Hilbre Island + Yorkshire MT – Week 3

Well, that was a lot more fun than I thought it was going to be.

Given that the forecast was for a 70% precipitation probability, I had expected glowering clouds, and a wetness akin to yesterday’s run. Instead, as I picked up Alex, it was still kind of dry, and the air, as we got out at West Kirby, was gently breezy, but still warm.

There were twenty odd brave souls in our annual club trip to the islands, and this time, because of the tide we set off early doors, at 9am. Because I had done my long run yesterday, I opted for the easy two miles out, which didn’t take in the Wirral Way first. After Nigel, in his official looking florescent coat and clipboard, took all our names down, the larger group set off for the longer five mile out run.

We were, as usual, all going to meet up at the far end of the largest island, so our smaller crew took its time, splashing along and taking group selfies along the way. One of our lot, (Kate, I think) had her two kids with her, and they, as kids do, pelted along and then stopped for a few breaths, and then pelted along all over again. They were thoroughly looking forward to getting in the sea at the end. Something that I had no intention of doing, but then that’s what I’d said last year.

From the far island, Kate’s eagle-eyed daughter spotted a whole bunch of basking seals on the sands in Wales, on the opposite side of the water. Sadly none came any closer this time. While we waited there for the rest of the runners, Ian gave us a little history lesson about how they used to use Semaphore to communicate about the incoming ships to Liverpool. A signal from Anglesey, in Wales, sent the name, of the ship sighted, to the watcher sitting at the telescope on Hilbre Island. They, in turn, passed that on to Bidston Hill on the Wirral, who finally relayed it to Liverpool. It was a very effective and fast means of communication before the advent of telegraph lines.

When we regrouped, the hardy people, which was most of the group, dived into the waters. A few went via the old lifeboat ramp but that turned out to be a bit of a mistake. The rest, went around the island and launched themselves from the gently sloping shelf. I, and Alex, and perhaps one or two others, decided to keep to the shallows this time. I’d forgotten to bring a towel, and although the water wasn’t that cold (I went as deep as my knees), it didn’t have the same draw as the balmy summer’s evening of the previous year.

After everyone eventually climbed out, both John and Iain were sporting several minor cuts from the sharp barnacles, as they’d taken the lifeboat ramp. Nothing that warranted an opening of the first aid kit, but they looked a bit sore. John had also managed to lose his flip flops to the sea, so they may be washing up on the Isle of Man as I write.

Instead of the usual Marigolds fish n chips, because of the early time of day, we convened in Costa Coffee for hot drinks, before heading home. The rain only began as we drove back home, so it turned out rather triffic. I was pleased that my legs didn’t feel too tired, and the post wet-sand run feeling was one of exhilaration. It was a joyous morning out, with zero time expectations, but it did help me creep over the 30 mile weekly target, to finish off week three in a wet and wonderful way. The table below is my week’s round up.

Day	What I Did
Mon	Zero running because I needed to get a load of course work finished 30 mins yoga 15 mins strength and mobility
Tue	Club Run – Beach Run Run:  6.30 miles [10.14 km] Pace:12.08 mins/mile [7.51 m/km] I had no time to check out the route before but tagged along with Janine and Ian, and between us, we actually went the right way, at a very enjoyable pace.
Wed	Birkenhead Park – 5 miler Warm up Run:  1.22 miles Pace: 10.04 mm I had done this race last year and wanted to beat that time, so I tried to put a bit of effort into a better than normal warmup. Race Run: 5.02 miles [8.08 km] Pace: 9.06 mm [5.63 m/km] Actual race time was 45:10 which was six minutes faster than last year, so it definitely pays to warm up well.
Thu	Nothing – apart from taking the elder grandson to Chester Zoo where we both ran ourselves ragged, checking out all the animals. He slept in the car on the way back but sadly, I had to stay awake to drive.
Fri	Yoga – 30 mins Strength and Mobility exercises – 15 mins I could still feel a bit of tiredness in my legs from Wednesday, or possibly from the Zoo, so decided to take one more day off
Sat	Long Slow Run Run: (Roughly) 13.8 miles [22.02 km] Pace: (Roughly( 12.00 mm [7.46 m/km] The rain, it raineth all the day. The plan was to do a Parkrun sandwich but my blog for yesterday will explain why that didn’t happen. It was shorter than I wanted but I wasn’t too bothered given the weather.
Sun	Hilbre Island Run   Run out Run: 1.94 miles [3.12 km] (no point putting pace as there was lots of stopping and starting, and splashing and slipping)   Run back Run: 1.81 miles [2.91 km] Pace: 10.48 mm [6.51 m/km] A more direct route back, still very splashy, but less slippy, and around the islands, instead of through them.