Downhill Race and an evening ride - Sunday 25th March 2012

I offer to help Russ organise the Downhill Race, one of the Club Championship counters. We head over to Cautley and flag a route to the summit of Yarlside - another hot day ! I time myself descending and I'm pleased with my 7mins 15 secs.

I then head back up so that I can be the official starter on the summit. 18 runners in total...this should be more, why does this race never prove popular ?? Anyway, all 18 enjoyed the race and the great weather - thanks for this Russ, stick with it.

The clocks have changed so decide to take advantage of the light evening, head around usual Lyth Valley route, perhaps this will help my legs from being too stiff tomorrow ?

A run, a ride and beer - Saturday 24th March 2012

A friend from work is staying at Sedgwick and is keen to run 10 miles as part of his marathon training. I have planned a route, he is happy with offroad but will he be happy with some hills ?

We meet at 8am, it is already warm and is clearly going to be another great day. We head up through Sizergh, past the twitchers, onto Scout Scar. We then drop down onto my usual lunchtime route and along to the farm. Lee does not appreciate the climb that follows, but once at the top he likes the running on the Scar.

We head to the mushroom, then down to the racecourse before dropping all the way down to the river and back along to Sedgwick. Mrs B kindly serves bacon rolls when we get back.....these go down well.

Later on meet Russ at the Hawkshead Brewery Beer Festival in Staveley. I head over on the bike, via Sizergh, Levens, Brigsteer, Underbarrow and Crook - the weather is still great and I build up a thirst ! It is a busy place but we soon find Mick (!) and enjoy some good beer and good company.

I'm sensible enough and ride home just as the light fades, 20 miles in total and a good afternoon out.

Lyth Valley Ride - Friday 23rd March 2012

I'm home from work a little early so decide to head out on usual Lyth Valley ride. A glorious evening, I feel good and it is good to be out after a lot of time in the car today.

A ride back to New Hutton - Thursday 22nd March 2012

Need to head home so decide to go on bike, the weather continues to be great and it's now staying light to almost 7pm. A hill route but a bit easier on the way home.

An evening fell run - Wednesday 21st March 2012

An invitation to run with my friend Charlie Sproson of the Outdoorwarehouse and a stay at his and Nic's new home at Watermillock .....this is too good to turn down.

Mr S senior kindly drops us at sadgill and we set off with Scratch and Pepa (they have much more energy than I do) up and over Gatescarth Pass to the head of Haweswater at Mardale. A great place to be at this time of day, no one else around.

We head around the head of the water and then climb to Kidsty Pike; we cut-off right just below the summit and follow the Roman Road to High Raise before dropping into Fusedale, the same route as the Lakes 50 & 100 head out of Howtown on.

The running is great; the sky, to the south, is dramatic and, to the north, crystal clear.As we head down the valley the light fades and choosing not to use headtorches we really need to focus where we are placing our feet. We see headlights in the valley and assume this is Nic, we then set the tail lights as she drives back down the valley ! Anyway, it's only a short run and we meet her at Howtown.

A short drive and we are then at there cottage in Watermillock - what a great place, full of character and a stunning location close to the lake shore. Quick shower, fire lit, beer poured and food on the go - what could be better - thanks Charlie and Nic, a really good evening had by all.

Lingmoor Fell - Tuesday 20th March 2012

I need to use my last days leave before the end of the month so decide to take today off. Head over to Elterwater and one of my favourite shorter runs over Lingmoor.

The weather improves as the morning progresses and I run back along the valley in the sun. A good little circuit and then into Chesters for some lunch - I could get use to this.

Training - Monday 19th March 2012

Shaun is back.....oh good ! Full-on training resumes, it never gets any easier (did I say this last week ?).

Great Lakes Race Recce - Sunday 18th March 2012

I wake to a stunning day, it is cold and very bright. I have been planning to run this route for a few weeks now and today is the day.

I park at the ODG and run through Stool End Farm (where the race starts) then up the Band. At last I feel good, legs have energy. When the ground flattens out, I head right towards the Climber's Traverse and then cut up a scree shoot, over boulders to the summit plateau.

 

the views are great, the sky is blue and brilliant sunshine; it is cold though, and pools of water have frozen overnight. Next to Esk Pike and Great End, the usual BG route, but from here a straight line to Sca Fell Pike, missing out the intermediate tops. amazing just how few people there are on the fells today, their loss, my gain.

 

Then down to Mickledore and a drop down the scree slops to the path which cuts up to Foxes Tarn. I am making good progress but appreciate the slightly more relaxed pace that fell running has over fell racing. To Sca Fell and then a good, long run to Slight Slide. I hesitate here, have run this route 3 times before, but do not get the best of lines. I eventual correct myself and find the scree run down to Great Moss.

I can't believe how warm it is down here and know that the climb up to the head of Stonesty Ghyll is going to be hard work. However, my legs are still strong and I enjoy this climb. Good running across the flat section and then to Red Tarn. Again I climb well and am soon at the summit of Blisco - just the steep descent to the farm to go.

