Lochnager - Tuesday 21st June 2016

Today's plan is to head past Balmoral to Ballater and up Glen Muick to the parking area at the road end. 

Lochnager is a stunning mountain and another 4 munros make up a relatively easy 18.5 mile circuit. It's a windy day and a little cloud comes and goes on the first summit, but route finding is straightforward and all goes well. 

A steady 6 hour walk and finished by tea and biscuits back at the camper.

Morrone - Monday 20th June 2016

So I have a few days off and head to Braemar for some days out on the hills. But it's a leisurely start, need a catch up on sleep, and I'm not in Braemar until mid afternoon. Had planned a Munro day but instead happily settle for a run up the Corbett, Morrone. I decide to put some effort in and run the loop in a clockwise direction; this means a long steady track all the way to the summit, but I dig in and run it all. Then it's a fun descent back to the village and along to the campsite. A good run out. 

Fairfield Horseshoe - Sunday 9th June 2016

So I have a much needed lie-in and then get myself sorted. I head over to Rydal to run the Horseshoe, my favorite route. But today the weather is fowl, windy, wet and low cloud so it's head down and just get on with it. Relatively uneventful but definitely chilly and I work hard to keep my core temperature at an operating level. 

Supporting Billy Bland Challenge - Saturday 18th June 2016

I offer to provide road support to the Helm Ladies Vet Team in their attempt of the Billy Bland Challenge. This is a relay of the Bob Graham Round, run as a relay in pairs.

I often think that supporting can be harder work than actually running; once Kate and Ali set-off from the Moot Hall we head to Threlkeld, lights out soon after 00:30 and alarm set for 03:00.....and the flippin hounds keep us awake !

Then it's a quick hand over of the batten and Jo and Jayne head off into the dawn to run leg 2; for me it's a drop off into Keswick and then to Dunmail, and again an attempt of some sleep. This time it's lights out by 04:00'ish and alarm set 06:45....and this time the flippin traffic keeps us awake. 

But all is going to plan, the girls are running well and Carrie and Kath head off on the longest session (leg 3) ahead of schedule. For me it's a drop off in Threlkeld and then time to grab a monster breakfast in Keswick.......large coffee, porridge with honey and boiled eggs with soldiers, that does the job.

Then pick up Marie and Amanda, and passenger Craig, to head to Wasdale, an hour or so drive. 

Wasdale is a busy place on a sunny June Saturday, mini-buses block the road and I'm not my usual mild mannered self ! But once parked there is plenty of time to chill and wait for the handover; again this goes well and ahead of schedule and allows Kath and I sometime to relax....sneakily head to the campsite for a shower, tea and some food before packing up and the long, slow drive to Honister. 

Well this is where things get interesting, barely time to enjoy my icecream and like the classic scene from Zulu, Marie and Amanda appear unexpected over the horizon and are fast approaching the changeover ! Sarah and Sharron are baren't ready and hastily get sorted before heading off on the final leg, well ahead of the schedule. 

We pack up quickly and head to Newlands Church, a critical transition from fell to road shoes. They are a little later here than expected, but still well ahead, due to a misplaced batten......say no more on this ! Then the pair, joined by Kath run the road section to Keswick and we meet them at the Moot Hall, 17hrs 43mins after they set off......what an achievement and what a great day. 

Then to the Square Orange for a well deserved beer and pizza. 

A long day, and more to come :-) - Friday 17th June 2016

So a trip to Leicester, over 7 hours of driving for a 1 hour meeting; but should be worthwhile.

Soon up to Keswick to support the Helm Vet Ladies Billy Bland Challenge.

Swim - Thursday 16th June 2016

A busy day and a busy evening, but manage to fit in a quick swim.

Gill Garth Gallop - Wednesday 15th June 2016

For the second year running, I heard over to Selside to race the small, but perfectly formed, Gill Garth Gallop. Just 9.8k and 550m of climb, but a bit of everything. 

Wasn't sure how I would perform tonight, Saturday was a tough race and a speed session on Monday was perhaps not the best prep. 

But, as always, I work hard and run my own race. Conditions are ideal, relatively dry underfoot and cool and clear overhead. 

Well I finished 18th in 57:31, 4th V40 but, more importantly for me, this is over. 2 mins quicker than last year (25th, 59:46), at last some progress :-)

The hotdog, coffee and cake......ideal sustenance for a finely tuned athlete :-)

Edinburgh, then Pilates - Tuesday 14th June 2016

A long and tiring day in Edinburgh, but make it home for a later Pilates session; a worthwhile class.

