Month: December 2017
training run #1399
Sunday 31 December, 08:02
8C, cool, windy. Went for a 15 mile run at Ladybower, following the same route I did in run #1364. Did this as I wanted a longer run without massive hills and lots of deep mud.
Felt right heel from the start, it niggled all the run. Kept it easy, just wanted to do the miles and enjoy it. Was really cold at the start so had lightweight rain jacket, gloves and hat on. That’s in spite of it being ‘warm’ enough for all the snow to have gone.
The undulating course wasn’t difficult, paused for a few pics and to eat. Finished 15 minutes slower than my previous run here, but then I was at my peak of marathon training.
Had a banana driving over, a Clif Bar, a gel and 500ml water during the run. Heel stiffened up later on.
Distance: 15.2 miles
Time: 2:31:17
Avg pace: 9:47 min/mile
Calories: 1723
Ascent: 1,444ft
Trainers: Brooks Cascadia
Wildlife: 1 rabbit, 1 flock of sheep
training run #1398
Friday 29 December, 06:56
1C, cold and snowing. Wrapped up for a 4 mile run. An inch of snow/ice slush underfoot slowed me down, made a few corners tricky. Kept my balance and survived without a fall.
Distance: 4.19 miles
Time: 39:45
Avg pace : 9:28 min/mile
Calories: 482
Trainers: Brooks Glycerin
training run #1397
Thursday 28 December, 06:56
1C, cold, dark. A 4 mile run. Felt right heel quite a bit. Paths were sparkly and a few frozen puddles here and there, but didn’t slip at all.
Distance: 4.19 miles
Time: 38:03
Avg pace: 9:05 min/mile
Calories: 473
Trainers: Brooks Ghost 10
training run #1396
Wednesday 27 December, 08:07
0C, cold, windy, snowing. Went for a 9 mile run on the second part of the Exterminator race route, but cut it short to 5 miles.
It was snowing from the start, but I thought it’d come and go as per the forecast. Running up around Carl Wark I carefully stayed left where it’s usually better underfoot. I cut right when I thought I was past the worst – and ended up sinking thigh deep in mud and water.
So near to the start of this run, I thought this meant a swift return home. I’d not be able to continue with half my body chilled through, dripping in mud. Carried on up and over Higger Tor. Crossed the field towards Stanage Edge and up here it was blizzard conditions. I couldn’t see because of the snow in my eyes, underfoot was very difficult, and I wondered how safe it’d be even higher up on Stanage.
Decided to follow the road to pick up a return path below Burbage Edge. Bizarrely, as I got to the bridge/path a chap with a camera had got out of his car and was taking pics of me running. Wonder if I’ll be featured in an article about stupid runners out in the snow?
Made good progress along (below) Burbage to Fox House and think I made the right decision. No point risking injury or exposure in those conditions. Had to keep pulling up my leggings because of the mud weighing me down.
Distance: 4.9 miles
Time: 1:01:32
Avg pace: 11:58 min/mile
Calories: 555
Ascent: 584ft
Trainers: inov8 x-claw 275
training run #1395
Sunday 24 December, 07:49. Christmas Eve.
9C, windy, overcast and cool. A 9 mile run on half the Exterminator race route. I followed the same route as 2 weeks ago, run #1387.
Climbing up the first hill, I only walked up the last bit of tarmac and the beginning of the rough track. Seemed better than last time.
Light drizzle began was leaving Blackamoor and by the time I’d crossed Houndkirk and descended Burbage Edge it was heavier. But the wind was the main thing.
It was soggy underfoot but no ice like last time. Had a Clif Bar, 1 gel and 500ml water. A good workout. Right heel niggled throughout but I’ve started a regime of calf-rollering and heel lifts to get it sorted once and for all.
Distance: 8.76 miles
Time: 1:49:55
Avg pace: 12:18 min/mile
Calories: 1005
Ascent: 1537ft
Trainers: Brooks Cascadia
Wildlife: 1 flock of sheep
training run #1394
Friday 22 December, 06:36
8C, dark cold and still foggy. A 6 mile run. The worst fog was on the far side of Rother Valley, but overall not as bad as yesterday. Felt colder though, quite a chill breeze. Right heel again. Did two laps of the main lake.
Distance: 6.07 miles
Time: 53:20
Avg pace: 8:47 min/mile
Calories: 683
Trainers: Brooks Ghost 10
training run #1393
Thursday 21 December, 07:02
8C, mild, damp underfoot. A 4 mile run. It was foggy/misty at Rother Valley, which made my headlight less effective blinding me with glare. Right heel niggle again. Felt strong and enjoyed the run.
Distance: 4.19 miles
Time: 36:55
Avg pace: 8:47 min/mile
Calories: 469
Trainers: Brooks Glycerin
training run #1392
Wednesday 20 December, 06:59
9C, mild and a bit mist at RV. A 4 mile easy run. Felt right heel for the first mile or so. Didn’t have the same energy as yesterday so kept it easy.
Distance: 4.2 miles
Time: 38:29
Avg pace: 9:11 min/mile
Calories: 477
Trainers: Brooks Ghost 10
training run #1391
Tuesday 19 December, 07:00
4C, cold and frosty. A 4 mile run. Both of my watch batteries died as I went out for this run, so no data. The paths were a bit white but I didn’t slip at all. It felt like I pushed on a little today, so a faster lap but no time to prove it.
Distance: 4.19 miles
Trainers: Brooks Glycerin
Wildlife: 2 rabbits
training run #1390
Saturday 16 December, 07:48
0C, cold and icy. A 9.6 mile run on the parts of the Exterminator course I didn’t do last weekend. Started at Fox House and picked up the route beneath Burbage Edge. Then Higger Tor, Stanage Edge, Hathersage, Mitchell Field, Padley Pump Station, across Longshaw and back to the car.
Wrapped up well. Felt right heel throughout but it didn’t slow me. Lots of ice and a few inches of snow.
Thought I’d got the feel of the snow and part-frozen soil but heading up to Carl Wark I was surprised when I stepped 12 inches deep through the snow into thick mud. Scraped right shin extracting myself.
Got a great view of the sunrise climbing up Higger Tor.
Getting up onto Stanage Edge I saw a couple sat on an outcrop watching the sunrise. As I got on top I shouted ‘Morning’ and waved, and they waved back. The woman shouted it was her birthday and did I want a cake? I thought why not, and enjoyed a small cupcake, thanked them. A nice memory.
I had a banana before running, 2 gels and a Clif Bar during the run, with 400ml water.
I nearly slipped over on the descent to Hathersage, lots of water running off the fields across the road had frozen.
Crossing and climbing Mitchell Field light snow started, carried on getting more and more.
As I’d expected, the conditions slowed me a lot, and I was walking a fair bit of the climbs.
Approaching the end, the last gate I had to pass through, I took a more direct approach instead of staying in the compacted footprints gently circling to the gate. I learned why when I sank 6 inches into mud without warning. Very cold and muddy feet for the last quarter mile.
A good workout, enjoyed it.
Distance: 9.65 miles
Time: 2:23:21
Avg pace: 14:11 min/mile
Calories: 1066
Ascent: 1468ft
Trainers: inov-8 x-claw 275
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