Park Loop with John

King Street Old Roman Road (800m to go...)
Registered Public Right of Way

Today, John met me for a run around the Park Loop.

We both initially ran together at a comfortable 12.5km-ish chatting pace and continued at that general pace until there was only 800 metres to go. At this point I checked my watch and realised that at the current pace, I would be well outside 21 minutes, so picked up the pace in order to try and gain a sub 21 time.

With 400 metres to go I began to seriously sprint and my HRmax began to increase from 173 upwards, reaching its new HRmax of 181 for this year. I completed the Park Loop in a time of 20:46.

John had run 13km just yesterday in windy conditions, so you cannot blame him for feeling tired; for him this was a recovery run.


Fitness Stats

Start Time: 12:53 pm
Distance: 4.45 km
Duration: 20:46

Speed: 12.86 km/h
Pace: 4:40 per km

334 kcals, 166 HRavg, 181 HRmax

MP3: None - Chat with John instead.

Canada Edinburgh Park FC P - P Coundon Conservative Club FC

F.A. Sunday Cup Fourth Round Proper, Sunday 20th January 2008 at 1:00pm
Canada Edinburgh Park FC P - P Coundon Conservative Club FC
Venue: Dockers Club, Liverpool


Yes, yet another fixture postponed due to severe waterlogging!

No run today either

We had a 9:00am appointment at Jessica's nursery today, so did not get into work until 10:00am.

I was also far too busy to break for lunch trying my best to hit the deadline for the next delivery of our software for QA purposes. I left work sometime after 8:00pm only stopping for a quick bite to eat at my desk.

No run today

It was Jessica's MMR injection today, so I had an early lunchbreak to attend this appointment.

This meant a day off from running - perhaps I needed it any way considering how I felt just yesterday.

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!

Fleetwood Town P - P Gateshead FC

I arrived into work this morning at 7:55am with a view of leaving at 4:00pm in order to travel, arrive in good time, and officiate as an Assistant Referee at Fleetwood Town FC who were scheduled to play Gatehead FC.

However, following a pitch inspection the game was called off at 9:45am due to a severely waterlogged pitch.

Park Loop at a comfortable pace

Green Lane (2km mark)

I did not fancy blasting it today - so I didn't. Instead I ran at a comfortable pace up until the final 800 metres where I did pick up the pace in order to sneak inside 21 minutes.


Fitness Stats

Start Time: 1:22 pm
Distance: 4.45 km
Duration: 20:58

Speed: 12.73 km/h
Pace: 4:43 per km

310 kcals, 160 HRavg, 173 HRmax


MP3: Mika (Continued...)

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

Treadmill Coopers Test

Park Royal's TechnoGym Treadmill

Unfortunately due to a lunchtime dental checkup, I did not have time to run my usual outdoor distance of 4.45km, but I just had time to at least perform an indoor 12 minutes Cooper Test on one of the Park Royal's treadmills.

I managed 2,860 metres within the 12 minutes.

When I run on a treadmill, I always remember the reasons why I run outside. It's pretty boring and you easily begin to overheat. The last time I ran indoors was almost a year ago on the 9th February 2007.

Fitness Stats

Start Time: 1:29 pm

Distance: 2.86 km

Duration: 12:00

Speed: 14.30 km/h

Pace: 4:12 per km

192 kcals, 164 HRavg, 173 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"

Improving Times...

King Street Old Roman Road

Registered Public Right of Way

I ran the Park Loop again in order to accurately monitor my back to fitness progress and I managed to trim yet another 37 seconds off Friday's time.


Improvement Log:

Wednesday 2nd Jan: 21:47
Thursday 3rd Jan: 21:07 (-40 secs, -40 secs)
Friday 4th Jan: 21:00 (-7 secs, -47 secs)
Today: 20:17 (-37 secs, -1:24 mins)

It is getting more difficult now though...


Fitness Stats

Start Time: 2:23 pm
Distance: 4.45 km
Duration: 20:17

Speed: 13.16 km/h
Pace: 4:33 per km

329 kcals, 167 HRavg, 176 HRmax


MP3

None... I accidently forgot to take it with me to the gym, which is exactly where I was when I suddenly remembered I'd left it at work.

