Think I need to join a gym or book a holiday, or both ! - Wednesday 30th December 2015

Another wet and very muddy run; just from the office, along river and back along canal. I shouldn't complain, I was expecting storm Frank to be causing havoc, but hardly any rain here.

However, the mud on low level runs is torturous and some winter sun is very appealing !

Swim - Tuesday 29th December 2015

Legs still trashed so 20 lengths in the pool for me today.

Scout Scar - Monday 28th December 2015

Legs a bit tight from yesterday's race, but could be worse, and may well be tomorrow !

Just a short run out on Scar, another dry day - two in a row now !

Wansfell Fell Race - 27th December 2015

Took a while to decide on plans for today but eventually come to the conclusion that it would be good to race at Wansfell, but may well regret that tomorrow. 

First stop Epicentre in Ambelside, quick chat with Kate and need to get an essential piece of kit ! Then bump into Julie, who I first met when camping at Stickle Tarn earlier in the year. And the to the race !

It's a popular race, and popular with Helm too, but also brutal, straight up and straight back down, nowt in between and the ground is sodden...will be fun !

Anyway, on with the race; I start steady but strong and climb well, even passing Jonny and a few other Helm runners just below the summit; but then descending is not my strong point, I am soon passed by Jonny and those other Helm runners, plus a few others ! It's steep, wet, muddy and very slippery. I do ok and finish strong on the last road section.

Results awaited.

Then after a quick soup I head out again, up to Loughrigg via the race route and back via Lilly Tarn; a steady pace and hopefully this will have helped my legs after that torturous decent ! 

Boxing Day - Saturday 26th December 2015

Craig, Russ and I head out; original plan had been for Fairfield but forecast is dire, again, amber and even red rain / flood alerts. But actually is not as bad as that and we opt for our B plan, rather than our C plan.  

So to Ambleside and a steady run over the Loughrigg / Silver Howe race route. It is wet and even wetter underfoot, but little wind and not particularly cold either. We make good progress, all keen to burn off the excesses of yesterday, and are soon trying to pick up on Russ's intimate knowledge of the Bermuda Triangle section below Silver Howe; I make some mental notes although it's not clear yet whether this race will run in 2016. 

We are soon heading back, and after the sting in the tail of re-ascending Loughrigg, we head out to Lilly Tarn, the only non out and back section.  A wet and muddy descent soon brings us back to Ambleside and we enjoy coffee and mince pies in the pouring rain ! Wot no Cali !! Then to the Eagle for a well deserved pint. 

Christmas Day - Friday 25th December 2015

It's Christmas Day, but that's no reason not to get out for a short run; head up to Scar, only out for 30 minutes but feel good and makes me feel better about the food I will consume later !

Then a bit later, a short walk up Helm to chat to my best buddy, and to wish him a Merry Christmas....still miss the wee fella so much :-(

River / Canal Run - 24th December 2015

Finished work at lunchtime and had a quick run along river and back along canal; footbridge officially closed, wished I had known that, might have been a more successful run. Dry but very muddy. 

Training - Wednesday 23rd December 2015

With Russ's group tonight for a training session on the Castle. It's hard work, it's very slippery but dry, which is unusual, cooler and breezy. A good session, I work hard and feel good. Thanks Russ. 

Swimming - Tuesday 22nd December 2015

Despite the floods, again, I make it to the leisure centre at lunchtime for a swim; just 20 lengths in an empty pool :-)

Christmas Light Run - Monday 21st December 2015

I join Yvonne's group for the annual Kendal Christmas lights run. A circuit of the most spectacular lights in town, fortunately a steady run and I still feel good after my big race. 

Recovery Day - Sunday 20th December 2015

I feel good, no real issues after yesterday. Perhaps it was the post race massage or the excellent nutrition advice, or maybe a combination of things, but it's a good place to be. I take it easy though, had hoped to have a blast on turbo trainer but it's a busy day and I settle for two 10 minute Pilates sessions and my daily stretching and strengthening exercises. Will be back to it tomorrow. 

Tour de Helvellyn - Saturday 19th December 2015

My third time taking part in this challenging race, and this time run with KA. I hadn't put enough training in, too much time nursing my damaged Achilles but just need to man up and get on and run a mere 38 miles in tough conditions, just two days before the winter solstice !!!

It's an early start and the weather is looking far from great, but as forecast. Chai seed porridge gets me going and after a quick kit faff and kit check we set off at about 7:45; it's only just light and we really do battle into the wind and rain as we head out of Askham onto the Common. It's only this section, both out and back, that I use my map; I know it would not go down well if I messed up early or late in the race !

