Park Run - Saturday 31st December 2016

So the last day of the year and once again there seems to have been more lows than highs, and that's not just my running. Hey ho, maybe next year will be better.....but I think I might have said that before !

Anyway on with the blog; Park Run at Fell Foot today, a new PB by 2 seconds, well I guess there's something to be happy about: 20:22. 

Mountain biking - Friday 30th December 2016

I head out from Staveley with Craig and Chris; towards Skeggles, then the head of Kentmere and back along the bridle paths on the west side of the valley. Then food and drink in the Hawkshead Brewery, that's a good way to spend an afternoon. 

Potter Tarn - Thursday 29th December 2016

I'm out of work early and manage a run from Stavely, same route as Christmas Day; back to camper in the fading light. 

Swim - Wednesday 28th December 2016

Back to work today, head out for a swim at lunchtime; a quiet pool.

Howgills (Carnethy) - Tuesday 27th December 2016

Decided against Wansfell Race, instead head to Sedbergh with KA to run the Carnethy route again. A good run. 

Boxing Day Run - Monday 26th December 2016

Head with Craig & Chris; original plan for Kentmere was downgraded due to forecasted gust of 70 mph. So over to Ambleside and the Loughrigg / Silver Howe race route. Breezy and cooler but dry. A good run out and then swift pint in Eagle on t'way back. 

Christmas Day Run - Sunday 25th December 2016

Head out from Staveley for a run along the river and up to Potter Tarn; mild, damp and breezy. Just out for 50 mins, but a great wee route. 

Howgill (Carnethy) Run - Saturday 24th December 2016

I head over to Sedbergh to join Helm runners for the Carnethy race route. It's a wild and windy day, but stays dry. It's a staggered start and I sector with Steve B, I climb strong, he descends strong; I would have stayed ahead had I known the route better. But good to be out and much needed speed and climb training. 

Then stop off on the way back to chat with Barnus, up at the very windy wind turbines.

Rest, and very wet, day - Friday 23rd December 2016

At work a.m. and then storm Barbara hits, no need to head out in this.

Local run & Pilates - Thursday 22nd December 2016

I take the afternoon off and head out for a long, local run. From Prizet, Natland, Helm, Natland, canal path to Levens Bridge, river, Strickland Arms, Brigsteer Woods, Helsington Church, Scout Scar and back to Prizet. 16.5 miles, good pace and stayed dry.

Then to Pilates for a festive fun class.  

Swim & Training - Wednesday 21st December 2016

I head for a swim at lunchtime; I get a lane to myself, that makes it a bit more tolerable.

Then to training in the eveing; 11 half laps of Kendal Green; a good session.

Night out - Tuesday 20th December 2016

A good night out with work colleagues, but no chance for a run today.

Training - Monday 19th December 2016

I head to training Monday night. 18 reps, hard work but it's what I need. Thanks Shaun.

Potter Tarn and Fell - Sunday 18th December 2016

Again not the best of days, the gloomy weather matches my mood. Head over to Staveley for a lonely run up to Potter Tarn then onto Potter Fell and Brunt Knott. Lunch in Moore lifts my mood, a bit !

Helm Santa Run - Saturday 17th December 2016

Not the best of days but I join in the festive fun with the running club. It's a food route over Cunswick and then drop down the back for refreshments.....proseco and mince pies :-)

Then a relay to exchange Secret Santa gifts (I get a set of 4 coasters......Inov-8 ones :-) ). Then back into town for food and beer at the Riflemans. It's a late night !

Loughrigg / Silver Howe Run - Friday 16th December 2016

I take a half day and head over to Ambleside with KA. We head up over  Loughrigg then to Silver Howe. It's cold, damp, misty and very gloomy so we head down to Grasmere, then White Moss and the Coffin route to Rydal. 

We need to run 12 miles so fit in an extra loop along the shore of Rydal Water and back along past the cave. We hit our target distance and celebrate with tea and birthday cake in the camper. 

Lingmoor - Thursday 15th December 2016

A meet a client for a walk over Lingmoor and back along Great Langdale. A pleasant walk, good company but the weather gloomy. Then for a delicious supper at the Drunken Duck. 

Helm Orienteering - Wednesday 14th December 2016

Me and the wee fella, Jacob, head up to the Helm for an orienteering competition. It sort of helps that we know the area but it's a tricky course and some controls are hard to find. But we preserve and succeed, completing the course in about 56 mins. Feel like I had been run ragged at the end, these youngsters are too energetic !

Results

Pilates - Tuesday 13th December 2016

A long day out in Chester and Liverpool but make back, just, for the late Pilates session.

Lunchtime training session - Monday 12th December 2016

We head into the Deer Park at lunchtime for a one hour training session. Feel good and work hard.

Trail run - Sunday 11th December 2016

It's a gloomy day and forecast for the fell tops is not great. The plan is a minimum of 12 miles, so we head to Elterwater. Through quarries and over to Little Langdale, then Tilberthwaite and over to Coppermine Valley. Back along the Cumbria Way to Tarn How's, Colwith, Skelwith and back to Elterwater. 

Tea in camper, then a late lunch at Chester......finally Windermere Christmas Market on the way home. Oh, and we manage almost 15 miles. 

Park Run & River / Canal Run - Saturday 10th December 2016

Need to go to Keswick for some Christmas shopping so decide to go early and enter the Park Run. It's a fast course, out and back along the old railway line. Conditions are good and I run ok but still not feeling top form, I just can't shake off this cold. 

10th in 20:24; I'll settle for that today but think I could easily improve on that.

Then late afternoon I head over to Prizet for a short loop, out along the river and back a,omg the canal. 

Swim - Friday 9th December 2016

Head to the pool after work, not in the mood for this tonight.

Liverpool & London - Wednesday 7th & Thursday 8th December 2016

All work and no play.

Pilates - Tuesday 6th December 2016

Head to the late Pilates class, a very good session.

Feel rubbish - Monday 5th December 2016

Top tip.....don't race when you have a cold...it will only make it worse, and it has :-(

Race - Sunday 4th December 2016

I head north east with KA to race, one we have done before. For differing reasons we both don't feel great so decide to run together and take it steady. It's a nice days, cold but dry and clear.

I enjoy the route and we do ok. A good atmosphere, hot showers after, plenty of tea and cakes and some lucky people even pick up a spot prize :-)

Then through town and out the other side for lunch. A very good day out.

Spine Race Training Day - Saturday 3rd December 2016

Ok so I haven't entered the race, but might do in 2018 !!), but did sign up for the second of the Race training days. It's an earlier start, heading to Hayfield in Derbyshire for a day of theory and practice. 

I have met Stu before, he knows his stuff and trains it well. We spend the morning covering strategy, tactics, foot cares transition and many other snippets sod very useful info. Then after lunch head out onto the hill for some nav practice, this includes some after dark. All good fun and not overly testing. 

A good day out and very useful for if.....sorry, when.....I enter the race.

Swim - Friday 2nd December 2016

So after lunch at the Punchbowl, Crosthwaite I feel the need to burn some calories. I head for a swim after work, 25 lengths.....that's good for me. 

Scar Run - Thursday 1st December 2016

I meet with KA for a quick run on the Scar after work; just 5 miles tonight and less chilly than expected. Good to be out. 

Monday 5th September 2016 to Wednesday 30th November 2016

The blog is back but there's a lot of catching up to be done...........