An All Fell Week

Occasionally I get asked to cover night shift at work, which means I get the afternoon free, which means I get more daylight time to run on the fells  (the only downside is when im at work im knackered).
On Tuesday afternoon I parked my car at Scales and ran up Blencathra. At the moment im running it all with the view that when I attempt the BG ,the ups will feel a little easier when walking.
On Wednesday I parked at Threlkeld and ran up to Stybarrow Dodd and back. Clough Head tho was not an option to run, instead I got hands on knees and walked up. The summit was reached in 43 mins. From Clough Head I ran all the way up Gt Dodd, Watson Dodd and up onto Stybarrow Dodd, where I promised myself a drink for a reward. Only to realise I had forgotten to put it in my backpack ( how many times). I retraced my steps running all the way back to the car  (and water) at Threlked. Very pleased with my time and effort.
Friday I only got 3 hrs sleep so no run.
On Saturday I parked again at Threlkeld and ran to Keswick via the railway line to run leg 1. Running up Latrigg I knew I was going to struggle to run up Skiddaw but I pushed on telling myself if I stopped I would fail the BGR. Well it looks like a big fat fail in May because I walked for about  3 mins of it.

Looking back along Skiddaw

Bassenthwaite Lake

I picked the trod down to Hare Crag and was soon climbing Gt Calva. Up ahead I could see 2 figures, so I pushed on to try and catch them up. When I did finally reach them it turned out to be Gary and Clare. Gary is attempting the BG on the same night as me, but setting off a bit earlier. All 3 of us then ran together up to Mungrisdale Common where Gary had arranged to meet one of his mates, Dave Jacks.

Dave Jacks has got one of the most astonishing tales to tell of the BGR. Last year he failed it by 1 minute!. He is having another go this year and I really do hope he succeeds. We all carried on up to the summit where we descended via Doddick. At this point I pushed on ahead because I wanted to change my top at the car and fill my water bottle up so I could carry on up to the Dodds.Dave was also going as far as Raise where he had arranged to meet his brother and descend down sticks pass.

On the lane up to Newsham House, we met 3 fellas looking at a map. It turned out they were recceing for the Lakes 100. They were going to run along the coach road but decided to go up to Gt Dodd instead. The next 2 hours of running was a fantastic insight into long distance running with all 2 out of  3 of them having done all the big rounds and Will doing his Paddy Buckley this year to complete his set. Amazing fellas with good sound advice. They even said they would run in with me on leg 5 but I think that was just a kind gesture, but it shows what a great community there is in fell running. What else amazes me is the miles these people drive just so they can run on the fells. Top fellas.

                Dave Lucker, Will and Ian on Gt Dodd

On Sunday I parked at Roe head and ran up and over Loadpot, onto Wether Hill and down into Fusedale and up and over Steel Knots.  I ran in to Dave Owen who was doing the same circuit . Dave is also pacing me on leg 2. He tells me that he is not running as well as he was a couple of years ago, but that didn't show today.

So a good week of running, all fell miles too.

Blake Fell Race

It was always my intention to have an easy week this week, but even by my lazy standards I think waiting till Thursday to go for a run was pushing it.
When I did drag myself out of the door I managed 8 road miles and when I got back it felt like I had just completed a marathon, Knackered absolutely knackered I was. So maybe they is something to be said for training every day.
After Thursdays "epic" I decided another days rest was due so on Friday I did nowt again.( mainly because I knew it was Blake Fell race the next day )
I did this race last year and looking back in my running log I said that I had hated it due the shortness (4.5) and the last descent. What a difference a year makes, this year it felt a little easier  and much more enjoyable. I was a bit more cautious this time from the start and decided to try and keep up (or keep sight off ) with Ian Davis of Keswick. After the first two climbs I was just behind him and started to follow him to the last checkpoint, but knowing Ian to be a better runner then me, I was wary of overtaking him. Still thinking about the last descent I decided that I would need a bit of space between us so I pushed on ahead and it wasn't till the last stile I looked behind that I knew I had done enough. 5 mins faster then last year but a slightly changed course so I wont read to much into that.
On my way to Blake Fell I was feeling guilty about missing the opportunity of a long day on the fells, but its races like these and catching up with folk you aint seen for a while that makes it all worthwhile. Also got some good advice and tips for the BGR.
On Sunday I ran along to High Raise and back from Pooley Bridge.