 

Again I don't get the best of routes and a few times find myself looking down steep little crags. Eventually I pick up the main grass slope, this is steep and testing on the quads, but soon over. A steady run back along the farm track to the ODG and then a chill-out in the sun.

What a great day, what a great route - race day will be harder but will be fun.

About 15 miles in total, 2116m of ascent and out for 5 hours.

Milnthorpe Ride - Saturday 17th March 2012

From home head through Crosscrake towards Hincaster and then drop down to Milnthorpe - a quick loop through Dallam Park and down to Sandside before heading back along the estuary to Heversham. Then along to hincaster and Sedgwick - a shorter version of the Arnside loop.

Potter Tarn - Friday 16th March 2012

I manage to get over to Staveley for a run to Potter Tarn - a bit wet and misty but good to be somewhere different. A good little route but, sadly, no time for coffee and cake !

A short run and a ride - Thursday 15th March 2012

I head out for a shorter canal / river run at lunchtime - just 4 miles, my legs appreciate this.

After work a ride out on the bike - slightly different route - Natland, Crosscrake, Sedgewick, Sizergh, Levens, Brigsteer, the big hill to Helsington and then down Whetstone Lane and through Prizet - a tough, hilly route.

Training - Wednesday 14th March 2012

Back at the Castle - my legs are still very tight and I have no energy - 2 sets of 5 reps on the steep slope - not enjoying this.

Lyth Valley ride - Tuesday 13th March 2012

Home from work on time and head straight out around usual Lyth Valley route - back just before it gets dark - a quick 14 mile blast.

Training - Monday 12th March 2012

Legs not great, always happens after descending hall's Fell Ridge !

Shaun away tonight so Billy puts us through our paces.....short sprints, oh great ! It's hard and it hurts but is soon over !

Bob Graham Leg 1 - Sunday 11th March 2012

Had planned to recce wither the Great Lakes race route or Helvellyn and the Dodds race route but gravitated to running Leg 1 of the BG.

Early mist hinted at the possibility of a cloud inversion but it was a long time coming. The trudge up Skiddaw never gets any easier but the top 100 feet or so wold cloud free, blue sky and just a few of the very highest Lakeland peaks poking through the cloud.

Very quickly the cloud and mist completely cleared and headed down over Hare Crag in brilliant sunshine. Quick climb up Great Calva and then a fast descent to the River Caldew. Much easier to cross than last time I tried (LDMT....which cost me a map, mapcase and compass !) and then the climb up to teh Common.

For the first time ever i found and followed a trod most of the way up, definitely made it a bit easier. Then climb on to Foule Crags before an easy run to Blencathra. Halls Fell Ridge was in good condition, dry rock and this made for quick progress.

Only a little up on the BG schedule but why rush on a such a glorious day as this. Easy running along the old railway track for 3 or 4 miles brings me back into Keswick. Then head to the Pedlar cafe for crumble and coffee. A good day out.

Lyth Valley ride - Saturday 10th March 2012

Things to do and places to go today but manage to get out during the afternoon for a ride.

A variation, through Prizet, Whetstone Lane, Brigsteer, along the valley, into Levens, Coates, Sizergh, Sedgwick, Crosscrake and back to Natland....very pleasant.

No putting it off today, the bike gets cleaned and lubricated.

River / Canal run - Friday 9th March 2012

Same as yesterday, good to be out but hard work - maybe this much running after the HPM is not such a good idea ?!

River / Canal run - Thursday 8th March 2012

Head out for the usual route, although not done this for a few weeks. Not too muddy and good to be out on this familiar round.

Training - Wednesday 7th March 2012

So offroad tonight - there is close to a full moon and it is a chilly evening. To the Castle, well actually 12 times to the Castle ! A hard session but good to have grass underfoot rather than tarmac.

London - Tuesday 6th March 2012

Heading to London and then straight out to the Royal Geographical Society so no time for a run or ride today.

Training - Monday 5th March 2012

There is little I can say about this  - it is hard work but must be doing me good; maybe I shouldn't be here tonight though, barely recovered from the HPM.

Killington Ride - Sunday 4th March 2012

Legs feel good but I am still tired. I head out on bike, up Helm Lane, across the Helm, through Middleshaw and Old Hutton and then off left towards Killington.

I make it as far as the Sedbergh Road, 10 miles out and then turn and head back, so 20 miles in total. A cold day, and glad of coffee when I get home, washing the bike gets put on hold for another week.

High Peak Marathon - Friday 2nd & Saturday 3rd March 2012

....

No run or ride today - Thursday 1st March 2012

Work gets in the way today

Training - Wednesday 29th February 2012

A hill rep / fartlek session tonight - 3 reps of 5 hills...this confuses one of the group, again !

A mild evening, I'm overdressed and find it hard work.

Lyth valley ride - Tuesday 28th February 2012

It's still light when I get home so I head out around my usual route - no punctures today but need my lights as it's dark on the way back.

Training - Monday 27th February 2012

A bit wet and a bit muddy.....and hard work, that's Monday night training !