Monday 31 July 2017
Geal Charn (926m) 1 of 19 ! - Sunday 30th July 2017
So there are no less than 19 mountains called Geal Charn (White Hill) in Scotland, I choose the one in the Monadhliath.
I parked at Garva Bridge, west of Laggan, this brings back memories as it was the overnight camp in the 2013 Highlander, and Laggan being the finish.
My objective for the morning is a quick blast up this Munro, although my legs have no quick blast in them. It's hard work but again the weather is mostly kind, but hardly summery.
I'm up and down in 3 hours, get myself sorted and then head home; a great trip.
Ben Rinnes, Duffown Highland Games - Saturday 29th July 2017
My second of the Scottish Long Championship races and hopefully will be my first completion ! Up and away early and a very enjoyable drive into the heart of whisky country - almost don't make it as distracted by both the Walkers Shortbread factory and numerous single malt distilleries.
But one in Dufftown, and having spent an age finding the Games field, I register and emerge myself into the spirit of the Games. The race, 22.6km / 1,500m. But secretly I have been working extra hard at circuits in the hope that I could take part and perhaps win the tossing the caber.....but pre-entry only......gutted but given the size of the other tossers (can I say that ?), that may not be a bad thing, think I'll stick to fell running, still get thrashed by my components, but just a little less so.
The race, well that was tough, think I had underestimated and overlooked it being both a Long race, and a Scottish race, not a good combo.
But the sun shines as we group at the start line, although within in minutes of starting it's raining. But that's short-lived and the weather remains onside. It's an out and back route, up and over two wee hills and regents for the main course a climb to the summit of Ben Rinnes at 840m.
That climb is tough but I quite enjoy the climbs on the way back, albeit they seem to have grown within the space of a couple of hours. I was hoping and aiming for sub 3 hours and even at the last summit it's far from clear to me if that's achievable. And the run back from there goes on forever, but I think I do it. Results to follow.
It the same it time to carry on enjoying the games and the highlight of the bands beating to retreat through the Main Street, love the pipes, so emotive. A top day out, but shame no one to share it with.
Heading North, and a couple of wee munros - Friday 28th July 2017
Up and away early, heading to Dufftown Highland Games, but that's not until tomorrow so time to bag a few new (second time around) munros.
Carb na Caim (941m) and A'Bhuidheanach Beag (936m) from a high starting point just north of Drumochter Pass in the A9. It's a bit breezy and a bit showery, but otherwise ok. It's a T shape walk, up to the Bealach, out and back and then out and back, back down at camper in 4 hours.
Then just 10 mins further up the A9 to my campsite for the next two nights.
Swim - Thursday 27th July 2017
25 lengths and then to Windermere to meet Bryn.....pre his big race !
Helm - Wednesday 26th July 2017
Head up to the Helm, not wishing to overdo it I run with Chris S on Billy's FRA race route - get torn to shreds by brambles, but otherwise a good run.
Tuesday 25 July 2017
Circuits & Pilates - Tuesday 25th July 2017
A tough session at circuits and then a slightly more relaxing Pilates session this evening.
Monday 24 July 2017
Training - Monday 24th July 2017
I head to the track for a 16 rep session; worked hard and ran ok, thanks Shaun.
Sunday 23 July 2017
Steady bike ride - Sunday 23rd July 2017
Head out from home; Burneside, Staveley, Kentmere, Staveley, Bowston, Burneside and home.
34.8km / 438m.
34.8km / 438m.
Carrie's BG - Saturday 22nd July 2017
After a 04:30 text update I struggle to sleep and head back up to Honister. After some breakfast I set off to Wasdale at 06:00am. It's clear, dry and calm; it's a very enjoyable walk / steady run into Wasdale; I time my arrival well, it's just as Emma, Carrie's road support, arrives - so I'm soon tucking into my second breakfast, thank you Emma.
It's been a rough night and no surprise that she's running a bit behind schedule. But with Craig keeping her company in leg 3, I know she's in safe hands (but what's rock climbing on Bowfell all about ?!!).
