Loftus Poultry Run

Today I got up early and walked the dog, feeling okto say that last night was party night (works do) dinner and drinks made for a relatively late night for me.
I completed my race outfit and set out at 8:35 to meet my friend Annette, she'd been to the shop for jelly babies.
It being early, an elf and a mrs Christmas were getting odd looks from passing cars, Annette had endured this for an extra mile that it had taken her to walk to my street.
We waited by the clock tower for our lift.

Shortly our Lift arrived, Jackie and Caroline, grinning at us because they were in running gear not fancy dres, yet. We had their costumes.

Off we travelled to Loftus. Loftus is a village/town between Redcar and Whitby. As we got nearer the skies darkened to reveal a beautiful rainbow to our left then suddenly it was raining, then sleeting and we could feel the wind buffeting the car. We joked about not running, but in my head I knew I would still run. But luckily as we arrived the dark skies clear. Jackie and Caroline put their outfits on, Caroline a snow girl and Jackie an elf. We registered an waited for Helen and Lester to arrive. Lester had a Santa outfit. Helen wore one of ours, she chose a snow girl. We sheltered in Loftus Leisure centre as long as possible before going out and huddling amongst the other festive runners, morph suits sumo wrestlers RabC Nesbit and Michael Jackson as well as trees, elves, Santas and snow people, with a smattering of runners in everyday running gear, there were about 400 of us all together.

We set off steadily and headed through a housing estate where people came out to watch the runners and cheer us along, the climb started, and for the next 2 1/2 miles we wound our way upwards, becoming more and more spread out. I pushed myself to stay with Helen and we regrouped with the other 4 at the water station and turned off the track to slog our way through a muddy field gradually going downwards but you wouldn't know, the win was strong and in our faces. We emerged into a village on the Whitby road and turned towards the coast, upwards again. We ran along the road, it looked like a herd of cattle had gone before, there was so much mud on the road from our shoes.

Soon enough we turned off the road and worked our way through a tunnel of trees and emerged into a field and farm yard, more mud, constantly working our way upwards again, onto a lane, left turn there was the mast at the highest point of the course, we regrouped again.

We now had 3 miles downhill ahead with only a couple of small rises, the views were stunning as we set off down to Loftus. It should have been simple, we should have flown down bug the head wind made it tough, you could feel it moving you as you fought it. Still we continued for 2 miles before a final regroup and we ran back through the housing estate towards the leisure centre together and a finish in 1:26:19. 2 Santas, 2 elves 2 snow girls from Ripon. Poultry run complete on a bright winters day.

As we'd arrived back in Ripon the skies once again darkened and the rain and sleet surrounded us. Bug as we passed under the A1 bridge it stopped. Just like that, one side of the bridge dark and sleety, the Ripon side blue skies. How wierd is that?

December marathon, Frostbite30

Frostbite 30 is an ultra marathon, which starts a Pateley Bridge and is in it's 2nd year. Last year we were having a much more winters December and due to poor conditions the race was shortened. Hmm! Worrying, still I thought it would make a nice December marathon and entered.a small race of 100 competitors, I worried that I would be last or withdrawn, as I always think that these smaller races attract only the faster more experienced runners.
I woke up on the morning 07/12/2013 to fog, oh oh! That is the weather I would least like to be doing a trail race in, but by the time we had walked the dog, (hubby was doing the race too) he weather had cleared, but it was bitterly cold.
We arrived in Pateley and parked up, there were plenty of cars, the pay and display machine had no tickets, so we risked it (no choice really). We went to the scout hut and registered, got our numbers and shirts. We then had time to chat to other competitors and check the map carefully.
I was disappointed at some of the other runner's attitude towards the race briefing, I was near the front and sometimes struggled to hear for people chatting.

Just before 9am we gathered outside, the claxon went and we were off, soon we stopped for a gate, and another and some styles, before we knew it ,we were last, Billy and I, not for long though as we reached Gouthwaite reservoir

and the first incline, where we passed 3 people, they were close behind us as we reached the first checkpoint at 4 and bit miles.
We turned right and Billy held my pack as I stripped my raincoat off, I was overheating already, Billy had taken his rain jacket off at a style earlier. I had a drink and we set off up the hill that loomed in front of us.
The views were stunning.

