Evening Ride - Friday 29th August 2014

It's been a busy week but short week at work, I'm glad to be home and heading out on bike. Usual loop from home, Windermere Road, Kendal Green, Burneside, Potter Tarn Fell Road, Staveley, Bowston and the Hollins Lane.

Good to get out. 

Evening Run - Thursday 28th August 2014

Best laid plans and all that.....but only myself to blame. So a planned recce of IHR Leg 1 is downgraded to a Staveley run, which then gets downgraded to a Scar run and after just 15 mins this turns into a Canal / River run from Natland to Levens Bridge and back ! 

A frustrating evening with a lot of wasted time !

Training - Wednesday 27th August 2014

First session with Shaun for a while, he's just as tough on us ! A good session, but I don't run as well as I would like - my calfs and Achilles are so tight :-(

Pilates - Tuesday 26th August 2014

Back to Staveley this week, a hard class.

Grisedale Horseshoe - Monday 25th August 2014

The boys are back in town.....out with Russ and Craig.  We decide on the Grisedale Horseshoe Race Route, Craig has a map (that's worrying !) but none of us know the exact route (that's also worrying). The forecast was for some rain, a little wind and cool; I decide of 3/4's and a Helly, plus pack but the boys decide on shorts and bumbags !

There are lots of comments about this being a tough race....Craig, it will be !  We head off from Glenridding, through the campsite and a steady climb towards Birkhouse Moor and the Hole 'n Wall. Then drop to Red Tarn and a steep climb to the summit of Catstye Cam (CP 1). Then a traverse of Swirral Edge, shorter than expected and we are soon at CP 2, the summit of Helvellyn. Despite it being a Bank Holiday we have the summit to ourselves. 

Then on past Nethermost Pike and Dollywagon and drop to CP 3, the East end of Grisedale Tarn.  A long steady climb from here to CP 4 on St Sunday Crag, I aim to run the ridge and manage this. We descend via the IHR route and then find the gully and the zig-zag path (which Russ and I used on this years SLMM) to CP 5 at the barn. Now we start to make it up and we get it wrong, big style ! We head through the river, this is right, but then straight up, very steeply  through head height bracken, this really is not fun. Eventually we hit the main path and follow this to the stile just before Hole 'n Wall, where we think CP 6 must be !

We then retrace our outward route, all the way back to the start / finish. Take and cakes at the car are welcome. A longer day out than expected and, CP 6, well that was in a very different place to where we thought.....some 200m lower and probably well clear of the bracken !! We live and learn !!

Ride - Sunday 24th August 2014

A cool but very bright start. I head out from home, wearing leg warmers, arm warmers and a hat !, up to Brigsteer Road, Prizet, Natland (punctures !), Sedgwick, Levens, Brigsteer, UnderBarrow, Crook, Staveley (breakfast at More), Burneside, Hollins Lane and home. 

A good 27 miler.....now chores to be done. 

Arnison Crag Horseshoe - Saturday 23rd August 2014

Torn between Weasdale Horseshoe Fell Race or to Patterdale Dog Day for the Arnison Crag Horseshoe. The latter wins, another short race, just 5km and 300m.

It's a relatively small, low-key fell race but it gets a good intro from the show announcer. Ran this two years ago when it was a Club Champs race, didn't look up my time (deliberately) so will be interesting to see just how much slower I am.

It's a cracking route, out of the show field up a grassy bank, onto a track, then a long pull up a boggy valley, join the undulating ridge and then to the summit of Arnison Crag.  I run hard and I run well, but my descending lets me down and I lose a place or two, but finish 9th, happy with that.

KA has a great run, but missing out on being 1st lady, she is overtaken just before the line and beaten by 1 second; but she still picks up, eventually (!) prizes for category wins (!). 

And my time, well it was slower but they both started with 27mins so perhaps things are as bad as I thought !!

Loughrigg Run - Friday 22nd August 2014

Had intended to go out at lunch but decided against this, that's works out well as, at short notice, I head over to Ambleside for a run over Loughrigg.

A glorious evening, great views and a joy to be out. Follow race route to the summit but, on the way back, detour to Lilly Tarn and follow the Loughrigg / Silver Howe race route back to the park.

Pilates - Thursday 21st August 2014

Missed Tuesday, so a catch-up class at Windermere tonight; I always seem to enjoy and get more from it on a Thursday, not sure why. 

Round Latrigg - Wednesday 20th August 2014

My turn to race tonight, a pleasant evening so I head to Keswick.......Round Latrigg Fell Race, a new one for me. Only short, 8.8km and just 240m of climb - that's mean a fast pace ! 

Amazingly, 187 racers for a mid-week race, but only two from Helm. It sets off fast, as expected, and follows the Skiddaw Race to the parking area at Latrigg, all runnable and, from there, very fast. It follows a broad grassy track, then a small lane and eventually drops to the old railway line. Familiar terrain for me, I pick the pace up, I know there is still a way to go, but I know this well and manage to pace myself accordingly, overtaking as I go. 

I finish 27th in 36:54' I'm happy with that. Hot shower, this should be obligatory at all fell races, a drink and prize giving; a good evening out and a race that I would definitely do again. 

