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 !