Fairfield and then Beer Fest - Friday 19th July 2013

It's forecast to be even hotter today so I'm again up and out early. Over to Rydal for a steady run around the Horseshoe. 

It is stiflingly hot on the way up but fortunately a little cloud cover and light breeze makes it more bearable from the summit of Fairfield. I'm slow through, the heat is draining and I start to look forward to a dip in the beck when back at Rydal.  

This is great but actually not even that cold, still refreshing. Then into Ambleside for lunch at Daisy's.

Later on I meet up with Russ for a run to Potter Tarn, a dip and then back to the Brewery for the Beer Fest; meet up with Mick, Craig and Amanda for a fun evening. 

Staveley Run and Arnside Run - Thursday 18th July 2013

So back from hols and it's even hotter here than in Switzerland. I'm up and out early, over to Staveley for a quick run to Potter Tarn, Potter Fell and Brunt Knott. It's hot and takes me a while to cool down and the have a bacon roll at More.

Early evening I head out on bike from Natland to Arnside, the full loop this time but, again, not a great evening ! 

Tour of the Matterhorn - Tuesday 9th to Wednesday 17th July 2013

...

Lyth Valley Ride - Monday 8th July 2013

Off work for two weeks and a lot to get sorted today. Still sorting kit from the Saunders and need to start thinking about my trip to Switzerland tomorrow, if I go !

I have a quick ride out to Storth, along the usual Arnside route; it's not a great evening ! 

Saunders Lakeland Mountain Marathon - Saturday & Sunday 6th & 7th July 2013

Back to the tried and tested team, Russ and I ! Lost count how many Mountain Marathons we have competed in together but we must be doing something right to come back for more. 

The start of this years SLMM is a farm just to the South of White Combe (which is just East of Black Combe). We're in for a hot weekend and I pack light, small tent, lightweights waterproofs, Primaloft gilet rather than smock and other weight saving choices. 

So we're off and soon into marking our maps and deciding on route choice. Our first control is on White Hall Knott and we have a short steep climb through the gorse to reach the summit. Then we head, generally, in a northerly direction picking up various controls; navigation does not cause us any issues and the running is reasonably good - grassy and very clear. On to Whitfell and close to Devoke Water before heading out towards Green Crag; this was a bit of a tussocks trudge but only to be expected on a MM. 

Back towards Devoke and then some fast, wet running to the overnight camp at Stainton; this is a great location and the weather is glorious. Views west are out to the sea and east to the fells. An enjoyable evening, camped next to Garry and Caroline and I catch up with numerous people that I know, including Mike the skipper of Nanatak (Scottish Islands Peak Race). 

 Day two dawns bright and we set off for a slightly more tricky control on Yoadcastle. We pass Steve Baker and make good progress zig-zagging our way to the finish. But then comes the sting in the tail, a real tough heathery contour which goes on for miles and includes some really steep ravines and ghylls to drop into and then straight back out, Russ is not impressed and is wilting in the heat. 

Our last climb takes us straight up the back of Black Combe and to the tarn just south of the main summit. Then a painfully steep descent through head height bracken to Whitecombe Beck and the finish at White Hall Farm. 

We have run well, steady pace and precise navigation. We head to the beck to cool off and then grab some food.

We finish 17th overall, a pleasing result. 

Another great weekend, thanks Russ.

Results:

http://www.slmm.org.uk/2013/Results/overall/bowfell.html

SLMM website (with links to photos and event comments):

http://www.slmm.org.uk/

Lyth Valley Ride - Friday 5th July 2013

Saunders this weekend and things to get sorted but manage a quick ride from Natland around the usual Lyth Valley route. A pleasant evening. 

A rest day - Thursday 4th July 2013

Just seems too much going on at the moment and not the energy to deal with it !

Askham Fell Race - Wednesday 3rd July 2013

Another Championship race and a relatively familiar area; had recce'd around here a few times several months ago.

A better Helm turnout, Paul, Garry, Craig, Stuart, Amanda, Jayne, Ali and Rachel - good to see. A pleasant evening and a reasonable run - Craig has moved up a league and I have moved back one, so instead of being similar we are two leagues apart and it shows. He runs well, sticking closely to Paul all the way.

I work hard, still not the energy I would like but stick with it and sort of enjoy. Up to Heughscar Hill then to Arthur's Pike, Bonscale Pike and back to Heughscar. Runnable all the way, the return leg is long and although mainly downhill it still needed a lot of effort.

I finish 14th in about 1hr 15mins, Paul is 10th and Craig 11th. Those who completed all four races in this mini series (Jayne) are awarded a handmade mug, very nice and an incentive for next year.

Results to follow.

River / Canal Run - Tuesday 2nd July 2013

Out with work again tonight so manage a late afternoon run along the river and canal. It doesn't go well, I get chased by a cow....this might sound amusing, but it wasn't.

All work and no play - Monday 1st July 2013

Tired from yesterday's race and not getting to bed until 1am. Out with work this evening so no chance of getting to training.

Lairig Ghru Fell Race - Sunday 30th June

This is a great route and great race; through the Cairngorms, from Braemar Police Station to Aviemore Police Station - 42km and 640m of climbing.

A leisurely 10am start and hassle-free registration is good, and was only a 2 minute drive from the campsite. A record entry this year, 200 runners but after a few drop-outs about 185 starters.

The plan was that KA and I would run this together, a new race for KA but, for me, my 3rd time. The route heads out of the village towards the Linn of Dee, about 2 or 3 miles on the road and then cuts right, across White Bridge, to Mar Lodge.

Soon after this a water station and then we get off road on good tracks which leads to Derry Lodge. The weather is good, breezy but high cloud and just the threat of a little drizzle. Marshalls at Derry Lodge kindly provide water and sweets and then we head in to the hills.

We take it steady, we are both not running at our best; today is about doing the distance, time and position are irrelevant. A few light showers blow through but not enough to need jackets and it gets breezy higher up.

It's good to get to the head of the pass, Aviemore looks a long way from here. There are still some big snow patches on the higher summits, this is a wild place and this is what attracts me to this area. It's all downhill from here, rough for a couple of miles and then it gets easier as we get to the forest.

Really pleasant running through the woods and then the last few miles is on the road. We finish well, picking up the pace through the woods and on the road, over-taking rather than being over-taken.

Food and drink is very welcome and then the long journey home begins.

Results and details:

http://www.deesiderunners.com/?page_id=27

Photos (third set of photos):

http://www.action-heroes.co.uk/galleries2/LairigGhru13/index.html

Heading North - Saturday 29th June 2013

A big race tomorrow, heading to Braemar today - a great place to be.

Kirkby Stephen Sports - Friday 28th June 2013

Body and mind not up for this tonight but to get in 8 championship races I have no choice. Head straight there from work, it is cloudy and rain threatens but actually as the evening goes on the weather clears and it becomes a pleasant evening.

Just a few other Helm runners, the race is later starting than expected. More of a cross country route, along the river, through some fields and then a wood and, towards the end of the out route, a steep uphill. The ground is rutted and just a little muddy on the surface, not a great combination.

Craig is flying again, I work hard but, as is now become the norm, there is little in the tank. I finish 7th and am glad when it is over. At least I survive the raw burger that I am served at the BBQ so it's not all bad news.

Results:


http://howgillharriers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/KS-Sports-Senior-Fell-Race-Results-20132.pdf