Fortunately the rain and wind which was forecast holds off until later. It is, as usual, a hard session but I continue to believe that this is doing me good :-/
Tuesday 29 November 2011
Russ's Birthday Run - Sunday 27th November 2011
Russ has organised a Staveley run, followed by drinks and tapas to celebrate his Birthday. I decide to ride to Staveley and shoulder a huge pack, why do I need to carry so much ?
It is hard going, windy but at least the pack acts as ballast. We meet up with Mick, Lindsay, Victoria and Sandra and head off along the river. Up to Potter Tarn where we see Patrick and then to Gurnal Dubs. same route for me as a few days ago, but I don;t mind this - this is a great area. We head to Potter Fell summit and then a long steady run back to Staveley.
Quick change and then into Hawkshead Brewery for drinks and tapas - we are joined by Kath and Pam - a good time had by all (an no I didn't ride home !).
Kirkby Moor Fell Race - Saturday 26th November 2011
So the forecast is not great - perhaps not such a bad thing as I need to do this race as my 8th Championship counter.
RC kindly drives, KA sleeps in the back ! This race is always well supported by HHR and today is no exception. It is just 6 miles, 1600' and runnable. I set off well, rubbing shoulders with Tom and Mark but know that this won't last.
Anyway, I keep up with Robin and pass him twice on the climbs, but he passes me twice on the descents. I finish 12th, 2nd MV40 and am pleased with this. This should secure me 2nd place in the Club Champs.
Tom wins, Helm do well and pick up many of the prizes.
Results:
Friday 25 November 2011
A day of rest - Friday 25th November 2011
It was a late night and a busy day today - a good opportunity to take a rest from running - race tomorrow !
Lunchtime run - Thursday 24th November 2011
Head out on usual river / canal run - it is muddy after the heavy overnight rain - legs feel tight so I take it steady and manage to loosen up.
Training - Wednesday 23rd November 2011
With Billy again tonight - 20 non-stop reps of Green Hill....how hard is this ! Then 10 reps of another longer, but less steep hill, this is good stuff - I work hard, this must be doing me good !?
Ride - Tuesday 22nd November 2011
It is a cold and clear evening - I head out for my usual Lyth Valley cycle route - my feet get cold, need to start using my neoprene overboots soon.
A good ride although I am lucky to survive - some idiot is not looking where is he is going and almost sends me into a ditch or, had I not been looking, a head-on collision, think I might have come off worse !
Two runs today... - Monday 21st November 2011
A colleague from London who is a runner is visiting the office today....I have been tasked with taking him on a fell run...it's a hard life !
He warns me that he is a road runner and the most climbing he does is the bridge over the canal ! We head over to Staveley and take the path along the river before climbing to Potter Tarn. He finds the climbing hard bit is loving every minute of being out on the fells. On to Gurnal Dubs and the some serious off-roading to Potter Fell. The weather is on our side despite the poor forecast - he loves the views. We head on and take in Brunt Knott, two summits....great stuff.
Descend back to Staveley, his road shoes struggle with the mud but he makes it back in one piece - he is a happy man - lunch at Wilfs.
Despite having been out I fell the urge to go training tonight - it is hard work, my legs are tired from the big run yesterday - I work hard, 16 reps....it doesn't get any easier.
Monday 21 November 2011
Ride - Sunday 20th November 2011
Legs fell good after yesterday's long day on the fells; I head out around usual Lyth Valley cycle route - it's good to be out on the bike again.
BG Leg 4 - Saturday 19th November 2011
A big day out - forecast is reasonable, this will be good.
Pick up KA & RC and drive to Honister - it is a long run in to the start of the run ! Chilly and breezy at Honister, a quick change of top from lightweight to medium weight is the right choice.
We take the most direct route to Wasdale, skirting below the Gables to Beck Head and then down the valley. The early clag is clearing from most of the fells, except Red Pike and Pillar.
