Tuesday 31 July 2012
Prize giving and ride - Sunday 29th July 2012
A lie-in and chill out morning,
So we then attend prize giving, glad we did.......a free entry to next year's 50 or 100 mile race, plus Montane goodies...!! :-)
Head home late afternoon, get sorted and have very steady ride out around Lyth valley route - feel good but lack energy on the climbs, this shouldn't come as any surprise to me.
Lakeland Ultra 50 - Saturday 28th July 2012
Having run the Ultra Tour Lake District (UTLD) 100 last year I was looking to running the sister 50 mile race. Paired up with Kath Aubrey (Helm Hill) our training, levels of fitness and injury situation had not been great in the build up to the race; however, we are both strong runners and very determined, this was to prove useful.
Having registered and watch the UTLD 100 mile race set-off on the Friday evening, we met at Coniston in time for the mandatory safety briefing; not much new here but a couple of useful pointers regarding the route, particularly where it differed slightly from 2011.
An hour’s bus ride to Dalmain House and a 12pm start is not the best of preparation, it is difficult to gauge food intake and a queue for the loos (and lack of them) meant time was tight; in fact, the start line had already swelled by hundreds of runners and we sneakily managed a front row start.
An initial, led and flagged 4 mile loop of Dalmain was required to make the race 50 miles in length; however, having been led the wrong way and doubling back, we were, very, soon back at Dalmain; no way was that 4 miles ! Then on with the route proper, I knew this well and only once grabbed for my map as a double check.
Climbing out of Pooley Bridge we saw Charlie and Nic (Outdoor Warehouse), they cheered us on and took photos. Charlie had hoped to run the 50 but had spent all night manning the Buttermere Checkpoint for the 100 milers, he decided then running 50 miles was perhaps not the best plan !
Although Kath was not feeling on top form we ran well and were soon at the Howtown checkpoint, a quick drink and some food and we were back out heading to Fusedale and then Haweswater. This is the highest section of the route, I explained to Kath what lay ahead (for this section), she later told me that she thought I had explained the whole route so had only been expecting one climb…yeah, yeah !
We took it steadily, I could see Kath was finding this section hard but we pushed on and soon dropped to Haweswater and then the long undulating run along the shore to the checkpoint at Mardale Head. Although warm in the sun, there were often drizzly showers but not enough for a soaking. The climb from Mardale to the top of Gatescarth Pass is tough but words of encouragement from some Dallam runners helped us along.
From the summit lies a long run down into Longsleddale and then up and over to Kentmere; we were now on familiar terrain and the checkpoint at Kentmere provided us with welcome refreshments. Russ, who had unfortunately decided to not start the race due to injury, met us on the Garburn Pass, again it spurred us on to have some company and words of encouragement.
Up to Troutbeck and then around Robin Lane and Jenkin Woods brought us to Ambleside where Kath’s son, Jacob, was to cheer us on. The welcoming crowd in Ambleside was great and having names on our race numbers meant that we received even more support.
As Jacob pointed out, I had 4 pieces of cake and 4 cups of flat coke at the checkpoint in the Lakes Runner, great stuff – just the fuel I needed for the last 16 miles. Down through the park and then over the lower shoulder of Loughrigg brought us to Skelwith; no time for coffee and cakes in Chester’s today, we were on a mission. Heavy showers and dark sky were now upon us and we decided that jackets would be sensible, it was also cooler.
Through Elterwater and then along to Chapel Stile; the checkpoint this year had moved further down the track and seem to take ages to come into view. The guys and girls here were great; I feasted on stew and bananas and we were put out by a 100 mile competitor who thought that Kath was threatening her 3rd place position…everyone else, 50 or 100 milers and all checkpoint staff were great all the way through.
We had run this section together several times and knew it well. Along pass the campsite and the climb up to Blea Tarn; a slight change this year was a compulsory checkpoint on the Wrynose Pass road to prevent runners cutting the corner, but as the race organiser pointed out at the briefing, cutting the corner could result in being swallowed up by a bog !
Now heading to Tilberthwaite, we passed Lawrence who was in the 100; he was suffering, we gave words of encouragement, there was little more we could do; I knew he would dig deep and make it to the finish (he did). A quick stop at the last checkpoint and we made sure that our headtorches were to hand; we would need them but, fortunately, not for long. It must have been about 21:30 when we left and we had just the 4 miles section to the finish.
