There's just 1 week to go until the half marathon and I had planned to take it easy for the next for days, so as not to risk injury. Yesterday I did a leisurely 3 mile run around the Agden reservoir, which is the other side of
Low Bradfield than the Damflask Reservoir where I ran last Monday.
Here are the pictures from the run. I also took a drive up the hill past High Bradfield to get
a picture of the Agden Reservoir, with the Dale Dyke and Strines reservoirs behind it. In the picture, the Strines is only just visible in the distance.
Here is a full size version that shows it more clearly if you don't mind the 1.2Mb download. To the left of the Strines reservoir, you can also just about make out the tower that overlooks it, and behind that and to the left, the peak of Win Hill that overlooks the Ladybower reservoir.
Today was meant to be no more than 4 miles, from
Burbage Rocks, along
Stannage Edge, an area popular with
rock climbers,
hangliders, and
sheep. However, my inquisitive nature got the better of me, and I decided to find out where
this path lead. As I reached the peak, there was quite a nice view of the
Redmires Reservoirs. A path to the right led directly back to Burbage Rocks, but a sign said that although you were legally allowed to go along the path, they would prefer you didn't in order to protect the wildlife that nests there. Not wanting the guilt of stepping on a young pheasant, I decided to carry on toward the reservoirs. There didn't seem to be any path going in the direction I wanted, but as I was just turning back, I saw some hikers. Great, I thought, they'll have maps, and will know where they are going. As I reached them my heart sank, they were clearly sixth form students on a school trip, and therefore probably lost themselves. I decided to carry on past them, despite the fact that Michael Buerk's voice was now in the background of my mind, a morose voice over to an episode of 999 where a runner's Sunday run turns to disaster.
For a while, there was the occasional
extremely helpful sign leading the way, the problem was it was very clearly the wrong way, I was heading further and further away from my car. I decided to try and find another route, trust my instincts, and turn off the path. Buerk's voice was growing louder. It started well, but the going quickly got tough. I convinced myself that I just need to get to the top of the hill I was on, and I'd see my car.
I was wrong. I tried to recall the map that I briefly studied before setting out, trying to remember what was on it between where thought I was now and where my car sat. I think it said,
"There be beasties here".
Eventually, I could see Burbage Rocks and my car in the distance. Between it flat land. I set off and then
squelch. I remembered now what the map said...
"marsh land". Buerk's voice was now a thunderous roar, so I decided to bite the bullet and head back more or less in the direction I came in, wet, muddied and de-hydrated. I don't think I've ever been so thirsty as I was when I reached my car around 30 minutes later. I was hoping to go running tomorrow and Tuesday, so hopefully I haven't overdone it today.