Janathon Day 31 - Two sixes brings up the 300

So the past 30 days had come down to this - 1 day to run 12 miles to finally reach 300 miles. This would be my highest ever mileage for a month and I was therefore rightly very proud of this. The final 'running table of doom' would end up with local-adventures, beanoutrunning and myself sharing the spoils for 2nd place, whilst our Australian friend ended up with an amazing 455 miles. Maybe 1 summer mile should equal 1.5 winter miles (just kidding), that would have made it interesting!!

My goal was to keep going at a sensible rate, after all I was theoretically still on the Juneathon. I didn't seem to have got the memo about stopping!! As you approach these challenges you have all these grandiose plans on going out in style and then get to the final day and want just a short run to finish it all off. As I didn't fancy one 12 miler, I decided to split the run into two more friendly 6 milers on the same 'office loop' one at lunchtime and the other before I left the office for the evening.

Both of the runs were done on the default 'office 6 mile loop' in the same clockwise direction. The loop involved a bit of road, the track through the farm, past the two friendly dogs, the field of staring cows, more farms on the muddy lane, across the main road, down Magotty Lane, past the lake and church, along the main road and back to the office. They were both cold and the wind was in the same direction, so they were very comparable. For all you lovers of stats the runs stacked up as follows:

RUN	MILE 1	MILE 2	MILE 3	MILE 4	MILE 5	MILE 6	MILE .02	TOTAL	AVERAGE
1	7:27	7:27	7:34	7:18	7:07	7:04	0:11	44:06	7:20
2	6:46	6:46	6:49	6:50	6:36	6:23	0:16	40:25	6:43

I think I must have got a second wind for the later run, either that or the cream cake I scoffed an hour before setting out may have had something to do with it! ...and there you have it, the Janathon is done and dusted. I will no doubt blog tomorrow with a summary of the miles done, blah, blah, blah!

I hope everyone enjoyed taking part, not only logging miles but the daily blogging. There has been a lot of great miles logged and some very witty and clever bloggage!! Now what shall I do tomorrow? I know I might go for a run :)

Stats

Run 1
Distance: 6.02 miles

Time: 44:06

Run 2
Distance: 6.02 miles
Time: 40:25

Janathon Total Distance: 300.38 miles

Streak Total Distance: 1922 miles

Janathon Day 30 - Blue Knees...

A mutual consensus had been reached between the three of us in positions 2,3 and 4 on the Janathon 'Table of Doom' that, as we were all approaching 300 miles we would all finish on that said distance. This required 18 miles to be run over the next two days. The plan was for 6 or 7 today, then the 12 tomorrow split into two runs.

A very frosty morning led to a glorious sunny day. I thought I'd get my run it at lunchtime in the sun and looked forward to it. As the time approached I then get bogged down in resolving a problem for a client which ended up taking a couple of hours! The lunchtime window came and went, looks like an evening session then!

At 6:15 this evening the temperature already read -3 as I left the office, this was going to be a tad chilly and test my commitment to the #stillinshorts brigade. I set off shortly after getting home and did the reverse of the 'Knutsford by Streetlight' loop as detailed on Day 24. My knee was a little stiff from yesterday's 'fall' so decided to keep the pace around the 7:30 min mile mark for the whole run.

I wanted to go quicker to keep the legs warm but after a mile or so had settled down. After 3 miles my phone rang and it was my daughter asking if I was running past Waitrose for a 'pastry run'. After informing her I didn't have any money with me, I agreed I would drive back to the store once I got home!

The run continued without incident and I then saw two runners coming in the opposite direction, both in shorts but one wearing just a t-shirt!! Now that's extreme if you ask me!! I got home with 6.09 miles in the bag and another day nearer to the end.

Today was also another milestone day as it marks 244 days which equates exactly to 2/3rd of a year done!!

Stats

Distance: 6.09 miles

Time: 45:43

Janathon Total Distance: 288.34 miles

Streak Total Distance: 1910 miles

Janathon Day 29 - The Muddy Trail to the In-Laws

In the interest of preventing the runstreak from becoming boring, I always grab the opportunity of a different run when it arises. Today was such a day as a visit to the in-laws (who live in Wilmslow) in the afternoon was on the cards. The direct road route is approximately 9 miles,  I was going for the more off-road 'scenic' version and hoping for around 12 miles.

I set off along the road and the initial traipse through Booths Park and the fields beyond. The fields were quite boggy, a sure sign of things to come. On along the trail which skirts around the Ilfords site, a little country lane and then to the start of the airport 'Runway 2 Trail'. I was here in 4 miles in 30 mins, now the fun would start!