But she's in good shape and after a quick change and some food we head off in the heavy rain. Yewbarrow is a tough climb, but she does well and close to schedule on that section. We're then onto Red Pike, the weather starts to improve and the low cloud comes and goes. Then to Steeple, the hard climb to Pillar and the long descent to Black Sail Pass.
We are running behind and despite making good progress up Red Gully it is an agonising slow plod to the summit of Kirk Fell. Then some steady running before dropping steeply to Beck Head and the brutal climb to Gable; I'm aware the pace is slower than it needs to be, but it's hard to pick it up.
But once at the top we are joined by some of Carrie's friends, they are full of energy and help her to pick the pace up. Then to Green Gable, Bandreth and Grey Knotts; then down to Honister, the fu ish for me but no excuse for Carrie to stop; she runs straight through, totally focussed. And that's exactly what was needed, she goes on the run leg 5 in 2:38 and completes her Round in 23:38......welcome to the Club.
Heading to Keswick - Friday 21st July 2017
So it's Carrie's BG, I head up to Keswick, which in itself is not without incident, to see her set off. It's not a good forecast, but she's tough.
I then head up to Honister, it's wild - wet and windy and frustratingly no mobile signal, this worries me as I need to keep comms in case she is ahead or behind schedule, I have a long run in and don't want to be too early or late ! So I retreat to less wild weather and 3G signal at Seatoller.
Thursday 20 July 2017
Wednesday 19 July 2017
Pilates & Ride - Tuesday 18th June 2017
Head to Pilates, first session for a couple of weeks - good to be back.
Then a mad dash, as always, to meet KA for a ride from Natland; out to Viver, Heversham, Leasgill, Hincaster, Strickland, Levens, Brigsteer, Prizet & back to Natland. 26.9km & 476m climb.
Monday 17 July 2017
Training - Monday 17th July 2017
Not feeling it today so decide training in a group might be the best thing. Hoka's are required today, Achilles is bust; 5 long steady laps as a warm-up, drop-in on about 8 reps, and then 2 steady laps to finish. Hot too.
Sunday 16 July 2017
Fairfield Horseshoe - Sunday 16th July 2017
A beautiful day, I head over to Rydal for a steady run around Fairfield Horseshoe. My Achilles is painful and my whole body feel stiff and bust, hard going from start to finish but still glad I made the effort.
Ingleborough Fell Race - Saturday 15th July 2017
A wet day, KA and I head over to Ingleton for the Ingleborough Fell race, we've done this race once before.
We run together, and run well. The weather is grim, but steadily improves; we get a good descent line from the summit which misses out all of the rocky sections and finish strongly. KA is 2nd Lady and 1st Lady V50.
Circuits and Run - Thursday 13th July 2017
A tough circuits session at lunchtime and then a steady run from Staveley to Potter Tarn in the evening; legs still not fully recovered.
London - Monday 10th to Wednesday 12th July 2017
Three tough days in the big smoke,with just a 30 minute gym session somewhere in the middle of that. Legs and body still trashed from Wasdale !
Ride - Sunday 9th July 2017
My whole body feels bust, but I manage a ride, and a tough one at that.
27.5km / 525m ascent.
From home, over to Brigsteer, Levens, Brigsteer, Underbarrow and then the killer climb back to Kendal.
27.5km / 525m ascent.
Wasdale Fell Race - Saturday 8th July 2017
Again near perfect running weather. It's going to be a tough day but I'm actually looking forward to this. I set off steady, we contour Illgill Head, which I didn't do in my recce, and then to Whin Rigg; I'm well inside the cutoff, but it will be tight for some. Then we all take a bad line lower in the descent, I didn't do that on my recce. But across the valley is clear; I run, on and off, with my mate Paul, Jacko, Jackson, it's good to catch up with him.
It's also good to see CS at Greendale, all support is welcome. I climb Seatallan well and follow the obvious trod and line of traffic to the col between Red Pike and Scoat Fell, a much better route. Then on to Pillar and again see CS, this time close to Black Sail Pass. The traverse of Kirk Fell is easier than I recall from my recce but the climb up Gable is brutal. But I get a better descent route, much more runnable and then feel strong on the long drag to Esk Hause, helped by more Helm supporters.
