So head again at lunch; usual route but wet and muddy today. Achilles still in good shape, a little more energy......less caffeine this morning and a banana just before setting off !?
Thursday 25 April 2013
Training - Wednesday 24th April 2013
On Helm, we are treated, or should I say beasted, to just 3 reps........but these are the 3 reps from hell ! I suffer again, no energy again, perhaps a 4th rep might have suited me ?!
River / Canal Run - Tuesday 23rd April 2013
Achilles definitely not so tight, I do some stretching and head out at lunchtime for usual circuit. Feel ok, still lacking energy but I'm beginning to understand the reason for this; just need to deal with it.
Physio - Monday 22nd April 2013
Achilles still niggling away so decide to see Marcus Scotney at Pete Blands, having chatted to him at training last week when he came for the first time.
He's thorough, analysed my posture and identified a number of issues.......but said not unusual and can be treated. So he set to work, not painful but some serious treatment. I take his advice, miss training, have a hot bath, drink plenty of water and stretch.
Can notice a difference but must be disciplined; back for another session next week.
Staveley Ride - Sunday 21st April 2013
A wet day, manage to take Barney out before it really sets in.
Head out later on bike, usual route to Burneside, Potter Fell Road and down to Staveley. Quick coffee and cake in More, and leave behind a big puddle, and then home through Bowston and Burneside. All this really achieved was my getting wet and cold !
Saturday 20 April 2013
Anniversary Waltz - Saturday 20th April 2013
So my second time in this race; I ran well last year and was generally running well last year so do not expect to beat my time but hope for a good race.
The weather is perfect, clear and sunny but with a cool breeze. The start is fast but I don't go mad; there is about 2 miles of track before the steep climb to Robinson. Legs are again heavy and no spring in my step, really need to find a solution to this !
I climb ok and work hard to the summit; it's good to have some down but this is short lived and soon heading up to Hinscarth; on to Dale Head then a horrid descent to the tarn and then a good steady climb to High Spy with the wind behind me.
Good downhill running then leads to the short climb to Catbells and then a fast descent to the finish.
30th in 1 hr 58 mins, slower than last year but not too disappointed.
Lyth Valley Ride - Friday 19th April 2013
Head out after work for the Lyth valley loop; not been this way for a while. A pleasant evening but soon cools.
River / Canal Run - Thursday 18th April 2013
Head out after work from Force Bridge for a steady run around the river / canal loop. Manage to avoid the showers.
Helm Training - Wednesday 17th April 2013
So back on the Helm for the first time this year; as seems to happen every year the weather is far from summer, or even spring, like !
Billy works us hard, he shows us a rep that he says we will do five of later in the summer - it is an absolute killer and even just one leaves me in a mess ! We then go on to do 5 downhill reps, with the uphills being recovery......I'm sure there's some sense in this. I ease off on the last few reps as I am racing at the weekend and am trying to be sensible.....for once.
All work no play - Tuesday 16th April 2013
But I do get to have lunch at Phyllis Court, Henley-on-Thames so perhaps live isn't so bad after all.
Monday 15 April 2013
Training - Monday 15th April 2013
Back at Kirkbie Kendal tonight; a mixture of large laps and track reps; never fun but must be doing me some good.
Lingmoor, UTLD 50 and Cumbria Way - Sunday 14th April 2013
The original plan was to recce the Anniversary Waltz race route but wind speeds of 90mph are forecast so we change plans. Four of us out, Amanda, Craig and Kath.
We park at Elterwater, it's raining and windy but soon starts to dry up. Up through the mines and usual route to summit of Lingmoor; it's gusty on the top and I feel the right decision was made. Down to Blea Tarn and then the UTLD50 route through to Coniston.
Tea and cake in Coniston are welcome and then we follow the Cumbria Way back to Elterwater, taking in the beautiful Tarn Hows.
Back at Elterwater, we soak in the river.....some more than others and then more tea and cakes. Another good day out, 18 miles and, again, good company.
Askham Recce - Saturday 13th April 2013
Limited time available today but I do have time to recce a race that I won't be able to enter.....but that's not the point.
Head out early to Askham, the last two occasions I was here it was dark, very cold, snowy and icy......and a 37 mile race to run (Tour de Helvllyn); fortunately just 11 miles and a much more pleasant Spring day. The forecast is not great for later be we enjoy the best of the weather.
Good running out of the pretty village and up on to Askham Common, familiars ground, same as the TdeH and touch upon the UTLD50. To Arthur's Pike, we split, trying different lines, it is a recce after all. Mine was the better line ( :-D ), great views from the summit, across Ullswater and think I can spot Nic and Charle's house.
