Ullswater Round

This route has always jumped out at me when I look at my map, setting off from Pooley bridge you follow the high ground around Ullswater, finishing back at Pooley Bridge.
Leaving my car at Pooley Bridge at 7.30am I set off up roe head to make my way along to Thornthwaite Beacon, going over tops such as Loadpot, Wether Hill, High Raise ,Rampsgill and High Street.
The going was quite tough in the snow and the visibility was about 50m .

Thornthwaite Beacon (again)

On reaching Thornthwaite I had a decision to make, carry on or turn back. I wasn't sure on the route from here on in, well not until I got to Dove Crag anyway. Mind made up I decided to carry on. Going down Threshwaite Cove was dodgy in places with the snow and ice  and when I reached the cove the visibility improved, I almost wished it hadn't when I seen the climb ahead of me, all snow and ice too . Carefully I made my way up following a wall which I carried on following for a while. On the top of Stoney Cove Pike I followed the wall again but failed to see the T junction in it and carried on foe about 5 mins until I realised my mistake. Navigation error no 1.

Finding the proper wall again I was soon heading down towards Kirkstone Inn and Red Screes. The cloud had lifted now and you could see the top of Red Screes, this gave me confidence to carry on.
A quick rest at the car park and a pork pie whilst looking at my map, trying to locate the path up. I could see it on the map but not in front of me, all I could see was a wall of snow and then I noticed a party heading  out of the car park ,well at least I now knew my way out of the car park! I soon catch them up and asked them if they had climbed it before, no was answer i did not want to hear so with head down I pushed on up. I noticed  some footprints in the snow and followed them, but I think they were as clueless as me so I carried on up in a straight line. This paid off for me because  somehow I came across a little wooden sign about a foot high with a yellow arrow on it, brilliant!

The summit reached I headed for Sandale pass and then up on to Bakestones and then on to Dove crag, where I began to see lots of walkers doing the Fairfield Horseshoe.

At Grisedale Tarn I filled up my water bottle and carried on up the dreaded zigzags. Once on the top I could see a change in the weather and about 5 mins later I was again in thick cloud which caused my navigation error no 2. On leaving Helvellyn summit I missed lower man and started descending towards Browncove Crags and it wasn't until I was out of the clouds that I realised what I had done , so with a heavy heart I made my way back.

Someone's happy

Look closely for the helicopter

The going was horrible now with winds picking up the snow and driving it in my face but thankfully no more mishaps.......well not until I was heading for Hartside and went onto Greenside first and with being in the cloud again I found myself in  a cove starring up at..........Sheffield Pike, gutted was not the word, so with map out again I decided to Traverse round Glencoyne until I hit the wall which would take me Brown Hills and Common Fell and down to Dockray.

Gowbarrow

Dockray reached it was now up Gowbarrow and then Gt Meldrum and countless fields until I reached the road to Pooley Bridge for the last mile.
On reaching Pooley, I went to the Post Office and cadged a cup of coffee of Charlie and Mandy, the best cup of coffee I have tasted. (Charlie also said the same applies to anyone else who does the round, day or night !!!! )
Im not sure on the distance but I would guess about 37 miles. I know Iain Kelly (42 tops) (Who also writes a much better account) did it 2 years ago in completely different conditions and he thought it was 40 miles and over 10000 feet, so that's good enough for me (tho he did include Hartside!!!).
I  did it in 9 and a half hours and had little food, 3 Eccles cake, 1 small pork pie, 3 gels, 1 packet hula hoops and a small packet of dolly mixtures.
An  experience that I hope will stand me in good stead  for my BG attempt in May.

I selected this post to be featured on Running Blogs. 

A very very easy Saturday!

This was my last week of messing about on the High Street range of fells, as much as I love running these fells, I realise I need to get some proper hills in my legs for my fast approaching BG attempt.
I am also going to start having a more detailed look at legs 3 and 4, as they say (and I believe them) that the bob Graham does not start until Dunmail.

Im hoping that my pacers will be available to help me recce leg 3(stand up Iain Kelly and Steve (oh my legs are tired today) Angus). I have been over most of the route before in various fell races but never been to BS or Lords Rake.

Leg 4 I have sort of recced before, but plans to recce it again with Mark Nicholson and Craig Harding can be more easily made.

I am lucky to have some very good support for my attempt, all lads that I know and trust and have the upper most respect for, I hope I dont let them down.

Leg 1 and 2 I am very familiar with, but I again realise I am going to have to be cautious on the these first two legs and have again got Strong support, Derek Hurton and Anth Labrum for leg 1 and Robin Gillespie for leg 2. Dave Owen was to help out on leg 2 along with Robin but unfortunately has had to pull out. I still hope to see him somewhere on the day tho.

Leg 5 I plan to have a look at over Easter and on this leg I have no shortage of support but at the moment I have Shaun Haridsty, Andrew Murray and Steve Hartley.
I know it still 9wks off yet but it is important for me to know I have got the backbone of the attempt in place. No doubts they will be other changes before May but hopefully not to unsettling.
This week has once again been an okish  with a good run out on Wednesday night doing a recce of Askham fell race route along with Steve And Sam.

