Lyth Valley ride - Tuesday 25th October 2011

It has been a dry day and I decide to head out on bike, hopefully back before too dark.

Usual route, I ride strong, hitting 39mph, and get back in the failing light - hopefully the Magicshine will arrive soon !

Scar Run - Monday 24th October 2011

A make it home from work a little early and am keen to cease upon the oopportunity of a longer run before it gets dark.

from home I head along the river and then past the Strickland Arms towards Sizergh. I try a different route, this starts well but i soon lose the path, I can see where i want to get to so cut across fields and climb a few gates, fortunately not spotted by the farmer !

This brings me to Brigsteer Woods and from there I follow my usual route across the Scar to the mushroom.Along the top and then towards Helsington and down the road to the dual carriageway. Cut through Prizet and back along Hawes Lane to home. Out for 90 minutes, a good run in good conditions.

Kentmere Run - Sunday 23rd October 2011

A little undecided on exact plans, I pick Russ up early afternoon and we head down Kentmere. Rather than the usual Horseshoe we run along the valley to the reservoir and then climb the North East ridge of Ill Bell - a tough climb, but a great ridge - will come this way again.

It is blowy on the tops and the cloud is down further round the Horseshoe; given my time restriction we agree to head down to Garburn and then across to climb Sallows - a great viewpoint and infrequently visited Lakeland summit.

We head down to Kentmere via an interesting little fault line and some very minor peaks. A good run out, followed (as is tradition) by a pint in the Hawkshead Brewery.

Helvellyn Trail Race recce - Saturday 22nd October 2011

Not that I am racing in this but thought it a good idea to have a run around the route.

Start the day with a latte and a bacon & egg roll at More, just like old times. Then to Glenridding and off on the trail. It is a relatively easy route, up to Greenside Mines on the track and back down the valley on the path to the South. Up to Lanty's Tarn, a great little place to visit, then a big loop up Grisedale. Slight change on the way back, head back over to Lanty's Tarn to avoid the road.

Coffee back at the car very welcome. Good weather, a bit breezy in places but dry and, at times, bright.

A good morning out.

A day off - Friday 21st October 2011

Not out of choice but too many other things going on !

A run and a ride - Thursday 20th October 2011

The day starts cold and bright but soon clouds over. Fortunately some mid-morning drizzle clears by lunchtime and I head out for the usual route along the river and back along the canal.

The ground has dried out a bit and I manage to keep dry and relatively clean running shoes. It's good to be out.

Straight after work I head out on my usual 13.9 mile cycle route around the Lyth valley. The temperature has risen but it still feels chilly, glad of my beanie under my cycle helmet.

Again back just before dark.....bike lights ordered :-)

Scar run - Wednesday 19th October 2011

I still can't face the streets so I, again, miss training in favour of an offroad run - sorry Russ...again !

Shortish circuit across the Scar, headtorch required from the start - it is surprising just how difficult it can be to route find in the dark - not saying I got lost but once or twice veered off on trods which I was not expecting to.

It is a cold and clear night - the stars are fantastic but the moon has yet to appear.

The usual ride - Tuesday 18th October 2011

Home from work and quickly changed into bike kit. It will be dark soon and my lights are far from adequate.

Usual route, I work hard - it is a good evening, the ride is rewarding and I make it back in the failing light. This could be one of the last evening rides unless I look at upgrading my lights :-/

Track training - Monday 17th October 2011

It is a wet, windy, cold and wild night. Just before I leave home there is a torrential downpour, the roads are flooding - this does not bode well.

The track was very muddy in places last week - it is considerably worse this week ! Another tough session, the going is hard and the weather only improves a little. I am grateful for seat covers in the Landy and spend an age when I get home dealing with running shoes, socks, leggings, underwear and a body completely covered in mud !

Still, training is a necessary evil !

An early ride and a late run - Sunday 16th October 2011

It's going to be a busy day so up and out early. What a contrast to yesterday, dark, wet and cold. Off on usual route, I work hard but it's hard going ! Still good to be out though.

Late afternoon I decide to head out for a run - I know this means another muddy and wet pair of running shoes but has to be done.

