Park Run - Saturday 31st December 2016

So the last day of the year and once again there seems to have been more lows than highs, and that's not just my running. Hey ho, maybe next year will be better.....but I think I might have said that before !

Anyway on with the blog; Park Run at Fell Foot today, a new PB by 2 seconds, well I guess there's something to be happy about: 20:22. 

Mountain biking - Friday 30th December 2016

I head out from Staveley with Craig and Chris; towards Skeggles, then the head of Kentmere and back along the bridle paths on the west side of the valley. Then food and drink in the Hawkshead Brewery, that's a good way to spend an afternoon. 

Potter Tarn - Thursday 29th December 2016

I'm out of work early and manage a run from Stavely, same route as Christmas Day; back to camper in the fading light. 

Swim - Wednesday 28th December 2016

Back to work today, head out for a swim at lunchtime; a quiet pool.

Howgills (Carnethy) - Tuesday 27th December 2016

Decided against Wansfell Race, instead head to Sedbergh with KA to run the Carnethy route again. A good run. 

Boxing Day Run - Monday 26th December 2016

Head with Craig & Chris; original plan for Kentmere was downgraded due to forecasted gust of 70 mph. So over to Ambleside and the Loughrigg / Silver Howe race route. Breezy and cooler but dry. A good run out and then swift pint in Eagle on t'way back. 

Christmas Day Run - Sunday 25th December 2016

Head out from Staveley for a run along the river and up to Potter Tarn; mild, damp and breezy. Just out for 50 mins, but a great wee route. 

Howgill (Carnethy) Run - Saturday 24th December 2016

I head over to Sedbergh to join Helm runners for the Carnethy race route. It's a wild and windy day, but stays dry. It's a staggered start and I sector with Steve B, I climb strong, he descends strong; I would have stayed ahead had I known the route better. But good to be out and much needed speed and climb training. 

Then stop off on the way back to chat with Barnus, up at the very windy wind turbines.

Rest, and very wet, day - Friday 23rd December 2016

At work a.m. and then storm Barbara hits, no need to head out in this.

Local run & Pilates - Thursday 22nd December 2016

I take the afternoon off and head out for a long, local run. From Prizet, Natland, Helm, Natland, canal path to Levens Bridge, river, Strickland Arms, Brigsteer Woods, Helsington Church, Scout Scar and back to Prizet. 16.5 miles, good pace and stayed dry.

Then to Pilates for a festive fun class.  

Swim & Training - Wednesday 21st December 2016

I head for a swim at lunchtime; I get a lane to myself, that makes it a bit more tolerable.

Then to training in the eveing; 11 half laps of Kendal Green; a good session.

Night out - Tuesday 20th December 2016

A good night out with work colleagues, but no chance for a run today.

Training - Monday 19th December 2016

I head to training Monday night. 18 reps, hard work but it's what I need. Thanks Shaun.

Potter Tarn and Fell - Sunday 18th December 2016

Again not the best of days, the gloomy weather matches my mood. Head over to Staveley for a lonely run up to Potter Tarn then onto Potter Fell and Brunt Knott. Lunch in Moore lifts my mood, a bit !

Helm Santa Run - Saturday 17th December 2016

Not the best of days but I join in the festive fun with the running club. It's a food route over Cunswick and then drop down the back for refreshments.....proseco and mince pies :-)

Then a relay to exchange Secret Santa gifts (I get a set of 4 coasters......Inov-8 ones :-) ). Then back into town for food and beer at the Riflemans. It's a late night !

Loughrigg / Silver Howe Run - Friday 16th December 2016

I take a half day and head over to Ambleside with KA. We head up over  Loughrigg then to Silver Howe. It's cold, damp, misty and very gloomy so we head down to Grasmere, then White Moss and the Coffin route to Rydal. 

We need to run 12 miles so fit in an extra loop along the shore of Rydal Water and back along past the cave. We hit our target distance and celebrate with tea and birthday cake in the camper. 

Lingmoor - Thursday 15th December 2016

A meet a client for a walk over Lingmoor and back along Great Langdale. A pleasant walk, good company but the weather gloomy. Then for a delicious supper at the Drunken Duck. 

