Training - Monday 11th February 2013

A cold night and the ground has dried out to a large extent. At last no mud :-)

17 reps tonight, thanks Shaun !

Arnside Ride - Sunday 10th February 2013

A miserable morning: wet, cold, misty and breezy....great.

Head out on bike to Arnside, usual route. The lanes are very wet and muddy...my bike is a mess and so am I.

I don't even bother stopping in Arnside, head straight home. I thought on the way out I was riding into the wind, i was proved wrong when I turned for home !

Still the exercise does me good.

Langdales - Saturday 9th February 2013

Russ is keen to recce more of the JNC (Joss Naylor Challenge) which he is attempting in July. There is a lot of snow on the fells and the forecast is not great, but it will take more than that to stop us.

We head out from the NDG carpark:

The weather is actually much better than expected, misty but no wind and relatively dry. we head up to Stickle Tarn, via the zig-zag path to the right of the ghyll. Soon at the tarn we are at first deceived, the tarn looks frozen but actually is has a layer of sleet floating on the surface and it not frozen at all - weird. Round to the right and then up on to the ridge to Blea Rigg and towards Sergeant Man.

We miss the summit, deliberately, and then descend towards Calf Crag. The aim is to try a new route to High Raise which Russ might then use on his JNC. The going is tough, deep soft snow and poor visibility; we soon make the summit and then head from there to the top of Stake Pass and round to Rossett Pike; this does not go completely to plan but we live and learn.

We then follow the usual path down to Mickleden and back along the Langdale valley. A good run out, about 4 hours of energetic exercise. Washed down with coffee and cherry bakewells and then a pint of Winter Warmer at the Hawkshead Brewery when back in Staveley.

Two runs today (!) - Friday 8th February 2013

Wasn't planned that way. A glorious day so head out for my Scout Scar route at lunch, it's great to be out...photos to follow. Stunning views, plenty of snow on the fells, shame it's not a great forecast for the weekend though !

Get an invitation to have a run along canal / river in the evening; another cold night but mud not as deep as it was.

So this proved to be my 6th run in 5 days.....perhaps over doing it ?!

A short evening run - Thursday 7th February 2013

Was going to be a rest day but decide to head out for a short river / canal run after work; wish I hadn't bothered !

Training - Wednesday 6th February 2013

On golf course again; a cold clear night and no mud :-) 5 long reps, uphill but on a track, I work hard but can't keep with Craig !

River / Canal Run - Tuesday 5th February 2013

A cold, snowy day. Head out at lunchtime for usual route; sometimes the harsh weather adds to the fun.