How much road is tolerable?

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Originally Posted by anthonykay

I do actually remember one Leics & Rutland County Cross-Country Champs which included a section along a farm track. The track itself was tarmac, but with broad grass verges on both sides, and the grass was quite rough. Most runners were wearing spikes, and ran along the grass; I was in Walshes, and could run along the tarmac, which was definitely faster.

But yes, tarmac isn't good for studs, although I often wonder if gravelly or sandy surfaces may wear studs down even faster than flat tarmac.

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Fitz Park Keswick used to be good for that. The long stretch up the riverside track must have been over 400m and I could just pick off folk in spikes in my New Balance Walsh lookalikes.
It was a great course as well with some super views of Skiddaw from the far field.

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Originally Posted by anthonykay

We clearly have very different objectives in our running. Standard distances mean nothing to me; I just want to run over interesting terrain in pleasant surroundings. So I might compare my times in the same race over different years, but not in races of a particular distance.

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Maybe we are spoilt around here, but we have some races that are over interesting terrain, and through pleasant surroundings and I also find I enjoy the company of running in a group, even if I'm getting closer to the back with every race :D
Through the Villages is one of the favourites just round the corner from me. I also used to like the Calder Vale 10 on the flanks of the Bowland Fells.

At my level of running currently, any amount of tarmac is fine - just getting out 2-3 times a week and running 3-4 miles, so tarmac, gravel towpath, or grass of Witton, I'll just take it and hopefully have some fitness to do some local fell runs and races come March/April.

Just off out now for about 40 minutes in my road shoes :D

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Originally Posted by Witton Park

Fitz Park Keswick used to be good for that. The long stretch up the riverside track must have been over 400m and I could just pick off folk in spikes in my New Balance Walsh lookalikes.
It was a great course as well with some super views of Skiddaw from the far field.

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I'm pretty sure that Fitz Park is the venue for one of the Cumbrian races this season (either the county champs or one of the league races). I must say it isn't a very challenging course for XC.

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Originally Posted by Travs

I'm pretty sure that Fitz Park is the venue for one of the Cumbrian races this season (either the county champs or one of the league races). I must say it isn't a very challenging course for XC.

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We used to do in the Mid Lancs. I only remember the one climb up behind the pavilion so no not the toughest, but enjoyed it as it was a change for us.
Haven't run there for probably 12 years as I think Keswick withdrew from the ML league so now only used in Cumbrian League and County Champs.