Witton Albion 2 - 1 Curzon Ashton

Witton Albion 2 - 1 Curzon Ashton
Northern Premier League Challenge Cup, Round 4


No goals were scored in the first half, however, this changed in the second half with two goals from Witton Albion in the 68th and 82nd minute. Curzon Ashton got a goal back in the 90+2 of 90+4.


Referee: Dave Croft
Assistants: Richard Spedding and myself
Assessor: Jeff Walton


Fitness Stats

1st Half: 47:00 mins, 533kcals, HRavg 135 and HRmax 165;
2nd Half: 49:00 mins, 523kcals, HRavg 129, HRmax 157.

Total: 1:36, 1056kcals, HRmax 165.

Park Loop yet again

The Green Lane Pillars

I again ran the Park Loop, trimming another 7 seconds off yesterday's time.

My HRavg today was 170 (93%), so I was working hard for my current fitness level. I hope that my usual quicker times with less effort will soon be back once again. It's all in the training I suppose.

Stealing an idea from John, I plan to maintain my accumulated statistics for 2008 (In the right-hand frame underneath "About Me").


Fitness Stats

Start Time: 1:46 pm
Distance: 4.45 km
Duration: 21:00

Speed: 12.71 km/h
Pace: 4:43 per km

358 kcals, 170 HRavg, 178 HRmax


MP3: Katie Melua - Pictures

I was going to listen to Gwen Stefani - "Love Angel Music Baby" (due to the fast beat rate of most tracks), but I had accidently copy protected the CD whilst ripping into Windows Media Player. So Syncing it to my MP3 player meant I would soon find out that it would not work - just prior to setting off for my run!

Post run, I have re-ripped the CD without copy protection and it now works correctly - oh well, next time! Still another listen to Katie...

A little faster Park Loop

The Oak Walkway Wooden Bridge Crossing

Another Park Loop, albeit 40 seconds faster today on an even colder day than yesterday.

I'm certainly getting used to my MP3 player now - how did I do without it before? Listened to the remainder of Katie Melua's Pictures.


Fitness Stats

Start Time: 2:52 pm
Distance: 4.45 km
Duration: 21:07

Speed: 12.64 km/h
Pace: 4:45 per km

346 kcals, 167 HRavg, 178 HRmax

A cold Park Loop

The Oak Walkway

I ran the Park Loop listening to Katie Melua's Pictures Album on my new Technika 2Gb MP3 Player. The MP3 player was a Christmas present.

I now need to train hard as my fitness level has dropped and I definitely need to get it back. So, today was simply putting in some time running at a comfortable pace in the very fresh conditions. Once I get my fitness level back, I'll then pick up the pace once again.

My training schedule has been very mixed lately due to a knee and back injury. I've also managed to pick up more than my usual number of colds which have also lasted much longer too. My workload has increased, making lunchtime training that little more difficult.

For these and other reasons, I have not been blogging the runs that I actually did... however in 2008 I plan to change all that once again and begin to record my training once again.


Fitness Stats

Start Time: 1:21 pm
Distance: 4.45 km
Duration: 21:47

Speed: 12.26 km/h
Pace: 4:54 per km

343 kcals, 165 HRavg, 174 HRmax

Burscough 1 - 1 Southport

Burscough 1 - 1 Southport

This new year's day fixture saw a crowd of over 1,400 turn up to watch an entertaining one all draw.

There are a full set of action photos on the Southport website for this fixture, including pictures of the officials... however, on one photo at the toss-up just before the kick-off, only part of my head, ear, and one leg is visible as I am hidden by the referee. In the other photo, the other assistant referee and referee are seen during the minute silence, however, I'm just out of the shot to the left-hand side. The referee makes a few other appearances and the other assistant referee make one other appearance where he is seen indicating on offside offence. I do not make any other photos... perhaps I wasn't there...! ;-)


Referee: D Stewart
Assistants: M Hopton and myself
Assessor: None


Fitness Stats

1st Half: 47:00 mins, 608kcals, HRavg 144 and HRmax 171;
2nd Half: 48:00 mins, 608kcals, HRavg 142, HRmax 167.