We over took a couple more people, as I am quite strong at walking uphill, ahead was a man in a fluorescent yellow jacket, we figured he could be the next to catch, he was running even though the hill was very long. We did run the less steep bits. Soon we turned and the wind was in our face, it wax drizzling and icy cold. We stopped to put our jackets back on. Man in yellow gad passed a lady in purple, we passed her just after the Lofthouse/Masham road, then Billy's strap came undone on his pack and she passed us whilst Billy sorted it. There was an building ahead, like a village hall in the middle of nowhere.

we were running well, We had put food in our jacket pockets to eat as we ran, about 10 miles Billy said that if we could keep this pace we would make our 6:30 target, then aargh! (Sweaty words) I turned my ankle, totally inverted my foot, I heard an internal crack/pop, and hopped a few steps, Aargh! Just like in January. I gingerly walked, it bore weight, so I carried on, gingerly at first, and upset and angry about my ankle. I distracted myself with the views
Soon we were turning towards Scar House Reservoir, we had been able to see it for ages, the Dam was massive.
At about 14 miles we arrived at the dam where the green van with the food packs was parked, we were going to run past as we had our food on us, but we were offered cola and hot Rubens, it would be rude to refuse.
We set off again, we had gained a bit on the man in yellow, and just ahead of him was a group of 3 runners. Off we went again, the wind was horrific and the track soon turned to waterlogged ground and bog. The man in yellow passed the group.

We approached Angram reservoir and again a stunning dam, and amazing views

The ground underfoot was very tricky and we struggled to pass the group ahead, we crossed one inlet at the end of the Angram reservoir, and eventually passed them and caught another group, we passed them, crossed the other inlet and soon found our way to the dam

And then we were on Tarmac, we picked up the pace,, but so did man in yellow, we did a10:15 mile,not bad at that stage, but all to soon we headed of the Tarmac and up a rocky track

Over the crest of the hill and we got more food out of our packs, ate some pork Pirandello set off towards Middlesmoor. It was tricky going and was painful on my foot. At the car park there wax a checkpoint water and hot Rubens, wepassed another runner, and then a run through the village. "I camped in there with Sunday School, when I was a kid" I said as we ran past the village gall. I remembered back 35 ish years, to borrowing a sleeping bag from AuntyJean and spending a weekend with other kids from local Sunday Schools doing activities, from Walking and rounders to colouring in.
We continued down through the hillside village, past the pub, where a few years ago, I had gad Lamb chops and Billy had had Trout, after a walk up the lane we had just run down. Ther were a lot of farmers/hunters at the pub. Down the 1 in 4 hill toa stone stile into a field, I hate stone gap stiles, they're too narrow for my legs. Then a run down a field to the next sone stile, and more of the same, until we crossed a bridge over How Stean Gorge.

Along a road towards the cafe, Billy stopped to sort some grit out, that was in his shoe, I was gawping around as usual, and spotted what looked like a big hole over the fence, it was a visitor area with what looked like a carved griffin.

Along to Studfold farm and caravan and campsite, turn right, right again and Oh my goodness that was a steep hill, not too long but tough. We were well and truly on our way back now, we crossed a little bridge and went up another hill. BANG!I nearly jumped out of my skin, a gunshot from the left. I hoped it wasn't an angry farmer, but there over the fields were some people hunting. We now had another runner in our sights, sometimes we thought we were gaining, then I t looked as if we would never catch up.

I could see Lofthouses on my left and knew we were only about 7 miles from the finish, we kept on chasing, it was good to have a focus, we were still running quite well but we were heating up fast. I realised the runner ahead was a Ripon Runner, this made me more determined to catch him. We stopped just before Ramsgill to take off our rain jackets, I was getting cross because I got mine stuck on my wrists, Billy sorted it and rammed it into my pack. The runner ahead looked back and realised it was us. "We won't catch him now" Billy said as we followed to the check point, we stopped for cola, The runner was wY ahead now, but there wax also another runner that he was gaining on. Slowly and steadily we picked our pace up and about a mile further we caught the Ripon Runner and another 2 runners, we passed all three and kept onwards, heading for the Dam at the end of Gouthwaite Reservoir. Nearly home, new target in sight. We soon caught and passed the runner ahead. He stuck right to us, "your doing really well, but if you can pick up your pace a big more, we will get in in under 6:30". I gave it everything I had left, running alongside the River Nidd. " I can see the car park" I cried out, nearly there, into the trees, there was the tape follow the tape, the air horn sounded as we emerged from the trees, one more corner, then run, run as hard and fast as I could to prevent the runner behind me overtaking.
That it. It was over, I stopped my watch at 6:27:22 I was very happy, I removed my soggy muddy trainers and padded indoors with soggy socks to the warmth of the scout hall, there awaiting us was scrumptious soup and bread, tea, coffee and cake.
The other Ripon Runner came in just behind us, we all sag and refuelled on the wonderful food.
Soon we got warm clothes on and set off home, tired limbs were seizing up and my ankle was being a big of a nuisance.I forgot to pack dry shoes so had to put my nice warm dry feet back into my cold soggy trainers, Yuck!
After getting home, We walked the dog to loosen back off, before stretching.

