Endurance Adventures

The Robin Hood Marathon is two week's today... and I haven't done anywhere near enough training really. Don't get me wrong- I have done some- in fact I have done great training for a half marathon. It's just a shame I'm doing the full one!

I an attempt to redeem myself I set out on my last long one before I taper today. I planned a route along the River Trent from Gunthorpe beyon Fiskerton and back along fields and the river- I reckoned it would be about 18 miles and was pretty much spot on.

I parked up at Gunthorpe and set off along the river;


Near Gunthorpe

Trouble is, I was dying for a wee and this stretch just wasn't very private- if there weren't other folk walking and anglers there were gliders constantly flying overhead! Not to mention cows with bloody massive curving horns- luckily indifferent, but I didn't dare chance a photo. I finally found a handy line of trees and emerged just in time to be overtaken by a much quicker runner- I'm sure it must have been obvious where I had just been...


The River Trent

I followed the river to Hoveringham, Hazelford Ferry and Fiskerton- it was cloudy but dry, and not too hot. I had packed everything in my bum bag and actually managed to run most of the way apart from snacking and picking my way over rough ground. I am definately happier running cross country than on roads!

Past Fiskerton the path becomes quite uneven, but just after 9 miles (I was using my trusty Garmin) I turned away from the river down a bridleway. I had a bit of a fright, as my right ankle turned over and I felt that sickening pain all runners must dread for a few seconds, but it wore more or less straight off.

Unfortunately the wind had picked up and was predictably against me- that always happens to me! I reached Fiskerton again and was so hot I couldn't resist the lure of the pub and nipped in for a cold lime and lemonade. The lady who served me said "You look as though you've been running!" and asked me how far I had ran. When I looked at my Garmin and told her just over 11 miles she looked rather shocked!

Boosted by the lovely cold drink I set off into the wind and decided to take a path across fields I'd taken before to cut out the uneven river path. Unfortunately the footpath went across a ploughed field, and I had to stumble and pick my way back to Fiskerton Locks.


Fiskerton Locks And Wier

When I got back to Hazel Ferry I decided to take a bridleway running parallel to the river for a bit of variety (I was getting a little bored of the river!) It is a well maintained bridleway but as I was approaching Hoveringham my left ankle twisted under me and I felt the sickening pain again. This time it was much worse, and although I walked for a bit the pain didn't completely go. I still had another 2 1/2 miles to go by this point so had no choice but to continue.

I jogged and walked through the village back to the river, and succumbed to the ice cream van, so walked alongside the river whilst I ate. I decided to take a slow jog back to Gunthorpe, which I figured couldn't be that far- a good measure that you are approaching civilisation is the people you meet coming the other way- if they have dogs and wellies/ walking boots you still have a long way to go. If they have kids or are not at all dressed for walking you are getting nearer. If the kids get younger, or are on bikes, civilisation is just around the corner. If they are eating ice cream, you can relax cos you have made it!

I was glad to see Gunthorpe as I was feeling some discomfort from my ankle at this point, and reached the car as my Garmin displayed 18.6 miles- I didn't want to try to push it further.

I have had a soak in the bath and unfortunately my ankle is a bit swollen and painful when I walk, which is a b*gger as I can really do without an injury at this stage! I have followed the RICE rule- I have iced it, put a support bandage on it, kept it raised and will rest it, and just hope for the best...

Labels: Injury

I am feeling really tired this week... bummer really as it's my last big push before the Robin Hood Marathon! The council have already put up signs in advance warning of road closures and it's getting closer and closer...

But I have really struggled to motivate myself to train and haven't done anywhere near as much as I should have done! I think that this is partly due to my body rebelling after all the intensive MdS training and partly due to the fact that I have realised that I much prefer walking/ running off road/ cross country than on roads and pavements.