Helm Orienteering - Wednesday 14th December 2016

Me and the wee fella, Jacob, head up to the Helm for an orienteering competition. It sort of helps that we know the area but it's a tricky course and some controls are hard to find. But we preserve and succeed, completing the course in about 56 mins. Feel like I had been run ragged at the end, these youngsters are too energetic !

Results

Pilates - Tuesday 13th December 2016

A long day out in Chester and Liverpool but make back, just, for the late Pilates session.

Lunchtime training session - Monday 12th December 2016

We head into the Deer Park at lunchtime for a one hour training session. Feel good and work hard.

Trail run - Sunday 11th December 2016

It's a gloomy day and forecast for the fell tops is not great. The plan is a minimum of 12 miles, so we head to Elterwater. Through quarries and over to Little Langdale, then Tilberthwaite and over to Coppermine Valley. Back along the Cumbria Way to Tarn How's, Colwith, Skelwith and back to Elterwater. 

Tea in camper, then a late lunch at Chester......finally Windermere Christmas Market on the way home. Oh, and we manage almost 15 miles. 

Park Run & River / Canal Run - Saturday 10th December 2016

Need to go to Keswick for some Christmas shopping so decide to go early and enter the Park Run. It's a fast course, out and back along the old railway line. Conditions are good and I run ok but still not feeling top form, I just can't shake off this cold. 

10th in 20:24; I'll settle for that today but think I could easily improve on that.

Then late afternoon I head over to Prizet for a short loop, out along the river and back a,omg the canal. 

Swim - Friday 9th December 2016

Head to the pool after work, not in the mood for this tonight.

Liverpool & London - Wednesday 7th & Thursday 8th December 2016

All work and no play.

Pilates - Tuesday 6th December 2016

Head to the late Pilates class, a very good session.

Feel rubbish - Monday 5th December 2016

Top tip.....don't race when you have a cold...it will only make it worse, and it has :-(

Race - Sunday 4th December 2016

I head north east with KA to race, one we have done before. For differing reasons we both don't feel great so decide to run together and take it steady. It's a nice days, cold but dry and clear.

I enjoy the route and we do ok. A good atmosphere, hot showers after, plenty of tea and cakes and some lucky people even pick up a spot prize :-)

Then through town and out the other side for lunch. A very good day out.

Spine Race Training Day - Saturday 3rd December 2016

Ok so I haven't entered the race, but might do in 2018 !!), but did sign up for the second of the Race training days. It's an earlier start, heading to Hayfield in Derbyshire for a day of theory and practice. 

I have met Stu before, he knows his stuff and trains it well. We spend the morning covering strategy, tactics, foot cares transition and many other snippets sod very useful info. Then after lunch head out onto the hill for some nav practice, this includes some after dark. All good fun and not overly testing. 

A good day out and very useful for if.....sorry, when.....I enter the race.

Swim - Friday 2nd December 2016

So after lunch at the Punchbowl, Crosthwaite I feel the need to burn some calories. I head for a swim after work, 25 lengths.....that's good for me. 

Scar Run - Thursday 1st December 2016

I meet with KA for a quick run on the Scar after work; just 5 miles tonight and less chilly than expected. Good to be out. 

Monday 5th September 2016 to Wednesday 30th November 2016

The blog is back but there's a lot of catching up to be done...........

IHR Leg 1 - Sunday 4th September 2016

I join a recce of IHR leg 1, strong from Hartsop, along the valley to Side Farm and then the leg. Near perfect running conditions, unlike yesterday !

Derek Price Memorial Grisedale Horseshoe - Saturday 3rd September 2016

I head over to Glenridding with KA to run this race, a new one for us both. The weather is not great and forecast to get worse, a tough route too: 16k and 1,525m ascent - but a great route. 

The route is from the village hall, to Birkhouse Moor, Red Tarn, Catstycam, Helvellyn, Grisdale Tarn,  St Sunday Crag, Grisedale and then an up and over to the finish. 

We run well and get the right lines, it is wet and windy and poor vis but all goes to plan. We finish in 3:02, I'm happy with that. 

Work gets in the way..... - Thursday 1st & Friday 2nd September 2016

It's a big road trip - Home > Abergavenny > Sheffield > Overnight stop > Home. All work and no play :-( 

Training - Wednesday 31st August 2016

Head to Helm to join John's group for another good session. Drills to start, 8 undulating reps and then some warm-down exercises. I work hard, enjoy and feel strong. Stop off to have a chat with the wee fella Barnus on the warm-down run.....I will never stop missing 'my man' :-(

Swim - Tuesday 30th August 2016

Legs need a rest today, so no running: but head for a swim after work instead.