I run well over to Scafell Pike but struggle on the rocky descent to the col, but then pick it up on the grassy descent to the finish. But what a tough race, 21 miles and just over 9,000' of ascent and, more painfully, descent !
I finish in 5:30, 16 minutes quicker than my previous time in 2008; I'm happy with that.
Swim - Friday 7th July 2017
25 lengths at lunchtime and then head over to Wasdale after work, the big race tomorrow !
Circuits & Hoad Hill Fell Race - Thursday 6th July 2017
Circuits at lunch and the to Ulverston for the Hoad Hill Fell race in the evening. Perhaps the shortest race I have ever done, about 1.7 miles; I am 1st V40 and win a pineapple !
Hoka run - Wednesday 5th July 2017
Achilles still not great, so have a run with KA along the river and back along the canal - ideal Hoka running terrain.
London - Monday 3rd July 2017
A long day in London, but I manage 30 minutes in the hotel gym - that's never much fun.
Saunder Mountain Marathon - Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd July 2017
For a third year running Craig and I are in the Bowfell class of the Saunders. This year it takes us to the North West fells, starting close to Ennerdale.
Conditions are near perfect and we head up towards Crag Fell and Whoap for our first control. It's then towards Haycock and a contour down and around Steeple before descending into the hot Ennerdale valley. After a km or two, we are back to climbing, this time to a control between Scarth Gap and High Pike. It's then the brutal climb up High Pike before dropping to Bleaberry Tarn and a control on Dodd.
Still a way to go, we traverse Starling Dodd and after dropping down and then climbing back out we drop to the boggy area south west of Mellbreak and a control on the north ridge of Hen Comb. It's short a short, fast descent to the overnight camp, close to the Kirkstile Inn.
Unfortunately the forecast drizzle arrives which makes for an unpleasant few hours at camp; however, spirits are lifted by our being 7th.
Day 2 takes us along the edge of Crummock Water before a brutal climb to the summit of Mellbreak. It's then a long way out west and then a lot of to'ing and fro'ing before a sting in the tail last climb and rapid descent to the finish (we are the quickest Bowfell runners on the penultimate leg). We are 9th on day 2 but retail our 7th overall; I'm pleased with that, a cracking weekend, thanks Craig.
New car, Circuits & Pilates - Thursday 29th June 2017
Having been carless for a month or so, the new one arrives today.....GLC AMG Line, very nice.
Then it's a mad dash to circuits, which is tough, as always and Pilates in the evening.
Then it's a mad dash to circuits, which is tough, as always and Pilates in the evening.
Helm training - Wednesday 28th June 2017
Not been here for a while; a tough session and my body not wanting to play tonight.
Wasdale Recce Part 2 - Monday 26th June 2017
A day off and I am back in Wasdale with KA. We ride from the National Trust car park to Greendale, stash bikes, and then set off up Seatallan. It's a glorious day, not too hot, near perfect running conditions. Then down into Pots of Ashes and the incorrect route, as shown on my face map !!, to point 704m, between Haycock and Scoat Fell.
Then a traverse of Black Crag and the short steep climb to Pillar, always a great summit to be on. A good descent on grassy lines to Black Sail Pass and then the traverse below Kirk Fell, this was hard work. The climb up Gable is even tougher and then down to Styhead. Time and energy are against us, so we decide on the Corridor Route to take us to the col between Scafell Pike and Lingmell.
Then it's just the killer descent down the nose of Lingmell to the finish. We grab a quick shower and then head to pub in Nether Wasdale for some much needed bait. A good day out.
Wasdale Recce Part 1 - Sunday 25th June 2017
I head over to Wasdale for part 1 of my race route recce. From the National Trust car park I head up on to Illgill Head and then to CP1 on Whinn Rigg, a good line takes me down into the valley and then a bad line takes me to Greendale; I backtrack on the correct route so that it is clear in my mind....a silly error, not sure how I managed that.
Then, on my earlier stashed bike, it's a quick dash back to camper.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)