Hills wanted!!

[speak65]

Hi All
Been a while since I have posted on here.
Done a bit of lurking, but now need your knowledge.

Hubby is looking for a 4 mile run that is a tough hilly one.
Needs to have street lighting as it will be one of his midweek evening runs.
And although he doesnt mind going round a circuit 2 or at most 3 times, he doesnt fancy a 6-repitition of Radford Bank, as he will feel like a twit.
Not a problem if he has to drive there, but not too far out of town as his marathon training schedule started today and this will be one of his 5 times weekly runs for the next 4 months, so am not going to see too much of him anyhow without commuting to his runs!!!!

Thanks all

 

[Withnail]

I've noticed that quite a lot of people use the Castle hill for reps, if that might make him feel less twitish.

Unlit and probably not much help, but something to consider if it hadn't already been so.

 

[speak65]

He had thought of that, but would have to resort to doing that on a weekend (or risk broken ankle etc running in the dark)
Timewise he has to do his long run on a Sunday and ideally should have a rest day before and after.
But its something that might have to be considered.
Thanks

 

[Withnail]

Come to think of it, anything that involves a circuit between Hyde Lea/Coppenhall and Bradeley involves some quite brutal hills. Not well lit again but outside of the Chase he might struggle to find something one would have thought.

This road, marked Chase View Lane to Ash Flats Lane (in reverse, obvs), is quite monstrous and very traffic free.

 

[Withnail]

Looking at the map above, if he parked up near the bridge over the M6 and went -
Ash Flats Ln -> Chase View Ln -> Coppenhall -> Church Ln (to the bottom, where the 'T' junction is) -> turn round -> Church Ln -> Coppenhall -> Chase View Ln -> Ash Flats Ln -> back to the car
- it would be something in the order of 10km.

Perhaps a mile or so over 4, but by jumping Jehoshaphat he'd proper feel that. It would be very dark though, so i don't know how practical it would be on that front. If he's worried about traffic in the dark it wouldn't be much of an issue - depending a bit on time of day - round there.

Food for thought if nothing else.

 

[proactive]

How about from the Pub in Milford along Brocton Rd, to the post office and back again. Some of it is lit, plenty of hill climbing and I would have thought the distance would probably be slightly in excess of 3 miles. Carry on up the Chase Rd hill and then you'd have slightly more than 4 miles.

 

[Mikinton]

Kingston Hill looks promising. Here's a 2.2 mile course starting and finishing on Tixall Road. (Actually it may be a bit less than that as I appear to have doubled back, but you'll get the idea.)

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Tixall Rd&daddr=52.8061131,-2.0858511 to:52.807267,-2.0867654 to:52.8089998,-2.086921 to:52.8094916,-2.0879575 to:52.8104849,-2.0892996 to:52.8085121,-2.0897093 to:52.8058482,-2.0905252 to:52.8063121,-2.0855013 to:52.8064579,-2.086757 to:52.8061264,-2.0858256 to:Tixall Rd&hl=en&ll=52.807496,-2.089612&spn=0.006901,0.021136&sll=52.807613,-2.089763&sspn=0.006901,0.021136&geocode=FZjCJQMdJDLg_w;FeHBJQMdJSzg_ynF1PEVyXN6SDHaut3YH_dlZA;FWPGJQMdkyjg_ylFA6ZnyXN6SDHPREqbubk_iA;FSfNJQMd9yfg_ymJ57qUy3N6SDEla4bz57yGQA;FRPPJQMd6yPg_ylrUZ-Oy3N6SDE0XsKLUD9lCg;FfTSJQMdrR7g_ymR3uyGzHN6SDHqA8T5QIJLxw;FUDLJQMdEx3g_yk5zNUVzHN6SDHtp84sNSpDfA;FdjAJQMd4xng_ykrE8rtznN6SDHOa4yxu0hPlg;FajCJQMdgy3g_ynF1PEVyXN6SDHaut3YH_dlZA;FTnDJQMdmyjg_yk5hyZHyXN6SDHI3h2dlp6BhQ;Fe7BJQMdPyzg_ynF1PEVyXN6SDHbut3YH_dlZA;FbC_JQMdNjDg_w&t=h&dirflg=w&mra=dvme&mrsp=8&sz=16&via=1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10&z=16

 

[Gramaisc]

There's quite a few shortish sloping roads in the area between Corporation Street, Weston Road and Beaconside - at the back of the hospital.*

*In case he overdoes it...

And there's a chip shop in the middle.

 

[gilesjuk]

Plenty over the chase.

Plus the one out of Brocton up Chase Road is nice and steep. Not many cars about really.

 

[khhospice]

Also for a challenge, Katharine House Hospice has an Endurance Challenge taking place on Sunday 24th Feb at Milford Common 5.4 miles over 10 challenging hills. Just £10 to register so why not come along? https://www.khhospice.org.uk/event/endurance-challenge

 

[gon2seed]

Come to think of it, anything that involves a circuit between Hyde Lea/Coppenhall and Bradeley involves some quite brutal hills. Not well lit again but outside of the Chase he might struggle to find something one would have thought.

This road, marked Chase View Lane to Ash Flats Lane (in reverse, obvs), is quite monstrous and very traffic free.

