluttery extra beat, which occasionally happens at rest. I walked for a little while and it went back to normal, and I carried on slowly, and felt no ill effects after this, despite going uphill after this.
I took a few detours and ended up going uphill into Reddish, did a loop of some houses and got a bit lost so went back the way I came, through the park, and then the climb back to Denton, passing ponies along the way. The long steady incline had me working hard and by the time I got to Town Lane I was starting to drag a bit, a chap sweeping his path pulled aside and said “won’t get in the way of your training, stay cool mate,” so I gave him a thumbs up and dug in for the last couple of km. Was just about out of steam by 11k, and petered out, but was nice to have been out running for well over an hour with no niggles, and at times was running as fast as 10 minute miles! Will work on that, one run at a time, for the moment I am just enjoying getting out and enjoying the trails, will be even nicer when the sun pops out!
Posted on Feb 27, 2013 under 5 miles, 5-10k, Jogs, Trail Running |
Beautiful day at the end of February, managed to do 7k at the weekend and today was my first 5 miler in a while, run mostly on beautiful trails, even inspired me to write a poem during the run, which I captured on my return! Nothing like a run through the woods as the world starts to waken!
Twigs twist and crunch underfoot
in this push pull with gravity,
body borrowing oxygen, feet flying,
lungs gulping to the drum of heart
in this world of earth and trees
where sun drifts down to reflect
on a mind as still as winter water.
Legs, lungs, heart say stop, stop,
But mind nods to sun, earth, trees,
this motion, light – this urgent, precious life.
Not ready to cease this hardwon
effortlessness of being.
Not yet.
Posted on Feb 21, 2013 under 5-10k, 5k, Injuries, Jogs, Slow Runs |
Really wanted to get out for a run and just get some exercise hormones flowing after quite a stressful and strange week.
Figured I might try 2 or 3k, and at first thought the hamstring was going to pop straight away but it didn’t. Kept the pace very slow, and when I got to 3k, decided to keep going at the same slow pace, and although there as a slight twinge after I’d stopped at traffic lights, it passed and I was able to complete 5k in 38 minutes without the hamstring popping painfully, so it’s a start!
Posted on Feb 16, 2013 under 3k, Injuries, Jogs, Slow Runs |
After my last entry, I managed to get back to the Sweatshop Running Community in Hyde and run a full 10k as backmarker, gathering pace at the end (as far as I gather pace these days) and while I was vaguely aware towards the end of the hamstring, it was fine and had no further sensations.
Next day was fine, until suddenly I was walking down the street and it kind of popped again. Rest up for several days, tried to run 2 miles at a very slow 12 minute mile jog, and it was popping horrendously by the end end so I had to give up.
Took about 2 weeks off, during a time that was so stressy I really really needed some exercise, and then went out tonight, ran a very sedate pace, but by the end of 2 miles my left leg was not happy all over again.
Really don’t know what to do, if two weeks total rest from running doesn’t seem to have helped, where do I go from here? No, I can’t afford physios etc. 🙁 What I don’t get is after the initial trauma, it wasn’t long before I was back running, didn’t seem to have any problems, now I’m resting for 2 weeks and can’t get through 2 miles at a very slow pace…
Have tried massaging and stretching in the meantime, doesn’t seem to have helped.
Posted on Jan 28, 2013 under 5-10k, All Weather Running, Regular Runs |
Wanted to get a run in, so if possible I can be ready for a SRC run on Weds, work permitting.
Set off a bit quick, and felt bombarded by strong icy winds, saw a colourful chap running at quite apace, and we passed and exchanged greetings twice. Planned a vague route in my head then kept adding bits on, sailed through 5k in just over 32 minutes and felt good, no leg or other issues.
Started to tire a little by the end so veered in the general direction of home, and stopped the watch at 7.3km in 47 mins 55. Felt I ran a little faster while running well within myself, mindful of the hamstring and other problems of late. Need to realise I can’t go from running 6.30 per KM to 5 or less per KM all at once,without my legs telling me they don’t like it sooner or later, no matter how good my lungs and heart might be doing!!
Posted on Jan 26, 2013 under 5-10k, 5k, All Weather Running, Easy Runs, Jogs |
Tried to run in the week, but had to come back in as it was far too slippery. Missed both SRC runs due to work or ice, so was nice to get out and just run, even though it was raining, cold, and a few bits of slushy ice still about (it always reminds me of the sugar at the bottom of my weetabix bowl for some reason).
Just a jog really, very slow, but didn’t get puffed out after 10 days off, and no hamstring twangs, though I would be surprised if anything could twang going at the sedate a pace! Onwards and upwards, again!
Posted on Jan 17, 2013 under All Weather Running, Club Runs, Injuries, Long Runs |
Time to venture out to Sweatshop Hyde running group again, and this time decided to do the 5k followed by the new mid week 10k group which was set to run at an easier pace than the usual Wednesday 10k crew.
Felt good on the 5k, a nice warmup, ran out at the front quite a bit and felt stronger than I have in a while. Tried to conserve energy for the following 10k but didn’t do too good a job of this.
Got a bit cold waiting for the 10k to group and set off, tried to stay moving. My plan was to run most of the route and then break off and head back home when the group reached Denton, rather than running all the way back to Hyde and then having to bus it back.
Lot of ice around, which was negotiated safely, and I felt strong, and put in some strides, mostly running out at the front. When we got to Denton my laces came undone so I stopped for a minute, and elected to catch the group up then turn back towards home further down Hyde Road. Managed to catch the group, then turned off, and about 200 yards from home my hamstring twanged and I cam to a stuttering halt 🙁
So if it’s not my lower right leg, it’s my upper left leg – looks like a few days off running at least, and another slow comeback after feeling the fitness was coming right back. Glad I have not entered any races apart from Great Manchester, would just be a waste of money at the moment as I seem to get more and more injuries so will have to go back to slow jogging again…
Posted on Jan 13, 2013 under 10-15k, All Weather Running, Jogs, Long Runs |
Approx 6.5 miles on a very cold dark night with the sleet coming down.
Ran to Ashton via Cemetery Road/Asda, then looped all the way back to Denton, added a little extra on to make it above 10k. Struggled in places but had just warmed up at the end, when it was time to get back indoors!
