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.

Results

Swim - Friday 1st July 2016

Head for a swim after work but the pool is too busy for me, but manage 20 lengths or so.

Sizergh Castle Run - Thursday 30th June 2016

Just a steady 5km loop today from Sizergh Castle, up towards Scout Scar; joined by a friendly 4 legged companion. 

Training - Wednesday 29th June 2016

Head up to Helm for training, this is a rarity for me. A good session, thanks John.

Pilates - Tuesday 28th June 2016

Another good session, Rebecca is on good form.

Spine Training - Monday 27th June 2016

Well I have not committed to the race.....yet, but take the opportunity of booking a 1-2-1 Soine Core Skills training session with Stu Westfield of Ranger Expeditions and Race Safety Director. 

It's a worthwhile cause, lots of snippets of info and tips which I tuck away and may draw upon in January 2017.....or 2018 !

Then we head out onto the locals hills around Hayfield for some nav practice, less needed for me but never practice makes perfect. Need to make some decisions about this race soon - might need a chat with Bryn.....that always leaves me feeling motivated, his enthusiasm is infectious. 

Ambleside Run - Sunday 26th June 2016

It's a dry morning so I wait to the rain arrives in the afternoon then head out for my run ! Half road and half trail, I run about 10 miles but it's hard work today, lacking motivation. 

Buttermere Horseshoe (Short) Fell Race - Saturday 25th June 2016

'Short' fell race should really be called 'Shorter' because it's still long and still tough, proved by it being classified as a AL race. 

It's a hot and humid day and with our big race just a few weeks away switching to the 'not quite as long' race is a sensible plan. It's starts at Loweswater, a glorious and unspoilt area of the Lakes, and also famed for Loweswater Gold, a fine pint ! :-)

It's a flagged start and both races head off together. We take it steady, it's a tough pull of Whiteside, then along to Hopegill Head and a fast descent to Coledale Hause. A steady climb to Grasmoor, same route as,TWA race, and I to Whiteside and the Buttermere Sailbeck race route to Buttermere. 

Now the going gets tough, it's hot and humid in the valley and after a mile or so around Crummock Water we start the gruelling dorky ascent of Mellbreak. In hindsight I think there was a better option, slightly longer in distance but would have been much easier going. 

Anyway we dig in and finally get to the last summit, then it's a steep descent and mile or so on track to the finish. We have no idea of our positions at this stage, it's only a small field, most preferring the longer race, and we know there are a few runners not far behind.

It's a relief to finish and fantastic to find out that we are 2nd and 3rd, with KA being first lady and that must mean I am 2nd man and 1st V40, thinks are finally starting to look up ! :-)

Results

BREXIT - Friday 24th June 2016

All work and no play - a bizarre day.

An Socach - Thursday 23rd June 2017

So need to head home today, apparently there is some referendum and the outcome might result in stock market carnage !

But still time to climb a wee Munro, head just a little way up towards The Cairnwell to park and then in along the glen to climb An Socach (944m). It takes a little longer than expected but the weather is glorious and there's no desparate rush to get home. 

Out for about 4 hours and then it's time to head South. 

Big day - Wednesday 22nd June 2016

I park the Cali at the Linn of Dee car park and start the long walk in ton the heart of the Cairngorms. Past Derry Lodge (this really does lend itself to renovation and being lived in) and then turn up the spectacular Glen Derry. There's no rush today so I stop for a brew and then start the steady climb to Beinn Bhreac. A few cold showers blow through, hardly summer weather but the tops are clear and could be much worse.

From the first summit the second Munro of the day, Beinn Bhrotain (1157m) doesn't look that far away, but actually it's over 5km and this is through a relatively flat boggy landscape. But it's worth it, the views are stunning, the whole of the Cairngorms in front of me and brings back recent memories of our lads trip last month.

Now the going gets a bit tougher, it's a steep descent to Lairig an Laoigh and then an even steeper and direct path less ascent to the wild summit of Beinn Mheadhoin (1182m). Chilly up here and time is getting on, I crack on and head down to Loch Etchachain and then head down to the Hutchinson Memorial Hut Bothy. It looks full, a Czech family, I stop and cook some bait, well worth carrying the Jetboil and a freeze dried curry :-), fuelled up I start the long (2.5 hour) walk back to the Cali, but stunning. 

I don't wait around when I back, the midges are in attack mode !!