I head along canal path, through deer park to Levens Bridge and then back though park and along river. I was right, it was very muddy and I need to wash my shoes under the outside tap, as well as my socks and legs !

FRA Relays - Saturday 15th October 2011

Helm have 5 teams entered in the annual FRA Relays, this year being held in Kettlewell. I am in the Vets Team, along with Phil, Garry, Geoff, Rick and Chris Speight. Rick & I are on the navigation leg, leg 3.

It is a glorious day, chilly start with an early mist which is soon burnt off by the sun. The race starts at 10am, from the Maypole in the village. Phil is our leg 1 man and has a good run, we cheer him, together with the other Helm teams as they enter and loop the handover field.

Geoff and Garry set-off on leg 2, this is a great section, very runnable and the one which I recce'd last week. They run well, Garry finishes looking wiped. Then it's me and Rick. We set-off (well Rick sets-off) at a blistering pace. It's a long way to the map hand-out and the sun is beating down on us.

We had already agreed a strategy, Rick would navigate and I would back him up.This worked well and he navigated well to the 7 checkpoints. Visibility was excellent, the going tough in places (tussocks and bogs) but we made good progress.

A fast run in and an Ambleside team were in our sights; we dug deep on the last evil little climb and took them on the final descent to the hand-over. Chris takes over and runs a good leg to take us to 42nd place overall.

Our other teams run well and it's been a good day out.

A day of rest - Friday 14th October 2011

So the FRA Relays tomorrow in Kettlewell - a lot to get done today so no running or biking for me :-(

A run and a ride - Thursday 13th October 2011

A bright and dry day at last. Head out at lunchtime, usual route along river to Hawes Bridge and back along the canal path. The sun comes out and there is blue sky...a rarity !

Time is tight tonight but I mange a quick zip out on bike - usual route around the Lyth valley - the second half is hard work as I have a complete energy slump at the 7 miles mark. However, I know the harder I work the quicker I will be home and can dive into food !

The food is good !

A long run (at last) - Wednesday 12th October 2011

I'll be honest (and don't take this personally RC), I can't face training being back on the streets ! It is still light until 6.45 ish so I decide on a longer run from home - my aim is to be out for 2 hours and I know this means finishing in the dark.

I have not been putting enough miles in recently, can't be helped, just the way weekends / races / recces have gone recently.

So, from home, I head out towards the canal path, down to the river, up to the Strickland Arms, through Sizergh to helsington, down and along the track, cross the Brigsteer Road, continue along the track, path through the woods, the big climb up the Scar and this brings me to my special place.

Along the edge of the Scar, cross the Underbarrow road, to the summit of Cunswick Scar, back to the Underbarrow Road, to the mushroom. the trig point, it is now dark, along the Scar and drop down to the road. Road down to Prizet and then Hawes Lane to home.

I have no idea how far this was but I am out for 2hrs 10mins - feel like I have been a long way, might try this more often.

Best laid plans..... Tuesday 11trh October 2011

Ever the optimist, I planned to ride after work and then run - had not managed to get out during the day due to exhaust issues !

The ride goes well, the usual route and back home by 6.20pm; however, I need food and the thought of forcing myself on a 1 hour run is too much - I am a failure.

The food tastes good though.

Track training - Monday 10th October 2011

This is catching on......I run from home along the very muddy canal path and, eventually, the track session gets under way. I say track, it is, at the moment, a rugby pitch, and is even muddier than the canal path !

A tough session and, as always, I work hard. Glad of a lift home.

FRA Relay Recce - Sunday 9th October 2011

Not a great forecast but Russ, Kath and I head over to Kettlewell to recce leg 2. This is a 'pairs' leg and is 9 miles with 2,500' ascent. Both Russ and Kath are running this leg (in their respective teams) on Saturday.

Kettlewell is a charming little village nestled in the Dales. It is raining hard when arrive and windy, this only gets worse as the day progresses.

We head North from the village up a steep, limestone track (Top Mere Track) as far as the Starbottom Track; we then follow this downhill to the village before a steep climb back out on the Walden Road. After a while the track degenerates and the going gets wetter and boggier. We are soon in the mist, the wind picks up and the rain is persistent.

