My last run ! - Tuesday 26th July 2011

Not for ever but no more running after this until the big one ! I take a steady run along the river and back along the canal from the office. The sun is strong and there are a lot of people about. As always, it is good to be out.

Rest day - Monday 25th July 2011

No running or riding today - big meal at the Wordsworth Hotel, Grasmere in the evening - just what I need.

Kentmere Race Route - Sunday 24th July 2011

Had intended to run around Fairfield but it's teh Windermere airshow and really do not want to get caught up in traffic so Russ & I decide to run the Kentmere fell race route.

We set-off at about 3pm, Kentmere is surprisingly quiet and parking is easy. I take it steady and walk many of the uphill sections which I regularly run. The views are great and teh going good. On our way down we get to see the Red Arrows perform over Windermere...very impressive.

Russ suggests adding in Shipman Knotts, I decline but regret it later as the race descent route is horrible ! A good run out and I manage to keep to my objective....finishing and not feeling like I have done too much.

Bike ride to Beer Fest - Saturday 23rd July 2011

Russ is keen for beer, I am too but need to be sensible - so cycle via Sedgwick, Levens, Brigsteer, Underbarrow, Crook to Staveley (and spend some time realxing on a seat in the sun just outside Staveley).

Meet Russ and then bump into Craig, Amanda, Mick (no surprise there) and Pam - a good evening but I'm well behaved. Ride back on direct route through Bowston and Burneside.

Lunchtime run - Friday 22nd July 2011

Now in tapering mode so just a steady run through the park, along the river to Hawes Bridge and then back along the canal - as always, good to be out.

A day of no exercise - Thursday 21st July 2011

The title sums it up !

Helm Session - Wednesday 20th July 2011

Spent the afternoon at Holmescales - quad biking and firing arrows - work can be hard sometimes !

Make it back in time for a wet run to the Helm, not been there for about 6 weeks due to races. No Russ tonight so I take charge, triangle session at the far end. The rain eases but not a pleasant evening, had intended 8 reps but decide to increase to 10 - the Group goes quiet, have I said the wrong thing ? Seems to work well though, a small group and many of those are new faces.

Steady run - Tuesday 19th July 2011

Head out after work for quick run along the river to Levens Bridge and back along the canal - good to be out but manage to keep it steady.

Bike ride - Monday 18th July 2011

Make it back from Liverpool in good time so decide to head out on bike for a quick blast - roads a bit wet and slippy so no new top speed today.

Usual route and then home for a big plate of food.

A gentle walk - Sunday 17th July 2011

So now need to start taking it easy - head out for a gentle stroll along the canal to Sedgwick and then back along river to Natland - that's enough for today.

Robin's BG - Saturday 16th July 2011

I have agreed to run leg 4 with Robin and decide to run in to Wasdale from Honister. The weather is foul, torrential rain at Honister. Robin is doing well, an earlier text confirms he left Dunmail around 45 mins up.

I make it to Wasdale in good time, but conditions were not great - I get soaked and am glad that I carried a complete change of clothes. I am well looked after by Becky and Robin's Father, Dave, with tea and cakes. Russ arrives as well, much to my relief - I know that this could be a tough section. The weather seems to improve a little but this is short-lived.

Robin comes in to Wasdale on schedule but is suffering badly from a knee injury - this is not good. Sensibly he takes time to rest, stretch and have a massage before we set-off. The climb up Yewbarrow goes well, the weather has closed in again but we make the summit 8 minutes up on schedule.

However, the gradual descent from here to Dore Head proves really painful for Robin - this is not good. We climb Red Pike, again a few minutes up on schedule and then head off on a compass bearing to Steeple. From here things get worse, there is not much descent before the climb to Pillar but Robin is now moving very slowly - this is sad to see given how fit he is.

We stopped to put on more layers, it is wet and cold. We get the the summit of Pillar 30 minutes down, Robin realises that his day is over. We decide the best option is to take the traverse below Kirk Fell and then pick-up Moses Trod - we know that this is going to be a long, slow and painful walk out.

Russ goes on ahead to let his support know. The weather starts to improve and there are stunning views down Ennerdale but, from Robin, tiredness has set-in and he is clearly down. We move slowly and are eventually met by Becky and other members of his support team. It is a slow descent to Honister.

