Parador to Vilaflor, again - Thursday 31st March 2016

So I decide to head up to Parador again on the 342, and grab a quick hot chocolate and doughnut in the cafe. Blue sky and sunshine here, but very cold wind blowing, mist and drizzle lower down.

I head out on the same path as yesterday, but this time at Degollada de Ucanca I turn left and head up a smaller path to the summit of Guajara, Tenerife's third highest peak at 2715m. The guidebook warns of scrambling and possible rockfall, but all I had to contend with was tiny shards of ice cascading down as the sun melted yesterday's frozen rain. 

The summit views are spectacular, Tiede plastered in fresh snow which might cause issues tomorrow and in all other directions looking down into a sea of mist. Then I descend into the sea of mist and keep descending until I am back a Vilaflor. A good day out.

Parador to Vilaflor - Wednesday 30th March 2016

I catch the bus to Parador, below the mighty volcano of Mt Teide, and head South along the rugged ridge on the edge of Parque Nacional. Cooler today and a breeze too, but I am at 2,500m. It's good walking and then I drop down through the trees to Las Lajas and then steep and rough paths back to Vilaflor. 11 miles, 760m ascent & 1445m descent. It's turns wet for the last mile or so, just like being at home. But at least I have the spa to look forward too :-)

Another walk - Tuesday 9th March 2016

Moving on today, San Miguel to Vilaflor, and uphill all the way. Another warm and sunny day, walk a.m., then relaxed p.m.  This could catch on.

Steady walk - Monday 28th March 2016

Staying for two nights in San Miguel de Abona; head out for a steady walk, down to Aldea Blanca. Coffee and then uphill back to San Miguel. Warm and breezy. 

Then a relaxing afternoon and now to the thermal pool in the hotel. Will pick the pace up tomorrow but a rest day will hopefully have done me some good. 

We're all going on a.......Sunday 27th March 2016

Fly to Tenerife today.

Road run, marathon training - Saturday 26th March 2016

I help a friend who is training for the London Marathon. 20 miles is her objective, I'm planning the route and not allowed any serious off-road ! 

The forecast is rubbish but surprisingly we run most of the way in the dry, just the last few miles in the rain. So from Troutbeck, up into Troutbeck, Low Wood, Waterhead, Brathay, Drunken Duck (first water stop - thanks to Matt, Lucy & Anna), then to Tarn How's and an 'off-road loop' (which I get away with), High Cross, more off-road in Grizedale, down to Monk Coniston (16 miles) and then a loop towards Tilberthwaite, to finish in Coniston....20.25 miles and 3:15. 

Well done Emma, should be on for a sub 4hr London, considerably flatter than my route !!

Eskdale Elevation Recce - Good Friday 25th March 2016

A new race and a club championship race, but I won't be about to race it but still very happy to join KA, plus Marie & John for a recce. 

Clear sky and sunshine but as we head past Duddon and Devoke we can see that the high Western fells are in cloud. I make the right choice and stick with 3/4's, long sleeved Helly and Montane windproof gilet. We make good progress from Boot, past the stone circle and drop into Miterdale, a lonely and secluded valley. Intricate nav required here and then soon we are slogging up the side of Whinn Fell; we are close to having a good line, but perhaps need to join the ridge and path sooner, this would avoid staying too low on race day. 

Once past the summit (CP 1), we consider a straight line to Burnmoor to avoid Illgill Head but this doesn't look so appealing close up so its up and over. Then drop down to the the flat lying area to the East of Burnmoor Tarn before picking up a wee path up Hard Rigg to the summit of Sca Fell Pike. It's a long pull up here and we are in the mist, the wind has picked and the temperature drops. 

I actually enjoy this climb but too am pleased to reach the summit; quick hot drink and bait and it's the to Slight Side. It gets even chillier here and our good kit proves worth it's weight in gold. We 'bag'  Slight Side and then run on bearings to Eel Tarn; we don't get this spot on but that's what a recce is all about......finding the way to go and the way not to go !

From the Tarn a track leads back to Boot.....and Cali waiting for our return. Tea and biscuits, as is tradition. 

Well a cracking route and will be a tough race, I will think of you all.....Forecast for Tenerife all week is 22c and glorious sunshine :-) 

Swim - Thursday 24th March 2016

Head for a swim after work, 50 lengths and, for once, enjoyable.

Training....disaster - Wednesday 23rd March 2016

I set off well on the run out but then it goes wrong - walk back slowly to car and then the evening gets worse !!

