Langdale Run - Sunday 29th November 2015

Craig, KA and I head over to Elterwater; original plan had been to run Fairfield but wild weather dictated we stay low and, therefore, get a few extra miles in. 

We head out from the village and follow the Lakes 50 route along the valley and up to Blea Tarn. KA decides to cut short and head back over Lingmoor. Craig and I push on, down into Little Langdale then over to Tilberthwaite. Then it's a case of dropping down to the road and following the Cumbria Way back to Skelwith Bridge, via Tarn How's. A windy run, but less rain than forecast. 

Then into Chester's for refreshments. 

Later on I head over to Staveley for anther run out, this time along the river and up to Potter Tarn; a fast descent, it's a bit slippy, back to the river and across the fields to Mill Yard. Really enjoyed this....:-) :-) :-)

Kirkby Moor Fell Race - Saturday 28th November 2015

Not a great forecast for today, 40/50/60mph winds and plenty of the wet stuff too ! I like a challenge so head to Kirkby Moor; only raced this once before, 2011 and finished sub 1 hour, that was ok but know I won't be close to that today......my first race since August !

Anyway enough of my whinging, so KA and I head over to Beckside and have a loose plan that we might run together.......we are both unsure of the route and a bit wary of the conditions, and on top of that, KA an Achilles issue and me getting over my chest and cough problems and still cautious about my Achilles too......am I whinging again !?

Well it was grim, it was harsh, it was brutal......but actually I quite enjoyed it. Not a great time or position, but so what - good to be racing again and definitely made me feel alive. KA 3rd lady and1st V50 and also picks up a fantastic trophy for lowest overall combined time for the four Black Combe Runners races (Black Combe, Caw, Dunnerdale and Kirkby Moor)......and for me, sadly no,spot prizes at this race so I walk away empty handed :-)

Pilates :-) - Friday 27th November 2015

The end of a busy week and a foul evening, not inspired to run tonight or even go swimming; however, I have an exciting new Pilates programme to follow :-)

This 10 minute bite-size session is the way forward, although the first time round it takes 11 mins.....Stan the Stick Insect Man is the man.....I will soon fine tune and memorise, it will then be a 10 minute routine. The plan is, each and every day but certainly not at the expense of my usual class :-)

There are kind people in this world, and talented with it; they lift the mind, the body and the soul......that's a good, and for me, new place to be :-)

A busy day and a short run - Thursday 26th November 2015

A busy day at work but feel the need to run. So head out in the mist for a short run on Scar, it's hard going as viz is not much more than zero, this is where a really bright headtorch is a disadvantage ! But still worth the effort. 

Run with Ricky - Wednesday 25th November 2015

A mad dash from Liverpool to Keswick to "Run with Ricky"....ok, so this needs some explaining. George Fishers have organised an evening run, led by Salomon sponsored runner, Ricky Lightfoot, the evening is also supported by Salomon and Pretzel :-) :-). So this means that we get to try out the latest Salomon running shoes and Pretzel headtorches.....more kit !

I choose the Salomon Speed Vario's (the Speedcross 3 has been replaced by the Speedcross Pro....a more technical and more expensive shoe, they have also introduced the Vario's, slightly lower spec and lower price, aimed at Park Run style running) but stick with my Petzl Nao.  About a dozen or so of us head off with Ricky, first through the woods and along the river, before gradually climbing to the summit of Latrigg and a fast descent back to town. It's a mild evening, dry but breezy on the summit. 

Then back at Fishers, flapjack and a goodie bag :-) A good evening, and then for a pint and a pizza in the Square Orange, plus some excellent life music. All sounds good, but could be so much better :-/

A run and Pilates - Tuesday 24th November 2015

Feel a bit better today so decide to have a run along the river and canal at lunchtime. It's wet and very muddy, but goes ok and doesn't seem to make me feel any worse !

Then to Pilates for another excellent session, I really get it tonight and times fly, a bit too quickly for my liking :-)

Rest and recovery, again ! - Monday 23rd November 2015

So one week on and I still feel rubbish, probably not helped by running and walking on the fells this weekend ! So decide against running in the dark, cold and wet !

Clough Head walk - Sunday 22nd November 2015

Had been due to race at Arnside today but still recovering from man flu I decide to have a steadier walk on the fells.......and I am very pleased that I did :-)

I parked the Cali in a very mucky place along St Johns in the Vale and after a short section of road turn onto the Old Coach Road and then right, through the mines and steeply up onto the open fell. The climb passes quickly and after the scree, soon into snow and a short wander across to the summit of Clough Head. The mist is swirling around and there are glimpses of snowy fells and north to the Solway Firth; how alive does this make me feel :-)

It's then easy walking to Calfhow Pike and a boggy walk down Mosedale Beck to the Old Coach Road.  This is familiar terrain and easy walking back to St John's in the Vale. Then the usual hospitality back at the Cali and on into Ambleside for coffee and cake in Lucy's. 

