Training day 2

Wednesday is often my day that I fit in a mid week run; but today I was busy first thing. (My god daughter had an interview at Manchester University; so I met her for a coffee and then was interviewed by a student for her dissertation.) My friend (who is seasoned long distance walker) advised me to walk sometimes instead of running; so with a bit of time to spare; I decided to walk home from the University. A very different walk from the walk on Sunday; it was all on roads and surprisingly cold.  The trip from Manchester University back to the south of the city; feels like a trip through my past life as a student. Much of the campus has changed; but the stretch past the medical school and the hospitals is largely the same it as it was 30 years ago. The Oxfam and flower shop opposite the medical school were there in 1987. I was tempted to stop at the Whitworth Art Gallery but continued on my journey into Rusholme. Most of the curry houses have changed hands in the last three decades; the Kwik Save has been replaced by a World Foods store; piles of beautiful fruit and vegetables outside it.  The next stretch of my odyssey took me past Platt Park; lots of memories here; the boating lake; hen nights (years later) and most recently a couple of park runs. Then on to Fallowfield; some old memories; singing beautiful Palistrina Masses at Holy Innocents; meals at friends' student houses; and more recent memories; nights out at the Greek restaurant with my lovely friends that I met when I was pregnant. The stretch from Fallowfield to Withington includes the first drive in MacDonalds in the country; and lots of hotels; which have faded over the years. We had a work do at one of them a decade ago; it looks as if it has suffered a bit from the down turn in the economy. Withington brought back old memories again; my student house on Yew Tree Road; and a Polka up Davenport Road late one night after a few beers in the pub. A pizza place that had seemed very sophisticated in 1991; but less so in 1999. The final stretch from Withington to Didsbury has more recent memories; the wonderful Syrian restaurant Aladdin; the venue for many celebrations; leaving does; maternity leaves; nights out with friends. An hour and half later I was back home; toast pittas for lunch; and 18,000 steps done! Probably 4-5 miles in distance.  - Added a few more steps with a trip into town later in the evening!

Training - walk 1

The family thought I had taken leave of my senses as I crept out of the house at 830 on Sunday morning. A few lone strangers were on the platform at the local train station. The Sheffield train from Piccadilly was a different experience; young students kitted up in walking gear; older walkers with gear that looked like it had seen many walks. It was overcast in Manchester but as soon as we got to the outskirts of Stockport the sun came out. Edale station arrived sooner than expected; the countryside looked familar; but it had been  26 years since I had last got the train to Edale and I felt I needed some reassurance that it was the right stop! It was cold but bright in Edale; the National Trust tea rooms were open and the coffee was a welcome boost after the early start. My friends arrived from Sheffield and we set off at quite a pace through the village. By chance We met a couple and their baby who were friends of my Sheffield friends and they joined us as we set off up the path to the top of the Ridge. The ascent was steep and muddy in places: but we seemed to arrive at the first summit pretty quickly. Views were spectacular over Edale and Castleton. We had another steady climb to the top of the ridge and found a sheltered place for lunch! Food featured highly in the plans for the walk; a flask of beetroot soup was filling and warming. Cheese and potato pasties were the carb boost I needed. I slipped into a bog; but managed to wash my peaty hands in a stream. There was a sprinkle of snow on the top of the ridge; enough to turn into an icy snow ball. The descent to Edale was steep and the rocks slippy and uneven. I was glad I wasn't carrying a wee baby in a sling. She slept for most of the walk; and I am sure the movement up and down the hills was comforting and reminiscent of being back in the womb. We were back in Edale just after 230 and decided to walk up Mam Tor before we met other halves and family in the pub. The path to Mam Tor was initially hard going; thick mud and no easy way to avoid it. Flapjacks kept us going and some left over Christmas chocolate!  I've climbed Mam Tor a number of times in the last few years; usually in pretty bleak weather. The view from the top was the best I have ever seen. We were back in Edale at 5pm. 10 miles walked with a 650 m climb. The Old Nag's Head has fantastic beer and a great menu for hungry walkers. As we drove home again; we had an incredible view of a badger crossing the road in front of the car. My 18 year old walking boots had kept my feet warm and dry; my 48 year old bones were a bit achy and tired. We had shared stories and reminisced about old times - a perfect day!