Towards the top of the climb we switched our headtorches on, mine being so bright meant that my running behind Kath did no more than cast a shadow for her and resulted in her not being able to see where she was going…..my turn to be in front (the new Petzl Nao…..great headtorch). Fast running led down through the Copper mine valley and just as I expected, Kath picked up the pace; we stormed past several other runners who later said they tried to stay with us but couldn’t! Into Coniston and joined by Kath’s boys we sprinted to the finish. 10 hours 25 mins and 1st Mixed Pair, a great result; Kath ran so well despite not feeling her best, a real achievement.
Having won an entry into next year’s race we may need to come back…..but will it be for the 50 mile race or the 100 ???
Heading to Lakeland Ultra 50 - Friday 27th July 2012
So no running or riding today but a lot of running about - so much and too much to do but finally get sorted and over to Wilf's for a baked spud with tuna and then a cake and coffee, just what I need :-) Then to Coniston to register and watch the 100 mile race start, brought back lots of very good memories :-)
Lyth Valley Ride - Thursday 26th July 2012
Time is tight tonight, lots to do; just a quick blast around usual route.
River / Canal Run - Wednesday 25th July 2012
Late home due to traffic on M6 (!) so miss training :-( Have a run out around canal / river route instead, running on empty, this is not good !
Lyth Valley Ride - Tuesday 24th July 2012
Quick ride out around the 'extended' Lyth valley route - about 16 miles, must not over-do-it this week, big race looming !
Tuesday 24 July 2012
Training - Monday 23rd July 2012
Back to the track, this weekly event seems to come round to quickly ! I train hard and run well, Seb and Craig suffering a little after their Kentmere Horseshoe race the day before.
5.8km of hard work in total - thanks Shaun !
Lingmoor Run / Ride - Sunday 22nd July 2012
Head over to Skelwith for a run to Elterwater and then usual route over Lingmoor towards Blea Tarn; one of my favourite shorter runs and lower fells. Back along Langdale to Elterwater and then back to Skelwith.
Despite the dark clouds it stays dry but breezy on the tops. A good run out, about 11 miles and finished-off with a delicious sausage roll, coffee and cake at Chesters :-)
Late afternoon I decide to have a quick blast out on bike around usual Lyth valley route.
Ingleborough Fell Race - Saturday 21st July 2012
Another new race for me, this starts from / at the Ingleton Gala. A big field, circa 200 runners and a handful of Helm runners.
At last some sunshine, this makes the steep road out of the village and climb along a limestone track hard work; it is a very runnable race, about 7 miles and 2000' of ascent. I run hard but find it hard going, I keep Alex Brown (Helm runner and Ingleton resident) in sight and catch him at the summit.
He descends well on the steeper section but I gradually catch him on the lower track and stay ahead for the mad dash back into the show field. I finished 19th in 56:20 but miss out on any prizes.
A good race and friendly atmosphere - good tea and cakes too :-) Other Helm runners run well and pick up prizes.
River / canal run - Friday 20th July 2012
Head out around usual route, it stays dry and is mild; also, a bit less muddy than it has been recently.
Friday 20 July 2012
Lyth Valley Ride - Thursday 19th July 2012
A cold but dry evening, head out around usual route but add in a little extra mileage - pleased to get home tonight.
Blisco Dash - Wednesday 18th July 2012
A Champs race and one I need to run. A good club turn-out - Craig, Garry, Robin, Seb, Lee, Dave A, Lyndsay and Lynsey; I run well, better than expected, and am pleased and surprised to see Russ at the summit. It stays mainly dry and just a little mist on the summit.
I am pleased with my descent route but Lee takes a more direct line and easily passes me; perhaps this is just his better downhill running than mine - no chance of catching him. But still continue to run well and finish 10th, 3rd MV40; for these I win 10 bottles of not-so quality French beer, Seb finishes a fantastic 2nd and wins 2 bottles !!
A good evening out, great race and very sociable.
Ride - Tuesday 17th July 2012
Out on usual Lyth valley route - it poors down, I get soaked through and cold - another summer's evening !
