Swim - Friday 26th May 2017

Another hot day, I head for a swim at lunchtime - 25 lengths in a cool pool is refreshing.

Circuits & Walk on Helm - Thursday 25th May 2017

Not been to circuits for a few weeks so a tough session, I start leaking very early on and don't stop - it's a hot day.  

Then a walk on Helm to catch-up with my wee fella - that's always good for the soul. 

Fairfield Horseshoe - Wednesday 24th May 2017

A glorious day and I'm in need of getting both some miles and some climb in my legs. I head over to Rydal after work and have a pleasant and uneventful run around the Horseshoe. Hard work on the climb, mainly because of the heat but higher up much better. Exactly 10 miles and about 2hrs 15.....I'll settle for that. 

Pilates - Tuesday 23rd May 2017

Yet another early start and more driving; but Pilates after work is relaxing.

Ride - Monday 22nd May 2017

An early start and more driving; manage to get out early evening for a ride around the Lyth Valley; just over 16 miles and feel ok. 

Glenashdale Falls - Sunday 21st May 2017

Still on Arran and had hoped to ride but the weather not on side this morning so we settle for a short loop from Whitling Bay to Glenashdale Falls, very spectacular. Then it's a general potter and stop off at Lamlash to watch the Scottish Islands Peaks Race pass through......madeness, how did I ever manage that :-/ 

Then late afternoon ferry and drive home.....a cracking weekend.

Goat Fell Hill Race - Saturday 20th May 2017

A leisurely start, the race is not until 12pm and it's only a short drive back up to Brodick. There's a few spots of rain, but up the coast at Whitling Bay and Lamlash there had obviously been a deluge. Brodick is dry though, we are easily parked at Ormidale Hall and soon registered. 

We even manage a bit of a warm-up before the race and as the start approaches the cloud lifts from the summit of Goat Fell. The race starts with about a mile of road, then a bit less on the Tarmac drive leading to Brodick Castle; then it's up through the woods on a clear path and out on to the open fell. It's gets rough higher up, large granite boulders to scramble over and around, Arran is right in the fault line which cuts across Scotland diagonally and marks the start of the Highlands. 

There are great views from the summit and a certain person even finds time for a headstand...really, we should be cracking on ! Then it's full on concentration for the descent, I feel good, despite all my niggles and pains, and feel strong on the road; I pull ahead hoping that KA will keep with me, I've looked at my watch and think sub 2 hours is achievable......and is and it was :-)

The races started with and finished with an unnecessary lap of the sports field and we run well and are pleased with our times. 

Results

The craic after the race is good, plenty of tea and cakes, plus a lack of expected shower ! What a great race and great day, later head back to campsite and out for a well deserved dinner. 

Heading North (& Overseas) - Friday 19th May 2017

I've been looking forward to this trip for a while, Arran and Goat Fell Hill Race awaits. It's a glorious day and pleasant drive to Ardrossan, then a short ferry trip to Brodick and a drive to a spectacular campsite, Seal Shore, on the Southern part of the island. 

Running Circuits - Thursday 18th May 2017

The last session in this block, a pleasant evening on the Green but all of those issues listed yesterday still apply :-(

Latrigg Fell Race - Wednesday 17th May 2017

KA and I head up to Keswick for Keswick AC's Latrigg fell race. Did this last year and had a reasonable run, but everything hurts tonight after Monday's track session ! 

Well all goes well for the first few hundred metres and then as if shot in the back of the leg my hamstring goes and my leg buckles......but, hey, can't let that spoil a race, even if I do have an overseas race on Saturday !! 

I push on, it hurts but for once I man-up and take it in my stride. Well I finish almost a minute quicker than last year, I'm happy with that. But after the race: hamstring is knackered / feel another hernia / Achilles stiff as a block / lower back in agony / huge blister forming......and all of that applies, no delete as applicable with this list !! 

But apart from all of this, it was an enjoyable evening, the sun was shining, Helm ladies run well, the Guiness tastes good,the scampi chips and curry sauce taste even better and the coffee at the Square Orange was a pleasant way to round off the evening :-)

Results

Run & Pilates - Tuesday 16th May 2017

Head over to Sizergh Castle at lunchtime for a short run around Helsington. Then early evening to Pilates class, not been there for a while, good to be back. 

Swim & Track training - Monday 15th May 2017

25 lengths at lunch and then a not so wet as I thought track session in the evening; 200m's get the better of me, need to get my fitness back before I attempt those - too much for my poor hamstrings to handle. 

Potter Tarn & Potter Fell - Sunday 14th May 2017

Head out mid-afternoon with KA for a run from Staveley. Along river, up to Potter Tarn and then on to Potter Fell. Then back to Wilfs for a refreshing glass of fizz. 