Total: 1:35, 1216kcals, HRmax 171.

Radcliffe Borough 4 - 1 Cammell Laird

FA Cup First Round Qualifying
Radcliffe Borough 4 - 1 Cammell Laird

More to follow...

Sting like an... insect

Today, I ran a much shorter version of the Grappenhall Heys and Dingle Loop. It was 5.42km instead of the 11.42km version.

Basically the route is identical up to Dodds Lane. Then instead of running up Dodds Lane, I continued along Green Lane. The last part of the run is then identical to the last part of the Grappenhall Heys and Dingle Loop once you meet up with Dodds Lane for the second time after exiting the woodlane path.

I was not going that well, as my legs were still heavy from yesterday's run and I could feel my knee slightly too. Then 500 - 600 metres from the end of the run, some big insect landed on my leg and took a chunk out of it! The bite was quite large and I immediately felt stabbing pains like no other insect bite I've ever experienced before. I hobbled for the last 500 metres or so in quite some pain. My leg came up in a lump and a large area around the bite went a nice red colour. In fact my leg is still sore right now. I was only thankful that this occurred near the end of my run rather somewhere in the middle of it.


Start Time: 1:43 pm
Duration: 26:58 Green Lane Loop
Distance: 5.42 km (3.37 miles)

Average speed: 12.06 kmh (7.49 mph)
Average pace: 4:59 per km (8:00per mile)
Heart rate: HRavg 156, HRmax 166, and 382kcals

11.58km Grappenhall and Dingle Loop with John

I ran a very slight variation of the original Gappenhall and Dingle Loop (Gmap) with John today in an improved time from that of Tuesday's very similar run.

The course consists mainly of park tracks, farmland tracks, countryside tracks, walkways, common land tracks, and woodland tracks. There are very few instances where a road is involved. I think that if you added the total distance of main roads that you need to run along the total would be in the region of approximately 600 metres.

As always, it's good to catch up with John. It makes the runs that little bit more interesting.


Start Time: 1:05 pm
Duration: 56:33 Grappenhall Heys and Dingle Loop
Distance: 11.58 km (7.20 miles)

Average speed: 12.29 kmh (7.52 mph)
Average pace: 4:53 per km (7:52 per mile)
Heart rate: HRavg 163, HRmax 177, and 890kcals

11.58km Grappenhall Heys and Dingle Loop

I ran the newly planned 11.58km Grappenhall Heys and Dingle Loop that I intend to run with John on Thursday (if he's up for it).

The route basically involves very few and very short bits of road running (600 metres in total), the rest is tracks, farmers fields, common land, and woodland.

The woodland part is a bit of a treat, which I discovered only on Friday - I never knew it existed and have run passed it many times without ever knowing it was there.

Whilst it is not particularly a fast course, it is a very enjoyable one away from cars and other traffic in some of the nicest areas.

Although I must admit, I began to find the going tough at about the 8km mark, this was probably due to refereeing last night, considering a referee will run between 10km and 12km in each game.


Start Time: 2:10 pm
Duration: 59:16 Grappenhall Heys and Dingle Loop
Distance: 11.58 km (7.20 miles)

Average speed: 11.72 kmh (7.28 mph)
Average pace: 5:07 per km (8:14 per mile)
Heart rate: HRavg 159, HRmax 167, and 874kcals

Poulton Victoria 0 - 1 Cammel Laird Reserves

Stats:

First Half: 46:17, 143 HRavg , 165 HRmax, 575kcals.
Second Half: 49:02, 143 HRavg , 166 HRmax, 611kcals.
Total: 1:35:19, 171 HRmax, 1,186kcals.

Salford City 0 - 1 Flixton

Stats:First Half: 45:35, 141 HRavg , 165 HRmax, 559kcals.
Second Half: 49:05, 137 HRavg , 163 HRmax, 572kcals.
Total: 1:34:40, 165 HRmax, 1,131kcals.

6.79km Walk/Jog new route planning

I initially went for a walk along some new paths in order to plan a brand new much longer route called the Grappenhall Heys and Dingle Loop. However as time passed by this walk broke into a jog for the lat 1.5 miles.

