For once I had an elaborate plan for the beginners group at the running club.  Haha....it was cold and we had 2 new ladies, turns out one is a really good runner, she won't be in the group long. 

The Plan: Out of the park, along Park Road, turn right and all the way along Turncroft Lane, right down New Zealand Road, left along Newbridge Lane to the lights at St Mary's. Across St Mary's Road, along Newbridge lane, down the side of Asda, through the precinct, turning left on to under bank, up hillgate to Hempshaw lane, up hempshaw, along Marple Road to Graham Road and along Graham Road through the ginnal and back to the track, just over 4 miles. This was the plan. 

The Actual: So things started out well, the plan went well until New Zealand Road. The slower members of the group drop down a side road on the NewBridge Lane cutting about 1/4 of a mile off the route. All continues fine until just after St Mary's Way, the faster members continue until the church steps and then come back along Chruchgate to the big crossroad at the middle of st Mary's way, the slower members again turn off and come up the steeper, though much shorter  route to the same point. Then continue on up Hall street to Park Road and back to the track, 5K completed  52 mins for the slower members.  about 6k for the faster group in about 45 mins. 

One of the new ladies ran with the faster group at the back of the group but still stayed in touch with them the whole route, the other was not a runner in any former life, so she came with the slower members and both seemed to enjoy themselves. 

Apologies to those who don't know the area for all the road names, it is the only way I can explain how things went awry.

Have to go back to work now, though at this moment there is not a lot happening......that will change.