Expecting another hot and sunny day, we set off from Langdale in shorts, t-shirts and a layer of suncream; the run along Mickleden is a good warm up before the steep pull-up to the col between Bowfell and Rossett Crag; then down to Angle Tarn, now the recce can begin. We are in and out of dense mist and a cool breeze adds a chill to the air.
We make good progress to Sca Fell Pike, familiar terrain for us. However, from the summit is where our recce is important. It worries me that Russ is looking vague, it is three years since he (we) raced this route and memories are fading (must be his (my) age !). We pick up a good trod that leads us through the mist. Russ thinks we should be heading more to the right, I'm not sure. We do, but it does not feel great. We eventually come into a small valley, we know where we are and it is not the usual descent route. However, it is good, less steep, more runnable and still puts us where we want to be; perhaps this is the route to take in the race next month ?
We cross the Upper Esk valley and head, generally, in the right direction towards Cockley Bridge. A quick stop for food and drink here and we then again into the mist. This time we get the route spot-on and we are soon reaching the col between Swirl How and Grey Friar. We follow the usual trod towards Brim Fell and then to the Old Man of Coniston; too many people on the summit for my liking so I make a hasty u-turn and head back to Brim Fell and the trod we used on our outward journey.
Russ gets a good line below Great Carrs and we are soon descending Wet Side Edge. Still in mist we turn left and take the now well worn trod to the road at the top of Wrynose Pass. A run down the hard tarmac and then cut left up to Blea Tarn. Easy running now and the finish not far away. We get another good line and are soon at the road which leads to the finish of the race.
A good day out but, in places, a little more testing than expected. Then to the Hawkshead Brewery, Staveley for a post run debrief !
No comments:
Post a Comment