An evening run - Tuesday 31st March 2015

I head over to Skelwith straight from work for a run. The weather is still grim,  cold, windy and sleety showers. I head along the track to Elterwater then up Red Bank, down to Grasmere and then the Coffin route to Rydal. Then a little of Loughrigg terrace before climbing up and over the shoulder of Loughrigg and dropping back down to Skelwith. 

Tea in the camper tastes good. 

River / Canal Run - Monday 30th March 2015

Head out at lunch for a run around the usual loop. The forecast is bad for later in the day so this is a wise decision. An uneventful run but I guess every little helps. 

Wheelbase Spring Classic Sportive - Sunday 29th March 2015

Another from day and I'm entered into the Sportive ! But it's shorter and easier than last year and after a quick coffee and pastry at More I leave in the first wave. 

Out of Staveley to the main road but then soon to Bowston, Skelsmergh, Mealbank (and up the horrid hill), Paddy Lane, Station Inn and then the road out through Old Hutton towards Kirkby. Most of the time I'm on my own and at the split (short / long route) I seem to be the only one heading left on the short route option. 

Over to Killington and along past Firbank before turning left, over the M6, and cutting across to Appleby Road. Then down that horrid hill and the back road into Staveley. I'm first back but nit necessarily the quickest. An early lunch in More and then home to get warm and dry. 

Results

Black Crag - Saturday 28th March 2015

Really not a great forecast this weekend and as I have a sportive tomorrow I am happy to just have a walk today. So from Skelwith down the road to Chesters, not far into the walk but a full English a pot of tea are a must - delicious ! Then along the Cumbria way before heading up to Black Crag and its unnamed North outlying summit. A tricky decent from here, no paths and locked gates but the road is in sight and no damage done. Then road back to Skelwith. 

Made a welcome change to have a leisurely walk, this could catch on. 

Scar Run - Friday 27th March 2015

Another lunchtime run on the Scar, this time from Brigsteer Woods. A slightly different route but good to be out again. 

Scar Run - Thursday 26th March 2015

A lunchtime run on the Scar from Helsington. The earlier snow has just about all melted, but it's breezy on the Scar. A good run out with a four legged friend for company. 

Training - Wednesday 25th March 2015

Hardly been here this year but decide to give it a go. I join Russ's group for some gruelling reps on Stainbank Road. Russ is the silent master,he might not shout and give abuse like Shaun, but the session is no less easy. But I run well and enjoy, maybe these road sessions are better and more suited to me :-/. Thanks Russ. 

Pilates - Tuesday 24th March 2015

I give pilates a go again, not sure this is good for me at the moment though ! And it's certainly not easy !

Rest Day - Monday 23rd March 2015

No running today, calf muscles are agony, quads not much better !

Three Peaks Recce - Sunday 22nd March 2015

The weekend had been planned this way, a short race on Saturday and then a longer steady run on Sunday, it doesn't work the other way round. 

So over to Ribblehead Viaduct and a recce of part of the Three Peaks. But the race line to Whernside is across private land so we follow the walkers route. We make good progress, a lot of people out and about, and some snow patches to negotiate on the summit. We peer over the edge from the summit, the race route looks tough !

And so, you might be wondering, what about those huge blisters - well not great, but they are not the grungy or bloody type, just big pockets of air ! My strategy is to fore-foot run all day, this should avoid any further pain or problems, but I know my calf muscles will pay the price !

The descent along the ridge is ok, but then the steep path to the valley bottom is horrid and fore-foot running is not so easy. Out to the road at the Hill Inn and then the long gradual climb to Ingleborough. This gets steeper but we feel reasonably good and soon in the ridge we head to the summit. It's clear and bright, but breezy and cool. 

We head back down and then part ways. For me, along the ridge and then a steep drop down to the viaduct and the Cali; for KA, carry on the Three Peaks route and a rondavue at the Pen-y-Ghent cafe in Horton. As I suspect I am not first there but both safely and then tuck in to some food and pint mugs of tea - not a bad way to finish. 

