Topic ID 4140
When I'm out on my daily run I always pass other runners so I hope one of you reads this and can help me. [:)] Where in/near Hertford can you run in these conditions? I was driving in Stevenage today and saw lots of runners and cyclists using the completely ice-free cycle lanes parallel to the A602. Not a nice setting but at least it was safe. None of my usual runs (Cole Green or Ware) are usable and all the pavements are treacherous. I hate gyms but I tried to see if I could have an hour on a treadmill in Hartham just to stop going stir crazy but of course you have to join, you can't just wander in for the odd session. What are other runners doing? Are there any school tracks that are usable? Please let me know. Thanks.
Reply ID 60156
Hi Rachel, I've found few options for running in icy conditions, particularly when it's dark, but a daylight option not to far out of Hertford would be the sand & gravel paths near Rickneys Quarry. If you are driving, park up at either of the car parks at Waterford Heath. You need to get to the path that is about 300 yards down the Sacombe Road on the right after you've passed the Vicarage Lane junction. After about 400 yards, you can turn right towards the quarry, or go straight on up a 1 in 4 hill - you could try doing some hill repetitions & jogging down again as a change from your normal routine. A simpler option from Hertford, would be to go up the Cole Green Way from Hertford Town Football Club. It's about 2.5 miles to the old Letty Green Station, obviously you don't have to go as far as that. It's all pretty flat after Hertingfordbury & the ground is a mixture of mud & gravel - there are usually quite a lot of walkers, cyclists & horse riders along here, so you won't find it too lonely. However, unless you are in training for the Olympics, you won't lose your fitness, so why not take a day or two off & enjoy the rest!
Reply ID 60159
I went out at 06.00 on Monday and ran along the towpath through the new powder snow. It was great (and I didn't slip at all). Of course, when the snow gets trodden down it's much more slippy. If you go round Hartham, over the hideous new bridge and into Ware Park it's OK through the woods and along the path on the north side of the river. To be on the safe side you might do a power walk on grass rather than a run. It gets you outside and, as Muddy says, you won't lose your fitness, even if you put your feet up for a day or two. If it snows heavily tonight as promised I'll do a repeat of Monday tomorrow morning.
Reply ID 60161
Hi CSP, I often run in Hartham & up the towpath to Ware during the summer months. As you obviously run in Hartham often - are there any lights on down there in the evenings. Before the snow & ice came, I was thinking of driving & parking near the pool & doing some sprinting or interval sessions along the tramlines from the weir to the horrible new bridge. I don't mind running in near darkness, as your eyes quickly adjust, but I'm not into pitch black & pot-holes. I'd appreciate your advice.
Reply ID 60168
I run or walk up and down the stairs about ten times in sucession when I can't get out. Then I feel like I've sprinted round the block.
Reply ID 60170
Hey Muddy; this is the first time someone has asked for my advice about a running matter! However .. I don't really run around Hartham itself that often. It's a means of getting somewhere else. And I'm a morning person so I don't know about lights at night. As a general rule though I find that, as you say, your eyes adjust. I usually run along the towpath, starting at the pumping station on the Meads and going south to Ware, Stanstead Abbotts, Rye House and Broxbourne (just like the train only more reliably). Once you know the towpath, you get used to where the puddles etc are and even before dawn the reflected light from the river shows up any obstacles. In the days (some decades ago) when I needed to do sprints or intervals I would find a rugby or football pitch and use the posts (and the lines if I could see them) as markers. I assumed there weren't any potholes or bollards in the way. Now I just pootle up and down the towpath, experiencing the world waking up, and saying hello to nature, fellow runners, people going to work, and dog-walkers. It seems to work! p.s. And yes, dennismoore, walking up and down stairs really does the trick.
Reply ID 60218
Thanks for your replies. [8D] CSP and Muddy, you have better balance than me because I tried but simply couldn't run the Cole Green Way, Hartham or the tow path Monday to Wednesday. I did manage a pathetic time on my usual Cole Green run today as most of the ice had gone (apart from getting to the football club and back from the village - as noted on other threads, the pavements are still treacherous) but the slush was slippy and I'm scared of injury so my progress was very cautious and there were a few Bambi moments, thankfully unobserved as the usual dogwalkers, horseriders etc were nowhere to be seen. [:I] I hope the predicted snow doesn't materialise so I can get back in my normal routine soon.
Reply ID 60229
I think we might just have to bite the bullet and take whatever exercise is safe. The underfoot conditions seem to be changing by the hour. I haven't been out running since Monday and have exercised at home. My programme says I'm supposed to be doing a long run at the weekend but I think I'll probably give it a miss. I have to say that, whilst I am no longer the magnificent athletic specimen I used to be ("yeah, right" says Mrs CSP), I still have pretty good balance. My WiiFit age compared to my actual age (mostly about balance) is up to -33 years. Hmmm.