Some Good Miles

This has been a better week of training with some good hilly road and a few valuable fell miles too.
Monday night saw me doing three laps of the New Streets Race route in a vain attempt to try and get some climbing in, but I don't think any amount of hilly road could prepare you for some of the climbs we face on the fells, but still a good  work out, covering 16 miles.
Wednesday was club night with Eden Runners, where they seems to be more and more fell runners attending, which is fantastic news for the club. The session tonight was mile reps, done on a slightly hilly course. I hate these, in fact anything that involves running flat out I hate. The competitiveness that is in the club at the moment saw the first one done like a race, but by the time we did the fifth one things had steadied up , thankfully for me. They tell me that these help endurance, well I have never been in fell race yet that involved running 5.40 mile.I am lucky if I break the 10 minute mile.! 9 miles covered.
Thursday was a recovery run around the streets of Penrith, a nice gentle pace which suited me fine. 6 miles covered.
Saturday was a top day. Recce of leg 4 of the BG. This is the only leg that I hadn't done before now, apart from the section from Gt Gable to Honister which is part of Borrowdale fell race. Five of us set of from Seathwaite farm and ran over to Wasdale for the first big climb of Yewbarrow.  Mark Nicholson was showing us the best lines and I feel a whole lot better about this leg now,  and I am looking forward to recceing this leg more now that I have got the basic idea of it.

Conditions were fantastic until we reached Red Pike and the cloud came in on us. They was only snow in the gully's and we had to kick holes in  to get over them and some of the rocks had ice on them so we had to be careful. This was made even more obvious when Craig took a bad fall coming down to Wind Gap and after trying to run through it, it was decided  we would  miss out Kirk Fell and Gable and bear left at Black Sail Pass and make our way to Windy Gap and then down to Styhead Tarn and back to the cars at the farm. 16.5 miles covered.

Gable from Yewbarrow

Approaching Red Pike

Pillar

Sunday I got up early to do leg 1. Parked the car at Threlked and ran to Keswick, up to Latrigg car park, where sleet was beginning to fall. At this point I decided to do a low level fell run instead and ran up to Skiddaw House and back to Threlkeld, and then back home to egg and bacon sarnies. 13.5 miles

Weekly Round Up

Feeling a bit guilty writing this post.
I have been bleating on about not getting a long fell run in, and today, blue sky's and fast disappearing snow I managed a 7 mile fell run.
I  have forgotten what wet feet feel like.
Its a pity the BGR isn't 8 miles long , I reckon I could have a chance...

Monday - Acupuncture (knee defiantly improving)
Tuesday - 12 mile road run inc 2 laps of the New Streets Race route (very hilly)
Wednesday - Hill reps with Eden Runners  (total run 8 miles)
Thursday - A steady 7.5 miles around Penrith
Friday - Rest
Saturday - 7 mile fell run  (not nice, cold slush)
Sunday - 7 mile fell run  (conditions improving)

Skiddaw Little Man

Parked car at Threlkeld this afternoon and ran along the railway track to Keswick where it was my plan to run up to Skiddaw. I knew whilst I was running up Latrigg that my legs were tired , and that I proberbly wouldnt run it all the way to the top, so I told myself if I could run it all to the gate where the path goes left to little man, that would do. It was quite a cold wind too, which didn't help my motivation.
I managed (somehow) to run it all to the gate , even so it was a struggle for me, but then I thought I would carry on up to little man. I set of running again but only got about 50 yards, when the snow was too soft and deep to run in, so for about 2-3 minutes I walked. The path soon became solid  and I got running again.
Total running time from Threlkeld-little man-Threlkeld was 2 hours and 15 mins, still not a long day out but getting some climbing in. The path up to Skiddaw today was well trodden and was getting icy in places, I think that the snow is going to be here for a while yet, so am thinking of getting some Kahtoolas

Blencathra taken from lay by on way to Threlkeld

Best not hang about!

