Sometimes you just want to go somewhere different for a run. I often used to get in the car and drive for 30-40 minutes, then explore new territory (generally in Cheshire) for an hour or two's run, sometimes with my training mates but mainly on my own. Initially I was lost quite often, but eventually got to know the area well and I found some great routes. I've tried to document them here in enough detail that you won't get lost if you attempt them - well, not badly lost anyway!  Frank

Park near some well-known and/or highly visible landmark. Then if you get lost, you can ask the way back, or climb to a high point and spot the landmark.

The first time you run in a new area, keep the distance relatively short. Possibly try an loop in one direction, return to base and continue in the opposite direction on another loop. That way you get to know the immediate patch well in a short time and can extend your distance with confidence.

Have a good look at the area on a map before you go... and do it again when you've finished, to get it straight in your memory. We all know "Google", but have you tried "www.streetmap.co.uk", which shows footpaths very well. For hard copy, I can thoroughly recommend this atlas - not expensive and very detailed. The spiral bound version is best, because you can open it fully flat.

Watch those keys!  Don't rely on pockets in shorts or trackpants as a place to keep your car keys - the roughness of a key can easily rub a hole. The key will be gone and you won't find out until it's too late. This may all sound fussy, but I've twice had my car key fall through my trackpants pockets - both times I felt it sliding down my leg (nice!) and saved it. But I was lucky.  Put the key in the lacing of your shoe, with the lace actually running through the hole in the key - better safe than sorry.

Always take a spare dry T-shirt and a towel - it's easy to injured by getting your back cold on the way home.  Spare shoes are a good idea if it's muddy, as is something to cover the car seat.

 

Enjoy these! Click to open a "pdf" file in a new window
Anderton and Marbury   Delamere Forest   Runcorn   The Whitegate Way   Moore and Stockton Heath   Birchwood and the Mersey   Lymm