A blustery night, as I arrive the rain comes down in torrents.....what am I doing here; but, a few minutes alter, the rain clears and we stay dry. But again it is muddy and the going hard. 16 reps as usual, or was it 17....who knows :-/
Tuesday 29 January 2013
That's Lyth - Sunday 27th January 2013
This must be my 5th, 6th or more year in a row for this event. A great, well organsied run, very popular with Helm. The earlier snow is all washed away but the ground is sodden....it's going to be muddy !
I run with Craig, a steady round, stopping for tea and cakes at the various checkpoints (Crosthwaite, Witherslack and Cinderbarrow). It stays dry but very windy on Whitbarrow Scar. We are back at 11:39am, so just under 3hrs 40mins, we are happy with this.
Sadly Lindsay, running with Jayne and Amanda, takes a tumble in the mud on Whitbarrow; this results in a fractured tibia and six weeks in plaster :-(
Rest Day - Saturday 26th January 2013
The snow came, and came heavy last night. Just out with Barney for a short walk. No chance of my risking a ride on bike and not keen to run as a 24 miler tomorrow.
Canal / River Run - Thursday 24th January 2013
It's good to be back; some catching-up to be done so I head out at lunch for the usual circuit along the river and back along the canal.
Wednesday 23 January 2013
London (again) - Tuesday 22nd & Wednesday 23rd January 2013
In the big city again - all work and no play !
Training - Monday 21st January 2013
A cold night, the ground is frozen and icy in places. 16 reps as usual, hard work.
Lyth Valley Ride - Sunday 20th January 2013
It's cold but not icy, head out on bike around usual Lyth Valley Route; uneventful.
Helvellyn - Saturday 19th January 2013
So out with Russ today; late back from London last night so feel the need for coffee and a bacon roll at More. We decide to drive to Dunmail and head up on to Willie Wife Moor (good name !), Dollywagon, Nethermost Pike and on to Helvellyn.
Surprising how little snow and ice on the tops, we are just in cloud and the breeze makes for a significant windchill. Much to my surprise we bump into Charlie on the summit, him having come up Swirral Edge and back down Striding, good to catch up , albeit briefly.
We are then on to Lower Man, Raise and Whiteside before heading down Sticks Pass to Stannah Bridge. From there we are on icy paths all the way back to Dunmail, sane route as the TdeH.
Surprising how little snow and ice on the tops, we are just in cloud and the breeze makes for a significant windchill. Much to my surprise we bump into Charlie on the summit, him having come up Swirral Edge and back down Striding, good to catch up , albeit briefly.
We are then on to Lower Man, Raise and Whiteside before heading down Sticks Pass to Stannah Bridge. From there we are on icy paths all the way back to Dunmail, sane route as the TdeH.
A good run out and washed down with a pint at the Hawkshead Brewery.
Friday 18 January 2013
Thursday 17 January 2013
Training - Wednesday 16th January 2013
A cold night, the ground is frozen and, off road, a thin covering if snow. We head up to the Golf course, a long run out so will also be a long run back. Just. 5 reps, sounds easy, but they are uphill, long and hard going. Garry impresses me, he is back on form, training hard and running well; maybe I will struggle to keep up with him in this year's OCT ! A rewarding training session, I continue to be impressed with my Petzl Nao.
Tuesday 15 January 2013
River / Canal Run - Tuesday 15th January 2013
A stunning day, head out at lunch for usual route. Still some snow on the ground and frozen, dry feet....again.
Training - Monday 14th January 2013
A cold night, some snow on the ground which actaully provides good running conditions. 16 reps, as we always do, goes well tonight; knee much improved.
Fairfield - Sunday 13th January 2013
A very cold start and snow forecast to arrive by midday. I head over to Ambleside and run what is probably my favourite route, the Fairfield Horseshoe.
I wrap up warm, thicker Gore tights (which keep sagging to my knees....need to eat more pies or drink more beer, or perhaps both !). A glorious day, no snow here but some on the Langdales and Coniston fells, just a very heavy frost.
The ground is hard and for the first time in ages I complete a run with dry feet. A lesiurely two and a half hours and have a welcome cup of coffee back at the car.
Arnside Ride - Saturday 12th January 2013
A glorious day, so decide to ride the Arnside route; much to my surpise I see Barney and Sandra walking in Dallam Park, the wee fella is pleased to see me :-)
Stop for coffee in Arnside, the views are great but it is a bitter day, forecast to be even colder tomorrow !
A good route, about 24 miles in total.
