My body feels battered today. I'm up early though and head to Staveley for a latte and bacon & egg roll - much needed.
Manage just a steady walk on the Scar with Barney - that's enough for me today.
Sunday, 5 June 2011
Ennerdale Horseshoe - 4th June 2011
One of the Lakeland classics.....23miles and 7000' feet of ascent.
Not sure why but not in the mood for this today - am not worried about it but I'm not focussed....it's going to be a tough day.
The sun is shining and it is hot. The race organisers give a very detailed chat before the start and walk us to the start line. There are 8 Helm runners here today but, generally, a lower turn-out as it clashes with the Duddon which is an English Champs race.
Not raced this before and not had a chance to recce but visibility is perfect so should not cause a problem. The first mile or so is flat, around the end of the water and then a sharp climb to the first checkpoint on Great Borne. This initial climb was hard, the first one always is and the sun was beating down.
However from here high cloud moves in and keeps the temperature a little lower, ideal running conditions. The route is obvious to the second checkpoint on Red Pike and then I manage to pick a good runnable line all the way to High Crag. The descent is rough and I choose to pick-up the trod to the North of Seat.
I am finding it hard, it is just not flowing today. I get a good line around Haystacks and pick up the main path to the next checkpoint at Blackbeck Tarn. The climb towards Brandreth is hard but the going gets a little from here to Green Gable. The marshalls are doing a fantastic job, supplying water at every checkpoint.
Scree run from here and then contour to Beck Head. The climb to Kirk Fell is straight forward and the descent to Blacksail Pass is much easier than I expected. However, killer-Pillar is tough and I am relieved to make it to checkpoint 6 on the summit.
It should get easier from here but I still find it hard. I get the contour around Black Crag and head over Scoat Fell to Haycock. I was hoping for under 5 hours but the finish is still looking a long way off. Easier running to Iron Crag and I start to to think that 5 hours 15 would be a good target.
However, after the descent to the forest I climb the last summit, Crag Fell, really strongly...perhaps 5 hours is realistic again.
The descent from here is flagged, my legs hurt, my feet hurt and my head is still somewhere else. But I keep pushing on and hit the track with 10 minutes to finish in. This only takes a couple of minutes and with Joss Naylor cheering me on I finish in 4 hours 53 mins. 21st overall and 6th MV40.
A really tough day, I sit in the beck for 10 and then grab a hot shower...bliss. Tea, sausage rolls and cakes go down well and I enjoy watching the other Helm runners finish. Ali runs well and collects a prize for 5th lady and, once again, Helm ladies collect the team prize (well done Ali, Jayne & Lindsay).
It's a long day out, thank you to Tim for driving and to Steve for a welcome pint in the Watermill Inn on the way home.
Thursday, 2 June 2011
River / Canal run - Thursday 2nd June 2011
The sun is shining and it is warm. I head off on my usual lunchtime route, along river to Hawes Bridge and back along canal towpath.
A great route and quite a few people about in Levens park; takes a while to cool down when I get back; nice to have a refreshing shower before back at my desk.
Levens 10k - Wednesday 1st June 2011
A warm evening, but not as hot as last year, here in Levens. Although relatively flat, this is not the fastest of 10K routes (for me anyway).
My time from last year was about 41m 30, I should beat this but by how much ? I set off quick and lead the race for the first few hundred metres, I knew this would not last but enjoy it will I can. I settle into a good pace and am about 6th or 7th. The long straight road along the valley is hard work and it is good to turn towards Brigsteer and some climbing.
I overtake one or two runners and manage to not be overtaken myself. The route from Brigsteer is more undulating which suits me. I overtake again and a supporter tells me I'm in 4th place. This spurs me on and I hold this position; the finish seems along way and I am relieved to cross the line in 36:06; 41 secs outside my PB but much quicker than last year.
Other Helm runners do well, Kath 1st lady and her, Lindsay and Ali collect Ladies Team Prize. I, again, pick-up 1st MV 40 - this is a good evening.
Rest day - Tuesday 31st May 2011
Back at work, no running today - hopefully will benefit from the rest.
BG Leg 3 (part 2) - Monday 30th May 2011
Forecast for better weather...but not to be ! Five of us (Russ, Ali, Kath & Lindsay) set off from ODG, Langdale along Mickleden and climb Rossett Gyhll to join the BG route between Rossett Pike and Bowfell.
It is a bit wet, the cloud is down on the tops and it is definitely cold. We climb the trod up Bowfell and Russ, pushed for time, decides to head down via The Band. We push on, Esk Pike, Great End, Ill Crag (Russ has been here recently), Broad Crag and Sca Fell Pike.
We decide not to push on as far as Sca Fell as it is miserable up here but go as far as Mickledore to take a quick look at Broad Stand - not a nice place to be today.
We head back over Sca Fell Pike and then main path to Esk Hause, Angle Tarn and back down Rossett Gyhll. The weather starts to improve but there is little interest in my suggestion of going round again !
The sun is out as we run back along Mickleden and we enjoy coffee and biscuits back at camper. A good day out but not great conditions for recce'ing.
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