Night Fell Run (At Last)

I have been threatening to do a night fell run for some time now, the only other time I have run on the fells at night is helping out on a BGR, so tonight after a few texts with Steve B we decided to run up to Arthur's Pike from Pooley Bridge. Not a massive fell , but still enough of a climb to get you working, especially with the snow on the ground. It seemed a bit longer in the dark and I was happy to see the cairn that marks the path to the summit.
This run has whetted my appetite for more night runs now and hopefully will do some more in the coming weeks. Susan thinks im bonkers but I absolutely loved it and it beats running on the roads.
On Monday night I ran a steady 9 miles around Penrith and on Wednesday I ran the New Streets route with Mark Nicholson, where I got to bombard him with questions on the BG, himself having done it 3 years ago. I think he was glad to see the back of me!
If I can get 2 longish fell runs fitted in at the weekend I will be pleased, just hope they is no more snow  (sorry Iain) as it hampers my long runs plans.

Since I broke up from work on 22nd Dec I have managed a fell run every other day and since xmas eve I have ran 69 miles, not the big mileage I was hoping for over the holidays, but with the amount of snow on the ground, happy enough.
This morning I again parked in Pooley Bridge and ran up to Atrhurs Pike, where the views over to Helvellyn were fantastic, only had my phone so took some pics with it. On the way back down I ran up to Haughscar Fell before running/sliding back to Pooley Bridge.

Back to work tomorrow so it will be back to running on the roads on a night and hoping for good weather on weekends.

Nine Standards Fell Race

Didn't make Leg 2 on Wednesday, sky full of snow and winds put me off! Instead I parked the car at Pooley Bridge Post Office and ran up to Arthur's Pike. This made me realize that I made the right decision in not doing leg 2, as the conditions on this lower fell were horrible.
New Years day was The Nine Standards Fell Race, a 8 mile route which includes about 2 mile road , a mile bridal path and a mile fell. With Steve B unable to make it, the pressure was off me to try and keep up with him.
About 70 runners had entered with about 10 from Eden, a good turn out for a fell race, hopefully they enjoyed themselves enough to do more in the season ahead.
With the icy road section at the start, a rolling start took place, a gentle run instead of a mad dash. Once out of the town  it was race on tho. I found myself having a good climb, trying to keep tabs on a club mate just ahead me whilst trying to keep ahead of Gary Johnson just behind me.
The fell section was deep snow and I reached the summit in 6th position.
On the descent I managed to overtake another runner and then got myself involved in a race with my club mate (Anth Labrum). We over took each other couple of times before the icy road section, where I took a tumble but  bounced back up, its worth noting here that even so Anth was ahead of me, he shouted to make sure I was ok. I managed to overtake him on the road section where we crossed the line only 5 seconds apart, 3 mins slower than last year but running in a foot of snow on the fell this year.
Eden took home both team prizes too.
I think running in the snow this Xmas has helped me a lot but still I need to get some longer runs in and recce the bg route a lot more.

Blencathra Snow Run

Managed to sneak out of the house this afternoon for a quick run up Blencathra. Parked the car in the lay by before the White Horse and made my ascent up Mousthwaite Comb and Scales Fell. Most people were making there way down, some on skis, whilst I made heavy work of the snow. I was determined to run it all, but again  I was forced to walk maybe 30 yards where the last zigzags are meant to be, they was a snow path straight up instead of the zigzags. The view on top was fantastic with the sun beginning to set. I got back to my car in a little over an hour, so a good workout.

