mr b's latest comeback

Today's run- Crown run 2, 7.8m/1330' mostly runnable.

Attachment 8224

First week of switching back to steadier paced medium routes after quite a bit of short racing. Quads tendon soreness back again in the right knee after wednesday weights last week, so this week will more than likely see the return of midweek XC. Really nice section of the Nidderdale Way out from Lofthouse, good grassy tracks criss-crossing the river which had retreated into the cave systems. Slightly annoying gravel tracks after, and double back to Limley Farm on Nidderdale's most indistinct footpath. All run at just below tempo pace, 7/10, keeping the miles going and building a solid cardio base.

Nearly forgot to mention, pint of Jorvik Blonde in The Crown Inn, Middlesmoor; good old fashioned dales ale house.

Local XC loop tonight, 2.5m/290'

Seem to have survived the weights. Felt bad tonight, cold coming on and breathless. I've retired an old pair of Walshes and bought some of the new Precision Fit 212s for general training to see what they're like, they're definitely narrower.

Today's struggle- 8m/1500'

Minced round a pretty boring loop of Kisdon Hill, Swaledale, today. Cold was in full swing last night and woke up feeling really bunged up and grotty. Route was crap, the PW in that area is just a washed out mess of jumbled up rocks and muddy trenches, couldn't really get going and the left kneecap issue from wednesday weights is still showing it's hand on every weekend medium run. The only saving grace was a pint of Muker Silver half way round in The Farmer's Arms, Muker, which mixed interestingly with Actifed. Should have stayed local really.

Edit. Oh yeah, the new 212s aren't too bad. They lack grip like all x-talons do, but the precision fit is very snug without being too wobbly like the PB Racers. The silly cheesewire laces are gone too so you can get them cranked up nice and tight.

Tried a midweek today, but my abdomen just cramped and my throat was sore as hell. This man flu is a real 10/10, had to abandon.

No weekend run, just chopped some logs instead and even that made my throat sore. Weights today, 10kg, reps of 14, 15, 8. Much better in terms of coping, but very easy weight.

Local XC loop tonight, 2.5m/290'

Normal service looks to be resuming, i flew round tonight with a slightly wheezy flavour, but not bad overall. My recent diet of Haribo Supermix and Night Nurse has defeated the lurgy, and i can now focus on dealing with the fact that Derby Tup's streak is making me look like a sunday jogger.

Good to hear you're back out there Mr B. 45 days on the trot for me. We're going to have a bit of a run round the Hardmoors 30 on Jan 1. I wonder if I can keep going till year end

Hardmoors 30? Are you sure a daily patter round the block is going to be enough training?

There'll be a ramp up and hopefully a few 10 to say 15 milers mid-Nov onwards but probably no more than that. Train easy, race hard is the way. Actually joking apart running every day seems to give more "value" than you'd perhaps expect. And I've done endurance stuff in the past and the gain from that tends to linger a bit . . .

Today's run- the Swinnergill Horseshoe, 6.8m/1480', mostly runnable.

Attachment 8256

Really cracking route this, good to get back on song after flu and a crap route over Kisdon hill a couple of weeks ago. That's the issue with planning routes without solid LK, you win some you lose some, this route is a real winner and a bit of a surprise.

The leaves were turning on the trees lining the track up to Adelaide Level, it was like an avenue of green and gold, and the old level was in pretty good shape having had the portal rebuilt at some stage. The going was quick but challenging on the way up to the old Smithy at Swinnergill, i had a near miss with a large hole in one of the numerous small gullies cutting the path, evidence of the mineral veins crossing the area was not hard to miss. The miner's bridge over the gill is a fine example of its type...

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3044/...683a5269_b.jpg

The drop from the bridge went from quick to breakneck without warning and was more technical than i had thought, after crossing the beck a very fast grassy plummet to the old mill was the last of the fun bits. From then on it was fairly rough trails through some very nice scenery.

The Apple and Blackberry crumble at The Farmer's Arms was unmissable, and i went for a pint of Butter Tubs ale before and after the run. It's probably all in my head but i think starting weights might be making me stronger on the climbs; i was pretty up for it today so it could just have been that. The K-Tape is back on the right knee again, no hassle from the back of the left kneecap which was nice. Ran this at tempo all the way, normally i don't go that fast but i'm stepping it up.