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Route – Draycote Water park

August 17th, 2009

Got back to my long run yesterday. It was supposed to be around the 18 mile mark but i really didn’t fancy fiddling around sorting out a precise route so plumped for a few laps of Draycote Water instead.

Draycote Water is about 25 minutes from the centre of Coventry. Make sure you pay and display at the machine as you drive through the entrance or you’ll be trekking back to get your ticket.

The route is fairly straight forward. Each lap of the reservoir is approximately 5 miles. Pick your start point and off you go. The paths are well kept and there are facilities (3 portaloos) at intervals along the route as well as those in the main visitor centre. There are many other people out walking, running, cycling the route but there’s plenty of room for everyone (do keep your ears/eyes open on some bends for cyclists/other runners).

The route is flat along two sides of the route and the others are, to me, hilly – a few fairly short, steep climbs up and then back down again. I didn’t think this at the time but this mix of flat/hills are a great route for training on.

I ran 3 laps coming in at a well paced 40 mins for each one. I took 5 minutes break between laps as this was supposed to be a long and slow run. Didn’t feel that I was at a race temp but think I should still be going at a slower pace. I also tried out some energy gels at the end of each lap. I seem to get on better with the

I also took a rucksack with me this contained a hydration pack and my camera so this was a new experience for me running with any sort of weight on my back.

I toyed with the idea of a fourth lap but after a well argued debate between my head and my legs I decided to call it a day. I warmed down and just took in the views for a while before heading back to the car and home.


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Running route – Coventry Cannon Park to town centre to Kersley and back

July 13th, 2009

Did my long run this morning – had this one planned for last week but best laid plans and all that. So this run not surprisingly start in Cannon Park car park. There are a couple of reasons for this:

  • If I run from home there is a temptation at some point to cut the run short and head home. If i’ve left the car in the car park somewhere then I have to head back there to get it so a bit of incentive
  • I use the Fitness first gym so close to refresh myself after a run

You could start most of these routes from the Memorial Park park and ride car park too.

    Back to today… I headed up to the Kenilworth Road via Cannon Hill Road. I followed the Kenilworth Road all the way to Warwick Road past the rail station and towards the town centre.

    There is a route along the Coventry ring road that you can take on foot. I believe you can walk the whole way round though parts of it do involve subways. You can avoid the subways with some careful road crossing or slight diversions.

    I followed the ring road round to the botton of the Radford Road. Run all the way up the Radford Road. The Radford Road becomes the Tamworth Road near to the Royal Court Hotel follow this along until you see  Hollyfast Lane on your left. Hollyfast Lane is a country lane – it was surprisingly quiet this morning – and the views in the sun this morning were wonderful. Still amazed at the green spaces that are around Coventry and loving exploring these on foot.

    At the end of Hollyfast Lane turn left onto Wall Hill Road. I got myself a bit lost here. I knew basically where I was but it was t-junction and my bearings had forseaken me. Walked for a bit in either direction but couldn’t convince myself one way or the other. Luckily I had my phone with me, it took about 10 seconds to get on the internet and dowload the google maps to my phone. A quick search and I was heading left!

    Take a right on to Hawkes Mill Lane and a left onto Browns Lane. At the bottom of Browns Lane go onto Birmingham Road. This is where this morning got interesting for a second time. I had to take the long route round the Pickford roundabout. I wanted to run up the A45 but couldn’t see a path going up the slip road. I’m sure there is a path further up but didn’t fancy finding out. Anyone know if there is a path? Where it starts and how to get onto it?

    So I cut through Allesley Park. Again I got a bit lost here but headed out onto Winsford Avenue that takes you onto Broad Lane. Turn right up Broad Lane and that brings you to the A45. A bit of a detour but I wasn’t in a rush to get back. So along the A45 and through the subway just after Burnsall Road. Down to Sir Henry Parkes Road and back up to Cannon Park.

    This route is mainly along footpaths and can be hilly at times. I didn’t see a single other runner but I guess we runners have to work too! Nice long run.


    View Kersley in a larger map

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    Race – Allesley Festival 5k

    July 12th, 2009

    I watched the end of the fun run before setting off for the start of this 5k. Great level of enthusiasm from the younger runners that I saw and good support along the finish line.

    So a small trek to the start line on Staircase Lane – organisers in Allesley races like their hill starts!

    The course was along footpaths once you got on to Coundon Wedge Drive. A hill takes you along Wall Hill Road and this brings you to the top of Browns Lane. Browns Lane dips down towards the final hill of the course – The Windmill Hill. Once you’ve climbed this hill it’s flat/downward run to Birmingham Road and the Finish.

