Beautiful long morning run today

Thoroughly enjoyed my 17 mile training run today.   Here are some photos of my little jaunt which contained no nasty dogs this week!

Glangwryny with the Sugar loaf peeping out in the distance.

The shoes are still there albeit someone has kindly popped them under the box to keep them dry.  Strangely I noticed that there is a bucket inside full of water and weeds.

The Blorenge standing majestic in the background of Nevill Hall hospital.

Running over Llanfoist Bridge - so tempted to stop into the pub and re-hydrate with a G & T....

Beautiful view back towards the Sugar Loaf after taking an off road route up onto the Brecon and Monmouthshire Canal.

The Skirrid looking particularly stunning from a view in Llanfoist.

I was a little lonely on my solo run but found some friends to chat to.....

Just a little bit of "Culture on the Canal"   Blaenavaon World Heritage Site

Getting close to where I grew up and also one of my lovely sponsors.   Heron's Rest Marina 

Sunday Long Run day done xx

Embracing those early mornings......

I must admit that I am actually enjoying getting up to go out for my running sessions but this is not surprising with the views you are rewarded with.

I was getting really excited when I actually went out WITHOUT GLOVES yesterday morning but given the current forecast, I think salopettes might be on the cards over the weekend and into next week!

Sudden Stratospheric Warming....oh the irony!

Long Sunday run - Nasty Dog moment

The weather was pretty grotty as I set out this morning and did not really improve during my long run loop towards Abergavenny, Forest Coal Pit and then back towards Crickhowell.

Usually whilst out running, you notice the lost odd glove, hat or single shoe discarded forlornly on the side of roads but this morning, I witnessed a perfect placing of trainers underneath a phone box.  If they are yours - they are located on the A40 just after Pscodlyn Farm Campsite

Onwards towards Abergavenny and a little beep alerted me to one of my running buddies at Parc Bryn Bach club who was in Bailey Garage getting fuel....at this point, I was 10km into my run.

A rather cheeky hill climb took me upwards towards Pantygelli and the roads were now single carriage way.

I beared left towards Bettws a little further on and at this point my phone decided not to allow me to take any further photos, although it did take a good one of the inside of my running jacket.

A few more sneaky hills towards Forest Coal Pit and I stopped to say hello to some friendly horses where on hindsight, I should have stopped to relieve myself of the little sips of water I had been taking on.    Note the hindsight, insight coming in here ......

I ran on, minding my own business and then became aware of a growling getting louder behind me and when I turned around, a teeth barred collie was bounding towards me in that mental way that only collies can run.    Classic fight and flight kicked and my immediate physical reaction was to evacuate my bladder at some force  and scream at the mangy looking mutt and it ran back.

Imagine my horror as I then decided to run away a bit quicker, to find that the cheeky little fiend decided to come back for another attack!   This time, my complete anger at having wet my pants took over and I prepared myself to kick the shit of the bloody thing (sorry dog lovers but defence is vital). 

As it came closer, the farmers daughter in me came out to stand my ground and I turned to face it using appropriate language and my bestest "children" telling off voice.

I wish I could have taken a picture as it conceded immediate defeat and ran away with its tail well and truly wedged between its arse end.....if I had used my foot, it most certainly would have been.

The rest of my little journey home carried on without incident and I rewarded myself with a cup of coffee, squidgy brownie and an long Epsom salts soak in the bath after my 16 miler.

Where's Wally?

A longer interval based training session yesterday and it was lovely to run back home without having to put my head lamp on.  Can I possibly imagine that  SPRING IS COMING??!!!!

Below is a lovely steamy up glasses shot upon arrival home......

God I look good running, just like in those glossy magazines 😝

Interval training has started!!

Ah - the joy of quick little runs whilst the sun starts to come up! 

It was a bit chilly this morning when I started out but once you get going, you have to keep moving to keep warm.

Also have a new pair of trainers that I am breaking in.  After a little research , I have decided to go back to Saucony as the New Balance Fresh Foam 1080's kept giving me blisters :( 

I loved my old Saucony Mirage 4's but they did away with them so I am now trying the  Triumph ISO 2......will keep you posted on how I get on over the next few weeks whilst the mileage starts increasing :)

I ended up having to go up 2 shoe sizes on the Triumph's as the shoe is more enclosed in the front but I definitely feel better in this shoe as the Fresh Foams were much wider in the front.  Will keep you posted on whether I have made the right choice......

Another busy run day - part 2

First off, Gwent League XB meet in Pontypool this afternoon.....my photo below sums up how I felt about leaving the house to embrace the infamous hills this course throws at you.

Team photo - Courtesy of Parc Bryn Bach Running Club photo experts!

Yes - the hill and my running position and expression says it all.... I am the follower in this photo btw and it took a downhill section to finally pass my marker!     Was really pleased with my run today though and all points counted towards the Ladies team staying our Division.

At the end of a the gruelling 5.64km hill workout, I then decided to do a 10km recovery run along the canal from Pontypool to Mamhilad.   I have never enjoyed a slow paced run along the flat so much in my life! 

Busy run day!

Phew - a draining day on the legs yesterday.

First off a XC race at Usk College for the Gwent Leisure Centre League series.  Rather muddy 7km ish route, a bit of a relentless hill and a fab soft downhill section where I saw many skid marks but of not the pants variety.  (I guess some of the skids may have resulted in a twitchy bot bot moment though...)

It was a little chilly but fabulous views towards Usk from the top ridge (after the climb). 

Bottom of the relentless hill.....  Both photos above courtesy of Andrew Jones - Parc Bryn Bach Running Club 

After a hasty boot wash at Usk College, which I must say was a godsend as it saved me the unenviable task when I got in and saved me clogging up the drain with soil, grass, poo etc, I quickly changed into a dry set of running kit, put my road shoes on and headed out for a 90min recovery run along the canal.

A beautiful afternoon but chilly.  The legs started to feel quite heavy by the 10km mark, not surprising so I tried a gel at the turnaround point of 45 mins.   I can honestly say that it felt like a cold slug going down my throat and the effect after 10 mins was enough for me to realise that I will NOT be using them during the marathon.  (You know I mentioned the twitchy bot bot earlier?....thankfully "that" feeling passed but not without some concern for my dignity and that of the poor walkers I occasionally passed.)

Final picture of me with the Gliffaes hotel in the background....I really fancied a Gin at this point!