it's the coffin they carry you off in...
"It's nothing infectious" I said to the concerned young lady sat beside me on the crowded train, "just a bit of a tickle, that's all". She didn't seem convinced, turning her head to watch the world whizzing past the window as I hacked into my handkerchief.
I was glad to get off. For her sake.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6W7C5CPaNtGT5quA0Vl_GpRTNpbIk2xdhRBOgH3VD-0JquHJTkcHD1dzoPcDAeS8rsKnjrMgXX0ENCb-S8dxWHywc6n1v-Tb-_apz4LMJ9XSiHFwu6pEYKitKcA7sGPmmCvEsLDq5MIw/s400/DSC01264-001.JPG) |
Setting off on Saturday's run... (Click to enlarge pictures) |
Cough or no cough, I ran more than 20 miles with 1,800ft of ascent over the festive period which I reckon is a tad more than your average 86 year old did. I can't recall coughing at all while I was running. Only when I stopped!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-l1KVXSwIzUAnoBRCdHlRATxj3bR6dPtik1BaWqKwjsKp8E0xv5jzG3RVwCyQPRFoGo-JaW6aSH8bClus7939Ytt0x4ZdG_B-o_g6iC-PrPJDPa2U5tihvVB-xV2UI7f0UH6oLMT7bE/s400/IMG_3649-001.JPG) |
...and it rained. Do we really have to go on? |
It rained one mile into our run on the Saturday before Christmas but it didn't stop us. We carried on to complete a planned 6 mile route through Burnsall to Appletreewick campsite and back again.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgitqkDNU7L9CbHaQuXslMk81jsIWmmDFOwJcegd8AFmqFotziDsr78ya5osz42oZqfOxPM9lEsrtcx2DTf0UTGFHaFzN0lTbYxTGTnK-t9pJFbb6HlzsmVdgqWjGvfNNxZl42qOiMA4C8/s400/DSC01307-002.JPG) |
Sunlight arriving on the bank outside our window |
Christmas Eve was totally different. I couldn't get out of the house quick enough to take pictures of the glorious sunrise.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZEKHKRjLDBQCPmQzbEgvmarjdLXZhB6tjf6BxNm7Vp5ZAOUtaJOfmPVRrWmWC3bIgS-nQ0frabiCUFIMJDzWA1WvEonpBl7JGrLvTmUhsoYrJcUcsJzY3scAgDO5ItFQaP2FVnAfq6uM/s400/DSC01295-002.JPG) |
Sunlight on mist over the river |
I wandered around, clicking away ad lib while breakfast porridge was settling, until my old body felt it was ready to run.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGQB9rfUcQdG3cK7i3qOlmDnW1oTFxTHaZSAbnU5M8ZhuNrKjzj0f7F1BffylcAJuDeqYgLWjoK-c40yXr9ZBFOssP490B4dy-aZq0ABWbjR-3NbpDz8eIUtIsn9kceYe9wYgc0PZJ70I/s400/DSC01308-002.JPG) |
It was a wee bit wet in places... |
Before lunch we motored to Skyreholme to run a beautiful 6½ mile circuit forming part of a 10 mile walk my wonderful partner has planned for her U3A walking group in February.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR1M5Me38wTSBa8o4ssG7mQsCmSFX3yDer-A6dEtfprC89YSfaXO_PI5U-x2tMK9mUdsGOTOnlbCBjimeaiiz3oWRHte_zjB3jpciWfy03KjInhzChUKzqQRMtZHe53-GJg7eozt5xlvY/s400/DSC01313-001.JPG) |
...and very frosty in others |
It was a beautiful sunny day but with a thick white frost in places where the sun had failed to shine. There must also have been a 10ยบ difference in temperature in or out of the sun.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis-WJp8hskiGrtUTFcM491AOE-i3uhLDuQjg1JU1Jb-OwEZ112y2a66x3o0u-M4OuEwoJxKrbKgToOrLQITNw609wgxJQEFGDKK2dZs3jsuQ7SlMhSFKv3SiSVnZra2kpWKediH0yTSMs/s400/DSC01316-002.JPG) |
