Run from home with Joss

After a late breakfast, Joss and I got ready for a long one (Long by my standards considering my standard run is just 3 miles).

13 miles across the local fields of Brindle were in-store. Ive done the route lots of times before, and take in the first 4 or so mile of the LDWA's "Bottoms Up".

Train Bridge, just up the lane from Brinde St Joseph's RC Church

Joss - Mid-flight

Hoghton Viaduct, Hoghton Bottoms

A very wet gateway. With the mast of Winter Hill in the extreme distance.

The M65 - Halfway between Junctions 2 -3 if if you want to be specific.

A path through the crops

I havent got lost then...

The crop - Yet to suss out exactly what it is, but the bad weather hasnt helped the entire field get beyond waist height.

The main man

My camera wont do this landscape justice. I am two miles from home and my legs have had enough and I want some food. So I stood on the style for what must of been 5 minutes and just pondered.

The view isnt lakeland, but I enjoyed it.

The first row of trees shown the seasons are in full swing with a full variety of colours on show. The bowland fell are in the distance to the right, and you can just about see the coast on the left.

Lovely day to be out, with a few walkers in the more easy to get to sections of my route, and not a soul on the more rural stretches.

Clocked just over 30 miles for the week which I was pleased with. Only 3100ft of climbing though, but im still happy with my weeks effort.

"Test Video Go-Pro"

Back in Feb (I think) this year, I met up with my good friend Mark on Winter Hill to practice filming ahead of the Winter Hill Fell Race, as a number of us were planning on recording the race.


The footage is described by mark quite simply as...This very short film is a prequel and practice attempt at filming the Norman Mathews Winter Hill fell race which will appear on youtube later in the year. The race takes place every year in February. The purpose of this film is solely to show Alex how the camera works and what the footage looks like when used in different ways. Not all of the footage is desirable, however, this aids as a tool when viewed.

Its not going to wind any awards, but its got a nice soundtrack and Mark's editing skills have brought it to live. You fall "with me" as I hit the deck trying to stride out whilst watching the camera...anyway...enjoy.

Watch the film here!

Sunday Morning - Pendle Hill

Sunday was the day for either a long run on Pendle or Winter Hill - and Pendle won.

With Joss in the car, off we trotted down the M65 to Barley. There was frost on the cars when I first woke up, but by the time I got to Barley there was bright sunshine and I was regretting not bringing a vest to wear.

I decided on the Half Tour route, but with not knowing the route for sure I just headed off open minded. When I did the race back in 2010 I think it was, I took great personal pride in running every step of the way from Barley to the summit of Pendle Hill.
Today I wasnt confident I could do the same, but try I did, and with Daz h on my mind I got to the top....if totally knackered. Thursdays hill session was in my legs all the way to the top!

Detailed gate post which I thought was worthy of a snap.

 Blue Skies!

 Lots of dead bracken.

Onwards...

 Winter Hill in the distance

 

Loads of folk were out, and I bumped into a Bowland runner just off the trig and we had a nice chat, before I headed off on the half tour route. After loosing the trod, I found the style and enjoyed blasting along the worn path to on my way to the nick of Pendle.

 



 Well worn trod.

 The clouds are coming in!

 

I de-toured down to the ski club to see if I could spot a friend who teachers there, but with no luck, I shared a mini mars bar with Joss and plodded on. I didnt bother going round the ressie as the race route does, instead went left and took a path I didnt know existed which took me back on to Pendle before joining the race route and ultimately to Geronimo!

 

 Geronimo - Looks so easy!

 

 

A bit of a fall but nothing major, we both made it down in one piece. Then the final mile or so across the fields and back to the car in Barley and a well deserved can of coke!

Cracking day to be out, and left me just shy of 5000ft of climb for the week off 26 miles. Chuffed with that!

Thursday Night Hill Session with Horwich RMI

I used to train everything Thursday evening with Horwich, on and around Winter Hill getting nice and muddy, but I picked up a calf injury at the back end of July and didn't go back...

...since the dark nights are drawing in, the fell session has ended and it's now on the road. 

I went over the Horwich, and joined about 8 or so others for the session.

Two loops of Foxholes and Factory Hill (I think it's called) and then the long drag up to the mast on Winter Hill. 

I clocked about 7 miles of running in about 55 minutes with 1,500ft+ climbing.

My legs were pretty blitzed after it, and I recorded a new highest max HR of 187 - Which I think is due to not being as fit as I was before my calf went, and still trying to run at the pace I used to hold.

Anyway, onwards and upwards. 

Wednesday Night Training.

The title is a bit misleading really, I basically just went for a run on a Wednesday night.

I stuck to the roads tonight and just did a 3 miler with Joss, with the intention just to get out and enjoy the night before the rain starts again. I have a tough training session tomorrow so I didnt want to over-do it either.

I didnt need to look at the weather forcast for the next couple of days, I just needed to look at the mud-covered roads around the village where the farmers have hurriedly cut the grass and bundled it into trailers. I guess the rain is going to return again. Shame, I was enjoying the nice dry spell we've had.

The photo's below were taken during Sundays muddy run - But I thought Id stick them on to brighten up an otherwise dull blog entry.

A clean Joss - Before the off.

I tried and tried again, but couldnt get a perfect "running towards the camera" shot.

 

Joss on a mission

...

I think I was doing his nut in, stopping to take pictures of him every so often.

Daz h

The fell running community is still in shock over the sad and sudden death of our friend, Darren Holloway.

Daz died doing what he loved, running over the high fells with a friend.

Daz was my No.1 source of inspiration when I ran and cycled, and the world is a worst place for loosing Daz.

RIP Daz, you'll never be forgotten.