"Knowsley Mud Safari!"

There is a saying "it's cross country it's not meant to be easy" and for the seven snow and mud miles of the Northern Cross Country champs at Knowsley Safari Park it has never been more true. After an uphill first half mile of calf deep snow the three lap course turned to ankle deep mud and a time of 72.16 saw me run my slowest race ever, well down the field and  last Harrier to finish.

"The Big Freeze"

 It should have been the Four Villages Half Marathon today but with snow and sub zero temperatures all week it meant that it was cancelled and instead  I ended up going for an eleven miler in the hills and along the Gritstone Trail. The weather was cold but fine and the snow was drifting up to four feet in places. Fantastic!

All in all a great week of running including a tough 3 x 3k session on a snow covered track on Tuesday.

Week 3. Weekly mileage 34. Annual mileage 91. Sessions 15. Races 2.

"Boggart Hole Clough Mud"

A boggart is a mischievous spirit mainly found in Lancashire and Yorkshire, they were thought to be responsible for poltergeist activity. Well you need to be a ghost to float over some of the worst mud I have ever seen on a cross country course today in Round 4 of the Manchester and District League. it took me 55 minutes to run six tortuous miles up and down this regular venue. Roll on the track season!

Week 2. Weekly mileage 27. Annual mileage 57. Sessions 10. Races 2.

"Back To The Track"

I have just returned from my first track session for about two months and realized that despite regular training and racing I'm not as fit and sharp as I thought I was! Warm up and drills followed by 6 x 800m with two minutes recovery has left me hobbling. Things can only get better!

"Reaseheath & The County XC Championships"

 

The first race of the season saw a return of the Cheshire County XC Championships to Reaseheath agricultural college. Raced over seven miles of undulating ploughed and waterlogged fields with only temporary respite through woodland this was one tough event. After a good week of training it took me 58.09 to get  round, and it's a long time since I have wanted so badly for a race to end!

Week 1. Weekly mileage 30. Annual mileage 30. Sessions 5. Races 1.

"Running Resolutions for 2013"

Whilst out on the first run of 2013 through Prestbury village I put together my targets for the year ahead. For once I have decided to try and keep them simple!

Return to regular track sessions

Circuit training

V50 track records 100 - 800m
Finish a 3000m steeplechase

Stretch

Wilmslow Half Marathon in 1.33

Target 50 races

1350 miles