Running with Colin and Pat

Another evening run with others - this time with Colin and Pat.  We met at the foot of the boat lane, alongside Saddleworth's best pub (The Diggle Hotel).  A trot up the boat lane and the bridle path up to Standedge Cutting.  Colin set a good pace, in fact I think he was being generous to take his usual pace down a notch or two to accomodate my trot, although I've seen improvements in my speed and stamina over the past 13 weeks.

Pat told us all about his business trip in Amsterdam, while Colin chatted about various different races he has either competed in, entered in or marshalled.  Really interesting to hear about how, as someone who has completed the notorious Bob Graham Round (70 peaks of the lake district over 80 miles within the time limit of 24 hours) how he returns to support those who are making an attempt themselves.

We ran over the skyline looking down on Castleshaw, behind the dis-used Horse and Jockey pub and down into Dobcross, and back home to Diggle.

Tonight I'm running again with Gaz and Frank for the last time before Sunday, then I'd like to do the Albion Farm route on Friday before work.  Then number 99 will be local and i'll finish for the last 200 yards with Jake - although he still hasn't said if he has a slot in his diary for this yet.

Colin and Pat said some very encouraging things about the running last night, and I'm most grateful for their support - thanks!

Last night's run: 6.5 miles

Down to the last 10

At work today I was asked by a colleague "How many runs have you done now?" It felt good to say, "90, just 10 left to do..." I was taken back to June when I was looking back on having run the first ten, but feeling overwhelmed by the thought of having to do it again for the next 90 days.

Last night was quite possibly the worse weather I've been out in since the challenge got under way.  It wasn't just a drop of rain.  It was hardened, northern rain, pelting down on my soft, southern skin.  I met Pat at the foot of the boat lane and we trotted up towards Brun Reservoir.  It may have been the effects of all this running, or the increased urgency in knowing a thunderstorm was brewing, but our pace was quick and sprightly for an evening run.

As we ran across the skyline (see below) looking down onto Castleshaw, we were blown all over the shop, and the wind was flicking up water from the reservoir below which made the run a bit more exciting, if somewhat more wet on top of the driving rain.  We were asked directions by some hikers who were walking the Pennine Way.  "Diglea is that way" we shouted above the rain.  I hope they weren't camping.

We got back, soaked to the skin, but feeling like we could do all 8 miles again - in worse weather.  That's the feeling you get at the end of a run - a real high - and it's legal!

I have planned my next 4 runs in advance due to Saturday being my dear sister's wedding.  I'm looking forward to meeting up with friends and family, and getting down to 94 runs by the time we are back home.

I finally got the hang of twitter, after some expert tuition from my sister Lucy and JDRF's Press Officer Louisa. My "handle" is 100runs4jdrf  I got a "RT" (re-tweet) from Iwan Thomas this morning, which helps spread the word of the challenge and awareness of Type-1.  I think I'll pester Paula Radcliffe next.

Yesterday's run - 8.1 miles
Today's run - 6.2 miles

Running in Ireland

I'm back in rainy Saddleworth after a very nice time away in the Emerald Isle.  We stayed at my Mother-In-Law's and took Pat's family with us.  Carolyn, Jo and the kids are still there, as the men came back early due to our work commitments.  We took in Castles, Heritage Tours, Irish Folk dancing and, yes running.

As well as 4 local road routes, we ventured out to both Loch Gur and the Ballyhoura Mountains for the trail runs.  Loch Gur started off in comedy style, when we realised we couldn't run round it.  We should have asked in the visitor centre before setting off with merry abandon.  Thistles, stinging nettles and electric shocks were our punishment for trying to be clever.  I had the GPS on hand to track the miles, and we had to do 3 final laps around the edge of the loch to bring in 6.3 miles.  If any readers find themselves in County Limerick, then you really should visit, especially the heritage centre.

Loch Gur

The next adventure out was on Saturday when Pat and I drove to the Ballyhoura Mountains, which have many trails and fantastic views over both counties Limerick and Cork.  The climb up around Black Rock was pretty intense, yet we were rewarded with the best views of the area - really lovely.  Ann recommended it, as she has been there during her training for last year's Mont Blanc trek for JDRF with Carolyn.

Black Rock Edge

View over County Cork at the trig point

Here's the log:

Weds 24th - 6.3 miles (number 75)
Thurs 25th - 6.5 miles (number 76)
Fri - 26th - 7 miles (number 77)
Saturday 27th - 7.1 miles (number 78)
Sunday 28th - 7 miles (number 79)
Monday 29th - 6.3 miles (number 80)

Today's run - 6.3 miles (number 81)

All in all, a fantastic trip - many thanks to Ann and Hauly for their hospitality, Carolyn and Jo for allowing us out for the longer trail runs, the boys for keeping us on our toes with the disputes over who's turn it was next on the DS.

Most of all a thank you to Pat for running with me on what was supposed to be a nice relaxing break.  It can be pretty boring running alone, and it says something that even by day six we still had plenty to talk about, encouraging each other and the like.  Cheers Pat!

The Trombone Trail

For run 57, we (Pat and I) decided to take to a route that we know as the "Trombone Trail".  The basic route is to start at Dove Stone Sailing Club, run up to Chew Reservoir, over to Laddow Rocks, and along and over Black Hill, ending the route on the Isle of Skye Road by the "Snoopy's Big Bite" van.

