I always need a goal to aim for, my next one is the altimate in madness!!!

[Oldgirl]

I know this is madness but I just want to try it one day!! We have a hill here in Aberdeen well known for its steep gradient called Jacobs Ladder, many years ago (about 30 odd) I cycled up this hill although it took many, many attempts before I mastered it!! I have this morning planned out a new route, leaving my home and heading in the opposite direction than ever before, why was this? Yep because Jacobs Ladder was always in my way. So today I have mapped out an 8K route taking in the dreaded JL, first I want to be able to run down it, that in itself will be a challenge, it really is a steep bu??er. Then I plan to walk/run up it until one day I hope to be able to post a blog saying "I've only been and gone and done it" That will be the day when I have run the whole 8K route, both directions (not together I might add) without stopping. Mmmmmmmm is this the altimate challenge or altimate in madness?!? Well I won't know until I at least try it

[swanscot Graduate]

When I read the title of this blog, I *knew* it was from you before even checking the 'Posted by'!

Maybe one day in the future, we could do a run up Bennachie!

[Oldgirl Graduate in reply to swanscot]

Is that due to my bad spelin then Now I have walked Bennachie for those not in the know its pronounced Ben-a-he, but never thought of running up it, I think that would kill me long before I got even half way I think the coming back down would be even harder too.

[swanscot Graduate in reply to Oldgirl]

No, not at all. It's due to your 'got-to-have-a-new-goal-The-madder-the-better attitude!

[Hidden]

Good luck with Jacob's Ladder, sounds like you are totally locked onto this challenge. I am also trying to conquer a hill near my house, last year I managed to run it with two walking bits, this year I am back to three walking bits. Funny how it goes, once I put a hill run into my weekly running schedule my fitness and stamina came on leaps and bounds; thought it was purely coincidence last year but it happened again this year.

I also have to admit I talk (well, to put it politely) to that d***n hill all the times as I run up it, it is mostly my shoes listening to me as I concentrate on putting one foot in front of the other but I have startled a few tourists over the summer who gave me a wide berth <<<<grin>>>>>

[AliB1 Graduate]

Love it but you are completley mad! Always good to have a goal to aim for....can't wait to read your blog when you've done it....bet it won't be too long coming either

[Oldgirl Graduate]

Just to clarify fellow runners, this here hill called Jacobs Ladder is of the tarred /pavement/road type not a rough terrain mountain type, but that should and does not detract from the fact that its still a steep bu??er Will try and get a photograph one day.

[Oldgirl Graduate]

2nd time I've written this blog, 1st one has gone a.w.o.l.

Off I went this morning to run my new route taking in the dreaded Jacob's Ladder but down it to have a look and see if its as steep as I remembered, it is!! I had real wobbly knees by the time I had trotted down JL and continued on down Abbotshall Dr which is really long and steep in parts. In total this whole part of the route is 1.2K all uphill. I think it will kill me to run it in reverse!! I then managed to run 1K all uphill (very slowly) but not nearly as steep to get home. Total distance 7K in 45:30.

Next time I do this route it will be in reverse but the Abbotshall Dr and Jacobs Ladder will take a few attempts to be able to run continually up it so I'm planning to walk/run it in intervals of my ability to start with.

Ah well life's for living and hubby says its keeping me out of mischief so we are both happy campers