Middle Fell Race - Saturday 21st March 2015

A new race for me, head over to Nether Wasdale with KA to run Middle Fell fell race. The weather is cracking, cool and windy but also clear and sunny. 

The pub is an ideal place for registration and after a brief warm-up and recce of the start route we are into the race.  I don't expect too much, just as well really, but I sort of enjoy the couple of miles across the valley bottom and then the tough climb up the ridge from Joss's house. This brings back memories, I was last here supporting Sandra on her JNC, that was an epic !

Things start to foam bit wrong in the descent, within in minutes of the summit I manage to trash my feet - hard to explain but instead of rucking my socks I ruck the soles of both feet, huge blisters and painful all the the way back. It's hard work, and warm too, and a big relief to be back in Nether Wasdale and the finish. 

A quick change and then into the pub for a some great food and a pint; KA runs well and picks up a prize for 2nd lady. 

On way home a quick detour to climb Stickle Pike, I won't into why, but it's important. 

Recovery Day - Friday 20th March 2015

Feel better again today but decide against any running, hopefully make up for it at the weekend.

River / Canal Run - Thursday 19th March 2015

Feel a bit better today so head out after work in the light for a steady run around the river / canal loop to Natland; I leave a big traił of snot !!! 

Same again.. - Wednesday 18th March 2015

Feel even more rubbish today so definitely no running for me.

Nout - Tuesday 17th March 2015

Feel rubbish so no running for me today.

Training - Monday 16th March 2016

A long day out to Sheffield, stay be should have stopped for a run in the Dark Peak in the way home, particularly as I touch the Edale Skyline and Dark Peak Marathon routes. But actually I don't feel great and head back to the office. Then to training which is perhaps not my best idea, but so be it. I do half the session and then just have a steady run around - not the most exciting of evenings. 

Loughrigg - Sunday 15th March 2015

Head out early for a run from Brathay. Up to Lilly Tarn, Loughrigg, Loughrigg Tarn and back over to Lilly Tarn; good conditions again and a four legged friend for company too. Brunch in More on the way home tastes good. 

Black Combe Fell Race - Saturday 14th March 2015

So still not "racing" but head over to Black Combe with KA. The conditions are good but I'm still intent on not going mad and putting myself back again, so I run with KA. The views are fantastic and I enjoy the run. The pie and prize giving is a good way to finish the race and then soup and tea in Coniston on the way home. 

Rest day - Friday 13th March 2015

So it's Friday 13th and I think my luck ran out a week too early. Don't make it out today.

River / Canal Run - Thursday 12th March 2015

I head out after work in the rain for the usual loop. I make it round in the light, but very muddy. It was wet but a bit later it gets even wetter !

Catsty Cam - Wednesday 11th March 2015

At last, a better day. I head over to Bell Cottage, Nic and Charlie's home at Greenside Mines, Glenridding. The plan is that Nic and I will head to Red Tarn and then to Catsty Cam, as she will be guiding a somewhere there later in the year. 

It has been a horribly wet day, but amazingly the sky has cleared, the temperature drops and the stars are amazing. We make good progress, a very cold wind on the ridge to the summit but it really is a stunning night, should do this more often. 

We head back down the same way, then a hot bath (not has one of those for a long time) and then some food (thanks Mr C for cooking) and beer, as well as good craic. I sleep over in the Cali, a great mid-week micro adventure. 

Scar Run - Tuesday 10th March 2015

Another run on the Scar, and on my own again. Don't go far tonight, not in the mood.

Scar Run - Monday 9th March 2015

So this week looks to carry on as badly as things have been for the last couple of days ! I head up to the Scar on my own early evening for a steady run. Don't need headtorch for a while, which is good, but otherwise not much to say. 

Lakes 50 Run - Sunday 8th March 2015

Today is not much better, I head over to Elterwater early afternoon. The weather is good and I run the 50 route to Tilberthwaite and then drop down to return along the Cumbria Way. I aim for 15 miles, the furthest I've run since early December, and manage it, but that's enough for today. 