I now have a 11.39km brand new route planned, where you only need to run along busy roads for 600 metres in total, the rest is tracks, common land, farmers fields, and woodland.

Start Time: 2:17 pm
Duration: 1:06:31 New Route Planning
Distance: 6.79 km (4.22 miles)

Average speed: N/A
Average pace: N/A
Heart rate: HRavg 102, HRmax 159, and 458kcals

4.78km Park Loop Extension - a bit faster

Start Time: 1:26 pm
Duration: 22:30 Park Loop Extension
Distance: 4.78km (2.97 miles)

Average speed: 12.747 kmh (7.92 mph)
Average pace: 4:42 per km (7:35per mile)
Heart rate: HRavg 170, HRmax 182, and 387kcals

4.78km Park Loop Extension

Start Time: 2:35 pm
Duration: 23:29 Park Loop Extension
Distance: 4.78 km (2.97 miles)

Average speed: 12.21 kmh (7.59 mph)
Average pace: 4:55 per km (7:54per mile)
Heart rate: HRavg 161, HRmax 178, and 357kcals

5.85km Field and Country Run

Sorry, I somehow managed to lose all the stats regarding this particular run, except that the distance was 5.85km (3.64 miles).

Focus 3 - 0 Shaftesbury

Focus 3 - 0 Shaftesbury (3:00pm)
West Cheshire Football League Divison 3 affiliated to the Cheshire FA


My first non-supply league game in ages. This meant that I was on my own without assistant referees!

Shaftesbury were definitely on top for the first 25 minutes, when Focus almost scored against the run of play with their very first real chance. The shot went slightly wide. This instance appeared to change the game. From this point onwards, Focus performance improved and they began to apply the pressure onto Shaftesbury. The half ended 0 - 0.

Just two minutes into the second half Focus scored. They never looked back scoring another two goals before the final whistle. Focus over the 90 minutes probably deserved the win.


Goals:
To follow...


Cautions:
None

Officials:
Referee: Myself.
Assistant Referees: None.
Assessor: None.


Stats:
First Half: 46:23, 146 HRavg , 168 HRmax, 595kcals.
Second Half: 46:54, 143 HRavg , 170 HRmax, 588kcals.
Total: 1:33:17, 170 HRmax, 1,183kcals.

Marine Reserves 0 - 0 Maghull

Marine Reserves 0 - 0 Maghull (7:30pm)
West Cheshire Football Supply League affiliated to the Cheshire FA


Despite the lack of goals, this certainly was not a boring nil-nil draw. It had two teams playing to win with some hard but fair challenges and of course the odd mistimed tackle too. Both teams ended up sharing the points which on balance was the right result.


Goals:
None


Cautions:
57 mins Marine Reserves (C2: dissent by word)


Officials:
Referee: Myself.
Assistant Referees: David Seddon and Kenneth Noble.
Assessor: None.


Stats:
First Half: 47:06, 152 HRavg , 171 HRmax, 646kcals.
Second Half: 47:42, 142 HRavg , 164 HRmax, 592kcals.
Total: 1:34:48, 171 HRmax, 1,238kcals.

57.5 minute walk

Basically the old left knee was still giving me some grief, so I opted for a low-impact walk for 57.5 minutes.

I did however feel the knee afterwards. I applied ice treatment that same evening.

Poolside once again

On Friday, I felt my inside part of my left knee was quite painful and I found it difficult to walk.

I still did my Runcorn Town game - I felt my knee during the warm-up, however, I did find jogging and running easier than walking. The painful knee did become less painful during the match itself. After the match that evening, I felt my knee again.

Then the following day (Saturday) afternoon, I had my assistant referee appointment. Again I felt it in the warm-up, but the pain again was not too bad during the match itself. I again felt my knee that evening.

So, I rested on Sunday and again yesterday. I have been using ice treatment which appears to be working well. My knee has improved.

Today, I went poolside and used the steamroom and then put the Jucuzzi jets directly onto my knee. It is again much better.

