Ilkeston Fair Walk 2018

Friday 19th October after Circuit Training a really nice group of our fitness family made our 5th visit to Ilkeston Fair. It's become a tradition that we have to go up together, it doesn't matter if there are 4 of us or 15, we know it's a good laugh going on a few rides and getting out in the fresh (slightly onion smelling) air at the fair. All fitness family friendships get put to one side for the annual smash fest on the dodgems.

     

A rough mapping out gives us around 5km of walking, make that 6km with all the weaving around people. There was a really good atmosphere at the fair including police taking selfies with groups the kids. The weather was perfect and we all loved it, 9 of us made the walk this year with a few people stuck at work wishing they could have joined us. We did dominate on the horse racing game taking up over half the seats, I managed my first ever win to claim a little minion toy.

It's always great to see so many families out walking around town, no games consoles or mobile phones in hand. Just families out having a great time together and while walking too!

Ilson Glowsticks 

Bring on our 6th annual walk to the fair in 2019. Will you be part of our little fitness community and join us on the walk?

Keep you eye out for the next newsletter on the 28th as there maybe another fitness family walk coming your way soon.

Keep active and earning your MEPs!

Ilkeston/Kirk Hallam Walk - 5th December

With light being an issue in December but we still wanted to get another walk in to keep us gooing we did a local walk. We aimed to link a few local walks into one with a little stop off at Hollies Farm for snacks on a cold day. It was a combination of the Hermits Walk - Erewash Route 1 and Millers Walk - Erewash Route 8.

Setting off from home we walked to Kirk Hallam and Pioneer Meadows. At this point we followed the Hermits Walk following the fields across to Furnace Pond and onto Dale Road. From here it's a short walk to Hermits Wood and Dale Abbey.

From here we switched to Millers Walk and crossed the fields to reach the A6096 and Hollies Farm. After a little stop for some nice home made warm food we set off again over the fields we've walked before to Lower Hagg Farm, Upper Hagg Farm and eventually to Cat and Fiddle Road. Once back down across the A6096 we rejoined Hermits walk near Ladywood Farm and it wasn't long until we were back in Kirk Hallam.

Now we just walked back into Ilkeston and to the finish. To say it was a nice little local walk, combining two different routes we still covered just under 16km/10 miles.

Please visit the Erewash walking page and see all the different routes in the area - Erewash Walks.

We've covered parts of this walk on a few occasions now as you will see on previous blogs but at no point do the routes become dull. They all look totally different as the seasons change and are well worth trying. I'm looking forward to doing smaller local walks again once Isle of Wight Challenge 2016 has been completed.

Ilkeston Fair Walk

This blog and 12 others are long over due. It's been a very busy 6 months in the World of Adam Fretwell PT. With preparation for Isle of Wight Challenge 2016 well under way, loads of CPD courses including two massive Level 4 courses with lots of coursework and everything else involved the blogs have been pushed to the back of the to do pile.

So way back on the 23rd October 2015 a big group of us set out to Ilkeston Fair. It was a nice evening, we all enjoyed a laugh on the rides. A few people enjoyed being big kids as they didn't go on the big bull ride but the kids version.

Ilson Glowsticks being big kids

To say we just set off one evening to have a little walk around Ilkeston Fair we actually covered 6.4km. It just shows how when you're with a good group of people how easily you can add some walking into your day/week. Half the group walked straight back while the other half headed down to the Nutbrook Trail for a little night time dark walking. Thanks to it being so sheltered down there it didn't take long for our eyes to adjust and it really wasn't too bad to walk along.

So once Ilkeston Fair arrives this year ditch your car and take a walk :)

Nutbrook Coffee Shop Walk

Recently a new coffee shop opened up right where we've been needing one on the Nutbrook Trail, it's name should be easy to remember for people seeing as it's called Nutbrook Coffee Shop.

This month I'm doing two walks as I wanted to drop in a longer walk and a shorter one too so people of all abilities can join in. The first walk was the longer walk covering 19km (11.8 miles)

The route took us from the Beauty Spot on the Nutbrook Trail all the way to Shipley Wood and Park, around the old American Adventure site and to the Nutbook Coffee Shop. It's only been open a few weeks but it looks fantastic and fit's right in with the surrounding area. I treated myself to a Gingerbread Green Tea, others in the group tried out some of their other items (cakes) but I was being well behaved. Everybody on the walk really enjoyed their food, drinks and the service while watching a bunch of dogs that some other walkers had with them. The coffee shop was nice and busy and is currently looking at expanding it's opening hours over Summer. The prices are also really reasonable and I need to have a walk back to buy some eggs from the chickens they have. Keep looking on their Facebook for details.

