I've not been able to do that much running this last week due to weather (pathetic, I know) and work (can't do much about that), so day off today, and I decided that today was the day I was going to try out the new route I've been considering for a few weeks. Those who've been keeping up with me will know that I normally run on the Macclesfield canal and the Middlewood way, with as little road running as possible. Oh, and trying to avoid hills. Hills are generally baaaaad. However, today was the day to challenge that. I decided that I needed to try out the towpath of the nearby Peak Forest canal, and the best way to approach this was from Disley, which is about 2 miles away by road.
Now obviously I wasn't going to drive, I mean, why would I? So I ran. However, it is a little bit hilly on the main road. Nothing too bad, but basically we're up in the pennines so hills are kind-of to be expected. Then I cut off the main road down a minor road which quickly narrowed and became more of a dirt track. This dipped down under the railway line, climbed back up, only to dip back down to the canal. All quite serious gradients, but not too long fortunately. However, I paced myself, and it was fine, I managed them without issue, and was rewarded by the sight of the swing bridge on to the canal towpath. I paused to take a picture to show you all, but then was told my phone's storage was full, so I gave up on that and ventured out on the nice flat hitherto unexplored towpath. You know, it's nice to have a new route to explore.
The next part of the run was uneventful really, more towpath, some really well maintained, some puddle jumping a bit later, just call me Peppa Pig. Put it this way, the trainers will need a wipe down and brush off later when they have dried! But after a couple more miles I was rewarded with the junction with the Macclesfield canal. I was in familiar territory now, and felt at home. 3.25k back, and I knew I could do this.
There was a minor panic when I went up on one of those changeover bridges and couldn't find how to get back on the towpath, easily resolved though, and I even managed to speed up on the last km.
Now you may notice my speed was down a bit from normal, just a little, but I really wanted to complete this run, and enjoy it, and slow and steady was the way to go.
Back home now, tea and biccies had, shower had, second cup of tea in progress, stretching done, and I feel great!
Nice run Neil! And good on you for taking on some demon hills! Now you know you can do it, you can include them more! 😅🏃👍 Bet you feel awesome now, and very righteous! 👊
Can’t wait to run tomorrow, although I’ll be trying out the treadmill for the first time. 😳 No idea how it’s going to go, but we joined a gym a month ago and I’ve yet to use it. I’m hoping no-one’s in there with me! 😅
Thank you cheekychipmunks , well there are certainly plenty of hills to chose from, that's for sure. I feel pretty happy that I tackled some hills which looked truly awful from the car and seem to have survived.
Much much respect to you for tackling the dreadmill, although with winter upon us, it does kinda make sense. Good luck with that, Chippy!
Tech always fail when you need it lol...i hate that storage full msg...but next time you go out you can get the pic (just remember to clear some space)
I'm a bit annoyed with myself for not thinking of that before hand actually, I'm usually quite good at remembering things like that. I loved running my new route though, definitely going to do it again. Interestingly, I ran past the entrance to Lyme Park, which has a notoriously hilly parkrun. I might just need to investigate that!!
you are braver than i am I'm quite happy to tackle a couple of what i call minor hills but the thought of lots of them puts me off. i know it's good to do but i will wait a while me thinks
Fab adventure Neil...😊 hills and trails and new towpaths! A very long run.💪
Well done you!
No-one is judging your speed, ever. Slow and steady makes for a more enjoyable run.
You may well get congratulated on a fast run, but only you will think your run could have been quicker...I'm totally in awe of your strength and determination and pace today 😊xxx
Now, I'm just about to go out for my own adventure! xx
Thanks Jan, the beauty of it is I didn't really know exactly how long it was before I set off. I knew it was somewhere between 7 and 9 miles, but I just went for it, hoping I'd keep seeing landmarks I knew. Thank you for your kind comments, as always. I really hope you enjoyed your run!
Hills, puddle jumping, muddy trainers sounds like an adventure 😊 How exciting, new route, longer run ~ and home for tea n biscuits 🤗 You make it sound so.... normal! 🤣 I wonder if that will be my normal one day 🤔🙈 Nice one Neil 🌟🦋
Muddy puddles, jump Peppa jump! Oh no, wait you’re not a 5 year old. My mistake sorry!
I like hill running, after all what goes up must go down. I like the challenge of getting up that flaming hill, whether it’s passing one tree at a time or one lamp post or one gate to a field at a time. Then enjoying the free ride down the other side. Leaning forwards into the downhill and not holding back. Woohoo!
Sounds like mum was ready again with the cup of tea when you got home, that would be such a luxury, I’m envious.
Haha I feel like I’m 5 sometimes!! I’ve recently got a bit braver with hills, I don’t try to fight the gradient and go with it, within limits obviously. The result is I don’t kill my poor legs and get to the bottom quicker
Fantastic run Hidden , fantastic....you are made of strong stuff now...hills & distance all at once?! Wowzers!! You’ll be running a marathon before we know it!
Thanks Mummycav , to be honest, I was bored of my old route, so I had to run the hills to get a decent length new route. I was rewarded in the second half with nice flat towpath though, so not all hills
And no, definitely no marathons. Maybe a half at some point, just maybe!!
I only had one mug and a glass of water before I went out, I'm not that bad I have to say I realy don't want to have to take a "comfort break" during a run. That would be a step too far I think.
I did love the challenge of the new route though, and was pleasantly surprised that I managed the hills with no issue. A couple of them were really steep actually.
Thank you it’s taken me this long to face up to them!!! I’ve grown to love distance, when done at a nice gentle pace. Next on the list is the hills. I was actually rather pleased with how today went.
Wow! With hills! Well done Neil, you are back to full strength and then some it seems. That’s a great distance and sounded enjoyable too. New routes are really invigorating I think. Start increasing your good carbs (brown pasta, sweet pots, rice etc) and up the protein - you are a long-distance runner now. 😊
Thank you Sadie! It was a lovely run actually, I got to tackle the hills in the first part of the run while I was still fresh, so the flat portion along the canals became a recovery run
I do already eat a reasonable amount of carbs, but definitely something to keep on top of!
Hope you’re doing ok xxx
Well done Neil ! And hills too......your amazing. When I do the hills around here it’s pretty slow I must admit but they are becoming more achievable.
Well done Neil! I did a very hilly run yesterday too and can honestly say I'm starting to really relish the challenge. Hastings is incredibly hilly, unless you run along the seafront which I did for the whole of couch25k 😂
I used to hate hills because they slowed me down so much and I found that psychologically very difficult. I've now completely altered my mindset and have made the challenge to keep running no matter how slowly and am absolutely loving it 😁 I even ran back down and up them yesterday to collect a slower runner in my group!
Keep seeking out those new routes and new challenges x
Well done Neil sounds like a great running adventure. I love having a few runs available and sometimes going out the door and deciding which way to go at the end of the road. There are some running routes near me that I would have to drive or cycle to but look great. But I love that you just turned yours into a longer run.
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I have to say I realy don't want to have to take a "comfort break" during a run. That would be a step too far I think.
week3run1 ✅. 3 x 17 mins with 1 min walks. 
How did your parkrun or (not)parkrun go?