I think I am going to have to rethink times... when I entered I was hoping for an optimistic 4 1/2 hours finish but am going to have to lower my sights to around 5 1/2- 6 hours and accept that fact that I may need to walk/ run! I know I am capable of completing 26.2 miles- just not all running. On roads.

On a brighter note I did go out and do 13 miles on Sunday, cross country and on tracks, and ran almost all of it. By 11 miles I had ran out of water and was gasping, and my life was saved by an ice cream van at Colwick Country Park selling cold cans of coke- I normally hate normal coke but this tasted like heaven!

I have been to my Total Tone class tonight and went onto the treadmill for 20 minutes speed work after- which is probably why I am knackered! I am planning an 18 mile route for Sunday and then will start to taper- although I haven't got much to taper from!

Labels: Robin Hood Marathon, running

No- not me... but the name of my new sandals!! I was browsing in the local shoe shop with a colleague the other day when these little beauties caught my eye...

They are called 'Fit Flops' and are supposed to incorporate a new technology that makes the muscles in your glutes, legs and calves work that much harder with each step- or, as they say (literally as it's written on the bottom of each shoe) 'Get a Workout While You Walk'. I was assured by the label that my legs and bum will be effortlessly toned just be wearing them and walking, so given that a) I am always taken in by any gimmick which sounds as though it could shape my nether regions without too much effort on my part and b) there weren't many pairs left- so they HAVE to be good! plus c) they are smart enough to wear at work and every day, I stumped up £40 (reduced from £49) and walked out with them.

I don't know if they are working or not- maybe three days is too early to tell! I took them out for a 3 mile stroll the other night and I think I could feel them working my leg muscles harder but am not exactly a dress size smaller just yet- but we live in hope!

Labels: Fit flops

It's been a non event sort of week. I have been attempting to undertake some sort of training for the Robin Hood Marathon which is now looming large- 4 weeks to be precise!

I still haven't really build up the mileage like I should have done... I did 7 miles Tuesday night and went out yesterday with the intention of doing 10 in a double circuit round the next village. Rather stupidly I didn't bother taking water with me, and I quickly became very thirsty. As I didn't have any money on me either, I dashed into the public loos in Burton Joyce (trying to ignore the pools of sick some thoughtful person had decided to re-decorate the loos with) and gulped down a few handfuls from the cold tap.

By the time I had done 8 miles I was feeling quite bad, and ran/ walked a further 1 1/2 miles back home for a few glasses of fresh cold water- where I was hoarse for at least an hour afterwards. I'm sure my problems were due to letting myself become too dehydrated. Lesson learnt!!

On the plus side I have been keeping up with the gym work since returning from the seaside and went back to my Total Tone class Wednesday- god it was tough!!

I have a gym review this morning, so it will be interesting to see what she says...

Hope everybody has a good week!

Labels: dehydration, gym, running

I am back from a really pleasant break with mum, little sis Katie and the dogs in mum's van at Wells-Next-The-Sea. We were really lucky with the weather- the only rain we had was overnight on Thursday night.

When we set off on Wednesday it was absolutely pouring, but by the time we got there Wells was bathed in sunshine and it was pretty warm. As usual the dogs were excited to be there; it is however impossible to go to the toilet quietly in the night in the van as Jake hears you get up and gets so excited to see somebody awake that he tries to get into the tiny toilet cubicle and wags his tail. Unfortunately his tail is approximately two thirds of his length and space in the van is somewhat limited, so he ends up beating a staccato against the bedroom doors and wakes everyone else.

We had a walk through the woods Wednesday, and I borrowed mum's bike later and went up the lane for 45 minutes, disturbing a baby hedgehog. Thursday we walked down into Wells and had a browse and bowl of salad and chips (a half healthy meal!) in The Globe, accompanied by wasps, which meant a great deal of dancing around from Katie as she is terrified of the stripy little b*ggers.


On Route To Wells

Friday was quite dull so we went for a look around nearby Fakenham, which seems to consist of craft shops, charity shops and a large Tescos. Everywhere seems quite dog friendly though and the dogs got a biscuit each at the first craft shop.

