Loughrigg / Silver Howe Race Route - Saturday 30th September 2017

A very wet morning, I head over to Ambleside, lacking motivation.....so some retail therapy and coffee. I decide to head home and go out later when the forecast was set to improve.....however, traffic is backed up soon after Low Wood so I do a u'ey and head back to Under Loughrigg, I need to man up !

I run the Loughrigg Silver Howe race route, about 8.5 miles and 2,500'. It's wet but I enjoy and it even improves towards the end; glad I went but then a bad journey home, at least I make it to More in time to get the last sausage roll:-)

Road run.....again - Friday 29th September 2017

Road running.....again ! I head out from the office, Heversham, Hincaster, Sedgwick, Sizergh and Levens. 55 mins. 

Circuits & Pilates - Thursday 28th September 2017

Another tough Thursday; circuits and Pilates, both top classes.

Road Run - Wednesday 27th September 20

Back in time from Liverpool to catch the start of the rain. A wet and miserable evening. We run 7.8 miles on the road......good training. 

Liverpool - Tuesday 26th September 2017

Once again it's all work and no play.

Swim - Monday 25th September 2017

My legs are officially trashed; I manage a steady 25 lengths at the pool, which helps, I think !?

Wansfell 10k Trail Race (Festival of the Fells) - Sunday 24th September 2017

Why am I running another race today, my legs are trashed from yesterday ?! Anyway KA and I head to Ambelside, along with 37 other runners, for this trail (more like fell to me) race. 

It's very wet underfoot but otherwise good running weather; a great route, we do ok and are soon back in town enjoying lunch. 

Two Breweries Hill Race - Saturday 23rd September 2017

So to my third Scottish Long Championship race, and second time running this one; I couldn't persuade KA to join me this year. 

It's an early start but easy drive to Broughton, not as far as I had thought. Plenty of time to have some tea and porridge and sort kit before boarding the bus to Traquair House. Now just 29km and 1700m of ascent / descent, plus lots of heather, tussocks and bog lies between me and my car ! Love it !!

The earlier blue skies disappear and are replaced with overcast skies and, on the summits, mist and drizzle, but still much better weather than last year. I run well and feel ok, with a strong finish. 4:09 for me this year, I'm happy with that. 

Run - Friday 22nd September 2017

A structured running session.....madness before a long, hard race !

Circuits and Pilates - Thursday 21st September 2017

A tough couple of sessions; I suffer, and not just for today.

Helm training - Wednesday 20th September 2017

Another early start and long day out; I make it back in time for training, just, but not really in the op mood and give up before the session finishes. 

London - Tuesday 19th September 2017

All work and no play, a long day in the City.

Swim and yoga - Monday 18th September 2017

A swim at lunch and the Yoga in the evening.

Fairfield Horseshoe - Sunday 17th September 2017

I was just getting myself organised when a change of plan sees me heading to Rydal for a steady run around Fairfield with KA. Another pleasant, no pressure run and then to Keswick for a quick potter and the tea with my Ma & Pa who are in holiday in that area.  

Coniston Fells - Saturday 16th September 2017

After a tough and stressful week we decide to have a leisurely run around the Coniston race route; it's nice to be out for once without the pressure of racing, and to actually watch a race too - 3 Shires. The weather is kind and we enjoy, although don't get the perfect lines lower down ! Then into the village for lunch 

Work - Friday 15th August 2017

It gets in the way again !

Run and Pilates - Thursday 14th September 2017

A very wet and muddy run along the river and back along the canal. Then to Pilates in the evening, but straight after a mad dash to Liverpool, again !

Helm training - Wednesday 13th September 2017

I make it back for Liverpool in time to head straight to the Helm for training.

Work - Tuesday 12th September 2017

And again today !

Work - Monday 11th September 2017

It gets in the way and no time for play today.

Wansfell 10k race recce - Sunday 10th September 2017

Another very wet day, KA and I head out to recce the 10k race route, we feel ok despite our mad dash of a race yesterday. Then into Ambleside for a late lunch. Back to work tomorrow,but actually that starts tonight with a very wet drive to Liverpool. 

Devils Beeftub - Saturday 9th September 2017

KA and I head to Scotland to compete in another Scottish Championship race, this one is definitely not a Long; actually it's possibly, not probably, is the shortest race I have ever run....just 3.2km and 230m of climb.....madness. But actually I really enjoy it; a steep climb, run around the top with a few undulations, and then a very steep decent, all over in about 30 minutes !

Circuits and swim - Friday 8th September 2017

A hard group circuits class in the morning and then a leisurely swim in the afternoon.

Run & Pilates - Thursday 7th September 2017

So after some glorious weather so far north, I am back to heavy rain and gloom ! I struggle to motivate but eventually head out to recce the Wansfell 10km race route. Then to Pilates in the evening. 

Padjelanta Trail, Sweden - Monday 28th August to Wednesday 6th August 2017

Another trip to the far north of Sweden, some 150km inside the Arctic Circle; this time it's to walk the 120km Padjelanta trail. 

It's a wilderness up there and I love to immerse myself in it. Glorious easy walking with superb STF and Sammi huts for accommodation each night. So few people about, I'm sure I saw more reindeer than humans and that can't be a bad thing. Once I settle into the routine, which did take a few days, I don't want to leave; and I even get to see the northern lights on two occasions, how special is that. 

Ride - Sunday 27th August 2017

A late night, early start and masses to get done before I go away tonight. But I manage a quick ride with Craig, from the Helm to Sedbergh via Bendrigg and back via Millbeck. 27.5km / 507m climb.

Then after a huge list of chores I eventually get to Manchester airport ready for morning flight to Stockholm and then further North.   

Ochills 2000's - Saturday 26th August 2017

So the second of my Scottish Long Championship races, and my second year here. It's a relaxed and well organised build up, park and register at the sports centre and bus ride to the start. The weather, as it was last year, is ideal, clear and sunny but not too hot. 

The race covers 32.7km with 1649m of ascent and climbs each of the Ochill summits over 2000', just about all in grassy trods. I start steady and get stronger, it also gets hotter and, as it was last year, the climb to the final summit is a real ball buster ! But I have a great descent and finish strong bit disappointing to be about 10 minutes slower than last year :-( 

Results

Then it's a quick shower, food and drink and then the long drive home. A good trip. 

Heading North - Friday 25th August 2017

Big race tomorrow, head to Stirling....the walled garden campsite.

Run and Pilates - Thursday 24th August 2017

Too much to do and taking on too much; I head out for a run along the river and canal at lunch and then to Pilates in the evening. 

Circuits & training - Wednesday 23rd August 2017

A tough lunchtime circuits session and then a not-enjoyable training session on Helm.

Shipman Knotts Fell Race - Tuesday 22nd August 2017

I take on my usual role, summit Marshall. The weather looks threatening, muggy and stormy, but it passes and I stay dry. As always a good evening and all enjoy, rounded off with tea and cake, and then beer - well done Russell. 

Yoga - Monday 21st August 2017

A good way to loosen up after yesterday's race, but hard work.