A nice selection of Jams

On the walk back we took a different path which is one of the old railway lines which took us directly to Nutbrook CC. On the lovely sunny day they were hosting a T20 tournament with matches between Nutbrook, Spondon, Elvaston and Duffield. We managed to catch a few overs of the Elvaston v Duffield match and saw a flurry of wickets as they looked to put some runs on the board. It was good to see people down there enjoying the fresh air, BBQ and cricket.

From here we set off to Swan Lake and back to the trail, going back up the golf course and home for me.

We've covered a lot of the walk on previous walks, as the Nutbrook Trail is so handy to get on and enjoy some exercise and fresh air. Please look back at some older blogs and see different links of points of interest and walks around Ilkeston and Erewash.

The next walk will visit the Coffee Shop again but setting off from Nutbrook CC so will be a flatter shorter walk of around 6 to 7km so suitable for all abilities, children and pushchairs. 

Impropmtu Walk

I had a free Saturday so sent out a quick email to see who fancied meeting up for a little walk. Our aim was to go from Nutbrook CC at 10am and walk along the Nutbrook Trail for an hour or so and walk back. Well it didn't end that way.

A nice group of us met up for 10am and set off along the Trail heading towards Kirk Halllam and onto Stapleford. Once we joined up to the Erewash Canal we decided we had walked far enough but didn't want to just walk back the way we came. So off up the Erewash Canal we went. Past Gallows Inn, the very nice looking Furnace Road Industrial Estate (please note the sarcasm there) and eventually left near the new train station site and Tesco. It was a little walk from there to Victoria Park and Manor Floods, back to the trail and to Nutbrook CC.

Now the aim for this had been a 2 hour little walk to stretch our legs. It ended up being a 3 hour 20 minute 13km walk! By the end there were some aching limbs especially Sian who's pregnant. Note to self next time plan a little walk so pregnant clients can escape as and when they need too. Nutbrook Coffee Shop needs to open asap for you lot.

Our route taken from MapMyRun

It highlights how many different paths and walks link together around Ilkeston, Kirk Hallam and West Hallam. There isn't really an excuse not to get out walking, jogging,or cycling especially in Summer with some good weather, cricket to go and watch or a pub garden to go and it in with friends with a healthy drink.

Please click the links below to see information about the different routes you can take:-

Nutbrook Trail
Erewash Canal
Erewash Valley Trail
Ilkeston
Nutbrook CC

Fair Walk

October has been a busy month so we haven't been able to fit many walks in. The one we managed was to take a long route to get to Ilkeston Fair. We made our way down to the Beauty Spot on the Nutbrook Trail and headed along towards Swan Lake. Usually for the Fair weekend it's cold, wet and miserable. This year it was dry, mild and really nice. So as we walked along the trail with the sun setting slowly, leaves on the ground it was a really nice evening for a walk and chat. There was about 11 of us on the walk and the bulk of us getting excited for laser tag which is coming up this weekend. The others were chatting about the what food to eat when we get up there haha. 

In the end we ate at Patti House a local small business who sources all her products locally and makes the burgers herself. She had on a fair special hot dogs from the local butchers, so they included high quality meats with amazing seasoning. It was a nice treat especially with her home made salsa on top, a nice bit of autumnal heat. It's well worth a visit especially as you can have a nice lean chicken burger, no bun and salad making it a health option.

We got round towards Manor Floods and headed up into the Industrial estate, from here a little walk in Victoria Park which looked lovely with all the different coloured leaves falling from the trees. 

Once up the fair the night only got funnier, after winning unicorns on "Hook a Minion" and going on a few rides, it culminated in seeing somebody producing projectile vomit off a ride that splatted a few people in the queue to go on it next. It wouldn't have been nice for them at all but from a by standers point of view it was a pure £250 "You've Been Framed" moment......but none of us caught it on camera dam it!!

We also saw some rather amusing sights on the bulls with bodies flying all over the place.

Then finally a group of us went on the Fun House, be warned don't have a sign saying "children and adults welcome" when us lot are around. You've seen us on the ziplines haha.

The next photo sums up the Fun House!

Simon taking a tumble.

This happened to a few of us including myself attempting to spin all the way around it in a handstand position. The slide at the end finished it off as you had to shuffle all the way down so there were a couple of pileups. 

According to mapmyrun the walk was 8km but I'm not sure how accurate it was this time seeing as it was left running while we went on rides and I think they may have added a few metres. 

