I briefly wrote about this in Back to it. Ok so I have experienced being blanked by people while out on a run, I’m sure we all have. They stare straight at you, they know you’re there, they know that they’re making you feel foolish by ignoring you. They know you know they’ve heard you and just don’t want to reply.

But only about 2 out of 10 runners on my runs are like this. It’s no different to running past a non-runner on your run. They too seem to weigh you up and can look bemused or offended when you say “good morning” to them. But it’s the ones that do reply that you should keep in your mind. The tiny conversation gives you a natural lift (something pschological about human contact i’m sure) and you’ve got that extra spring in your step for at least a couple of minutes.

I’m not sure what other peoples’ experiences are? Do most runners at least acknowledge your presence on a run even if it’s a wave or a nod as they pass you by? Or is Coventry a more friendly city than we’re led to believe? Do runners have manners? Or am i too scary not to reply too!?

The route takes in Canley, Westwood Heath and Tile Hill and is mainly footpath based:

Fletchamstead Highway (A45)
Kenilworth Road
Gibbet Hill Road
Westwood Heath Road
Cromwel Lane
Station Avenue
Banner Lane
Broad Lane
Fletchamstead Highway (A45)

This route starts just outside Coventry Canal Basin – i didn’t see a path through under the first bridge so you just have to follow a path from the basin and back onto the tow path on the other side of this bridge.

It’s then a fairly straightforward run for around 5.5 miles to Hawkesbury Junction.

Along the route is an Art Trail so keep an eye out for the various pieces of artwork along the route and keep an eye out for the various inhabitant that make the canal their home (canal boaters, ducks, swans…)

The paths alongside the canal are well marked (puddled today but the clouds did open up a couple of times) and in good condition. There are a couple of bridges along the route nothing too strenuous but take care as they could get slippery.

At Hawkesbury Junction you have two choices. I went for turning round and running the route in reverse. The alternative would be to time your run and finish off with a drink / meal at The Greyhound pub at Hawkesbury Junction.

If you’re interested on the Art Trail then take a look at:

The Coventry Canal Society

Coventry Walks

April

Leamington Regency 10k

Rotary Shakespeare Marathon and Half Marathon

May

Coventry Northbrook 10k

June

The Two Castles Run

Hinckley Town Centre 5K – 7:30pm, Wednesday 24 June 2009

July

Birmingham and Black Country Half-Marathon – 10am, Saturday 4 July 2009

Stratford Summer Six – 7:30pm, Saturday 4 July 2009

Saab Salomon Forest Trail, Sherwood Pines, near Mansfield – 7pm, Tuesday 7 July 2009

Sweatshop Wyre Forest Half-Marathon, Wyre Forest Visitor Centre close to Bewdley, Worcestershire- 10:30am, Sunday 12 July 2009

Sherwood Pines, Old Clipstone, Mansfield,10K & 5K Forest Trail Race 2009 Sunday 19th July – 11:30am, Sunday 19 July 2009

August

Kingsbury Classic 12K – 10:45am, Saturday 1 August 2009

September

Experian Robin Hood Festival of Running – Sunday 13 September 2009

The Big Stratford 10K, Stratford Race Course, Stratford on Avon- 10:30am, Sunday 13 September 2009

October

Badger Bite 4, Badger , Nr Burnhill Green, Wolverhampton – 11am, Sunday 4 October 2009

The Waseley Wobbler (formerly known as the North Worcestershire hill race), Waseley Hills High School, Rubery, Birmingham – 11am, Sunday 4 October

Men’s Health Survival of the Fittest 10K, Nottingham – 11:00am, Saturday 10 October 2009

Leicester City Marathon and Half-Marathon – 9:15am, Sunday 11 October 2009

Mudrunner 7, Eastnor Castle, Eastnor, Ledbury – 11:00am, Sunday 11 October 2009

Robin Hood Adventure Challenge 10K/5K/2K/Off-Road Duathlon – 12:00pm, Sunday 11 October 2009

University of Birmingham 5K - Sunday 18 October 2009

Cassidy Coventry Half Marathon – Sunday 25 October 2009

I think this is the route that the Northbrook 10k took us through.

