Tealby Circuit - Time to Beat?

I crawled out of bed on Sunday morning, peered out of the window and thought, my bed really is comfortable so returned to my warm nest.  Sometime later I started to feel guilty, so crawled out of bed again, had a healthy breakfast (by my standards), hung the washing out, walked Mutley and drove over to the usual parking place on the grass verge outside the Church in Tealby.  With my stopwatch set, I was off like a racing greyhound after his favourite stuffed rabbit.  The first small hill out of the village proved quite exciting as I had to leap onto the verge as a large Volvo Estate came barrelling down the hill and didn’t even acknowledge my presence by slowing down or moving over.  Stainton le Vale passed in a blur and 31 minutes later I was climbing the footpath out of the first ‘valley’ and after 63 minutes I had completed the second ‘valley’ and was heading towards the road.  Running down towards ‘snowdrop wood’ and passing a walking couple, the a women of the couple leapt out of her skin with a squeal as I went past, such was the shock and awe tactics of my pace down the hill.  After a swift climb up towards the routes high point at the radar dome, I was off again playing cat and mouse with a couple of mountain bikers.  All was well until gravity and mechanical advantage took them far into the distance down a large hill as we approached Walesby.   Draining the last of my drink at the old Church, I pushed hard at the quick up and down of the deer enclosure before admiring the oversized sheep.  I was nearly overcome (with desire), but managed to drag myself away up the last hill, down the side of the ‘birdy wood’ and with a last thrash across the final 2 fields, emerged onto the road.  The last push up the road returned me to my car in 1.53.07 where I did a good impression of a dying man for at least 5 minutes.  Ground conditions were sticky but not too slippery, I wore my speedcross 2 trail shoes (remembered them this time Mark) and it was lovely clear sky all  morning with bright sunshine, and after a cool start, warmed up nicely.  All in all a grand day out, if a little tough on the brain with the effort of running and pushing hard on my own with no one to chase down or keep ahead of.  A time to beat then for the future................

Training update

Training Update Sat 3^rd March

To get into condition at the beginning of the season is hard work, for while resting superfluous fat has accumulated, some muscles of locomotion have become more or less flabby, the circulatory system is torpid, and the chest muscles and organs of respiration are slow in their action. To counteract all this, we must at first have plenty of practice to bring the muscles into obedience to the will, skipping, walking, and running to strengthen them, sprinting to cultivate speed, and three-quarter and mile runs to tone up heart and lungs. Indian clubs and dumbbells are occasionally used. These various exercises, used lightly at first, and gradually increased under experienced direction, will produce the necessary vigour and hardness, and bring the player into condition for match playing.

I’m sure you will recognise the words of the great Ernest ‘Nudger’ Needham, outstanding Left Half and captain of Sheffield United between 1892 and 1909. Bob and I were both conscious that our circulatory systems remained a little on the torpid side, so following Nudger’s sage guidance we had a fine day out from Fairholmes on Saturday, skipping, walking and running over the hills until our muscles were brought into obedience and some quite satisfying vigour and hardness resulted.  We covered about 18 miles with 3,800 ft of ascent, via Kinder, Hope, Win Hill & Yorkshire Bridge, and with some excellent views once the rain and clag had cleared.

Back at the car park we enjoyed tea and bacon butties (a non specific ‘meat pie’ for Bob).  I then headed home to polish up my Indian clubs, while Bob went into Sheffield to support the Blades and pay due homage to the spirit of the great Nudger.

Lincolnshire Poacher Trail 13 miler

The day started off badly, as the heavens opened to deliver a drought relieving downpour, which lasted all of the race. Ian finally turned up in his posh new Volvo, after getting lost and nearly entering the bike race that was also occurring at the same time. (without his bike…..).
I was starting to feel a little happier when Ian confessed to having a skinful the night before, and also forgetting his trail running shoes. I had thoughts of actually being able to stay with him for the duration of the race. My mood soon turned when Ian waved nonchalantly over his shoulder and said "I'll see you at the finish Mark". The race was for the most part off road, and although I was sporting my New OMM breakable waterproof, I was completely and utterly sodden after the first 5k. I foolishly took my mobile phone to track the route, and it is still drying out in the airing cupboard as I type. Nearing the end of the race, the route took in some lovely fields which managed to stick to my shoes nicely, the Bay City Rollers would have been proud of my platforms…..It was certainly nice to see Woodies, the end was a welcome site, with soup and pastries awaiting. Ian did a magnificent 1:36 something in his brand spanking new Asics, whilst I did a consistent 1:47 in my old trail shoes. Wish I'd had a few beers the night before now….
Mark