Fells, Tarns and Gingerbread - Sunday 28th February 2016

Head over to Grasmere to tackle this LDWA route; usually struggle to complete this and, given that it's the last part we usually miss out, decide to run the route in reverse. So it's around the lake, up and down Loughrigg, over to Silver Howe, along towards Blea Crag, down to Easedale Tarn, up Helm Crag, down into Greenburn; at that stage decide to miss out the last bit so head back to Grasmere. A fantastic day to be out, but legs not feeling that energetic. 

High Cup Nick - Saturday 27th February 2016

I like this race, but my head is not in the right place today so I know it's going to be a struggle. 

The weather is ideal, cold and clear, and reasonable underfoot, boggy in places and firm in others. I set off steady and never really get any faster, but have to settle for that today. The views are stunning, the route is great and it's a relief when it's over. 

1:23'ish, surprisingly not my slowest but a long way off my quickest. Work to be done, fitness will only come when the head is sorted. But, and it's a big but, the cakes were delicious....so all is not lost. 

Arthur's Seat - Friday 26th February 2016

But actually I love being in Edinburgh and stick to my usual tradition of running up Arthur's Seat before breakfast. It's a great morning to be out, cold and clear; I am at the summit in a little under half an hour and the views are amazing. Then straight back down, the door man at the Balmoral, true to tradition, has a towel and bottle of water ready for my return.....now I could get use to that :-)

All work and no play...again - Thursday 25th February 2016

Earlier in the week it was to Cambridge, today to Edinburgh.

Training - Wednesday 24th February 2016

So after four and a half hours driving, I am in and out in 10 minutes and at training.....which then almost kills me. 6 mega long reps is not really the re-introduction I need, but I dig in, stick it out and will get stronger. 

All work, no play - Tuesday 23rd February 2016

Scar Run - Monday 22nd February 2016

Head out after work for a run on the Scar. A fantastically clear sky and full moon, with the occasional atmospheric cloud drifting through. A great run out, about 7 miles tonight. 

Loughrigg / Silver Howe - Sunday 21st February 2016

Another wet and windy day, I linger at home during the morning but head over to Ambleside at lunchtime. Decide on the Loughrigg / Silver Howe race route; it's very wet underfoot and quite wet over head too, plus gusty. We make good progress, recce some good lines and have a good run out. After quick change and tea in Cali, head into town for hot chocolate and cake. 

Mallerstang Half Yomp Route - Saturday 20th February 2016

At a bit of a loss where to go today, the weather is not good.....wet and windy, so the high fells are out of the question and looking for something different to the usual Elterwater / Tarn How's route. So I head to Kirkby Stephen and run the Half Yomp route. 

It is a bit wet and windy, especially on the initial descent of Nine Standards, but actually a good choice, maybe head back that way soon and run the full route.....in better weather. 

Route / details

Sizergh Castle Run - Friday 19th February 2016

It's forecast to rain from lunchtime and then all the way through the weekend so I head out early for a run. Park at Sizergh Castle and run a 5km loop up towards the Scar, very wet and muddy in places. I run two loops, turns wet on the second but not too serious. Hard work but worth it. 

Scar Run - Thursday 18th February 2016

I had hoped to get out for a run at lunchtime but work and meetings get in the way. So instead I head out about 6'ish for a run on the Scar. It's another cold and clear night and tonight I have my headtorch and can see where I am going, that helps ! A good run out. 

Orienteering.....disaster - Wednesday 17th February 2016

I join Russ for a trip to Birkrigg Common, just outside Ulverston, for a night orienteering competetition. The good news is that I have my headtorch battery, I even have a spare and the charging lead......but, unfortunately, no headtorch......how frustrating is that. I make do with a very poor emergency headtorch I carry in the car, it's ok for map reading but doesn't even light where I put my feet, let alone light the way ahead. My confidence has been hit, but I start and struggle round, have one or two nav mishaps along the way, it's makes such a difference not knowing the area and not seems where I am heading. 

All a bit of a disaster really but, that they having been said, I quite enjoy and it's 52 minutes of exercise, but should and could have been much less ! Russ does well despite not feeling great and it's a small but well organised event; thank you to LOC. 

Pilates - Tuesday 16th February 2016

Back to my usual class tonight, it's a good one :-)

Todd Crag Bivvy - Monday 15th February 2016

Now this is fun, a 'micro adventure' that starts after work and finishes before work the next day - how to cram a lot into a day !

The forecast is great, clear sky and chilly, actually forecast to be the coldest night of the year so far; so mind made up and kit packed I head over to Ambleside and park Under Loughrigg. It is chilly, but I try to not wear too many layers as I do not want to built up a big sweat that would soon chill. So thick merino base layer and softshell on top, plus the luxury of power stretch bibs.

I wander up the steep road and pass the old clubhouse onto the fell, it is dark but the moon is bright and the sky so clear, barely need a headtorch. Once through the top fell gate, I bear half left to the summit of Todd Crag, although there is some debate and confusion as to which summit is Todd Crag. But I settle for the first one and find a fantastic level pitch just metres from the summit. The air is so still, the views down the lake and across to Fairfield are immense. 

I have not eaten enough today, too much rushing around in Liverpool earlier in the day and feel light headed, so main priority is to get the Jetboil on for a brew and a choccie biscuit; this works and I can then concentrate on pitching my wee hooped bivvy bag, laying out my Pilates mat (for an extra layer of insulation, not for a session !!), inflating my mattress and lofting my luxury four season down sleeping bag.  Once all of this is complete I can then cook my tea, chili and rice followed by red wine and Greens and Blacks Dark chocolate....luxury. 

Although the views are awesome, sleep takes over and I snooze until about 9:30 when I declare it's time for supper and then bed. It's great lying warm and cosy in my sleeping bag looking up to the stars, this is priceless. 

