Rest day - Friday 29th April 2016

What is it about Friday's, I use the excuse of a rest day, which really means that I can't be bothered today. 

Round Latrigg - Thursday 28th April 2016

So I am back up to Keswick, this time for a meeting and, what a coincidence, it's ties in with the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour at the Theatre by the Lake :-)

But today the snow is a bit more serious, the snowploughs are working hard to keep the A66 clear ! So post meeting I get out for a short run, decide on Round Latrigg. I'm running in fresh snow but it's a bit wet and miserable now. All goes well until I drop down behind Latrigg to join the old railway line. It's too closed, well to be more precise, there's not much left, to still see the devastation that Decembers floods caused is, in some ways, impressive but also sad. 

Anyway I find a way back to Keswick and am glad of the shower facilities in the leisure centre. Then to have that pizza that I missed out on last night and a great eveing at Banff MFF. Round two on Saturday night. 

Lord's Seat - Wednesday 27th April 2016

A new race for me and always good to get out mid-week. Despite the blizzard conditions heading North on the M6, it's a glorious eveing up at Whinlatter. A big turn-out, few Helm vests, and a great friendly atmosphere. 

It's another steady race for me, not quite firing on all cylinders......think I'm sure a major service, or perhaps strip down and refurb ! But still worked hard, up through forest on good tracks but some down on the way up......wonder if that means there will be up on the down :-/

Once out the forest, short steep climb to the summit of Barf, a Wainwright, and the short distance to Lords Seat......stunning views to Grisedale Pike and the Dodds / Helvellyn. Then a short descent to the forest and again on good tracks, I'm glad it's flagged, bit if a maze in the forest. 

It's difficult to know how far the finish is but suddenly it's in view and then all over. A cracking race, route, fellow runners and atmosphere. Good prize giving in the cafe too, tea and cake as well :-)

Then to Keswick for a quick drink and disappointed too late for pizza.....scampi and chips sat outside the Moot Hall came a close second :-)

Results:

http://www.keswickac.org.uk/media/other/30323/LordsSeatResults2016.pdf

Pilates - Tuesday 26th April 2016

To Pilates tonight......a so called "easy" session......precise too, well mine are always precise :-)

Scar Run - Monday 25th April 2016

I head out early evening for a run on the Scar; chilly out there, an ok run.

Reston Scar Scamper Race Route - Sunday 24th April 2016

Really struggling with energy levels and motivation today. Head out for a run around the Reston Scar Scamper race route......actually didn't feel so bad once I got going and good to get some fresh air. 

A Ride and a Run - Saturday 23rd April 2016

Up and out early for a ride from home; through Burneside, back roads to Staveley, then Crook and home via Plumgarths.

Then a quick shower and sort, and over to Ambleside for an early lunch and potter around the kit shops. 

Next objective, a run with KA; a recce of the Coniston Fell race route. The weather still ok, but a little more cloud today and a cool breeze which brings the occasional flurry of snow. The run goes well and I pick up some new lines to take.

Stop of for a beer with RC on the way home. 

Rest Day - Friday 22nd April 2016

Rest Day........otherwise known as: I can't be bothered !

Fairfield Horseshoe - Thursday 21st April 2016

A glorious week and I don't really feel like I have made the most of it; but tonight head to Rydal for the Fairfield Horseshoe. There is a little cloud and cool breeze higher up, but still a fantastic eveing to be out and only one other person on the fells. 

It's hard work though, and I'm finding this frustrating; but a little over 2 1/2 hours is perhaps not too bad for a steady eveing run. 

Glorious sunset as we head home.

Training - Wednesday 20th April 2016

First time back on the Helm and a glorious evening; but, for me, a tough session.....going backwards and that's very frustrating. 

Pilates - Tuesday 19th April 2016

Legs still tight from Saturday; just Pilates for me today.

Swim - Monday 18th April 2016

Legs still in bits, so defo no running or ride tonight; but head for a swim, that's a good idea and much better for my tired legs. 

