London.... Friday 31st March 2017

A long day in the big smoke.....all work and no play :(

Circuits & Scar Run - Thursday 30th March 2017

Well my secretary has now stopped saying "enjoy" when I head off to circuits.....I think she realises that it's not an enjoyable experience.....but, really, I love it; it's full on we push either hard, today was no exception. 

Then only a couple of hours later, a wet and muddy 6.38 miles on the Scar. 

Training - Wednesday 29th March 2017

Another wet night; I run to running and then head to the Castle for 6 longs reps and then a long run home......where's the good weather gone ?!

Reston Scar Scamper Race Route - Tuesday 28th March 2017

I just miss out on the last of the good weather, some rain on my early evening run, but at least it's light now. 

About 7km and 300m, a steady 50 min run, legs still tired from the weekend. 

Swim - Monday 27th March 2017

Head for a swim at lunchtime, legs tired today.

Ride & Scar Run - Sunday 26th March 2017

Another glorious day; legs a bit tight and tired from yesterday so I decide to head out on bike. Usual long loop: Brigsteer, Levens, Brigsteer, Underbarrow, Crook, Ings, Staveley......bacon roll and cuppa.....Burneside, home. A great day to be out. Wish I had the energy to be out running on the fells.

But then I manage a short run on the Scar late afternoon, good to get out. 

Coniston 14 - Saturday 25th March 2017

So a road race for me today. The weather is fantastic and the fells look stunning; we head over to Coniston for an 11am start, it defo shorts and T weather today. 

I have raced this once before, came 18th overall in a pretty good time; it won't be that good today but might not be a bad race. 

I never manage to get pacing, I start at a good pace and aim to keep going until I slow ?! But I run ok, desperate for the 4 drink stops today. It's hard work though and my feet suffer, but I finish in 1:33:41, 52nd overall out of 1170 runners, I'll settle for that. A good day. 

Circuits - Friday 24th March 2017

A slightly easier session, Adam kindly takes into account that we are both racing tomorrow.

Pilates and run - Thursday 23rd March 2017

A good session at Pilates and then head straight out for a run; 20 minutes down the Kentmere valley and back, I'm spooked big time by a strange noise and then have to run past where I heard it on the return leg !! 

Scar Run - Wednesday 22nd March 2017

Head out early evening for a run on the Scar; just make it back before dark, a cold and wet evening with the mud, muddier than usual !

All work, no play - Tuesday 21st March 2017

Run & Circuits - Monday 20th March 2017

I head over to Sizergh Castle at lunchtime and run my 5km loop to Helsington.....twice. Good to be out, legs feel OK after yesterday's race. 

Then after work I head to Circuits.....it's boxercise night, hard work but I manage.

Criffel Hill Race - Sunday 19th March 2017

KA and I head over the border to race Criffel. The rain on route is monsoon like and I wonder how we will run in this. But as we approach Dumfries and then New Abbey the rain eases and the sky clears, we are lucky it's dry for the race. 

It's the first of the SHR Championship races so a good turn out, and only one other Helm runner....bliss ! But the whole race is a bog-fest, I have never known a race like it, I'm lucky that I didn't get swallowed up by one !

But it's a good route, out and back, a minor peak, Criffel, the minor peak and back to the village. Hard going but I quite enjoy and a good atmosphere. Just 10.5k and 550m climb, but it felt further. 

Then into the tea room for much needed tuck before heading home. 

Longsleddale & Staveley Ride - Saturday 18th March 2017

Up and out early, head from home to Sadgill on bike. Bump in to Paul Turner out on a run and we're heading to More, him on foot and me on bike - wonder who will be first ?

It turns wet and the roads are already wet, glad I'm on my safe and secure Genesis. I'm at More just before Paul, it's good to have a coffee & cake and catch-up with him. 

Then it's home via Crook and Ratherheath. Just over 26 miles, a good ride.

River / Canal Loop - Friday 17th March 2017

A wet day, I turn down the offer of a pint and a pie I favour of a run in the mud and the rain !

But actually I enjoy and I'm pleased I made the effort - even record it in Strava and get lots of Kudos and comments....not that it was particularly impressive. 

