A tired Park Loop

The Dingle Path

off Cann Lane

Negatives

I felt mentally tired and certainly not in the mood for running today and when I got running I also felt physcially tired too. It was basically hard work today for whatever reason.

Also at the 200m mark, I also went over on some wet mushy leaves and at 1.3km a dog on a long lead ran at me and I had to give it a wide birth off the path into the very heavy boggy muddy grass bank. Then with just 300m to go two people walking side-by-side made very little effort to move out of the way and gave me very little room to get by, followed by another owner and another dog just 30m ahead that caused me some problems too. Then with just 50m to go a car drove out of the Stretton Road car park and stopped directly in front of me to give way to traffic on Stretton Road. I was forced to run around it again almost slipping over for the second time on some mud.

My slow time today for all of the above reasons was 21:22.


Positives

Despite the way I felt, I still ran so had some more "time on feet" rather than doing nothing at all. This means that I have still exercised on every single weekday in 2008. So, not all bad news.


Fitness Stats

Start Time: 2:33 pm
Distance: 4.45 km
Duration: 21:22

Speed: 12.50 km/h
Pace: 4:48 per km

296 kcals, 153 HRavg, 164 HRmax


MP3: Katie Melua - Pictures

Park Loop 5.31km Variation

The Oak Walkway

Private Path owned by The Pewterspear Trust

Due to the Fleetwood Town v Gateshead game being off, I extended my usual Park Loop run slightly from its typical 4.45km to a 5.31km Park Loop Variation instead.

I ran at a reasonable pace, before picking my pace up for the last 500 metres or so, where I began to put in a fast sprint attaining 17.0km/h for about 100 metres, before settling down to about 15km/h for the remainder.

I often find that it's usually much easier to put in the effort at the end of the run as you know "that effort" will soon be over.


Fitness Stats

Start Time: 2:15 pm
Distance: 5.31 km (Gmap)
Duration: 24.21

Speed: 13.08 km/h
Pace: 4:35 per km

359 kcals, 159 HRavg, 170 HRmax


MP3: None! I accidently left it at work again!

Hillside Run

Hillside Farm Track (First Stile)

Registered Public Right of Way

For a bit of a change, I ran the shorter 4.19km Hillside Run on a cold and quite windy afternoon.

The Hillside Run was very muddy and slippy in places and I had to give way to speed in order to stay on my feet.

The two stiles that you have to climb over both on the outward and inward parts of the run were wet and slippy and it was more important to slow down and carefully clamber over them rather than risking potential injury.

My outward time was 9:42 and my inward time was 9:47, giving a total time of 19:29 for the 4.19km distance.


Fitness Stats

Start Time: 2:46 pm
Distance: 4.19 km
Duration: 19:29

Speed: 12.90 km/h
Pace: 4:39 per km

288 kcals, 160 HRavg, 170 HRmax

MP3: Mika

Clockwise

The Pewterspear Garden Path
Registered Public Right of Way

Considering that I was not in the mood today, I did not want to place myself under any undue pressure to further improve on yesterday's 19:59 time, so I decided to run the Park Loop in the opposite direction (which is clockwise).

For some strange unknown reason, the clockwise version of this obviously same distance run has always consistently provided on average slower times for both John and I.

So, with the pressure off, I simply ran at a reasonably quick, but all the same comfortable and consistent pace for the entire distance. I was, therefore, quite pleased with my time of 20:13, considering my state of mind before I set out, that I was not really ‘going for it’, and also due to the fact that I had run the usually slower clockwise circuit.


Fitness Stats

Start Time: 2:19 pm
Distance: 4.45 km
Duration: 20:13

Speed: 13.21 km/h
Pace: 4:33 per km

320 kcals, 165 HRavg, 173 HRmax

MP3: Gwen Stafani, "Love Angel Music Baby" (Continued...)

Bubble Pop Electric

The Second Kissing Gate (1.2km mark)

Today, I ran the Park Loop with Gwen Stefani who helped me complete my first sub 7-minute mile of 2008 with a time of 6:40 (which includes the negotiation of three individual kissing gates enroute to the first mile). This was an improvement of 23 seconds at this point as compared to yesterday.

I did however later pay for that fast start whilst running down the Pewterspear Garden Path, which is about one mile from the end.

Again, I believe that it was only Gwen's "Bubble Pop Electric" track that kept me going, otherwise I think that I would have probably wasted all or most of that 23 second advantage earned in the very first mile. However I instead kept going...

As it turns out, I managed to beat yesterday's time by 18 seconds, although that last mile did hurt a bit. The pain was kind-a worth it as I finished the Park Loop in my first sub-20 time of the year with a time of 19:59 - Just!


