We're Gonna Need a Better Hill!

Tonight I made my first attempt at a hill training session. In short, I chose to run a hill that was far too long - about 500 metres too long! I should've been aiming for something around 50-100 metres. There was no way I was able to sprint up this particular hill but by trying to maintain a nice steady pace each time I ran up, I'm pretty sure it wasn't a wasted session.

It was all done in a bit of a rush after work tonight but now I've had time to read up properly on how I should be doing it, hopefully next weeks session will go as it's supposed to... and I've found a better hill!

Race for Life

On the 3rd of July, in Durham City, I took part in Cancer Research Uk's Race for Life. The event was great fun, if a little emotional. The majority of participants wear a sign on their back to let everyone know who they are running for. Reading those during the run, I found myself with tears in my eyes several times.

The day was made even better by the glorious weather. In fact the weather was so glorious the temperature reached a high of 31C. I'm not good with the heat at the best of times, so I found it a little too warm. Murphy was supposed to be running with me but I made the decision early that morning to leave him at home. My Son and my parents were there to cheer me on though, and my Mam prepared a fantastic picnic for afterwards.

I found the run itself a little tough due to the heat and the fact I was wearing full-length leggings (big mistake, but I had no idea how warm it was going to get). The start was a little bit disorganised too. They had tried to sort out the runners, joggers and walkers into separate sections but obviously no-one took any notice, as I spent the first couple of km squeezing past walkers on the narrow course. Never-the-less, I made it round in just under 35 minutes.

A big thank you to all who sponsored me (and Murphy). We raised around £260.

New CaniX Season Announced

Most of the events for the new CaniX UK season have now been announced. There are a bumper four events for the far North of England and Scotland. A sure sign that CaniX UK are getting the message that there is a demand for the sport in the far North.

The season kicks off at Kielder, Northumberland, with a three day event over the August Bank Holiday weekend (27th, 28th & 29th). Sadly, I already had arrangements for most of that weekend, but I shall be there on the Monday. Swiftly following Kielder is a two day event at Mugdock Country Park, near Glasgow (3rd & 4th September). As that's the weekend of my Brother's wedding I won't be able to enter that one. Next up is Grizedale Forest, Cumbria (29th & 30th October). Then, Hamsterley Forest, Co. Durham (18th & 19th February). The latter two are most certainly a definite for me. Best get training hard then, eh?

There are still a few events to be confirmed. For the entire season's events see CaniX UK for details.

Our First Canicross Camping Trip - Kielder Forest Park, Northumberland

The very first Canicross Scotland canicross camping trip - held back in June and as mentioned here - was a resounding success! Two fantastic days of trail running and hill walking in Kielder Forest Park, Northumberland.

Murphy and I arrived at Kielder early on the sunny Saturday morning, to meet up with Susan and Paul and their brace of Beagles, Beanie and Biggles, and Carol and her daughter Susan, who had brought so many dogs with them, I can't remember all of their names! Once the human and doggy greetings were over, I set about pitching the tent, a job that was made rather unpleasant by the midges that were already out in force. Tent pitched, I changed into my running gear and we set off for what was to be the very first canicross group run for Murphy and I. I was a little unsure how Murphy would react to running with a group of dogs, especially another two noisy Beagles! I had expected him to get over-excited and go into a full-on Beagle baying fenzy but to my surprise, he was on his absolute best behaviour all weekend! This 4.5k run consisted of a couple of laps of the undulating "Duchess Trail". It became immediately apparent that I really need to stop avoiding hills in my training. That said, it was the most fun I've had whilst running, so far!

Kielder June 2011 - Day One - 4.5k Forest Trail from Susan on Vimeo.

We then headed back to the campsite to meet up with Kirsty and her dog Kerrie, who had also made the journey down from Scotland. It was around this point that the heavens opened and it absolutely poured down, so we all piled into Paul and Susan's caravan for a cuppa and a chat. Then we were ready to head off for the afternoon's activity - a hike up Deadwater Fell.

Start of the Deadwater Fell hike

The weather didn't start off too bad at the bottom; it was damp but mild. As we made our way up the fell the mist descended and the rain returned. By the time we reached the top the weather was pretty damn awful.

Brrr!

 I had read in the Kielder trail guide that there was a shelter at the summit. It was barely visible through the mist but we made our way over to it to eat our snacks. Some "shelter" it turned out to be! The sides were slatted, therefore letting in a fair amount of the wind and rain. Needless to say, we didn't hang about long before starting the descent. Occasionally the clouds would part and we were able to catch glimpses of the wonderful view that was promised. Eventually, after a couple of not-so-shortcuts, we arrived back at the campsite, tired but still in high spirits. We had planned a BBQ for that evening but between intermittent heavy rain and the midges, we decided against it. Once again we squashed into Paul and Susan's caravan and they very generously shared their alternative evening meal of pizza with us. We were later treated to a plate of stovies, cooked by Kirsty. The sausages I had brought for the BBQ were destined for Sunday morning breakfast! When we awoke the next morning the sun was shining again and we were all raring to go!

"Isn't it embarrassing when someone else turns up wearing the same outfit?", thinks Murphy

Sunday's planned run was to be a steady 10-11k on the "Bull Crag Peninsula" trail. If I managed it, it would be by far the furthest I'd ever run. I was a tiny bit concerned I would either hold the group up or not make it at all. I really needn't have worried though, with lots of support from the group and a bit of invaluable advice from Kirsty about how to tackle the hilly bits, I made it... very slowly, but I made it! As it happened, due to a wrong turning we ended up doing 13k!

Group photo before Sunday's run

And we're off!

Kielder June 2011 - Day Two - 13k Trail from Susan on Vimeo.

Back at the campsite, all that was left to do was to slowly pack up for the journey home. I think I can speak for everyone, dogs included, when I say a great weekend was had by all. I can't wait to do the next one!

As it happens, Canicross Scotland have just had their second camping trip, to Glentrool in South West Scotland. Unfortunately, I had to miss this one because I'd tweaked a muscle in my back earlier in the week. Not to worry however, because a third trip was planned before the second was even finished! Come September we're heading up to the Highlands, to Glencoe and Glen Nevis.

I'd like to take this opportunity to say thank you to Susan and Paul for taking the time and effort to do all the organising of the activities on these trips - your enthusiasm is infectious! And also a big thank you to Paul for giving me permission to use his superb photos and videos in my blog.

Hello! Is There Anybody There?

Apologies for the lack of updates! We had so many fun things planned over June and the first half of July - the Canicross camping trip, the six day endurance event that is Glastonbury Festival, long weekends away, family Birthday celebrations and the Race for Life - that, coupled with working full-time and  looking after house and home, I've hardly had time to catch my breath, never mind update the blog. Running has taken a little bit of a back seat, too, and I was only able to manage a couple of 30 minute runs each week, just to keep things ticking over. In the last week or so, I finally found time to complete the One Hour Runner plan.

Now the calender is looking clearer, apart from another weekend festival in late August and my Brother's wedding in early September, meaning I can knuckle down and concentrate on my running, just in time for the new CaniX season!