Long day at work..... - Thursday 16th March 2017

.....so taking a day off from exercise.

Training - Wednesday 15th March 2017

Another very structured and very tough session.

Circuits & Pilates - Tuesday 14th March 2017

Well again I'm close to being broken......but I'm really enjoying circuits, must be mad !

Then to Pilates in the evening, a very good session.

Training - Monday 13th March 2017

Give training a try tonight, 18 reps, hard work but glad I went.......and I got to wear my new "Bobby Dazzlers", wonder what Craig would have said about them ? :-)

Ride - Sunday 12th March 2017

Head out from home, it's dry and even a rare glimpse of a bright yellow thing in the sky, might that be the sun ?!

Head over to Brigsteer, Levens, Brigsteer, Underbarrow, Crook, Ings, Staveley, Burneside and home. 25.9 miles, 1,766' climb and coffee & Christmas cake on route ! 

Black Combe Fell Race - Saturday 11th March 2017

A damp and misty day, as it often is for this race; I'm pleased to have recced it earlier in the week. The fields to the fell are muddy, very muddy and it's a relief to get into the climb. It goes ok, I didn't take a perfect route and, perhaps, lost a few minutes in the process, but no major disasters like last year. 

I finish in 1:40, I'll settle for that, for now.

Circuits - Friday 10th March 2017

Another session, I survive this week.....not sure I did last week !

River / Canal Run - Thursday 9th March 2017

A glorious day, I head out at lunchtime for the usual river / canal loop.....very pleasant.

Scars Training Sesion - Wednesday 8th March 2017

Head up to Cunswick and Scout Scars for a very structured 1 hour session - it went surprisingly quick; it went well, might do this one again some time. 

Black Combe Recce & Pilates - Tuesday 7th March 2017

A few demons to expel here ! A beautiful morning, I head to recce Black Combe Fell race. A good run out, easily pass and get right my previous glitch but actually think the last climb is the area with the most potential to go wrong, although I'm not sure anyone does here ?!

A good morning. Then a good Pilates class tonight; so I guess a good day all round.

Swim - Monday 6th March 2016

Just a short swim in a crowded pool for me tonight.

Howgill Half - Sunday 5th March 2017

I had out early afternoon from Sedbergh with KA; we run the Montane Howgill Half Marathon route: Winder, Calders, The Calf, Cautley Spout, Cautley.....just in time to see the lead runners come through.......and then very muddy valley path back to Sedbergh. Felt good today. 

Run & Ride - Saturday 4th March 2017

I head over to Grasmere and run the Coffin path to Rydal and back along Rydal Water and then Grasmere Water - followed by coffee and cake in the village. 

Then after lunch I head out on bike from home; Brigsteer, Levens, Brigsteer, Underbarrow, Crook and Ratherheath....then home. 

A dry and bright day, for a change. 

Circuits & River / Canal Run - Friday 3rd March 2017

I head at lunch for 1-2-1 circuit session; it comes close to breaking me !

Then after work, in the rain and the mud, I head out for a loop of the river/ canal loop, again. 

River / Canal Run - Thursday 2nd March 2017

Not been this way for a while and certainly not after work in daylight. A good run around usual loop, buts it's still flippin muddy out there !

Swim and Training - Wednesday 1st March 2017

Head for a swim at lunch and the training in the evening. We do reps on the Castle, it's cold, wet and very muddy, hardly possible to get traction on the steep climb.....it's all hard work for me tonight. 

Pilates - Tuesday 28th February 2017

Pilates class for me tonight, a good session.

Training - Monday 27th February 2017

I head to training, not done that for a while on a Monday. It's hard work but hopefully done some good. 

Badger Bar Blast - Sunday 26th February 2017

It's another wet day and the ground is sodden; ideal conditions for a short fell race. The Badger Bar Blast replaces Loughrigg / Silverhowe and is, therefore, a new race for me. 

Actually the weather wasn't too bad, certainly been out in much worse. But the ground was very wet, I struggle on the first climb, still tired from the Cumbria Way, but get going after that. I know the route well and although vis was good people still scatter. I stick to the lines I know and they pay off, I gain places on the way to Silverhowe and manage to hold on to them on the climb back to Loughrigg and the very slippy descent to the finish. 