I had a walk out in the evening, down lanes which I later realised were marked as private land- oops! I saw a pair of tiny muntjac deer, but wasn't quick enough to photograph them- well I have a vague brown blob which could actually be anything. It was getting dark as I walked back down the footpath, and a small hollow had filled with mist, creating a most unusual effect as the footpath was completely clear.


Evening Mists

Saturday was a scorcher, so we packed up lunch and carried chairs to the beach, where we found a prime spot in the dunes. I had intended to go for a walk, but thought sod it, I don't often get chance to chillax on the beach. Jake decided to re-enact World War One by digging trenches in an attempt to bury his ball and we sat and read the papers.


Jake Digging For England

We played with the dogs in the water, and they were joined by a collie who just wanted to run with Jake but he wasn't really interested...


Jake In The Water


Gemma In The Water


Jake, Gemma And Friend

It was quite a lazy week, but I didn't feel too bad as I had done the Dovedale Dipper and probably needed a rest, well, that's my excuse!!


Perfect Sun, Sand, Sea And Sky...

I redeemed myself Sunday by hauling my ass into the gym and running for 30 minutes, covering 3 miles, so it's not all bad...

Labels: gym, Wells-Next-The-Sea

I decided it was high time I actually took part in something a bit more endurancy than a run up the road, so hauled myself to Hartington to take part in this year's Dipper. I didn't do this last year as I opted for the Kent 50 instead, so was quite looking forward to it.

I parked up and grabbed a coffee, seeing a few folk I know including Sue, who is a stalwart at these events, and Stuart, who organises the Ponton Plod.

It is usually very, very hot but this year was a bit of an exception- as we were crowded in the street, ready for the blast of the horn to signal the 'off', one of the organisers said he wasn't going to give his usual speech on using enough sunscreen (although I had put some on) and warned that as July had been so very wet, parts of the course was very slippery, particularly the stone path down into Milldale (I am so notoriously bad at going downhill I worried about this all day!) I had opted to wear my newish running shoes as my old ones have truly had it and need chucking.

We set off- I am not going to give a detailed description of the route as I have covered this before in 2007 event reports. We started to climb, and I saw Ian, who I met on the Waltham Winder and Spires and Steeples last year. Stuart passed me, and I assured him I will be putting in my entry for the Ponton Plod very soon! He is a very fast walker.

We reached the High Peak Trail and I had a little jog along here to the checkpoint at Sparklow- I passed Stuart and his friend, and ended up leapfrogging them a few times throughout the day before they lost me for good!


The High Peak Trail

The weather was a little cloudy but dry, and luckily remained dry all day- though sadly not underfoot! A lot of the fields had very muddy patched which were impossible to avoid. There were also a lot of fields with cows in- some were indifferent but others were quite curious, crowding and making loud sniffing noises (I expect I stunk!) I adopted a strategy of dealing with cows... jog to catch up with the person in front and use them as a shield!


Descending

The route to Longnor is quite undulating, I ran some of the flatter and downhill bits (although some were rather muddy). We ran into a little trouble- I was following a few others downhill through a field towards the road, on a clearly defined path through the grass, when some walkers ahead turned back- apparently we had missed the path, and the landowner was waiting at the bottom, with a camera- we retraced our steps and found a very unobvious stile which led into a field full of cows!


Ominous Clouds!


You Can See The Path Ascending To Longnor On The Left Of The Photo

There is a sharp ascent on a track into Longnor and the second checkpoint, where the angry landowner was berating the poor checkpoint volunteers about all the walkers and runners clambering over his gate. I totally wasn't concentrating when I left the checkpoint and nearly missed the turning- luckily a couple of blokes called me!

This part of the route was extremely wet- at one point we had to follow a path through a patch of gorse, and my feet just sunk in the water up to ankle level- I ended up with wet feet for most of the day. Just before the third checkpoint, we had to wade through a field of crops which was practically a pool!