    I liked this race. There were about 50 entrants and a friendly vibe throughout. Despite being a relatively small race there were plenty of friendly marshalls along the route and there was sporadic local support too. A medal and plenty of refreshments at the Finish line – what more could you ask for? My thanks to the organisers!

    Allesley festival 5k medal

    And this is the route for the Allesley festival 5k. Not too sure about the start but it’s close to there:


    View Allesley festival 5k in a larger map

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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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    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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    Running route – Coventry Canal Basin to Hawkesbury Junction

    June 7th, 2009

    This route starts just outside Coventry Canal Basin – i didn’t see a path through under the first bridge so you just have to follow a path from the basin and back onto the tow path on the other side of this bridge.

    It’s then a fairly straightforward run for around 5.5 miles to Hawkesbury Junction.

    Along the route is an Art Trail so keep an eye out for the various pieces of artwork along the route and keep an eye out for the various inhabitant that make the canal their home (canal boaters, ducks, swans…)

    The paths alongside the canal are well marked (puddled today but the clouds did open up a couple of times) and in good condition. There are a couple of bridges along the route nothing too strenuous but take care as they could get slippery.

    At Hawkesbury Junction you have two choices. I went for turning round and running the route in reverse. The alternative would be to time your run and finish off with a drink / meal at The Greyhound pub at Hawkesbury Junction.

    If you’re interested on the Art Trail then take a look at:

    The Coventry Canal Society

    Coventry Walks


    View Coventry canal in a larger map

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    Race: Coventry Northbrook 10k

    May 31st, 2009


    View Coventry Northbrook AC 10 Km in a larger map

    I think this is the route that the Northbrook 10k took us through.

    My first 10k race today and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The race itelf starts part way up a hill and the undulations continue throughout. The route is through traffic free, country lanes – nice scenery on the way round. Not a very populated area but locals were out supporting the race. The run was well marshalled, water stations well signed and well manned. Good atmosphere, well organised, a medal and welcome goody bag at the end. Great race!

    Northbrook 10k medal

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    Running route – single lap taking in part of A Coventry Way

    May 19th, 2009


    View Running route – single lap taking in part of Coventry Way in a larger map

    So I ran this route last Sunday- luckily in time before the heavens opened. I did this as a single lap route starting at Warwick University.

    To start head up Gibbet Hill Road and at the crossroads with the Kenilworth Road go right and head towards Kenilworth. The Kenilworth road becomes the Coventry Road and you’re on this from the traffic lights for about a mile.

    Just over a mile down from the traffic lights you’ll find a sign post for a Public Footpath – this is part of A Coventry Way.

    Your run this path right to the end up until Berkswell. There are lots of turn offs if you fancy a detour but I just ran straight through first time around. There aren’t too many hills but there are a few muddy patches on the route. Towards Berkswell you’ll come to a t-junction where the path appears to end. Bear left down the path then right accross the field and you want to head towards Berkswell train station.

    IMG_1035

    The t-junction toward the end A Coventry Way

    This takes you onto a road/footpath section of the run starting on Truggist Lane. Follow this until you see a right turn onto Hodgett’s Lane. Take the left onto Cromwell Lane. Turn right onto Westwood Heath Road and you’re back down to Gibet Hill Road.

    A great run – lots to see on the way round, more bridges than i’ve ever seen!

    Bridge over A Coventry Way

    Bridge over A Coventry Way

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    Back to it

    May 11th, 2009

    So I went for my first longish run since the marathon on Sunday morning – Running route – Single lap round Canley, Westwood Heath and Warwick University (7.4 miles) – great day for it. Heavy going for the first half an hour – felt like I hadn’t run for years! But then my body got back into the swing of things and the rest of the run went well. Rather than getting carried away I managed to stick to the plan and not take any detours or extensions to the route (though I was tempted).

    Encouraging response from other runners too. You know – when you’re on your run and you pass a runner coming in the opposite direction and say “Hello”  or “How’s it going” – went 4.5 out of 5 today – one runner had headphones on but I got a nod at least. Could just be me but a response always give you a bit of an extra spring in your step. Very friendly route indeed.

    Is it just me or does anyone else get those days when a “Good Morning” is just completely ignored or you’re looked at like you’re from another planet?

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    Running route – Single lap round Canley, Westwood Heath and Warwick University (7.4 miles)

    May 11th, 2009

    This is a fairly straight forward run. It’s a single lap mainly based on footpaths. It takes you from flat to mid-range in terms of hills. It starts in Canley onto Westwood Heath and finished by running the outskirts of Warwick University via Kenilworth Road.

    View Running route – Single lap round Canley, Westwood Heath and Warwick University (7.3 miles) in a larger map

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