My result was just ok not great but also not a disaster.....that how my running and racing is these days. 

Scar Run - Saturday 25th February 2017

It's a very wet day, this gives me the chance to relax at home and catch up on some things. But obviously I need a run so head up to Scar late afternoon with KA for a very wet and windy run. 

Arthur's Seat - Friday 24th February 2017

No stay in Edinburgh is complete for me unless I manage a run up Arthur's Seat. My only opportunity on this trip is early morning and my body protests but I know if I don't, I'll regret it. So up and out by 7, summit at 7:30. It's icy at the top and the view amazing, photos will defo follow. 

Back at the hotel by 8, showers breakfast and in the office by 9, very glad I made the effort. 

Edinburgh - Thursday 23rd February 2017

It's a quick turn around and no time to rest, recover and take stock of my recent trip. I'm back on a train and heading to Edinburgh for a conference; a tiring day and no chance to stretch my legs. 

Cumbria Way - Monday 20th - Wednesday 22nd February 2017

So an idea followed by a rough plan resulted in KA tackling the Cumbria Way over 3 days. Little prep or training had gone into this, but it was close to home and should weather or fitness dictate plenty of options to cut short. 

This epic adventure started the way all should, breakfast.....toasted crumpets and tea in Booths, Ulverston, just a short way from the official start. A small monument marks the start and we are soon heading across very wet and muddy farmland, as was the case for the first few hours. The terrain then improved but the weather deteriated. Very wet and windy at Beacon Tarn but we are soon down to Coniston Water and some relevant some relative shelter, even a few patches of blue sky and sunshine. 

Once in Coniston lunch was required, we headed to Meadowdore for beans on toast, this would either provide protein fuelled energy to get us through to Elterwater or, perhaps, some other form of propulsion ! So having had breakfast, then lunch a mid afternoon drink stop seemed to be in order.  Dry now but still the refuge of a cosy wee barn was very welcome. Only a couple of miles from here to the end of day one and some comfort at the Britannia Inn. 

Day 2 started bright and after a filling breakfast we made a steady start down the Langdale Valley and then over Stake Pass. The weather turns here, wet and windy and it stays that way for the remainder of the day. Once down in the Langstrath Valley we pass Blackmoss Pot, but are not in the mood to jump in !, then out to Rosthwaite, lunch stop. 

A short afternoon's run from there, familiar paths to Grange, then along the lake to Portinscale. BG route into Keswick and a quick zip into Booths to resupply; we are wet and cold so head straight to the guest house, a mile or so out of town, we only stop to wash the mud off our shoes and legs.....not sure we would have been let in otherwise !

Tea, shower, was and dry kit and then taxi into town for some great food and drink in the Square Orange, a favourite. 

Day 3 is the long one,we had covered about 22 miles on the first, 18 on the second and we now had a 30 miler ! But it's dry and that helps. We pick up the old railway line which leads us back towards town, then it's the BG route to behind Latrigg. From there we break off East to Skiddaw House Hostel and then follow the Caldew East. Once we hit the Tarmac, it's a sharp right turn and a climb to Lingy Hut. It's cold up here and the very boggy ground is freezing. We seek refuge in the hut and are offered some coffee by a friend Wainwright bagged and his friend, very welcome....thank you. 

We are then back out into the cold and push on to High Pike, the highest point of the trail. It's all downhill from there to Caldbeck and some very welcome soup and scone in a cafe. Less excitement from here to Carlisle, we follow the river, miss the diversion, follows lanes and back onto the trail. Plenty of muddy fields again and from Dalston it's a pen unpleasant Tarmac cycle way to the centre of Carlisle; the last 10 miles or so were not that inspiring but so be it. 

Once in Carlisle we look out of place, the path finishes at the Visitor Centre, in the main pedestrian shopping area. We dive into Costa for tea and use their facilities to get changed. Then it's off to find food, a celebratory, and very delicious, burger and beer :-). 

Then train home to Oxenholme and sadly back to reality......but a great trip.