Wansfell Race - Tuesday 27th December 2011

This race was cancelled last year due to snow but no sign of winter weather this year. It is dull, misty and a bit wet but I know it will soon be over.

The steep road at the start hurts, my chest is still not good and is uncomfortable all the way to the top. I climb strongly, staying ahead of Robin but, as I expect, he soon overtakes on the descent. I run well though and finish strong; unfortunately I have no idea of my time or position as I am missed from the results....this is disappointing.

Good turn-out from Helm, in the prizes again and pick-up both Mens and Ladies Team prizes.

Fairfield Horseshoe - Boxing Day, Monday 26th December 2011

So four of us (Russ, Craig & Kath) brave the strong winds for a run around the Horseshoe. It's hard going, I'm still not feeling great and the weather does not help.

We make it round in good time and see no other people on the high fells, just a few out walking a round Sweden Bridge.

A pint in the Eagle & Child on the way home rounds off a good run out.

Christmas day - Sunday 25th December 2011

No running or biking for me today.

Loughrigg - Christmas Eve, Saturday 24th December 2011

Had planned to run around Fairfield with Russ today, that got downgraded to a run over Loughrigg and then that got downgraded to, sorry Russ I'm not running today. Still feel rough, so frustrating, just can't get rid of this.

Still need some fresh air though, so take a stroll up Loughrigg in the rain - a very steady walk and I'm well wrapped up. Most of the snow on the higher fells has gone, very disappointing. A dull day out here !

later on I decide a short run around the lanes - it is dark and wet, not sure why I do this. I also fall through a cattle grid - not great !

Run - Friday 23rd December 2011

Finish work at 12.30 and feel the need to get out. Run from home, along canal to Levens Bridge and then back along river. Do feel great but needed this.

Same again today - Thursday 22nd December 2011

Another day of not feeling good !

Need to shake this off ! - Wednesday 21st December 2011

Can't face training...this is not good.

Lunchtime Run - Tuesday 20th December 2011

Make it out for usual route along river and back along canal - again don't feel great but needed to get out.

Shouldn't have run yesterday - Monday 19th December 2011

Simple as that, don't feel great today !

Howgills - Sunday 18th December 2011

My legs feel good despite the 38 mile run yesterday so I decide to head over to Sedbergh for a short run on the Howgills.

i realise during the first climb that my legs are now not ok !! Up to Crook then across to Arant How. The views are stunning and snow covers the fells above about 1000'. From the summit descend West / South West to the beck, follow the wall and then climb Winder - this is hard work. Views again stunning and then steep descent back to the farm.

A good run out but perhaps a rest would have been more useful.

Tour de Helvellyn - Saturday 17th December 2011

This is the second running of this epic event, I completed in the inaugural race last year; that was a tough, full-on day - blizzard conditions to start and significantly sub-zero temperatures all day long - what a day, will it be repeated this year.....

Well there is again snow on the ground but the temperature is, genuinely, about 10c warmer. The start is flexible, I decide to wait until light and set-off at 07:57. I am carrying a big pack, I do not want to travel light at this time of year. The road leading out of Askham is black ice, probably the most treacherous bit of the whole route, but soon on to Askham Common and easier underfoot.

I make good progress to Martindale Church, CP 1, and then up Boredale to the Hause. CP 2 in Patterdale does not officially open until 10am, I get there a little early but it is fortunately open and I am allowed through. Easy running takes me to Greenside Mines and then it starts to get tough. The climb from here to Sticks Pass is through deep snow, sometimes hard, sometimes soft and visibility is reduced...thick mist and snow makes it difficult to determine where the horizon is...what is up and what is done...it all becomes a blur.

Anyway, despite the struggle I make it to the head of the Pass and hope for easier running on the way down...wishful thinking ! The skiers have got it right, even those skinning uphill are finding it easier than I am running downhill ! It is hard going, sinking knee and sometimes waist deep in snow. The last descent to Stannah Bridge is on wet snow and steep grass, not a good combination !