Monday 16 July 2012
Fairfield Horseshoe - Sunday 15th July 2012
Head out early evening for a run around the Horseshoe, one of my favourite routes. A little mist on the tops, cool and a slight breeze, see no one, this is good.
Sandra Scott's JNC - Saturday 14th July 2012
So the plan was to meet with her on Rossett Pike and support her all the way to the end. Having seen her set-off last night, I spend the night in teh camper at the ODG and head off before 8. I know she was half an hour behind at Kirkstone but hopefully in the light she will make this up.
I am close to the top of Rossett Gyhll when I get the message from Russ; she has fallen further behind, about 2hrs, and is unfortunately moving very slowly due to a back injury. I spend the next 3 hours on the summit of Rossett Pike, fighting off showers, mist and then midges !
Eventually Russ arrives but no Sandra, she has decided to drop to Langdale with Ruth and Yvonne. Russ and I set-off to Styhead to meet up with Steve, her husband, to let him know. The weather is good and we make steady progress, once we see him we then head back to Langdale and meet Sandra along the valley - she is in pain :-(
Refreshments at the camper and then head hope - a disappointing day for all concerned.
Have a quick blast on bike around the Lyth Valley route early evening, needed this.
Lyth Valley Ride - Friday 13th July 2012
Another ride, more cycling than running this week, it should not be like this, but off to see Sandra Scott set-off on her JNC tonight so time is limited.
Endmoor 10k - Wednesday 11th July 2012
So the last in the series, a dry night, ideal conditions but still don't feel great.
The race is delayed due to sheep on the course, this could only happen in Cumbria ! I run ok, come 7th in about 36:40, a bit slower than last year but no big surprise.
Helm ladies run well, 1st FV40 and Team prize.
The race is delayed due to sheep on the course, this could only happen in Cumbria ! I run ok, come 7th in about 36:40, a bit slower than last year but no big surprise.
Helm ladies run well, 1st FV40 and Team prize.
Tuesday 10 July 2012
Training - Monday 9th July 2012
Having felt better over the weekend, I feel rubbish again today. Should have rested but instead dragged myself around the track session - lesson to be learnt here !
Saunders Lakeland Mountain Marathon - Friday 6th, Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th July 2012
I always look forward to the SLMM, it is in the summer, it is a relaxed event, good courses and never far from home. Having competed in the Bowfell Class last year with Russ, I was now entered in Kirkfell class with Helm runner, Kath Aubrey. This was Kath’s first mountain marathon and, with her having been struggling with an injury since her fantastic result in the Windermere marathon, together with a pretty rough weather forecast we headed over to Wasdale with some trepidation.
It was wet when we arrived and in the gloom there was very little change for us to meet up with others competitors so we concentrated on sorting our kit and being very organised for our 08:15 start. Although I was kindly loaned a Terra Nova Ultra Laser Ultra 1 by Charlie, given the forecast, we opted for the roomier Terra Nova Voyager Superlite; we were also using Klymit Inertia X-Frame mats and my carrying an OMM Mountain Marathon Classic 25l, with Kath carrying a Raidlight Endurance 10l.
Amazingly Saturday dawned dry, bright and very still, how lucky was this. We stuck with our original kit choices though and soon regretted long sleeved Helly Hansen baselayers and ¾ length tights ! The start, in Mosedale (the valley North West of Wasdale Head) was further away than we had expected and so we were 10 minutes late starting, fortunately this didn’t actually make any difference as our clock started when we dibbed at the start.
We carefully plotted our route and set off for the first control, this looked easy to me and we soon located it in the re-entrant; many teams around us went straight past it ! Then on to Black Sail Pass and a traverse around the back of Kirkfell and Great Gable to Stone Cove. We were, perhaps, a little low heading round to the second control but this meant we easily located it as we climbed the stream to the obvious junction.
From here we decided to head back into Stone Cove and climb to the col between Green Gable and Great Gable, before a descent of Aaron Slack to Styhead. A brief stop to care for blisters and we were soon on to control 3, not far from Piers Gill. The weather was amazing, dry, sunny and very little breeze, we could not believe this. 3 to 4 was mainly along the Corridor route and then a nasty looking climb took us on to the lower slopes of Sca Fell and a big contour to a sheepfold below Slight Side.
