An interesting experiment!: Well, I turned... - Bridge to 10K

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An interesting experiment!

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10
43 Replies

Well, I turned left off and up from my usual hill route, and this what I saw. Roseberry Topping(I didn't climb it) looking down on the whole of Teesside. It was really hard going. My usual hill route shows a gain of 147m max( Garmin). Today's elevation showed a gain of 230m. The additional height was a bit on the brutal side; I had to walk it. I also paused the app to take pictures and get my breath back! Average heart rate overall was 141 but it peaked at 174. And I still didn't reach the moor top. So now I know. I need to explore the heights on a special run when I save all my energy by walking up to the top and running from there. Lovely views; very muddy though...I anticipate a grievance from my trail shoes which are very wet and looking a deep shade of brown! But......I can now start a long term plan for meeting this challenge. I ended up with a 7.5k run at 8:01/km and that included 1k at 11:44/km. Onwards and .....upwards!!

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Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66
Graduate10
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43 Replies
Grannyhugs profile image
GrannyhugsGraduate10

Fantastic effort really impressed. I’ll stick to gentle slopes which pop my HR high enough and leave the exploring to more advanced runners like you. Enjoy

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply toGrannyhugs

Thanks GTB. This is going to take a while to develop. I think that I am a less advanced runner just trying to push a bit further.😊

Grannyhugs profile image
GrannyhugsGraduate10 in reply toBeachcomber66

My knees don’t do downhill well (at all for 30 years to be honest) so I’ve been running gentle slopes for weeks trying to build up, but if I never get there I’m happy as there are plenty pretty places to run which are flat, I get my doze of hills on skis

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply toGrannyhugs

Up here it is really a question of needing to deal with hills if you want to run in the forest/ moors and avoid out and backs or a limited circuit. All the really amazing stuff is at a height. So...needs must.

Grannyhugs profile image
GrannyhugsGraduate10 in reply toBeachcomber66

Trying not to be jealous, unfortunately I chose skiing as a teenager in the 70’s and we didn’t do s&f. Happy running

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply toGrannyhugs

I have just read your philosophical post about do what we can on the day and that is enough. I am with you 100%. Having spent so many hours working in offices and having long work journeys it is just great to be outside doing my thing wherever. Moor tops are just a bonus.

Grannyhugs profile image
GrannyhugsGraduate10 in reply toBeachcomber66

I seem to becoming known as a bit of a philosopher. One life, live it, love it.

Buddy34 profile image
Buddy34Graduate10

You took the left turn instead of your right then downhill. The more you try it the better you will get and maybe just one day you'll run the lot. 😊😊

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply toBuddy34

Maybe Buddy34, but I am going to take things slowly. It did make my usual hills seem like a piece of cake!! 😊

Granspeed profile image
GranspeedGraduate10 in reply toBeachcomber66

There you go - benefits already! 😄👏🏼

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10

Well done BC! I knew it would be worthwhile - Roseberry Topping sounds like one of those packet desserts!😋👍

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply toJonathanP

Thanks for the push JP. A long project this one I think. At least there is no run or walk dilemma; no choice!!🥵

Katnap profile image
KatnapGraduate10

Nice run!

🐱 Katnap 🐱

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply toKatnap

Thanks Katnap. Hard work but the view was worthwhile.

SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRunGraduate1060minGraduate

Impressive speeds and most beautiful photo what a lovely if tough place to run

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply toSueAppleRun

We are very lucky having so much on our door step to enjoy, even if we are made to work hard to appreciate it 😊

51mc profile image
51mcGraduate10

Wow, I remember Roseberry Topping from years ago when we did the Lyke Wake Walk! Seems a lifetime past!!

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply to51mc

Still very popular, particularly on Sundays.

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10

Wow, that’s beautiful BC! 😍 You’re certainly getting some good hill training in aren’t you? Your run today sounded fantastic. 👍 Bet it felt great too, especially after the steep bit! 🏃

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply tocheekychipmunks

Felt great after I had showered and eaten something! Even walking up the top slopes takes some effort. All good stamina building stuff😊

abitwobbly profile image
abitwobblyGraduate10

Great effort, great view 😍 I really need to find some good hills to work up to - I currently live in very flat Bedfordshire, but will be relocating to Devon next year, so I'm looking forward to some more undulating runs then 😁

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply toabitwobbly

We enjoyed the ups and downs of the coastal path around Salcombe back in May. Devon is a lovely county.😊

GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoGraduate10

Ooooh I'd have to run up that! 👍🏻😁 I do like a good view from the top. Don't worry you'll get there. It's just practice.