Thursday I again did 9 road miles but with the 200m hill reps thrown in on route. Im doing these to try and maintain a little bit of speed.

Saturday was a 20 odd mile fell run with Steve Angus. Steve is doing London Marathon next month is hoping to get under 2hrs 45mins (no chance!). In his youth he has managed 2hrs 34mins(very quick, any photos to prove it Steve?)
We were accompanied by his dog, Daisy, who put up a better display of hill running then her master and soon    tagged on to me, looking behind occasionally in shame!!!
OK to be fair, Steve had done 60 odd miles in his last five runs, hasn't been on the fells in months, was dressed for winter rather then spring and did not have a clue where he was, so I thank him for making me look and feel good!!!

Today (Sunday) I parked up at Threlkeld and ran up to Stybarrow and back. 1hr16 out and 59mins back.
Legs were a bit tired from yesterday but I wanted to push myself a bit and once up Clough Head (40 mins) I ran it all. 21 GT Dodd, 7 Watson Dodd and 8 Stybarrow Dodd in very windy conditions too.
With longer days now I hope to get some climbs in on week nights after work, if the weather allows it.

Middlefell Fell Race

46 miles run last week but I feel like im not putting enough climb/effort in those miles, maybe taking it a bit easy and not pushing myself hard enough.
On Saturday I made the trip over to Nether Wasdale and the Screes Inn for Middlefell Fell Race at 6.6mile/1750f it would prove a welcome distraction for me.
About 50 runners lined up at the start where you run along lanes and fields for the first mile or so until you reached Greendale and the fell bottom .
I was soon in my running stride and settled in about 10th position for the steep climb up the fell. I made a couple of places up on the climb but lost a place to Jackie Winn  about half way up where we had a brief discussion about the bg, he also said he would show me a quick line off the fell. I turned at the summit about 50 yards behind him but he was gone. ( Thats what I call a quick line)

I had quite a good descent passing one other runner (ok his quads had ceased up but hey ho). I was looking forward to the long run in thinking I might catch another runner about 200 yards in front of me, but running along the bottom I soon realised I was stuck at one speed. Maybe not such a good idea of avoiding  Alan's speed sessions on a club nigh now.
I managed to hold on for 9th place, my 3rd top 10 this year  so happy with that. The race tho was dominated by Keswick who had 3 in the top 4 and are looking strong for the year ahead. It was good to see Ian Davis back in good form too.


I plan to get back on the bg trail next week.


Monday          rest
Tuesday         rest
Wednesday    8 mile fell run
Thursday        9 mile road run inc 8 x200m hill reps (had forgotten how hard these are)
Friday            rest
Saturday        Middlefell Fell Race
Sunday          22 mile fell run

A Change Is As Good As A Rest..... I Hope.

Hayeswater

This week I have kept away from the Bob Graham route and returned to my favourite fells, the High Street range on the eastern flanks off Ullswater.
On Monday evening I parked up at roe head and ran up to Arthurs Pike, spending a few minutes on the summit watching the sun go down the back of Blencathra. Ran back to the car feeling very satisfied.

On Wednesday evening, along with Steve B and Sam Ware (and Sam's dog, Fern) we all ran up to Loadpot at what felt like a very fast pace. There was still patches of snow and ice in places so we were all fighting to find the line with the most grass showing. We ran up the front of Loadpot and had a bit of a sprint to the trig point, which Steve won, mind you he did have a point to prove after dropping out at Clough Head the week before!! On the way back the head torches got turned on the pace was even faster on the way back. A good night of running.

Thursday I did 12 road miles which included 2 laps of the new streets race route. Did not enjoy this at all, I think my legs were wanting a rest or maybe something flatter would of been better for me.

Saturday I ran up to Thornthwaite Beacon, my favourite run, which I have neglected for a while.Not sure on the distance but I seem to think it might be 20 miles.  High Raise, Kidsty Pike and High Street were still in snow, the sort that doesn't quite hold your weight, making it even harder to run in. Ran it all, only stopping to take the odd photo and sitting down at the beacon to eat my Eccles cake.

Looking back up High Street

Froswick and Ill Bell

Running back and my legs were once again feeling it, especially the down hill parts, they never felt relaxed and I could feel every landing going up right through my knees.
Got back to roe head and bumped into Dave Owens (again) and he thought I might be over doing it. That is what I was thinking the last 3 miles too, so I will maybe back off a bit, but it was probably just one of them days, I hope.

So on Sunday I went from 20 odd miles to 3 and it was the best 3 miles I have ran for ages and a new fell for me too. Great Mell Fell is a fell I always look at when driving to Keswick and for the past 2 years I have wanted to run up it but never have.....until today.
Parking my car at the bottom of the old "firing range" I set off running to the foot of it, deciding on the way that I would run up the front of it, two thirds up and im bent over, hands on knees, maybe running it a a bit optimistic . Get to the top a short while later and its over  too quickly, so I run down the other side, which is more gentler and best of all is im running on soft grass and mud, not hard frozen ground or snow and ice and it feels brilliant, for the first time since December the ground is soft. Get to the bottom and I run all the way back up to the summit and back down the steep side. I am reminded here of just how crap I am at descending but im soon back at the car. This is one Fell that I am going to revisit again and again.

