Its been a while...

I miss boxing so much - here I am with Amy of Smurfitness, I have learned such a lot from this lady.

*Warning* this is not going to be short! I like to think of my blog as an online diary which documents the active side of my life - my last blog entry was in December 2018 - what a slacker!  

So, here is a round-up of whats been happening in the life of theladyfellrunner since then...

My sister and I with Ricky Hatton

In a nutshell highlights of 2019 include - moving house and beginning the mass renovation and restoration of our (hopefully) forever home, learning to box, training my RunTogether group for a half marathon, running with the dog, a canicross leaders course in Scotland, learning to helm a monohull boat, learning to stand up paddleboard, starting open water swimming - both with and without the dog, volunteering to be the hare for a school cross country competition,

 riding the old boys (our two retired horses) with Scarlet, avoiding the town being washed away on 1st August when the dam was breached and damaged making headline global news, running a few fell races, doing a couple of parkruns and keeping up with pilates and HIIT classes, competing in the Dart 18 Nationals in Bridlington, and riding my road and MTB a bit (and introducing it to the dog).  Phew, quite a substantial nutshell!

But 2019 hadn't seen anything yet because then came 2020! It started well with a brilliant Ricky Hatton boxing course and I started the running year off with a Marple parkrun as part of the new Goyt Valley Striders championship.  All was going well until we started to hear chinese whispers about someone eating a contaminated bat and by March we were brawling in the supermarkets over toilet rolls and pasta...

Life was so different, it was like living in an alternative, impossible dreamworld where freedom was suddenly revoked.  People became paranoid, in some it brought out the worst but in many it brought back community spirit and hope. Coronavirus changed everything.  People stopped and the world stood still apart from checking social media constantly to see what was happening and what was to come.  Reports of Italy having a massive outbreak made it seem a bit closer to home than Wuhan and after all the Italians don't eat bats so it was suddenly becoming a bit of a worry.

Fast forward 12 odd weeks of lockdown and people were socialising on zoom, kids were spasmodically jerking away to tiktok moves, running clubs were doing virtual events and many exercise classes were held outside in small groups of 6.  My COVID highlights include getting aftershokz headphones for my birthday in April, staying in our caravan on the drive at Easter for 4 nights, running laps of my own (very undulating) fields, camping in the field, bonfires, home workouts, press-up challenges, running with William being towed by the dog, meeting one other person to run with, getting chickens!, going into tier 2, going into tier 3, back into lockdown and tier 5!

Aggie in lockdown

We did manage a summer holiday to South Wales (not the originally planned South of France!) and the kids really enjoyed spending time at home, during hot weather they walked 1 km to our nearest river and had a splash about and enjoyed a bit of independence.  

I never in a million years thought I would end up back at square one homeschooling the kids, almost a year later, which is where we are now - January 2021.  My primary teaching days seem a long time ago, certain skills are helping although teaching two of my own children is definitely 10 times harder than teaching a class full...

Running is now just something I have to try and fit in - ideally 2 or 3 times a week but sometimes more like once, mornings are now schooling, I do one pilates zoom class per week and try to do a few other online exercise classes, to keep my core and arms strong.  

Aggie modelling her K9 Trailsports Medal

Races are all virtual, I try to do a monthly medal race with K9 Trailtime which are canicross based and help various charities and I am trying to do a walk with the kids every afternoon.  The Goyt Valley Striders new championship requires members to run a mile as fast they can in January, 5km as fast as they can in February and 10km offroad as fast as possible in March.  These challenges are great as they give us a focus and an opportunity to train for something.  

Wearing the Freetrain vest

I have become a bit despondent about running on the whole over the last couple of years.  I am slower than I used to be and heavier although not unfit - on the contrary, doing boxing and all round body workouts has made me stronger than ever.   I had been trying to think of a way to improve my running mojo before lockdown, I had been considering joining a club with access to a track, thinking that might inspire me a bit but everything is now on pause, a sort of continual groundhog day.  For now just getting out is a victory!

Recently I was sent a V1 running vest from Freetrain to try out.  I usually wear my Ultimate Direction vest but tried this out as an alternative.  I really like the look of the vest, it feels comfortable to wear and has lots of handy features like reflective graphics on the back, a brilliant flip down phone holder which even fits my massive iphone 8+, a key pocket and a flattering shape.  