A good day out :-)

Howgills - Saturday 21st November 2015

Well there by snow on the fells this morning, a very windy night and chilly day ahead. I head over to Sedbergh and head up into the snow to Winder, Calders and onto the Calf, the highest summit in the Howgills. It is v.cold and windy but a stunning day. 

Then descend towards Borrowdale and cut right, too early (!!) towards Cautley. It's then a long, and in places muddy, trudge back to Sedbergh. As always, the Cali is a welcome sight and a warm, comfortable place to have coffee and get changed. 

Then into town for beans on toast, and green tea...well at least the latter is healthy :-)

Man Flu - Friday 20th November 2015

I think it's official, I have man flu and need some more TLC ! :-)

Work - Thursday 19th November 2015

Work gets in the way today and I really don't feel up to running......I think it might have turned into man flu !!

Rest & Recovery - Wednesday 18th November 2015

Not feeling great today so pass on a run. But the medicine is starting to work well, how sweet was that :-)

Pilates....again ! - Tuesday 17th November 2015

Back to my usual class; another good session and I can definitely feel the benefit of the last few days.....and I can also feel it in my core muscles too ! 

Pilates, then a walk and then a run - Monday 16th November 2015

Ok confession time, I didn't make it up Cross Fell again today, as I had planned; I did detour to Garrigil, but it was seriously windy and I just couldn't face battling with changing my clothes in the X3 again....the 7 miles of running would of course have been easy !

Instead I head straight home, quickly unpack and then head out for, another, healthy lunch and a short walk on the Scar. Then after some life admin, I go to training, not been on a Monday since.....maybe before my hernia op ???

It's wet and muddy, but could have been worse, and hard going; I settle for 12 varied reps and a couple of warm down laps, that's enough for tonight......wot no Pilates class ! :-(

Pilates and run - Sunday 15th November 2015

Similar format to yesterday, an early Pilates class and then out for a run; it's windier today but milder, we settle for a loop of the reservoir, and I sneak in an extra loop....what a surprise. 

Then more great, healthy food and a drive over (the highest road in England) to High Force waterfall, what a day to be there and then a great wee tearoom in St John's Chapel on the way back....the best chocolate cake ever, not sure that was healthy though !! :-)

Pilates and Run - Saturday 14th November 2015

After an early Pilates session, what a good way to start the day, and a late breakfast, I head out with our host for a run from the Lodge. The original plan had been to run around Burnhope reservoir, but I think that's a bit short, so plan a 10k route which takes in the summit of High Field at 708m. 

It's a bit breezy again, but dry; our route out is uphill for 5k to the summit and then straight back down. But it's works well and we run well; great views from the summit. 

Soon back at the Lodge, the hot shower is fantastic and the healthy lunch even more so. 

Cross Fell - Friday 13th November 2015

So my Pilates weekend has arrived and after breakfast in Artisan and a quick dog walk along the river I'm heading to the North Pennines. The weather is not great, windy and wet....rain low down, then hail, then sleet and finally snow, so I slightly revise down my plan. 

I park up at Garrigil, and immediately regret bringing the X3, getting changed, sorting kit and making tea is so much easier in the Cali :-/. Then I'm off, heading South on the Pennine Way. It's a main track, and the weather worsens as I head higher towards Cross Fell, the highest peak in England outside of the Lakes. 

I make it to Greg's Hut, a Bothy about a mile short of the summit; I had decided on the way up to turn around at this point, but after a brief nose in the hut the weather improves and I push on to the summit. Views are a bit patchy and it's a bit blowy but surprisingly, less so than on the way up.

I'm soon heading back down, after all I have a Pilates class to attend ! Back at the car it's cold and I struggle and I faff getting sorted. It's then over to Nenthead, a bit grim there, and on to Burnhope. It's chilly, 2c, surely that warrants the heated seat being on :-)

Well the Lodge is huge and, guess what, I bump into Nicola....she is surprised. Rebecca, our wonderful host and instructor, makes us all very welcome and we settle into our Pilates retreat. 

London - Thursday 12th November 2015

All work and no play today.

Training - Wednesday 11th November 2015

It's been a while and for many reasons it's not easy for me to be back. One of these is that I know I don't have the speed to train in the 'elite' group but also I think training on Tarmac might aggravate my Achilles. 

So I'm only sort of back to training.....I turn up but then head up to the golf course for my own session ! Anyway that works well and was the right decision. 

Scar Run and Pilates - Tuesday 10th November 2015

Another wild day, but the rain has eased and I head to the Scar for a run; company too today, including a real sweetie (she has 4 legs !). 

