Trowell Garden Centre Walk

On 1st August I found a nice short walk suitable for all abilities as it was time to return to exercise for 2 of my Post-natal clients. We've done the Nutbrook Trail multiple times as you've seen from previous blogs:- Nutbrook Coffee Shop, 2nd Visit to Nutbrook Coffee Shop, Shipley Walk, and Fair Walk. So it was time to find a different route and use the Nottingham Canal. Our meeting point was Cossall Road car park walking towards Trowell Garden Centre and The Digg Cafe.

The walk was around 3km from the car park to the Garden Centre and was a simple route for pushchairs apart from a slight bumpy field. Once there the cafe was lovely and the food was really nice. A light snack and time for the two newest fitness family members to get a change of nappy and nap. It was time to set off back to the cars but not before a little projectile vomiting incident. It didn't take too long to get back over the bumpy field and back under the M1. From there it was a nice flat walk back along the disused canal path back to the cars.

Some people talk about Ilkeston as a bit of a dump but it has to be said it only takes a few minutes and you have some really nice walks along the tracks and trails all with really great views packed with wildlife.

Wollaton 10k

Less than a week since the Hull 10k it was time to change the standard running shoes to the trail running trainers for the Wollaton 10k. At School I didn't actually enjoy cross country, I preferred 100m, 200m, 4x100m and triple jump. But things change and I was really looking forward to a bit of cross country around Wollaton Park the home of Batman.

After Derby 10k being a PB at 45min 11sec, then Hull being slightly slower at 45min 46sec. I wasn't expecting a quicker time at Wollaton with it being a combination of grass and gravel paths with a few hills that are nicer to roll down as a child, not run along.

The weather was spot on for running, cooler than the weekend before in Hull with a nice light breeze. a much smaller event with 477 runners on the day rather than Derby and Hulls 5000+. There was still a great atmosphere and it looked as if we were all celebrating Holland's trashing of Spain from the night before in the VERY bright orange running tops we were given.



Tops provided by Sytner Nottingham MINI!

The run is organised by Bluecoat Academy PTA and they did an amazing job. Really well organised parking on arrival, friendly marshals and easy to follow route round Wollaton Park. Great seeing loads of kids there on stalls helping being involved with the run.

 

Once the run started I just tried to find my running rhythm, if I actually have one. I think I'm more Forrest Gump style just keep running. One of my aims for the year is to record my first sub 45 minutes 10k and with Derby I had been so close. I didn't expect this route to be a fast course with the hills and terrain.

- At the end of the first 5k lap I was at 22 minutes 30 seconds, bang on time for a 45 minute 10k.

- By 7km I was 31 minutes 20 seconds.

- Same as in Hull I seemed to hit a little wall around 8km and slowed slightly but I entered the last km with just over 4 minutes to finish to be around a 45 minute 10k.

- As I crossed the line running as fast as my leg could take me I saw the clock at 45 minutes 22seconds.

At first I was gutted to have missed out on a sub 45 minute by a small margin again! Then I realised that was the gun time and having not started the run at the front my chip time was going to be faster.

 

 

It was going to be a long wait to see the results posted online to see if I had managed a sub 45 minute 10k or not. Seeing as it was a nice day I had a walk to look around Ilkeston Carnival then down to watch Nubtrook CC 1st team in action. On about the 40th time pressing refresh on my phone the results were posted. 44 minutes 53 seconds!!! Whoop my first ever sub 45 minute 10k on a course I wasn't expecting to do it on. For the rest of the day I just had a huge smile on my face. The smile only went at 1am Sunday morning as England lost 2-1 to Italy, even then England lost but played very well and hopefully they can win the next two matches and make it out the group stage of the World Cup.

 

Just approaching the 5km point, feeling good so far!

 

Post run, sweating like a beast but that run felt good!

Quick change of top to show the reason for running. Support Cancer Research UK.

For more photos from the weekend visit my Instsgram account or Facebook page.

That's now 4 races down, 8 to go for Cancer Research UK in 2014.

