Bench With A View

Been a productive morning in my quest! to become fitter for 40.

Mapped out my Cloud run challenge and first day of running training.

Following new chosen route to top of the Cloud it took me 53 minutes and 9 seconds. Time would of been even quicker but cutting across the fields after crossing the canal I encountered cows!!! A couple of cows were herding me forward! as I slowly walked forward herding about 8 cows. Didn't have an opportunity to overtake them as track was fenced on both sides! Luckily the field opened up! and I was able to pass them with care!

Rather than cutting through the trees like last time I chose the path to the left up to the time. Great views of the Cheshire Plain to the left. Passed a bench near the top and thought piccy time on the way back.

Was a bit windy on top but nice and refreshing. Passed an old bloke who said it had been hotter walking up the day before.

Thought I'd save my first attempt at running training until the flat! So headed back down the way I came but stopping at the bench to take some pics.

Spot Jodrell Bank Telescope!

Went back down Acorn Lane then right onto Weathercock Lane. Followed it along then took a left onto Crouch Lane and very short bit along Middle Lane.

At Middle Lane I took the footpath which follows the train line to the canal. Mainly field turning into muddy path as it approaches the canal.

Running for 3 minutes followed by 2 minutes four times covered 1.75 miles. Decided to stop otherwise I'd end up walking to Macclesfield! along the canal.

Taking a break to take on some water I decided snap my favourite feathered birds - ducks!!

On the flat me thinks!

On Saturday I mentioned I'd try a walk on the flat and one on the hills this week!

Well today's walk was on the flat. Macclesfield to home in Congleton via the canal. Managed to find a book G was after in the library, which he had in virtual reality for ages!

Distance was 11.5 miles in just over 3 hours. Only stopped to take the odd photo and put on/off! my waterproof jacket. It was off more times than a certain sportsman who kicks a round object underpants!!

Ducks napping near Macclesfield

Need to start taking out one of my other cameras on future walks/runs as zoom on camera on phone ain't that good! Spotted a heron by the side of the canal. Tried to get closer to get a good pic but had to let a runner past! So heron flew over the canal to a field and the moment had gone!

Spot the heron?!

Know the pub G?!

Bosley Locks

Talking of pics/photos reminds me of the new Countryfile Photographic Competition 2011:

http://www.countryfile.com/feature/discover/countryfile-photographic-competition-2011-best-show

Plenty of categories to enter. So when you're out and about remember to take a pic! and you could have a winner!

One thing I noticed a lot of today was men with wide brimmed hats on their canal barges! One old bloke even had a Captain's hat!

Maybe I can be Captain Beaky when I'm older and drive a canal barge! Or is it steer/guide?

Whose old enough to remember the link?!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37O1A965c8c&feature=related

Walk of 2 Halves!

Today's walk was definitely mixed weather! Nice on the way up and downpours on the way down!

Plenty people on the Biddulph Valley Way, dog walkers, woman with push chair and 2 fit blonde runners, and bloke in trainers and just shorts!!

Aim to get to the top!

View of Cheshire Plain from the top

Heavy rain was on its way!!

Heavens opened and Acorn Lane soon became muddy!

Reminded me of river from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory!!

Rail viaduct for trains from Manchester to Stoke

Did a slightly different route on the way back down so next time I'm going to see how long it takes from the blue barrier at the car park at the beginning of the Biddulph Valley Way on Brook Street.

Impressed with my new Salomon Speedcross 2 shoes, nice and light, felt like wearing slippers! Good grip on the muddy paths. Got a bit wet on the way down but soon dried out. Not so good on wet tarmac like surfaces though, almost went A over T crossing the bridge in Congleton Park!

So with 15 weeks to go until I hit 40! it's been a good start. Will start my running training week commencing 27th June. See if I can get a couple of walks in next week. One with hills and one on the flat me thinks!!

Bosley Cloud Trail Challenge

Well done the first timing of getting up the Cloud. 53 minutes 47 seconds. Used timing on watch as Endo lost gps in parts!

Few more minutes then set off back down.

Harry V Dobby Challenges

Tried out Dobby's treadmill yesterday. Didn't find it easy at all!

Covered 2 miles in 1/2 an hour which worked out slower than my walk from Kidsgrove home!

They say practice makes perfect!!

We shook hands on the following 3 challenges:

Tortoise!








Hare!!







1. October - 8km on exercise bike followed by a 1 mile run on the treadmill

2. November - 10km run along Wheelock Rail Trail and the Trent and Mersey Canal

3. December - 20km on exercise bike on Saturday followed by 10km on the treadmill on the Sunday

To help me with the running I'll be doing the following training:

Week One:
Tueday: 3-4 mins easy, 1-2 mins recovery x4    
Thursday: 5-7 mins steady, 3 mins recovery x2    
Weekend: Long run: 8 mins hard, 3-4 mins recovery x3

Week Two
Tuesday: 10 mins easy, 5 mins recovery x2    
Thursday: 5 mins warm-up (3-4 mins hard, 3-4 mins recovery x2), 5 mins cool-down   
Weekend: Long run: 20-40 mins easy

Week Three
Tuesday: 4 mins steady, 2-3 mins recovery x4    
Thursday: 5 mins hard, 2-3 mins recovery x3   
Weekend:  Long run: 25 mins easy

Week Four
Tuesday: 10 mins easy, 5 mins recovery x2   
Thursday:  5 mins warm-up (3-4 mins hard, 3-4 mins recovery x2), 5 mins cool-down   
Weekend: Long run: 20-40 mins easy

Week Five
Tuesday: 20-25 mins (10-15 mins easy, 10-15 mins hard)    
Thursday: 5 mins warm-up (10 mins hard, 5 mins recovery x2), 5 mins cool-down    
Weekend: Long run: 30-40 mins easy