Langdale Horseshoe Recce - Bank Holiday Monday 29th August 2016

Legs tired today but feel the need to recce Langdale. It's a glorious day, can't be right as it's Bank Holiday !!, but need to make the most of this. 

It's hard going but we get all the right lines and trods. Out for about 4 1/2 hours, need to be quicker than this in the race but on a day like this why rush. 

Ride - Sunday 28th August 2016

Home late last night from Scotland trip so a leisurely start today. Decide to head out from home on bike after lunch. Down through Kendal Green to Burneside and then, soon after, bump into Paul from Helm. He's also out for a steady ride and as we are both heading in roughly the same direction we ride together. 

Paul mentions a pint at Staveley, I feel I need to do a few extra miles to deserve that so we head down Kentmere and back; it's then into Hawkshead Brewery for a pint of Damson Stout and then an even more steady ride home. 23 miles, I'll settle for that today. 

Ochil 2000's - Saturday 27th August 2016

So I headed up to Stirling last night, a great caravan site just outside the town, in a walled garden !

It's only a short drive to the Uni, where race registration is; very civilised, it's at the sports centre with excellent changing facilities and a cafe. As always I'm early, so take advantage of the cafe. Then it's the bus to the start at Glensherup. 

The race was due to be 18 miles and 1,500m of climb but due to forestry work the race will be a bit longer and 200m more climb ! It's a hot day and very clear, that's a good start. 

So at 12pm we are off, about 70 runners head up into the forest on a good track before breaking out onto a the open fells. The race visits all of the Ochil 2000' summits, plus an extra wee bump at the end.....not that it felt very wee !!

I run well, a good steady pace and climb strong. Far too many summits and checkpoints to name but after Ben Ever the race changes; up to that point it was on good grassy paths but now there's a large tussocky and boggy section to cross; I actually get a good line through here, picking up two places and then climb to Blairdenin Hill. 

From here is where the route changes, two extra checkpoints, first Colsnaur Hill and then a deer fence crossing. It's great downhill running through these two checkpoints but now down at sea level on the road the last wee bump is a struggle. I feel a bit sick, too hot and dehydrated but I dig in and chat to a Carnethy lass, that helps and we keep each other going to the summit of Dumyat. 

The finish is in sight, the Uni about 2k away. It's more good downhill running to the forest and then an intricate, and fortunately flagged, route through the forest to the road. The Carnethy lass pulls away, my legs have given up by now. And after some confusing roads through the Uni I am very pleased to see the finish. 

It's a great race, a bit tougher than expected, but that's no bad thing. 

Results

Swim - Friday 26th August 2016

Heading North later but manage a quick swim in a crowded pool at lunchtime.

Circuits & Pilates - Thursday 25th August 2016

An early start and another tough circuit session; then Pilates in the evening - this must be doing me some good. 

Training - Wednesday 24th August 2016

Another pleasant evening on the Helm, I train in John's group, it's no easy session. Cheers John for a varied and tough evening. 

Shipman Knotts Fell Race - Tuesday 23rd August 2016

Can't believe another year has passed, I am again at Shipman Knotts fell race helping Russ. I take up my usual post, marshalling on the summit. It's a warm, muggy evening and the earlier clear sky soon clouds over and looks a little threatening. But is stays dry and it's only the flying ants that cause me an issue. 

There are 63 runners, a record entry and the race goes smoothly. Post race tea and cake goes down well, as does the pint at the Eagle & Child on the way home. 

Training - Monday 22nd August 2016

Training again for me tonight; 18 reps, hard work, but making progress.

Staveley Run - Sunday 21st August 2016

Head out with Chris S from Staveley, along the river, up to Potter Tarn, Potter Fell'ish and Brunt Knott (where I camped earlier in the week). Weather much better today and good to be out running with Chris, feel strong too. 

Pendle 3 Peaks Fell Race - Saturday 20th August 2016

Well to be honest I wasn't looking forward to this race, not sure why, just wasn't. And the poor forecast doesn't help to change that. 