Derby 10k - 45:11
Awsworth 5k - 22:20
Hull 10k - 45:46
Wollaton 10k - 44:53
Twin Peaks Midnight Walk - 8k.
Leeds 10k
York 10k
Birmingham Color Run 5k
Isle of Wight Challenge 56k
Wild Warrior 10k
Robin Hood Half Marathon 21k
Men's Health Challenge Nottingham 12k

If you wish to donate please visit www.justgiving.com/adamfretwellpt

The Whittlestone Walk

Firstly Happy Easter weekend and it's been a beautiful day for this Bank Holiday Monday. The last walk only had a few people on it for different reasons and I thought it would be similar today, but I was wrong!!! A brilliant group of 14 of us set off on a walk with the usual added bit just to make it longer.

The walk should start at Victoria Park and is 5 miles but I started the walk from my front door today and with a few minor detours and added extras we turned it into a 8 mile walk. To see how it should be done have a look at the link - The Whittlestone Walk

From Victoria Park we headed behind the back of Manor Floods walking parallel to the Nutbrook Trail before crossing over fields heading towards Mapperley. One field definitely cleared everybody's nostrils with a very "country" fragrance.

Shipley Wood in the distance.

 

We then entered Mapperley Wood and followed the instructions to the letter!! "Go through gate and continue straight on through the wood to a pedestrian gate on the far edge of the wood." Not the best idea as the wood was more a bog after last nights rain and how none of us ended up face first in the mud I don't know. We had Lauren almost loose a welly in a deep section, Simon having major mud splash up the legs and Linda had an over flowing boot.

 

Linda and Mother contemplating how to cross the first of 3 obstacles.

 

Once past the unexpected muddy section it should have been simple if not for the lack of "No.6" signage and loads of talking and not much map reading. We ended up on High Lane walking back towards The Newdigate, the right direction but wrong path. But it did allow us to have a nice sit down, enjoy the sun and a quick refreshment. Then it was down the path at the side to re-join the correct route and head back along the old railway embankment until we joined the Nutbrook Trail.

So the route took us just shy of 13km bringing us to a total of 93km so far this year from nice little group walks. It's been such a good experience and so enjoyable spending time with clients doing something so simple and seeing the pleasure they get from it.

 

Walking can help with health and fitness but this year I'm taking part in the Isle of Wight Challenge. 56km of walking/jogging in a day. I'm doing this for Cancer Research UK so hopefully walking can help save lives too please visit - www.justgiving.com/adamfretwellpt

2012 was spectacular for sport, can 2013 top it?

So 2012 was pretty spectacular for sport with the amazing success of London 2012 Olympics and some great football at Euro 2012. Plus all the yearly sporting events including Andy Murrays Wimbledon heart break and Sir Bradley Wiggins Tour de France victory.

How can 2013 compete with that?

Well it’s doing a very good job of trying to match it so far.

• Saturday 22^nd June saw the British and Irish Lions just sneak past the Australian team by 2 points after an unfortunate slip in the dying seconds by Kurtley Beale.
• Sunday 23^rd June saw England lose to India in the final of the Champions Trophy. The match was there to be won, once it started after a morning of rain during the typical English Summer. But unfortunately very tight bowling by the spinners and two wickets in two balls for Sharma won it for India.
• Today 24^th June everybody will become a tennis fan, yes it’s day 1 of Wimbledon. Hopefully Andy Murray can use the victories of the Olympics and the US Open to bring him more success. Saying that if Murray doesn’t win I hope Roger Federer does as he is a legend!!

Following Wimbledon the sport continues with more cricket, the most important cricket competition in the World…..The Ashes!!! Australia today have sacked coach Mickey Arthur this morning, could this bring toe Australian team closer together for the Ashes or drive the team apart before such an important competition?

Later in the Summer London welcomes back some of the stars from last year with the Anniversary Games in the Olympic venue. Also with the injury to Sir Bradley Wiggins can Chris Froome cycle to victory in the 2013 Tour de France? I really hope he can.