Friday 28 June 2013
Giving it all a miss today - Thursday 27thJune 2013
....back on the iron supplement, maybe this is where I was going wrong !
Training - Wednesday 26th June 2013
Going backwards not forwards, very frustrtating and dragging me down.
Wednesday 26 June 2013
Arnside Ride - Tuesday 25th June 2013
A warm and sunny day; head out on usual route from Natland to Arnside......fish & chips......and then head back. Good to be out.
Training - Monday 24th June 2013
So having had a week or two where I have felt more energetic and I am now back to where I was....frustrating.
It's just hard work tonight and I feel I am going backwards; it is a long session, 6.4km of hard work and 2k of warm-up / warm-down. Don't particularly feel wasted at the end but had no 'go' during the session :-(
Two runs.... Sunday 23rd June 2013
Today doesn't go to plan.
I head over to Ambleside and run the Loughrigg / Silver Howe race route; 8.5 miles and 2,500' of climb. Manage to avoid most of the wet weather, a bit breezy on the summits and sensible to have steered clear of the higher summits; but should have been out for longer.
later on head over to Staveley for a quick run over Potter Tarn, Potter Fell and Brunt Knott - Russ gets dragged away from spectating the bowls match...sorry about that Russ !
Sunday 23 June 2013
Ride - Saturday 22nd June 2013
Just a short ride as I leave it a bit late, want to watch the Gummer's How race. Park at Crosthwaite and ride through Bowland Bridge and then uphill and even more uphill to Gummer's How. Not being sure of the race route I walk to the summit, carrying my bike, to find out that a. you can't hardly see any of the race from here and b. that where I left the road is where the runners will go and would be a good place to spectate !
So I wonder back down, carrying my bike to the gate. I can see that the Individual race has started, can just make out the boats being rowed across the lake.
It is not long before Alastair Dunn is in sight, well ahead of the pack. A big Helm turnout in this small race, everyone seems to keep this to themselves !
I see them all head back down and am then torn. It will be at least 45 mins before the teams set off and reach this point, it is wet and cold and I am wet and cold !
A plan, ride back to car and then drive back here, should work out. I'm back in time to see the team race, again a big Helm turnout. Good to watch, maybe one year I'll enter.
BG Leg 2 - Thursday 20th June 2013
At short notice I decide to help on a BG attempt. Penny, a Dallam runner, brought forward her run by a day in order to avoid the bad weather which was forecast for Friday night and into the weekend; a sensible move.
I am at Threlkeld just before 9pm, as is Penny, ahead of schedule ! I am one of 4 pacers and just making up the numbers rather than playing a key part. She doesn't pause for long before setting off on the next leg. She is in good spirits and looking strong.
We head up through Newsham to the Old Coach Road which we then follow East for a while and then up a trod to Clough Head - not been this way before but like it.
The conditions are good, dry underfoot and high cloud, warm too. All goes well, across the Dodds and then we at Sticks Pass she has more support, tea and cakes and enough for us too !
It turns a bit wet, but still high cloud, a good chance to try out my new OMM Cypher jacket. We tick off the summits, still ahead of schedule and she is running well. After Dollywagon we decide to miss out the last two peaks and head down to Dunmail, back there just before 1am. It's good to have camper there, food and drink and plenty of space to get changed and avoid the midges.
Penny goes on to complete her Round in 23:40, excellent effort. I are it home by 3am, up at 7 for work !
Thursday 20 June 2013
Hawkshead 10k - Wednesday 19th June 2013
I have not been training on the Helm for weeks and decide to miss again. It's the night of the Hawkshead 10k, one of my favourite road races.
This is very popular and is often a a Championship race for many clubs, tonight it was also the Cumbria Road Championship (?).
A warm evening and just a few Helm runners: KA, Shelley, Andy Bennett and Carol Graham (V70 !!). It's hard work, I had thought, having run well at Bendrigg and Cautley, that my running was on the up but it didn't feel like that tonight. Perhaps set off a bit quick and then never felt relaxed and at ease.
I finish in 19th position (out of 175 finsishers) and 3rd MV40 in the Cumbria Championship, time of about 37:58, over a monute slower than last year !
KA had a great race, 3rd Lady and 1st Cumbria Champion :-)
Drinks, BBQ and prize-giving in the Square after the race - a good evening out but could have been a better performance from me !