My first 10k race today and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The race itelf starts part way up a hill and the undulations continue throughout. The route is through traffic free, country lanes – nice scenery on the way round. Not a very populated area but locals were out supporting the race. The run was well marshalled, water stations well signed and well manned. Good atmosphere, well organised, a medal and welcome goody bag at the end. Great race!

So I ran this route last Sunday- luckily in time before the heavens opened. I did this as a single lap route starting at Warwick University.

To start head up Gibbet Hill Road and at the crossroads with the Kenilworth Road go right and head towards Kenilworth. The Kenilworth road becomes the Coventry Road and you’re on this from the traffic lights for about a mile.

Just over a mile down from the traffic lights you’ll find a sign post for a Public Footpath – this is part of A Coventry Way.

Your run this path right to the end up until Berkswell. There are lots of turn offs if you fancy a detour but I just ran straight through first time around. There aren’t too many hills but there are a few muddy patches on the route. Towards Berkswell you’ll come to a t-junction where the path appears to end. Bear left down the path then right accross the field and you want to head towards Berkswell train station.

The t-junction toward the end A Coventry Way

This takes you onto a road/footpath section of the run starting on Truggist Lane. Follow this until you see a right turn onto Hodgett’s Lane. Take the left onto Cromwell Lane. Turn right onto Westwood Heath Road and you’re back down to Gibet Hill Road.

A great run – lots to see on the way round, more bridges than i’ve ever seen!

Bridge over A Coventry Way

During my training for the marathon I came across similar problems to previous injuries. I got to the point where I couldn’t run without being in pain. I went along to Fire and Earth UK for a sports massage (one of a range of treatments that they offer). Following a couple of treatments and conversations with them I was back training within a week.

A couple of lessons learned here: It’s all very well getting kitted out with the correct running trainers  but do keep an eye on you’re everyday footwear – I found mine had little support in them which I believe caused my injuries.

I’ve never been for a sports massage previously. For anyone who is able to I would recommend this – particularly after an event. Post-marathon my recovery was a couple of days – previous half-marathons have left me heavy legged for at least a week. I also found that they can give valuable advice and highlight any problem areas.

When I first started running I went to the big sport store in town and picked a pair of trainers that looked good and had lots of technical terms in the leaflet attached.

My first few runs were good but then things went a little pear-shaped. I started having all sorts of pains in my feet and injuries to my legs.

When this didn’t clear up I went to the doctors. I was partly advised to go to a specialist running shop.

So I took a trip to Coventry Runner - no affiliation to them but I found their enthusiasm and knowledge excellent and I believe it’s the only specialist running shop in Coventry.

So what do they offer that’s different to a larger store?

• For a £10 fee they scan your foot – the fee was waived when I purchased a pair of trainers – you walk along a pressure pad and this then shows them what type of shoe you’re best suited to. (there’s links to articles on pronation below)
• They’ll then recommend a number of trainers for you.
• They have a treadmill inside the shop so that you can try out the trainers and see how they feel when running – your feet expand after your run for a while. Coventry Runner will watch you as you run – they’re checking your gait to make sure that there aren’t any obvious problems.
• Knowledge and experience – everyone i’ve spoken to in a speacialist running shop is a runner so they should know what they’re talking about and be able to offer advice and suggestions

Other tips:

• It really doesn’t matter what the trainers look like – go for comfort over fashion
• Bring a pair of running socks with you so you’ll get the right fit
• If the trainers don’t feel right then tell them
• You don’t need to spend a fortune – £50+ should get you a more than decent pair of suitable trainers
• I think current thinking is that you should replace your trainers every 450 – 550 miles (but remember to have replaced them by the time you really need to get rid of them so you can break them in easily).

Further reading on this:

What to consider when buying a running shoe
The Anatomy of a running shoe
What is Pronation?
Choosing a Shoe: The Very Basics

Encouraging response from other runners too. You know – when you’re on your run and you pass a runner coming in the opposite direction and say “Hello”  or “How’s it going” – went 4.5 out of 5 today – one runner had headphones on but I got a nod at least. Could just be me but a response always give you a bit of an extra spring in your step. Very friendly route indeed.

Is it just me or does anyone else get those days when a “Good Morning” is just completely ignored or you’re looked at like you’re from another planet?