The Hill

I thought that the terrain on the Wirral would be as flat as Chester where I used to live. How wrong can you be ? Today I met my match. "The hill".

I have been stockpiling bananas since my last run.

I never do anything by halves ! I thought after reading my blog there might be a rush on the things. I may have overdone it on this occasion. Given the weak state of the pound I am going to suggest to my staff that I pay them in bananas this month. Problem solved !

Back to the run. After my breakfast of egg and banana I set off for a 9.5 mile epic.

Most of my runs involve going up to about 100-150 feet immediately away from the front followed by a flat bit followed by a nice descent back to where I came. I plan and log all my runs using an internet site called "running ahead". The site lets you map the distances of your run and also can provide a profile of the climbs including an elevation map. My route was to take me down to the marsh path in Little Neston, along for a mile or so then up to Willaston via Burton and back home along the Wirral Way. I didn't bother checking the elevation map . Silly me. Not known to me was a slow two mile relentless climb of 250 feet from the marsh path up to Burton. One of the few times I have felt almost totally exhausted.

The scenery would have been lovely if it were not for the drizzle today but at least it kept me cool and fresh.

Burton is quite stunning with the village having been founded in the sandstone rock. Some of the cottage doors are approached by steps cut into the sandstone presenting a peculiarly antiquated appearance. I couldn't choose between Lower Heswall and Burton on the tweeness scale. They are both lovely villages.

For the first time on approaching Willaston I noticed I have actually been incorrect in calling it Willaston. The road sign says "Willaston Village" just in case you were in any doubt.

The run was exhausting and I think probably the toughest one I have done due to "the hill". The good thing though is that I took a banana with me in my hydration pack. I came back from the brink thanks to banana power ! I have now decided to join the cult of the twelve bananas.
The Twelve Bananas.
This group began in the early 1970s with Chiquitta. They claim that salvation can only be found by giving all possessions to them and living in their community. All personal decision-making power is given over to the top banana.

Ok I promise I won't mention bananas again (much).

Another 9.5 miles or 15 kms under my belt and I am now near Sutton Coldfield.

Looking forward to a good sleep tonight.

Going Bananas

Tra la la, la la la la.
Tra la la, la la la la.
Tra la la, la la la la.
Tra la la, la la la la.

A quick entry to record I have done two more runs since my last post.
Both 3.5 milers along the front at Parkgate and back.

One banana, two banana, three banana, four.
Four bananas make a bunch and so do many more.
Over hill and highway the banana buggies go
Comin' on to bring you The Banana Splits Show.

I am now on the M6 Toll heading East and have discovered bananas.

Makin up a mess of fun
Makin up a mess of fun
Lot's of fun for everyone.

No wonder athletes eat these.

Tra la la, la la la la.
Tra la la, la la la la.
Tra la la, la la la la.
Tra la la, la la la la.

I ate one before my run today and it felt like I had taken Mr. Muscle super body building powders.

Four banana, three banana, two banana, one.
All bananas playing in the bright warm sun.
Flippin like a pancake, poppin like a cork
Fleagle, Bingo, Drooper and Snork.

Now I know what the Banana Splits were on.

I don't like Mondays

Yet another disturbed night and once again I enter my familiar confused world as the alarm rings. This is my second week of morning runs.

There is still a little stiffness remaining after the weekend run but hardly noticeable.

I have decided to run to Little Neston today for the first time. What appears initially to be a busy "suburb" of Neston has quite an interesting history. It is the site of a disused colliery and the village is mentioned in the Domesday book. More recently housing estates have been built but the area still retains some charm overall. Unfortunately I didn't pick the most picturesque route today. I had hoped to reach the waste tips at the bottom of Marshlands road but alas I didn't have enough time. That pearl awaits.

The streets were much busier than sleepy Parkgate with many children "rushing" off to school. I hope my children show a little bit more urgency when they are of that age.

Thirty minutes later I was back home after a comfortable and steady run.

The highlight of my day though has to be the loss of my blood blister. It first appeared after my 10k run in Hoylake on 25th September. I was delighted that it has finally done what it needs to do and could be harvested. I will treasure it for a few days before I throw it out and it is now sat in pride of place on my bedside table (don't tell the Mrs). My eldest seems quite keen on having it for a day or so and so I have promised (out of earshot of Helen) to pop it in his pocket later in the week. He is absolutely delighted (as I would be). Who knows it might even feature in the school nativity play this year perhaps as an injury to Joseph in his long trek to Bethlehem.

I'm lost for words (A less traditional nativity set)

Joking apart another 5 kms or so under my belt and I am nearly at Cannock. Rest day tomorrow.