Anyway from here the going gets easier. Along to Thirlspot and then through the woods to Dunmail; this is good running. I climb well to Grisedale tarn and a good descent leads back to Patterdale. It took 2 hours to get to Patterdale, 4 hours around Helvellyn, will I make it back in a further 2 hours and be inside 8 hours ?

I have drunk very little and this starts to catch-up on me, I dig deep and plough on. back to Martindale Church within an hour but the last section is hard going and I make it back to Askham, in the light, in 8hours 11mins. A great day out and about 40mins quicker than last year.

Full details:

http://www.nav4.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=114:tour-de-helvellyn-2011&catid=46&Itemid=90

No run or ride - Friday 16th December 2011

I need a haircut and I have a big race tomorrow, so resting and eating is required today.

Lunchtime run - Thursday 15th December 2011

A pleasant day, at last. Head out for usual route (along river to Hawes Bridge and back along canal path), it's muddy again but a good, steady run.

Training - Wednesday 14th December 2011

Another hard session...thanks Billy ! A fartlek, concentrating on hill reps...now there's a twist ! Most of the hills on the West side of town: Horncop lane, Green Hill, Windermere Road, Captain French Lane, Undercliffe and, just for fun, Green Hill again on th way back. Not back until 8.15pm, a long session and I find it tough.

Evening Run - Tuesday 13th December 2011

Don't manage to get out during the day so brave the strong winds and dark night for a run from home. Usual route, along canal path to Levens Bridge and back along the river. It is cold, dark, windy and very muddy but, as always, good to be out.

Work - Monday 12th December 2012

No run or ride today...work gets in the way !

Langdale Christmas Pudding 10k - Sunday 11th December 2011

This race was cancelled last year due to snow which was a shame as this is one of my preferred road races - a great route and really good atmosphere - it is the same this year too.

I arrive in good time and the early rain has cleared by the time the race starts at 12pm. I am feeling fit and eager to get running; I make sure I am at the front and to my surprise I lead the race for the first few hundred metres, this is just for the photos....I then ease off, but much to my amazement I am passed by just 2 other runners in the first few k. Can I keep this going, well I gain on 2nd place and overtake him on one of the climbs but am then passed a different runner close the Wainwright Inn, so still in 3rd position.

I continue to run hard and rise to the encouragement that slower runners give as I head back along the valley. I see Russ close to the finish line and manage to hold-on to 3rd place and finish in 36:12 - I am pleased with this. Kath finishes close behind, a great run for her, a PB and 1st lady. Niall Till runs strong too and we secure the Team prize....beer. I collect a bottle of Port for 3rd, it has been a good race and I head home happy. Other Helm runners race well too and it is good to chat with them at prize giving.

Results:

http://www.ukresults.net/2011/langpud2.html

Lyth Valley Ride - Saturday 10th December 2011

I leave it late in the day, I won't manage to avoid the dark.

It is cold and the roads wet, so neoprene over boots come in very useful. The usual route and I work hard to keep warm. Good kit is essential at this time of the year.

Scar Run - Friday 9th December 2011

It is a wintry day and is, therefore, a good day to go out for a run.

The Scar lunchtime run is one of my favs, so I drive to Brigsteer Woods and set off up the muddy field. It is hard going, very wet under foot and a few bursts of rain. It is a great route and once at the top of the big climb, and on the Scar, the rain turns to wet snow - great stuff.

It is good to be out but once back at my car I realise I am completely covered in wet mud - good that I have seat covers and once back at work I hose myself down in the courtyard, just too muddy to walk through the office looking like that !

A muddy run - Thursday 8th December 2011

It has been seriously wet and windy overnight and this morning - the river is very high, the carpark under water and the ground saturated.

Still I need a run, so I head out from the office along the river to Hawes Bridge and back along the canal - it is muddy but the rain has stopped - a good run out.

Christmas lunch - Wednesday 7th December 2011

Christmas lunch at work - no running or riding for me today.