Magic Mouse and Jump & Smile according to Map My Run haha.

Bring on the next walk in November, eventually we get to do The Miller's Walk from Hollies Farm.

Awsworth 5km

Today was the Awsworth 5k and I was really looking forward to it. I don't think some of my clients were thinking the same, waking up to tx, tweets and Facebook comments of "Why did I sign up to this?" and "Have you seen the weather!"


Apart from the bottleneck out the gates when the race starts the course is really nice. The signage was great and the marshals were amazing. Especially considering it was throwing it down for a few minutes early on in the race.

Once the race started I think all the worrying vanished and the focus on finishing took over. For a couple it was their first 5km, others it was the first for the course. This meant there was some good PB setting happening.

Overall there were 425 runners which is amazing considering it's a small village and the events organised by the Primary School. It shows how last years successful event helped this year's be just as successful.

So the important part, how did we all do?


I finished 28th of 425 with a time of 22 minutes and 20 seconds. PB
Rob came in 94th in 28 minutes and 49 seconds.

Ian & sons 106th, 107th and 108th in 29 minutes and 50 seconds.

Joanne finished 118th in 30 minutes and 5 seconds. PB

Laura finished 268th in 40 minutes and 48 seconds. PB

Amazing results for everybody involved, I'm not only happy finishing in the top 30 but I'm thrilled to have clients who performed outstanding and really pushed themselves to limits they didn't realise they had. I can go to sleep tonight one happy trainer knowing my clients are amazing!






Just before the finish line.




Rob, Myself, Joanne and Laura.

                                                              



















That's now 2 races down 10 to go for Cancer Research UK in 2014.

Derby 10k - 45:11
Awsworth 5k - 22:20
Hull 10k
Wollaton 10k
Nottingham Colour Blast 5k - Cancelled so I will run a 5k that day and post my time.
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

Hermits Walk

On the 29/03/14 we set out again on another walk. This time we tackled route no.1 Hermits Walk but added an extra couple of miles by setting off from Nutbrook Cricket Club. Overall the walk was a nice 13km or 8 miles depending which measurement you use.

I don't know how we keep doing it but for the 5th (I think) time this year the weather was beautiful for the walk. 10 of us plus Chuck the dog set off from Nutbrook Cricket Club along the Nutbrook Trail towards Kirk Hallam. From there we headed across the fields out towards Hermits Cave. The views were really nice and childhood memories from walking up there years ago came flooding back for a few of the group. After a nice picnic stop with a very friendly horse haha we headed back across the fields to Kirk Hallam and back along the Nutbrook Trail. These walks have been so enjoyable and the time flies by with everybody having so much fun.



The Beauty Spot - Nutbrook Trail

Hermits Cave

Walking total with clients for the year is now up to 65km. The next walk is this coming Saturday 12th April. Route No.3 The Miner's Walk but setting off from Nutbrook Cricket Club again just to add a few extra miles.

To see some more photos from walks, runs, random sporting events check out my Instagram account.

All this walking is for many reasons with the first being health and fitness benefits. Secondly it's because in August I'm walking/jogging the half Isle of Wight Challenge (56km in a day) all for Cancer Research UK. If you wish to donate to Cancer Research UK please visit - www.justgiving.com/adamfretwellpt

Cricket

So far this Summer I've made 3 appearances for Nutbrook Cricket Club, could have been more but I have had other things on and knew I couldn't commit to play each week. After giving up the sport for a few years for many different reasons the 8 matches I've played between end of last season and start of this season have been so much fun and you've got to love a good competitive match.

This season has been a lot of fun especially giving my legs a real good run around playing for the 1st team in the cup taking 2 catches and covering about 7k. Also getting the nickname of "Pro-fielder" off half the team and "The Gazelle at deep cover" off Max the Overseas player (Unlucky for him being an Aussie as they have just crashed out of the Champions Trophy, hopefully their Ashes are just as poor so England thrash them). We won the match by 13 runs, big hitting in the first innings by Henshaw and Sanderson gave us the total required for victory.

This weekend I played for the 2nd Team in the cup and hit a quick 19 runs at the end of the innings before running around in the field and taking a catch at Cow Corner which ended the match with a 104 run victory.

Hopefully over the season I can help save a few more runs in the field and take some more catches. Unfortunately none of my catches are in the same category as this beauty by Brendon McCullum but I can try my hardest as I hate dropping a catch!!

 

To find out the results and general updates for Nutbrook Cricket Club follow them on twitter @NutbrookCC