30 May 2015

Saturday 30th May - Congleton ParkRun with E Group and C25K


The Macc Team
Today E & D Group ran at the Congleton ParkRun to celebrate the graduation of the C25K runners. It was a brilliant turnout in lovely conditions. There were lots of PBs and lots of happy faces.

Well done to all the runners today. The results can be found here at CONGLETON RESULTS

There are lots of pictures from today (including a few of certificates being presented). All the pictures can be found in the FLICKR album - CLICK HERE

There was a lot of cake afterwards as well... ;-)

Neil, Alison & Dawn


Harry - on a mission

Too hot ... why did I wear a jacket!

Good style...

Nice running Andy!

Ali and Siobhan battle at the end!

PBs all round

Graduation

A job well done

Graduation

Graduation


23 May 2015

Saturday 23rd May - Billinge Blockbuster

The start
A lovely morning for a run around Rainow, Rainowlow and the Billinge area - a bit of up, a bit of down (all undulating you understand), a bit of wet, a bit of dry. Spirits were high (and we welcomed new group member Cynthia to our happy band of Saturday runners). It was a run that explored some paths not used by the group before and gave us great views (which we stopped to enjoy).

What is this life if full of care
We have no time to stand and stare?
No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep, or cows.
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.
No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.
A poor life this, if full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

Afterwards we met Dawn and Georgina at the Waterside (they had been for a walk as they are currently 'benched').

Well run everybody,

Neil, Alison and Mel



A hill...at the start of the run!

..and it gets steeper

At last ...a bit of downhill

The waterfall...no herons today

Looping ..and looping

Harry and Cynthia

Hill 1  v 0 Anna ...this one was too steep

Ann enjoying the view

Mrs W and Mrs G

Stop for a view-break in Rainowlow

Stiles have their purpose - gives us a breather

What is being discussed here?

Good to see Philip back!

Another style break

On through Savio House

Harry & Cyntha ...

Dipika and Fiona making it look easy...

...but not so easy here!

Hard work as we approach the finish

1/2 mile to go

The end is in sight!



The Route

16 May 2015

Saturday 16th May - Bluebell Belter

The Start
Today 16 runners turned out for the 'Bluebell Belter' - we did see bluebells but as we were so high they are still not in full bloom (maybe another week or two) - the views were splendid though. We welcomed new group member Ann (who says she will be back).

The route took us over Nessit Hill where we enjoyed great views across to the Cat & Fiddle, Shining Tor and Teggs Nose). From there we carried on to Standing Stone car park and Forest Chapel before heading into the woods for our final long descent. When we got back to the Leathers Smithy pub a team decision agreed to add a loop of the reservoir.

Good running on tough hills - and thanks to group members for looking out for each other today with plenty of looping etc!

Coffee afterwards at Macclesfield Garden Centre allowed a post-match discussion..


Leaders today were Mel W and Ali G


Pre-run briefing
Forest frolics

Oxygen needed...



Up through the woods (tripping hazards)

This is the start of the club fell run!

Heather running well

Carole - fresh from Australia - a tough hill!

Bit of looping

Ann showing us how it is done

Lindsey loves the hills...

Nessit Hill - a breather break

Shining Tor in the background

Janette making hill running look easy

Shutlingsloe in the background

Almost at Forest Chapel

And on along the stoney bridleway

Almost at the highest point - Hazel & Sarah

I like the downhill!

So do I..

What happened to Harry

Ian enjoying the long descent

The final 1/2 mile with Pirate Newton

Team D Group - good effort

Painting by Alison Gunn