Brand new leg muscles

The first run in the second half of the challenge took place this morning. I don't want to speak too soon, and I'm not being offered any endorsements to say this but my legs feel like brand new after yesterday's massage.  I over took 2 runners on the A62, just before the Albion Farm Shop - I even over took a cyclist on the climb up Woods Lane in Dobcross - It's a case of so far, so faster.

On the decent down Wall Hill Road, I used the number of lampposts to include a little speed reps and increase the heart rate.  I caught a rare glimpse of a donkey being walked by a young girl on the Delph Donkey on my way back to Diggle via the canal side. 

I'm away in Edinburgh with work over the next couple of days, so will scout out a couple of routes and take the GPS with me.  It'll be nice to run in a different place, also prove to my work mates up there that I am really doing the challenge and not making it up!

Lots of people around this morning, as they are heading into Uppermill for the celebration event that is Yorkshire day.  Yorkshire Day is celebrated on 1 August to promote the historic English county of Yorkshire. It was celebrated in 1975, by the Yorkshire Ridings Society, initially in Beverley, as "protest movement against the Local Government re-organisation of 1974", The date alludes to the Battle of Minden, and also the anniversary of the emancipation of slaves in the British Empire in 1834, for which a Yorkshire MP, William Wilberforce, had campaigned.



Today's run 7.4 miles

If in doubt...try a new route

The pressure was off this morning.  We are visiting my Mum and Dad, so I knew I could start this morning's run a little later and perhaps try a new route without having to rush back to get ready for work.  I am officially on holiday until next Tuesday.  That's holiday from work, not the running, by the way.

As I made my way down Sam Road and onto Huddersfield Road, my mind was racing - should I stick to one of the 6.2 mile "easy" routes, or should I throw caution to the wind and try a new, longer route?  I kind of did both - thinking I would do the new route that passes Albion Farm Shop.  Instead of dropping down Wall Hill Road (in the words of Forest Gump), I kept going...

I ran to Scouthead, dropping down Platting Road, looking for "a great quiet road" according to Patrick, who advised me of this route when we were out last week.  I turned down Lovers Lane and realised that I didn't know where I was.  A lovely splash of sunshine met me on Burnedge Road and I noticed local hills Pots and Pans and Alphin, so I just followed them.  It felt great to be on almost the shoulder of another hill, Wharmton as I took this country lane down into Dobcross and made my way back to Diggle.

I've had a really nice email from Julia Roebuck, who has an 18 month old boy, Alexander who was diagnosed with type 1 aged just 11 months.  Julia and her husband grew up in Saddleworth, living in Greenfield, however now live down in Exeter.  They came across the blog via a link on Twitter - Thanks for your kind words of enthusiasm, Julia and I'll be honoured to dedicate a future run for young Alexander.

On the downside, I've lost one of my running partners for at least 4 weeks.  Gareth has fratured his left wrist whilst playing football on Wednesday evening.  Chin up, Gaz and we'll pick up the runs when the plaster is off.  I really feel for him, as that's 4 weeks out of action, with only 8 weeks to go until the Great North Run.

Making my way down to Liphook in about an hour's time - I've already got a route planned for the runs down south.

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

Get moving

I've been using the weekends to get away from the "routine" of very early starts and road running, switching to later runs, with company (my running parnter Pat) and swapping asphalt for the fells.  This worked a treat yesterday, however I was determined to pay close attention to my pace per mile on this morning's run.  I set off at 6am on the dot and decided to get weaving whilst there was a let up in the monsoon that's been ever-present in the district since Friday night.

All was going pretty well, clocking on average 8m 20 secs per mile, according to the GPS.  I had to find a secluded spot for a very quick toilet break, however my pace was broken by not one but two seperate lorries of workmen I met along stretches of the A62.  They must have come in from Oldham, in need of directions to a place called Diggle (followed by a chuckle). I must have the kind of face that says "Stop me, please - I'm happy to give you directions..."

I'm also betting Usain Bolt dosen't get this on his daily runs.

I was running the new route I made up on the spot on Friday.  On the way back along Dobcross New Road, I treated myself by leaving the pavement by the Newbank Garden Centre and joining the "Delph Donkey" and back along the canal side to Diggle, and home.  Whilst ever so slightly shorter than Friday's route, it still came in at just over 7 miles.

One of the local Micro-breweries, Greenfield Real Ale produces top quality real ales, one of them is named after the Railway Line that used to connect Oldham and Greenfield to the Huddersfield line.  It closed in 1955, and the "Delph Donkey" trail is where that line used to be.  The Greenfield Brewery ales are sold on site or in local outlets as well as selected pubs. 

I'm going to suggest to Pat that we reward ourselves with a tour of the brewery when the challenge is over.  Visit the site at www.greenfieldrealale.co.uk

Today's run - 7.1 miles

Going the extra mile

It's a phrase that is often used these days, but perhaps is often used in the wrong context.  Offering your seat to someone elderly or opening a door for someone isn't really going the extra mile - just good manners, really.

A sudden bust of energy saw me break away from the usual routes and venture across to Dobcross and Delph.  I pretty much made up the route on the spot, which considering it wasn't a weekend run ment that I put a fair amount of pressure on myself to clock up the required 6.2 miles without getting hopelessly lost at the same time.  The Broadcaster Stuart Maconie has described all the Saddleworth Villages' names as sounding like Trumpton Firemen  - Delph, Diggle, Dobcross, Denshaw, etc.

It went to plan, and it was a pleasure to take in the early morning views back to Dobcross, then Delph, especially when passing the Albion Farm Shop (home of the best cooked breakfast in Saddleworth, since you ask), then looking out over towards Pots and Pans and Greenfield.

I clocked 7.5 miles this morning, and it felt great to put in more than was required.  As I walked into the office this morning, I passed a sign that read "Will you go the extra mile today?" I smiled to myself - "Already have, thank you".

Yesterday's run - 6.2 miles
Today's run - 7.5 miles