Sarah wearing the vest 

I had Sarah - one of my RunTogether members (and great friend!) in mind to try it out as she runs with headphones and has to carry her phone in her hand - this is not ideal as it unbalances the runner and isn't comfortable or practical.  Her review of the product was "I use it all the time, I can't tell I'm wearing it, its reflective and light, doesn't move or slip round, the design is great especially the flip down, you can still use your phone through the plastic.  Sarah's only negative was not having a key pocket - I pointed out it does actually have one! So its a solid 10/10 from us - highly recommended!

Sarah looking fresh in the vest

As I said earlier, I have been focusing on sorting out our home and it has been and continues to be a massive team effort.  Anyone interested can follow my home account on Instagram - slatersbank_farm and photos of my running etc. are still on my theladyfellrunner account.  

Rear view of vest

Sorry for the biblical nature of this post but I am going to try and keep updating regularly again from now on! 

So take care, stay safe and remember - you will never regret going for a run!

Happy running,

TLF x

A Summer Round Up - Polo, PBs and a Poorly Toe

Rushup Edge and Mam Tor

Sorry, it's been ages!  I will try to give a summary and keep it as brief as I can, but bear with me as there is loads to tell you!

Following on from the Hathersage Hilly triathlon my recovery was good with no injuries and I had a quieter week training-wise afterwards.  I am really excited to do more tri's but I think it is going to be hard finding just my thing.  Ideally, I will be looking for a pool swim, road bike and trail/fell run but these types of triathlon are quite hard to find.  I think I may have to compromise with some open water swims if I want the trail style runs - and I am not interested in distance events - I am happy to stick with sprint distances for now, but watch this space! 

Pro's

August was my sisters 40th birthday month and, for her birthday gift I booked us onto a Polo experience day with JF Polo Academy.  We had the best day!  We are both lifelong riders and have ponies of our own, but we both have children and only get to ride occasionally now especially as my horse Padraig is retired and we both share the riding of Ralph, my sisters horse when time allows. 

Ambitious

On  the day we were really excited travelling to Great Barrow (near Chester), not really knowing what to expect. We were introduced to our steeds for the day wearing full polo regalia.  My horse was called Renoir a chestnut gelding aged 19, and my sister was riding Lorna a beautiful bay mare, also aged 19.  We assumed they were kept for teaching people like us but James (Fielding, owner) informed us he would be riding them both later on that day in a real polo match.  We were just their warm-up!

This horse was a bit wooden

Looking good!

Riding polo style is very different to "normal" riding.  For a start you only hold the reins in your left hand (to leave your right hand free to hold the stick).  After we had got on board and been shown how to hold the reins polo-style, we set off with James on his beautiful grey horse around the perimeter of the field.  He explained how to stop the ponies by adopting a lean back style seat.  They were so responsive, no rein contact was really needed.  Riding the ponies without the stick was really fun, Renoir really knew his job and by the time we were let loose with the stick and balls he was an absolute saint, stopping at the ball automatically so I could pathetically try to hit it!  It is much harder than it looks!

I would recommend the polo experience to anyone - especially people who can already ride.  It was so much fun and James was fantastic, we had a lovely lunch at the Chester Fields Pub/Restaurant and enjoyed quizzing him about the polo players lifestyle!

Renoir standing patiently!

Back to reality and I find the summer holidays a real problem when trying to train.  Routine goes totally out of the window and runs, rides and swims become very sporadic.  I started to try to get some long run training in and it went quite well at first, starting with new 10k PB - ideally, I want a 45 min 10k and 1 hour 45 min half marathon by the end of this year, but at the time of writing this (September) this seems very unrealistic!

The first long run I did on tarmac/hard trails (20km) injured my toenail which is now coming off.  It started off very sore and bruised, then turned black and hard and now it has regrown underneath, forcing the top nail off - yuck! I do find running on tarmac and flat trails not only boring, but really hard going on my legs and knees.  I think the change from fell running to road running really makes a difference and it has made me realise that I have no desire for road racing or distances above 10 miles in future.  For this year, I will complete the races I have planned in for the GVS championship - the Tissington Half and  few road/trail races, but next year I will only contest fell races.  

The summer olympics were just awesome - Team GB produced so many inspiring athletes and the cycling was just fantastic.  It is brilliant to think that lots of the Team GB Cyclists use the Peak District as a training ground for their sport.  

William and "Cricket"

One day, William (my son, who's 7) told me his bike's name is Cricket - "because its green and does awesome jumps!" which I thought was clever and funny, I love that he is enjoying the sport - he even managed a red route on one of the trails at Lanhydrok during our summer holiday to Cornwall.

