Out for a lunchtime run on Scar, don't have long but good to be out.
Sunday 30 November 2014
River / Canal lunch run and evening Strengthening Session - Thursday 27th November 2014
Head out at lunch for a muddy run along the river and back along the canal then in the evening I go to John's Strenghtening session....build up a sweat there and that's just holding the plank position, not helped by a distraction !
Training - Wednesday 26th November 2014
I run to KK with Chris and then to golf course for 5 long reps. Straight home from there which makes a 17k evening. It goes ok but could always be better !
Pilates - Tuesday 25th November 2014
A bit different tonight, we do a routine and then repeat it another three times; I quite like that.
Work - Monday 24th November 2014
Head in to our Cambridge office for an hour or two and then to Trustees meeting. That goes well then North on A1 to another meeting near Stamford. Then A1 again and a long journey home. No food at home and want to delay seeing the mess that was left for me so straight to Thai and a lonely table for one !
Loughrigg & Silver Howe - Sunday 23rd November 2014
I get the feeling early on that the day is not going to go to plan and I will be much later heading to Cambridge than I need to be.
Anyway, we head over to Ambleside, four legged friend too, to run the old Loughrigg / Silver Howe race route. It's a lovely day and the running is good, plus the views are stunning.
Once back at the car it's a quick cuppa and then home to shower and head South; house is left in a mess (!!!!!), never like going away with that on my mind (OCD !!); and it's a rubbish journey. Felt bit like a Top Gear challenge, every time I got held up in traffic and I was working out the average speed I would need to achieve and then looking very carefully for speed cameras....(no letter(s) yet !).
Sort of a fun day !
Kendal Mountain Festival Traił Race - Saturday 22nd November 2014
Now in its third year, and second year on the Scout Scar route. A big Helm turnout and a special guest, Ueli Steck the legendary Swiss speed climber, I even grab a quick start line chat with him.
I get close to pole position but soon fade after Beast Banks; Craig and Paul away and both have fantastic races. I work hard and catch Ueli but his daredevil descent on the slippery cobbled ginels put him back in front of me. Anyway, he is superhuman so I can cope with that.
It's a good race, really well supported and great to be starting and finishing in the centre of town on a busy Saturday morning.
Tuesday 25 November 2014
River / Canal Run - Friday 21st November 2014.
A steady and uneventful run....but there's nowt wrong with that.
Strengthening Session - Thursday 20th November 2014
John B has organised a 'Strengthening Session'; it's good: a warmup, some drills, some Pilates, some shuttle runs and some stretching. It works well and I'll be back for more.
Training - Wednesday 19th November 2014
We head up to the golf course. For several reasons it is a better week, I work hard but could do better !
Potter Tarn and Potter Fell - Monday 17th November 2014
I forego training but instead head over to Staveley for a run to Potter Tarn and Potter Fell. A dry and clear evening, good to be out running offroad in the dark. But our detour to the fish & chip shop on the way back into the village proves disappointing....closed on Mondays !
Arnside Fell Race - Sunday 16th November 2014
A new race for me, a bit frustrating as the weather is great and my thoughts are of being on the high fells. But I'm committed so head over to Hollins Farm. It's a good little race, well supported and tasty cakes ! I run ok, but can't keep my streak of beating Sean Robinson from Howgill; I close him down in the climbs but in the flat and the descents he is much stronger.
Only 5.5 miles and 919' climb.
A busy day - Saturday 15th November 2014
Up and out early on bike; head out from home, Brigsteer, Levens, Brigsteer, Underbarrow, Crook, Staveley....Wilf's for a full meaty breakfast, Bowston, Burneside and home. A good ride out and a top breakfast ! Then out with Barnus, then to Rheged to watch Sca Fell - The Life of a Mountain (well worth watching) and then into Keswick for a potter and some food.
Friday 14 November 2014
River / Canal Run - Friday 14th November 2014
Again I avoid the bad weather and head out at lunchtime for a run along the river and back along the canal; it's not been a great few days but things start to look up. And yes, I do pay the price for those bloomin press-ups !
Scar Run and Pilates - Thursday 13th November 2014
I dodge the foul weather and head out at lunch for a run on the Scar; usual route, a good run.
Then later to Pilates, a good class but I know the press-ups will hurt tomorrow.
London - Tuesday 11th November 2014
A long day, South on the 06:21 from Oxenholme and North on the 18:30 from Euston. But a successful day, Rathbone's new strategy, I like what I see and hear; exciting times ahead.