Tomorrow is my birthday and I've got the day off work too. So, I'll treat that as another rest day. I shall then see what my knee is like on Thursday when I may consider a little run out.

Over 5,000kcals in one week!

During week commencing Monday 13th August 2007, I managed to burn up 5,173kcals in just one week's worth of exercise, beating my previous best by just under 2,000kcals.


Exercise:

Monday 13th: 338kcals
A slow Park Loop;

Tuesday 14th: 331kcals
Park Loop (Clockwise) in the drizzle;

Wednesday 15th: 1,302kcals (including warm-up)
Upton A.A. v Blacon Youth Club;

Thursday 16th: 801kcals
10km run with John;

Friday 17th: 1,275kcals (including warm-up)
Runcorn Town v Marine Reserves;

Saturday 18th: 1,126kcals (including warm-up)
Rossendale United v Harrogate Railway;

Sunday 19th: Rest day.


I think it could be some time before I get anywhere close to that amount of exercise in one week again.

Rossendale United 1 - 0 Harrogate Railway

Rossendale United 1 - 0 Harrogate Railway (3:00pm)
Norther Premier Division 1 North

Rossendale United scored just after 14 minutes. They later near the end of the first half were awarded a penalty kick, however, it was to be a poor penalty kick that went skyward way over the crossbar, requiring no action from the goalkeeper. They held out to win the match with the one goal.


Goals:
14 mins: Rossendale United


Cautions:
Rossendale United: 2 (Both late tackles), Harrogate Railway 1 (late tackle).

Officials:
Referee: David Holloway (of Fleetwood).
Assistant Referees: Terry Fox (of Warrington) and myself.
Assessor: Kevin Trowers


Stats:
First Half: 48:55, 133 HRavg , 159 HRmax, 546kcals.
Second Half: 48:39, 123 HRavg , 157 HRmax, 475kcals.
Total: 1:37:34, 159 HRmax, 1,021kcals.

Runcorn Town 2 - 1 Marine Reserves

Runcorn Town 2 - 1 Marine Reserves (6:30pm)
West Cheshire Football Supply League affiliated to the Cheshire FA

This match was played in a very sporting manner. There was only one bad tackle in the whole of the game which was a late challenge by a Runcorn Town player deep into the second half.

I spoke to this player informing him that had this been a different type of game he would have been cautioned, however, in context I simply warned him to watch his tackles.

Runcorn Town scored just after six minutes and later increased their lead 14 minutes into the second half. The football was played to feet and was a pass and move game. A great game to referee. Late on, with 9 minutes to go (well, 14 minutes with added time), Marine Reserves got a goal back. The final part of the game was frantic. However, Runcorn Town held their nerve and held out to win the match.


Goals:
6 mins: Runcorn Town
59 mins: Runcorn Town
81 mins: Marine Reserves


Cautions:
None


Officials:
Referee: Myself.
Assistant Referees: Mike Erskine and Mike Pritchard.
Assessor: None.


Stats:
First Half: 45:11, 147 HRavg , 168 HRmax, 591kcals.
Second Half: 50:20, 142 HRavg , 166 HRmax, 624kcals.
Total: 1:35:31, 168 HRmax, 1,215kcals.

Poolside rest

Considering that I am later this evening going to referee my third game of the week, I thought it would be nice to treat myself the steam room and Jucuzzi. So I did.

10km run with John

I met up with John at lunchtime today.

Considering that last week I worked four of my five lunchbreaks, working over in the evenings too. Yesterday I worked another lunchbreak, so I was owed some time back. That's why I said to John, "Do you fancy a longer run today?"

So, we planned a 9km-ish run that turned out to be just over 10km. The best part of the first 6kms were farm tracks with no road in sight. John passed comment on how good my route was, considering that this was his old stompping ground for so long and he never knew these particular paths existed. To be honest, neither did I - I found them using Google Maps.

It was an enjoyable run. As always it's good having a running buddy. About 1km from the end, John picked up the pace. My currently fitness level did not allow me to match him, so I simply maintained my existing pace and saw John go 100 metres ahead of me.