Fitness Stats

Start Time: 2:34 pm
Distance: 4.45 km
Duration: 19:59

Speed: 13.36 km/h
Pace: 4:29 per km

330 kcals, 168 HRavg, 178 HRmax


MP3: Gwen Stafani, "Love Angel Music Baby"

5.07km Park & Cann Lane Variation

When you're struggling with your usual standard pace, it is often a good idea to run a longer and slightly hillier course at that same pace. This should have the effect of hopefully improving my pace of my standard shorter distances.

Any way, I ended up completing the 5.07km distance in 23:51, so a 12.76kmh speed achieved.


Start Time: 1:29 pm
Duration: 23:51 Park & Cann Lane Loop Variation (Gmap).
Distance: 5.07 km (3.15 miles)

Average speed: 12.76 kmh (7.93 mph)
Average pace: 4:42 per km (7:34 per mile)
Heart rate: HRavg 160, HRmax 168, and 354kcals

Hillside to start the week off...

Funny weather at the mo... It was very humid in the sunshine and yet it was spitting rain.

Although still not back at the fitness-level that I would like, I did push myself a little and put in a decent performance. What did not help was cars parked on pavements and two horses straggled along the farm path - I gave them a wide birth.

With this particular route the second quarter is downhill, however you do have to clear two stiles that upset the rhythm. This is then compounded at the turn-aound point, as you double back on yourself meaning that the third quarter is uphill where you than have to clear the same stiles but in reverse. Oh yes, you have to pass those two horses again!

Still, a completion time of 19:34 I suppose is not too bad with all things considered.


Start Time: 1:40 pm
Duration: 19:34
Distance: 4.19km (2.60m) - Gmap

Average speed: 12.87 kmh (8.00m)
Average pace: 4:40 per km (7:30 per mile)
Heart rate: HRavg 166, HRmax 178, and 316kcals

Hillside Run in the Sun!

First day back into work following a week off and the sun comes out!

Any way, I ran an old favourite called the Hillside Run that is only 4.19km that gets you back into the stride once again. Not particularly that fast, although fast enough for today's temperatures.

Although realising that I could just get within 20 minutes with only 500 metres to go, I really pushed it and in fact knocked 13 seconds off my outward time for the same distance.


Start: 1:54 pm
Time: 19:48
Distance: 4.19km (2.60m) - Gmap

Average speed: 12.70 kmh (7.89m)
Average pace: 4:44 per km (7:36 per mile)
Heart rate: HRavg 163, HRmax 181, and 306kcals

Hold the Front Page!

My back although not 100% was much much better and I began to think about the possibility of undertaking my Referees' Fitness Test.

So, just before 7:30pm, I thought it was probably a good idea to perform a mock Cooper Fitness Test, in order to determine whether I'd last the time and distance. So that's exactly what I did!

I ran two and a bit loops around the Sandymoor Community Centre Loop, continuing to run for the allocated 12 minutes. For the first 300 metres in particular, I could really feel some back pain, after that it was simply just noticable.

I completed 2,750 metres in 12 minutes, 50 metres more than the Cooper Test minimum, but more importantly, a comfortable additional 250 metres beyond the 2,500 metres minimum for the Referees' Fitness Test (which used to be 2,700 metres minimum just two years' ago).

So, unless I awake tomorrow morning with real back problems, I shall declare myself fit and travel to Wigan to undertake the all important test.


Start: 7:29pm
Time: 12:00 Cooper Test Time
Distance: 2,750 metres (1.71 miles) - Gmap

Average speed: 13.75 kmh (8.54 mph)
Average pace: 4:22 per km (7:01 per mile)
Heart rate: HRavg 163, HRmax 172, and 187kcal

6.41km Multi-Combination Run

Brief

After my 4.45km Park Loop soaking on Monday, 6.32km Park/Broomfield v1 on Tuesday, 6.50km Park/Broomfields v2 on Wednesday, and 9.02km Gorse Loop just yesterday, I was feeling a little tired in the legs.

I was however determined to put in another descent effort in today and again wanted to run a completely different route, so I ran a multi-combination of many other routes I have previously run and also included a new link path between Blackcap Road and Green Lane.

The reason why I have run generally longer distances this week, is that next week I only plan to run two small runs at an easy pace which will be a cool down just before my Referees' Fitness Test on Sunday 8th July.


The Route

My run started at the bus stop at St. Matthew's School, running westbound just passed the Church, turning right onto the Old Roman Road pathway, but instead of continuing on towards London Road, I instead took the path between the Pewterspear Green Road that connect back up to the Old Oak Walkway near to its end.

On reaching the Dipping Brook Avenue, instead of running straight on towards Stoneacre Gardens, I ran up the Dipping Brook Avenue hill and continued over the roundabout down to the Blackcap Road roundabout, taking the longest route around the roundabout itself.