You're part way there already 👍🏻like everything else so far, its just one foot in front of the other 😁 it really does get easier too!

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply toGoGo_JoJo

Plenty of people do run it Jojo. Not me! I am getting better at running down hill though; short quick steps seem to work well. Think I need a photograph from the top of Roseberry next time I go out that way. 🏔

GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoGraduate10 in reply toBeachcomber66

👍🏻😁 that's it! Downhill is harder; that's the safest method, small quick steps. If you're confident on the terrain you can try the other which is to simply get your arms up and out for balance and with long, almost hop-like steps descend in a fast lope. It's really hard to have that level of confidence though and it's rough on the knees and more than a bit scary. I try it on graduated grassy slopes but am too chicken on proper hills still.

Always run up the hardest side to give yourself the easiest descent... seems backwards but it's easier to fall down an incline than up one.

The climbs get easier with time, just keep the steps small and focus on the 6 to 8 feet in front of you, not the top. Steeper climbs need you to use flexed feet, almost tip toes more. The pros will use their arms and even hands on to knees to help propel themselves upwards.

Eventually it really does become easier to maintain a running gait even if it's a slow one than to walk it 👍🏻😉

I'll look forward to the view 😁

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply toGoGo_JoJo

Thanks for the coaching JoJo 👍.This would all be easier if I were 27 not 67, but we are where we are 😂. I am running (when I am running not walking!) steeper upslopes on the balls of my feet with short steps. That seems to work ok, particularly if I try to land lightly (easier to do than describe!). On the really steep slopes, more drive is needed, which is no doubt why the pros go for the hands on thighs technique. I just think this requires a step change in my level of fitness; about heart and lungs as much as leg strength, and that will have to be built up carefully over a period, but that's ok; I love a project. Onwards and upwards. 🏋️

GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoGraduate10 in reply toBeachcomber66

I agree, that pesky number that hangs over us is an absolute pain 🤣🤣🤣 I'm not immune to that myself unfortunately.

You're absolutely right, CV fitness will get you there and keep you as young as possible 👍🏻😁

Tasha99 profile image
Tasha99Graduate10 in reply toGoGo_JoJo

I have to go up it twice for the Roseberry Hardmoors half marathon in December and that’s after the Tees Link which is as bad and other brutal hills. Not sure my knee will hold out 🤣

GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoGraduate10 in reply toTasha99

It will! You can do it! 👍🏻💪🏻😁

Work on knee strength ahead of time 😉

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Graduate10

Great run BC, especially with such a huge elevation gain. I’m sure it will feel easier as you do it more often and the tops of the moors are still calling to you!

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply toSandie1961

Think I will do it on two stages Sandie. There is a path which leads off to Roseberry from the point where I took the photo. I can explore that before going even higher to hit the moor top. Nice to have new chapters to open. 😊

Deals1 profile image
Deals1Graduate10

Ooohhh good run. I think I've walked this many moons ago🤔. Good exploring 😊

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply toDeals1

Might have been a better idea to start in spring Deals1. Definitely a tempting target.👍

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10

What a fantastic photo Beachcomber66. I am glad to hear that you did a bit of a pause to take in the view and take photos. You couldn’t just turn around and run down the hill.

Early warning ⚠️ there might be a bit of excitement tomorrow with another VRB meet up.

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply toDexy5

I continued up hill after the photo! Not a bright idea at this stage. Will be on the look out for more amazing VRB posts tomorrow!! Excitement meter off the charts no doubt. 👏👏👏

Granspeed profile image
GranspeedGraduate10

Well done! A successful experimental foray, for sure. And a whole new project unfolding before you. 😄👏🏼 Love the view. We are off to stay on the edge of Dartmoor next week, so I’ll think of you as I contemplate those tors. 😳

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10

Sure you will leap up them 😊

over61andstilltrying profile image
over61andstilltryingGraduate10

Well done to you! 🏃🏻😊

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply toover61andstilltrying

Thanks over61, how is it going; getting back into the groove I hope? 👍

over61andstilltrying profile image
over61andstilltryingGraduate10 in reply toBeachcomber66

Going well thank you 😊 Up to 7km last Monday and hilly too 😊

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply toover61andstilltrying

Excellent stuff 👏👏👏👏

Tasha99 profile image
Tasha99Graduate10

We are so lucky to live so close to the moors! I may head that way next Sunday 🤔

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply toTasha99

My planning is a bit more hand to mouth than that Tasha. Will see what the week brings. Should have gone out today really; much better weather and light for photographs. Long time since I did a Park Run too. Retirement 🙄

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