We follow this as far as a boundary stone (a checkpoint on race day) and then back down, crossing Top Mere Top, to rejoin Top Mere Road. Good running leads us back to the village although the last half mile on the track is rough going.

Back at the car we get changed and enjoy coffee and cakes and, on the way home, are desperate for food so stop in Kirkby Lonsdale for bacon and egg rolls.

A good day out.

An early ride - Saturday 8th October 2011

Up and out early today. Ride usual route around the Lyth valley, it's good to be out and I am lucky to get the best of the weather today....I stay dry !

Work..... - Friday 7th October 2011

A rare occasion.....work gets in the way today....no running and no ride :-(

Scar run - Thursday 6th October 2011

It is a cold, wet and windy day but there are occasional bright spells....do I feel luck ?

I park at Brigsteer Woods and no sooner am I through the gate and into the field I am blasted by a heavy and cold shower. The rain is hitting me horizontally, not nice !

But it is good to be out and running this route. The heavy showers continue but this won't stop me today....I only stop once, at my usual place.

Thereafter I press on, it is cold and I am glad of my hat, rumour has it that it was 27c here last week, not sure if to believe this or not. All weather conditions were thrown at me on this run, even hail stones...makes you feel alive though !

The last week of training on the Helm - Wednesday 5th October 2011

And what a night to be out.....it is cold, wet, windy and already getting dark. Russ devises a good little rep session working in pairs - this keeps us moving most of the time, not an evening to be standing around.

I work hard and run well. Then to Station Inn for a quick drink to celebrate (or commiserate) the last night on the Helm.

A run and a ride - Tuesday 4th October 2011

Have not run the canal / river route for a few weeks so decide to head out that way for a lunchtime run.

It is an easy route but hard work today, I manage to stay dry but it is a gloomy day.

Still dry after work so I head out for my usual Lyth valley cycle route - I really enjoy this and it is good to be back out on the bike. However, within a few weeks at the most it will be dark and I need to decide whether to risk the roads ! 

Track Training - Monday 3rd October 2011

Having run hard but not that long yesterday I decide to tackle the track session.

Two warm-up laps and then 8 full laps with a short recovery between each. I work hard and run well, it is good training.

Ian Hodgson Relay - Sunday 2nd October 2011

So me and Rick on leg 2 - it was an early start, I go to registration and then ferry cars and people to Hartsop for the start of the leg. Phil and Andy run leg 1 and come in in good time and looking wiped, Rick and I set-off at a pace, a fast pace and we are soon in over-taking mode.

We climb fast and hard towards the Knott, this is no longer a checkpoint and we skirt around the back on the path; we pass Russ, he takes pictures and gives support. It is windy and we head into the mist, we get to the first checkpoint on High Street and continue to run well towards the Beacon and get a good descent line to the Threshthwaite Mouth.

We are running well and then climb well again; however, it now goes pear-shaped, we get confused, we are not using a map or compass and soon realise we are going wrong; it takes a few moments to realise what we have done and where we are; we correct and get to the tarn - I am wound-up and angry at my complacency.

We descend well along St Raven's Edge and then drop steeply to the hand-over at Kirkstone. We live and learn by our mistakes....sorry guys !

Chris and Geoff take-over on leg 3 and then Garry and Rob on leg 4; we finish 5th Vet team and pick up a prize....I am surprised.

The ladies do great and come 5th, our A team also do well and finish in the top 10. My first run in the IHR, it is a unique and great day - thanks to the many Helm supporters that we see on course.

Home...my usual bike route - Saturday 1st October 2011

I am home, the weather is good, my washing is on, the camper needs cleaning (and a new exhaust !) and I head out for an early morning ride around the Lyth valley - it was good to be away but it's also good to be home.

Beinn Fhionnlaidh - Friday 30th September 2011

My last day in Scotland and I need to get home later today.

I drive down Glen Etive and tackle the lonely munro of Beinn Fhionnlaidh (959m). It is humid, dry and clear. My book suggested a 4hr 40min trip, I think I can do a sub 3hr !

The forest track is muddy and the upper glen also boggy. The climb goes well, on the summit in under 1hr 45mins. The views are great, the Ben is clear...this is unusual.

Same route back down and back in just under 3hrs, I clean off and cool down in the river. Then to the Real Food Cafe for a late lunch, this sets me up for the long drive South.