Fish & Chips - Tuesday 18th June 2013
A glorious evening and I decide to head to the best fish & chip shop around.....by bike.
Head out from Natland, usual route through Crosscrake, Viver, Milnthorpe, Dallam Park and Storth. A glorious evening and I enjoy my fish & chips on the promenade.
Head back through Sandside, Heversham, Hincaster and Sedgwick. Out for about 2 hours, a good evening.
Training - Monday 17th June 2013
Hard going tonight - sometimes (actually occasionally) it's enjoyable and goes quickly, tonight was not one of those nights !
Sunday 16 June 2013
Silverdale Ride - Sunday 16th June 2013
After a much needed lie-in I decide to head out on bike. The weather is improving but I am cautious and end up overdressing. Park at Force Bridge and head back towards Natland and then usual route, heading to Arnside. But just before getting there swing left and loop out to Silverdale; a quick stop at the shore, the weather is now glorious and I regret wearing my heavier long-sleeved Gore cycle top !
Then on towards Arnside but stop for tea and cake at Holgates Caravan Park. Then on to Arnside and back via Sandside, Heversham and Hincaster. A very enjoyable afternoon.
Nina's BG, Leg 1 pacing duties - Saturday 15th June 2013
So on Friday afternoon I get a text......"are you doing anything tomorrow evening ?".......this sounds ombinus, my response is cautious, "why ?"........."Bob Graham Leg 1 !!".
So of course I say yes and at 9pm on a very wet Saturday evening I find myself at the Moot Hall in Keswick. It was all a last minute decision, hence not much support. Nina arrives at 8.55 and we set-off at 9, full waterproofs on but the cloud is lifting, the wind is dropping and the rain is easing.
We are joined by Richard too and head up Skiddaw, We are only in the mist at the summit and are there 7 minutes up on schedule. It's gloomy and darker before it should be at this time of year. We hit the trod to Hare Crag and once at the track put on headtoches.
Good progress is made up Great Calva and we play safe and follow the fence line down to the track and then to the River Caldew; fortunately not too deep or fast flowing today.
I take a bearing for the next leg and at the top of the trudge hit the trod and follow this to Foule Crags. All is going well, Nina is strong and we are still up on schedule.
The summit of Blencathra is grim, misty, wet and windy and I need a bearing to get us safely from Foule Crags to the summit. We agree that Doddick would be an easier and safer descent tonight and I lead carefully from the summit so as not to miss the start of the ridge.
We pick it up easly and make a quick descent on the much better terrain of this ridge, longer but more straight forward. It eats into out time though and we arrive at Threlkeld at 01:02, a few minutes behind but not too much to worry about.
From here it is just Nina and Richard, I head home for much needed sleep. I was pleased the leg went well, navigation was testing in places but got it spot-on.
Sadly Nina pulled out at the end of Leg 2, they got lost and timing went badly behind. Hopefully she will attempt again soon.
River / Canal Run - Friday 14th June 2013
Head out at lunch, just as a heavy shower decides to dampen my spirits. Usual route, the rain soon clears and a pleasant run out.
Cautley Fell Race - Wednesday 12th June 2013
A new race, to replace the cancelled Tebay fell race. And what a race, well done to Howgills Harriers for organising this......but brutal !!
From just over the footbridge at Cautley the route led along the track for, maybe 750m, before turning right and very abruptly uphill. A full on climb leading to Yarlside. A good Helm turnout, a club champ race.
I climb well but can't stay with Robin or Mel but ahead of GB. From the summit, which is just in the clag, double back and then bear right to the Hause. I get a good line and pass Mel. For once I seem to have energy, both mentally and physically, this is good.
Up a wee valley to CP2 at a sheepfold and then another steep flagged climb to Great Dummocks. Again in the mist and the flags from the summit soon run out. I keep right, remembering what people had told me about the WL race. Out of the mist I see runners to my left, they had dropped steeper but not sure had gained much. The descent is brutal, this race all happens in the first and the last mile.
I continue to run well and reach the finish in just under 1hour. Robin had a great race, as did Helm ladies. The weather really closes in at the finish, a shame but a good excuse to dive for cover in the Cross Keys Inn - hot food, a free beer and prize giving; a good way to round off a great little race.
