Running Outside

After a few weeks of giving a bit more focus to my running I was kind of hoping for a decent performance at this mornings 10k at Knowsley Hall.

Called the Reindeer Run, it was a charity event for the RNLI and more specifically our new lifeboat station. Reindeer Run ‘cos it’s close to Christmas I guess and we were all given cardboard antlers to wear. Possibly also because they just knew it was going to be 0 degrees.

Secretly hoping for a sub 44 if I’m honest. You can guess I didn’t manage it. Came in at 44.49 on my watch, which is just a few seconds outside my current PB from 2005 of 44.46. Tarmac course wasn’t flat like they said it was – bit of a surprise there.

Yeah, I was 40s faster than the Hoylake 10km and maybe ‘cos it was cold times were slower but I’m a bit disappointed. Bloody stupid running, trying to ride fast on super-light bikes instead sounds good to me

Might have another bash on my own locally later this week to see if I can do better.

Oh, car got stuck in the mud in the carpark – otherwise known as a field – along with numerous others. Couple of helpful strapping lads helped me push it out.

11 am start this Friday morning for a gentle trot down to Red Rocks with Graham. Brrr cold too!

10km at Knowsley Hall on Sunday.

Out to Red Rocks again, marginally more committed than yesterdays trot. Didn’t stop today but did see a few kite surfers out in the sea. Seemed to have little aches and niggles from various parts of my feet and legs …it’s a terrible thing being a 40 something

Easy trot down to Red Rocks. Stopped at the turn to enjoy the view over to Hilbre Island and North Wales – should do that more often to be honest. Legs still stiff.

Supposed to be doing 10 reps of 200m today with a  walk/jog recovery. Well, my thighs were dead sore so after 7 & 3/4 of those 10 I jacked it, did a quick warm down and went home for a bowl of soup.

Easy session this Sunday afternoon. 40 mins of a bit of running and a bit of walking. Took my camera to take a few snaps for my in mid-revamp Hoylake site (nice theme I think, but somewhat labour intensive). The rain, which looked like it might turn to sleet, actually held off for most of the session. It wasn’t the nicest of days under those slate-grey skies. Legs were rather stiff.

Saturday reps session. Can’t say I enjoyed it much to be honest. Muscle ache wise it’s my inner thighs that seem to feel it the most.

Toyed with the initial idea of doing 15 reps but it was way too tempting to call it quits after 12.

The usual route this Friday afternoon on yet another windy day.

My regular visit to Stockton Heath today. Met up with Mike and we had a steady trot and a bit of a natter.

Decent breeze out so I got blown all the way to Leasowe Lighthouse. Consequently I had to run in to it on the way home. It was rather cool too!

Went through Meols, down Carr Lane and along the footpath behind the nature reserve bits.