Link to photos and results:

http://www.keswickac.org.uk

Shipman Knotts Fell Race - Tuesday 19th August 2014

Tonight it's Russ's fell race; I offer to help and take on my usual role of summit marshal, that suits me. 

A cool evening but high cloud and just one heavy shower blows through as I take a steady walk to the summit; wet feet though are inevitable. 

A good turn out, 47 runners and Rob Jebb makes it first to the summit, by a very clear margin. I wait patiently for the 47th runner but after a search of both possible routes I guess at a retirement, my feet are getting cold too ! 

So I head down and meet Amanda and Imogen at the top gate, they confirm that there had been a retirement. We jog down, and make it back just as prize giving takes place and manage to grab the last of the cakes and coffee. 

Well done Russ, another good race and I'm sure happy racers; a sensible prize approach too, other clubs / organisers could learn from this; one prize, one person, on that basis a lot of people win prizes, that must make them feel good, it would me. 

Scar Run - Monday 18th August 2014

Not sure what to do tonight, go to training, do my own thing or probably should have gone out at lunchtime. 

I decide on Scar, park by the racecourse and head out in the rain. But it soon eases and I slog it out around the usual paths.  Back in just an hour, that's enough tonight. 

IHR Legs 3 & 2 - Sunday 17th August 2014

Lacking motivation today, maybe I should be at Sedbergh Hills or someone else but it's another day out on my own. 

So I head up to Kirkstone in the Cali, I sit there contemplating the day ahead and as I do the camper is shaking as the wind and rain lash against it ! Anyone I need to man up, so on with waterproofs, hat and glove.....yes, it is August !, and on up Red Screes.

Actually it is cool, but the weather is ok; the cloud is high and the heavy squally showers come and go, with some clear sky and occasional glimpses of sunshine.

Then down to Scandale Pass, on up to skirt around Dove Crag and down Dovedale to Brotherswater; the rock is treacherous and I don't get the perfect line but there's no rush today. Then around the back of the Tarn and on up to Hartsop....was here exactly a week ago.

I manage to run all of the track to Hayeswater, but then a slow grind up to the Knott and pick the pace up again to the summit of High Street. It is cold and wet up here so keep going towards Thornwaite and a steep descent to Thresthwaite Mouth.  Short, steep climb to Caudale Moor then a blast down Raven's Edge and the waiting Cali.

Kettle on, dry clothes and a chance to chill. About 14 miles and 4,600' of ascent. 

Ride - Saturday 16th August 2014

Out early on bike, weather does not look great and it's cool.....autumn has arrived early ! From home, across to Brigsteer Road, Brigsteer, Levens, Lyth Valley, Brigsteer (again), Underbarrow, Crook and to Staveley....time for brunch. 

Spoilt for choice at More, do I go for a bacon and egg roll or one of their new pastries.....ok, so I go for both but it is brunch ! 

Then out back of Staveley to Burnside, Hollins Lane and down Windermere Road to home. About 23 miles and I do stay dry. 

Ride - Friday 15th August 2015

So home after a 5pm client meeting on a Friday (!!), I head out on bike for a quick 14 miler. Usual route from home, down through Kendal Green, Burneside and then to Staveley via the Potter Fell road. 

Back through Bowston and Burneside and then the delights of Hollins Lane and Windermere Road to finish, back in exactly 1hour. 

Potter Tarn & Potter Fell - Thursday 14th August 2014

Out with Russ tonight for a steady run in the rain. Out along river and then to Potter Tarn, not warm enough for a swim tonight ! Then on up towards Gurnal Dubs but cut off left on a trod and eventually to Potter Fell. 

The rain is relatively light and intermittent and the views are spectacular; to the Howgills, the light is stunning and the heather, coming in to bloom, is very vivid.

We then head down the track, across the fields and back into the village. Out for about an hour and twenty, well worth it. 

Training - Wednesday 13th August 2014

On Helm, most Elite runners take it easy and head off with Billy; those wanting a tougher session are referred to Russell. 

We work on pairs, a bit of a tag session, short fast sprints....these are not for me but perhaps do me good. Thanks Russ !

Btw, had the Quattro exactly 2 years today ! 

Pilates -Tuesday 12th August 2014

So I've stuck at it, still there, me and the girls ! I'm told that I am much more flexible and actually feel it too so, onwards and upwards. 

Training - Monday 11th August 2014

I head to training hut having raced Saturday and been out on the fells again yesterday, I settle for running around steady laps and not much else. 

IHR Leg 2 - Sunday 10th August 2014

Forecast not great for today, we're due to get the tail end of hurricane Bertha from the States; but actually this never really materialises. It not a great day, a bit wet, a bit misty and a bit windy, but really not that bad.

I head over to Kirkstone with KA, in the Cali again, and we decide to start from there and run down the valley to Brotherswater and Hartsop, where leg 2 starts; a much more gentle way to start than Hartsop to Hayeswater. But we still have that to run, or walk, and slog it out into the mist to High Street. 

