Archive for June, 2009

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Running route – Coventry to Kenwilworth Castle

June 28th, 2009

Out nice and early this morning for my long/slow run. I ran from Coventry to Kenwilworth Castle and then back via Westwood Heath. A warm, overcast morning today.

The route to Kenilworth Castle is mainly footpath based, there are a few hills along the route. The route I took went along: Kenilworth Road, Coventry Road , New St , High St , Castle Hill , Castle Road , Clinton Ln, Beehive Hill , Upper Spring Ln , Carckley Ln , Westwood Heath Road , Charter Avenue , and then back to the start/finish.

Momma cow and calfIt’s a fairly easy run in to Kenilworth and a straight run along Kenilworth Road, Coventry Road , New St , High St. As you’re running along Castle Hill there’s a park on your left which i think is Abbey Fields. This looks well worth investigating on another run.

So towards the end of Castle Hill, Kenilworth Castle suddenly appears from nowhere. Maybe the road name should have given me a clue but you’re going along taking all the surroundings in and then there’s the castle.

There is a route around the back of the castle – a couple of miles but stuck to my plan today so i’ll plan a bigger route for another day. That and Abbey fields will add 5 miles on to this route i think.

When you reach the castle and have finished taking in the views, it’s then time to head back. The route’s almost a figure of 8 and the route I took back was along Clinton Ln, Beehive Hill , Upper Spring Ln, Crackley Lane. Always surprised at the new things you see when running along here, different houses, farms etc… Today there was plenty of wildlife and a few cows were up early for their breakfast.

There’s a few blind bends along the lane so do be careful of any cars that are passing by, if you hear a car just step up onto the verge if you have any worries about them not seeing you.

Crackley Lane cuts accross part of the Coventry Way route that i’ve previously written about so you could mix these two routes up if you want to add distance or just to mix things up.

At the end of Crackley Lane you join the Westwood Heath Road and it’s back to more urban running. Head up the hill and then you make your way up to Charter Avenue. This brings you to a long, straight, downhill road back to the end of your route and a well earned rest.

All in this was a good route and finished off my week of training nicely.


View Coventry to Kenilworth Castle in a larger map

Kenilworth Castle

Kenilworth Castle

Abbey Fields, Kenilworth

Abbey Fields, Kenilworth

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TFI Friday’s efforts

June 26th, 2009

7 miles run this morning. Didn’t really want to get up but managed to persuade myself. It was a longer run today – don’t know why but the longer I run, at the moment, the smoother the run is. So all in another solid run.

I don’t often think about it when tucked up and snug in bed but there are a fair few people out there at 6 in the morning just going about there business – a whole ‘nother world. 4 out of 5 people replied to “Hello”

Headed to the gym after work. I keep mentioning squat jumps and will continue to do so until I find them a lot easier! Getting better already though so please with that. So a full circuit training session followed by a weights session.

Slightly later run with a training partner tomorrow morning. Looking forward to it.

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On with the regime

June 25th, 2009

Great start to the day – up, out and running by 6.20am. Managed to wake myself up without the aid of an alarm clock and there was surprisingly very little resistance from my body for the run. Normal route for the run 5  miler.

Took camera with me to get a picture of the beautiful mornings that we’ve been having recently. Didn’t quite turn out that way – it was a fairly dull morning got a few pictures. Really do like running the Kenilworth Road – Coventry’s Champs-Élysées!

Picture: Kenilworth Road

Picture: Kenilworth Road

Felt good after a day’s work so decided to do a quick speed training session on the treadmill in the gym. 4×4oom with 2 minute jog rests in between each one. Felt really good after each and left the gym on a high. Will persevere with these this time – maybe take the increments a lot slower!

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Good progress with the new training regime

June 24th, 2009

Things are going well at the moment (touch wood) only a few days into things I know but happy with progress. The circuit and weight session in the gym went well this evening. Squats are easier second time round and did the full two circuits. I am thinking that if there’s a few groans from muscles then that’s not a bad thing.

Finished off with a quick mile and a half run. Feeling tired but in a healthy, good way. Going out for an early morning run tomorrow – shall bring the camera and take some (hopefully) nice photos of early morning Coventry.

Forgot to mention the giving up of malted milk biscuits- now there’s dedication to the cause!

