Night run

Route: 9m-ish, road and trail
Weather: warm

Ran a nice 9m hilly circuit. I had intended to run strictly on trail, but couldn't find my headtorch... Very foggy and quite eerie when an airbus appeared suddenly on its approach to Leeds Bradford!

After the initial shock of running rather than cycling, my legs settled down and I actually felt quite strong. Will run again tomorrow (prob. 10m), and then again on Tues, Wed and a very light run on Thursday, resting on Saturday.

Wednesday is the annual Ilkley Incline - a mile of pure uphill torture! I'm looking to beat last year's time of 10:11, then hopefully run the 7m home across Ilkley Moor.

4m taper

Route: 4m, road, 2m uphill, 2m down.
Weather: A pleasant 8C

Yet another late run tonight as busy today. Ran my planned 4m taper run up to the bar-house and back. Enjoyed it as I hadn't actually been out the house today!

My left knee (the old problem!) is twinging a bit this week. Noticed it after taking the girls swimming earlier in the week. It doesn't feel bad but it will be good to rest it for the rest of the week (apart from a short run on Wed). Think I am over-sensitive to any niggle in the run up to the Fling.

Thanks to all those people who have sponsored me over the weekend - I'm nearing 75% of my target now.

Late again...

Route: 4m, road and trail, hilly
Weather: drizzle, 4C

Someone asked me today how I find time to fit in the training that a race like the West Highland Way race demands. I told him that sometimes I just have to snatch a run whenever I can find the time. Like tonight for instance. Briony wasn't home until 10:45pm, so I headed out at 11:15 for a quick hilly session. I don't mind being out at that time at all (as you can see from the daft photo I took below!) I don't always feel like getting my running shoes on for these late night runs, but once I'm out I always enjoy it.

Another Late Nighter

Route: 6m, hilly, road
Weather: 9C

Busy day today meeting Finlay for the first time :) and various other bits and pieces, so another late night run. Ran up Leeds Road to New Pool Bank, down to Pool, up Old Pool Bank and back down Leeds Road to Otley.

Late nighter

Route: 6m, road/fell
Weather: Clear, 3C (nice!)

Back to work today, so have to fit the running in where I can. Briony was away welcoming Finlay into the world, so I headed out late tonight. Ran up West Chevin Road and then Windmill Lane, turning up onto the Chevin. Along Surprise View, down to East Chevin Road up to the Car Park and down through the woods and East Chevin Road to home.

Good, strong run with no problems.

Completed night run

Just back in the door at 4.50 a.m. Pretty tired but happy with the run.

Stuck to the intended route. Weather was much colder than I expected after a warm day of 14 C. Dropped to 2C with a ground frost by the time I got home. I wore shorts which was ok, but I was glad I took my OMM windproof jacket as the Helly underneath wouldn't have been enough on its own.

I often run after 10pm at night, but that's the latest (earliest?!) I've ever run. What strange looks you get, not least from the Police in central Leeds! You also see some weird and wonderful things on a four hour run through a big city in the early hours of the morning. Don't think I'd have the nerve to try the same run on a Friday or Saturday night.

Anyway I enjoyed the run. Off to bed now :) ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

More night running

Route: 7m, hilly/undulating, road
Weather: 3C, still

Missed the club run tonight as Briony late home from parent's evening. So went out for another late run up the Chevin to Guiseley, and back down through Menston. Wasn't really up for it again, but stuck with it and enjoyed it once I was out. Looking forward to a change of running scenery next week up North.

Mental Training

Route: 4m, trail, hilly
Weather: 3C, still and crisp

Headed out with the headtorch tonight for a recovery run. Nearly turned back at the top of the road as I just didn't feel like it. Decided to carry on though as I thought it would be good mental training. There'll undoubtedly be times during the WHWR when I'll think of chucking in the towel and it's vital that I have the psychological edge to overcome these doubts.

So ran up in the woods on trail terrain, falling once but managing to avoid the jagged rocks (somehow totally unscathed!) and stopping for an uncharachteristic scramble up some boulders half way.

Nice to get out in the end and the legs felt strong and pain-free two days after the Wuthering Hike which is a good recovery.

Went to look for my results today and noticed I'd been missed off (again!), but Brett (the organiser) kindly rectified this for me. I came 94th with a time of 5h 46m 53s.

6m trail with headtorch

Route: 6m, trail, hilly
Weather: mild (9C), light breeze

Good 6m run with Chris up to Farnley over to Clifton down through Weston woods and along Weston lane to Otley. Met two bulls in a field by Weston woods, their eyes illuminated by our headtorches. not sure who was the most surprised.