Super Spikes do it again

Out with The Herb at lunch today on a very cold day - -12º when we left home this morning.  Microspikes on just past Tesco and wound The Herb up by sprinting off whenever we hit a patch of ice.  A very steady 5miler, and not entirely sure of pace as I was on iPhone timing due to forgetting my watch.

All was going swimmingly, and we'd even stopped to let Andrew experience the magic of the spikes, when he complained of a pain in his calf, then suddenly let out a yelp and stopped - torn calf is the disgnosis from me, as it sounds exactly like both of my tears.  Bugger for the big lad - he's just getting back into regular running after about 2 years of injury.

Also today we got to view the super new showers at work - 6 shower cubicles, permanent lockers and a cage each for us "regulars" in the spiffing drying room.  Luxury - very chuffed.  No excuse not to run and cycle now (apart from it's coming up to Christmas, it's freezing and I seem to be out on the lash every other night).

Also ordered K's new car - a small 4WD to help her get out when it's slippy, but also wangled a detachable towbar as part of the deal, so will be splashing out on a posh bike rack so we can travel to various sportives in style!

Sticking at it in the snow

 Having said we'd escaped the worst of the snow last weekend, it arrived with a vengeance in the Dales this week, with several quite big dumps.  I've managed to keep running, just, although the mileage has suffered a bit.  Well a lot, actually...

Tuesday saw me on the canal at lunch for 5 miles at around 8 min pace, then on Friday I did the same run, but this time in my Microspikes.  These are fast fitting min-crapons that make a huge difference on packed snow or ice.  I ran a half mile warm up then three comfortable miles at around 7:10 pace - no way I would have dared run that fast in trail shoes.

Spent yesterday driving to Barnsley and back to test drive a car for K, then today dawned clear and cold after a minor thaw.  Off road was the decision, but with a Christmas tree to put up, sledging to be done and a dog to be romped, it had to be shortish.

I decided to run over the crag the short way, so up via Eastby and back past the reservoir.  Harder climbing than out normanl route, but much shorter.  I messed up my Garmin stopping to take pictures, but I reckon it's just short of 4 miles but with a fair bit of climbing - maybe 800' or so.  The snow was fairly deep in a couple of places, but all runnable, and apart form a short section on the descent I didn't feel I needed my spikes on.

Must get some miles done this month though - last december was almost 120 miles of running.  It's the 5th and I've managed a whole 9!