It's actually quite a fast and short leg, we are soon picking up speed towards Thornthwaite and then the steep descent to Thresthwaite. Another short, rocky climb from here and I try to explain...justify.....excuse my and Rick's nav error from a few years ago; it falls upon deaf ears, I wish I hadn't bothered !

Then fast running, down Raven's Edge and the last steep descent to Kirkstone. A quick change, cuppa and the to the Hawkshead Brewery for a pint. A good afternoon out.  

Turner Landscape Fell Race - Saturday 9th August 2014

Raced this one last year, a real classic route and looking forward to it today. Head over to the Duddon with Russ in the Cali, the weather is reasonable, a little mist but forecast to improve. 

Once registered we meet up with a view other Helm runners, Chris, Brian, Karl, Lee, Jonny and Jayne, and discuss the race and route choice. We soon under way and after the usual mad dash at the start, the slow grind up to Seathwaite Tarn begins. I dig in, keep running and soon am climbing Grey Friar; a am rubbing shoulders with Brain, just as I did last year !

There is a little mist on the top, but I know my way and now hard to Swirl How and see Joss our marshalling on the route.....now there's an inspiration. Then to Coniston Old Man, I feel like I am running ok an deliberately did not look at my time from last year, really don't need the pressure. 

Very windy across Brim Fell and the a horrible descent to Goats Hawse and the short climb to Dow Crag; fast running from here then and a good line below Brown Pike, across the Walna Scar and out to White Pike on an obvious grassy trod. Flagged from here, a steep grassy descent to the wall/gate, then along the wall past the quarries and then a drop down through grassy and bouldary terrain to the finish field.

I finish in 1:49, 20th, and am pleased with that; felt good and enjoyed the race.  Other Helm runners come in, all run well and looked pleased. Then it's time for tea and cakes, the sun is out, as are the deck chairs from the tailgate of the Cali.

Link to results:

http://forum.fellrunner.org.uk/showthread.php?15507-Turner-Landscape/page17

London - Thursday 7th & Friday 8th August 2014

Best laid plans to run one or both days in Hyde Park never materialise, perhaps the rest will be sensible before Saturdays race. 

Go car spotting instead:

Training - Wednesday 6th August 2014

With no juniors and many seniors either racing, on holiday or resting there are not the usual crowds on the Helm.

So we combine senior groups and Russ leads the way. 8nhill reps, then 2 x 5 minute non-stop hill reps and then one rep to finish - by no means an easy session and some good runners in Russ's group. 

Thanks Russ, keep-up the good work, it is appreciated.  

Ride & Pilates - Tuesday 5th August 2014

Working from home today, could, and should, have gone out at lunchtime when it was sunny but instead go out late afternoon, just as the rain arrives. Just a short ride out, the Potter Tarn road loop. All a bit quiet and uneventful really. 

Then to Pilates....no it's not a tattoo, just K-tape ! It has been noticed that I am becoming more flexible, I'm feeling it too but as for increasing my core strength, I'm still not sure. 

Training - Monday 4th August 2014

So if ever I needed a wake-up call, this was it ! Not been to a track training session on Monday since about mid-January, and my come-back was not great !

I really have lost my speed, endurance and motivation - it's not good and there is a lot of work to do....the challenge is on !

Langdale Run - Sunday 3rd August 2014

Original plan had been to recce the Langdale Horseshoe route but the forecast and reality of the wet and windy weather materialising dictated a change. So, with KA, headed to Elterwater (they are now charging 20 pennies to spend a penny.....or if you follow someone else in there is no charge !) and  we run up and over Lingmoor. However, we get distracted on the way by Himalayan Bolson weed, a highly invasive annual weed......don't ask !! Then down to Blea Tarn and the route of the UTLD 50 & 100 (which was only last weekend) as far as Tilberthwaite. 

Then head down the road to pick up the Cumbria Way, to Tarn Hows and on down to Skelwith. From there an easy run back to Elterwater but yet more Bolson !!

Couldn't resist Chester's for a late lunch on the way home ! And yes it was wet, perhaps not as bad as the Met Office's severe weather warnings might have suggested but the Inov-8 Stormshell 150 seem to cope well. 

An early ride - Saturday 2nd August 2014

It's not a great forecast for the weekend but I take advantage of the dry start. Head out from home, an early detour (around the cows) results in wet feet but better than being chased ! Then towards the Scar and down the big hill into Brigsteer. Across to Underbarrow, Crook and down to Staveley, a quick latte and pastry at More and then the back road out of the village to Burneside, up Hollins Lane and home, down Windermere Road. Turns wet just as I get back, 17.5 miles, then a quick shower and over to take the wee fella out. 

Potter Tarn - Friday 1st August 2014

I head out after work to Staveley.  No set plan, out on my own, I run along the river and then up to Potter Tarn; then on up towards Gurnall Dubs but at the wall cut off left and across to Potter Fell. It is a warm, muggy evening with reasonable views, I think. Then head back down, only a short run but have been steadily building up the mileage, and that's enough for tonight. 

Monday 10th March to 31st July 2014

A lot to catch-up on; not really felt like keeping my blog up-to-date for the last few months but will get round to updating it and, going forward, keeping it up-to-date.