Run & Ride - Saturday 13th May 2017

Very disappointing to not be heading to Scotland today, but for more than one reason it wasn't to be. I head over to Staveley in the morning for a steady run around the Reston Scar Scamper race route, followed by a delicious brunch in More. 

Then mid-afternoon my usual Longsleddale ride, the weather has cleared and it's a reasonable afternoon. The bluebells are amazing. 

Howgill Run - Friday 12th May 2017

I take the afternoon off, a bit of a test to see if I'm up to running. Head over to Sedbergh with KA, we recce a route, 10 miles, including a long climb to the Calf, Arrant How and Winder - I feel ok, this is good progress. 

Circuits - Thursday 11th May 2017

Definitely on the mend, make it to circuits on the Green, but I take it steady.

Scar walk - Wednesday 10th May 2017

The pain has gone but don't feel great; I settle for a steady walk on the Scar, a glorious evening.

Not a good day - Tuesday 9th May 2017

Doubled over in pain and diagnosed with kidney infection, stronger antibiotics required; I spend the afternoon in bed.....not good.  

Pilates & Yoga - Monday 8th May 2017

Early morning yoga session, a good way to start the day. Then an evening circuit session in Ambleside, but annoyingly my bladder infections deteriates and is soon to be a kidney infection. 

Storth Ride - Sunday 7th May 2017

Head out in bike late afternoon; from Natland to Viver, Milnthorpe, Dallam Park, Storth, Sandside, Heversham, Hincaster, Sedgwick and back to Natland; just under 20 miles; the new bike rides well. 

Stuc A'chroin 5000 - Saturday 6th May 2017

A glorious day in Scotland but my bladder infection prevents me from completing race, it just wouldn't have been sensible; very frustrating. 

Heading North - Friday 5th May 2017

Head north in camper to Killin, overnight stop ahead of tomorrow's race.

Circuits x 2 - Thursday 4th May 2017

Circuits at lunchtime and then again in the evening, but each working different areas.

Training - Wednesday 3rd May 2017

First time back on the Helm for me this year. It's hard work and I don't feel great.

Work - Tuesday 2nd May 2017

A long day in Liverpool, another day where it's all work and no play :-(

Mountain biking - Monday 1st May 2017

I head over to Brathay and from there on bike to High Top and pick up the Green trail around Grizedale Forest., stopping enroute at the cafe for coffee and toast. Then it's back down to Brathay and head home, via More for lunch. 

Training Run - Sunday 30th April 2017

KA and I head to the car park at the foot of the Walna Scar; it's another cracking day, bit breezy on the tops but ideal running conditions. 

We run to the top of Walna Scar and then head West to White Pike then to Caw. Then descend to Newfield Inn and from work our way back across below Caw and White Pike, across Walna Scar and then below Brown Pike and Dow Crag, picking up various quarries and wall corners on the way. From the last point a steep climb to Dow Crag and then west romWalna Scar and back to Cali; oh and then an extra mile or so to bring it up to 16, or was it 15, miles. Then some late lunch in Coniston, a good day out. 

Coniston Fell Race - Saturday 29th April 2017

I have raced this twice before, one of those occasions being quite well. Not expecting too much today, but have definitely manage to stem the decline and conditions are ideal. But, as usual, the initial climb takes it out of me and I struggle all the way to Wetherlam; not helped by the anti-chaff cream on my feet making my sock slip off my foot and into the my shoe.......and that's made worse by my tieing my shoe lace extra tight as it had come undone at Lords Seat.....oh well, I'm sure that added at least 15 minutes to my time ! :-)

Anyway enough excuses, I run well from Wetherlam, climb Prison Band ok and feel good to the Old Man. I almost get the perfect line from the summit but not quite, but then the fast lines lower down. All in all, not a bad race and enjoyed......well most of it anyway. 

Results

Ride to work - Friday 28th April 2017

Car needs to go to tyre fitters so I manage to get four, unnecessarily large, wheels and my bike in the back of my car; then it's a short 7 mile ride to work; that's all I manage today. 

Banff Mountain Festival - Thursday 27th April 2017

I have meetings in the North Lakes and had hoped for a short run before seeing the 'best of' the Banff Mountain Festival films, but time escapes me....but the films are inspiring. 

Circuits & Lords Seat Fell Race - Wednesday 26th April 2017

Another tough 'upper body' circuit session at lunch and the to Lord's Seat Fell race with KA after work. Conditions are again good and the ground dry. We both run well and are pleased with our results. A cracking race, great route and good atmosphere.

Results

London - Tuesday 25th April 2017

A long day in London, all work and no play today.

Circuits - Monday 24th April 2017

I head over to Ambleside early evening for another circuit class. The sky gets darker as I approach and then just as the one hour session starts, so does a one hour hail shower. The temperature drops from 8c to 1c during that time too, but a good session, albeit cold hands.