Link to results:
And race details:
Monday 10 June 2013
Training - Monday 10th June 2013
Head to training, another warm and dry evening. Decide to wear the Salomon Sense Ultra tonight: http://www.salomon.com/uk/product/s-lab-sense-ultra.html .....they are impressive, light and responsive....just what I need.
A good session, 800m, 600m, 400m, 200m, 200m, 400m, 600m, 800m, 800m, 600m, 400m, & 200m......and then a few laps to warm down.
For once I actually enjoy the training :-)
Fairfield Horseshoe - Sunday 9th June 2013
Another hot day and I wait to late afternoon before heading out. Over to Rydal and a quick blast around the Horseshoe. The last of the walkers are heading down Nab Scar as I manage to run all the way to the top. My calfs are tight from yesterday's 10k but energy level is high......at last !
The sky has clouded over and it is sultry and looks very stormy; I don't like the thought of getting caught in a thunder storm on the fells so decide to out run it !
I am trying out a new bit of kit, an Ultimate Direction SJ: http://www.ultimatedirection.com/p-601-sj-ultra-vest.aspx?category=signature-series .....what a pack, soon available at The Outdoor Warehouse: http://www.outdoorwarehouse.co.uk/ ......and a detailed review from me to follow soon.
The ground is very dry and the running fast, it grows ever more stormy, but I am soon at the summit of Fairfield. I don't stop and keep running well. I make it round without the a storm developing and finish in about 2hrs 15mins; I am pleased with this, ran well and feel good.
Saturday 8 June 2013
Bendrigg 10k - Saturday 8th June 2013
A race I have always wanted to run but has always clashed with the LAMM; however, as there is no LAMM this year this is my opportunity.
It is a hot day and the tarmac will be radiating heat. A good Helm turn out and a friendly atmosphere at the summer fete. The race starts promptly at 2pm, it's hot and hard work. I set off fast and for a short distance am in 2nd position. This doesn't last and I settle into 5th position which I maintain through the race.
Heartbreak Hill, as it is affectionately known, is at the end of the race, I gain on the 4th place guy and think I can overtake him, I am working flat out, he realises this and digs a little deeper, managing to hold me off.
So I settle for 5th (in about 38:40), Shaun, John, Phil and Brian all race well, as does Victoria and Ian. I pick up 1st V40, and form part of the winning Team and Vet Team; come away with some good prizes.
A race to do again, just hope it doesn't clash next year with the LAMM.
Potter Tarn Run - Friday 7th June 2013
Meet with Russ and Kath in Staveley for an early evening run. We head along river and then up to Potter Tarn. It is a hot and sunny evening, this makes the climbs hard work. Getting worried about Russ, he keeps falling over !
Then towards Dubs before heading off over Potter Fell and the Brunt Knott, direct descent and then lanes and fields back to Staveley. A glorious evening to be out.
A quick pint in the Hawkshead Brewery and then fish & chips - a good way to finish a pleasant evening out.
Lyth Valley Ride - Thursday 6th June 2013
Head out straight after work from Natland for usual Lyth Valley route. Another hot and sunny evening, it's good to be out.
Wednesday 5 June 2013
Scout Scar Run - Wednesday 5th June 2013
Working tonight so will miss training and the Blencathra fell race. So head out at lunch for a run on the Scar. Not run this route for a while, have missed it. A hot, sunny day and its great to take in the view from that special place. Energy levels are ok but serious pain from Achilles, need to get this looked at.
Lyth Valley Ride - Tuesday 4th June 2013
Another glorious evening and I head out from Natland on my bike. The usual Lyth Valley route but twice, so about a 25 miles ride.
Training - Monday 3rd June 2013
Training and for once I seem to have some energy - maybe it's the Inov-8 F-Lite 195's or the iron supplement I have been taking, who knows and perhaps to early to tell but long may it last.
A warm evening, I am worked hard and I work hard, rewarding.
Sunday 2 June 2013
Lyth Valley Ride - Sunday 2nd June 2013
It was a late night, actually didn't make it home until it was light - 4ish and then up too early. Made it out early evening for a ride around the Lyth Valley.; good to get some fresh air and stretch legs, but tired.
Sandra Scott's Joss Naylor Challenge (JNC) - Saturday 1st June 2013
Sandra is back, both fitter and more determined than last year. She asks me if I can support from Rossett Pike but am later down-graded to meet at Sty Head; this works well as I travel with Kath and Victoria to Wasdale.