I am sad for Robin but know that he will be back and has every chance of achieving his aim of a sub 20 hour Round.

Lyth Valley cycle - Friday 15th July 2011

Take the usual route, 14 miles - need this tonight !

A quick run - Thursday 14th July 2011

Not much time tonight, Helm Hill's AGM at 7.30pm. But manage a quick run from Natland to Levens Bridge via the canal path and then back along the river - good to be out.

Mountain Biking in Whinlatter & then a 10k - Wednesday 13th July 2011

Take a day off to go mountain biking in Whinlatter - not been on my mountain bike for over 3 years. Follow the Altura Trail, some good single track routes and then lunch in the cafe - a good day out.

Then on to the Endmoor 10k - I remember the great storm at this event last year, fortunately this year it stays dry and cool. Run well, finish in 4th place, 37:31 and pick-up 1st MV40 (which I manage for 3 out of 4 in the series) and, surprisingly, we win the Mens Team prize - well done Will & Phil.

Whinfell Run - Tuesday 12th July 2011

Meet up with Charlie (www.outdoorwharehouse.co.uk) and Russ at Huck's Bridge on the A6. We head up on to the South Ridge, this is great, wild running but only a short drive out of town.

It is a cool but clear evening, we head towards the Repeater Station but then drop down into Borrowdale. From here we head up on to the North Ridge, this is great, easy running and leads us back to the Bridge. Out for about 2 hours, must go here more often - no one else does :-)

Lyth Valley ride - Monday 10th July 2011

Long run on Sunday so head out on the bike tonight - usual route, 14 miles just under 1 hour - good to be out, a lovely sunset over the Scar later in the evening.

Spine Route - Sunday 10th July 2011

Have not run this route for a couple of years (and had forgotten just how wet this area can be !). Managed, just, to catch the 09.26 555 bus from Rydal to just South of Keswick.

Start running at 10am in good weather, head around campsite to Walla Crag - great views from here to the whole of the North West fells. The next objective is Bleaberry Fell, the start of the Spine (as I refer to it). From here the ground gets very wet and the going tough - not steep in anyway but lots of zig-zagging around very deep bogs. The summits of High Seat and High Tove pass quickly and then on to Bell Crags just about Blea Tarn.

A bit more climbing from here to Ullscarf, ground that I covered on the SLMM last weekend. Down to Greenup Edge and then on to High Raise, one of the favourite summits and, that I consider to be, the centre of the Lakes.

A left turn here heads me towards Rydal, first over Sergeant Man, then Blea Rigg, Silver Howe and down to Red Bank. The last climb is on the Silver Howe / Loughrigg race route to the summit of Loughrigg. The sun is strong and the going is steep but short.

Don't hang around for long here, far too busy so drop down on the quieter paths back to Rydal. Out for just under 5 hours and about 20 miles in total.

Ride to Arnside - Saturday 9th July 2011

Decide to go for a ride today and run tomorrow.

Saw this route on Wheelbase's website and thought it worth a ride: http://www.wheelbase.co.uk/cycling-routes/milnthorpe.html

A 21 mile circuit for me and a tea stop in Arnside - sunny and clear today after heavy overnight rain. A good route, very little traffic and good views.

Scout Scar - Friday 8th July 2011

Not been to the Scar for a while, so head out at lunchtime for a quick zip around. Go just after a big downpour and manage to make it back before any more. The rocks are very slippery but the going is still firm despite the rain.

Not many people about today - that suits me.

Evening cycle - Thursday 7th July 2011

Lots to do tonight but decide to head out on my usual Lyth valley route - only hit 32mph tonight, must still be recovering from last night's race. Good to be out.

Reston Scar Scamper -Wednesday 6th July 2011

Two years since I last ran this race and 35:34 to beat ! The day had improved but as we registered and hung around Mill Yard there were some seriously dark clouds looming.

We lined up at the start and just as Pete Bland started the race so the rain came. A quick start and once again I lead the race for a very short distance ! Soon overtaken but work hard to hold my pace along the tarmac section.

The climb is steep but I run it all and it is raining heavy and gusty on the top. I work hard, keeping Seb and another Helm runner in sight. I climb well but descend badly. However the last descent is less steep and this suits me. No one close behind or close in front but no reason to ease off.

I make it back in 30:47, comfortably inside my previous time. Not sure of final results but both mark Addison and Robin Stones in the prizes.