I highly recommend this small friendly race. Yes it's tough, but that makes finishing even better.

Year end, rapidly approaching

I have been on a year long challenge to raise £1000 for the British lung foundation in memory of my Dad, Eddie Kimberley. The challenge has been to run 2013 miles in 2013 including a marathon a month as well as Outlaw long distance and Vitruvian Middle distance triathlons. Now my journey is almost over.
On Saturday 7 December I hope to complete my December marathon, the Frostbite 30 is a 30 mile trail race from Pateley Bridge run mainly on the Nidderdale Way, with around 100 competitors.
My previous marathons in 2013 were;
January 26.2 miles running 3 loops around Ripon
February 26.2 miles running 3 loops around Ripon
March Trollers Trot a 24 mile trail run from Grassington which I added 2.2 miles on at the end
April Blackpool Marathon
April Manchester Marathon
May running up and down Studley Deer park drive 10 times
June running up and down Studley Deer park drive 10 times
July the marathon at the end of Outlaw
August Ripon Runners run from Ripon Cathedral to York Minster 30.6 miles
September Robin Hood Marathon, Nottingham
October Yorkshire Marathon
November Goathland Trail Marathon 27.5 miles

In July I completed Outlaw Triathon in Nottingham 2.4 mile open water swim, followed by a 112 mile cycle and completed with a 26.2 mike run.
In August I completed Vitruvian Triathlon at Rutland Water 1.2 mile open water swim followed by a 52 mile cycle and completed by a 13.1 mile run along the banks of the famous Dambuster lake.

I hope to complete my challenge in late December with my 2013 th mile being run from St Mary's church Studley to the front gate to the deer park, as many of my miles have been run there this year.

If you would like to give a little to my challenge fund, you can visit my JustGiving Page www.justgiving.com/Lena-Conlin-Dad or text LENA75 followed by £2 (or other amount) to 70070

Thank you for your continued support
Lena Conlin

Percy Pud 10km

Sunday first December, advent (arrival) at last after 4 years, I finally have a new 10km PB.
My friends and I have competed in the Percy Pud 10km, run by the Sheffield Striders and held at Loxely for the past 5 years, the first three years we dressed up, and the last 2 years we have worn Christmas pudding hats. Vicky swears hers is lucky, no mine is too. Not that I raced in mine, it was mild yesterday, it would have cooked my tiny brain.
The race started at 9:30 so it meant an early start, Billy drove, though he didn't race and we took Annette and met Vicky and Andy there.

One of my highlights of this race is the portaloos, they're on uneven ground, so when I use them I wonder if I'd ever get out if it tipped up.
This year there were pacers, Sally was 50 mins, I decided that I wouldn't be running with her, but as I have always run the race in around 55 mins, I decided to run near the 55 min man. I set off behind him and wondered if I'd ever catch him as he seemed to run very quickly, but slowly I gained on him as we ran towards the dam, just after the dam I ran with him a while and then passed him, right I thought, If I stay ahead I'll be sub 55, chance of a PB. Just before the turning point he got ahead again, and at the water station he started to get away from me, I ran a bit harder, but I could feel that was too hard, I slowed a bit, but slowly caught and overtook again. As we reached the dam on the way back, I was still ahead for the long incline to the finish line. I pushed onwards, it was only a mile or so to the end, I dreaded seeing the pacer pass me again as this was my limit, I could see the finish, away in the distance, focused on it and one foot in front of the other, it got closer and then I was running through the crowds to the finish. I stopped my watch. I ran to Billy for a finish pic, looked at my watch and was delighted to see a 53 on the front, 53:52 a PB. On the way home I got a text with my official chip time 53:43, even better. And we all got Christmas puss for our efforts.

My old PB was at the Leeds Abbey Dash in 2009 54:32
Andy got a PB too, it was a good running day.

After we arrived home and had some lunch, I cycled to Knaresborough on my road bike. It was nice to be out on the road bike again, the sun shone, and I was toasty warm in my Michelin man gear.
I road home a longer route making 30 miles.
I finished my day with 30 mins of yoga.