It seems strange to be home when Sandra was already on her way, text updates suggested she was ahead of schedule and I twice brought forward our departure time.
Once at Wasdale we sort kit, drink tea and then head up to Styhead. The weather is ideal, although a little cool as we sit and wait for sight of Sandra. She appears and we jump into action; she is looking well and just about on schedule or perhaps a few minutes behind. I make her coffee and porridge but suggest we don't wait long.
It is a steady walk up Gable and at the summit we are confronted by cloud, wind and rain - this is not fair ! I take a bearing and head off the right way, we descend the large boulders, still in the mist, and I feel that I am leading us the wrong way - stupidly, despite this, we carry on and as we come out of the cloud I realise my mistake. Too far right and this brings us out on the traverse path below Gable.perhaps 10 minutes wasted, I am furious with myself, but try not to let this show to others and make sure that my leading is faultless from now on.
Kirk Fell goes well, the weather has cleared and we are blessed again with ideal conditions. It's not warm though, and at a steady pace extra layers are required. I am obvious of so many things when pacing...time, pace, navigation and, of course, the most important person, Sandra.
I am concerned that we are losing more time and Kath and Victoria do a great job spurring Sandra on gently and, later on, not so gently :-)
View from ascent of Pillar, looking back to Kirk Fell and Great Gable (Sandra is in the blue jacket, with poles):
I keep calculating how we are doing....will she or won't she do it within 24 hours ?! We have eaten into her 30 minute buffer and it will be tight - come on Sandra, keep it going !
Once over Pillar, which is a big climb at the best of times, we are on to Scoat Fell and out to Steeple. The sun is starting to go down, it cools, and as we head out on the ridge conditions are perfect - I deliver the sunset as requested.
It gets harder, Sandra is tired and finding it hard...I think she is allowed to....on to Haycock and I make absolutely sure I know where I am heading; compass bearing, even in these good conditions, just to make sure. We get a good line, down into Pots of Ashes. Almost dark now and a whole selection of very bright torches light the way.
The hard climb to Seatallan is where I start to think it's not going to happen. Sandra tells me that this is the hardest thing she has ever done, I accept this but when she tells Kath she can't go on, that's not accepted....lesson learnt, be careful what you say to Kath ! :-)
We make it to the summit, we have not a second spare from now on, all the time buffer has gone. Another bearing, the outline of Middle Fell is silhouetted against the clear, black sky and there is a trail of lights on Sca Fell Pike...3 Peakers !
We make it to Middle Fell, Sandra is exhausted (she's allowed to be after over 23 hours of being on the move). I check my watch, we don't have long....I'm now on a mission - I tell Kath and Victoria that we need to 'go for it', I say little more to them but think they get the message.
Sandra is struggling to stay upright, learning forward and close to tumbling out of control. I take her by the arm and keep shouting at her (yes, me shouting !) to stand up straight, this is the only way she can get down the hill to the finish without forward rolling all the way !
It's difficult for me to hold her so Victoria takes the other arm and Kath clears the way ahead !!! It's ok for Sandra, she's on the trod, Victoria and I are off road, through the bracken, over boulders but still we hang on and drive Sandra on.
The lights of Greendale never seem to get any closer, I check my watch again, I think she will do it. We go like mad, hit the road and run the last few metres to the bridge and to the man himself, Joss.
She's done it, with just 3 minutes to spare - she is physically exhausted, I am mentally exhausted - but she has achieved :-)
Sandra later tells me that her quickest time to descend Middle Fell is about 45 minutes, her scheduled time was 35 minutes and she made it down tonight in about 27 minutes - what a great effort.
Celebrations don't last long, it is 00:30 and we are in Wasdale. We get a lift back down to the head of the valley and, at the camper, have some much needed food and drink. I drive home, the sun rises and a new day dawns. Home by 4am and soon to bed - what a day !
Loughrigg - Friday 31st May 2013
A glorious evening so head over to Ambleside for a run over Loughrigg. Follow race route to summit then a detour on the way back and then to Lilly Tarn. Good to be out.
Training - Wednesday 29th May 2013
A fartlek session tonight, over Helm and out towards Half Penny and Old Hutton - getting more and more frustrated with my lack of energy !
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