Crabs, a lucky escape and 10 go mad in Harpo

A number of memorable events this week... 6 hill reps up Crabtree with Viddy, a lucky escape in Heartswood and an unbelievable turnout for a Sunday run.

UltraJ wasn't up to much this week... he'd caught the DOMS on Skidaw during the weekend so a headtorcher was out of the question. Tuesday meant reps and preferring the hills, Viddy and me went off on our own. Lee is getting in some "base mileage" at the moment (he's gone all scientific). Had planned 8 Crabtrees, but did 6 with a 400m and a loop around Wellbeck Rise and Broadstone. Viddy claimed that he was just on autopilot to just avoid that last loop! (Must have been applying the nataural running technique that did him in.) 11m with reps took it out of the legs.

Thursday morning was supposed to be a headtocher at 6am. Kate woke me at 6:30 as alarm had not gone off and was out in 10 mins... probably 2 mins too quick as struggled through Nomansland and to Sandridge to be eventually saved by a portaloo (with paper) which loomed out of the gloom. 8.6m

Laterly have been doing tempos as well during the week, however this week, just a quick 6.5 easy before meeting up at the George for a few pints with the Class 5 dads. For non-runners, they talk about running a lot. I think, secretly, that they are just taking the piss. (Secret by them... not me)

Having had a disaster last week on nav skills, the route this week was planned. Maybe this was why 10 guys turned up. Could have been more but Lee skiiing, Jamie in Antigua, Viddy at Gatwick and Neil being a no-show. Kenny, Ant, newboy Rob joined (for a while - well done Rob for sticking with it in the mud and all that gear!) UltraJ, Tom, the 2 Pauls, Dazzerelli and DaMo. Having promised a "not-so-muddy" route - the mud-fest started within a mile. Lost Ken/Ant - rejoining their separate splinter group at Sandridge and reclaiming Rob. Ken's new Brooks were shot already. 7 left. The Pauls left after Symondshyde Great Wood. Now 5. Darren dropped a couple of times (literally) but soon caught up. With UltraJ and Tom off along Swan Walk back home from the back of Brocket Hall, the 3 left managed to wade their way through the mud back to Harpo. Dazzle and Speirsy managed a couple of synchronised slips before Dazzle face planted in an electric fence. DaMo peeled off at Station Road having been harrassed by 12 mountain bikers on the gully footpath up from the Lower Luton Road to Mackayre End, D then peeled off up Westfield road and the 1 left did a loop to Cooters End and up the hill and into the wind. 20.5 in the bag at 8:10s.  http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/28207692

Another 45m for the week