Training - Monday 13th June 2016

So I have a new plan, perhaps even a strategy, need to get back to some proper training not just leisurely runs !! So it's to the track and 18 reps of various lengths and pace, what fun ! But seriously, this might be what's needed. 

Storth ride - Sunday 12th June 2016

A busy day and an important job to get down; the camper is a mess, inside and out, so it's time for a clean:

Legs feel OK after yesterday's race so I head out on bike from Natland; a shortened Arnside loop, which will now be known as the Storth Loop. Just over 17 miles and despite heavy rain at home and dark skies, I stay dry.

Pedol Cwm Pennant Fell Race - Saturday 11th June 2016

A new race for me, and for many others too; the fourth running of this 16 mile / 5,575' Welsh race, taking in the summits of Morl Hebog, Moel yr Ogof, Moel Lefn, Tal y Mignedd, Craig Cwm Silyn and Garnedd Goch, in the splendid hidden valley of Cwm Pennant. 

It's a muggy and misty morning,with the potential for some dampness too. We arrive in good time, get registered, sort kit, drink tea, look at map and try our best to relax ! 

We are away at 11, it's a fast and furious run out along the road and up the lower slopes of Moel Hebog - hot and humid, which doesn't suit me. A tough climb to Moel Hebog and then, for much of the way, in the mist and generally just following those in front; this time that's works. 

The race has its usual highs and lows but I am pleased with my race, I enjoy it and happy with my time. 

Results

Heading to Wales - Friday 10th June 2016

Fisnish work at lunchtime and head to Beddgelert in camper, ready for tomorrow's Pedol Cwm Pennant fell race. 

Pilates - Thursday 9th June 2016

Just to Pilates tonight.

Helm - Wednesday 8th June 2016

Another hot and humid day......now I'm not complaining but it does make running flippin hard work ! Not sure how those city boys cope down south !!!! :-)

I go to training, which is a rarity, but decide thata steady fartlek session is the better thing for me tonight; big race in foreign land Saturday ! 

London - Tuesday 7th June 2016

A long day in the hot city - left home before 7 and home well after 10, that's far too long to be wearing a suit and pair of brogues !

Buttermere - Monday 6th June 2016

Another hot day, and for me a days holiday; actually it's very hot, sultry and airless but can't let that stop me going on a big run. 

Headed over to Buttermere, had planned to the recce skyline route; this goes ok until Honister but a decision is made, I need to run more, rather than walk over the fells ! So decide to head down to Buttermere, round the back of the Water, then round Crummock Water and work my way back to Newlands Pass via the beautiful and secretive Rannerdale valley. 

Manage about 17 miles, but it was really hard going and don't want to think how long it took. Head up to Moss Force and find a pool, so refreshing to soak in here for a while. Then a quick visit to Keswick and the storm that's been looming all day finally breaks, some heavy downpours too, my no let up in the humidity. 

A good day out, but decision on where to focus energy have been made.

Ride.....but no Strava ! - Sunday 5th June 2016

Another hot day, I wait until late afternoon for a ride from Natland. Stainton, Viver, Milnthorpe, Dallam Park, Storth, Sandside, Heversham, Hincaster, Sedgwick and back to Natland. 

Ullswater Loop - Saturday 4th June 2016

The completion of the path around the Lake is hitting the news, so we decide to check it out and run the 21 mile loop. A glorious route, spectacular scenery and a tea and cake stop at the half way point.....very relaxed, that's my kind of running !

Another hot day, a bit cloudier and muggier than it has been, but the ground is so dry. 

A good run.

Birmingham - Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd June 2016

I am away on business for 2 days, in our Birmingham office. Actually a nice place to be but no chance of getting out for a run, what a waste of time taking my kit. 

Blencathra Fell Race - Wednesday 1st June 2016

Another new race for me, had hoped to have company but unfortunately that didn't work out so I head  up after work to Mungrisdale. It's a beautiful evening, a bit breezy, just what's needed to keep those pesky midges away.

The race is 13k, with 825m of climb, so definitely not the shortest of evening races. There's a good show of numbers, and after a delayed start we are straight into a tough climb to join the long sloping ridge to Bowscale Fell. It's hard work, my legs are still tired from Monday. 

But I make steady progress and eventually reach the summit and then it's a steady grassy descent to the Hause below Blencathra, the views and sky are stunning. A steep pull up to the summit, and greeted by a very cool wind; but straight into a long grassy descent to another Hause, below Souther Fell. Just a short climb here and then along the ridge the last checkpoint. A full on steep grassy descent leads to the track and then just a short 100m or so to the finish. I do ok, do not suffer. 

A cracking race

Results