Saturday 23rd August - Boxing Day Handicap route

The Start - already soaked after a warm up

Well done today - despite heavy rain 9 runners were out 'raring to go' at 9.00am from the starting line of the Boxing Day Handicap route.
This is a 4 mile route that goes along, up, up a bit more, along, up a bit more, along and then down a lot. It is a tough route demanding strong mental powers ... fortunately our brave runners were feeling strong and the dual mantras of THE HILLS ARE OUR FRIENDS and THE RAIN IS OUR FRIEND served us well.

As the route was short for a D group run the pace was good with sub 10 minute miling and a couple of 9 minute miles thrown in. You would think that was enough but no, several of the group ran an extra lap of Ridgegate Reservoir for good measure.

Tea and a teacake afterwards were very much needed.

Respect to you all for a strong run .... now, what are you doing at 10.30am on Boxing Day ...

Neil

The start - with the flash

Off they go ... start with a gentle incline...

Is it me or is it getting steeper...

No, it is DEFINITELY getting steeper

Are we there yet Neil

The inside of a cloud at our highest point

Tough conditions but Chris and 'Man Up Nina' make it to the top

Smiles now we have descended and it is drier

9 minute miling ...

Wet?

Philip demonstrating the latest waterproof running top

Good running!

Last mile...

Extra lap ... why not!

Back at last...

The route ... HILLY!

Splits

Saturday 16th August - a Kerridge hilly route

The Start

Today we ran a hilly 5.3 mile route around Kerridge - there were 9 D group runners out (including new group member Julie Smith - welcome). It was a lovely morning and a very sociable group - there was some very good running especially up the numerous 'hills' we tackled ... and not one moan or 'coffee stop'!

Seriously - this was a good effort by everybody on some challenging terrain.

We met up with E group at The Waterside for some post-run chat and coffee/cake.

Well done!

Neil

Nina and Mel 'in full flow'

Chris doing an all terrain demo

West side of 'the ridge'

Up Lidgetts Lane

Climbing higher

Working hard Mrs W?

Sally looking good...

Brief pause for a 'group selfie'

Down Lidgetts Lane

Grassy descent off Kerridge

Along to 'The Waterfall'

Caption - what is Janette doing?

The end - tired but happy.

The Route

Saturday 9th August - extended CAFOD

The start

Today was the first Saturday D group run. 10 E group members took the plunge and ran with D group - we ran further and faster than we have done in the past and so this was hard work (especially as it warmed up). We did an 'extended' CAFOD route - we carried on to Bridge 19 on the canal and then cut back to the Middlewood Way. The actual route was 5.8 miles but those who looped back a lot did 6.2 miles (10k!). It was lovely to see E group coming along the canal (looking very strong) and the post run coffee/tea/toast etc was a good chance to compare war stories.

Hopefully this session will have helped everybody to decide which is the most suitable group to be in!

Thanks to Gemma and Dawn for support during the run.

 Neil

Harry in the lead approaching Grimshaw

All smiles at the start!

North on the canal - working hard!

Saff & Janette 'flying'!

Approaching Clarence Mill

Just before we met E group

Almost half way

3 miles and looking strong

Gemma and Sally

Chris and Harry

Catharine - looking forward to the end!

All stretch ....

Proof of stretching

Pace Chart (mine)

Route chart

Monday 21st July - D Group paced run on Middlewood

The Team

Saturday D group will officially start on Saturday 9th August. A good number of 'hardy runners' came along for a very warm 'paced run' to test out 'D group readiness'

We ran 2.5 miles along the Middlewood Way and then turned back - so 5 miles in total. Pace was just under 10 min/mile - so, if you kept up then you are ready for D group (if you didn't then a bit of work is required...)!

We had a good 'post-run briefing' in The Vale Inn.

Well done - especially in the heat!

Neil

Pace vs Distance ... just under 10 min/mile