But it's a new race for me and an FRA Championship race, I head down to Barley in Cali and get myself sorted. Actually I feel ok and the weather is not great but could be worse. 

Ladies are away at 11am and we are off at 11:15; there is no pressure, I run my own race and see how it's goes. It about 1.5k along the track from the start, across the dam and then a short steep climb. From there, a long gradual climb, through boggy ground, to Spence Moor. I'm going ok, feel reasonably good, and enjoying it too. 

Down to CP2 then a steep climb up onto Pendle plateau; the weather turns grim up here, but no worse than expected. It's then a roller coaster, steep drops down and then straight back up onto the plateau, the second one leads to the summit and then it's a great gradual downhill to the track and back along to the dam. 

I run well, finish in1:44:18, 13th in my category. A good race, pleased I was there.

Results

River / Canal Run - Friday 19th August 2016

I wait until mid-afternoon in the hope that the rain might stop - I think it eases so head out, but it doesn't ! A three-quarter loop of the river / canal, very wet, but pleased I went.

Circuits & Swim - Thursday 18th August 2016

7am Circuits - now that's tough; but I'm glad I make the effort - exhausted by the end though.

Then after work head for a swim, and some helpful advice.

Training - Wednesday 17th August 2016

I head to Helm, not been here for a while. I get there early, this gives me time to see the wee fella :-). Then into the session, I join Russ's group; shorter reps, less of them and more recovery, but this doesn't stop me working hard. Thanks Russ.

Pilates and a Mid-week 'Micro-adventure' - Tuesday 16th August 2016

I head to Pilates, a small class, but we work just as hard.

Then I head out on my 'micro-adventure'; it was a bit of a late decision, but sort kit before Pilates, and head off from Barley Bridge to Brunt Knott. It had been a glorious day and the evening and night were forecast to stay that way.

I take a leisurely walk up, weighed down by 2.5l of water and a bottle of beer :-). The summit is breezy, so I pitch just North in a sheltered spot, fantastic view from here to the whole of the South and Mid Lakes, plus the Shap Fells, Howgills, Bowland and Morecambe Bay.

The sunset is spectacular, as is the full moon. I have my beer and curry, custard for dessert, then for supper, hot chocolate, Baileys and a choccie bar - life is, on occasions, good.

I sleep well, a new set-up - flysheet and groundsheet only, it works well, more space and less weight. I leave the door open and on the few occasions I wake I peer out to the silhouetted fells.

I'm up early, quick coffee, tent down and back at car soon after 7, then home, showered and in work by 8 - coolio ;-)

Training - Monday 15th August 2016

Monday night training is back to be a regular fixture - it's a good discipline for me and, hopefully, over time will serve me well. 

18 varied reps, as usual; I feel good, despite my racing yesterday. 

Lowther Trail Run - Sunday 14th August 2016

A new race for me, 13 mile loop from Lowther Castle. The day doesn't go as planned but that must  be my fault. Conditions are good, dry and warm with a slight breeze and the ground fairly dry. 

I run well, a great route, some fell, some road, some track, some bogs, some tussocks and the occasional river crossing too. I run well, feel strong and get stronger towards the end, gaining places and pulling away from others. 27th, I'll settle for that. 

Results

Ride - Saturday 13th August 2016

Head out from home on bike, over to Brigsteer, Levens, Brigsteer, Underbarrow, Crook, Ings, Staveley, coffee & cake, Bowston, Burneside and home. Just over 26 miles, 2 hours.

River / Canal Run - Friday 12th August 2016

Head out at lunch for usual lap of the river / canal, feel good today.

Circuits and Swim - Thursday 11th August 2016

Another early morning circuits session - mainly boxing this week but at least that's a break from press-ups ! 

Then for a swim at lunch, but far too much traffic (in the pool) for me.

Sizergh Castle Run - Wednesday 10th August 2016

I head out at lunchtime, just before the rain arrives; 2 loops of my 5km circuit - it was...just..ok !

Pilates - Tuesday 9th August 2016

Another good session, I'm in the zone tonight.

Training - Monday 8th August 2016

Well maybe that rest day yesterday was worthwhile, I actually felt strong at training tonight. 18 reps and then some stretching. 

Rest day..... - Sunday 7th August 2016

Now that's not something you hear me say very often !