But it's flippin windy and we choose a route that avoids the edge and prevailing westerly. Hardwork though and less than 5 miles felt enough today. 

Then to Pilates this evening, another good session. 

Manchester Velodrome - Monday 9th November 2015

So the voucher I have for a track taster session is reaching two years old and will, therefore, soon expire.....action required !

Fortunately I am able to tie in the session with earlier meetings in the Wirral; the weather is shocking and the roads even more so, not the best of days.

But the track is most definitely dry and after watching Team GB train it's my turn. Well it was a bit harder than I thought and it took my a few laps to build my confidence and move up the banking. It's all about momentum and the bikes have no brakes and no freewheeling to aid that. It's good fun, although it's not about to become my fav sport. Full respect for the guys and girls in the squad, they really were impressive. 

Remembrance Day Service, Great Gable - Sunday 8th November 2015

Really not a great forecast but can't let that stop me from climbing Great Gable for the Remembrance service. I am joined by KA, not long after her finishing an 11 hour night shift (!!!), and we set off in the dry from ODG at 8:30. But it soon starts to rain and the wind picks up. 

It's grim and gets grimmer. Up Rossett Ghyll, Angle Tarn, Esk Hause, Sprinkling Tarn, Styhead and up Gable. We time it well, just a few minutes before 11am and just enough time to get under my survival shelter and put on extra layers. We emerge at 11am, hear nothing of the service and see very little, but we are there.  

Then we are just about first to leave and battle into the wind on the way back. It's a long way and is hard work. Good to be back at Cali, dry clothes and a cuppa. Then to Stickle Barn for venison stew and dumplings :-)

A tough day and, for me, that was after a reasonable nights sleep ! 

Hoka testing - Saturday 7th November 2015

A wet day and lacking any real plan of action. But Castleberg Outdoors in Settle have a Hoka Test weekend and I am keen to give these a try, they might just be the answer to managing distance running without Achilles pain :-/

So after lunch I'm over to Settle and try some on, they only have road shoes in my size but I compromise and wear a half size bigger for some "door to trail" Hoka's. The guys in the shop help me with a 40 minute route and I take a photo of their map as a back up. Then I'm out into the rain, mud and flowing water. The shoes are incredibly comfortable and give me the spring I have been lacking for so long. But the grip isn't sufficient today, well not with these ones, but that's not to say that the Mafate or Speedgoats wouldn't be up to the job. 

Anyway the short run goes well and I really can feel the comfort and notice the difference when I switch back to my Inov-8's to jog back to the Cali. I'm impressed and will consider. Then quick change into some dry clothes and head back into town for a long wait for the more fantastic hot chocolate I have ever had, the fudge shortbread was great too. 

A useful trip and sensible option given the weather. 

Scar Run - Friday 6th November 2015

A miserable day and I manage to get out for a run on the Scar at 6:30pm. It's obviously dark but dry and incredibly mild....it's surely time for some cold weather ! Same route as Monday night, uneventful really but glad I made the effort, would have been easy to have opened the wine sooner than I did !!

Swim - Thursday 5th November 2015

Hard going today, manage 20 lengths.

Skiddaw - Wednesday 4th November 2015

I have a few days holiday left to take and expectation of cloud free summits and complete cloud inversions seems a good reason to use one today !

A misty drive to Keswick and hopes of the cloud free summits start to fade, even a delayed start for some essential shopping and a second breakfast don't help much !!!

Anyway on with it, up through the woods to the Latrigg car park and then the big slog to the summit. It is so mild again, could have got away with shorts ! The summit is not clear, it's v. misty ! But nav is straight forward, descend the BG route, over Hare Crag and then up Great Calva. Time is against me, as always, so once down to the River Caldew I follow the track along to Skiddaw House Youth Hostel and then along below Lonsdale Fell, back to the car park and then through the woods. 

As always, tea in the Cali tastes good, so does the tea and cake in Fishers :-) A good day out, but it passed far to quickly :-(

Pilates - Tuesday 3rd November 2015

Back to my usual Tuesday night session, another good class. 

Scar Run - Monday 2nd November 2015

Another misty evening but any higher ground is fortunately clear. So I head up to Scar early evening, the racecourse is a bit misty but then it's clear and some very noticeable temperature changes as we run. Usual route and amazing stars, and looking down on the mist hovering above Kendal. Good to be out. 

River / Canal Birthday Run - Sunday 1st November 2015

Today hasn't really gone to plan, not that there really ever was one ! Have a run out from Force Bridge, along the Kent, see the Salmon leap, through Levens Park, and back along the canal path to Hawes Bridge. 

Then a quick zip up the Helm to have a chat with the wee fella....a bit misty so no Cali, Landy or Eddie spotting for us today !!! :-)