I managed a couple of races in August, before our main family holiday - first the Stoney Middleton fell race - where a stitch cost me the race,  but produced the best sprint off of the season with Julie! and Cracken Edge fell race, which was a steady 7 miles  - my longest fell race to date - which I really enjoyed as there was no pressure, and I just wanted to get round.

I was disappointed to miss Eccles Pike fell race due to illness, I just felt run down and decided rest would be the sensible option - it was a shame as it would have been my first race that I have done twice, and I was hoping for a much better time, but hey ho, I will always stick by a decision to listen to my body and rest, even if it is very frustrating and tempting to just get on with it!  

Nearly at Rushup

I did manage to run up Mam Tor one day in the hols, I went from Ford in Chapel-en-le-Frith and made my way up onto the Pennine Trail and over the ridge to Rushup Edge.  I was astounded at the views, having never been up there before!  It was a gorgeous day and the para-gliders were setting off from the top.  It was spectacular.  I continued and crossed the Edale road to make the final ascent up the stone flag steps to the trig at the top of Mam tor, it was a great day for it.  I touched the trig and then made my way back along the ridge the way I had come, it was brilliant - I will definitely be doing that run again.  

This last weekend was the fourth annual Grindleford Goat sportive in Derbyshire.  I didn't enter the event as I thought I would be too busy for it - but on Thursday night I got a message from Caz to say Tony, her husband, wasn't going to take part, meaning she had a spare place.  Chris and I discussed it and decided we would both like to do it, Grandparents came to the rescue agreeing to look after the kids and we both got entered!  

Our first ever Sportive, Anna, Caz and Chris - Chinley Churners!

We entered the "Nanny" a 51km hilly road ride around Grindleford taking in Monsal Head, Sheldon and Monyash.  It was the longest road bike ride Chris and I had ever done so we were a little nervous about our fitness levels!  We needn't of worried however as it was a brilliant day despite drizzly weather.  The food before, during and after was absolutely great and the people were all friendly and helpful.  The atmosphere was really laid back and I am so glad we bit the bullet and did it.  Next year I am aiming for the "Billy" a 108km ride with some more testing climbs!

This weekend is the Equinox24 event at Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire.  This event is a 24 hour race, consisting of a 10k lap where solos or teams must compete to complete as many laps as possible in the time allowed.  I am part of Team WB (Whaley Bridge) and hopefully we will be based on Team GB not only in name, but in our efforts too!  The eight nutters - I mean team members (!) are - Amanda Skeldon, Dane Stanley, Aidan Grant, Caz Whittle, Julie Rundall, Sally Kaill, Connor Lomax and Me.  We are not doing Equinox for charity but as it will probably be the hardest thing I have ever attempted I feel like it should be!  If you wake up in the middle of the night on Saturday, think of us, and if you can - please donate to the Histiocytosis charity (see below).  

I am anxious about injury as the furthest I have ever run is a half marathon, and I have never run more than one long run in a day before.  I entered as it was something different which sounded like fun!  It is sounding less fun as I think about the logistics of camping and running and camping and running!  It will literally be a case of eat, sleep, run, repeat!  Watch this space for my report in the very near future!

Please donate if you can!

Next week I am taking part in a really worthwhile event, the Histio JOGLE baton relay from John o' Groats to Lands End.  My new found friends Rocky and Sara have a little boy aged 2 called Isaac.  He was diagnosed with Hystiocytosis earlier this year and they have been such a positive role model for anyone with a poorly child. You can read about Isaac's story and donate here.  My team is taking the baton from Combs to Parsley Hay using road bikes and I have a growing team of 7 - including Me, Chris Aspinall, Amanda Skeldon, Caz Whittle, Helen Gilbert, Jac Grant and Glenn Harrison, with a support team of Alex Fox and Fred Salmon.   

If you would like to come and cheer us on we will be setting off from the Beehive Pub in Combs at 5.15pm on Wednesday 21st September!

Mr A and I in Sunny Cornwall

Finally, now the children are back at school and my youngest is nearly doing full days at school (1 more day!) I am getting back into more of a training routine.  I have added pilates to my regime and did my first class yesterday with Rachael of Consider Pilates.  I have to say, having done pilates in the past, I always found it more of a "nice thing to do" rather than a really beneficial workout but Rachaels classes are totally different, as a very experienced runner, she understands which muscles need to be strengthened for running and she is very diligent.  I can really feel my stomach muscles today so I am very pleased to have added core strength training to my plan, maybe I will be able to touch my toes one day! (I have very tight hamstrings and suffer from sciatica resulting from horse riding throughout my childhood).  
Well if you have read all of that please come and tell me and I will buy you a drink sometime!!! Until the next update (I promise it wont be as long next time),

Happy Running! 
TLF xx

Because you know it's all about the Bike!