I was now directly at the end of runway 2 and I took the trail towards the right which would keep me occupied for the next 3 miles. The previously frozen mud had re-melted and left the trail in a thick gloopy mess akin to a chocolate cake mix! I cautiously ambled along, the trail shoes gripping like a pair of carpet slippers! Then before you know it my legs went one way and I went the other! Thoughts of the runstreak flashed before my eyes before landing in a hedge with some thorns, ouch that would hurt! I sat for a few seconds and got up, all seemed to be in working order and so I trudged on extra carefully.

This gloop contributed for the next mile or so along the path adjacent to the runway. Then a steep drop down to the tunnel under the runway before the same steep climb the other side. On past the airport fire station and another short stretch of gloop before the steps down to the road. The last 2 miles coming in at an expensive 10:56 and 12:20.

After that excitement it was on to the next adventure through Styal Woods for 3 miles. The woods are a great haven of wildlife and the undulating trail winds it's way along the river Bollin before getting to Styal Mill and on to the Carrs. The first section was more of the same mud and involved descending and then re-ascending a set of 100 steps and then another set of 80 steps. Each of these ups and downs were greeted by a bridge crossing with names like Oxbow and Herons Reach.

After 2 miles I reached the actual village of Styal, complete with the original workers cottages for the labourers who used to work in the mill which is now a National Trust attraction. It is also home to the quaint Norcliffe Chapel and where I got married some 14 years ago! I stopped and took a quick photo and cast my mind back to that enjoyable day!

The final mile or so to the Carrs involved a steep pathway down past the mill and another wooded section. I took the path closest to the river and was blocked by a fallen tree which involved careful negotiation. I had now reached 10 miles and the in-laws house was just half a mile away up a rocky path.

I decided to continue across the Carrs - an area of parkland very popular with dog walkers, right in to the town itself. Once there I ran up the hill before turning back on myself to knock out a quick last mile in 7:07 along the side streets. I arrived at the in-laws wearing a lot of mud, whereupon a hot shower and tea and biscuits rounded off a very enjoyable excursion!!

Just 2 more days of the Janathon remain and just the simple task of 18 miles to bring up the 300...

Stats

Distance: 12.23 miles

Time: 1:47:32

Janathon Total Distance: 282.25 miles

Streak Total Distance: 1904 miles

Janathon Day 28 - A Slippery 10

When going out for a run I usually know exactly what route I am going to take and where I am going. Today was slightly different, I just headed out the door and made it up as I went along. The aim was for around 10 miles so headed off gingerly down the road as the ice made it a slippery affair. I had in the back of mind on coming back through Tatton Park as the morning was spectacularly sunny and cold.

I ran on through Knutsford and out towards Tabley past the cemetry. Just after here is a great gravel track that is in a slightly elevated position giving good views past the motorway and on to the hills in the distance. At the end of the track I was deposited on to the very busy A556 adjacent to the very tired looking Little Chef. A few grumpy faces sat in there eating some 'warm' breakfast conglomeration!

I now knew where I was heading and spent a few metres on the busy road for heading back down a windy country lane towards Tatton. This lane proved to be very icy and I cautiously edged along so as to avoid any nasty 'slip ups'. On past the end of the lane and I skirted past the end of Tatton Park to enter the top entrance at exactly 6 miles. I knew the route back through the park to home was exactly 4 miles which would bring up the 10 miles - result.

The park was beautiful with the low sun shining through the avenue of trees above. The ground was mostly frozen and made the muddy route more manageable, or so I thought. I edged over a particurlarly muddy part expecting it to be frozen and was met with icy water as my foot broke through the ice. I really enjoyed the run through the park and bumped into one of wife's friends and her dog who was very pleased to see me!

Out of the park and a quick blast down the 'bottom' street weaving in and out the Saturday shoppers who were starting to emerge. A final up hill before the run down the beautiful Legh Road and back to the house for exactly 10 miles. So just 3 days left of the Janathonn and the 300 miles is now within sight...

Stats

Distance: 10.01 miles

Time: 1:18:15

Janathon Total Distance: 270.02 miles

Streak Total Distance: 1892 miles

Janathon Day 27 - The Office Hill

With a week of two lunchtime and two evening runs, I felt it was about time that I got an early morning run in. As it was Friday this meant an early drive up to the office to tackle the 'office hill' once again. It was a cold start to the day so I knew I would need my hat for the top of the hill (still in shorts though!).