What is pleasing me is that I am beginning to run more climbs now. On Wednesday im hoping to do leg 2, and on Friday its the Nine Standards Fell Race, but first I have a bedroom to paint!

Snow Fun

Since my last post I have managed to get a few runs in, one of them been leg 1 on the weekend when Mark Smith was doing his fantastic Bob Graham Winter Round.
I followed Marks footsteps in the snow from Skiddaw onwards(I was up there at 8am tho) up to Gt Calva, where I noticed he had made his descent through the heather, so I followed(I usually go by the fence line). I have been this way once before but I think I will stick to the fence for my attempt, the heather been too high and hidden holes had me on my backside more then once. I picked up his footprints again climbing up Mungrisdale Common but lost them before Blencathra where after looking at Halls Fell I decided Doddick was the safer option which I descended in 28 mins. Total leg time was 3hr 12mins.
The day after I ran up to Atrhurs pike from Pooley Bridge post office.
Hill reps have been done too with Eden Runners(agony).
Xmas eve I got up early and ran to Askham(in the dark) and up on to Haughscar Fell where the snow was quite deep in places. It had been my intention to carry on to Atrhurs Pike but the visibility on the top was very poor, so I turned back. Running back I bumped into Gary Johnstone who is also planning his BG on the same day as me, I have also had a email of Seb Planz who has decided on the same night, so it looks like they will be plenty of company on the day of the round.

Yesterday (Boxing day) along with Steve Bennett we ran up to Skiddaw , parking at Threlkeld. The lower slopes of Latrigg were very icy, but once on to the slopes of Skiddaw it was snow all the way . We managed to run it all, up to the last gate before the summit, where the snow was so deep you could step over it! From the gate to the summit we couldn't tell the sky from the ground, but as so often happens after reaching the summit everything clears and seems calm again, all tho this didn't stop Steve falling and taking a proper face full of snow, much to my delight!
The run back along the railway line felt tough, but a very enjoyable 2 and half hours.
Still over a week before I return to work so hoping to get a couple more runs in, but first Sue wants to go shopping to Carlisle!(again).

Plodding On

Not a big mileage week but still managed 1 long fell run and some mile reps with Eden Runners.
I had Sunday morning free to fit a run in so I  decided to run to Thornthwaite Beacon and back, about 20 miles, only stopping to take the odd photo.

This has got to be one of my favourite runs I do, with fantastic views on a clear day and all runnable.
It also made a change to have dry feet for once with the ground been frozen  solid for most of the route. I had to up my pace on the way back as I was due in at work at 12pm,  so managed to run it in 3.10, but my legs were feeling it on the way back.
Hoping to get another long run in this weekend but all depends on work and family commitments.

More good news for my Bob Graham attempt in May with my road support sorted. Well done Dik, ( I don't, like my tea too hot tho), I couldn't of hoped for anyone more reliable.
Was at the physio tonight where acupuncture was tried on my knee. I feel with the work that Anna is doing on  my knee, I am starting to feel an improvement but still cant fully squat down on it yet. It also turns out that her partner has successfully completed the BG.