A Quick raid into Gayton and beyond

It was the day of my long weekend run and I had overslept. Our two sons have a tendency to just burst in through our bedroom door...and so the day begins. After scraping myself off the ceiling and going to the toilet I went downstairs in a rather confused state. I needed coffee.

Where am I ?

Today I set a simple goal for my long run. Stay on my feet for a one and a half hour run and see how far I get. At the forty five minute mark I am to turn back for home.

And so I set off towards even posher areas heading to Gayton and Lower Heswall, the latter the haunt of Paul McCartney and Rafa Benitez (according to "her indoors"). Maybe I would bump into Paul and he would decide to sponsor me ?

Got a spare £1 Paul ?

Soon I was in the unfamiliar village of Gayton armed with my map. Funnily, the name does not derive from "Gay town" but from the old Norse "Geit-tun" meaning "goat farmstead" with a population of around 3000 or so. Well there were no goats to be seen today but the road through Gayton was certainly undulating. I was having a good workout that is for sure !

On through Gayton then to Lower Heswall and the village shops. Lower Heswall is a conservation area - one of 8000 such areas in the country so perhaps not that special after all. I ran through very carefully and made sure I caught any beads of sweat on my handkerchief just in case I damaged a pavement.

Out of the village and onto Delavor Road heading towards the Dee and for the first time (I'm embarrassed to say) I actually said "Wow" out loud when I saw the view. At this point we are close to the mouth of the Dee estuary and the view of the marsh and river and across to Wales was quite spectacular. It was probably also helped by the fact I was running downhill too !

Delavor Road is actually the road where one of my favourite authors lives. "The growth of embryonic brain tissue transplanted subcutaneously in rats" is certainly a great bedtime favourite of my boys. Evidently I was not the only admirer passing through.

There is certainly a lot of intellectual muscle in the road. Just Google it to see what I mean.

Finally I arrived at the Wirral Way and my time was soon up. 45 mins gone. I drank from my bagpipe thingy and headed home. The sun was in my eyes as I headed South and topped up my tan. Who needs sunbeds ?

Home in 1 hour 30 mins. A very stimulating run but a slow hilly one. Will do me good. And the distance covered ...nearly 9 miles. I also did a 3.5 miler yesterday but felt too tired to blog last night.

That will do me...it has been the highest mileage I have done in a week. Total covered since Monday almost 23 miles.

The loneliness of the long distance runner

Another short morning run snatched before work. I must take the chance whilst I can and build up the mileage.

There was a sea mist today - very atmospheric .

I ran along the front to return home via the Wirral Way. There was nobody around this morning on the Wirral Way. Where was everyone ? I'm not complaining. It was great to have the path to myself.

The hedges had been cut recently which was good as it can tend to feel a little bit oppressive especially on days like today.

At one point up ahead to my surprise was what appeared to be rays of sunshine cutting through the mist onto the path. It was however an illusion ( yes I have started seeing things ) and was simply leaves that were so fluorescent in colour that they gave the illusion of sunlight where they had fallen. A strange moment indeed.

It is still strange to run in the morning before work. Until now I have got straight into the car and joined the rush hour. Overall the experiment seems to be working. I am running during the light and it is far more pleasurable to be able to take in the surroundings. The limitation will be time. I have limited myself to half an hour runs at the moment but will try for something longer tomorrow. May even take my hydration system out for an airing.

A historic day

This morning we woke up to the news of a new US president.

Inspired by Obama I thought it was time for CHANGE and to run in a more aggressive way - race mode again.

Same run as Monday. Cornflakes substituted for Cheerios. Time almost 2 mins 30 faster for a 5 km and back to 8 minute 17 pace. Legs shaky afterwards and sweat pouring off me.

A good session and now well south of Stoke and approaching Stafford and then the M6 Toll.

We can do it.

God Bless Parkgate.

Avoiding the Raptors

Running in the evening was clearly not going to work for me...just grim. I also find myself stuck in traffic every morning on the way to work. The obvious solution for me is to try and run in the morning and go in a bit later and by doing so change my working hours slightly to work until later. A win win situation ? We will see.

There are "issues" though.

I do tend to like my bed in the morning (see bear pictures down the page to get the idea). I also am a bit delicate and vulnerable once I do get up. A bowl of cheerios is about all I can usually manage to eat. The thought of anything heavier in the morning makes me want to retch at that time of day. I have retched on toothpaste for goodness sake ! Yes I am as delicate as they come in the morning. As delicate as a butterfly.



Could this delicate thing risk going out in the morning ?

My new routine got off to a "great" start with me almost falling over whilst doing my stretches. Is one bowl of cheerios really going to do it for me ? The vultures will be waiting after today's performance.

However, I can't complain about today overall. This was again a beautiful crisp sunny morning and great to be active !

Another 5.5 kms under my belt and I am now running for Salina.<