Saturday 30th August - Fools Nook & Sutton

A great turnout for this morning's run. 23 keen runners joined us for a rather damp at times, run from Macclesfield Garden Centre along the canal to Fools Nook and then back along some country lanes and fields. There was a tough little hill in the middle which tested our legs and determination! Well done everyone!

It was great to welcome back Carole and Catherine to the group after their long injury absence. Hope they keep well and are able to continue with us in the future.

Some of us stayed for coffee at the garden centre and were joined by a few of the D group members. Thanks to Cheryl for her help - we really needed 2 leaders today!

Apologies if I didn't manage to catch you on camera today!


Alison

23 out today (a couple didn't make it in time for the photo)

Carole back with us & looking good, closely followed by Heather

Anya leading the way

Kerry looking relaxed

Kate in full flow!

Heather & Jo concentrating hard!

Helen - so fast, she's a blur!

Sophie, Steve & Alison keeping up a good pace

Abi looks like she's on a mission!

A 'singing' break at the top of the hill!

Heather looking good!

Steve 'running' past so fast!!!

Saturday 23rd August - Bollin Valley

A very wet morning in Macclesfield but a strong bunch of 15 runners were met by a sea of cones upon arrival. Wendy decided to try something new for the warm up (see photo's below) and after a competitive warm up, we set off down the Bollin Valley, around an extended lollipop through Prestbury and back to face the '3 fields'.

To mix things up a little, we ran one of the fields as Donkeys  (avoiding cows) and when we headed back onto to the path, Wendy led us through some Fartlek running. We paired up and without the other member of the pair knowing how far and at what pace, the pairs took it in turn to run the final section of the route. There was some impressive sprinting taking place and there was a consensus that it was good to pick up the pace and run a little bit faster even at the end of a run. Something we will definitely do again in the future to increase speed. In total, we ran 4.1 miles this morning (more for those who looped back). We welcomed Sophie and Kerry to the group this morning.

After a stretch, Jenny completed the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge to help raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support and nominated group member Louise Brown - so keep an eye on Facebook if you are on!

Click HERE if you want to know more about how to incorporate Fartlek training into your midweek runs.

Cone warm up

A few tactical challenges 

Picture before we start (the rain was pouring)

Heather and Karen

Soggy morning 

Loop back/circle 

Welcome Kerry 

There are no words Wendy

Speedy Charlotte and Kate 

Karen

Smiling Sue :)

Ania -loop back Queen 

Fartlek Preparation (and sun, we were steaming!)

Fast finish - welcome Sophie 

Sprint finish

Abi and Wendy 

Fast finish 

Freezing!

Sunday 17th August - Birchwood 10k

Today Spectrum Striders are hosting the annual Birchwood 10k (near Warrington). It starts at 10.30am

This is a race that counts in the Macc Harriers Club Championships - could be a good one to aim for!


Details HERE.

Neil

Saturday 16th August - 3 Gates, 3 Bend Challenge

Today we ran 4.8 (some more with loop-back) around Bollington and Kerridge. We started at the Skate Park, ran down to Clarke Lane and then back towards Tinkers Clough to ensure we were fully warmed up for the hill challenges!

We set a 3 gate challenge up 'Neil's Hill' - in which we all chose to run to the first, second or third (the top) gate with fantastic efforts being made by everyone to push themselves to or beyond their original challenge. We then headed across the path to the base of White Nancy and took on the '3 bend challenge' up the White Nancy approach path - again a brilliant effort - and I think there was a general consensus that the hills were our friends!!

We then reaped the rewards of all the uphill with lovely views of Bollington and a nice downhill to the waterfall at Inglesley Vale. We then ran back through Bollington and along The Recreational Ground and back to the Skate Park to stretch and cool down.

We met up with D group in the Waterside Cafe afterwards to share stories of our morning runs!

Thank you for your help and support on our first run as leaders, we really enjoyed it and can't wait for future runs!

Jenny & Wendy

At the Start 

Fiona and Mauro along the Middlewood

Getting warmed up for hills!

Heather looking happy

Louise, Phil and Jo smiling

A quick run along the canal 

Hello Sam!

Stretch!

3 Gate Challenge in Action

Karen and Wendy refusing to stop!

Thumbs up for hills from Steve!

Welcome back Fiona 

Gemma and Helen

Loop back king today Phil

Mrs B

Purple was a popular fashion today

Louise

Through the cheeky hole in the wall

Jo looking strong 

Hill Queen Karen

Steve heading up to bend 3

Sam doing the 'running arms' 

Dooowwwwnnn

Finally, a downhill section 

The 'Secret location'

Happy runners - Jazz hands 

Kathryn looking strong 

Hi Louise 

Happy faces after the hills 

Final section

At the end - sneaky Chris!

A few stretches to ensure we don't ache tomorrow!