Rest day - Friday 22nd November 2013

An early start and the day spent in Liverpool. Late home and too tired for any run or ride.

River / Canal Run - Thursday 21st November 2013

Head out after work on usual route. Petzl Nao performs well. It is a cold night but good to be out.

Training - Wednesday 20th November 2013

A wild night, cold and very windy. So to the Castle tonight rather than the golf course. A hard session, I don't run well :-( 

River / Canal Run - Tuesday 19th November 2013

Head out at lunch for run around usual route. Chilly but a beautiful day.

Training - Monday 18th November 2013

Billy taking charge tonight; only 14 reps tonight but these are "Billy reps" which equates to at least 17 "Shaun reps" ! A cold and clear night. 

Coniston Race Route - Sunday 17th November 2013

It should be a cold, clear and dry morning but by the time I get to Coniston it is wet and very misty. Initial plans to run the Coniston fells, taking in all the summits is soon revised.....revised down to the race route. 

A slow start, Wetherlam is a dull place to be today, no views and lethal rocks. Soon on to Swirls Hows and race line to Brim Fell and the Old Man of Coniston. Few people about today,  I take the race line, sort of, from the summit and, sort of, find my way. Soon back at the car, not a fast run but there's no rush today. 

Kendal Mountain Festival 10k Trail Run - Saturday 16th November 2013

So after coming 3rd and 1st V40 at last years race I am offered a free entry, can't refuse that !

But it's a much higher profile race this year and a much bigger start list....a new route too. So we start in the town centre, with shoppers cheering us on. Up Beast Banks (The Beast) and the up Brigsteer Road before heading off road on to Scout Scar. I start fast, and never learn, but slow a little to a more sustainable pace, I know John and Garry are on me so this keeps me working hard. 

Along the Scar, cross Underbarrow Road and then towards Cunswick, but not as far as the summit. Head right across fields and then up and over the golf course, the final descent into town is tricky, steep, wet and slippery cobbled ginels.  I finish 25th, an ok result. A big Helm turnout and some good results. 

London - Thursday 14th & Friday 15th November, 2013

Two long days in the Big Smoke and no time for a run.

Training - Wednesday 13th November 2013

Back on golf course again; 5 long reps on a wild, wet night.

Scout Scar Run - Tuesday 12th November 2013

I head out at lunch, not run this route for a while. It's a mini classic and means a lot to me.  From Brigsteer Woods, up to Helsington Church,  down, along, up a bit, along again and then a big up.....are you with me.....we are now at my favourite place, a great view and a special place to be. 

Then along to the Mushroon, back to Trig Point and then down to Church and back to Brigsteer Woods. Good to run this again. 

No training - Monday 11th November 2013

Training is not the place for me to be tonight.

Great Gable, Remembrance Day - Sunday 10th November 2013

Missed out last year but keen to be there today. Initial plans to head to Seathwaite the night before change as I spend the evening at a neighbours firework party so, instead, head over to Langdale early Sunday morning. 

It's a cold start and forecast to be a great day. I leave the ODG at about 8:30 and take a steady run along Mickleden and up Rossett Gyhll. It's icy and a little fresh snow but, again, great views. I soon realise that it's longer this way than I had remembered so I have to step it up a gear, I'm at Styhead soon after 10 and can then relax a little but I don't like the horde's slow trudge up Gable so I go into overtaking mode !

Soon at the top, I pull on my down jacket and fire up the pocket rocket for a coffee and shortbread....bliss.  The service is short but moving, particularly with around 400 people on the summit. Two minutes silence observed and then I head back over to Langdale; the weather is forecast to change later but I make it back before it arrives and then into Ambleside for a late lunch. 

Fairfield Horseshoe - Saturday 9th November 2013

I had hoped to be at Dunnerdale today but I'm not and won't go into why ! So instead I head round Fairfield, my favourite run.  It's cool and breezy but I stay dry and just as I'm back at the car, down comes the hail. Some fresh snow on the tops a great views; a very steady run, head in a different place today. 

River / Canal Run - Friday 8th November 2013

I make it out at lunchtime, usual loop. A bit wet and very muddy but, as always, good to be out and I feel better for it.  

Turbo ! - Thursday 7th November 2013

Pushed for time tonight but I get the chance to try out my new toy.....a turbo trainer. A bit like being in the gym....boring....but I'm not up for the dark, wet and dangerous roads this winter.  It's serves it's purpose and I manage to keep going through 4 tracks from Dire Straits, Alchemy Live album....that's pretty good as most songs are over 10 minutes long and, Telegraph Road, almost 15 ! 

Training - Wednesday 6th November 2013

Back to the golf course for the first time this winter. So a long run there and a long run back - but a session of shorter reps which goes ok. A wet evening though.

Liverpool - Tuesday 5th November 2013

Away for the night - no time to run or bike.

Training - Monday 4th November 2013

Another tough session, I train hard and legs seem to respond reasonably well.

Derwent 10 - Sunday 3rd November 2013

Another race that seems to go wrong even before I start. A bit blustery but otherwise good conditions for this 10 mile road race, from Keswick, around Derwent. 

Craig runs well, I finish a minute or so behind him (1:05:20). But, as expected, a disappointing race and much slower than last year - will my running ever improve.....I would even settle for it getting no worse than where it is now.

Results:

http://www.keswick-ac.org.uk/club%20race%20results%202013/DW10%203.11.13.doc

Two short walks - Saturday 2nd November 2013

Out with Barney first thing, up to Lambrigg - we stay dry and have a good walk together. 

The rest of the day doesn't go to plan, I end up heading over to Ambleside and having a short walk to Lilly Tarn; wet at first but then clears; lucky as big storm as I drive back to Kendal. 

My Birthday ! - Friday 1st November 2013

So another year older but no lie-in for me today. Over to Staveley for a 7am yoga class, then a bacon roll at More and on to Rydal for a run around the Horseshoe; one of my favourite runs.

It's a cold day, a bit breezy but dry and clear, ideal running conditions. Out for just over two hours then home, quick shower and into work. 

A day off - Thursday 31st October 2013

I need a rest after yesterday !

Training - Wednesday 30th October 2013

A bonkers training session - only 5 reps but each climbs to the Castle three times, two are race walking the other running !

Absolutely whacked but actually get stronger on each rep - a long, long session but, miraculously, we stay dry.....the weather was horrid just 10 minutes before we set off !