Kentmere Horseshoe - Saturday 6th August 2016

Had planned to have an afternoon run around Fairfield but with an A591 closure we, instead, head down Kentmere; not our favourite route but works well in the circumstances. 

It's warm and sunny low down but cooler and windy higher up. Legs still stiff, not sure why this is going on for so long ?!  

A good run round, taking in most of the tops rather than the race route; and then into Low Bridge House for tea and cakes in the garden.......how very English :-) 

River / Canal Run x 2 - Friday 5th August 2016

A glorious day, warm but not hot. Head out at lunchtime for a run along the canal and back along the river; it's hard work, legs are tired, I blame running in Bare Grips the other night !

Then out again early evening for the same loop !?!?

Circuits & swim - Thursday 4th August 2016

A very tough early morning circuit training session and then a more leisurely lunchtime swim.

Scar Run - Wednesday 3rd August 2016

Not been on Scar for too long, home a bit earlier tonight so head up there for a run. But I don't avoid the rain, actually the wind and cold too - is it really August ?! But feel strong, the Bare Grips definitely add a bit of spring to my step. 

Pilates - Tuesday 2nd August 2016

Hoping tonight's Pilates session will loosen my legs and back, it does - thank you Rebecca.

Training - Monday 1st August 2016

Head to training but actually don't think that was sensible. Legs are tired and stiff, so 18 reps is hardly the recipe for recovery ! 

Ullswater Loop - Sunday 31st July 2016

So home at 5am, tucked up by 5:30 and then rudely awakened by door bell just before 10.....but once awake I decide to crack on.....all those runners completing a great race yesterday, I need to get out....more !

So meet up with KA and head over to Patterdale to run the Ullswater Loop. Conditions are great, as are the tea and cake at the wee cafe below Place Fell. Just over 21 miles and it feels it today, but a great route and good to get another longish run under my belt. 

Lakes 50 / 100 - Saturday 30th July 2016

So I am involved in running the Ambleside checkpoint for the UTLD 50 / 100, it's going to be a long day !

There to set up at 9 and first runners through before 12, the last just after 4........am, the next day ! But a great experience and if I managed to put a smile on runners faces, offer them some support and food and drink then it was all worth while. 

Great to see Bryn come through too, he's worked so hard and deserved things to go well - they did and he had a fanstastic race.......well done Bryn, you're the man ! :-)

Loughrigg - Friday 29th July 2016

A glorious evening, I head out after work from Ambleside, to the summit of Loughrigg and back via Lilly Tarn. 

Swim - Thursday 28th July 2016

Head out at lunch for a swim, a busy place today but fortunately it soon thins out as a large group of scouts vacate the pool !

Staveley 10k - Wednesday 27th July 2016

A new race, and an addition to the Kendal AC 10k evening series. Not managed to run any of the others this year, but like the sound of this one; plenty of climb but not a place to get a 10k PB. 

I head over with CB & AB; the route is as I expected and conditions are good; a few other Helm runners there too but I am pleased to report it is not a take-over !

I set off strong and keep working hard; the hills are tough but I enjoy that; Craig and Jonny pull away, as expected, but I tuck in behind Sean, a friendly rival, and although I make ground on him I needed just an extra bit of distance to have got passed him. 

I finish in a bit longer than I had hoped, but chatting afterwards most people seem convinced that this route adds about 2 minutes to a usual 10k; on that basis I'm content with my result. 

Pilates - Tuesday 26th July 2016

Another good session, and the time flew !

Training - Monday 25th July 2016

Another tough set of 18 reps, some long and others very long ! Hopefully doing me some good.

Ride - Sunday 24th July 2016

Head out from home on bike; up Brigsteer Road and across to Underbarrow, then Staveley and back from Burneside.

Tour du Fairfield Horseshoe (and St Sunday Crag) ! - Saturday 23rd July 2016

Somewhere different and we need to get some miles in.......so we start from Rydal and head over Scandale Pass to Hartsop, along to Patterdale and then up Grizedale to the tarn, down to Grasmere and back along the Coffin Route; just over 20 miles and generally I feel good but, specifically, Achilles is not great !  Good weather too. 

River / Canal Run - Friday 22nd July 2016

Head out at lunchtime for the river / canal circuit; it's been months since I last ran this way. Good to be out, warm too. 

