Keep off the grass

Went out for a lovely 15 miler on Saturday afternoon, heading out to Whittighame and back. It was very fresh and clear skies lit the route. For most of the run I was undisturbed, apart from one short spell where lots of 4x4's went past, presumably on some sort of hunt. There were some great views on this very cold night, and apart from a few stretches of road, the ice was not too bad. It was dark for the last 5 or 6 but I managed to adjust to the light and only used my little torch to warn off the Land Rover brigade. So, it was unfortunate that on the only street lit part of my run (Spott Roundabout to Asda) that I decided to step up the pace for a sprint finish. Side stepping a lamp post I skirted the edge of the grass and just clipped a little tuft of turf sticking up. In normal conditions it would have no impact whatsoever, but at -5C it had become like a brick sticking out. Consequently I stubbed my tow and went flat on my face....right outside Adsa on the busiest shopping day of the year. The humiliation of it. I picked myself up and ran the remaining 400 meters in pain but daring not to look back to see if anyone had seen me. A quick assessment of my injuries revealed the stubbed toe was actually a cracked big toe which had turned black. Ouchy ouch! Not the sort of start I needed to my marathon training, but I have done a big run before Christmas, so psychologically I one up. But just when you thought it was safe to go back on the streets...snow!

Snow Running

Photo: Santa Clause is running to town!

Nearly 2 weeks on the snow has not gone. The last of it came down on Monday and then froze over and has remained there ever since. It's gone very cold and the north of England and Scotland is now just one big ice rink. Emma clocked -13C in the car on Tuesday, although it has been as low as -19 in Haddington by the Tyne.

Nevertheless, with a plan to get fit by Christmas in preparation for my London Marathon training I have had to find some means of getting a run in. Whilst snow is a little bit tricky to run in, iced over snow is a nightmare. On sunday I took part in the clubs annual 'Festive Half Marathon'. It is supposed to be a non competitive run open only to club members and a few others invited guests. As the snow lay thick on the ground we set off in groups and I was treating it as my Sunday long run. As we trudged through the John Muir Way the sight of untouched snow on the fields around Belhaven and Tynningham looked like they had fallen off a Christmas card. The 'festive' bit involved me wearing a Santa hat and beard. It was a good way of keeping my face warm, but I think I may have breathed in some toxic fibre from the beard which disintegrated the further on I went.

I ran round with Rhona most of the way, but as we hit the tractor tracks and deep snow for the second time I used my height advantage and long legs to speed ahead. I could see another runner ahead of me so for the last 2 miles I made it into a race and caught and passed him clocking a slow 1:40. However the winners only did it in 1:34 so I shouldn't be too disappointed. More importantly I felt fit and enjoyed the run. So now the challenge is to keep it up and try and get through the festive season without pigging out and vegetating. Tough choices will be made Quality Street vs fruit, mince pies vs energy bar, beer vs Lucozade, t.v. vs running!

Cancel everything...winter has arrived

The snow is still here and it's got deeper and it's still coming. This has turned an already magnificent landscape into something quite outstanding. Get out and enjoy it whilst it lasts as it is a rare occasion seeing local landmarks covered in so much snow. Today I headed over to Traprain Law to get a few snaps of it. However when we got up close we were drawn to the huge icicles haging off the quarry and ended up wandering through quite deep snow to see it up close. From there you could see miles of untouched pure white stuff. Then there are all the creatures that fight for survival. I was out for a run tonight and what I thought was a rock in the middle of a snow covered road turned out to be around 10 partridges gathered together to keep warm. Also you can spot stuff more easily as they don't blend in well with snow. Today I saw a Woodcock in Lochend Woods, a first for me so I'm happy with that. Of course other creatures fighting for survival are people. Adsa did not have a single loaf of bread left last night. We are all going to starve and end up eating each other.

The downside of the snow is everything closes. No swimming, football, running club and school. I was supposed to be at a staff retreat all week and that too never happened. The school has been closed all week and we are now bored and out of shape. I have managed to get a few runs in and taken advantage of the light snow gives to the normally dark country lanes. On both occasions I have hit a blizzard. But once it cleared I was treated to some great skies and stars.

The other downside is that it brings out the worst in some people. Some people have to find complaint about it, like "why are the pavements covered in snow?' Perhaps the snow hadn't read the rules of these upstarts life manual which states in paragraph 45 of section 3 that under no circumstances must anything ever cause inconvenience to Mr J Worth as he is actually the only person in the world that is of any importance." Another complaint is why are the schools shut? Errm because the teachers can't get in perhaps. That said I think it would be hilarious to send all the kids in anyway and let them have a week of ruling it for themselves. Emma suggested teachers should spend the week clearing roads.

Anyway, with snow like this I have been taking a few snaps. Here is a link to the, if you fancy a butchers!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/56540702@N04/sets/72157625384863359/