Three Races In Five Days

Its been over 2 weeks since my last post and things have been going okish.
A few hilly road runs during the week and a 13.5 fell run at the weekend.
I am wanting to get up on to the fells at night time but all this wet weather is putting me off at the moment, the road miles are helping me get me some speed back, which I  maybe lost this year, so the road miles are ok at the moment. With the Christmas holidays coming up soon, hopefully I will get some long fell runs in then. Cant wait!
I am still seeing  the physio and with all the stretching and strengthening I am doing my knee seems to be improving, but I still cant fully squat down on it yet.
Last Wednesday night was the New Streets Challenge, a race around the steep hills of Penrith put on by Eden Runners. At only 4 miles long its hard /fast running all the way (apart from the 3 steep climbs).
It defiantly felt a lot harder then last year, but last year I had done a lot more short races including the cross country series. It felt even tougher when Steve Bennett jogged by me quite easily on one of the hills, leaving me panting and gasping behind. Nothing new there then!
On Saturday I went to Keswick to run in the cross country.
four laps of fitz park with a little hilly section on each lap. Really enjoyed this and wished I hadn't missed the first few now, defiantly good speed training, good fun too....
On Sunday I travelled over to Allendale for the Hexhamshire Hobble fell Race, a 10.5 mile route of road and fell.After a steep road climb you found yourself on the moor which was all fast running. I got involved in a race with Keith Murray of Tieviotdale, a fell runner whom I first met this year at Askham Fell Race and met again over the course of the season, at different fell races. We swapped places 5 times, each time I over took him on a road section, which was lucky for me because the last mile was all on road where I managed to stretch a few seconds out between us.
Not really a fell race, more like a trail race, no steep ascents and the two descents are both on road, but a good race all the same.
So not a bad couple of weeks, it felt good to be involved in some races again but I realise I have to start upping my miles for the Bob Graham in May, which I plan to start at Christmas.
My support for the BG is starting to come together after roping in Derek Hurton in on Saturday (my real reason for doing the cross country). At the moment I have good solid support for the first three legs, 5 out of the 6 having completed bg's of their own.

Getting Back To It

After 3 weeks of no running and my knee getting stiffer I asked the physio if I could start running again. She agreed to it at the moment but stated once she understood the problem more she might have to stop me again. It seems she is not sure what the problem is, but has since ruled out tendernits and gone back to it being a Bakers Cyst ( which would explain my knee getting stiff and unable to squat ) and also a very stiff back ( which would explain the pains I get in the hamstring ). 
Two hours after getting the go ahead to run again I found myself at  roehead  for a short run up to Arthur's Pike (5 miles). It was lashing down with rain but I didn't care, it was good to be back running again, or so I thought till I started the climb from the beck, my legs were struggling and the wind was blowing me back down. This was hard work, Christ it was only 3 weeks not 3 months! Its not even that steep, just a long pull up. I finally reach the cairn and turn around to run back when the clouds cleared and the wind dropped for a few minutes , it felt like it was taking the mick out of me!
Got back to the car exhausted but very very happy.
That was Monday and on Wednesday I ran past Arthur's pike to load pot Hill  (8 miles)which  I found equally challenging but just as rewarding .
Thursday and Friday I rested ( well it was wet) and on Saturday morning, because of local  floods I was forced to park my car at Askham instead . My run took me over  Haughscar Hill , past Arthur's Pike, over Loadpot Hill and  Wether Hill. At the wall I turned right and headed down to Fusedale before I climbed up onto Steel Knots and then followed the path back to Haughscar Hill and back to my car. 15 miles and  I was knackered but chuffed to bits.

Looking down to Ullswater from Steel Knotts

Whilst I was running I kept thinking about the Brampton Carlisle road race which was taking place at the same time, a race I would of liked to of done if I was fitter but I doubt I would of got as much enjoyment out of it as I did today.

On Sunday I again parked my car at Askham to have a steady run up to Arthur's Pike but the weather finally beat me just past Haughscar Hill and I retreated back to my car and home for bacon sandwiches! (3miles). I am back to the physio s tomorrow . Hope she doesn't change her mind.

A small landslide below Loadpot

                                

