Its Proving hard work

to get bloody fit again!!

The last 8 days have seen me on the fells and its been bloody hard work. It does not help that I'm going out with lads who are by far much better/fitter runners then myself.

After spending a week at a rehabilitation centre where I did a lot of stretching, swimming and gym work I was eager to see if I could still run up Blencathra non stop. I did. Just.

It wasn't fast or pretty (40 mins) but I didn't care - I felt great!

A walker on Halls Fell Summit

Two days later I found myself at Spoony Green lane Keswick. I was going to test myself on Skiddaw now by running up the big tourist path. I was met by Steve Angus who was thinking of running leg 1 of the BG route but was feeling a bit below the weather and suggested we run up to Mellbeck and ascend Skiddaw via Carl Side. I hadnt been up Carl Side for over 20 years and liked the idea.The first couple of miles felt easy until we hit the fell. For me it was like running into a wall! For the next 20-30 minutes I moaned for England.
My calfs were screaming at the steepness and my heart fell below my knees as Steve effortlessly pulled ahead.
I got a second breath at the tarn and began to feel better and managed to run to Skiddaw summit - leaving Steve in my wake - he had stopped for a piss!!
We carried on down over hart Crag and jogged back to Keswick past Skiddaw House.
A good 2 1/2 hours out and if felt good.

Me moaning my way up Carl Side

Steve pretending he cant hear me

Good views though

Tuesday evening I was again left feeling inadequate after hanging on to Steve Bennetts back wheel for 24 fast ice cold miles.

Feeling confident I arranged to meet my old Wednesday night training mates - Steve "Turnip" Bennett and Sam "Beetroot" Ware at Scales car park for a head torch run up Blencathra.We met Steve Angus at the car park who had already been up earlier but stopped to pose for a photo.

captain beetroot and the 2 Steves

Sam has got himself fantastically fit these last 2 years and I swear he was not even trying as I huff and puffed my way up. He was wanting to chat but soon realised that I was beyond chatter and before long Steves and Sams head torches grew small and fainter.I was on my knees and as I was approaching the Zig Zags. Capt beetroot had ran back down to run the last bit with me.
I was on my arse and gave the old "go on without me - im not bothered bout topping out speech"
Sam wasn't having it though and coaxed me up the last bit where Steve B was still recovering after trying to keep up with the" beetroot kid".
Im so glad he did though because the views were fantastic in the clear night sky's.

turnip heed and beetroot

The descent was as bad as the ascent where I manged to trip up. This I fear was the last straw for turnip heed and beetroot and they disappeared into the night  leaving old sad arse to find his own way down!
Back at the car park Sam wanted to know if we were going to be going out on Wednesday nights again-
We are but your not invited anymore!!
Thursday and Friday I did nowt. Well thats not true - I felt sorry for myself.

Saturday and Steve Angus was wanting a shortish run so we decided to go up Blencathra via Blease and descend by Doddick. I used to be able to run all of this route but found it imposible today and walked a good bit of the steep fell side. With snow on the ground and high winds in our faces it was still tough going.
We got back to the cars after 1 1/2 hours and probably only 6 miles.

latrigg from Blease fell

stood in sumat Steve ?

I am starting Pilates next week. I'm still experiencing pain in my stomach. I am not going let it get to me.....

........ yet!!

Ive had a fuckin great week :-)