Pilates -Thursday 21st July 2016

Well Bryn, what you will soon find is that post an ultra you will feel very tired, just as I do today ! :-) But I manage Pilates, another great session, and, before anyone asks, I was neither of the two people who were snoring in the warm-down ! 

Training - Wednesday 20th July 2016

Head to training, legs feel ok but after half the session I know the hard reps are not doing me much good, it takes more than a few days to recover from an Ultra. So I skip the last 4 reps and settle for a long warm down. 

London - Tuesday 19th July 2016

A long hot day in the capital.

Heading home and to training - Monday 18th July 2016

Another very early start, alarm goes off at 03:10. Homeward bound and a few delays, flying is so efficient once in the air but a real faff at each end. 

Head training in the eveing, but do my own thing. 5 big steady laps of the field, some stretching and then 5 more laps. A very slow 6k. 

Reykjavik - Sunday 17th July 2016

A lie-in and very stiff, tired legs. A steady day seeing more sights around the city and then out for a fantastic meal. 

Laugavegurinn Ultra Marathon - Saturday 16th July 2016

My alarm goes off at 03:05, the second one at 03;10, it's an early start and long day ahead. KA and I are competing in the 55km Laugavegurinn Marathon.We are at the leisure centre in good time for the 04:30 set-off, heading to Landmannalaugar via a very good breakfast stop after a couple of hours on the bus. We know the routine, make sure we are first off the bus, four buses and one cafe will only lead to one thing, a huge queue for the loo's.....we are first, and then into the breakfast rooms - a real feast is laid out, plenty for everyone and spoilt for choice; i settle for porridge, boiled eggs, meat, cheese, bread, juice and coffee, that should keep me going. Then after another hour or so offroad tracks, bumpy but exciting and then we arrive at the start and, this time, not quite at the front of the queue !

We are in the Red start, this is the second batch and we set-ff just after 9. The scenery is spectacular and the conditions near perfect. we run on hard volcanic rock, volcanic ash, slushy snow, mud, uphill, downhill and through rivers - surrounded all the time by glaciers, mountains, lakes, steam and much more.

The pictures explain and show this much better, we had estimated a time of 6 hrs 30 and finish just inside this; it's a tough race, well supported with food and drink at the checkpoints and ropes and safety teams at the major river crossings. And at the finish, showers, and great food and drink.

We are pleased with our race and then it's just another few hours bumpy bus ride, through rivers and lava fields back to Reykjavik - we make it back to the apartment just after 11pm - a good day out. 

Iceland - Friday 15th July 2017

Head to the sports centre in Rejkavik to register for the race, then some time exploring the city.

The evening is all about fuelling, stretching, sorting kit and an early night.....alarm set for 03:10 !!

Iceland - Thursday 14th July 2016

A trip to see Iceland at its best: geysers, waterfalls and fault lines, all very spectacular.

Heading to Iceland - Wednesday 13th July 2016

I manage an early swim and then it's to Manchester airport to catch flight North to Iceland.

Pilates - Tuesday 12th July 2016

Had hoped to fit in a swim at lunch today but too much to get done ahead of heading to Iceland tomorrow. But make it to Pilates tonight for another good session. 

Training - Monday 11th July 2016

Head to training, 18 reps of varying lengths; hard work but it must be doing me some good.

Howgill Half - Sunday 10th July 2016

Another non-summery day; head over to the Howgills again, KA and I decide to run the Montane Howgill Half route. 

It's mild, misty on the tops and actually fairly dry too today. It's a stiff climb up Winder and then skirt Arrant How to then climb Calders and the Calf. Good descent from here and then down again past Cautley Spout. The bridge over the beck is about half-way and its then along the valley and back to the village. 

A good run and the last longish outing before heading to Iceland. 

Sedbergh Sports Fell Race - Saturday 9th July 2016

Well a 5.6km / 400m fell race is never really going to suit me, and that proves to be the case today. Last Saturday I ran for 7 hours and felt good, today I run for less than 35mins and feel crap; not helped by having felt a bit under the weather this week, a lingering cold which I thought I had fought off but returns today.....great. Anyway time to man-up, I don't want Bryn think I'm going soft ! :-)

Back to the race, it's a fast lap of the field, a mad dash up the lane and the straight up the fell, unforgiving - wet, misty and breezy too, but very mild. From the first summit, a slight dip then second climb which leads to a mad downhill on wet grass; I tried to stay on my feet, tentative running at the best, but hey overtaken by loads who decide arse-sliding is the better way to descend. 