We were running well but on from here the ground became harder – tussocks ! Down to Burnmoor Tarn and then we climbed to the col between Illgill Head and Whin Rigg. The control was much lower down in a gully; I must confess to being slightly thrown by a larger gully and decided to check this out and, in so doing, temporarily misplaced Kath ! However, she was in the right gully, I wasn’t – soon regrouped we crossed the end of Wastwater and navigated through intricate farms and field to climb close to Buckbarrow for control 7.
From here to the overnight camp was a bit if a trudge through a forest and we were both relieved and pleased to get to the remote overnight camp. We were in 15th place, 6hrs 20mins after the first day. Helm runners, Robin Stones and Seb Sillito were in 1st place in Kirkfell in an impressive time of 5hrs 18mins.
The overnight camp was relaxed and gave us the chance to catch up with friends, eat and drink and chill out in the good weather. Kath was unfortunate to have suffered from blisters on the first day, so she carefully treated these in the hope that day 2 would not be too uncomfortable.
After a comfortable nights sleep, we woke to a dry and bright morning, again we couldn’t believe this. Maps marked and kit packed we set off just behind the mass start; we had a big trail of people to follow and steadily picked off other teams as we carefully navigated through the tussock ground. From Glade How the terrain became much more enjoyable, higher fells and better running. Passing Joss Naylor, out for his Sunday morning run on the fells, we headed towards Low Tarn and then on to Scoat Tarn, this looked a great place for a wild camp.
A steep climb from control 5 took us close to Red Pike and then round to Black Crag and a control at Windy Gap, familiar terrain. A climb towards Pillar and then a traverse below the summit brought us back to the path and a descent to the control on Looking Stead. The end was in sight, a rapid descent back into Mosedale and a control at a sheep fold and we were then sprinting to the finish in Wasdale Head. We crossed the line in 4hrs 28mins and picked up two places, putting us 13th overall. Robin and Seb held on to their lead to win the class. Another great event.
Friday 6 July 2012
Another rest day - Thursday 5th July 2012
Feel worse today and have a lot to do - so no running or biking - the second or, perhaps, third time this week :-(
Reston Scar Scamper - Wednesday 4th July 2012
Not feeling on top form tonight. A torrential downpour shortly before the race is not good although last year it came just as the race started.
I set off fast but know that i have no chance of keeping this going; I'm soon passed by Robin, Seb, Joss and Paul and see them all gradually pull away.......frustrating.
Words of encouragement from Russ, Ali, Craig and Amanda are appreciated but result in little improvement in leg speed, thanks anyway.
I finish 15th, I think, in 33mins 27secs, I think, slower than last year but a differentt finish which, I think, is longer......too much thinking going on here.
Helm, as always, do well at this race - mens & ladies team, 1st male, 3rd lady........
Wednesday 4 July 2012
Training - Monday 2nd July 2012
Back to training, Billy in charge tonight, no Shaun. Any thought of an easier session is soon dismissed, we start with 1 x 400m and then straight in to 10 x 600m !!! That's a total of 6.4km full on training, whacked !
Coniston ride - Sunday 1st July 2012
I head over to Coniston, it is the day of the Coniston Trail Marathon and Half Marathon. I ride round and watch at various places, it is wet, very wet - I get wet, very wet !!!
A few Helm runners there, they run well.
Ultra Recce - Saturday 30th June 2012
Need to get some distance in for the looming Ultra 50 race. Craig and I head over to Ambleside and then run back on the Ultra 50 route as far as Sadgill. We run well, at a good pace and not much walking or stopping. The weather stays dry and I'm a little overdressed in tights and long sleeve top !
It takes us just over 2 hours and then we turn and head back the same way; okay, not very inspiring but good to get in a 22 mile, or so, run. Amazing how the recent rain has washed out the passes, deep channels and piles of rocks and debris, must have been impressive to have seen nature in full force.
We complete our run in exactly 4 hours and stop for a quick beer at the Hawkshead Brewery in Staveley, the downstairs bar is closed......flooded on Thursday !!
River / canal run - Friday 29th June 2012
So after yesterday's wet (understatement) day, I head out along the river to Hawes Bridge and back along the canal path. No chance of keeping dry feet today.
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