I arrived at the office at 7 and calculated I would be back by 8:30, perfect. I started with my headtorch on and headed off towards the canal for an anti-clockwise run. The two miles along the canal were very 'gloopy' to say the least! I turned the headtorch off after 20 minutes, the lighter mornings were gradually on their way, thank goodness for that!

The next 2 miles were spent climbing the gradual slope to the top of Croker Hill. The weather was infinitely better than last week and I was enjoying the run, on through the farm and then the final steep mile along the gravel track. The track still resembled a stream and I attempted to keep my feet as dry as possible. If you got to the top at 5.5 miles in 50 minutes, you were doing well, I crested the hill in a shade over that time!

The next half a mile down the farm track took me through a flock of sheep and out on to the A54. The hill down is a 10% gradient in places so the 2 miles flew by! I took it steady though as there were quite a few cars on the road by now and there is nowhere really to jump out of the way. To bring up 260 miles for Janathon I figured there was 2.5 miles left back to the office once at the bottom of the hill which would make me hit that target spot on. A welcome shower and weetabix rounded off a great start to the day...

Stats

Distance: 10.58 miles

Time: 1:27:28

Janathon Total Distance: 260.01 miles

Streak Total Distance: 1882 miles

Janathon Day 26 - It's all about the cake

Here we are again, my apologies for my post last night and the YouTube clip seemingly not working when accessed from a mobile, I will try better next time! Before leaving the office last night, my colleague (Adam) had mentioned he was running at lunchtime today and was up for a slow 6 miles. He emphasised the word 'slow' several times, did he think I was going to go out fast?

Another usual lunchtime downpour preceded our run and as usual abated before we left. I secured the above cake for my afternoon consumption, after all there was no point in all this running if we couldn't eat cake! The route was to be our usual '6 miler' but in the daring anti-clockwise direction.

We set off at a nice gentle 9 min mile pace which would turn out to be exactly our average pace. Adam had his pre-programmed scheduled run in his watch and was constantly beeping for us to slow down! A mile along the main road and the worst part was over and we carried on through the village of Gawsworth. The next two miles along the very muddy lanes seemed much harder as the hills were in a different place. It is amazing how the same route run in the opposite direction can be so different.

On to the off-road section and as we turned left for the long sweeping hill to the farm we could see the clouds in the valley pouring with rain, right where we were heading. The temperature had dropped with the strength of the wind which fortunately blew the weather through the valley and we returned to the office in sunshine! A nice gentle 6 miles in the bank, hopefully another expedition up the 'office hill' in the morning...

Oh, I nearly forgot, the cake was magnificent!!

Stats

Distance: 6.04 miles

Time: 54:21

Janathon Total Distance: 249.43 miles

Streak Total Distance: 1872 miles

Janathon Day 25 - Turn right, then right again...

Tonight was the turn of one of my 'bread and butter' runs. A route that I have probably run over a 100 times. You essentially keep turning right at each junction until you complete a full circle of 8 miles. Clockwise, the direction I was running it tonight is marginally faster than the other way.

I really didn't fancy another run in the dark, oh how I long for those light evenings!! I knew once I was out there I would enjoy it as usual. Suffice it to say there were no surprises on the run, I could probably get round with my eyes closed. I had planned though to record another #MagicMile time as hosted by @LardyBoy2011 and his new account @LBMagicMile.

I knew in my mind that mile 5 was going to be the 'chosen one' as it starts on a gentle downward slope and is mainly flat along a narrow country lane. I gradually wound the pace up for the first 4 miles - 7:23, 7:11, 7:06, 7:03 then - bang we were off!! I cranked up the pace and had to concentrate on the pool of light being emitted by the headtorch. Arms pumping and hair flowing in the breeze (ok just arms pumping, I made the hair bit up) I edged my way along. I knew where the 5 mile marker was and just before I got there had to keep over for a passing car, valuable seconds lost!! I kept going and listened for the 'Endomondo Lady' to shout out the mile time - 6 minutes 10 seconds came the reply, ok we'll take that!!

The pace now seemed slower as I reverted back to normal speed and polished off the last 3 miles in 7:09, 7:23 and 7:12. This brought up the 8 miles again on this loop and now down to the last 6 days of the Janathon. I don't always listen to music whilst running but sometimes on a faster run it adds extra motivation. Tonight's Magic Mile was powered by the Foo Fighters and I leave you in their capable hands...

Stats

Distance: 8.01 miles

Time: 56:57

Janathon Total Distance: 243.39 miles

Streak Total Distance: 1866 miles