Ride - Saturday 7th March 2015

Nothing goes to plan and nothing goes right this weekend. I head out from Natland on my bike, out to Stainton and Viver and the to Sedgwick.....another puncture....and Sizergh Castle for hot chocolate. Then usual Lyth Valley route. Not the best of afternoons. 

River / Canal Run - Friday 6th March 2015

I head out at lunch, along the river and back along the canal; I have a four legged friend for company too. 

Another rest day - Thursday 5th March 2015

Another busy day at work and don't make it out today.

Training - Wednesday 4th March 2015

So I head back to training tonight and decide to join Russ's group. A session on the Greyhound, it makes a change to be at the front rather than the back. A good session, some 1, 1.5 and 2 minute reps. Thanks Russ. 

Rest Day - Tuesday 3rd March 2015

Not much more to say today.

Scar Run - Monday 2nd March 2015

A busy day and up and out early, a big lunch too so a run this evening is hard work, especially when a fartlek is suggested !

It's hard going, some snow on the ground but much better weather than the earlier heavy sleet / hail / snow showers. Half way through our impromptu session I feel my bread & butter pudding turning into energy and a little less of a dead weight in the bottom of my stomach. 

A good evening, started and finished in Prizet, made a change to run from here and added some extra climb too.  

Scar Run - Sunday 1st March 2015

So the snow is back, wet and heavy for an hour or so but once it stops I head up to Scar. Bump into GB and we run together for a while. The snow is actually quite deep higher up, but the weather stunning; some low swirling mist with the sun breaking through. It's a relatively short run, I'm tired from yesterday's race and last nights party. But good to be out. 

High Cup Nick - Saturday 28th February 2015

I like this race,a bit if everything.....road, traił, fell and cross country....plus plenty of mud and weather too !

Last year I chose this as a club championship race so there were plenty of Helm runners.....this year not a champ race and most of Helm have gone to rece Flower Scar.....good to be at a race that is not totally dominated by one club, albeit Keswick have a strong crowd as it is a club champs for them.

Anyway enough of my none 'pc' whinging.......the bad weather which was forecast to come in from the West luckily got delayed so although very muddy and windy heading back from the Nick, things could have been worse.

I do not want to overdo it and KA not feeling great so we deice to run together (and I must point out that contrary of the official results I did NOT pip her at the post...we started together and finished together and the lady which shows as the same time as KA was actually a few second behind her, a slight muddle but no big thing). 

It's a great route but hard going up the track and the across the very boggy ground.  The climb to the Nick is fun and the waterfall was being blown back up and into our faces. The wind is wild as we follow the Pennine Way back to Dufton (might come this way next January !?). KA suffers and rather than encouraging her to go faster, I urge her to slow down but the lure of two ladies slightly ahead spur her on and, yes, she does get past them.  

We finished in about 1:28 and KA 1st Lady V50...a fantastic effort. 

Busy day - Friday 27th February 2015

A busy day at work, jobs to get done at home and might race tomorrow....so no running today. Must start using the turbo soon though !

Edinburgh - Thursday 26th February 2015

My favourite city but only there for the day....no time to run.

Scar Run - Wednesday 25th February 2015

Still don't feel ready for training so again had a run in Scar. This time it was fully dark, and wet and, worse still, really thick mist with visibility literally no more than a few metres. This made for a slightly uneasy run on the Scar, as much as I tried to stay on usual route / paths I kept veering off and almost run into a cow....not sure who was the most startled but decided to then give a wide berth in case she was !

Then thought I was running along end of Scar, knew I needed to cut in the get to mushroom but then came head-on to it. And then (!) lost the path to the swing gate, had to follow wall as a 'handrail' to gap in wall and then left to next swing gate. A real relief to make it back to car, had visions of spending the night lost on the Scar !!!

Scar Run - Tuesday 24th February 2015

I'm still not fully right so decide against pilates but instead have a run on the Scar straight after work. This means some was in the light and the kind loan of a head torch saved the day. A good run around usual route from Helsington end of Scar, with some four legged company too. 

Rest - Monday 23rd February 2015

No running today.