184 miles left of the 2013 miles in 2013 challenge

Two month catch up

Well, what can I say? I have been lapse in my blogging. The last time I blogged it was about the Robin Hood Marathon at the end of September and at that time I was feeling pretty fed up about this years challenge. I was way behind my target mileage, even though the marathons and triathlons were up to date, I just seemed to be falling further and further behind with the 2013 miles, and I was so tired.
When I started this challenge I would have to run 38.72miles a week but week after week I was not hitting target and at the beginning of October I was faced with having to run 47.58 miles every week for the last 13 weeks of the year. I felt that it was becoming an impossible task. I was always tired running almost daily as well as walking, cycling and swimming. I was out on my Monday morning run on 7 Oct, and because I'd been in Londan at the weekend, supporting Billy at the Royal Parks half marathon, my legs were reacting well to the run after 2 days rest. I came up with the plan to run 12 miles 4 times a week, unless racing, but to aim for 48 miles a week. It seemed the only option.
The new plan worked, I was managing 50+ miles a week and having 3 days run rest.

On 20 October it was the Yorkshire marathon, I ran Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, clocking up 34 miles and on Sunday ran the marathon. I didn't think it would be a great day for me because of the mileage that I gad already completed that week, bug how wrong I was. It was a great marathon, great organisation, great course, though not flat as advertised. I worked my way back a pen, and then to the back of that pen,behind the 4:30 marker. My plan was to stay with the 4:30 marker bug knew Id set off too quick, so set off behind him.
We worked our way to the start and a lovely downhill got my legs going and I soon caught up and overtook the 4:30 marker. "Right" I thought, as long as I keep ahead of him I'll be quicker than 4:30. I felt I was running well slowly overtaking people, often running alongside and chatting to them along the way.. At 20 miles I was shocked to see Billy and Martin, walking, they were struggling as it was warmer than anticipated, now I had to keep ahead of them too. I pushed ever onwards, I turned a corner towards the end and the lovely downward sweep that had got my legs going at the start, was now about to test my tired legs. It felt like a mountain bug I kept onwards and soon I was at the 26 mile mark and ran for it. Bad move, I went way too early and even though Zi was overjoyed at finishing, I could hardly breathe. When I recovered and looked at my watch I was amazed to have run it in 4:24:25. My third fastest I thought with Manchester 2012 my PB at 4:16 and Manchester 2013 at 4:22 I was very happy, even happier when I got home and checked and realised Manchester 2013 was actually 4:28 making York my second fastest ever marathon.
I kept up my 4 day running program throughout October and clocked up 242 miles, things were looking up.
At the end of October Billy Martin and I meg with a Tri coach. We have got a coach to help us with next years challenge of Outlaw and the Ironman Wales 50 days later.

November started with a more positive attitude, the Guy Fawkes 10 miler was on the 3rd. Starting at Ripley, the mainly road race takes in a few big hills and over the 4 years I had done it I'd never managed to run them all. This year I did, I ran all the hills and finished 2 min quicker than ever before.very happy.

The new Triathlon training plan started on the 4th. This might affect my running, I completed so many miles in October because I hadn't swum and had only cycled to work. Now I was going to be swimming, cycling and doing core fitness.
I had the Goathland marathon on the 9th and so only ran Monday and Tuesday, resting then for Saturdays trail marathon. On We'd, the girl taking me let me know that she was I'll and would not be able to make it. I put out a plea for a lift on the race's Facebook page and wax offered a lift from a very nice man from Knaresborough. He is an Outlaw and we had loads in common, which was great. He picked me up at 6:45 on the race morning and we headed out over the North York moors to Goathland. The marathon was great, Fantastically organised and marked, great Marshall's and cake all the way round. At each cake point I had a small square of caramel shortbread and a mini chocolate iced donut with sprinkles on, washed down with cola it was the biz for slogging up big hills and running over boggy moors, it was all great fun and I finished the 27.5 miles in 6:01:45.

On 17th I headed to Askrigg with Billy and Martin for the Wensleydale Wedge, a 23 mile challenge. Martin and I did it last year but it was first time for Billy. I set off quick to get through the early crowded styles and then as we all settled into our pace, Billy and Martingale got ahead on the first big incline, I couldn't keep up but I kept on tring. At the first proper food checkpoint they were nowhere to be seen I went to the loo, grabbed a drink and some food and set off again, I soon caught 2 Ripon Runners, I tried to keep up and eventually ran the rest of the way with one of them, John. We'd made it back in under 5 hours, I was amazed because that was 46 min quicker than last year. Only 7 min behind Billy and Martin.

November has just about finished now and I'm resting for a 10 km race on Dec 1st.
Monthly mileage was 186 miles plus I did my training plan too. My race results for Oct and Nov were great, so I am about to head into December facing 41 miles a week. Much better than 8 weeks ago.
190 miles to run, now including a 10 km race, a 30 mile trail race and a 8 mile race. It will fly by.