After yesterday’s inspirational checkpointing duties I needed to get out on the trail again. After giving Loggerheads a fair pounding recently Helen and I went out to Delamere Forest to revisit two of our favourite routes. Whilst Helen went off around the lake, I headed up to Old Pale and on to Gresty’s Waste. Thereafter the mud was relentless until Summertrees (now, sadly, permanently closed). I continued down the Sandstone Trail towards Rock Farm; this stretch is mostly downhill at a perfect angle for running, with good drainage and not too much in the way of goo. The weather was grey and slightly damp, but the running was great and I felt good.

I returned via the track by Tirley Garth and through Primrose Wood, to pick up the track across the fields towards the A54. The forest trails always make for good training terrain and my mind looks forward to some of the longer events I have planned, and how I need to keep the training going. From the A54 I took Stoney Lane to Eddisbury Hill and down into the country park to meet Helen in the cafe for a well-earned sandwich and cake.

Delamere Forest Visitor Center was very busy – it is good to see so many people out and about and enjoying the fresh air and countryside. The facilities here are excellent and the cafe superb – good hearty sandwiches and snacks at reasonable prices.

Though we drove here today, we often take advantage of the local train service which has a station just half-a-mile from the visitor centre. At weekends this line is very popular.

A great weekend!

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