I don't know anymore until my alarm wakes me at 6am, early but I do have work to get to and that's all part of the fun. Stove on for porridge and coffee whilst I pack away may kit, it certainly was a cold night, heavy frost and slushy water, gas warm as that was in my bag with me. 

I am soon back down at the car, it's -2.5c but not once did I feel cold. Then to More for breakfast, home for a shower and into work well before 9.....what an experience, I will be doing this again soon. 

Cumbrian Cracker Sportive - Sunday 14th February 2016

This event had been postponed since November due to flooding and this gave me the opportunity to enter; but have barely used my bike in months, so it could be a tough day out. 

It's another cold one, only just above freezing but it's a clear sky and some sun too. It's a 60 mile route, with about 1,300m of ascent / descent, so not the easiest of days ! Especially as soon after the start in Grasmere it climbs Red Bank.....ouch !

I ride with Russ and Matt, and we are soon through Elterwater and heading to Coniston. We follow the east side of the lake and then through Spark Bridge, Bouth, Allinthwaite and into Cartmel for a well earned cup of tea, well 3 actually, plus sarnies and cakes !

It's just over half way but it's certainly not all downhill from here. I pull away from Russ and Matt and the route North eventually takes us to Grisedale. I am feeling strong and climb really well to Moor Top and then a rapid descent to Hawkshead. I'm on a mission and make quick work of the section to Ambleside, Under Loughrigg to Rydal and then the main road back to Grasmere. I finish in a bit under 5 hours, I think, and had a really good day out.....only had cold feet and hands for the first hour or so !

Results to follow.

Photo

Coniston Fells - Saturday 13th February 2016

It's been a tough week so a leisurely start and coffee and croissant at More. Then to Coniston and a circuit of the high Coniston fells. 

It's a cold day, some cloud on the summits, Spring-like in the valley but full on winter conditions higher up. I head up Mouldry Bank (Syndey "the snake" Bank !) and on up to Hole Rake and the main ridge to Wetherlam; I am soon in snow and it's icy too so decide to put on microspikes, perfect conditions for them, the snow is firm and a good covering. 

The summit is a very cold place to be and not wanting to linger long I head off towards Swirl Hawse; it gets a bit tricky on this section, the slope is convex, very icy and drops off into snow filled gullies and steep ground, with cornices ! I decide to head up, take in Black Sails summit and a more gentle, but still very icy, descent to the Hawse. 

Prison Band is a joy in these winter conditions but the summit of Swirl How is again no place to linger. I take a bearing as a precaution and head off towards Brim Fell and the Old Man, again very windy and icy. I decide to head down to Goat's Hawse and take in the summits of Dow Crag, Buck Pike and Brown Pike, it's fantastic along here, the sun is out and the cloud has dispersed. 

I then make a quick descent down the Walna Scar back to the camper for tea and cake. A good day out, testing and challenging in places.  

Fairfield - Friday 12th February 2016

There's snow on the fells and a reasonable forecast so I take the morning off and head to Rydal. Time is against me, so settle for Nab Scar, Heron Pike, Great Rigg, Fairfield and then close to Hart Crag before turning back (don't ask !). 

Great conditions higher up, consolidated snow and icy in places, perfect conditions for using micro spikes. Back to Cali for tea and then to work. 

Scar Run and Pilates - Thursday 11th February 2016

A bright and chilly day; head up to Scar at lunchtime for a run, joined by a four-legged Sweetie :-)

Then to Pilates this evening and an unexpected drink with a friend :-)

London, again - Wednesday 10th February 2016

Had hoped to be home in time for training, but meetings overrun and catch later train bike; soooo, again all work and no play. 

London - Tuesday 9th February 2016

London, all work and no play !

River / Canal Run - Monday 8th February 2016

Head out at lunchtime for a v.muddy run along the canal and back along the river.

Lingmoor - Sunday 7th February 2016

A slightly better forecast....well in terms of rain but not wind ! Decide on a relatively low route from Elterwater: over Lingmoor (and it definitely was windy up there), Blea Tarn, Tilberwaite, Tarn How's, Skelwith and back to Elterwater; a 15 mile route. Then to Chesters for a late lunch.

Park Run / Staveley Walk - Saturday 6th February 2016

This is a first, I take part in a Park Run. The usual route at the Fell Foot event is under water, so a revised route sees me charging round the park four and a half times. I get a PB (!) and, in so doing, set the benchmark low.....22:02, 9th. Plenty of room for I improvement but not sure this is going to be a regular Saturday morning feature for me. 

Then in the afternoon I had over to Staveley for a walk to Potter Tarn; it's wet, as was this mornings run, and very muddy....again !

Everest - Friday 5th February 2016

No run today; but really enjoy a presentation by Carrie on her Everest ascent, what an achievement.

Progress....a run - Thursday 4th February 2016

Starting to feel better.....at last. Head out at lunch for a run along the river and canal, v.muddy but good to be out again. 

Swim - Wednesday 3rd February 2016

It's a cold, showery night and not sure I'm am recovered enough to train; so I settle for a swim, much less exertion and easier on the chest; hopefully will be up for a run tomorrow. 

Pilates - Tuesday 2nd February 2016

A new instructor, for this week only, she's good and the session goes well.

Another wasted day - Monday 1st February 2016

Not Much goes right today and I'm still not feeling great.

Not a good day - Sunday 31st January 2016

Missed That's Lyth last year as recovering from hernia op, had hoped to be there and complete this year. Well the first part of that I achieved, I made it there, managed the first 5 minutes and then quickly realised that running with a chest infection, self-diagnosed, was really not very sensible.

Very frustrating, going backwards, fast.