Pilates - Tuesday 22nd March 2016

Didn't make it for a swim at lunchtime, so just Pilates for me today....but that was a toughie ! :-)

Scar Run - Monday 21st March 2016

Head out early evening for a steady run on the Scar; a good run, joined by a four legged sweetie too.

Muncaster Luck - Sunday 20th March 2016

A club championship race and one that has been resurrected, after a 16 year absence. We head over to Muncaster Castle, a beautiful day and spectacular drive over Corney Fell. The fells are relatively low but not easy ground to traverse - one word sums it up: tussocks !

The race heads out onto Muncaster Fell, the first checkpoint being on the summit of Hooker Crag. The ground is relatively easy going along the ridge to Silver Howe, but no Marshall which is a bit of a worry. Then down through farm land to cross the River Esk, it's a good thing that's it's been very dry, this could have been a tough river crossing. 

Then a long steady climb to Water Crag; we are doing ok, especially given that one of us is working night shifts, and it's not me. It's a great area but the ground really starts to get tough from here to the finish. Across to Raven Crag and some good lines, from there flagged to the Pepper Pot and to the finish. The route to the Pepper Pot deteriorate, the tussocks get worse !! 

The last section is far from short or straight forward. It's flagged and seems to go round in circles before dropping down to the road and a further crossing of the Esk. Then it's just Cannon Bank to negotiate to the finish line. 

A tough race, nearer to 11miles, 2 more than expected. But a good day out. 

Ride - Saturday 19th March 2016

A busy day, live admin to get sorted. Anyway, I make it out in the afternoon for a ride; it started off as the Arnside loop but got down-graded to a Lyth Valley route....it's a long story !

Anyway after some to'ing and fro'ing I manage 22.3 miles and 1,467' ascent.

A day off - Friday 18th March 2016

But more importantly, it's the day before my Ma's 80th. So I take my Ma & Pa out for a champagne afternoon tea at the Holbeck Ghyll - it did not disappoint, stunning setting, perfect service and delicious patisseries :-)

TWA Recce - Thursday 18th March 2016

At short notice I decide to take a day off and make the most of this glorious weather. Head up to North Lakes and park at Stoneycroft, TWA recce required. 

The sun is already warm and I regret not wearing shorts, I certainly build up a sweat climbing Causey  Pike, it's a tough start to the race. Then it's an easy descent and short climb to Outerside, from there some route choice and differing opinions. 

I decide to take a mid-height route through the scree,but think both the higher and the lower options might be preferable - more recce'ing required. Then the main path up to Coledale Hause, and the feint path to the fantastic summit of Grasmoor, this would be a great place to bivvy. The views were stunning and the distant Sca Fells looks alpine-like.

Then down and round to Whiteless Pike and then the fun begins. A very steep, grassy decent to Sail Beck quads will hurt tomorrow ! Then a good trod leads up to Newlands Pass. Time is against us and we settle for a return via the Buttermere / Sailbeck route; Knott Rigg and Ard Crags, then a short run back along the road......the cool beck is v.refreshing. 

Then into Keswick for a late lunch and potter; a good day out.

Training - Wednesday 16th March 2016

So this is my 4th consecutive week I make it to training, this is starting to become a regular fixture ! Back on the Castle tonight, we all find it tough after our endeavours at the weekend, my legs, for sure, are lacking energy and feel heavy; just haven't really allowed them much recovery this week. But, optimistically, I continue to believe this must be doing me some good :-/

Swim & Pilates - Tuesday 15th March 2016

A glorious day, desperately want to be out running on the fells. But settle for a lunchtime swim, 20 lengths; I will never get excited about this but it serves a purpose.

Then to Pilates this evening, not sure what we have done to upset Rebecca but it is soooo tough :-)

Potter Tarn - Monday 14th March 2016

Should really be resting today but easily persuaded to head out. From Staveley, along the river and up to Potter Tarn. Head back down to the road and along the river back to the Yard. A good evening. 

Fairfield Horseshoe - Sunday 13th March 2016

A glorious Spring-like afternoon, after a misty morning. I head round Fairfield, steady pace as I ran further than most yesterday !

A good day to be out, stunning views of snow streaked fells. 

Black Combe Fell Race......flippin disaster - Saturday 12th March 2016

Well it's a misty day and that proves to be issue for me, and many others to varying degrees. I start well, climbing strong and navigate well, all the way to White Combe; then disaster strikes ! 

We, myself and a group of runners, drop from the summit to the dip, but we don't hit the checkpoint. Some of the group then cut left, suspecting that we have dropped too far right; like lemmings we all go left and keep going left. The problem was that the checkpoint was just a little to our right, we we are now running further away from it. Time passes quickly and soon I realise that the way we are all running is not right; I stop, study the map, as I should have done about 20 minutes ago, and realise the mistake. 