A day off.....Coledale Horseshoe - Tuesday 6th December 2011

I have a day off - the sun is shining and the fells are plastered in snow - what could be better.

I head North again and decide to run the Coledale Horseshoe. Conditions are great but it is tough going in the snow. From Braithwaite I climb Grisedale Pike, it is alpine-like....fantastic :-) Then to Hopegill Head, great running in soft, deep snow. Then across Sand Hill, the sky is getting dark and, before long, a heavy snow shower blows in. The temperature drops, as does the visibility.

Up to the Hause, left to Crag Hill, Sail and down to Sail Pass. Time is running out so decide to head down the pass, cut through between Outerside and Barrow and gentle running back to Braithwaite.

A great route in great conditions. 

Training - Monday 5th December 2011

The ground is sodden, the playing field is quag ! Hard going, can't say I enjoy this - I scrub my legs and feet under the outside tap when I get home - mud is everywhere, and I mean everywhere !

But, as I always say, this must be doing me some good :-/

Lingmoor - Sunday 4th December 2011

This is one of my favourite runs, head out from Elterwater Common, through the slate quarries and then climb Lingmoor. It is wet underfoot, a bit breezy, cold but staying dry. The views are stunning, dramatic skies, shafts of light and fells with a dusting of snow on - magical.

I follow the ridge, drop down towards Blea Tarn and then cut-off into Great Langdale. The light starts to fade and the sleet showers arrive - this is great, good run back along the valley and coffee back at the car.

The Brit Inn is calling - Coniston Oatmeal Stout, chips and an open fire - a perfect afternoon.

Anniversary Waltz Race Route - Saturday 3rd December 2011

A little undecided on my plans, the forecast is not great but I feel the need to head to the hills.

So I head North and decide on the Newlands Horseshoe, similar round to that of the Anniversary race route. I park just below Catbells and follow the track to the West into the Newlands Valley. It is dry but very windy in the valley and I wonder what it will be like on the tops.

Along the valley and then steep climb to Robinson - surprisingly it is not much windier on the tops than it was in the valley. Good running from here, BG leg 5 in reverse, down and then out to Hindscarth; then to Dale Head before a steep descent and cold river crossing. High Spy, Maiden Moor and then to Catbells - this is the windiest section and, with some relief, I drop steeply down to the car.

A good run out, just over 21/2 hours, not exactly race pace but no waiting around either.

A wild ride - Friday 2nd December 2011

It is dark, wet, windy and cold but I still decide to head out on my bike after work. The usual Lyth Valley route, it is hard going and I feel very vulnerable when there is traffic behind me.

Still I make back in one piece and am desperate for a hot shower.

Scar Run - Thursday 1st December 2011

Head out at lunchtime for the usual route on the Scar - it has been a few weeks since I ran here and I have missed it.

It is cold but stays dry - good to be out.

Training - Wednesday 30th November 2011

With Billy again and a long, hard fartlek around town. Craig joins the group, I warn him to pace himself - later he tells me he wishes he had listened to my advice !

This is doing me good, I work hard, build up a good sweat and feel satisfied at the finish.

Head (torch) to head (torch)... Tuesday 29th November 2011

A long day out at Slaithwaite and the journey both ways in horrid. I get home late, it is only 4c and there are heavy, gusty hail and sleet showers - just my sort of weather.

Quick change and then the Petzl Ultra goes head-to-head with the new Hope Vision R4 - been wanting to try these since I first heard about the Hope.

I run from home along the canal path to Levens, using the Ultra on full blast - conditions are grim and, at one point, head-on into an icy shower. The torch is good but the battery life, on max, limited.

At Levens Bridge I swap to the Hope R4 - this is much brighter and easily lights my way through the path. It is not quite so easy to use and actually a less comfortable on the head - but there is no denying the light it through out.

It was an invigorating run, I needed this and I am impressed with headtorches - the Hope is  cheaper and more powerful, but the Ultra feels better on the head - difficult to decide which I prefer.