Running beside the Wharfe - white on one side, green on the other. |
Through frosted fields we dropped down to join the River Wharfe at Howgill, then followed it upstream as far as Woodhouse farm.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzKlYr0N7ClSdyKWfUVdaiHo7bzIEEHAfLE4S2oB-uORPfNHwSa7bfNZc7Vdj9tbgWf_0Izr7LivtKp76-ORJMbpXx18GR2FqHKABegoMB3gSVBkCfwiTzP7cskUcioF4qN2y_r5LNHrM/s400/DSC01319-001.JPG) |
Approaching the steading at the top of Kale Hill |
Then began the uphill work, steeply up Kale Hill passing a little posse of walkers who gazed in amazement as we ran past, maybe moving faster uphill than they were walking downhill!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZw6YywhvssFjdm_JPupqhGJivKdyKJlxn3ug4G4zZXk6fzfbxVcRdZw2MhWMWGetBu764KuCsSc8izCKsr7mT7G-AbZuiFpaOJH6ouS7YyYPdPI43tGAFsrhTIYKxjnM35qkD227Y8g/s400/IMG_3665-002.JPG) |
Flying - up Appletreewick Pasture in the sun |
Beyond Kale Hill we were out of the shadows and back into sunlight to run steadily up Appletreewick Pasture, passing more walkers who said we were showing them up!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYiPE_9Fnjn2gnn8EK6dNtzjoM3GkhbUgw0SfwZYt2J9nPQRqjEPFfJO49U7gEb_v5jJRkjAzfC1ecm4VJvwoyEh3UISzgBxhbD3a2P1ysC4q6dTGsBgAaORTXsDwX-gX1xfEK06h9LJg/s400/DSC01329-001.JPG) |
The descent into Troller's Ghyll |
Crossing New Road we ran along a bit of old railway track to the head of Troller's Ghyll. My wonderful partner was none too happy with my chosen route of descent!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV6BLsciPc5xaxPN4M8sMDURSKVO1cp4u-5mnz5RCXof_c0MaGs13JAiNGelMR9L9Z9PKw9VBwg_5lcjIRtXvNmP6g5eXszoF8PJQkx3Y0-NLisheyBgmhg5Jo3WodcTswstUr3NQwr_U/s400/DSC01328-001.JPG) |
Ooh, I've got a wet bum.. |
I'd chosen a diretissima down a steep banking which I often used to run up as part of a 14 mile route in marathon training days. There was a wire fence to hang on to!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-VstIRdAqJL0Br2HM9fmDu6JP2EhUTHDj8oKYClorj2Mvoe6uYw0s9aUsWtSBbzIFH1csMYQQ4NWM2SE_EPoAGNPeIfHvllrsm1JB8wlcLsaDgKHo_CLnd7J4iMGvlAZkMT8zp0bopos/s400/IMG_3666-005.JPG) |
Flying again.. |
Once down into the Ghyll there was a grassy trail all the way to the bottom which made for fast, easy running - back into the sunlight. It felt nice to get a bit of speed up.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKpD91wNK-w7wuCH8_anFoJJNvtrpSncNqqJ3sdoVQl6jT7E4REpJLf1SwZEtUl2TfL7SivjUnpNFGz-h2IIdrP8c-hCejsjhUISKKVwys4mw8aYlNOeSbYTpYdkkfRLikQ58MPVRLiQ0/s400/DSC01336-001.JPG) |
All downhill from here.. |
From thereon it was pleasant running all the way back to Skyreholme, following the beck beneath Parcival Hall Gardens, to where we'd parked the car.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCTIPdGivjR53lP2j8znQG3xaEDAHiWtJQfp8otRTmapmH-kks5K4DLhgpP42mKZ6KR9NJAXlO8hhJAuC7X0RquHFUqalVZbZs0VRJq5-0kk75PxB21bL25qcM-QFmOWOLUFopAQLSJ9U/s400/SnipImage-001.JPG) |
That delightful route |
TomTom told us we'd run 6.3 miles with 789ft of ascent and a very enjoyable run it was too.