My Left Leg

Derwentwater missed through illness. Gutted to miss it, as it a race I have done a few times now, and always a good measure to see if I have made any improvements.
Since March I have been bothered by a slight knee injury and after the Two Riggs fell Race in May my left knee wouldn't bend at all the next morning . After a trip to the doctors it was thought it might be a Bakers Cyst. So after a few days rest I did Blencathra Fell Race and it felt no no worse or no better so I have carried on through the season running with it, sometimes running made it less sore.
This week I finally got to see an nhs physio who says it is definitely not a Bakers Cyst but more likely to Hamstring Tendenitis . They recommend that I take things easy for a few weeks to give it a chance to recover and also do some stretching . I have to go back next week but before I do I will visit Ray Pescod.(local physio) and see what he thinks.
What makes this decision even harder for me is that I feel  like I can go out and do a 30 mile fell run now, no bother, but I have got to look at the bigger picture and that for me is having a go at the Bob Graham Round next year and to do that I want to feel and be as fit as posible to give myself a chance.
I hope to start running again by December and I have got some long runs planned already, my head is full of them at the moment but I will keep them quite for now in case I set myself up for a fall.
To be fair tho fell running this year has taken up a lot of time and over the months Susan has been making a list of jobs for me to do around the house , so I will clear these , and hopefully after a month of me, she will be pushing me out of the door again!
Yesterday was a hard day as we went to Ambleside and I couldn't help but look up towards the fells and wishing I was up there running. All wasn't wasted tho, Susan got me a a pair of 330s (belated birthday gift) and in return I took her to asda today!!!

A Good Shake!

I don't know what got into me with the last recce of leg 1, but I have given myself a good shake and I am more determined  than ever to have a good go at the Bob Graham Round.
I think one of my problems is that it is going to be six months till I attempt it, and the thought of doing nothing else but recces,  wore me down a bit. Also at the moment I feel as fit as I have ever been and the thought of losing the little bit of speed I have worked hard to get  frightened me a bit.
The following night I did my usual hilly 10 mile road run in a hard 69 Mins .
On  Wednesday night at the club I once again chickened out off  the mile reps ,opting to do a 7 mile run instead.
By Sunday I was chomping at the bit to get back on the fells and had planned a good run up to Thornthwaite Beacon from roe head but I only got as far as Loadpot due to bad weather, but what really made my mind up was the lace snapping on my speed cross  trainers ( the ones you pull tight), so it was an awkward run back to the car.
On Monday just gone I managed to get the 10 mile down to 68 Mins and on Wednesday we did the club Rocket Run, a 3 mile handicapped race, wished I had done more speed reps!
On Sunday I plan to do Derwentwater 10 road race at Keswick, last year I did it in 64 Mins.
I am also toying with the idea of getting the head torch out for Friday night for a run up Arthur's pike, but I'll wait and see what the weathers like first.

Leg 1 (again)

Wasn't quite with it today. This was the first time in months that I didn't enjoy running.
I set of from Spoony Lane at 8 o clock this morning, ran all the way up the side of Latrigg , only to realise I had left my water back  in the car (thought my pack was light), so after running back down , started again, nothing like a blast up Latrigg to warm you up tho!
Trudged up Skiddaw in 66 Min's and when I got to the fence took  a  Bearing for any future recces I might do  in the dark. Reached Calva in 39 Min's and then followed the fence all the way down. When I got to the Caldew I took another Bearing and crossed it. The slogg up to Blencathra summit which was reached in 60 Min's. Came down Halls Fell in 29 Min's but the conditions were horrible and then ran the 4 miles along the railway track back to Keswick. 3 Hours 14 Min's for the leg.
Noticed that most of the fence posts have been moved at the start of the climb of Gt Calva. The only 3 left  are on the straight path up when your out of the heather, and they had the reflector tape taken off them.
This was my first run since Wednesday and it felt awful, almost like a chore. Its still 6 months till I attempt the Bob Graham and  innitially I was going to knock all other racing on the head, in order to train up for this, but after today I think I will still do the odd race, just to break it up a bit.
Perhaps today was just one of them days where you ask yourself if its worth it.