It has been a good trip.

Beinn Eighe, Torridon - Thursday 29th September 2011

Beinn Eighe is the third of the great Torridoniants. The munro of Spidean Coire nan Clach (993m) is of two munros on this mountain; the other, Ruadh Stac Mor (1010m) I had climbed previously, before they had promoted the other to munro status !

The weather as I left Kinlochewe looked promising but soon after I parked and set-off the cloud dropped, the rain fell and the wind picked-up...oh great.

My original plan was to climb to to Spidean and then follow the spectacular ridge to the second summit and then descend into the impressive corrie of Coire Mhic Fhearchair, but conditions up high made this a pointless exercise. So I climbed the munro I needed to climb, turned round and head back down, a bit disappointing but no need to suffer !

Once back down I head south, back to Glen Nevis - this now feels much less remote and northerly, that's what some time in the far north does to you !

The Fannaichs - Wednesday 28th September 2011

It is a warm, breezy and clear start to the day - the MWIS forecast suggested winds gusting to 90mph, this could be interesting !

My objective for today is the four easterly Fannaich munros. A parking area just a few miles south east of Braemore junction is my starting point. It is a long trudge along the burn before turning west along another burn - the ground is very wet and boggy and the going is hard. However, once I start to climb out of the glen and reach the ridge the going is much better. The views are spectacular, it is windy but not in the region of 90mph, this is good !

Once up high the munros, Beinn Liath Mhor Fanniach (954m), Sgurr Mor (1110m), Meall Gorm (949m) and An Coileachan (923m) make for easy walking. I stop to chat to some other walkers on my last summit, their first and they give me some directions for the best line of descent.

The camper looks a long way away and is - it takes close to 2 hours to descend the peak and, again, have a very wet and boggy trudge out along the glen - as always, food and drink back at the camper are very welcome.

Conival - Tuesday 27th September 2011

A wet and windy start - I drive a little way out of Ullapool to Inverleal, right where the LAMM started earlier this year. During this event we climbed two of the four munros in this range - so hence my being back here today to tick the other two off !

I walk up the track through the forest and then along Gleann na Squaib - it is wet and windy, I have full waterproofs on and know that I will be in cloud on the summits. It is a long climb up the glen and it eventually brings me to some lochans, nestled below three of the four summits. It is an out and back to both summits, I head to Meall Nan Ceapraichean first (977m), this does not take long and I am soon skirting around the lochans and out to Cona'Mheall (980m), it turns really wild on this summit and I am quick to head back down to the relative shelter of the glen.

It is a long walk out and again I enjoy coffee and cake back in the camper.

Maol Chean-dearg - Monday 26th September 2011

An early start and I drive further North, through Glen Shiel to Glen Carron - this is a stunning part of Scotland - big, stunning munros all around.

My plans are already constantly changing and I finally settle on the munro of Maol Chean-dearg, at 933m and to the north of the Glen Carron road.

I set-off from a parking area at Coulags and head up the glen. For some reason I had hoped to keep dry feet, this soon changed - the ground was very wet and an early crossing of a burn, which I tried to boulder hop, resulted in even wetter feet and a bruised leg !

The path passes a bothy, I don't stop, wanting to take full advantage of the dry and clear weather before it changes. Soon the path turns west, away from the burn and climbs steeply to a bealach to the South East of the summit. From here a well defined path climbs over a minor summit and then more steeply across boulders to the summit.

It stays clear, the views out to Skye, north to Torridon and beyond, south to the Affric and Mullardoch hills are stunning. As much as I could savour this all day I can see rain showers coming from the west, I head down and catch just a brief shower and stunning rainbows on the way. I stop to look at the bothy, it is spacious and immaculate, it would be a good place to stay.

Back at the camper I enjoy coffee and cake and then drive further North to Ullapool for the night.

Heading North - Sunday 25th September 2011

After a lazy start the camper is packed and I head North to Scotland.

The weather from Glasgow on is atrocious, the roads are flooding, the visibility is poor and an over-turned Landy closes the A82 for a brief time. It is a relief to get to Glen Nevis campsite and it actually stops raining later in the evening.

I sleep well.