Sunday 27th October - Street Orienteering (Stockport)

Today MDOC (Manchester & District Orienteering Club) are hosting another 'street orienteering session - this time it is in Stockport and will be in the daytime.

Details of the event can be found by clicking HERE

Don't worry that it looks like a two day event as you can do either day on its own. There will be courses for all levels and abilities and you can pair up if necessary.

I did this a couple of years ago and it is good fun.

Anybody fancy making a team up?

Neil

Saturday 26th October - Fools Nook Circuit

The Start

Wow - a great turnout again with 20 runners leaving the warmth of a cosy bed to do the 'Fool's Nook Circuit'.

Once again we were lucky to avoid the poor weather and stayed dry for the whole run. We did a decent warm up in the Garden Centre CP and then headed south along the canal towards Fool's Nook. Loop-Back was tricky as the path was narrow so we did 3 giant 'loop-back' when we could.

A quick regroup at Fool's Nook and then we attacked 'that hill' (are we there yet?????). Some good running up the hill. We then came back via a muddy field, Sutton and finally past Sutton Hall to the starting point. A good 4.5 miles I think - good effort.

A number of group members then attempted to increase the profits in the cafe and also managed a good rearrangement of the furniture  ;-)

Keep running ...


Neil and Ali

Warm up

... and off we go (what did Savitri say to Ali?)

Big turnout today....

Loop-Back was tricky along the canal ... Jo in the lead.

Well done Heather - what a difference a year makes...

Carole & Dawn

A bit muddy underfoot...

The start of 'that hill'

Louise adopting another camera pose  ;-)

Conquering 'that hill'

Go Fiona!!!

Divya - what a smile!

Julie always smiles...

Real runners ... beginners no more....

Check out the mud technique from Dawn and Nina...

Loop-Back

Almost back

The final 400m

Are we there yet...

Heather & Julie

At the end....

Friday 25th October - Langley 7 Trial Run

The Magnificent 7 - the start

During the night the rain poured down and the wind howled but as 9.30am approached the weather improved and 7 intrepid E Group runners warmed up on the starting line of the 'Trial Run of the Langley 7'.

We were so lucky with the weather - the cloud was low and at times we were actually in the cloud but it never rained and after 5 miles we finally saw the sunshine and views across the Cheshire Plain.

The Langley 7 is a tough route and is basically 3.5 miles up and 3.5 miles down. The up varies from 'slight up' through 'a bit steeper sort of up' to 'flippin eck this is steep type of up'.

The end ... 7.12 miles later

After a few comments such as "I may not make this", "I must be mad" etc all seven group members got round the route and we all finished together. The smiles at the end say it all

Well done, good effort - another demon banished ...

... and all followed by tea etc in the Macc Garden Centre Cafe.

Respect,

Neil

Leaving Sutton

Dawn and Cheryl

Gemma and Kathryn - the hill is starting

On ... on ... onward...

Steeper than it looks!

Jane and Mel

Withinshaw Lane ... long and steep

The hill is conquered...

We did it ....

In the cloud on the high road

Start of the descent

Still in the coud

Definitely can be seen!

Mel descending

Avoiding the mud

Sarah and Cheryl

By the reservoir

Approaching the finish

We did it!!!!!!

Langley 7

Afterwards we will have a coffee/tea/butty somewhere...

Neil
PS The run on Sat 26th is still on as planned. I suggest that you do not do both runs unless you are feeling very fit!

Tuesday 22nd October - Harriers Track Training

Macclesfield Running Track

Hi all - a 'one off' post about Tuesday night seniors track training

Now that the group are joined up with Macc Harriers this gives group members the ability to benefit from the Senior's Track Training held each Tuesday at 6.30pm-8.00pm at the track behind the Leisure Centre.

I know that many of you will think 'this is not for me' or 'it is only for real athletes' but I can assure you that is not the case.

Sue Rowson coaches these sessions and will make sure that the training is geared up individual ability - yes, you will be pushed hard, but that is how you improve.

Six group members (Nicky T, Sarah Q, Wendy B, Catherine W, Terry N, Gemma M) went along on 15th October and really enjoyed it - and we were all made to feel very welcome by fellow Macc Harriers.

Why not give it a try - you might just enjoy it. Track fees are £2.50 for the evening (to cover track hire costs) and it is a good idea to bring a fleece/jacket and water.

Below are some words from Terry Neild after the session last week ....  "for those of you that didn't come to the track on Tuesday night for some speed training. You missed out on a cracking training session. Thank's to Sue who coached us in some drills and warm ups before going into doing some speed work. These sessions are well worth doing. If you can make it go down to the track and  have a go. You will be pleasantly surprised at what you can do when you push yourself."

I hope to see a few of you there - and I guarantee it will improve your speed and endurance together with some good banter.

Neil

Saturday 19th October - Middlewood Speedwork & Hill Reps

The Start

Wow - what a great turnout today (including a guest appearance from Dave Jackson) with over 20 runners getting out of warm and cosy beds to come along for some hard work with speed and hills. We ran about 4 miles with a good set of warm-up drills,  'Donkeys', a speed pyramid and a few hill reps. I think that everybody put a lot into the session today so well done!

We also managed to boost the profits at the Waterside Cafe with some good post-run banter!

Neil

Middlewood Donkeys

Speed Pyramid

More speed with Dangerous Dave

Kathryn and Mel

Speedwork over - now for hills

Middlewood

Happy runners!

A very big group today ...

Walk and Talk break?

Farm track ... Kerridge in the distance

Farm Track

Karen & Heather

Nina offered to carry all the spare clothes  ;-)

Hill reps done, on the way home

Nearly back

Louise assumes the 'run for the camera' pose

The end