Nice run tonight

Ran a nice 7m trail tonight and felt fit and strong.

One of those runs...

After a really busy day today, I didn't much feel like going out running at 10:30. I did go however for a trail run up on the hill. Felt awful throughout (just no energy) but pushed on and completed 5m. Doesn't sound much, but had to really push to get that far.

7m

Nice 7m off-road run with the headtorch. It has been really mild the last week or so and the ice and snow have long since departed. Felt cooler again tonight though - could there be one final sting in the tail to the Winter of 08-09?!

Hope so!

17m

Ran 17 miles on-road tonight as I just wanted to switch off and follow my feet without thinking about rocks, branches, puddles etc!

Forgot how tiring road-running is! Had planned to run 23m, but stupidly forgot vaseline on the thighs... ouch! 17m was more than enough!

Ok loop from Otley to Guisely, Rawdon, Horsforth, West Park, Adel, Bramhope and Otley.

Mountains

Had a nice time doing some mountain stuff, but unfortunately most of the snow had gone and it was rainy and windy. Still nice to be up in the hills though!

Weekend running

Ran some nice trails this weekend before my trip up North to spend some time in the hills with Iain.

3m

Rubbish run, no energy, to icy to stand up on the trails, so came home after 3m! Noth bothered as have run well this week. Off for an early night.

8m

Ran a nice 8m road loop tonight, up to Bramhope, through the village and back down to Otley. The first half of the run was directly towards a near-full moon, just rising over the horizon. Beautiful.

Club run

Nice off-road night run with two guys from the club tonight. Bit treacherous as most of the snow has turned to ice. Good pacey run though under a cool full moon.

Short run

Intended to do a longer run today but other things had to take priority. Got out for a short run tonight however, running a hilly 4 mile circuit in more fresh snow. Going to be so sad when the snow does finally disappear. Up on the hill at night in the moonlight and snow, it's like I've got my own Winter Wonderland Training Ground! There's only me up there and I've got heactares of snowy forest to run in. I feel so lucky. Think the snow's here for the week judging by the weather forecast too :)

Hill Loops

Ran 5 loops of a hilly circuit on beautiful moonlit snowy trails. Overall, 15 miles and 1000m of ascent/descent. Great run!

Yet more snow!

Ran another good snow run tonight with the club. The snow's a bit more compacted tonight, but still great for running. Ran a nice hilly 6m trail.

More snow

Just back from a totally amazing run. Would probably rank it in my top ten, possibly top 5 of any run!

Ran a headlight run with a few club members up the Chevin. The icy, frozen snow in the valley gave way to awesome powder snow up top, nicely compact on the trails, but still deep enough to cushion legs while running. The trees hung heavy with deep snow and they looked stunning by torchlight.

A beautiful experience.

Hillwork

Did a couple of hill loops tonight. In the absence of any bigger hills, I have worked out quite a good loop which maximises local available elevation change and allows me to get a 3 mile loop in too. One loop = 3m and 200m ascent. Ran three last night and 2 tonight. Although the mileage isn't high, I am finding it a strain on the lungs so I figure it must be doing me some good.

I might use this loop (possible X 5) on a Saturday as a training session, followed by a flatter endurance run on a Sunday. Also I'll throw these loops in as walks whenever I get the chance as I suppose lots of the uphills on the UTMB wil be walks.

I'm rambling! A nice run in cool wintry conditions.

West Highland Way Race

I have made the decision today to pull out of the West Highland Way Race 2009. Having completed this fantastic event in 2008, I thought that i could manage two 100 mile races in one season. The way my season is going, I have to concentrate on one race only and I have decided to give my full committment to the UTMB.

I have offered my services as a marshall, and I hope that I have not caused Dario too many problems.

Hope to see you WHWers on the trail in June.

I am still planning to run the half WHWR (The Highland Fling) in April.

Snow

Looking forward to running in this later on :)

Poles etc

Have been busy deconstructing my kitchen today ready for a new one to go in in a few weeks, so didn't get out for a long run today.

Instead, tonight I took the poles for a test drive. Having got the wrong size ones to begin with (110cm) I took the new ones (123cm) for a spin.

Did 3 climbs of the Chevin> Thought they were great, really boosting the legs on the climbs and light enough to carry on the returns downhill.

Knee heald up ok too :)