More Of This Needed

On Saturday morning I parked up at Dunmail Summit to recce the 1st section of leg 3 of the Bob Graham Round. This part of the round I have very little knowledge off ,so it was always going to be a challenge on the navigation front.
My plan was to get as far as Rossett pike and than return to Thunacar Knot and watch the leaders of the Langdale Horseshoe come through the 1st checkpoint.
The climb up Steel Fell wasn't as bad as I had imagined it to be and the summit was reached easily. To help me get round this part of the course I had printed out some route notes off the bob wightman site. An excellent idea, even better if I had remembered my map to go with it! How bloody stupid of me, but  the notes had some bearings on, so I carried on map less.
I was soon on Calf Crag and with clear skies enjoying myself, not a soul to be seen anywhere.
For the next summit I am not sure which is the best route. The route I went was Sergeant Man and then High Raise, but I found the ground a little difficult. I wonder if its better to go up to High Raise first and then drop down to Sergeant Man? Plenty of time to recce this leg again and seek advice too.
From High Raise its easy running to Thunacar Knot (I am familiar with this part of the course from the Langdale Horseshoe last year) and then on to Harrison Stickle and Pike o'stickle. This was the first time I had been on these pikes and again I need to recce them for the fastest way off them.
I had 45 Min's left before the front runners would be coming so instead of carrying on to Rossett Pike I Explored round Pavey Ark for a bit and then ran back to Thunacar, where a crowd was now gathering.

It was fantastic to see how effortless the leaders seem to run, the first 5 or so had a big lead already. I waited for a club mate to come by, gave him a gel and then decided to get back to the car. I ran all the way back the same way I came, feeling a bit better about this leg. After 2 years of looking at it on a map it certainly is alot different to how I imagined it to be.

On Sunday I was going to have an easy day but on Saturday evening I got an email of Steve Angus(aka best athlete and author of ' adventures of a cumbrian ruuner') to go for a tough fast fell run.
On Sunday morning I found myself legging it over leg 2 of the bg on a 15 hour schedule! Not the best way to prepare for an attempt, but good fun and again really enjoyed the crack with Steve.  Anybody who wants to get faster I suggest you read some of his training days on cumbrian runner. Was very pleased with the descent of Seat Sandall, taking it easy in 14 Min's.

On Monday night I did my 10 mile road circuit in 74 Min's, 4 Min's slower then I wanted but wasn't to bothered about it after all the fell miles I had covered over the weekend.
Tonight (Wednesday) it was club night and speed reps, but chickened out of them and did a steady 7 miles around town instead.
This weekend I hope to do Leg 1 again.

Wednesday Club Night

Well I couldn't put it off any longer, with the dark nights closing in it was time to return to the club. In Spring some of the fell runners stop going to club sessions, instead preferring to run on the fells, which I have done since April.
A quick look on the club website revealed it was time trial night, a lung busting 1,75 mile road run where you set off  in twos and threes at 30 second intervals, a real shock to the system after plodding along all summer.
I was surprised at how many new members had joined since I was last there, what can only be good news for the club. It was also good to catch up too with people I hadn't seen in a while.
I was in the first group with Alex and Alan who had recently just ran the GNR in 1.19.and 1.25 respectively.
Before long we were off with Alex taking an early lead followed by me and Alan. Alex not sure on the course went on the road for a bit , whilst me and Alan sneaked up on the path for the first corner. After about 400 meters I was in the lead when Alex came by (at first I thought he was on a bike he was going that fast) and just carried on pulling away. About half way round there is a downhill section where I thought I would be able to recover a bit ready for the last up hill section to the finish, no such luck, all I could hear was Alan's foot steps getting closer to me so I had to keep pushing on.
I kept wanting to look behind me to see how close he was , but thought this might have given him a sign as just how knackered I was, but I suspect he knew how tired I was by the grunting noises I was making! I managed to cross the line 6 seconds before Alan and 21 seconds behind Alex.
Winter training back with a bang! oh and if Alan had been bothered to take his jacket off he probably would off beaten me by at least 6 seconds.
Roll on Spring!
On Monday night I intended to run a steady 10 mile on the road but felt rubbish and cut it short to 6.