Start Time: 1:28 pm
Duration: 49:49 Park Loop
Distance: 10.03 km (6.23 miles)

Average speed: 12.08 kmh (7.51 mph)
Average pace: 4:58 per km (8:00 per mile)
Heart rate: HRavg 166, HRmax 175, and 801kcals

Upton Athletic Association 3 - 0 Blacon Youth Club

Upton A.A. 3 - 0 Blacon Youth Club (6:30pm)
West Cheshire Football Supply League affiliated to the Cheshire FA

This match was all one way traffic in the first half. An unnecessary tackle from behind by a Blacon Youth player in his own penalty area on an Upton A.A. player in the 19th minute when already one goal down did not help their cause.

The second half was more competitive, however, Upton A.A. had already done enough within the first 30 minutes.


Goals:
13 mins: Upton A.A.
19 mins (penalty): Upton A.A.
29 mins: Upton A.A.


Cautions:
38 mins: Blacon Youth Club (C1: unsporting behaviour: late tackle)
75 mins: Blacon Youth Club (C1: unsporting behaviour: holding)
78 mins Blacon Youth Club (C2: dissent by word)


Officials:
Referee: Myself.
Assistant Referees: Simon Bourque and Kieran Connolly.
Assessor: Bob Funnell


Stats:
First Half: 47:35, 142 HRavg , 165 HRmax, 586kcals.
Second Half: 49:02, 143 HRavg , 168 HRmax, 615kcals.
Total: 1:36:37, 168 HRmax, 1,201kcals.

Park Loop (Clockwise) in the drizzle

I must admit I felt stronger than yesterday, although certainly not back to my usual fitness level just yet. Still an improvement with a time of 21:09, some 50 seconds faster.

Also, the clockwise run tends to be a slower route than its anticlockwise version - don't ask me why, it just is!

I will probably run a short 2 mile distance tomorrow as I have got another refereeing appointment in the evening and then another one Friday evening, followed by an assistant refereeing appointment on Saturday afternoon. Yes, the football season is back!


Start Time: 2:02 pm
Duration: 21:09 Park Loop
Distance: 4.45 km (2.77 miles)

Average speed: 12.62 kmh (7.84 mph)
Average pace: 4:45 per km (7:39 per mile)
Heart rate: HRavg 164, HRmax 177, and 331kcals

A slow Park Loop

I am definitely struggling with my fitness-level at the moment... but then again my training has been interrupted through a couple of injuries and heavy work commitments, so not too supprising then really! You've only go to see my HRmax is very high for what would typically be a very easy run.

I went as fast as my heavy legs and VO2 Level would take me today, which was quite slow for my usual standard. Still, I put one foot in front of the other and kept going until my run was over. Apparrently that's what you need to do to get your fitness-level back again!


Start Time: 2:36 pm
Duration: 21:59 Park Loop
Distance: 4.45 km (2.77 miles)

Average speed: 12.15 kmh (7.55 mph)
Average pace: 4:56 per km (7:57 per mile)
Heart rate: HRavg 162, HRmax 177, and 338kcals

Ellesmere Port 2 - 1 Poulton Victoria

Ellesmere Port 2 - 1 Poulton Victoria (3pm)
West Cheshire Football Supply League affiliated to the Cheshire FA

This was my first refereeing appointment of the brand new football season. I must admit, I was a little nervous pre-match as you wonder if you're still a little rusty after the break. However, once the first whistle is blown, the nerves are quickly forgotten and you just get on with the job.

Both sides failed to test the keeper during the first half and it ended 0 -0. There was however a bad tackle by a Poulton Victoria player against an Ellesmere Port player for which I correctly cautioned.

Unfortunately the injured player had suffered a ligament injury to his knee as a result. He was taken away in an ambulance just before the second half had finished. I understand that this player will be out for approximately 8 weeks. I wish him all the best in his recovery.

Poulton Victoria immediately scored in the first minute of the second half and later almost made it two, but the ball struck the crossbar then bounced down without crossing the goal-line. Ellesmere Port then cleared the ball, went down the other end and equalised. Funny old game.

Poulton Victoria then pressed, missing chance after chance. One shot rolled past the post marginally the wrong side, whilst another chance saw a Poulton Victoria player miss from yards out with the keeper beaten. These missed chances were to later cost them.