The chap at the checkpoint reckoned that you could tell the runners from the walkers as the runners had mud higher up their legs!

This was half way, and there was still the climb up Ecton Hill to come- but first there was more mud to be negotiated.


Looking Towards The Folly And Ecton Hill

Finally I could see Ecton Hill in front of me and after a little more mud sliding downhill, attempted the climb- which is just long and steep, and a bit of a slog. I could tell I hadn't done this in a while!!


Ascending Ecton Hill

There is a fantastic view from the top though, but difficult to do justice in a photo. There is a lovely scenic walk along the side of the hill before dropping to the road.

I had remembered a certain part of the route here I thought may possibly be muddy- well, it wasn't just mud- it was ankle deep, wet, gluttinous, extremely sticky mud! A few lady runners ahead were struggling to keep their balance and I failed miserable, landing on my bum. One of the runners took a photo of her feet in the mud and I was tempted to do the same, but my hands were covered in mud and I was worried about getting it all over my camera!

I tried to walk forwards and ended up on my bum for a second time. I put my hands out to save myself so looked as though I was wearing a pair of elbow high dark gloves! I am so glad I had the foresight to take a plastic sleeve for the route description or it would have been unreadable! (And my comments are sadly unprintable!!)

I must have looked a sight, as after the final steep ascent to Whetton I passed a group of walkers going the other way, who looked at me in amazement and said 'Where have you been!?!'

A nice chap at the Whetton checkpoint helped me to wash my hands- I thought I'd better before spreading mud over the cake on offer!

The route to Castern Hall and the next checkpoint was pretty straightforward, I had a little run downhill but a group of walkers caught me up at the checkpoint. There were crisps on offer which made a nice change from sweet stuff and offered some salt. I had a chocolate flavour energy bar with me but didn't really like it.

Finally, after more fields full of cows...


Cows...

... it was time for the descent to Milldale which had been giving me concern all day. I had to pick my way down, as the limestone stones were covered in mud, making them very slippery, and my by now completely mud covered running shoes offered no grip at all. I had to stop and let loads of folk go by and was rather put out when one woman just ran downhill as though it was nothing!

I knew that the route was easy from Milldale to the end, and had a little (very slow) jog to the last checkpoint. I followed a group of walkers up Wolfscote Dale who were keeping a very good pace, which I tried to match- I was too tired to jog at this point. The path through Wolfscote Dale is around 3 miles, and would usually be lovely, but after 23 miles it becomes a bit of a drag and seems endless!

Finally we turned off, and were on the fields and tracks back to Hartington. A few runners passed me, and when we went downhill I looked at my watch and realised it was nearly 5pm- I decided it would be good to try to get in dead on 5, so started a slow, shambling jog, passing the group of walkers I'd been trailing through the dale. As I neared the village, I heard footsteps behind me, and the group had all decided to go for a jog finish, so we all finished together in 8 hours exactly!

I grabbed a coffee and realised that the queue for jacket potatoes was growing, so thought I'd best join it. It didn't appear to be moving, and somebody said that they were waiting for more potatoes to be delivered. This took 10 minutes- a long time when all you want to do is sit down! There was a huge sigh of relief and the queue started to move again- but just as I got to the counter and was about to request cheese and beans they ran out again! I felt ready to murder the woman who'd been in front of me as she had taken two- one for her and a friend! It took nearly half an hour to get one- but they were nice...

When I got home, I realised that my previous Dipper PB had been 8 hours 30 minutes, so I had beaten it by half an hour! I know I had a really heavy pack when I last completed it but I was quite pleased as I haven't done anything for a while!

Not that I will be doing a lot this week as I am off to Wells tomorrow to spend some time with mum and my little sis- and the dogs...

Labels: Dovedale Dipper, Ponton Plod, Wells-Next-The-Sea