Ride - Sunday 17th April 2016

Head out for home to Sedbergh, that's not easy; my body is battered after yesterday's race and there are two serious hills to climb ! The coffee and delicious cake in the Three Hares does the trick and then it's a tough ride home; via Killington, New Hutton, Oxenholme and Natland. 

Teenager With Altitude (TWA) - Saturday 16th April 2016

A new race for me, the extended Anniversary Waltz route. It's a cold day, with a dusting of snow on the high fells and the chance of a few flurries later on; but it's bright, dry and not very windy so ideal running conditions. 

We start by climbing Causey Pike, it's a steep climb with no opportunity to ease into the race; but once out the way it's easier going to Outerside and then a contour and climb to Coledale Hause; from here the field splits, we stick with what we know and it proves to be the better line, the first of many; but it's still a long drag to the fantastic summit of Grasmoor. 

Next stop Whiteless Pike, and from there the bit I've not been looking forward to, a seriously steep descent to the beck, it hurts and I know will hurt again later. Then a contour and climb to the road crossing at Newlands Pass; we are well inside the cutoff, but only half way.....it's a tough route !

Next to High (or was it Low ?) Snock Rigg, the views are stunning. Another good route choice to Robinson and, at that point, we join the AW route. Onto Hindscarth, Dale Head and painful descent to the tarn. The steady pull up to Maiden Moor is tough but then easy, fast running and mire good line takes us the final bump, Catbells. 

A slightly different flagged descent and then a mad dash down the lane to the finish; that's a good place to be. 

Not even much food left for us.......but after 15.4 miles and 7,600'of ascent / descent we could do with a refuel ! I feel battered and a bit broken, but glad to have taken on the TWA. 

Just the muddy field to negotiate, several VW T5's stuck and towed out, my Cali 4motion takes it in its stride :-)

River / Canal Run - Friday 15th April 2016

Another early start and busy day, presenting to 30 Trustees, that's important.

Manage a run after work, just short and steady; out along the river from Natland to Force bridge and back along the canal - just about right. 

Pilates - Thursday 14th April 2016

Another long day but make it to Pilates; a good class.

Another full day in London - Wednesday 13th April 2016

So no play time for me !

London - Tuesday 12th April 2016

All work and no play, but I do get to drink and eat at the Churchill Arms......as featured by the Hairy Bikers. 

Scar Run - Monday 11th April 2016

A busy day, but I make it out early evening for a run on the Scar; good to be out, a good eveing.

Slieve Donard - Sunday 10th April 2016

We have an early evening flight home, so have time to climb Slieve Donard.....again ! We follow the main route up and down, it's cold, breezy and fresh snow on the summit; we are pleased it wasn't like this yesterday.

Good to be out, then a quick shower and back to Maudes for lunch (visit no 4 !). 

Then a good journey home. 

Donard Commedagh Horseshoe - Saturday 9th April 2016

The race is at 11am, registration from 9am. We are there promptly, ahead of the 'Green Army' and once registered we head to Nikki's for coffee and some seclusion. 

We decide to run together, and simply get round; a good choice. The run out is steady and we are soon at the quarry, ahead lies a 2000' climb to the summit of Slieve Donard, N. Irelands highest mountain (853m). 

Then it's due South, following the impressive Mourne Wall, surely an extension of the Great Wall of China !  Into the Bog of Donard (CP 3), and then some easier running on the Brandy Pad. A large cairn is CP 4, although in these near-perfect conditions the route and CP's are obvious, and then a steep pull up Slieve Commedagh (765m), CP 5. 

It's all downhill from here and we can see where we are going. I find it ok, others disagree ! To CP 6, the edge of the forest and now rage familiar route to the finish in the park.

We make it, that's good; what a fantastic race route :-) Then quick dash back to digs for a shower and back into town for prize giving, shopping and ice cream in Maudes (visit no 3 !). 

The day has gone well

Race recce - Friday 8th April 2016

So another early start and KA and I are heading over to Northern Ireland for the FRA British Championship race in the Mourne Mountains. 

