HRM strap battery swap

Once again I spotted erratic heart rate data from the 935. On checking there wasn't any running dynamics data so the heart rate strap was offline.

I've just swapped the battery and according to the blog it's 3 years since I did it last. Can't complain then.

Crookstone Out Moor (Edale)

 I was in Edale for a few hours so planned a 2 hour run/walk towards the east. I included Ringing Roger so the first section was a tough ascent at a brisk walk, but from there it was pretty much downhill all the way back to the village.

Some parts of the route were muddy and slippery (not helped by worn shoes) but overall a good morning's activity.

Don Valley Way

I've been looking at options for a longer run, something longer than a marathon, for some weeks. Peddar's Way was an option for the summer but after reading a few hike reports I didn't think it sounded worth the trouble. It's a fair way from home and with endpoints in rather inaccessible spots. I suppose that's just how Norfolk is.

With a day off work I wanted something easy. Somehow I spotted the Don Valley Way which starts a £5 train trip from home and ends a bus ride away. The weather forecast was reasonably favourable too. After an evening of indecisive packing I was on my way. The video below gives an overview of the route. As others have said, it wasn't the most inspiring of trails.

I took sandwiches which were very welcome but bought a coffee and extra water at Thyrburgh. Overall I was slower than hoped and shocked that the GPS track says that I was stationary for an hour. My coffee break was brief so a substantial part must have been navigation. The route was vaguely marked throughout but was blocked all through Rotherham. I had to find an alternative and check the map often. It was also disheartening to be tramping on busy main roads, adding to my tiredness.

The Five Weirs was a pleasant change although that had a closure too. I mostly walked after Neepsend.

Having been off the route so much I can't even think about putting it on FKT so that wasn't an incentive.

Fly tipping was common along the path

Also, I can't recommend the route to others as the diversions and plentiful litter make it unpleasant. It's been a day out and shown me that I need to practice longer runs. I'm in a 15 to 20 km rut!