Old Man

It's been another rather long and depressing week of non-running. It's now over two months since the leggy went all silly on me but the end of my running ban may be in sight. The pain had reduced gradually to a constant niggle and is now feeling more like a bit of tightness. Though I'm £200 poorer and very bored by the sound of my own voice every time anyone asks how it's going, I think I might be over the worst.

A welcome distraction this weekend was the Lakeland Trails Race at Coniston. M had it in his race diary as a bit of change from the roads; a nicely challenging but enjoyable 15k tour part way up Coniston before a loop to the left to contour the rugged shoulder and a nice fast return descent through muddy trail and open fields. The event boasted some great names on the entry list, including fellow club mate Vic Wilkinson who looked awesome and placed 4th overall with an impressive lead over second lady, Lizzie Adams. Vic has been enjoying a blistering season after a major foot injury and surgery in the summer of 2009; she's a running inspiration if ever there was one... 

M had a fine run though was cussin' his choice of shoes by the end; the road racers failing him on every turn of the muddy tracks after the heavy rains all week long. Thankfully for me the event was held under blue skies and glorious sunshine; a forgiving interlude to the downpours. M finished 8th overall and I reckon he was up for the V40 prize had he been willing to hang around for the rather late prizegiving. The old road racer ran impressively well, holding his own against some expert trail racers and all in soggy road shoes! M's running just goes from strength to strength; I've got some serious catching up to do if I'm ever gonna show who's the real running boss in this house. [I just know I'm gonna live to regret typing that]. 

Well done too to local running star Marc Springer of Horsforth Harriers. Marc's the type who looks good in mud and there was plenty of that about. An awesome race from the Horsforth Vet despite having raced 25 miles last weekend! Full race results here.

Every Picture Tells A Story

Today was M's big day, it being a key race in the calendar; the Wharfedale Half Marathon. This is a lovely off road race taking in plenty of climb, skirting Conistone, Kilnsey and taking in the very long, hard slog of a climb up Mastiles Lane. The race ends with a very fast final descent back into Threshfield and is superbly organised by Bingley club mate and supremo runner, Mick Hawkins. 

The day was a hotty and with the race setting out at 11am no runner escaped the bright but harsh rays of the sun today. M has focused on nothing else this last week or two and was eager to run well and find out exactly how good his race preparation has been.

Setting out a tad fast, M led the first mile over the fast boys at the front; the initial road section lulling him into a slightly too fast pace. The race soon settled down with some tough running over glorious dales terrain, a hazy sunny day with slight breezes and breathtaking scenery. The views were the last thing on their minds as they dug in, racing from checkpoint to checkpoint and hydrating where they could.

My snippets of the race were wee snatches of action where the car could take me, though admittedly I nearly missed M whilst absorbed with a lovely scattering of limestone boulders! The area is one of my favourites, Burnsall and its environs being my dream home, if only. 

The final stages of the race forced me to rouse myself from a happy-snapping-stupor just in time to chase M to the finish; a bone rattling descent of 2 miles into Threshfield for the final sprint home. After a near tie with a Leeds City boy mid-way, M came in to swoop 6th place overall. A few mispunches and wrong turnings for the leading two took them out of the final results. It has to be said that all boys looked truly wasted by the finish. Nice one M, first V40 and 6th overall! Well done to all Otley and lkley mates too including Jon S, Andy W and Ewan (he braved the full marathon!). Marc S of Horsforth also ran well, racing well over his usual distance and for the third time this week. A nice prize and a bacon butty followed by cake finished off the afternoon nicely. We'll both be back next year, there's a ladies record to break. Results here.

We English

Today has felt like a proper bank holiday; the sunny-ice-lolly-laying-in-the-cool-green-grass kind of day. A fine and breezy morning run out to Bolton Abbey this morning included much dodging of backpackers, bank holiday picnickers and dogs with big sticks. All were out for a very English day out. M and I often pinch ourselves in case we forget how lucky we are to live with this gorgeous place on the doorstep. We can enjoy this summer playground whenever we want and it really is the perfect destination for a bank holiday day out.

Simon Roberts: Bolton Abbey, Skipton, North Yorkshire, 27th July 2008
 

Today I ran immersed in the holiday feeling; threading my way around pushchairs, walkers teetering under overstuffed packs and sometimes dodging rogue footballs. The path snaked alongside the riverside, winding along the banks of the glistening Wharfe,  its pebbly shores spotted with paddling dogs and toddling children.

Fine bank holiday scenes emerged around each twist in the path and transported me to the amazing stills of Simon Roberts (above). Fellow photography lovers may know his work well but one collection in particular (We English) leaves me inspired and transported. They're definitely worth a look here.

To top off a fine day I came across my favourite lolly variety this afternoon; the Nobbly Bobbly! Could things really be any more perfect...?

Ducky Couples

I've been enjoying a few very pleasant easy days after feeling so pooped this last week. The race on Sunday left my legs squeezed dry of bounce so training has been much more relaxed. The last three days have featured some nice 'n' easy trail jaunts in the main, taking advantage of the daylight. The extra hour's window at the end of the day transforms training possibilities with countless trail runs on our doorstep. The break from the road training is music to the legs and running soul too. Whilst enjoying these 'smell the roses' type runs I've been looking for the signs of spring, the vistas here still look wintery with very few signs of budding new growth. The abundance of lambs fizzing around the fields and countless ducky couples waddling around the village is confirmation enough that mother nature is still on track. The weather on the other hand has other ideas. Looking forward to my first coached track session tomorrow night and then a lovely long weekend, full of spring running and Easter bunnies. Chocolate ones that is.

On Top of the World

Having taken a few unexpected days off whilst the office is quiet I've been basking in the luxury of lazy days whilst poor M has had to traipse to work. I'm trying to soften the cruel blow by getting up with the alarm and seeing him off as well as providing special cake treats for when he comes home like any good Stepford Wife should. I'm feeling particularly bad about getting a daylight run in this morning as M has just had to venture out on his lonesome in the cold and soggy night for a slippy slide around town. We're both happily taking things easy this next week or two, a blessing given the continued presence of the glacier outside the front door.

Today's run was a playful and very easy 6 mile bimble in the snow up to Barden reservoir. In my unique style I timed things perfectly to catch the howling winds and sleet showers. I don't half pick 'em. As the odd rambler gazed on from their cosy car seat at my nuttiness, I forged on with pocket camera in one hand, grasping for anything in my wake to stay upright with the other. It was cold and a bit bleak but it wasn't work and I thought of M as I got some fresh air.

The afternoon passed quickly with a bit of eating, bubble bathing and blog fiddling (not all at once). I'm revelling in this easy week and enjoying some princess RB time as the days count down to THE PLAN. Only 5 days to go before VLM training starts proper. OMG, its nearly here. WOo HoOoOOoOoO. I'm officially a bit scared. It'll soon be an end to all this talking and finally a start to the long awaited doing.