I then take a bearing to get me back on the race route, this goes to plan and I hit the path heading to White Combe......again !!All goes well this time, but the damage is done and no chance of making up for this stupid mistake. I hit the checkpoint correctly this time and make good progress to the river crossing and all the way to Black Combe South Summit. 

Go a little too far left on the descent, but what does that matter now, quickly correct this but realise that tackling gorse bushes head on is not a great idea......legs from the knees down now look like dart boards and sting like hell in the shower !

Lessons learnt and hopefully remembered for the next time: run as if I'm on my own...i.e. Don't follow others; use the map and compass in poor vis, ignore what others are doing around me, they might be experienced and even local but no longer counts for much !!!! :-( :-( :-(

Swim - Friday 11th March 2016

Racing tomorrow so not keen to run today; had hoped to swim at lunchtime but a working lunch dictates I go early evening; it is what it is. 

River / canal run - Thursday 10th March 2016

I head out for a short run afterwork from Natland. Along the river to Force Bridge and then cut up to the canal path, back to Natland. A fantastic evening to be out. 

Training - Wednesday 9th March 2016

So I am training again, this could catch on. A fartlek session, supposedly not too tough as many of us racing on Saturday. 

We head off to the Castle, then through town and up to the golf course. It's hard going but I hang on in there and make it to the end; don't think I overdone it but certainly put the effort in. 

Pilates and a run - Tuesday 8th March 2016

A stiff body but a good class helps with that. Then out for a run from Mill Yard. Along the river and up to Potter Tarn; very misty up here and have to concentrate hard to stick on path. Back down the usual route, road and steep field back to the village; a good evening :-)

12 mile run - Monday 7th March 2016

So the plan is to run 12 miles and after a slight delay we head from Natland along the river to Levens Bridge, then road to behind the Strickland Arms and after a few twists and turns we soon at Helsington Church. 

Then along the Scar to the trig and down the wall to the bottom gate; a couple of fields to Helsington Laithes and then to the river for the run back along to Hawes Bridge and back up yo the village. A good run out and the 12 objective achieved. 

Sadgill Ride - Sunday 6th March 2016

A glorious day, Spring in the valleys and winter on the fells, would like to be out on them but things to get done. But make it out for a ride from home, through Burneside, Garnett Bridge and along Longsleddale to Sadgill, then back again, with the wind behind me; what a stunning valley. 

Bob Graham....Leg 3, part of - Saturday 5th March 2016

So the ladies are out again, recce'ing part of leg 3 for their Billy Bland Challenge in June. Nine of us head out into the wintry conditions from Dunmail. It's a steep climb up Steel Fell but short lived, once at the ridge we are in the snow, much softer than expected, lacking an overnight freeze. 

The cloud cover is also not as expected, misty on the higher fells but fortunately less windy than forecast. We make good progress along to Calf Crag and then a long section up to Sergeant Man. It's tough going, deep soft snow underfoot and into the mist, compass bearings useful from now on. 

Then onto Raise (this is on my bivvy list) and then bearings again to Thunacar Knott; a good place to break out the flask, hot Vimto, very refreshing. Over to Harrison Stickle and then a short, but testing section to Pike O'Stickle......a bit tricky on the short scramble up and down the summit knoll. 

Then head down for a wet trudge over Martcrag Moor, some good features here to remember and plenty of wet ground if you don't. Then down to the main path, short section on this before the climb, traverse and climb to a very wintry Rossett Crag. It's not difficult to reach a consensus decision.....Bowfell will be there for another day, so we head down the main path by Rossett Ghyll and then the steady run along Mickleden to the waiting Cali, piled high with tea and cakes :-)

A good day out.

River / canal run - Friday 4th February 2016

I head out at lunch for a run along the river and back along the canal. The earlier snow has thawed and the ground is very wet and even muddier than usual. A cold northerly wind blowing on the way out, but assisting me on the return. 

Edinburgh......and not all work - Thursday 3rd March 2016

In Edinburgh again, but this time only for the day. I manage to get out at lunchtime and run to the summit of Arthur's Seat and back, a 45 minute round trip. A stunning day to be out and not as cold as back home. 

Training - Wednesday 2nd March 2016

Two weeks in a row, becoming a bit of a regular feature !

Small group, led by Tom; on golf course, 6 hard reps but I've known worse.  Breezy night, but dry and surprisingly not cold. 

Pilates - Tuesday 1st March 2016

Back to my usual Tuesday night class this week, it's good.....as it always is :-)

Work - Monday 29th February 2016

Long day in London !