Ian Hodgson Relay

Well I'm glad that's over with!
On Tuesday I recced leg 4 again, to try and find a better line coming off Hart Crag. This time parking my car at Brotherswater to get the 3 mile road run out of the way with. All was fine till I came of the road and onto the fell, my ankle was in pain. I carried on when really I should of walked back to my car, but foolishly carried on at a very slow pace.
Once on St Sunday I was in the cloud and mist and really wasn't enjoying myself at all.I finally got to Hart Crag and took a line down onto Hartsop Above How dropping down to the main footpath after Black Crag. This steep descent was going to be way me and Steve would run on race day. The path back to Brothers water was torture on my ankle. At this point I didn't think I would make it on Sunday.
After a session with Ray Pescod(stretched ligaments)on Thursday and no running at all , my ankle begins to feel a bit better.
I also gave up my entry for the Langdale Horseshoe next week. I feel like I have had enough of racing at the moment and want get some long slow miles in instead, the focus being on the Bob Graham for next May.

Fast forward Sunday and I'm stood in Patterdale sports field(ankle well taped up) talking to some other Eden Runners, waiting for Anth and Derek to come in from leg 3, in about 10 Min's time , when all of a sudden they appeared, so with a mad dash to the pass over point to exchange dibbers  we were off, still tying our bumbags on.

Derek and Anth

The initial climb was tough but we both worked hard with me tailing Steve all the way. Ankle was feeling fine and we managed to catch and over take 3 more teams before reaching St Sunday. The descent off St Sunday would be a real test for my ankle but it held up well and to be fair it never held me back at all. We caught another 2 teams up before Hart Crag. The descent of Hart Crag was OK and we were soon running along the ridge. After Black Crag we took the steep descent (half of it on my backside, which was faster then my running speed) to the path for the run to the finish.

 All the way we ran together or with Steve slightly ahead and it worked well, the only time I really got ahead was the last 20 yards to the finish line, taking the glory!

Keep up Steve!

Our time was 1.26 and our goal was to be under 1.30. Looking back we could see where we might of made some time up, but overall happy enough with that. Another good day out on  the hills.

Well almost a good day, me and Steve had to run another 3 miles on the road back to the car at Patterdale!

Christine and Penny (mixed team)

Dumfries Half Marathon

Mark, Haz, Me and Rod before the race.

With my ankle taped up, we made the short trip up to Dumfries for the "Reeds Runners" debut.

I had not been able to run since Dale Head a week ago and was in two minds whether to run it, not wanting to make a slight injury turn into a 6 wk lay off, but to be fair we all had problems leading up to it, Rod's knackered knee, Mark's Groin and Heel (no training in the last 3 wks) and Haz's 25 fags a day!

Haz also had the added pressure of been tipped by the local newspaper as the one to watch. Dumfries Standard

Triumphant Haz

The race itself from my point of view was very tough, not hilly, but very long in parts. I found the 1st few miles quite hard, not getting into my relaxed stride up until about mile 5, where it seemed everyone who passed me, flew past me, making it very hard for me to get on to someones shoulder. I spent a lot of the race running by myself.
 At about mile 9 or 10 the first lady caught me up, and it wasn't til this point that I had someone to run with at a pace that felt comfortable  (to be honest I was surprised she never flew past me too), so for the last few miles we managed to catch and over take another 3 runners who were a bit ahead of us before we started running together. At the end she came up to me to thank me, but really it should of been me thanking her.

Rod Strolling In.

I do prefer fell racing to road racing for the simple reason , you get to catch your breath in fell running where as in road running, its flat out, all the way to the finish line, but that's just my opinion.

Back to Reeds Runners and it was a very creditable performance with Rod doing a fantastic 1.32, Mark doing 1.57(remarkable considering his 3 wk taper) and local favourite Haz doing 2.05 knocking 5 Min's of his Pb, under 2 hours easily next time!

Mark Finishing.

Next year entrants discussing tactics.

Good to see some familiar faces with 3 other Eden runners turning up too. My time was 1. 24 so happy enough with that.

On Saturday I spent a very enjoyable 2 hours at the Theatre By The Lake, Keswick, listening to Fell Running Legend Joss Naylor who was giving a talk on his life. A truly remarkable man.
More Dumfries Photos