"Clockhouse Wood"

 It's probably been the most varied running week this year including speed work, a leisurely hill race and a flat out 5k all of which has really boosted my running mojo. The week finished off this morning with a glorious six miler through the woods and hillsides around Alderely Edge, made famous by the novels of Alan Garner and including The Weirdstone of Brasingaman.

 Week 29. Sessions 130. Weekly mileage 27. Annual mileage 689. Races 28.

"Sale Sizzler"

Although I am used to visiting Wythenshawe Park it's usually in the middle of winter for cross country and definitely not on a warm summer evening for a fast, flat 5k that is the Sale Sizzler. Known as one of the fastest courses in the country I was really pleased with a season's best by 35 seconds of 21.29.

That followed on another memorable event earlier in the day when I got the chance through work to say goodbye and good  luck to Arnold from team Vanuatu as he made his way to the Olympic village. He and the team have been training with a consortium I am involved with including MMU Crewe. Arnold is running the 800m and iIam going to watch. Go Arnold!

"Sweeper"

For the first time ever this week I volunteered to be sweeper in one of my favourite summer races the Forest 5 and it turned out to be a fantastic experience! Running with a couple of back markers we really enjoyed the views, had a great chat and it is certainly an evening that we will all remember!

Kerridge Ridge via Alderley Edge"

Yesterday saw me running my local annual Rainow Village Fete "Kerridge Climb" for what I think is my 32nd year.Over that time I have always dreamed of firstly winning the race (no chance) and secondly being the first veteran home (slightly better chance) but once again yesterday out of a very small field of runners (30ish) half of which we under elevens we still managed to get a couple of top vet fell racers AND a junior international hill racer! Run over a lung bursting but short one and a half mile course, which is basically uphill and straight back downdown i managed 13.08 which will being twenty seconds quicker than last year was miles behind the winning time of 8.45 which to be honest is an insane time.

I also had a great run out at the midweek Wizard 5 over the hills and trails of Alderley Edge and again was quicker than last year in 37.51..

Week 28. Weekly mileage 20. Annual mileage 662. Sessions 125. races 26.

"Olympic Dream"

It was the wettest June on record and July is going the same way but in an indifferent couple of weeks of running I did manage to put in three track races, one really good  and two really poor ones.

In the cold and pouring rain at a home.Northern T&F track meet last weekend I ran the best 1500m for years (5.31) whilst today on a warmer less windy afternoon I could only manage 12.38 in the 3k and 2.49 in the 800m. The former was over 36 seconds slower than a few weeks ago!!

The 800m was definitely the highlight though as I got to race with Arnold guesting at the meet from Vanuata and on his way to the Olympic Games the session for which I have a ticket! Spot Arnold in the picture!

Week 27 Annual mileage 642. Sessions 120. Races 24.