I then ran uphill along Blackcap Road until reaching the left-hand link path towards Green Lane. On reaching Green Lane, I turned left until reaching the Pillars (usually the Park Loop 2km mark) pathway near Rosemoor Gardens. I took this path, following it until Stonearce Gardens just beyond Cann Lane. I then took the mini-link path to Longwood Road, turning right towards the Old Pewterspear Lane.

I headed down the Old Pewterspear Garden path until its conclusion at London Road. I then continued along London Road until reaching the Cat & Lion traffic lights. At these lights I turned left along Stretton Road until reaching the bus stop finish where I started my run.


The Stats

Total distance of 6.41km (3.98 miles) completed in 30:12 giving an average speed of 12.74kmh and an average pace of 4:43 per km.


Start: 1:37 pm
Time: 30:12 Multi-Combination Loop (Gmap route)
Distance: 6.41km (3.98m)

Average speed: 12.74kmh (7.91mph)
Average pace: 4:43 per km (7:35 per mile)
Heart rate: HRavg 159, HRmax 168, and 443kcals

9.02km Adventurous Gorse Loop

Brand new adventurous mostly off road through farm paths run...

Having viewed The Google Maps of the Stretton and surrounding area, I discovered a farm path near Stud Farm on the Lumb Brook Road that extends for 2km (known as The Gorse) that brings you out again on Witherwin Avenue that eventually brings you out to Broom Avenue and then Lyons Lane.

So, I set out on the Park Loop, taking the right-hand turn at Green Lane, up Dodd's Lane that brings you out onto Lumb Brook Road. I then took the above new route and then...

Using the Lyons/Chalfont path I recently discovered that connects Longwood Road, I then took the link path between Longwood Road and Dudlow Green Road and then the subsequent link path to the Old Pewterspear Lane. From there, I ran the remainder of the Park Loop to the finish, completing a distance of 9.02km in 42:21 giving an average speed of 12.78kmh and an average pace of 4:42 per km.

It is a very hilly and in places difficult circuit, but I enjoyed it and would definitely run it again.


Start: 12:45 pm
Time: 42:21 Gorse Loop (Gmap route)
Distance: 9.02km (5.60m)

Average speed: 12.74kmh (7.94mph)
Average pace: 4:42 per km (7:33 per mile)
Heart rate: HRavg 159, HRmax 166, and 624kcals

6.50km Slight variation on yesterday's run

Considering that I failed to find the path leading up from Lyons Lane yesterday and that I allegedly knew how to find the top part of the same path, I decided to re-route my run so that I ran down this path rather than up it. Sensible you might think...

So, Park Loop up to and including Green Lane, then right into Longwood Road until reaching the top of this path. I then ran down it for a fair distance only to find the route going around the Cricket Ground was blocked by a fence (which appears as one continuous path in the Warrington A-Z). The path did however branch right onto Chalfont Close that led down to Lyons Lane.

Today, I spotted this elusive path from Lyons Lane end. It had a large metal gate preventing public access!

After that, I used the same route as yesterday, running up Hall Drive, through Beachways, along Dunlow Green, before turning left onto London Road. I then followed London Road to the Cat & Lion traffic lights, turning left into Stretton Road, continuing until reaching the bus stop finish just before St. Matthew's School (Gmap of route). Total distance was 6.50km (4.04 miles).


Start: 1:45 pm
Time: 30:37 Park/Broomfields Loop [variation] (Gmap route)
Distance: 6.50km (4.04m)

Average speed: 12.74kmh (7.92mph)
Average pace: 4:43 per km (7:35 per mile)
Heart rate: HRavg 159, HRmax 166, and 450kcals

A new route...

Today's new 6.32km (3.93 mile) route involved part of the Park Loop (up to and including Green Lane), then off route to Cann Lane, straight on along Lyons Lane, until reaching Broomfields.

I was trying to find this path off Lyons Lane, but missed it and ended up...

...climbing back uphill up Hall drive, through the housing estate of Beachways, along Dunlow Green that Joins London Road.

Left onto London Road and continuing until the Cat & Lion Lights, turning left at Stretton Road until reaching the bus stop finish just before St. Matthew's School.

Completion time of 28:53, giving a respectable average speed of 13.13kmh (8.16mph) considering there were a few uphill climbs to take into consideration. Today's overall pace was 4:34 per km (7:21 per mile).


Start: 1:39 pm
Time: 28:53 Park/Broomfields Loop (Gmap route)
Distance: 6.32km (3.93m)

Average speed: 13.13kmh (8.16mph)
Average pace: 4:34 per km (7:21 per mile)
Heart rate: HRavg 159, HRmax 167, and 424kcals

Soaked!

