Ride & Kirkby Moor BOFRA Race - Saturday 24th June 2017

I head out early on bike; from home, Brigsteer, Levens, Underbarrow, Crook, Staveley, coffe & porridge, Bowston, Burneside & home. 36.3km / 516m climb.....chilly !

Then I head to a BOFRA race, never done one of those before ! At Kirkby Moor, where I am use to running in the clag on the longer FRA race. It's a cracking wee race, small crowd and friendly too, this might catch on. Did ok. 

London - Friday 23rd June 2017

All work and no play today.

Circuits & Pilates - Thursday 22nd June 2017

A very intense 1 hour, 1-21 circuit session at lunch - I comeWay a broken man; and then to kick me while I'm down, I then go to an excellent but very hard Pilates session in the evening....phew !

Ride - Wednesday 21st June 201

An event on at work this evening but I manage to fit in a quick ride late afternoon. From the office, through Heversham, Milnthorpe, Dallam Park, Storth, Arnside, Sandside and back along the estuary.

Despite the heat I work hard.

22.9km / 221m climb / average speed 26.5 kph / max speed 53.3 kph.

Swim - Tuesday 20th June 2017

25 lengths at lunchtime.

Cunswick Scar - Monday 19th June 2017

Juts out for a walk on Cunswick Scar this evening; still giving my Achilles a rest from running

Cycle touring on Arran - Saturday & Sunday 17th & 18th June 2017

A late decision to get away for the weekend; I head off at 5:30am, a good journey to Ardrossan and I arrive I plenty of time to get my ticket, park camper and load up bike. It's only a short sailing to Brodick and then I'm off.....just me and my bike. 

It's a long drag out of the main town but then soon some downhill to Lamlash. Then the real climb begins, over The Ross Road, reaching a height of about 300m. Some rough tarmac spoils the descent but I'm soon in Sliddery and heading North to Blackwaterfoot. Here I find a great wee Bakehouse, perfect for a late morning coffee and pastry. 

A slight change of plan takes me back over to Brodick, via The String Road, this roughly cuts across the middle of the island.  Back in Brodick I stop for a much needed ice cream and then it's North along the coast road; first to Corrie,then Sannox and over yet another pass, Boguillie, to Lochranza; I came here, a great campsite and nearby hotel for some good food. 

Day 1: 68.1km / 1,107m ascent / average speed 16.4 kph / max speed 68.4 kph.

After a hot and humid night I am up and away early. I head down the west side of the island, first through Pirnhill, then Machrie and again into Blackwaterfoot. I continue on the coast road, it becomes hilly, some short, sharp climbs with a welcome coffee and cake stop at the Velo Cafe in Lagg; here the bulk of the triathlon passes through.

Then again around the coast, to Whiting Bay and an early lunch stop at Lamlash. Then it's just the short up and over to Brodick and the ferry home.

Day 2: 74.1km / 964m ascent / average soled 21 kph / max speed 55.1 kph.

What a great wee adventure. 

Swim - Friday 16th June 2017

A steady swim at lunchtime today.

Circuits & Pilates - Thursday 15th June 2017

Two tough classes today, but a good ongoing rest for my Achilles.

Arnside Ride - Wednesday 14th June 2017

Trying to rest my Achilles, but that's a hard task for me to complete. But tonight I head out for a ride, from Prizet to Arnside and back, via usual route and via scampi & chips at Arnside chippie 😋

London - Tuesday 13th June 2017

A long day in the City, no time for play.

River Walk - Monday 12th June 2017

Recovery walk along the river this evening, very pleasant.

Howtown Fell Race - Sunday 11th June 2017

Bizarrely I get sunburnt in Langdale Fell Race last year....in mid-October, then today, mid-June, I'm close the freezin my n@&!s off !! It's a windy, at times wet and cool day. Actually reminded me a bit of the first time I ran this race, although was a seriously wet and windy day. 

Anyway enough of my moaning, so my third time I run this race, it really is a cracker; low-key, cheap and fantastic cakes.....happy days. 

It's a tough first climb to Loadpot Hill and apart from the constant pain in my Achilles I feel strong and enjoy the tough conditions. We really are battling into the wind on our way to CP 2 on High Raise, it's good to see the checkpoint back where it should be ! I save the day by locating a certain persons headband and then navigate careful to drop onto the main path just east of The Knott. 

It's then familiar running all the way to Boredale Hause, mainly with the wind behind us. A good time for a gel, then it's the steep climb to Place Fell, CP 3. Then great grassy downhill running to Garth Heads, a bit of road and then the sting, Hallin Fell; but actually that passes easily and just a great downhill to the finish. 

We do ok, it was tough conditions and we finish in good shape. Tea and cake do down a treat, as does the all day breakfast at a cafe in Pooley Bridge. 

Results

Photos

Longsleddale Ride - Saturday 10th June 2017

A wet, no very wet morning and afternoon; but later on it brightens, as forecast, and I head out from home on bike. To Sadgill and back, 33.4km / 399m climb. 

Swim - Friday 9th June 2017

25 lengths at lunchtime today.

