"New Year's Eve"

Last run of 2010.

Now that the snow and ice is receding it's a quick three miler through town and into South Park.

Overall a pretty good running year, with more miles and races than in recent times.

All that's needed now is to do a full review and target set for next year. But first it's party time and lets see what 2011 brings!

Annual mileage 1323. Races 35

"Boxing Day Club Handicap"

The last race of the year, number thirty five, the annual club handicap around Langley and Macclesfield Forest. For once not run as normal with the fastest going off last, but with all runners going off together having given the handicapper an estimated finish time and their running timepiece. A true test of running by feel, the ultimate race against the clock!

I had seen what a few of the others were estimating but this was less about speed and more about pace judgement, a race against yourself.

Last years time was 28.04 on what is described as a "super hilly four miler". This time allowing for the icy forest roads and lack of recent speedwork I estimated 29.14.

All was going fine until some club junior went past me on the biggest climb of the day (top picture, looking back), a lung freezing five minutes of agony as you gulp in the oxygen. Pace judgement went out of the window as I took 20 seconds out of him in the fast last mile. I won't repeat what I said as I raced by! My chance of winning the race blown I came in 11th in 28.13. Maybe I should have been confident and gone with last years "flat out" time. All in all though I'm really chuffed that there is still some speed left in the legs.

The bottom photo shows the road climb up to the high point of the course just below the Hanging Gate pub and the turn for home with a fast two miles downhill to the finish.

Weekly mileage 24. Annual mileage 1304. Races 35.

"Christmas Eve"

A 5 mile Christmas Eve run over "The Hollins". Fantastic! Now roll on the beer and xmas pud!

"In The Deep Midwinter"

Just a quick review this week.

No races for once after six successive weeks of competition.

The track closed for a third week running, not due to snow but the ice - not clever when sprinting round the bend! This is the most it has ever been out of service.

Most days with temperature never above zero.

No speed work (racing flats have gone on holiday!) BUT, some great long solo winter runs in the hills. Photo taken on Saturday afternoon before dropping into Ingersley Vale and the climb onto Kerridge Ridge, known locally as "The Saddle"

Weekly mileage 29. Annual mileage 1280.

"THAT Hill Is Still There!"

It says something about a cross country course that the first thing one of the senior ladies says as you arrive is that the hill is still there, and we all know exactly what she means!

Known to all as "Killer Hill", it is the defining feature of the Leek Westwood course and also decides the finishing positions of the last fixture of the Norths Staff League at westwood High School Leek. Run this well on each of the three 2 mile laps, recover for the next climb, and you stand a good chance of doing well. Let it psych you out and you are in real trouble! The photo shows the condition I was on the short climb just before Killer Hill on the first lap!

The climb is tougher than any others in the season, even Hill 60 at Roundhey Park, because there is a short tough climb and quick descent putting your body under pressure before you actually reach the bottom of the hill. Secret is don't look up, adjust the central governor in the brain and don't stop! I managed this and had a great run, again with the temperature barely reaching zero and got round in 45.15.

The remainder of the week was limited training again in sub zero conditions including running along a frozen Macclesfield canal, & I also managed a good couple of hours on the bike the day after the race which helped to loosten off the legs.

Weekly mileage 21. Annual mileage 1251. Races 34

"Boggart Hole Clough"

Week number two of sub zero temperatures and the first time in my experience where a cross country fixture isn't confirmed until the day of the race. Furthermore all runners were advised to walk the course before they decided it was safe for them to run! Welcome to Boggart Hole and round three of the Manchester & District League.

Noted as one of the toughest courses of the season for mud and climbing last weekend was a very different experience. The team were hoping it may have reduced the numbers running and help us get up the league standings, it did, but the quality was still there at the front of the field with internationals Andi Jones and Tom Lancashire in fine form. The only positive thing was that after the start I didn't see them again, meaning I didn't get lapped on the three lap two mile course!

Although over the normal course I was 3 minutes 32 secs faster than last year (48.06), I still finished behind my two closest rivals Alan and Jack. I'm not sure how to deal with this yet but will have to wait until the next round of the League in new year to find out.

None running highlight of the week, sleeping in the car overnight in Sheffield with four teenagers due to heavy snow preventing travel back over the Peak District!!

Weekly mileage 23. Annual mileage 1230. Races 33.