I manage a good run on the easier slopes to the finish, and pleased to get there. 

(Disappointing)......Results

Swim - Friday 8th July 2016

Head for a swim after work, a bit quieter this week, 20 lengths, that's enough !

London - Thursday 7th July 2016

All work and no play, but the train journey provides the perfect opportunity for a Blog catch-up session. 

Training Run - Wednesday 6th July 2016

It's our last opportunity for a long trading run before our Iceland Ultra, so I take the morning off work and we head over to Patterdale. Original plan had been to run the Ullswater Way again but time is against us so we settle for heading North along the East side of the lake and plan to turn back at 11am. This goes well, we are running well and even manage to fit in a sneaky cuppa at a great little tea room enroute. 

But, as always, time is against us, I'm running late for work and it's a rush, but a worthwhile training run, just under 17 miles and the new Sportiva Mutants perform well.

Pilates - Tuesday 5th July 2016

Another good session and a little treat from Rebecca.....a piece of homemade chocolate cake, how sweet is that :-)

Training - Monday 4th July 2016

A wet training session tonight and legs feel tired......did I mention that I had 12 hours of hard running at the weekend......tussocks, bracken and boggy ground and over 4,000m of ascent and descent, goodness knows how many miles it was too :-) !!

But I stick at it, 16 reps of varying lengths, KA running really well :-) I'm clearly going to have to work hard to keep with her in our big race !

Saunders Lakeland Mountain Marathon (SLMM) - Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd July, 2016

Craig and I are running together, this year in the Bowfell class, one up from last year and the longest of the pairs courses.

It is a cool day as we start from just South of Pooley Bridge, not a great forecast but, perhaps, this will suit us. We have an early start and are soon marking our maps, whilst the clock is ticking. As is often the case we don't get the best line at the start, bracken bashing is not much fun. CP 1 is close on 3km away, but vis is good and running on a bearing are soon there with little fuss. But it's a big route choice decision to get to CP 2; it's a long way, sited close to Laythwaite Crags; we, I, choose the high level route, longer but more running; this seems to work well.

Then to CP 3, again again we take the high road, CP 4, close to Blea Water is a down, round and then back up and then it's a long run, via Nan Bield, to CP 5 at an old mine entrance just west of the track leading to Gatescarth Pass.

Another up and over to CP 6, then a long trudge up past Kentmere Reservoir to a sheepfold close to the source of the river Kent. Not too far from here, just up and over High Street to the last two CP's close to Angle Tarn.

We run well together and route finding was pretty good; we spare a few minutes on the final, and very treacherous, descent to ask if a casualty needs help - not a great situation, but already people in attendance and MR on their way (he gets stretchered out and a bit later a further fall into the gully results in a heli rescue - fortunately both are ok).

Then a run into the finis at Bridgend, close to Hartsop - 6hrs 57mins, 8th out of 35.

Overnight camp is good, but at times wet and chilly. Chores done (i.e. a full strip wash) and then it's down to eating and drinking, and a good night's sleep.

Actually I don't sleep that well and get up feeling a bit rough, but keep that to myself. We are one of the first teams to get away, as we are keen not to get held up in traffic. We climb well to Boredale Hause and then towards Place Fell before contouring west to the first CP; not quite spot on, a minute or two wasted, but again often the case on the first leg. 

It's a short up and over to CP 2 and then, like yesterday, CP 2to CP 2 is a monster, a monster route choice too; we (I) take a contrarian view, stay high but more distance; not sure it was better, but equally no worse. 

It was a long way and then from CP 3 it's a tough climb up and over Wether Hill to drop to Measand Beck, close to where we were yesterday. Heading for home now, to CP 5 is relatively easy and good running but to CP 6 is a nasty surprise. A steep descent and then even steeper ascent, leading to a long trudge across tussocky ground, but it goes well and just the last few CP's to go. We push hard and find them easily and enjoy the final sprint to the finish.

Out for 4 hrs 48 mins on day 2, a total of 11 hrs 45 mins over the two days. We finish 10th on day 2 but actually improve to 7th overall. I'm happy with that, I felt I ran well and didn't hold Craig up too much !

A great event, thanks Craig.

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