Reply ID 60230
Yeah but thats cos you're positively ancient according to Mrs CSP[:D]
Reply ID 60280
Did a 10k in the woods around Tewin on Wednesday, compact snow everywhere and quite treacherous. Stayed off my arse, though. Trying again this lunchtime - hopefully it's only cold, wet feet I'll have to contend with today. Must admit, though, I enjoy running in horrendous weather - the muckier I get the more fun it is [8D]
Reply ID 60281
Me too. Trouble is I've got a half-marathon in 5 week's time so I don't want to sprain anything just now.
Reply ID 60353
How are you mountain goat guys getting on then, as the freeze continues? [:)] I picked my way gingerly up to Letty Green this morning, it was actually easier to run the Cole Green Way in frost than during the brief thaw, as I could get some grip on the crunchy slush. Had to be careful of black ice on the roads though. I hope you are all staying injury-free.
Reply ID 60367
This mountain goat, having sampled the rather lovely Woodforde's Wherry in The Barge last night (Friday), had a bit of a lie-in this morning and did some CV at home. I'm going to try and do 18K tomorrow morning although I think I'll wait until it gets light before going out.
Reply ID 60373
quote:Running in icy weather....... .........might just be a stupid idea.
Originally posted by Rachel
When I'm out on my daily run I always pass other runners so I hope one of you reads this and can help me. [:)] Where in/near Hertford can you run in these conditions? I was driving in Stevenage today and saw lots of runners and cyclists using the completely ice-free cycle lanes parallel to the A602. Not a nice setting but at least it was safe. None of my usual runs (Cole Green or Ware) are usable and all the pavements are treacherous. I hate gyms but I tried to see if I could have an hour on a treadmill in Hartham just to stop going stir crazy but of course you have to join, you can't just wander in for the odd session. What are other runners doing? Are there any school tracks that are usable? Please let me know. Thanks.
Reply ID 60375
quote:Hear, hear. And the Deuchars. (sorry, off-topic)
Originally posted by CSP
having sampled the rather lovely Woodforde's Wherry in The Barge last night (Friday)
Reply ID 60454
I found the grass on Hartham not too bad. Cole Green Way was hard work at the weekend though.
Reply ID 70824
Bumping this to find out how you are all managing. Any recommendations for runnable local routes in these conditions?
Reply ID 70825
quote:Cross country is the way to go - footpaths are treacherous, fields appear to be fine. Watch out for anything too churned up, though - the tracks through Bramfield Woods where the quad bikes have been have muddy trenches that have frozen solid.
Originally posted by Rachel
Bumping this to find out how you are all managing. Any recommendations for runnable local routes in these conditions?
Reply ID 70828
I've given up for the duration. It's the frozen ruts that are really dangerous at the moment. Going (suitably togged up) for a long walk on Saturday though. I'm a bit fed up because the John Lewis lorry trying to deliver my yummy new treadmill couldn't get up the road yesterday to deliver it. Mrs CSP is currently running on the spot in the gym room upstairs.
Reply ID 70832
I saw someone running down Sacombe Road in t-shirt and shorts yesterday afternoon. Some people just have to show off don't they!
Reply ID 70841
OMG T-shirt and shorts? I'm running in so many layers I can't bend my arms! Although when you get going, you do get hot, particularly as you have to pick your feet up and work harder in the snow. I took Joby's advice (many thanks) and tried the grass at Hartham and Waterford and managed to stay upright so I feel much better now I've been out. And it was beautiful [8D]
Reply ID 70844
quote:I have to run in shorts all year round otherwise I get too hot. I will admit to allowing myself a long-sleeved top these past few weeks, though [8D]
Originally posted by Rachel
OMG T-shirt and shorts? I'm running in so many layers I can't bend my arms!
Reply ID 70903
quote:Tart! You just want to show off those toned quads! [:)] I ran along the towpath today, it was fine, and I am an unconfident off-road runner with poor balance so if I can do it, anyone can. Have other local runners noticed how the New Year's Resolutioners have been absent this year? Normally it's more crowded that Oxford Street along the Cole Green Way in the first days of January but the cold weather seems to have had an effect and I haven't seen any new faces among the regulars.
Originally posted by Joby I have to run in shorts all year round
Reply ID 70911
Had a great walk from Royston to Baldock today. Lots of snow to kick around and lots of horseshoe-shaped ruts to twist the ankles. Saw a few "regular-looking" runners early on. Off to do a towpath run tomorrow and will wish a happy run to everybody I see, regular or newbie. Otherwise will stick to a rubber or two of bridge in the warm. [:)][:)][:)]