Week Six
Tuesday: 10 mins easy, 5 mins recovery x2    
Thursday: 5 mins warm-up (3-4 mins hard, 3-4 mins recovery x2), 5 mins cool-down   
Weekend: Long run: 20-40 mins easy

Week Seven
Tuesday: 30 mins wind-up (10 mins easy, 10 steady, 10 hard)    
Thursday: 6 mins hard, 2-3 mins recovery x4    
Weekend: Long run: 50 mins easy

Week Eight
Tuesday: 15 mins wind up (5 mins easy, 5 steady, 5 hard) x2    
Thursday: Out and back (20 mins easy, 20 mins hard on way back - aim for negative split of 2-3 mins)    
Weekend: Long run: 25-30 mins easy

Week Nine
Tuesday: 30 mins easy   
Thursday: 5 mins hard, 2-3 mins recovery x4    
Weekend: Long run: 25-30 mins easy 

Week Ten
Tuesday: 20 mins easy    
Thursday: 15 mins (10 mins easy, 5 mins hard)    
Weekend: RACE! (actually few weeks later on!!)

Tomorrow I'll be measuring my route for my trail challenge. Once measured will provide the route and distance along with my exercise bike challenge......

Kidsgrove to Congleton

To see how far I walked and average speed! from Kidsgrove station to home I used the Endomondo app on my phone.

http://www.endomondo.com/download/

App is available for Android, Blackberry and Apple.

Recorded 2 workouts as wanted to see how long it took to walk 10k for a benchmark figure!

Reckon I'm a bit of a fast walker on the flat generally! Still need to learn to pace myself walking up mountains!

So for 10k on flat canal paths it took me 1 hour 16 minutes and 13 seconds. Average speed 7.87km/h. (Was tempted to jog! as 1 hour 15 minutes was fast approaching but that's cheating myself!!!)

Remainder of distance home, 3.34k in 37 minutes and 48 seconds. Average speed 5.30km/h.

I like on the app that it records 1 km lap times with splits. Tortoise and hair icons for fastest and slow ks!

Fastest kilometre was 5th, 4 minutes and 53 seconds.
Slowest was 8th, 10 minutes and 23 seconds.

Be good to help with my Trail running challenge, aim to get route etc online by the weekend.

New Theme

Started the blog to diaries my travels.

Few weeks ago made the decision to become fitter for my 40th birthday at the beginning of October. Back off to the Highlands of Scotland to walk in Glencoe and walk up Ben Nevis with G.

So future blogs will cover my outdoor training to become fitter, "Fitter and Flatter for 40 in Four Weeks" is my new motto!

Class myself as skinny fat! As Dobby will testify I do have a jelly belly! Not as many jelly cubes as others I know (no names mentioned!!)

For the last 2 weeks I've been using dumb bells, barbell and a cheap! exercise bike. Becoming a hermit crab! so need to get out in the fresh air to exercise too.

Got the ok from the docs this morning to begin running! Blood pressure is fine and I have the build! for a runner. He mentioned running on roads ain't good for the joints and hips. It's better to run on grass etc.

Many years ago Gary and I tried 6am runs before work. First of all was laps of Congleton Park then down Giantswood Lane to the squash club and back. Think we lasted a week!!

On a previous run with G I enjoyed a short running burst! to the summit.

Bit too far to travel to Wales or the Lakes for fell running every week to practice! So decided on Trail Running.

Found using the exercise bike it can be a bit mundane! So after reading an article on Men's Fitness website I've set myself 2 objectives for the end of September and one on the morning of my birthday!!

For now one involves my exercise bike, the other a trail run......

New Kit List

Back home after my walk from Hanley down to Stoke station. Train to Kidsgrove then walk along the canal  back to Congleton. (Separate post to break down timings etc!)

So what kit did you get G asks?!

2 pairs of socks:
2 season Brasher walking socks for the summer mountains.
Pair of Ronhill Agility Socks.
Ronhill Run cap.
Granger's Footwear Proofer.
Pair of Salomon Speed Cross 2 (didn't have GTX ones in my size).

New theme next........ post!!

New Kit!

Sat at Stoke station waiting to go to Kidsgrove. Then canal walk home!

Been to Go Outdoors to flex the plastic card! New footwear, socks and cap pur chased!

Can try cap on the walk.

Details of kit and new theme this evening...

Challenge D'Anneka

New theme to blog announced tomorrow!

Virtual handshake to the challenges between Dobby and myself. Full details Thursday when I try out his new addition to gym kit - treadmill!

See what evil! level he sets me off on!

Not sure if picture shows Dobby wearing a Challenge Anneka hat?! Combine Dobby with Anneka and you get D'Anneka!

YouTube Top 3!

Been 7 months since my travels to South Wales.

Since then I've added a total of 18 videos to YouTube. Surprisingly all 18 videos have had views! None have gone viral yet!

Surprisingly a diving swan in Cardiff has had the most views!!!

So Top 3 videos so far....

1. Diving Swans in Cardiff Bay (45 views)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5h3IPblURU

2. Canoes from PYB (Plas y Brenin) Mountain Centre (21 views)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v2yVcW5RGo

3. Las Vegas Strip Bus Tour - Part 1 (16 views)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzi_1tgwFho

Will find 2 more videos to add so I have a nice round 20!

So Dobby easy challenge for you to beat 45 videos with your new HD camcorder?!

Dust Off!

Seeing if I can still update my blog by my phone!

Been a good while since my last entry. Time I got back into it! The theme may change from travel. New theme will be announced on Tuesday.....