Lochnager - Tuesday 21st June 2016

Today's plan is to head past Balmoral to Ballater and up Glen Muick to the parking area at the road end. 

Lochnager is a stunning mountain and another 4 munros make up a relatively easy 18.5 mile circuit. It's a windy day and a little cloud comes and goes on the first summit, but route finding is straightforward and all goes well. 

A steady 6 hour walk and finished by tea and biscuits back at the camper.

Morrone - Monday 20th June 2016

So I have a few days off and head to Braemar for some days out on the hills. But it's a leisurely start, need a catch up on sleep, and I'm not in Braemar until mid afternoon. Had planned a Munro day but instead happily settle for a run up the Corbett, Morrone. I decide to put some effort in and run the loop in a clockwise direction; this means a long steady track all the way to the summit, but I dig in and run it all. Then it's a fun descent back to the village and along to the campsite. A good run out. 

Fairfield Horseshoe - Sunday 9th June 2016

So I have a much needed lie-in and then get myself sorted. I head over to Rydal to run the Horseshoe, my favorite route. But today the weather is fowl, windy, wet and low cloud so it's head down and just get on with it. Relatively uneventful but definitely chilly and I work hard to keep my core temperature at an operating level. 

Supporting Billy Bland Challenge - Saturday 18th June 2016

I offer to provide road support to the Helm Ladies Vet Team in their attempt of the Billy Bland Challenge. This is a relay of the Bob Graham Round, run as a relay in pairs.

I often think that supporting can be harder work than actually running; once Kate and Ali set-off from the Moot Hall we head to Threlkeld, lights out soon after 00:30 and alarm set for 03:00.....and the flippin hounds keep us awake !

Then it's a quick hand over of the batten and Jo and Jayne head off into the dawn to run leg 2; for me it's a drop off into Keswick and then to Dunmail, and again an attempt of some sleep. This time it's lights out by 04:00'ish and alarm set 06:45....and this time the flippin traffic keeps us awake. 

But all is going to plan, the girls are running well and Carrie and Kath head off on the longest session (leg 3) ahead of schedule. For me it's a drop off in Threlkeld and then time to grab a monster breakfast in Keswick.......large coffee, porridge with honey and boiled eggs with soldiers, that does the job.

Then pick up Marie and Amanda, and passenger Craig, to head to Wasdale, an hour or so drive. 

Wasdale is a busy place on a sunny June Saturday, mini-buses block the road and I'm not my usual mild mannered self ! But once parked there is plenty of time to chill and wait for the handover; again this goes well and ahead of schedule and allows Kath and I sometime to relax....sneakily head to the campsite for a shower, tea and some food before packing up and the long, slow drive to Honister. 

Well this is where things get interesting, barely time to enjoy my icecream and like the classic scene from Zulu, Marie and Amanda appear unexpected over the horizon and are fast approaching the changeover ! Sarah and Sharron are baren't ready and hastily get sorted before heading off on the final leg, well ahead of the schedule. 

We pack up quickly and head to Newlands Church, a critical transition from fell to road shoes. They are a little later here than expected, but still well ahead, due to a misplaced batten......say no more on this ! Then the pair, joined by Kath run the road section to Keswick and we meet them at the Moot Hall, 17hrs 43mins after they set off......what an achievement and what a great day. 

Then to the Square Orange for a well deserved beer and pizza. 

A long day, and more to come :-) - Friday 17th June 2016

So a trip to Leicester, over 7 hours of driving for a 1 hour meeting; but should be worthwhile.

Soon up to Keswick to support the Helm Vet Ladies Billy Bland Challenge.

Swim - Thursday 16th June 2016

A busy day and a busy evening, but manage to fit in a quick swim.

Gill Garth Gallop - Wednesday 15th June 2016

For the second year running, I heard over to Selside to race the small, but perfectly formed, Gill Garth Gallop. Just 9.8k and 550m of climb, but a bit of everything. 

Wasn't sure how I would perform tonight, Saturday was a tough race and a speed session on Monday was perhaps not the best prep. 

But, as always, I work hard and run my own race. Conditions are ideal, relatively dry underfoot and cool and clear overhead. 

Well I finished 18th in 57:31, 4th V40 but, more importantly for me, this is over. 2 mins quicker than last year (25th, 59:46), at last some progress :-)

The hotdog, coffee and cake......ideal sustenance for a finely tuned athlete :-)