It takes, as we expect, about an hour and a half to the foot of Yewbarrow, now the run begins. We climb well and then descend to Dore Head before the long gradual pull up into the clag and the summit of Red Pike. RC is confident on his line to the wall and the out and back to Steeple. It is a shame the cloud is down, the view from Steeple could have been so good.
Next Scoat Fell and then bypass Black Crags before climb to Pillar. We stop briefly on the summit, it is cold, breezy and misty. We descend well, picking up some good lines to Black Sail Pass and then the steep pull up the eroded gully to Kirk Fell. We are now out of the mist and all moving well.
On to Gable, it looks massive but engaging in good conversation makes the climb pass easily; less than a week ago since I was last here. It all downhill from here, well just about. RC takes us on an alternative descent from gable, not convinced about this ! Green Gable and then to Brandreth and Grey Knotts. Good decent from here back to Honister and a welcome coffee and biscuits.
Beer in front of an open fire at the Eagle is just what is needed to round off a very good day out.
Lunchtime run - Friday 18th November 2011
No much time today but manage to get out for a run around my usual river / canal route.
Friday 18 November 2011
Double training - Thursday 17th November 2011
I head out at lunchtime on the river/canal route and then run it again after work - get to try out a LED Lenser headtorch, it can't compare with the new Hope though.
Training - Wednesday 16th November 2011
I decide to go in the 'Elite' group - much the same really - a bit more intense, less recover and a more vocal coach. Fartlek session around town, I work hard and do not get left behind.
Ride - Tuesday 16th November 2011
The Magicshine shines again, a quick zip around my usual Lyth valley route - good to be back out on the bike.
Training - Monday 14th November 2011
At QKS again for a hard session - not much fun but it is doing me good, I think !
Monday 14 November 2011
Great Gable - Sunday 13th November 2011
It's Remembrance Sunday and, as has been the case for at least the last 10 years, I head to Great Gable for the service which takes place around a plaque commemorating members of the Fell and Rock Climbing Club who died in World War I.
A late change of plan sees me heading in from Langdale, rather than my usual Seathwaite approach - but this is good, more time on the fells and less time driving. The weather looks promising and, again, it is mild. I head along Mickleden, up Rossett Ghyll, down to Angle Tarn, up to Esk Hause, down to Styhead and then join the crowds up Gable.
It is hot work and feels more like a summer's day than mid-November. It is crowded on the summit and the atmosphere good. I make a quick coffee and then it is 11 o'clock - the short service takes place and 2 minutes silence follows.
The view are stunning but in the wind it is cool. Soon head back down to Styhead and then back up to Esk Hause. On the way back I climb Esk Pike which is now shrouded in mist and the Bowfell. Down the Band and back to camper for coffee.
It has been a good day on the fells - I have missed this and will make a point of getting out for longer days.
Fairfield - Saturday 12th November 2011
So just about every Helm runner is heading to Dunnerdale today, being the contrarian I head to Fairfield !
It is an early start and the weather looks promising; despite this soon after I leave Rydal I am in the mist and higher up the wind increases and the rain comes ! I see no one until the final descent to Sweden Bridge, it is a good run and I make it round in just over 2 hours - not race speed but no waiting around.
Legs feel good, perhaps yesterday's rest did them good.
Lunchtime Run - Thursday 10th November 2011
My run gets delayed but I still manage to get out - can't believe how mild it is given it is now mid-November. I head along the river to Hawes Bridge and then back along the canal - a good run out.
Thursday 10 November 2011
Wednesday Night Training - Wednesday 9th November 2011
So back at QKS and then along to Peat Lane. Another huge turn-out, RC has such a following !
7 reps, I was hoping for 8 ! I work hard and try to keep my pace consistent all through the session - a hard session and I run well.
Thanks RC.
River / canal run - Tuesday 8th November 2011
Had planned to ride after work but, at the last minute, decide to head out for a 'headtorch' run.