River / Canal Run - Friday 11th January 2013
Usual route, a little less muddy. I have some company today, Stephen, a work colleague, joins me; he tells me when we get back that this was the furthest he has ever run but that he really enjoyed it !
Training - Wednesday 9th January 2013
On the Castle tonight.....x 10 !! Hard going but, as always, rewarding.
River / Canal Run - Tuesday 8th January 2013
Knee is taped now and it makes a huge difference. Usual lunchtime route but it is hard going, the mud is worse than ever.
Training - Monday 7th January 2013
Back to Shaun's training session !! Knee not great again so I take it easy, as least this makes Garry feel good (only joking, he is on good form).
Anniversary Waltz Race Route - Sunday 6th January 2013
One of my favourite routes. As I drive North I am optimistic for some dry and clear weather, the Dodds are in full view, as is Grisedale Pike as I drop to Keswick, but it is not to be, the cloud and drizzle close in as I park at Stair.
Run out along the track to Newlands, the race map descibes this race as having the worst start and best finish of any; I diagree, the run out is a good warm-up and gets me into the race and, today, the training run.
The climb to Robinson goes well, but it is misty and the drizzle more wetting than I first thought. I take a compass bearing at the summit so that I get the correct race line and then soon pick up the trod and start the diagional climb to Hindscarth. Easy running from there to Dale Head and, again, another compass bearing to take me to the right of the tarn and the steady climb to Maiden Moor.
Fast running from there, some good direct race lines and the last short climb to Catbells. The race map description is correct about the finish, a great descent line and easy running down the track back to Stair. Brought back good memories of the 2012 race.
Then into Keswick, kit browsing and lunch in the Pedlar Cafe.
Ride - Saturday 5th January 2013
Was hoping to ride the Arnside route today but get delayed and then find my back tyre is flat.....quick repair and then out around usual Lyth Valley route. A dry day but breezy. Bike needs cleaning and servicing, not working as smoothly as it should....work to be done.
River / Canal Run - Friday 4th January 2013
Knee a little better, the rest has done it good. Head out at lunchtime for a run along the river and back along the canal. The ground is sodden and I return caked in mud - hose myself down in teh courtyard before I dare enter the office !
River / Canal Run - Wednesday 2nd January 2013
So the knee is now causing a lot of discomfort. Shouldn't be running so give training a miss but, instead, have an evening run from home along teh canal path to Levens Bridge and back along the river.....painful, as well as dark and muddy !
Nine Standards Fell Race - Tuesday 1st January 2013
A New Year and I start as I mean to go on......both running and updating my Blog !
Results:
http://fellrunner.org.uk/results.php?id=1793
Pictures:
http://www.runningpix.co.uk/Fellpics/NineStandards1301D/pages/NineSt-dard1301D044_jpg.htm
http://www.runningpix.co.uk/Fellpics/NineStandards1301D/pages/NineSt-dard1301D045_jpg.htm
http://www.runningpix.co.uk/Fellpics/NineStandards1301D/pages/NineSt-dard1301D151_jpg.htm
So the 25th running of the Nine Standards Fell Race and a free commemorative T-shirt to the first 150 entrants. Craig kindly drives and, with John Bagge, we head to Kirkby Stephen. Early to register, we get our T-shirts, and head out for a warm-up run.
It is a cold day and difficult to decide on what to wear but, the good news, it is dry and bright. My knee niggles on the warm-up, well to be honest is painful, where has this come from ? But it won't stop me racing. A good Helm turn-out for this race, as there always is, and more than 160 entrants in total 9so a few unlucky people go without T-shirts).
I start well, the steep 2 miles or so on the road are hard work and I feel John Bagge on my shoulder. Towards the top he overtakes, not just slowly, but with some momentum; he is running well and it is good to see him back racing.
Wet and boggy in places the summit is soon reached and then straight back down the same way. I shout words of encouragement to others, Paul Aitken and Craig are not far behind and I know they will be pressuring me and I intend to pressure John.....in a friendly sort of way.
I gain some ground on him but need another mile or so to catch him ! But am pleased with my run, just 2 seconds slower than last year and definitely wetter underfoot (and that painful knee !).
Always stay for prizes, the soup and then beer are much needed.
Results:
http://fellrunner.org.uk/results.php?id=1793
Pictures:
http://www.runningpix.co.uk/Fellpics/NineStandards1301D/pages/NineSt-dard1301D044_jpg.htm
http://www.runningpix.co.uk/Fellpics/NineStandards1301D/pages/NineSt-dard1301D045_jpg.htm
http://www.runningpix.co.uk/Fellpics/NineStandards1301D/pages/NineSt-dard1301D151_jpg.htm
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