Well, where do I start? I basically had a lot of time owing to me due to the extraordinary hours I have been working recently, so even though it was pouring down with rain, I had decided to run a brand new 13km (ish) route around Antrobus. However, although I had planned my route a couple of things went a bit wrong and I in fact ended up running a 17.70km (11.00 miles) instead!
The plan was to head out from St. Matthews C of E Primary School, Stretton, Warrington, towards Appleton Thorn, turning RIGHT at the Appleton Thorn Public House into Arley Road, continuing for 2.70km (going over the M56) until reaching the first right-hand turn into Reed Lane. Then I would continue along Reed Lane (with Antrobus on your right) until reaching the A559 Northwich Road. I would then turn right heading northbound along Northwich Road for about 800 metres, turning left into School Lane.
Now it starts to get interesting...!
The plan was to continue along School Lane and Pillmoss Lane which goes back over the M56. At Hatton, turn right along Hatton Lane towards the Cat & Lion Lights. Left at the Cat & Lion Lights, across the Cricket Ground, along the Old King Street Roman Road and then onto the bus stop finish on Stretton Road. However...
At the School Lane and Booths Lane junction, School Lane was closed by a barrier that said "Private Road", so I then went off plan and turned into Booths Lane!
At the end of Booths Lane, I turned right into Raddel Lane, heading towards the A49 Tarporley Road. However by this time I had lost all sense of direction considering that all these lanes look the same and they bend, twist, and turn.
So, at the A49 Tarporley Road, I turned left instead of right! At about a mile running in the wrong direction, I began to have my doubts, but could not be absolutely sure that I was heading in the wrong direction. If I turned around and I was wrong that would compound things. So, I decided to continue and look for road signs. At the Red Lane junction at Lower Whitley, some two miles in the wrong direction, I noticed a green sign that pointed towards "Whitchurch" in the direction that I was heading and "Warrington" in the direction I was heading away from! About turn!
So, I ran back up the A49 that went on forever until I reached the M56 roundabout. I then ran anti-clockwise around it crossing the A559, M56 Westbound exit, M56 Eastbound entry, before turning left into Spark Hall Close (leading to the Stretton Fox). I then ran back down Spark Hall Close, right into the Park Royal Hotel car park and around the back, stopping at the door of the gym.
At that moment, when I stopped, I realised that I was extremely exhausted. My legs went like jelly and I was both hungry and thirsty. I struggled to remove my wet and soggy trainers and socks due to my jelly legs.
I walked into the reception area dripping wet, leaving a puddle of rain water where I stood. Thankfully, I had found two pound coins in my locker during the week, which allowed me to purchase (in advance) two Nutragrain bars and a can of Lucozade.
The shower that followed was very welcoming...
And that was my mini adventure!
The Stats
Time: 1:28:18 (88:12)
Distance: 17.70km (11.00 miles)
Average Speed: 12.041kmh (7.482mph)
Average Pace: 4:59 per km (8:01 per mile)
Heart rate: HRavg 156, HRmax 170, and 1,254kcals
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2 comments:
ooh do tell !
Cool!
They say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I assume you're not dead?
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