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Tips for running in the heat

June 23rd, 2009

So it’s a lovely summer evening in Coventry and what better way to spend part of it than going out running? The following tips are hopefully of use to you if you’re wanting to get out in the heat:

  1. Drink lots of fluid and top up on your way round, either from well planned stops or take a water bottle with you
  2. Wear sun cream as necessary – the sun still gets you even if you’re running
  3. Try to find the shade as you’re going round
  4. Depending on your time available consider running early in the morning or late at night when it’s a lot cooler
  5. Take it easy as you start off you run. Give your body time to get used to the heat
  6. Cold bath or shower at the end of your session to cool down your body and those muscles
  7. If it’s too hot to run outdoors then consider a session in the gym

Feel free to add your suggestions to this.

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Getting started in running

June 22nd, 2009

So you’re thinking about running but don’t know where to start?

It’s a good idea to plan your first steps into the running world. If you set off trying to do too much to start with then your confidence and progress won’t be as good as setting realistic targets.

You should check out a previous posting – Chosing your running trainers to ensure you start off on the right foot (bad pun intended).

Your next step is to find and then follow a running plan. To start with you should look at run/walk method. As it says, you mix running with walking for your first runs. You gradually decrease your walking time and increase your running time. At the end you should be able to venture out running for the entire time. I like and use the plans on Runners World UK. There is lots of advice on their site:

Going For Goals – 10 first-time running goals – and how to achieve them
10 Dos and Don’ts
In The Beginning…

But there is plenty of great information out there if you want more so you can look around.

Once you’re planned and ready it’s a good idea to find a running partner. That way you’re less likely to miss a run if it means letting somebody else down. Then venture out on your first run/walk

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Good start to the new regime

June 22nd, 2009

Rather pleased with myself this evening. Did what i’d planned to do. Went for a run straight from work a nice and steady 4 miles. Not any other runners out which was a bit odd – the pub was packed on the way round though (coincidence i’m sure!). Running shoes still not feeling the best. I’ve done various bits and pieces to make the right foot feel ‘right’ – socks, different lace technique but it still not quite there. Don’t think i’ve done enough miles to have worn them out but maybe a new fitting is in order.

Followed up my run with the circuit from RunnerDude. It’s been a long time since I did a squat jump – that worked a few new muscles. The rest of circuit was a lot easier to get along with. Feeling fresh now after a nice cold bath – but will sleep tonight.

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New training regime

June 20th, 2009

OK, so last week was a partial write off in terms of training – a few nondescript runs but nothing to write about.

This led me to thinking about mixing things up a bit. So without too much hard work thanks to some useful tweets from  – @RunnerDude – Want to Up Your Running Game? and @brooksrunning my new plan is taking shape.

I’ll use the circuit from RunnerDude’s post to freshen things up in my current gym work and add some morning runs with the advice in Run twice a day to get stronger and faster—sooner.

The third part of my master plan is to dust off the bike that’s been sat in my garage for the last eighteen months and begin cycling to work a couple of days a week to start with.

Well that’s in black and white now so hopefully this will give me more of a push to get this into my routine. I’ll publish a training plan once it’s more in stone for anyone that’s interested.

Looking forward to a change!

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Runners Have No Manners & Other Truths

June 15th, 2009

Just read Runners Have No Manners & Other Truths . I can’t say I agree with the author.

I briefly wrote about this in Back to it. Ok so I have experienced being blanked by people while out on a run, I’m sure we all have. They stare straight at you, they know you’re there, they know that they’re making you feel foolish by ignoring you. They know you know they’ve heard you and just don’t want to reply.

But only about 2 out of 10 runners on my runs are like this. It’s no different to running past a non-runner on your run. They too seem to weigh you up and can look bemused or offended when you say “good morning” to them. But it’s the ones that do reply that you should keep in your mind. The tiny conversation gives you a natural lift (something pschological about human contact i’m sure) and you’ve got that extra spring in your step for at least a couple of minutes.

I’m not sure what other peoples’ experiences are? Do most runners at least acknowledge your presence on a run even if it’s a wave or a nod as they pass you by? Or is Coventry a more friendly city than we’re led to believe? Do runners have manners? Or am i too scary not to reply too!?

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Running route – Coventry (Westwood Heath, Canley, Tile Hill)

June 12th, 2009

Many moons ago when I was first starting out running I did this route. The effort it took to get round was massive and I ran-walked it. Feeling nostalgic I ran this this morning. It’s been a while since I ran it last and it’s felt like a different run completely. The mountains that I used to run up are just hilly bits now but it’s still a favourite run of mine.


View Coventry – Westwood Heath, Tile Hill, Canley in a larger map

The route takes in Canley, Westwood Heath and Tile Hill and is mainly footpath based:

Fletchamstead Highway (A45)
Kenilworth Road
Gibbet Hill Road
Westwood Heath Road
Cromwel Lane
Station Avenue
Banner Lane
Broad Lane
Fletchamstead Highway (A45)

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