Wet wet wet

Another run with Helen. After a very wet run round Cressbrook on Monday we stayed local and set off up Coombes Dale. Not far along and we were running up a fast flowing river. It was cold! I was impressed chip just kept going. I have never seen Coombes Dale so wet and was glad to come out of the river when we got higher. A nice 5 mile run.

A run along the edges.

The Early Morning Crew suggested a Thursdays run and since I was working from home I could run and still get home in time to work. We met at Curbar Gap and had a lovely run along Baslow, White, Froggatt and Curbar Edges. Definely one of my favourite runs and lovely to stay in the dark and finish I'm the light.

Betws y coed trail challenge

The Saturday in Wales we headed down to Betws y Coed for the trail challenge. After registering I took Cybi and George out for a run, we ran some of the 5k course, some of the 10k and some other linking trails. Added up to 6k all together and we all enjoyed it. An hour later I was getting Chip ready for the 10k start. It's starts straight uphill and Chop was very unsure on this bit. I think we were overtaking too many people and it meant too many dogs about so it was scary. Once it started to spread out she settled into her running and we were having fun. Unfortunately somewhere we missed a sign and a group of us ended up well off course and we had to turn round and go back. Coming into the finish and I had akr any ran 12k. But it was a lovely location. Although we stayed between two of the waves these group start races aren't for me. But I definitely would like to do more running round there. 

Tissington Trail and Dovedale

Every since I ran this loop with Vikki and the boys last year in torrential rain I wanted to return and run the loop in better weather. On Wednesday I had arranged to meet a friend for a long run so it seemed ideal. We decided to meet at a car park on the A515 as it would be quiet for dogs waiting in cars. The plan was one loop one way and then switch dogs and run another loop the other way. Four of us met at 8am for the first loop, the car park was super windy but fortunately once on the trail it was nice and sheltered. I tool cybi and George for the first loop and was chatting I took us too far down the transpennine trail so we had to turn round which added an extra couple of kilometres, oops.

The weather was ideal and the trail nice and quiet. Back at the cars and kettle on before heading out with chip. She was unsure at first as we started on road but once we got on the trail she was fab and pulled me the whole way round (no extra miles this time). I was very glad of the company of Jennie as it was hurting and without that and Chip pulling I would have been walking. I was very glad to get back to the car park where I cooked us both sausages. Cybi helped himself to a bit of Jennie's sandwich, cheeky boy.

A total of 21miles, really pleased with that.

Canicross Anglesey 5k race

I had a good night's sleep in Bumble with the woofs and arrived at Newborough Forest nice and early so we all went for a walk. The beach had quite a few off lead dogs so we stuck to the forest which seemed to smell nice as the woofs constantly had their heads down. Back and registered I was number 22 so early off (it was a paired start so different for me). At briefing they explained how the route was signed using an odd system of circles and squares (think it comes from sled dog racing) I was a little concerned having gone the wrong way the day before but turns out I didn't need to worry as it was brilliantly marked.

I got cybi and Chip down to the start early so I could find a spot to wait out of the way they were pretty good only starting to go crazy when we went to the start. I got a little confused as number 21 wasn't there so started about 5 seconds late. We set off fast with Cybi and Chip both pulling as hard as possible with me trying to run up sandy hills. The course was lovely and we were gaining on someone ahead of us till cybi stopped for a poo. We were caught by one person so the seeding worked well. I was really proud of how they ran and had a great time.

Chips first Bikejor race

When the start list came out for Novembers Midlands race I realised it was ideal for Chip. We wouldn't catch the people in front and behind was her foster dad with his dog who she loves so wouldn't be scared if went past and then scooters which shouldn't catch us. Cybi seemed a bit tired so I decided to give her a go. She was a little scared at the start and needed a bit of encouragement but then she ran like a pro, only veering off course twice (once at the end) to look at something. We were never caught either! Cybi ran on the Saturday and was tired so I decided to bike Chip again on the Sunday. This time she was keen to get going at the start, woofing away! An early stop as she needed a poo meant our friend Ruth nearly caught us but we managed to hold them off. We were first in our category both days and on the Saturday we were the 5th fastest wheels time over all the categories. I was super proud of her and it looked like she was having a great time. I felt so bad not biking Cybi and if he isn't as tired in December they can do a day each. There is also a new 3k category which will be ideal for him now he is getting older.