On to the next checkpoint at Bonscale Tower, we get a great line, cross some big snow patches and are on there. I had done some homework, read my Wainwright pictorial guides and was keen to try a direct descent from the summit. It's not great, we split again but neither line is particularly good. Looking back we see other lines, not enough time today so will need to head back here again.
So down to Mellguards, the 3rd checkpoint and then long the track to Swarthbeck Ghyll. The grid ref for checkpoint 3 is just up from the track; we take a diagonal line to the Ghyll but soon regret this......a loud crack, someone's knee against a rock.....the knee came off worse :-( Into the cold beck to ease the pain and reduce swelling, it's not great :-( But we have a hill to climb, we head up close to the beck but see a better line just out to the right. As the climb eases we cut off left and limb directly to the summit of Arthur's Pike, checkpoint 5 (as well as the 1st).
We take the better line back and good fast running leads us back across the common to the village. A great route, good weather and good company.
Friday 12 April 2013
River / Canal Run - Friday 12th April 2013
Just back from a run around usual route. Not so cold and still very dry underfoot.
Loughrigg Fell Race - Wednesday 10th April 2013
One of my favourite short evening races. A huge Helm turn-out, this is great to see. Juniors perform well and then it's on to the Senior race. Entries look massively up on last year so I don't expect to get a result like then.
But I run well, set off fast (too fast) and have Craig breathing down my neck; I sense this, don't look back but work just that little bit harder, it pays off, I pull away !
Carl Bell leads the race, as it's an out and back, you get to see where everyone is. Helm are running well.
Some excellent photos, thanks Tim, more below:
http://www.helmhill.co.uk/index.php/gallery?AG_MK=0&AG_form_paginInitPages_1=1&AG_form_albumInitFolders_1=Albums/2013_Loughrigg(Tim M)&AG_form_scrollTop=0&AG_form_scrollLeft=0&AG_MK=0
I feel sick at the finish, worked really hard and never let up. Not sure of results yet, but Helm in the prizes.
River / Canal Run - Tuesday 9th March 2013
Head out at lunch, usual route. take it easy as race coming up tomorrow evening.
Tuesday 9 April 2013
Evening ride down Longsleddale - Monday 8th April 2013
Decide to give training a miss, too much running at the weekend.
So head out on bike instead. Down to Burneside then to Garnett Bridge and the length of Longsleddale to Sadgill. A fantastic valley.
Back the same way, not sure of distance but would guess at about 20 miles (need to replace the battery in my bike computer !) and out for about an hour and a half; still a cool breeze blowing !
Downhill Race and Staveley Run - Sunday 7th April 2013
It's Russ's Downhill Race and I am there to help. I take up my usual role, summit marshall and starter but only agree to this because of the great forecast !!
We flag the route, clear sky and warm and then a steady run back down. I pick up my pack, why so heavy ?, and then wander back to the summit; time for a quick brew before the first racers arrive, the views are great.
So about 15 or so runners in total, I set them off at 1 minute intervals. It's soon over and I have a steady run back down collecting in the flags,.
Lunch, sat outside in the sun, at the Inn by Cautley.
Then early evening I head over to Staveley for a run to Potter Tarn, Potter Fell and Brunt Knott - one of my favourite routes. A glorious evening but the breeze has picked up again and it's chilly on the summits. Coffee back at the car tastes good.
Coledale Horseshoe Fell Race - Saturday 6th April 2013
Not run this race before and the route has changed due to the ongoing snow and ice conditions. However, it is a glorious day, blue sky and very sunny.
The race starts at Braithwaite Lodge, a mad dash down the track, through the village and then a short section of steep road. Then a bottleneck, steps up onto the fell and from there a real slog. The path up Grisedale Pike is in three steps and although I climb each one well, I have little in me for the flatter sections between each.
It's a relief to make the summit and a welcome cool breeze as I felt overdressed on the climb. Fast running from here, across a few snow patches and down to Coledale Hause. Marshalls here and then directed down the main path towards the mines. Again good running and then at the path junction turn right, uphill to High Moss.
Then on to the track down Stonycroft, just as I did last weekend - it's no better today ! However, I don't follow this all the way, cut off left on a trod and then a short climb to Barrow. A great descent from here to finish, fast running all the way back to the Lodge.
Again, not my best race but I get round and really enjoy the route. 44th in a time of about 1hr 25mins.
It's great to sit in the sun post-race and enjoy the fantastic tea and cakes.