Travel plans go smoothly and by lunch we are in Maudes enjoying......lunch. Then to our digs, quick change and out on the hill. The weather is not great, so we settle on following the race route out of the park and up to the quarry, checkpoint 1; it's taped to there, so no real issues but good to know where we will be heading tomorrow. Then we cut across to the Ice House, cross the Glen River and into the forest to find the last checkpoint; again this is taped and we follow this back down to the park.

Looks good and we are almost excited about the race. Then back to Maudes for Apple pie and ice cream :-) Then to digs to get cleaned up, bait and an early night 

A busy day - Thursday 7th April 2016

Leave for work at 7am and get home at 10pm, no time for play today :-(

Loughrigg Fell Race - Wednesday 6th April 2016

So the first of the evening races and it's a cold and wet, with fresh snow on the higher fells.

The park is very muddy and sets the scene for the rest of the race; a big field as usual, and we are soon dashing for the bridge and then the steep road which leads up onto Loughrigg. It's hard work, but was never going to be anything less tonight, I do ok and finish ok......but probably my slowest time ever. 

Then head for scampi and chips in the world's friend list F&C shop....not !

Pilates - Tuesday 5th April 2016

Back to Pilates tonight; as always, a good session.

Scar Run - Monday 4th April 2016

So a late night, made it home just before 2am. But in need of a run and it's now light in the evenings. A quick run on the Scar, need to get back into it gently. 

Montana Pasajiron 2529m - Sunday 3rd April 2016

Just a short walk today, heading home later. From Parador, up to Degollada de Guajara and then to the summit of Montana Pasajiron.

Another stunning day, and soon back down to Parador for a shower and cold beer.

Pico Viejo 3135m - Saturday 2nd April 2016

Well they might not let me climb the highest peak, but they ain't goin to stop me climbing the second highest !!

I head out for Parador, 2150m, and pass the Roques de Garcia, rock formations which are hugely popular with coach loads of tourists, fortunately I'm out before them ! Then it's a long steady climb on Sendero 23 to the col between Pico Viejo and El Teide. The views are stunning and again there is a sea of mist a long way below. I climb to the crater wall and then round to the summit at 3135m. The weather is great again and I then take a steady walk back down the way I came - Coke and doughnut in the cafe at Parador tastes good :-)

El Teide.....well almost ! - Friday 1st April 2016

There is a complete sea of cloud below Vilaflor, but here and higher is glorious blue sky and strong sunshine. I get a taxi to Montana Blanca parking area, the bus is too late in the day, and set off in shorts and t-shirt but well equiped for what might lie ahead. I have a summit pass for between 15:00 & 17:00, a bit bizarre bit they restrict access, but for environmental / erosion issues and for safety. Frustrating though that they can't distinguish between the tourists in shorts and flip flops that come up in the cable car and and those that slog up 1,200m to climb to the summit ! 

It is soon very cold, and I put on long pants, long sleeve thermal, softshell jacket, plus hat and gloves, what's it going to be like higher up ?! But actually once I am out of the wind warmth returns and I shed some clothes. I am soon walking through patches of snow and ice as I wind my way up the track to Montana Blanca. From here, the ground steepens and a great little path weaves it's way higher to the Refugio de Altavista, at 3,260m. I am running ahead of time, so have a good stop here and even treat myself to a hot chocolate. I reckon 1 hour from here to the cable car station and the barrier !

I climb higher, feeling good, and carefully negotiating the snow and ice. I finally get to the barrier and am told, in no uncertain terms, that access to the summit is not possible due to ice ! How flippin frustrating is that, I have slogged my way up through snow and ice for the last 4 hours, am sensibly dressed and equipped but can go no further. They are not even friendly, trying to get rid of me as quickly as possible. I try to ascertain if a different way down is possible, but am told that trail is also closed. Not impressed.....Spanish bureaucracy !!

I have two choices, head back the way I came and then face an 8km road yomp to my hotel or swallow my pride and get the cable care down ! I actually opt for the latter, this might surprise you, and soon get pi&@ed off with tourists (obviously I'm not one !). Can't wait to get out at the bottom and hit the trail for a few km's to my hotel, Hotel Parador. It's at about 2,100m and I've heard that Team Sky block book it for a week each year as a training camp.....I'm expecting it to be good.