This involves some serious logistics - dropping Pat's car at Snoopy's, and me taking Pat in my car back down to Dove Stones to start the trail, and so on.

It came to be named "Trombone Trail" in honour of Raff, the trombone player in Innviertler Wadlbeisser, a fantastic Brass Group, who my Father in Law promotes in this country.  They came over last year for a series of gigs in Huddersfield, Marsden and Diggle. Raff was keen to come out on a run with Pat and I.  We did this route, however took longer than we thought and knew were on a tight timeline to get Raff back to play a lunchtime gig at the Conservative Club in Uppermill.  It turned out that we got Raff back to the Con Club, sweating and stinking and he hopped out of the car, grabbed his trusty trombone and started straight away with the group, after running 9 miles on the fells, still wearing the "five-fingers" shoes - what a trooper!

Innviertler Wadlbeisser are a great act - and should be seen whenever you get the chance. Check out their website at http://www.innviertler-wadlbeisser.at/ or take a look at the clips on You Tube - you will not be dissapointed!  So Raff - the route has a name in your honour, Sir!

That's Raff, 3rd from the left

We made good time up to Chew Res and made very light work out of Black Hill, Pat set a good pace and he got the first round of pepsi's and teas at the van back at Dove Stones.  Cheers Pat!

Sailing Club at Dove Stones

Chew Res

Laddow Rocks

Black Hill trig point

Snoopy's

Tea in the Carriage House later...

Today's run, for Emily Brown was 9 miles

Getting closer to the magic number 50

Well, I'm edging closer to the half way mark.  I keep thinking about the route I'll be taking that day, and how I will mark the occasion, given that It falls over a weekend.  Whatever I decide on, it'll be a great feeling to be on the countdown to final half of the challenge.

Last night I was joined on an evening run by both Gareth and Pat, where we ran the "Mossley loop", just over 7 miles from Uppermill, through Greenfield and up to top Mossley and back.  It almost felt like a day off to not get up before 5am to run, and It was cool to have company on the run too, so I'm grateful to both Gareth and  Pat for joining me, and setting a good pace.  I'm toying with asking a group of friends to come on the next evening run, but then it could get a bit "Forest Gump" couldn't it?

Last night's run - 7.2 miles
This morning's - 6.2 miles

I'm looking forward to tomorrow's run, where the countdown to 50 can really start.   It's also the first run I'm dedicating to someone living with type 1.  Step forward young Finlay Bloxham - tomorrow's run is dedicated to you - more in tomorrow's post.

Thanks everyone for the support and encouragement so far - it's all appreciated

Faster

A thought about the daily runs struck me this week.  What if I continued to side with caution and continued the runs on the road at an "easy pace" ?  Part of me says this is sensible, the other part says I should dispense with any idea of "playing it safe" and up the pace on every 3rd run.  This will ensure I notice the progress I'm making and be in with a good chance for a good time In Newcastle on the 18th September.  That's not to say I'm "Captain Slow" or anything - it's just something for me to consider, once I hit 30 runs tomorrow.  Having said that, I really went for it on yesterday's run - and noticed I'm getting faster when I want to be.

I'd like to offer some more "thank-you's" - first of all to Brendan Rooney, who is based in our Edinburgh office.  Brendan heard about the 100 runs through one of the SME's who have been working on a project and been spending time up there.  Brendan decided to fundraise for the JDRF by completing the Barrathon - Half Marathon around the Isle of Barra.  He did this last weekend, with a finishing time of 2 hrs, pipped by his brother by 30 mins - I'm really grateful to him - thanks Brendan.

Next "thank-you" goes to Michael from Rainbow Running, as he sent 2 of their long sleeve running tops in the post (see photo below). Thank you's are also due to Sophia Cannelli and Sarah Brown for their donations on my Justgiving site, My mate Paul Edwards for nice words of encouragement in his letter this morning, and Pat for the company and encouragement on this afternoon's off-road run. I forgot to thank Geoff and Jan at the Diggle Hotel for keeping the Helly Hansen box for me when the courier needed a signature. Richard Jones, Editor of the Saddleworth News Website has also put another post online to spread the word about be reaching 25 runs this week - thanks for this.  Last of all to Carolyn for putting up with me getting up so early, and for making the best smoothies a runner could want.

Friday's run - Diggle - Friezland - Greenfield - Higher Arthurs - Uppemill - Dobcross - Home - 6.5 miles
Today's run - Diggle - Standedge - Oldham Way - Cattleshaw Res - Pennine Bridlepath - Diggle - Home
8 miles

Looking forward to hitting the 30th tomorrow...

Pat's back

I'm really pleased.  Pat, my friend and running partner is again fighting fit and we can pick up where we left off with the weekend runs.  Pat was laid up with a virus in the second week in June, leading him to miss out on all the excitment that is Whit Friday and Beerwalk day.  We went out last night (I had already completed my run in the morning), but couldn't resist getting back onto a different route and easing Pat back into the running. We went to Dobcross and back, and vented fury at the tough day's we'd had in our respective workplaces, and the latest on the News of the World.

I've agreed that I shall drop a few of the morning runs so we can do the minimum 6.2 miles (and maybe more) for evening runs to benefit the both of us - sounds good to me.  Whilst I've had music and morning sunrises to keep me going on the morning runs, I can't help feeling happier to have a bit of company to avoid this challenge becoming a slog, so welcome back, Pat - you've been missed!

Yesterday's run - 6.2 miles
Today's run - 6.5 miles