It is a dark night and I am glad of my Petzl Myo RXP lighting the way. Head down to Hawes Bridge and the along river to Levens Bridge, back along the canal path.
A really enjoyable run, good that the dark nights don't put a stop to my offroad running.
Track training - Monday 7th November 2011
New venue for track training, QKS, and RC shows for the first time, this is getting serious !
Another tough session with my never knowing what is coming next and when it will end - need to get use to this.
I work hard but find it hard going tonight !
Sunday 6 November 2011
Grizedale Forest - Sunday 6th November 2011
An early start - cold out today -1c - but a fantastic day. Head over to Moor Top for some mountain biking on the forest tracks in Grizedale Forest. Stop in the the Visitor Centre and Cafe (recommend the bacon and egg roll) and then climb back to Moor Top. The views are stunning, the biking good and, as always, it's good to be out.
Quick zip around Ambleside.....money for my Birthday is burning a hole in my pocket.....I do like Rab kit !
The weather is still great, so take a stroll up Loughrigg - stunning - don't need to be on the highest fells to get the best views, in fact, from the lower fells you get the great views of the higher fells :-)
Really Wild Boar Fell Race - Saturday 5th November 2011
A new race for me and I hear that the spot prizes are plentiful and, in one case, very generous.....do I feel lucky ?!
The race is only short, 5 miles from Street (between Sedbergh and Kirby Stephen) - track, then fell to the summit if Wild Boar Fell. The weather is great, cold, blue sky and sunny with just occasional wispy cloud on the summit. A fast, pathless descent and then back on the track to Street.
My legs feel heavy and it is hard going today - I come 16th, or was it 18th, but Helm do well - 2nd & 4th Male, Brain V55 (?) winner and mens team prize going to the Addisons.
Oh and by the way, Rick wins a towel as a spot prize, Brian a red t-shirt and me a week's holiday in the Pyrenees.....Crikey Bob !!!!!!! :-)
I also manage a quick ride, keen to try out my new Magicshine bike light - it's impressive and lets me see round my usual Lyth Valley route. It's a clear sky and turning cold, good time of day to be out and about.
Hyde Park Run (again) - Friday 4th November 2011
Despite yesterday's long day and a few drinks last night, I manage to drag myself out soon after 6.30am for a very wet run around Hyde Park - I guess there can be something rewarding about running in the rain but I struggle to discover this today ! At least the cereral, fresh fruit, fruit juice, coffee, full English, toast and jam and two Danish Pastries back at the hotel make it all worthwhile :-) btw, they were only mini Danishes :-)
London (again) - Thursday 3rd November 2011
A long day, starting with the 06:20 train and finishing with drinks and dinner that go on into the evening - no chance of a run, I don't even get out for any fresh air during the day - help !
Training - Wednesday 2nd November 2011
Captain French Lane x 8 tonight - thanks Russ !
Only joking, a good session with a big following (about 45 of us !) - I work hard and am pleased with my performance.
My Birthday - Tuuesday 1st November 2011
So another year older.....but do I feel it ?!
No running or riding today, I take it easy - I need to at my age :-)
Reston Scar Scamper Race Route - Monday 31st October 2011
I feel good after my 17 hours of running at the OMM so decide to head out around the Reston Scar Scamper race route - a steady run, a bit wet in places, but good to be out.
Tuesday 1 November 2011
London takes over - Thursday 27th October 2011
A long day out in London so no running or biking - occasionally has to be done !
Hyde Park Run - Wednesday 26th October 2011
So I'm in London for a few days - this is no excuse to stop training so I head out for a run in Hyde Park. The company flat is only a few minutes from the Park so I don't get dragged down by the crowds and traffic.
No set route, I just head out around the Serpentine and criss-cross around the park - the light is fading, the sky is clear and this makes and the sights make a pleasant change....however, I am happy with this being a one-off.
Quick shower and then head to M&S for some good food and beer - back to flat to cook and chill in front of TV - this is a rare treat, but again happy for it to be a one-off !
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