In the third and last minute of injury time, Ellesmere Port had their first real chance since their equalising goal and they put the ball away. This was less than 30 seconds from time which proved to be the winning goal. Poulton Victoria should have won this game easily, however, Ellesmere Port stole all the points at the very end.

It was nice that someone from the Ellesmere Port club came to me at the end of the match and thanked me for the manner that I dealt with their injured player.


Goals:
46 mins: Poulton Victoria
69 mins: Ellesmere Port
90+3 mins: Ellesmere Port


Cautions:
17 mins: Ellesmere Port (C4: delaying the restart of play)
20 mins: Poulton Victoria (C1: unsporting behaviour: late tackle)
60 mins Poulton Victoria (C2: dissent by word)
90+1 mins Poulton Victoria (C1: unsporting behaviour: late tackle)


Officials:
Referee: Myself.
Assistant Referees: Andrew France and Jose Damiao.


Stats:
First Half: 50:51, 150 HRavg , 173HRmax, 688kcals.
Second Half: 49:45, 158 HRavg , 177HRmax, 734kcals.
Total: 1:40:36, 177 HRmax, 1,422kcals.

A Park Loop jog to test out the ankle

With my first refereeing appointment just over 25 hours away, I thought it best to test the ankle that was still not 100% mended. So, I jogged the Park Loop at a very sensible pace. Why...?

1. It was warm;
2. I had not run for almost two weeks;
3. My fitness level had dropped (just check my HR stats);
4. I was still unsure about my ankle.


The good news was that my ankle held out. I'm back at least!


Start Time: 1:24 pm
Duration: 22:36 Park Loop
Distance: 4.45 km (2.77 miles)

Average speed: 11.81 kmh (7.34 mph)
Average pace: 5:05 per km (8:10 per mile)
Heart rate: HRavg 162, HRmax 175, and 348kcals

Another walk for 44 minutes

Yet another walk to allow that ankle to mend.

I walked the 4.45km Park Loop and the extra 0.5km-ish to it and back again. My walk was just shy of 44 minutes.

26 minute walk

My ankle injury is a bit better, but not ready for running on. So, I went for another lunchtime walk for 26 minutes.

I've had a couple of injuries and a illness recently. I suppose it's best to get them all at once and have done with - well let's hope.

41 minute lunchtime walk

Due to my swollen ankle obtained last night, I could not really chance running, so I went for another lunchtime walk. My ankle is still swollen!

51 minutes lunchtime walk

Considering my tum was still not 100%, I decided to go for a 51 minute lunchtime walk instead.

However, later that evening I banged my right ankle against a tree branch of a tree we had cut down at the weekend. The chopped up tree was at the side of the house near to the path. Unknown to me, there was a large branch just waiting for me! I've now got a swollen ankle! Great!

Upset Tummy!

I managed to get an unwanted upset tummy. Friday night, some of Saturday, and some of Sunday were the worst. Monday and Tuesday were recovery days.

So, that's why I've not run for a few days.

6.50km-ish Muti-Combination Run

I have run a very similar route (although not exactly the same) before. I will need to check the true distance at some point.

Start Time: 3:06 pm
Duration: 29:52 Park Loop
Distance: 6.50 km (4.04 miles)

Average speed: 13.06 kmh (8.11 mph)
Average pace: 4:36 per km (8.11 per mile)
Heart rate: HRavg 166, HRmax 166, and 434kcals

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

Park Loop - Clockwise

I ran the Park Loop in the opposite direction today. For some reason whenever I do this, it always always appears to be more difficult. Perhaps it is? The hilly bits and kissing gates probably come at the wrong time... that is when your getting a little tired. When you have to stop and weave through a kissing gate, it is always more difficult to find your stride again if you're not as fresh.

Completion time today was 20:58.


Start Time: 1:23 pm
Duration: 20:58 Park Loop
Distance: 4.45 km (2.77 miles)

Average speed: 12.73 kmh (7.91 mph)
Average pace: 4:43 per km (7:35 per mile)
Heart rate: HRavg 161, HRmax 170, and 316kcals