Looking forward to the Hathersage Hilly triathlon in July, I decided to have a tentative go on a road bike.  Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love my mtb (mountain bike), and in the past have been known to hold a negative view of roadies - dangerous roads, bad drivers and all that Lycra!

Anyway, I had a change of heart when I realised that even if I put slicks (thinner, smoother tyres) on my mtb, I would still be at a disadvantage due to the weight and gearing in comparison to the road bikes.  Obviously I'm not setting out to win any prizes, but, and call me competitive, you wouldn't ride a shire horse round the Grand National against the thoroughbreds now would you?


Sticking with the horse analogy, I managed to be fortunate enough to borrow a friends road bike to try.  When sitting astride the light-as-a-feather bike, it felt like there was "nothing in front", a bit like riding a dainty show pony after coming off a traditional cob.  And then there were the drops! OMG the position of bum in the air, hunchback was not a great feeling to start with.  In fact, it was with a red face that I set off to the end of my cul-de-sac wobbling about like a wally before realising that the brakes were nowhere to be seen and the bloody thing didn't turn! Honestly it was actually quite scary - what the hell was I doing on this death trap! I had to "balance bike" like my three year old on my tip toes back to the house as it is on a slight downhill!

Fortunately, as with running, Caz came to my rescue and arrived to show me the ropes. Now, there is more to road biking than you would think - for instance, visors on helmets - are a no, backpacks - also no and V-brakes are still a thing! Who knew I was such a mtb type! (Note - since writing this post, Caz asked if the title referred to rule #4 of the Velominati "The Rules" - I had no clue what she meant until I read her link to "The Rules" and I now understand and can reference to said rules for the rest of this post!) Fwiw my title came to me to the tune of Meghan Trainors "All about the Bass".

Anyway, we set off tentatively up the hill from my house and Caz explained about the gears and the brakes, and the drops!  After about 3 laps of our estate I felt much more confident and was even using the drops. One thing I did notice though was my lower back beginning to ache a bit.  The best thing about it was going uphill, I noticed that I felt like I was really pulling away and getting some good speed up, not like the mtb where your legs just go ten to the dozen and you get nowhere fast.  

Hmm, had I started up a new obsession? I took the bike to The Bike Factory and asked the lads to see if it fit me properly, the answer was no, it was too big and probably why my back was hurting.  So I returned the bike to my friend and arranged to try another one from the shop.

Fred (the owner) was really kind and lent me a brand new Scott Speedster 60 in XS (49cm frame) size to try.  They kitted it out with spd pedals, which I use on my mtb, and off I went with some friends for a proper road bike ride. I noticed straight away that this bike did fit me better.  I still felt a little wobbly when I tried to signal, for example, or stand up to pedal, but I was soon feeling much more comfortable and we tackled some decent hills.  I felt like there was nowhere to go when in the easiest gear going up a particularly evil incline and wondered if that would be problematic on long rides with tired legs...

Another worrying thing was that I found the brake levers miles too far away for my fingers to reach, so that, when I was using the drops, I had to push my hand and thumb forward to stretch my fingers to the levers.  A bit disconcerting when flying bum high down a steep and narrow road! 

On my return to the shop Rob - the Manager, managed to adjust the brake levers so that they were much more reachable and it was with reluctance that I handed it back.  I enquired about the price of this bike and went off to have a think.  My plan was to buy a half decent second-hand bike, which Fred had offered to help source.  But the Scott was so lovely and shiny and obviously fit me well as I had no aches or pains whatsoever...eek!

I had a chat with Mr A about my birthday coming up (you know where I'm going with this right...) and he said if I liked it I could buy the Scott! Hurrah I was so excited! So I went back to see Fred the next day and discussed the bike. I asked about the gearing and one of the lads said I could have a bigger cog on the back thus making the gears easier up steeper hills - so I agreed that this would be a good idea.  I also needed a few accessories like a bottle and cage, a pump and a little seat post bag for a spare tube and a light (no need for a backpack see!).  

Here I am on my maiden voyage! Sporting a bargain Aldi Jersey (£4.99!)

The next day (today!) I have collected the bike.  It looks wonderful! I can't wait to ride it.  So watch this space for more adventures - of a roadie kind!

I think my mtb may be sulking at me so I am going to ride that next week - I feel less guilty since finding out about the N+1 rule (google it).

I'm now off to peruse the world of road biking - turbo trainers, jerseys, gilets, helmets... oh dear, what have I started!?