Run & Ride - Thursday 8th June 2017

Head out at lunchtime for a run on the Scar, with a 4 legged companion for company. A good run, 5.8 miles and manage to dodge the rain. 

Then after work head out on bike, again I avoid the rain. A reverse of last week's ride, and despite the same amount of climb, this way round is definitely a bit easier - albeit I'm slower tonight, very cautious on descents as road are wet and slippery. 

Training - Wednesday 7th June 2017

Not been to training for a few weeks and it hasn't gone unnoticed, despite it being because of illness, injury or mid-week racing ! 

Anyway I train well.

Pilates - Tuesday 6th June 2017

Pilates for me tonight, a good session.

Training - Monday 5th June 2017

I head along to track raining in the rain; but it in my terms......5 or 6 long warm-up laps, then drop in for 8 reps and finish with some more long reps. 

Kentmere Ride - Sunday 4th June 2017

A dry, bright and breezy afternoon; I head out from home on bike, Burneside, Potter Fell Road, Barley Bridge, Kentmere, Green Quarter, Staveley, Bowston, Burneside and home; just over 20 miles. 

Duddon Short Fell Race - Saturday 3rd June 2017

Having been planning to run this race for a while and manage to persuade KA to join me.  It's another hot day and the Duddon Valley is a good place to be in days like this. The Long race set-offs at 11am, and we are away soon after. 

Having recce'd the route last month there is little need for map reading, especially in weather like this. It's a rough track out and then a tough but short climb to the first checkpoint. From there a huge contour, with some up and some down, to the next two checkpoints and then it's a steep pull up to the checkpoint at Dow Crag. From there good running to cross the Walna Scar Road and then out to White Maiden and through the hinterland to the summit of Caw; again easy in these dry and cleat conditions. A great descent from there to the finish, about 2:13. Tea, then fizz and burger tastes good. 

A good day.

River / Canal Run - 2nd June 2017

I head out at lunch for a mid-length loop of the river and canal; Achilles still not great :-(

Swim & Ride - Thursday 1st June 2017

25 lengths in the pool at lunch and then a ride from home in the evening; over to Brigsteer, Levens, Underbarrow and then a monster climb to get me back up and over to Kendal. 

Scar Run - Wednesday 31st May 2017

I meet KA for a run on the Scar; 6 miles and a varied route, along to Helsington Church and a loop towards Brigsteer Woods and Sizergh; a glorious evening. 

Helm Run - Tuesday 30th May 2017

I meet KA for a steady run on the Helm.

Heading home - Monday 29th May 2017

A lie in would have been nice, but I'm away soon after 7 as I do not want a repeat of the bad journey I had Saturday. I'm home by lunchtime and then achieve very little. 

Ramsay Round support - Sunday 28th May 2017

So it was a late night, as we all stayed up to see Jim and Matt set off from the Glen Nevis Youth Hostel.  I'm up and out by 5:30am, with a scheduled 5:45 set off. We head to Fersit, Michelle, Jim and Mark, really top people and good to be with.

Jim and Matt are behind schedule, we wait anxiously by the Dam doing our best to find some breeze and away from those flippin midges. The guys come in about an hour behind schedule, they had a really rough night - next to no vis, and wet rocks. Dan Dux did a fantastic job navigating and we need to get going, give them a lift and gradually claw back some time; they're on a 24 hour schedule so no leeway whatsoever. 

It's misty as we head up Stob Coire Sgriodain, we make good time knocking some time off schedule; Mark navigates brilliantly and gets us to Chno Dearg; Jim is struggling with food, but I suspect his choice of Scotch Egg is not ideal. But we again make up some time and are soon descending to Allt-na-h-Ealaidh. The weather is clearing and we refill bottles from the burn. 

The climb up Beinn na Lap is steep and the pace relentless, the it's are in fire. We soon knock off this summit and then it's down to railway line and track, followed by a lot of trail running to the change over point at Loch Eilde Mor. 

The first part is fast, the second part can be horrendous but the ground is so dry we make excellent progress. We cut the corner before Meanach Bothy and then it's just a few km on good track. We arrive with the guys in good shape and now just 35 mins down. Once in their way, we enjoy a welcome brew and then it's an 8km slog out to Kinlochleven. We are tired and thirsty and have a few logistical issues trying to locate the van that the leg 3 boys had parked. We eventually find it and head back to Glen Nevis for much needed food, drink and showers. 

It's exciting following the guys as they have frackers, it's clear they are not only back on schedule but now ripping it up. At 23:10'ish they finish, what an achievement.....awesome, well done guys, great to be a part of your Rounds.

Ride and then long drive North - Saturday 27th May 2017

Up and out early, two reasons why this is: 1st it's gonna be another hot day with thunderstorms rolling in and 2. Because I'm heading North to Fort William to support Jim, and Matt, on their Ramsay Rounds. 

Just a short loop, to Burneside, Potter Fell Road, breakfast in Staveley and back through Bowston and Burnesside. Then quick change and pack, and then a long and slow drive North....but no thunderstorms for us :-)