Photos:
Friday 5 April 2013
Staveley Ride - Friday 5th April 2013
Legs a bit stiff from all this running I've been doing lately ! So I head out on bike, this is becoming one of my new regular routes but a bit shorter tonight.
Up the drive, down Windermere Road, cut through Kendal Green on to Burneside Road and then to Burneside. Towards Longsleddale and then cut left on Potter Fell Road to Staveley. A more direct route back than usual, through Bowston, Burneside, up Hollins Lane and then finish down Windermere Road.
Not so cold tonight but not exactly mild either, still a cool Easterly blowing.
River / Canal Run - Thursday 4th April 2013
Head out after work for usual run along river to Hawes Bridge and back along canal. Another dry, cold and clear evening.
Training - Wednesday 3rd April 2013
Something different, Billy leads us on a tour of Benson Knot; is it just me or is Billy's leisurely looking pace hard work to stay with; this, for me, is a tough training session but the views are fantastic.
River / Canal Run - Tuesday 2nd April 2013
Not a great evening, just a short run along river and canal from Force Bridge.
Monday 1 April 2013
Staveley Ride / River & Canal Run - Monday 1st April 2013
Easter Monday and a repeat of Good Friday's ride, minus the coffee and cake !
A bit later on I head out for a run along the river and canal from Force Bridge; a cold evening but it's light :-)
A bit later on I head out for a run along the river and canal from Force Bridge; a cold evening but it's light :-)
Grasmere - Fells, Tarns & Gingerbread - Sunday 31st March 2013
So Craig wants a long run; Russ suggests Langdale but I have my doubts, this might be more of a winter mountaineering day than fell running. I come up with an alternative, LDWA's Grasmere - Fells, Tarns & Gingerbread route; 21 milles, plenty of climbing and mostly runnable. We agree on this.
Craig kindly drives and we head over to Grasmere, off running at 9:15. Another glorious day, sunny, blue sky and the fells still holding a lot of snow - alpine like. We set off up past Dove Cottage and then off road to Allcocks Tarn; a good climb to get us warmed up. From the tarn, a contour path brings us on to the Fairfield Horseshoe. Heron Pike and then to Great Rigg, at this point we all put on micro spikes for the descent to Stone Arthur; this is a revised route for the 2013 event as the organisers are keen to avoid the worn path from Farfield to Grisedale Hause.
We descend steeply to Tongue Gill and then down to cross the A591; lanes lead us to Green Burn valley which we follow before taking a path to our left and joining the Calf Crag, Gibson Knott and Helm Crag ridgeline. Along to Helm Crag s intricate and difficult running and the summit of Helm Crag a popular place on Easter Sunday.
Doubling back from the summit we make a rapid descent down a snow slope much to the amazement of many walkers who are gingerly coming down the snowy path. Down in to Far Easedale and then round to Easedale Tarn; Russ and I recall the 2011 Saunders !
From the tarn up towards Blea Rigg and, again, an intricate and snowy route to Silver Howe; we then, roughly, follow the Silver Howe / Loughrigg race route to Loughrigg and then down to the Terrace. We resist the shortcuts and stick to the described route, down to Grasmere Water and follow the shore and then road back to the village.
A great run out - good route and good company. Tea and treacle tarts back at the car and then a couple of pints of Brodie's Prime at the Hawkshead Brewery - perfecto !
Full route description:
Outerside Chase - Saturday 30th March 2013
It should have been the Causey Pike fell race today but due to the ongoing snow and ice on the fells the route si revised and becomes the Outerside Chase; well done to Keswick AC for coming up with a B plan.
It is a Club Champs race so I am expecting to see a lot of Helm runners and some serious competition; this is not the case, just 3 of us, 2 men and 1lady; a real shame but it has its advantages !
However, there is a big field and a strong field for this short race, just 4.5miles and 1,500' of ascent. The race starts promptly at 1 and heads up the lane and on to the fell. A quick scramble through the river and up a bank leads to the main track up Stoneycroft.
This is a rough track and I'm not sure if my Inov-8 Oroc's are the best choice ! The route is marshalled and they direct us right up a short climb to the first checkpoint on Stilend. The ground is part frozen, part thawed and very little snow and ice here.
Good running leads to Outside and checkpoint 2, I don't feel I am running that well and I get passed by a few on the steep heathery descent to the track. From here, fast running back down Stonycoft, cross the beck and down the lane.
A good little race and talk of it becoming an evening fixture near year; a good idea. Results:
Pictures:
http://www.athletesinaction.co.uk/photo17607366.html
https://picasaweb.google.com/112660024446587293959/CauseyPikeOuterside2013?noredirect=1#5861210400203253618
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