Training - Monday 11th November 2014
Not in the zone tonight, raced Saturday and a long day out yesterday; but it's a good session and I get through it.
Remembrance Day, Great Gable - Sunday 9th November 2014
It's tradition, Great Gable for the Remembrance Day service. Joined by KA, we head out from Langdale. It's a long trek in from here, about 6.5 miles and plenty of climb. But I like the route, Mickleden, Rossett Ghyll, Angle Tarn, Esk Hause, Sprinkling Tarn, Styhead and then the climb up Gable.
On the way I worry that we might not make it for 11am, but actually we time it well and arrive just in time to fire-up the Jetboil and add an extra layer. The service is brief, but with hundreds of people standing silent on the summit of this fantastic fell, the atmosphere is moving.
We head back the same way, the rocks are very greasy and we take advantage of any grass or scree lines. At Esk Hause we detour to Allen Crags, another Wainwright tick for KA. Then back to the Cali parked at the ODG; not the most appealing of refreshment stops so it's off to Chesters for a late lunch and then a shopping trip to Cheryl and Russ's shop in Windermere; a good day.
Dunnerdale Fell Race - Saturday 8th November 2014
A new race for me, recce'd it last weekend and just over a year ago; I'm confident of the route and despite a horrid forecast, conditions are reasonable.
The usual big Helm turnout for this race, helped or not-helped as it's the last of the Club Champ races. Parking is not great, perhaps car my have been better than Cali but it proves useful weekend after weekend as a place to change both before and after races and runs, and somewhere to drink coffee and prepare.
Anyway back to the race, I feel ok and set off strong, ahead of Craig and Garry; the latter draws level on the steep road that leads to the fells, I crank it up a bit more, it's there to crank, and pull away but he gets his revenge later. Craig overtakes once in the fells, he's strong and finishes 3rd V40.
The climbs go well, the descents less so; it's wet underfoot but not wearing a jacket does not prove to be a mistake. All goes well, but the last descent is gnarly and I tackle this like an old women. GB passes me, out of control, and despite my getting past him on the grassy track he again takes the lead and beats me by 5 seconds.
But I'm pleased with my performance, things are starting to look up. Some great results by Helm, including Men's and Ladies Team and 1st Lady V50.
Pies and prize giving are a good way to end the day, plus the pub stop in Broughton on way home.
Sunday 9 November 2014
River / Canal Run - Friday 7th November 2014
Head out at lunch for the usual river / canal run. Good to get out.
Turbo Trainer- Thursday 6th November 2014
Another session on the turbo trainer - it serves a purpose !
Training - Wednesday 5th November 2014
Golf course tonight; 5 reps and great views of the fireworks at the Castle. A good training session, I work hard and it works !
Loughrigg & Pilates - Tuesday 4th November 2014
A good forecast and I take the morning off for a run over Loughrigg. But start with a bacon roll at More and then to Ambleside.
Park Under Loughrigg and then follow race route to the summit. Great views and the first dusting of snow on the higher fells.
Drop down the back and then along to Loughrigg Tarn and to Lilly Tarn. A good run out and then an early lunch at More.
Pilates in the evening, a good class and I get it.
Turbo Trainer - Monday 3rd November 2014
Don't want to be at training tonight so half an hour on the turbo trainer - it's not much fun !
Dunnerdale Recce - Sunday 2nd November 2014
Wasn't expecting to make it out today but manage to get over to Broughton Mills early afternoon.
Have a steady run around the race route - it's a real cracker. Conditions are good and no problem with route choice.
Then into Broughton for a quick pint.
Birthday Race...Really Wild Boar Fell Race - Saturday 1st November 2014
It's my birthday and I'm up and out early. I race the Really Wild Boar Fell Race, first ran this back in 2011 and then again in the snow and ice in 2012.
A few squally showers before the race but conditions are ideal. I'm feeling good, albeit a year older than this time yesterday, and think it might be a good race.
I set off at a good pace and manage to run all of the climb. I pass Shaun Robinson, who I often battle with, as it gets steeper and then pull away. Once at the summit I know I need to keep the pressure on myself and have a good descent. I do and once on the track I push hard, still doing battle with Shaun, and finish strong.
I am pleased with my result, about 40 seconds down from 2011 but that's progress. Then off to pub for a pint and prizes....sadly not holiday for me !
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