But I have managed to get out and run a bit, including some new routes. I am terrible most of the time; I go to the same places and run some variation on the same routes. Partly this is because I feel saf but partly also laziness in terms of exploring further afield.
But on Sunday I did a new (to me) section of the Gritstone trail up from Disley to Bollington before running home on the canal then another new (to me) section of thr Ladybrook Vally Interest Trail. I can't say it was a fast run (I actually stopped for an ice lolly at 10 miles, and walked some sections) but it felt a bit more of an adventure than running up to the Gritstone from Lyme park which I usually do. Then on Wednesday, I took a run over at Rivington but instead of going to my usual haunts, I headed to the RAF memorial and on to the northern side of the moor there, which was a nice change.
Not only did I find some good paddling spots, I also found some cafes open for cake and emergency ice lollies!
I find my routes through a number of ways. Most commonly, someone shows me the route either through club, as a walk or it forms part of a race. Usually there is a reason someone takes you somewhere or someone organises a race somewhere: its because they think it is an enjoyable route to follow! There is usually some landmark or feature to be shown off for example a good view or a waterfall or a stone monolith of some description.
I am lucky, I have a bit of a photographic memory and remember a lot of routes quickly. In part this is cause I tend to be moving slowly through my surroundings, but also because I make a concious effort. I also record routes on my running watch and use the GPX files to transfer them on to OS maps online. Then I can go and do them again myself. This has gone wrong in the past: I have had to jump walls or go back up the long hill I just ran down, but usually I can find my way back to a point I know and navigate myself out of a rut.
Always carry some kind of map on a new route.....
The second way to find routes is to use a walking guide (a book or website). Again, usually these are aimed at taking people to or through some kind of popular landscape feature. And usually what one can walk, one can have a go at running. This comes with a caveat: some walking routes are harder thann others. For example, a walking book may take you along the floor of a lovely dale, which would make for a scenic and relatively untechnical run, or, the route can go over an arrete or ridge, and down a steep scree slope which would be terrifying to walk, and even more terrifying a running speed. Now, that may be fine, maybe you like that kind of technical, and maybe I am simply stating common sense here, but you pick something within your own limits. Usually it is pretty easy to get a feel for what kind of walks are in a book from the pictures, descriptions and whether they are all orientated around pubs (a good sign).
There are a lot of walking books out there, and increasingly some trail running ones too. Last year I treated myself to Wild Running by Jen and Sim Benson which is a lovely book to flick through and seek inspiration. The routes vary easy low level runs to massive multi-day treks across the high hills.
The final way I find routes is by looking at a map and making it up. To be honest, I use this more to link up routes in places I already know. It also requires you to be able to read a map, which I appreciate not everyone feels comfortable with. The ability to work out what the distance and gradient is imperative in the approach, and it can be a bit of a surprise what the underfoot is like, and whether there will be much to look at. If you are somewhere like the Peaks or the Lakes, views are usually easy to come by, but an unbroken long canal path hedged in with factories is not for everyone. I would pick landmark on the map that I wanted to see, and plot a route round that. I will say beware the marking for waterfalls, as these can be somewhat small and disappointing. And surrounded by bogs.
I am always happy to share routes with people, and people share with me in return. Having moved to a city where I knew none of the surrounding countryside, I am now only getting proficient through the generosity of recommendations made by other people, along with taking a punt on the odd fell race (some of which have been real tests of character when the landscape has been harder than I anticipated!).
So in the spirit of sharing, Manchester people may want to check out the Ladybrook Valley Interest trail. I ended up on this by chance but a friend shared the routes name with me (its labelled LVIT on the map which meant nothing!) and details can be found here. For the more ambitious, try the Gritstone trail which is 35 miles and pretty hilly. Both can be accessed from Disley train station (when this blooming Covid business ends!)
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