A great little race, just under 4 miles and about 975' of climbing - big Helm turn-out as it is a Club Champ race. The evening is rounded off with a beer and prize giving in the Hawkshead Brewery.

Lunch run and evening cycle ! - Tuesday 5th July 2011

So today I manage my usual river / canal run at lunchtime - a muggy and wet day, no fresh air but good to be out and legs feel in good shape after the weekend.

In the evening the air is clearer and cooler, I head off round my usual Lyth valley bike ride - not expecting to have got out and so end up eating later - worth it though.

Cycle Ride - Monday 4th July 2011

A great weekend and legs in good shape, but decide against a run and head out on bike. Have my new bike computer fitted - it is a 14 miles loop and I hit 40 mph coming down into Levens ! Even at 8.30pm it is warm and not much air, views towards the Lakes are fantastic.

Saunders Mountain Marathon - Saturday & Sunday, 2nd & 3rd July 2011

So me and Russ are back on the Mountain Marathon circuit. This time it is local, starting and finishing at Chapel Stile, this means a leisurely set-off on Saturday morning. We have a late start time (09:54) so have plenty of time to sort our kit before walking to the start.

I decide to pack light, the forecast is good and it is summer after all. Get away with a 20litre pack and room to spare. The courses this year have been planned and set by good friend Charlie of the Outdoor Warehouse and he does not disappoint.

Our first control is at a re-entrant just down from Lang Howe and Silver Howe, we pick this ups easily although were a little surprised at how we got there. Then on to Far Easedale, a long section which goes to plan. A little indecision after this as our next control a long way away. between Allen Crags and Glaramara. We decide to head up to Sergeant Man, across towards Raise and then down to the top of Stake Pass. From there to Angle Tarn and towards Esk Hause but we pick up a good contour which takes us round Allen Crags to the checkpoint at the small tarn.

It is hot and hard going, from here we follow the Borrowdale route in reverse towards Rosthwaite Fell and our next control. We are going well but have no idea of position, we were one of the last teams to start but we don't seem to have over-taken many.

We have a steep descent into the fantastic Langstrath valley and then a punishing climb to the side of Eagle Crag - Russ is not enjoying this. We contour below a line of crags and pick up the next control to the south of Ullscarf. From there a short distance north to the next and then start to head down to the finish.

We follow the stream and easily pick-up the control at the sheepfold. A short climb and then horrible descent brings us down to the Wythburn valley and a run in to the campsite at Steel End Farm. We are out for 6hrs and later learn that we are 2nd in the Bowfell class.

The overnight camp is good, we are with Garry & Caroline who also had a tough day. We chat with Charlie and Nicola bout the day and enjoy beer and curry.

Sunday starts very damp and cool but it is not long before the sun hits the valley bottom and starts to heat up; it is going to be another hot and tough day.

We are in the chasing start and set-off at 07:48, little chance of catching the leaders, they have about a 40 minute lead but can we maintain our position.

The first climb is tough, towards Steel Fell but the conditions are great and the views fantastic. Then to a knoll between Calf Crag and Helm Crag, a steep bracken descent but only a short climb. But then another steep bracken descent with plenty of hidden boulders, I am cursing Charlie !

Round to Eaedale Tarn, what a great place to be on a day like this. Towards the Langdales, then towards High Raise and a tough section over the the Band on Bowfell. The climbing, distance and heat are taking there toll on Russ, he is finding this hard - quieter than usual !

A steep climb from the valley bottom (more bad language aimed at Charlie :-) ) takes us to a small tarn on an outlying spur of Pike O'Blisco and then down to the road by Blea Tarn. A few more controls to go, these are scattered around Lingmoor and progress seems frustratingly slow.

Finally the end is in sight but running is not easy, we make it in in 6hrs 30mins, a longer day than day 1 which is unusual, but why should this be a problem.

We finish in 2nd place and are kit checked which is not a problem. Although we are awarded and announced 2nd overall this later drops to 3rd but the prize of an engraved tumbler stays the same.

A great weekend, excellent courses, glorious weather and good company - we're be back for more next year.

Lyth Valley cycle ride - Friday 1st July 2011

So the Saunders Mountain marathon coming up this weekend, need to take it easy today so head out on my bike around my usual 14 miles loop - a lovely evening to be out.