We make steady progress, but it's brutal. The ground is sodden and numerous land slips and washed out becks make it hard going, and the rain and wind are relentless. But we make it to Matterdale church, CP 1, in good shape and then it's up and over Boredale Hause to Side Farm, and an opportunity to grab a cuppa.

The route is altered a little here as the main track to the village is under water, Patterdale and Glenridding are far from recovered after the terrible flooding a few weeks prior.  I play it safe from here, concerned that the off road route might not be feasible due to bridge collapses, so head up the road and track to Greenside Mines, no sign of Nic putting kettle on for us !

Then it's a climb up to Swarth Beck footbridge and a smiley Stu taking numbers at this CP. There's a bit of shelter as we climb to the pass but then the wind is full on as we descend to Stannah Bridge and the next CP. Easier going from here to Swirls car park and then another opportunity for some tea and savoury snacks.

From here the route leads through the forest towards Dunmail and we really get to see the damage that the recent floods have done.  Becks are completely washed out into gorges, filled with huge boulders and broken bridges. A few river crossings required but good to have shelter from the wind and enjoy a couple of hours of dry weather. 

It's a steady climb to Grisedale Tarn and then with the wind behind us we descend the long Grisedale valley back to Patterdale. But the wind is, at times, unwelcome as it is violent and risks blowing us off our feet. Back to Side Farm and more tea, it's been a long day and now just the last 10 miles of retracing our outward route. The clouds roll in again and the rain returns and we reach Boredale Hause. KA's new Scott running shoes grip well on the descent and after a road section and sharing of a gel we are back at the church. 

It's getting dark now, so headtorches required. It's grim, very wet and muddy and getting a bit tired. I work hard, making sure no nav mistakes and again we battle our way onto Askham Common and can see the lights of the village in the distance. We run well, despite KA taking a nasty tumble, and make it back to the village in 9:35. I am proud of our achievement. 

Tea never tasted so good, we are soaked but not cold and manage to grab a hot shower, then a massage, plus more food and tea - all much needed and, actually, I feel great :-) 

Results

Resting - Friday 18th December 2015

Big day out tomorrow, so decide to lay off exercise and concentrate on eating and drinking, all healthy of course ! :-)

Christmas drinks.. - Thursday 17th December 2015

Out for Christmas drinks and meal with work colleagues, sooo no exercise for me today !

Helm Orienteering - Wednesday 16th December 2015

I head up to the Helm with Russell to take part in the Lakes Orienteering Club's - The Helm terrain night event. 

This is an orienteering competition, long and short courses and a mass start with butterfly loops (i.e. It's not follow the leader, competitors will be tackling the controls in different orders). 

It's seriously muddy on the Helm, but again mild and dry. A good event and I come 4th, pleased with that.

Details

Results

Splits

Photos

Pilates & Run - Tuesday 15th December 2015

I head to the later Pilates session which goes well and a Christmas gift too :-) Then out for a short, wet run from Staveley; it's a dark night, but good to be out. 

Loughrigg - Monday 14th December 2015

Soooo, I have a spare days holiday to use and decide a run over Loughrigg is a good way to spend the day. But all good days out need to start with breakfast, so pastry from More is very fitting (and filling). Then to Brathay and a steady run up and over Loughrigg. 

It's mild and a bit damp but generally ok. Drop off the back of the fell to Red Bank and then back past Loughrigg Tarn, Lilly Tarn and back to Brathay.

Then into Ambleside for lunch in the Apple Pie Shop and some kit shopping. A good day out.

Kentmere Run - Sunday 13th December 2015

I can spare only a short amount of time for a run today; park beyond Green Quarter, just at the bottom of the pass from Sadgill and head up into the snow to Kentmere Pike and back over Shipman Knotts. 

Langdale Run - Saturday 12th December 2015

Things don't seem to go to plan these days, had intended for a long run but it's been a busy week and I feel a bit pooped ! So up later than planned, and then wet again ! So head to Staveley for a coffee and croissant, the to Ambleside for some Christmas shopping.

Eventually I head off towards Coniston but no sooner than Clappersgate I encounter snow so swing right a Skelwith and park Cali on Elterwater Common. Well at least snow is better than on rain and it's not windy either. I head over Lingmoor, down through campsite, where I get a round of applause from a couple of walkers sheltering whilst contemplating the weather, and then along to Stickle Barn. 

