Long run - 30km (A trip out to Whisby)

dannewton just finished a 30.21km run, that lasted for 221 minutes.
This run helped dannewton burn 2307.0 calories.

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Description from Strava: As hinted at in my last couple of posts, I was hoping to go for a long run down to Whisby today. Its a lovely little reserve, with lots of small walks around a number of lakes. I've been many times (and I've posted about it many times such as here). All of those previous times I've gone with my partner (or sometimes my parents) and we've driven there.

A couple of weeks back I was looking at google maps while trying to find new routes to do long runs, as they get very boring doing the same thing each time. I happened to look at Whisby, and noticed it was actually only 10km (6 miles) away. A few years ago that would be a significant distance in itself, but not any more. I quickly realised that 10km there and back, plus running around a few of the 'walks' there would get me close to 30km.

Now that is a significant distance, but well within my capabilities

Last weekend I was going to give it a go, but it didn't work out.

This weekend was another chance to try again, and the weather looked to be pretty much perfect for it. I made a concerted effort to go to sleep last night at a reasonable time, and almost managed a decent nights kip for once*

*certainly better than it has been at any rate...

Up at 7:30 this morning, and suitably refreshed... I put together all the stuff I needed for the run. The maps were important, I had a vague idea where I was going, and i've been round the Reserve itself many times over the years, but I just wanted something to refer too just in case. I took lunch with me as I expected to be out for a while.

I keep seeing expensive gels and sports bars advertised.... I think I'd prefer normal food to be honest. So crisps, a couple of chocolate bars and then cheese and marmite sandwiches (which I've been eating pretty much all week for my lunch at work). It did look to be chilly first thing this morning, so I took a thin pair of gloves as a precaution. In my bag I also have a small basic first aid kit, which always stays in the bottom of the bag. I also took a waterproof jacket.

I didn't expect rain, but no harm being prepared. Besides, it could also double up as an extra layer if I got cold

At approximately 9:04, I headed outside into the sunshine.... it really was a lovely morning out there. After 2 minutes, I quickly put the gloves on as it was decidedly chilly though!

heading down the hill into town

At the bottom of the hill I took a left and headed past these houses. It's mostly residential buildings down here, but there some shops such as Aldi and a small Tesco's and also a Walkers Factory. Yes, Walkers as in the crisps... somedays when I go past I swear I can smell a hint of Quavers in the air!

We crossed over the River Witham... there was a LOT of rain all day yesterday, and it shows!

Heading into North Hykeham

North Hykeham is technically a different place to Lincoln, but as the city has built up, it has kind of been swallowed up. The houses change though, as we move away from inner city terrace housing to more of a suburban feel

It was a long, very long, straight road through North Hykeham, but not to boring as I don't run down here very often at all, so there was plenty to look at to keep me occupied.

I was looking for a Road called "Thorpe Lane", as I needed to head down there to reach the nature reserve....

And I almost missed it!

Not a very clear sign haha!

Thorpe Lane turned out to be another very long straight road

very, very long...

But I eventually made it to the end. Here I now had to cross the Bypass. a very busy road, so worth taking my time to wait for a safe opportunity to cross it.

Busy Bypass crossed, I was almost there, I just had one short piece of road to run down before I could reach my destination

This road was probably the sketchiest of the whole route. Only half a kilometer long, but it was narrow with no path and as it is a route for a popular place for visitors, it was quite busy with traffic

Honestly it was, I just happened to take a photo at the only time no cars were in shot!

Anyway, I survived... and I had made it to Whisby Nature Reserve. It had taken almost 11km, in just over a hour.

I celebrated by eating a packet of crisps...

Whilst munching away, I paused to enjoy the view. It truly was gorgeous out here today.

Map of the Reserve

There are lots of little circular walks here, all looping around the different lakes.

I was unsure of which one to do... so I decided I would just do them all

And so I did! I had tried to use google maps to work out the distance of all the paths and it didn't do a very good job. I now know after completing this that there are approximately 8.2km of trails to explore

A view over one of the lakes

One of the paths on the Reserve. I've called these trails, but to be fair they aren't proper trails, the paths are hard, compacted and well defined, very little in the way of mud or any other the standard obstacles on 'proper' trails

The run was a stop start affair, as I kept pausing to take pictures, and watch the birds. There were ducks and swans on the lake, Robins and Blue Tits in the trees... and I actually saw a Jay! Couldn't believe my luck, he must have been on the ground in front of me and flew up into the trees when I got too close. No chance of a picture with the camera on this phone, so I just stood and watched. That was really cool though!

And then I saw a Penguin (biscuit)... he was super tasty!

The rest of the run continued in the same way... slowly mooching around, admiring the views and intermittent snacking. All in all it was a lovely run round here, the weather was lovely, the views were awesome, and the chance to be outside in nature is always something to appreciate.

After completing the various loops, I then headed back home again. By this point I stopped taking photo's, but it was the same route as I had arrived. Dashing across the bypass, the long slog through North Hykeham, and finally up the hill to Bracebridge Heath.

It came to almost exactly 30km in the end, and although the time was slow, that was mostly due to me dawdling and taking my time to enjoy it.

Definitely was a an enjoyable route, and one I will try again soon (I'll be quicker next time too).

For the rest of the day, I'll be taking it easy. I still need to work through the photo's of a day out from a couple of weeks ago, with a corresponding post on here. I also need to do some more studying, but I suspect I'll end up doig that tomorrow now.

And I need to pop to the shops to get some food in, I might go and do that now in fact, and then I can get comfortable for the rest of the evening.

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If you would like to check out this activity on strava you can see it here:
https://www.strava.com/activities/10036277902

About the Athlete: Living in the UK, I am an intermittent Runner, but always striving for more consistency. When I'm not training I can be found photographing insects or listening to really loud angry music (which is the best type of music obviously!)

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