Used to do reps up from Burton Manor Road by the Motor Way Bridge, up to Hyde Lea and Coppenhall. But if he isn't interested in Reps' something incorporating Weston Bank or Yarlet Bank might fit the bill. Used to run from Trinity Fields to Stone & back, its a bit 'their & back' but its well lit, and could be done in any route. Tf you started at the Greyhound it would be a pretty uphill finish which ever way you went! & you could go for a tipple when you finished!You could run up towards the Fire HQ & back, it ain't far' if you were determined to do some more hills, though that might not be lit too well at night!

 

[gon2seed]

Had a thunk about it, I think the following is as good a combination of decent hills & lighting as you are likely to get in Stafford:- Park at West Way car park, out on to West way, down toA 518 Newport Road, up Casle Bank, past Castle. Down to Sundown Drive, left at Western Downs. Up to Somerset Rd, till it joins with Barnes Rd; down till Barnes Road joins back onto West Way. Uphill to briefly go down hill to return to your starting point for a , but if you don't fancy going round again, (its only 2.6 m) there are lots of well lit options in the area to extend it with! Good running! http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&tab=wl

 

[Gramaisc]

The area between Baswich Lane and the canal has quite a few short, sharp inclines.

 

[gon2seed]

Had a thunk about it, I think the following is as good a combination of decent hills & lighting as you are likely to get in Stafford:- Park at West Way car park, out on to West way, down toA 518 Newport Road, up Casle Bank, past Castle. Down to Sundown Drive, left at Western Downs. Up to Somerset Rd, till it joins with Barnes Rd; down till Barnes Road joins back onto West Way. Uphill to briefly go down hill to return to your starting point for a [/quote]

Sorry map failed! But you get the idea!

 

[sarsaparilla]

Hi All
Been a while since I have posted on here.
Done a bit of lurking, but now need your knowledge.

Hubby is looking for a 4 mile run that is a tough hilly one.
Needs to have street lighting as it will be one of his midweek evening runs.
And although he doesnt mind going round a circuit 2 or at most 3 times, he doesnt fancy a 6-repitition of Radford Bank, as he will feel like a twit.
Not a problem if he has to drive there, but not too far out of town as his marathon training schedule started today and this will be one of his 5 times weekly runs for the next 4 months, so am not going to see too much of him anyhow without commuting to his runs!!!!

Thanks all

How about Cannock Chase?

 

[gon2seed]

Park at West Way car park, out on to West way, down toA 518 Newport Road, up Casle Bank, past Castle. Down to Sundown Drive, left at Western Downs. Up to Somerset Rd, till it joins with Barnes Rd; down till Barnes Road joins back onto West Way, uphill to briefly, then go down hill to return to your starting point. (its only 2.6 m) there are lots of well lit options in the area to extend it with! Good running!

Ran it yesterday; Steady run, with a few decently challenging uphill bits, Castle Bank, Sundown Drive, West Way, it is about 3 miles. If your husband wants me to show hime the route PM me, and we will try to sort out a mutually convenient time! You could park at the Castle to make it an uphill finish if required!

 

[gon2seed]

Had a thunk about it (Again!),Park at West WayPub, or Rowley Stadium car park, out on to West way, down toA 518 Newport Road, up Casle Bank, past Castle. Down to Sundown Drive, left at Western Downs. As far as Somerset Rd, go along Somerset till it joins with Barnes Rd; down till Barnes Road till the the open space and trees on the right, by the grass, just before the Highfields Social club. there is a pathway with a bridge over a stream. This pathway after about 100 yards leads to Hambridge Close, go between the houses, and this leads shortly onto Shannon Rd. After a short while this leads onto Burton Manor Road. Turn Right onto BM Road, and follow that past the Hyde Lea sign, under the Motor Way, past The Grammar School (Up the really steep bit), through the village on the main road, to the top of the hill, by the Coppenhall Sign. Turn round, retrace your steps, (Past the spot where the windmill used to be, (ne 1 know how long its been gone?)) continue past Shannon Road & past the road on the left, and right until it joins onto West Way just after the Bungalows. Uphill on West Way to briefly go down hill to return to your starting point. Took me about 40 mins today, so might be about 5 miles. Good running! If anyone wants me to show them the route, PM me for a mutualy convenient time! Was an enjoyable run, and the addition of Burton Manor Road up the Hyde Lea certainly made it spicier, and completely contradicted my assertion that the original was as good a combination of Hills & Lighting that you are likely to get in 'Ford! (Well you do surprise me! NOT!!!! Ed )

 

[gon2seed]

Warmed up 4 next week, pretty damn succesful! Completed the above route in 37 hrs 30 ecs! Its was cold and windy so was extra pleased! All ahead 4 next week!

 

[Gramaisc]

Warmed up 4 next week, pretty damn succesful! Completed the above route in 37 hrs 30 ecs! Its was cold and windy so was extra pleased! All ahead 4 next week!

I would struggle to stay awake that long... 37 mins 30 secs..?

There was some sort of race-thing on today - along Beaconside and Weston Road, anyway.

 

[speak65]

Yes it was the Stafford 20 today. My OH was running it, but standing up by the Uni freezing my butt off, I did wish he'd take up cricket instead, where supporting him would involve sitting in the sunshine with a G&T.

Gotta admire him though despite an injury he is on track for his first sub4 marathon (poss even a 3-45.
He is fundraising so if anyone can spare even just a pound or two....... www.justgiving.com/stevebabb

Thanks