I climb up Stickle Ghyll but bear off right and eventually, after a lot of trudging through soft snow, to the main ridge that runs along between Easedale and Langdale. It's hard going, no obvious path and no footprints, in fact don't see anyone all day on the fells, and then eventually to Silver Howe.  Then follow obvious path down and then not so obvious nightmare route back to the Common, got caught out here once before. 

A bit wet and a bit cold but soon get warmed up and enjoy tea and a mince pie (arghh, can't believe I've just admitted to that) and then to Chester's for more Christmas shopping and NO food naughtiness. 

Lunch - Friday 11th November 2015

Had planned to run today but a last minute change of plan and I pop to Sizergh Farm Shop for lunch - a much better option :-)

Scar Run - Thursday 10th December 2015

Back from Liverpool just before 6 and out for a run on the Scar soon after. It's dry, well at least overhead if not underfoot, and good to stretch my legs after a busy few days and too much dining !

Christmas Carol Service - Wednesday 9th December 2015

Hark the herald angels sing !

Ding dong merrily on high !

I'll stop there ! :-)

Pilates - Tuesday 8th December 2015

Over to Staveley for my regular Tuesday night Pilates session. Again, really get into this, the classes get better every week, as indeed I try to too ! 

Staveley Run - Monday 7th December 2015

I head out late evening to Staveley for a run; it's raining again and so I decide to stay more on road than off. Out of the village, over Barley Bridge and then up to the top fell road; then throw in a short and very wet section of off road and back into the village. Only a short run, but v.enjoyable. 

The calm after the storm - Sunday 6th December 2015

Another day that doesn't go to plan, but with that comes opportunity :-) 

Desmond has left a trail of destruction, including many roads still flooded; this curtails my original plan so, instead, I manage a late afternoon run from Rydal; the wee road that leads up to the Hall is still awash and in places has been washed away completely; the lakes are full to bursting and the fell paths have been washed away, it really was a terrible storm. 

I decide to head to Fairfield, no intention of completing the full Horseshoe and did consider looping back towards Grasmere; but decide to push on to Fairfield summit; I make it there just before the light fades completely, so Pretzel out at the top, it's cool too and a keen wind blowing; but the sky is clear and the stars are starting to shine, what a fantastic place to be, even better to have shared. 

Then it's straight back the way I came; the Nao performs well and I am soon enjoying a cuppa in the Cali. A good run out. 

What a day ! - Saturday 5th December 2015

Well Desmond was forecast to be bad, and he was and still is......I knew Barney wouldn't cause as much trouble a few weeks ago :-)

It's the day of the Langdale Christmas Pudding 10k, an annual event for me and one in which I have, on a few occasions, done ok in. 

But the weather is bad and the roads even worse; I am already tipped off that the road is closed to Ambleside but with no news that the race is cancelled I decide to see how far I can get. So the Cali, she is brave, and I set off......like a pair of intrepid adventurers ! We make it through the flood at Bannerigg and also the closed road at Troutbeck Bridge, but the flood and abandoned car in the middle of the road at White Cross Bay makes a tough decision a bit easier; I am also concerned that the day is due to get worse, not better and wonder whether this might have proved to be a one way street, I think it would have been (but was in Cali......might have proved to be a fun night !). 

So back through the floods and settle for a short run from Staveley. The river, the floods and the raging torrents are spectacular as well as being scary and upsetting for those affected by it all. A good little run out, a road / track loop of Reston Scar and then a quick change and in for delicious coffee and cakeS !

The weather does get worse......a sensible decision. 

Work - Friday 4th December 2015

Another day where work gets in the way !

River / Canal Run - Thursday 3rd December 2015

Another wet day, what a surprise ! I head out at lunchtime for a run along the canal path to Hawes Bridge and back along the river. Need to hose myself down back in the courtyard, can't go into the office looking like that ! The mud was the worst I've ever known, but good to be out and felt better for it. 

Training - Wednesday 2nd December 2015

A well timed train home from London allows me to make it to training, not been here much this year. Russ's group is heading to the Castle, that suits me. 

It's dry and not too chilly, but the mud is horrendous ! I work hard and it's confidence boosting to be near the front rather than the back of the group.....this might catch on !

A good session, some long and some short reps, thanks Russ.

London - Tuesday 1st December 2015

In London, all work and no play today.

Pilates - Monday 30th November 2015

So I manage to sneak into the Monday night class, I will be in the big smoke tomorrow night. A different crowd but one thing stays the same, the enthusiasm and skill of our instructor....actually that two things.....usp's :-)