Fair weather runner?

Not me!


I got well a truely soaked running around the Park Loop today. For the first 2km, it rained directly into my face aided on by the wind.

Today was not about running in a good time, it instead was all about getting extremely wet.

You really appreciate the nice warm shower afterwards.


Gmaps Pedometer now has Satellite detail around Stretton (Park Loop Gmap), something only added recently as you can see by the zig-zags outside St. Matthews School, as these zig-zags have only been there for about two months.


Start: 1:45 pm
Time: 21:20 Park Loop
Distance: 4.45km (2.77m)

Average speed: 12.52kmh (7.78mph)
Average pace: 4:48 per km (7:43 per mile)
Heart rate: HRavg 155, HRmax 161, and 300kcals


Other Gmaps:

Hillside Run (4.19km)
Appleton New Lane Loop (7.50km)
Sandymoor incorporating Bogg Wood (5.34km)
Sandymoor Warmdown (1.38km)

Slow Long rather than a Fast Short

7.50km Appleton New Lane Loop

Considering that I worked right through lunch yesterday and I missed out on a run, today I decided to go for a slower longer run rather than a fast shorter run.

So, I selected the Appleton New Lane Loop which I have only run once before. It is 7.50km (4.66 miles) in distance which I completed in a reasonable time of 35:20, averaging 12.74kmh (7.91mph) with a pace of 4:43 per km (7:35 per mile).


Gmap of route

Start:1:41 pm
Time: 35:20 Appleton New Lane Loop
Distance: 7.50km (4.66m)

Average speed: 12.736 (7.914m)
Average pace: 4:43 per km (7:35 per mile)
Heart rate: HRavg 158, HRmax 165, and 515kcals

Hillside Run due to roadworks

Roadworks...!

The council are digging up most of Stretton Road at the moment, getting rid of the many pot-holes. This meant that the eastbound side of the road (including pavement) was coned-off from the School all the way down to the Oak Walkway entrance. In fact there was a large generator that was powering the traffic lights blocking most of the entrance to the Oak Walkway.

Considering that I would have to run around these roadworks, potentially running into or out of the traffic (depending on the traffic lights) and would have to avoid heavy machinery, before running right around the generator, I thought it was probably best to give the Park Loop a miss today.

So, I ran in the opposite direction, selecting the Hillside Run (Gmap) instead. At the halfway turn-around point my time was 9:21 and the completion time for the 4.19kms (including hopping over four stiles and crossing the same busy A49 road twice) was 19:02.


Start: 2:43 pm - another late lunchbreak!
Time: 19:38 Park Loop
Distance: 4.19km (2.60m)

Average speed: 13.208kmh (8.207mph)
Average pace: 4:33 per km (7:19 per mile)

Heart rate: HRavg 157, HRmax 170, and 273kcals

Sandymoor + Bogg Wood Loop

It was extremely warm (23C/24C) and the sun was still burning down. It was also very humid.

Considering these facts and that I managed to sneak another Saturday run in following more weeding etc., I decided to jog rather than go mad running. A sensible time of 26:40 over the 5.34km distance.


Gmap of route.

Start: 6:06 pm
Time: 26:40
Distance: 5.34km (3.32m)

Average speed: 12.015kmh (7.466m)
Average pace: 5:00 per km (8:02 per mile)

Heart rate: HRavg 156, HRmax 165, and 382kcals

8km's today

Following 2.5 hours of weeding, turning over soil, and raking, which burned off a few kcals itself, I rewarded myself with an unusual Saturday run...

This 8km run was in fact three separate runs back-to-back. The main run was just over 5.3km, with two warm down loops of 1.4km each. They were as follows:


Run 1: Sandymoor Loop incorporating Bogg Wood

Gmap of route

Start: 4:54 pm
Time: 25.16
Distance: 5.34km (3.32m)

Average speed: 12.681kmh (7.879m)
Average pace: 4:44 per km (7:37 per mile)

Heart rate: HRavg 163, HRmax 172, and 389kcals


Run 2: Sandymoor Community Centre Loop (Warm down)

Gmap Warmdown

Start: 5:23 pm
Time: 6.24
Distance: 1.38km (0.86m)

Average speed: 12.938kmh (8.039m)
Average pace: 4:38 per km (7:28 per mile)

Heart rate: HRavg 160, HRmax 172, and 96kcals


Run 3: Sandymoor Community Centre Loop (Warm down)

Gmap Warmdown

Start: 5:33 pm
Time: 6.25
Distance: 1.38km (0.86m)

Average speed: 12.904kmh (8.018m)
Average pace: 4:39 per km (7:29 per mile)

Heart rate: HRavg 160, HRmax 174, and 96kcals