"The Forest 5 and some"

Back to mid week racing again and the annual Harriers promoted Forest 5 miler which is acknowledged as being more like six miles including some wicked initially climbing and descending. It was also a three way interclub competition between Macclesfield, Congleton Harriers and Wilmslow Running Club.

The race evening was humid and there was much reliance on the latest wonder potion to keep midges away, Avon Soft Milk! All smelling nice the race started with the usual twenty minute (for me anyway) climb up through the forest where I lost any number of places due to my current lack of stamina. However running off the top dropping to Forest Chapel and the climb across to Shutlingsloe I held my own and over the last couple of miles of descent lost no more places, in fact overtaking four runners in the last 150 minutes with a burst of speed that Sue the coach at the track would be proud of! Results haven't appeared yet but my time of 47.38 reflects how tough it was .

Weekly mileage 25.

Annual mileage (week 30) 757.

Races 17

"Richmond Hill"

A non racing week allowed my legs to recover again, but unfortunately have ended the session today with a very tight calf muscle! After a week of easy running and intervals (including 9 x 90 seconds) I decided it was time to get some hill work in.

Hills are something I have really struggled with in races following my return from injury, and to remedy this today consisted of a one hour hill fartlek session with every hill being run at a good steady pace between 20 seconds and three minutes in length (including Richmond Hill which climbs steadily over the Macclesfield Canal). It was only towards the end that the calf muscle really tightened up so we will have to see how it feels tomorrow. Hopefully it will recover for the mid week "Forest 5" which has a fifteen minute climb in it straight from the off!

Weekly mileage 21. Annual mileage 732 (week 29). Races 16.

"Wizard 5 & the Kerridge Climb"

Two of my favourite races in three days and running doesn't get any better.

First up the midweek "Wizard 5" around Alderley Edge and Hare Hill. On a hot (25c) and humid evening 190 runners took on the tough descent and climbs around the Edge. After a solid start and rapid descent onto the plain below (photo) I started to lose places on the rolling woodland section and really suffered on the final climb back to the finish. A top half finish (just!) in 39.26 meant I lost nearly a minute on last year's time , but even so it was a good run and I was really pleased.

By Saturday the rain and wind had arrived and the temperature dropped ten degrees for one of the shortest but toughest races of the year the Rainow Village Fete's "Kerridge Climb". I have competed in this race for over thirty years and although the race start has changed a few times since then the straight ascent to the ridge of "The Saddle" has been a constant feature with the view back to the village way below (photo). Again there was a mixture of top fell runners, locals and under 11's, the latter once again skipping past me on both the ascent and descents. Very annoying, the future of the sport! With a time of 13.35 I was 32 seconds down on last year but a it's just great to be back and racing.

Weekly mileage 22. Annual mileage 711. Races 16.

Bollington Nostalgia Race"

After a couple of weeks back to more regular training and running it's great to be catching up on the racing calendar again and racing myself fit.

This has including a range of road, track and fell races including -

Lymm 5k - a first time back on the roads in a Cheshire Grand Prix event and although it was a slow time (22.17) it was a confidence boost to get round without any niggles to the calf

Cheshire and Northern Track and Field Leagues - trips out at 3k (12.48) and 5k (22.26) whilst being way off normal times were good for testing fitness with both being on extremely hot days of over 25c

Offerton 10k - a first time at this local 10k run through Woodbank and Vernon Parks in Stockport. Three large laps including a LONG slow climb each lap meant a possible personal worst of 48.47. However given the high winds and driving rain it was still a fun event.

Bollington Nostalgia Race - again a first for a race that is now three years old. A seven mile course with over 1300ft of climb really found out my lack of strength and fitness for the hills. But with a 63.08 and plenty of walking on the steepest climbs of Bakestonedale Moor (photo) gave me plenty of time to enjoy the views!

Weekly mileage for the year is now back up to 25. Annual total 689. Races completed 14.

"Morecambe Bay"

It's been seven weeks off training plus seven races missed (including some favourite local hill runs) resulting from a calf strain, but this week I can finally say I am back!

After a couple of false starts due to impatience (and forgetting injuries take longer to recover when you are over fifty!) I have this week managed a couple of great runs including my first track session, or at least half session, plus a longer run over an hour. Although my calf is still quite tight, it is definitely getting better. Although my fitness is almost back to square one.

The best run was an early morning seven miler yesterday along the promenade in Morecambe. Apart from a couple of dog walkers I pretty much had the place to myself and with the sun and temperature rising it was definitely one to remember.

Weekly mileage 23. Annual mileage 483.

"Injury Blues"

Three weeks later and I am still not back running! An easy jog/walk every few days is all I can manage. Time to spend some money at the physio's! Why does injury always seem to strike when you are either on top form or the weather gets perfect for running?!

"The Air Products 10K"

Its over two weeks since the Wilmslow Half and in that time I have -

1. Jogged for a week to recover from very sore quads. Why does it take so long these days to recover from a hard run?

2. Raced two 100m races as part of a pre season track meet, including a two mile warm up and long cool down.

3. Twinged one hamstring (right leg). See number 2 above. I never bloody learn do I!

4. After four days recovery & one light training run raced a 10k over a very fast/flat course around the roads of Crewe. Felt like I had been shot in right calf at 8k, jogged to finish in 42.57. Although you might not think so, the photo is before the injury! Apparently the computer file with all the results has been corrupted so hopefully they won't ever be published.

5. Spent next four days recovering again (still recovering).

A runner's life is never dull!

Annual mileage 389 (week 14). Races 9.