Boxing day was so grotty, foggy and miserable that we didn't even bother to take our cameras on a 4 mile run to Burnsall and back along the river. My wonderful partner was anxious to run it quickly, faster than she'd ever run it before, so I was enlisted to act as pace-maker. She got her wish and did in fact register a new PB.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9ACX8OpRvvcGI2_uhK-8dGfMRF5X4gS-vxfpr1V9jKcAuNH8X2YquSTSAjZgrqbzLE5NIiBYk3WgJzw1UDgOvm0R7nlcHe7w9P6luPg-cHJNt1Vn57psqaU5I0XcQ0W7t4VDqSBmrqg/s400/IMG_3683-003.JPG) |
Dawn breaking over Grimwith Reservoir. |
We rose early next morning for a pre-breakfast run round Grimwith reservoir. It was cloudy but some interesting colours filtered across the sky as dawn broke.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDQUiejb8xmXwT-26aLKKKtWEjGreuFpSR2rGm_eKiII0TrBSJZdzw27BXMoKFkwHabt_wYN_fLPgWxWXDC_0hbYrtpx3nBl0pBYo5tdVGk7gBWTj6ggQJN24hzMj1Q4IzmPrvxdiIjA/s400/DSC01372-003.JPG) |
Sun rising over Grimwith Lodge |
As we ran across the dam a procession of car headlamps pierced the gloom along the road leading to the sailing club as the yachting fraternity arrived, towing their boats behind them.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBXL-LWyu4FRCCumfzueMd4aw4G7lsFC8o47N8YdZQ80ivo2bzWhZyscdJH8ErgU_9llh36rhDWOG6jp4H_yXdWRHuchuBoHQqpJ3s55v2zUhfuRZ9U05nJV1rV_YvNdDgQIojFZ1_248/s400/IMG_3681-002.JPG) |
At the halfway point - in festive gear |
It was one of those dreary mornings when dawn seemed to take a long time to arrive, but it was calm and reasonably warm for the time of year.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvzb_E3iYh9DIcgWSzr3m6cfSzA3Jey1kmXmoify_pCYj30FRVA3Gh9Zay8T9oe3_DjIUiQyCbsvZR6YG5VxmZ1MAjiDkFRDgTnnsCZ_-SlEqDNDaOdDB-I_ZWScrXQiLow8XyGt6_pFc/s400/DSC01379-005.JPG) |
To the car park - ½ mile |
From the moment we'd opened the car door a cacophony of greylags filled the air and it continued throughout our run,
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlPmD-O18gq4Z06PwxasSCg_7-NVtzOEKP3GtZMy_RKsNXKlO7zCPuVsUnuPTLjXUj9z_15at4Dm8IaI3v3UDHomAiIr_LUwKWmAmn56o4-eZLfqDRfQny6JLMcibKC-YqUXAKiQBl9wU/s400/DSC01353-001.JPG) |
Greylags |
rafts of them on the water and scores more along the bank.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4KOxPSBhxUJB4xNvlsqUVx5Jvq1fmXjR6gWdKJb5aXZuK6lCDtjFeiFc4saTAHqDOg-cqHI_v1_jIAc4ofesniXlcjvQhqK8c-uVN58CGJC5vl2rjCRO9AU-14IjuSvy6m2timmfiGO4/s400/IMG_3690-005.JPG) |
Wonderful running country |
There was little or no wind, the surface of the water was like a mirror - wonderful for reflections but bad news for the sailors!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvyxBUerrolpdXhAuHd9_Nl9_LrSLvrec5j4l4R8PIFkwsZHGQsu6B_LCmilaF356I1hWo2iRVt7usRQwdwIEfAlP55XXxeyirQ8iVgN2Bh8hNRZDiG-Wf0FLfQ8ZpRZdpm_ZSFkXtw4U/s400/DSC01383-003.JPG) |
Yachts people gathering at the sailing club |
As we set off up the final hill a runner gave us a wave as he set off in the opposite direction and two heavily dressed ladies with trekking poles greeted us as they commenced their festive walk.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizyLbCUWy_nw7zxipsz6x1oG2qSe0dx9ImOOnvp5nEc96b27NXYVL18XiqtaaNixgrc0-M7hu5odSR1tcUF8INa8YI0jTf5P500RgQNpJ1CdNhuFp4eotzV1FhM5hT4Ks-cEbhhEiYoU8/s400/DSC01344-001.JPG) |
Happy New Year everyone |
After all the festive food and drink a visit to the scales revealed I weigh exactly the same as I have for the past 20 years - 136 lbs.
Oh, I forgot, we still have Hogmanay. There's all the tatties and neeps, and plum pudding, wine and malt whisky to come yet.
God, I might have to run another 20 miles!
Ah well, anything's better than coughing...