Great Mell Fell

View from the top

So with over 50 miles this week I will keep going but not do two long runs so close together again for a while.

Still Plodding

The week after Buttermere was a recovery week for me. I was surprised how much it took out of me, but what could I expect with so little road training.. So not surprising that the following week I only managed 28 fell miles, 18 of these was leg 1 on a foul morning where I was lost on Blencathra summit in a total white out and decided to retreat back down towards Mungrisdale Common (I thought I was heading towards Skiddaw House) and to the Cloven Stone where I joined the path back to Threlkeld. It was quite a shock to me and a good reminder how quickly conditions can change, no matter how well you know a particular fell, how quickly you can become disorientated. After saying that tho I must of been moving well , because I still got back to my car in Threlkeld in less then 4 hours after setting off from there!.


The following week was not so exciting. 52 miles ran. If anything I got a bit down this week about the bg. The reason was I enjoy fell racing more then anything. It does not matter what position I come, but they is always a point in the race where I cant think off anything more then I would rather be doing at that particular moment. I  suppose I  was thinking off some off the great fell races I was going to miss leading up to my attempt and just after it. Hopefully it will be worth it though.


This week has seen me doing 59 miles. On Tuesday I met up with Clive King, who is also attempting the bg this year. Clive had never seen leg 1 in day light so I suggested we do the 1st 2 legs, leaving a car in Keswick and the other in Dunmail. The going was fairly tough with a fresh dump of snow the night before, making the climb of Clough Head interesting to say the least. Clive is also 1 speed, which thinking about it, is what you need to be to get you round the Bob Graham. Plodding away, 1 foot in front of the other, constant speed, up and down, perfect. I have not got that discipline though, more off a crash, bang, wallop, oh shit sort of a runner. A very good day out and good crack with Clive.

Great Calva Summit

Seat with a view

Ullswater 

Wednesday was club night and 200m reps, in which I once again declined and opted to run a fast 7 miles with Steve. Good thing running with Steve is it always ends up a speed session and feels more like a race, good training. I always run to and from the club too.


No prizes for guessing what I did on Saturday then..... Legs 1 and 2 again with Steve. This time though I wanted to run the 1st 2 legs at the pace Im going to do it on the day. Dont think I got this quite right though, doing leg 1 in 3.14, with a fair bit of snow on the ground too. What pleased me was my descent from Blencathra summit to Threlkeld CC, 22 mins, my fastest yet. We were joined by Mark Nicholson for leg 2, who wanted to show me a different line up Fairfield to what I am used to. Once again the climb up Clough Head proved challenging  with all the snow and on reaching the summit Steve had decided he had had enough and would run back to Keswick and leave my car at Dunmail for me and Mark. 
I always go to the right of the tarn, up to the col and then trudge/crawl up fairfield. This time tho Mark took me left of the tarn and showed me a more direct line up. Too much snow today for that line though so we ran to the col and climbed Seat Sandall, missing out Fairfield all together, I tried to convince myself with all the snow on the tops it equalled the climb of Fairfield for effort! 7Hours 15 mins including a 15-20 stop at Threlkeld waiting for Mark. Still too fast but all good training. When the clocks change I intend to recce Marks way on a night time, timing both ascents to see which one I prefer.

Buttermere Round

Not the high mileage nor big climbing week of late , but still a very good week , albeit 3 different runs.
Monday saw me having acupuncture on the knee again, still cant squat down on it, but at least its not stopping me from running, although I don't know what impact it will have on my mind if its still not fixed by May for my Bob Graham attempt, 15 or so hours in , it could be the excuse im looking for, hope not though.
On Tuesday night I did 9 hilly road miles around the streets of Penrith, and in all honesty I felt crap, maybe I was still recovering from all my climbing the week before.
Wednesday is club night, but this week me and Steve Bennett decided to do a night fell run instead.
Parked at Pooley Bridge and ran up to Loadpot and back. Fantastic night with clear sky's. Steve has at last brought some proper fell shoes  (looks like he is getting serious ) but they didn't stop him from taking his customary fall on the way down off Loadpot. Brilliant.
Thursday was a Parents evening, Friday was a night out and Saturday I was working which left Sunday......
I don't, quite know why I wanted to do this race.  Buttermere Round is a 21.5 mile road race organised by Keswick AC which starts at the Moot Hall in Keswick and goes over Honister Pass, down in to Buttermere and climbs up into Newlands and finishes back at Keswick. I think the reason I wanted to do it was because its the only race that I haven't done that Keswick organise.I normally describe a race, but this was just one long fast (for me) slog. It was good to see  Steve Angus though, who along with Iain Kelly, is pacing me on leg 3 on my bg attempt.  I was with Steve up to the top of Newlands, but his class showed in the last few miles and he easily beat me in the end, but none the less he was giving me plenty of encouragement up to that point, which he will no doubt be giving me again in May, at a much slower pace though!
Pleased with my time and position.
Roll on next Sunday when I can get back to some softer terrain, unless we decide to do another night run before.

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 and 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 which meant 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!!!