Monday 31st December

Jo, Katie & Fudge

Jo suggested a last minute 'end of year run' and three turned out for another rain & mud fest.

A quick trip along the Bollin Valley and we all got soaked (including Fudge - Jo's dog).

Happy New Year

Neil

Saturday 29th December

The Start - already wet

Today Rain almost stopped play - it was a really wet and very, very muddy morning!

But, 12 intrepid runners (including two new members - Gemma & Katie) met at the CP on Adlington Road (Bollington - near the recreation ground) and we ran north along the Middlewood Way and then across to the canal and back again. We ran about 4 miles.

The conditions were really horrible with heavy rain and a lot of mud and surface water. There were discussions about road vs trail shoes, grip, tread, waterproof jackets, trench-foot etc. I was very impressed with the running techniques in the mud - it is not easy!

Afterwards a group went for a much needed coffee and 'debrief' in the Waterside Cafe - hopefully the rain will stop soon!

Well done,

Neil
ps Pictures this week really poor as I got water on the lense of the camera  :-(

The route

Middlewood Way - or is it Muddlewood Way

Wet!

Very Wet

Really wet

Wet & Cold

Thursday 27th December - CAFOD

Today we had another great turnout for the annual CAFOD 4.5 mile or 3 mile run along the Middlewood Way and canal. Mud did not deter Philip, Dawn, Nicky, Sarah, Jenny, Julie and Heather (A) from running.

Yet again there were some great performances from group members (Jen ran over three miles in 33 mins, Sarah knocked over 10 mins off last years time, Nicky and Dawn were in around 10 mins/mile and Julie and Heather came across the line together for their first race at about 54 mins).

I'm sure that you must all reflect on the progress that you have made since starting your own running journey this year - each of you has worked so hard and I can certainly see the results!

Well done, 

Neil

Start

Old grey man (2nd man home)

Philip - determined!

Nicky - sprint finish

Dawn - the 'Mud Queen'

Sarah - 10 mins faster than last year!

Julie & Heather racing for the finish

Jen - first race!

Sunday 23rd December (pre-Christmas)

A select few ran today - we did a gentle run along the Bollin Valley, across to Marlborough Drive and back along the Middlewood Way.


Very sociable!

Happy Christmas to everyone

Neil

Saturday 22nd December - Congleton Park Run

Before (dry)

Three of the Macclesfield Run England group (Nicky, Wendy B, Cheryl) went to investigate the new Park Run at Congleton today is some very wet conditions.

65 brave runners ran the 5k route (three times round Astbury Mere) and Run England did really well ...

Nicky 54th in 30m11s
Cheryl & Wendy 60th & 61st in 33m33s

Considering the poor conditions these are very good times and I suspect it will not be long before sub 30mins is possible!

After (Wet)

Wendy B had the following to say about the event ....

We enjoyed the run inspite of the weather. It was great to experience the buzz of those who were 'serious' runners and their competitive spirit. Everyone was very supportive and gave great encouragement as we were running, especially those runners who had completed the run and were running in the opposite direction as they cooled down. We were made to feel a very welcome part of the running community and would certainly like to go again.

We agreed that the cup of tea at the end tasted better than any we could remember. I learnt that I need a waterproof jacket rather than a showerproof one for running in such conditions although I didnt notice just how wet I was until I sat in Cheryl's car drinking our tea!"

I hope that we can do this event as a group in 2013....

Happy Christmas,

Neil

Saturday 15th December - MH&AC Relay

This week was a little bit different as we joined with A, B, C & D running groupa from Macclesfield Harriers & Athletic Club (MH&AC) for a relay. The relay was run in teams of 4 running for 50 minutes - each team managed between 29 & 32 laps in the available time (which is somewhere between 11.6k & 12.8k). All teams managed the 10K in just over 40 minutes!

The Run England Group had 15 runners out today (a couple of people were poorly and had to drop out) and I think that everyone who came along did a brilliant job - having seen you run alongside D & C group runners I was really impressed (some of the group were clearly faster!). Results will be on the Harriers website soon.

The whole session allowed everyone to chat with fellow runners and the atmosphere was superb.

Everyone brought cakes and biscuits along and after the relay there was chance to put a few calories back.

Well done to you all today - I was seriously proud of how far you have all come since you started your running journey.

Have a good Christmas,

Neil
ps Alison took loads of photographs and these can be seen on my FLIKR album (CLICK HERE) , but here are a few as a record of the day. Sorry that some are a bit blurred (need a new camera)!