Gutted

Feeling buoyed (is that spelt right) with the last weeks mileage, even though the niggles were still there, I thought it would be a good test for me to visit a regular 13 mile fell run that I do quite a bit.
Its a route that takes you over 4 tops and is all runnable, but testing (its quite tempting to walk at least 2 of the ups), but it would give me a good indication of where I was in terms of fitness

So on Saturday morning I set off and within a mile I could feel my right hip feeling tender, but after the first climb it had settled down. For the next 45 minutes things felt great, I was moving well, felt like I had a spring in my step and enjoying the environment that I was in (seen 3 other people on my run).

Then on the last steep descent I felt the top of my inner thigh tighten and made every footfall sore, so what do I do? stop? walk? no, carry on hoping it will ease off when I hit the flat.
Well it did ease of slightly so I pushed on with 4 miles still to go.
This route I normally complete in 2hours, so again I was pleased to see the clock back at the car record my time of 2 hrs 6 mins. Only 6 mins slower, but quite a hot day and the groin slowing me down. I drove home with the feeling  the speed was coming back.........This feeling did not last.
By the time I pulled up in my drive and tried to swing my legs out off the car the feeling had long gone.
During that afternoon I shuffled about the house and started googling "groin strains"on the PC. The readings were not very encouraging and im hoping that if I stay off the hills for a week or two, things will improve, fingers crossed.

Sunday was Skiddaw fell race so I took my camera to take some pics.
For 8 weeks before this race the weather has been glorious. 3 hours after the fell race the weather was glorious. During the fell race tho the weather was PANTS! and I was bloody soaked!!
But like the pro I am not, I stood my ground and waited for the runners to make their way up, with rain lashing me and hands numb I started clicking. I must off took a photo of every one on the way up and when the last one passed I had a quick look at camera only to realise the setting was wrong and most pictures were out of focus CRAP!!!
But like the pro I am I waited for the runners to return and started snapping again. On reviewing the pics when I got home they were CRAPPER still but managed to salvage a few.........only for one UNGRATEFUL ROAD RUNNER text me saying  how embarrassed he would of been taking such shabby photos. Thats what you get for sitting on a soaking wet fell (with a very sore groin) on a Sunday taking pictures of appreciative fell runners and STEVE ANGUS!

Apart from his complaints it has got to said that Mr Angus had a very good run today and I was very surprised to see him beat Mr Bennett.
Well done all.

The top photo was taken last year and shows  2 fell runners battling it out, a battle that lasted the last 2 miles.

The photo on the bottom shows a road runner from the 70s. (click on it to enlarge)

A Dash Up Dash Falls

Duped again!!
It was promised it would be a slow steady run up to Dash Falls by Mr Bennett last night.
I know I have lost a bit of fitness these last few weeks, but this is getting beyond the joke.
I thought I was running at a good steady pace , but it wasn't enough as Steve pressed on ahead as I struggled to keep within 20 metres of him and when I did catch up to him, he would pick up the pace again.
I couldn't see his face but I imagine it had a big smirk on it.
We finally reached Dash Falls where I made the most of the water that I was carrying and we were off back again, this time it felt faster though, so I adopted the "conservation trick" hoping it would slow him down, but no good, he was on a mission.
With a mile to go and the ground a bit rougher I dared to get within a metre of him but this made him more determined, in the end getting back to the car a good 20 seconds before me.
Pleased really because last week I had no life at all in the old pistols, but at least tonight I could at least try and pretend to race him. Things are getting easier, but I was alarmed to weigh myself and see that I have put 1/2 a stone on in the last 4 weeks.
Things will get better, I hope!

An Old Friend

Tonight because I was short of time I decided to do an old road run that I used to do when I first started running. Its about 6 - 7 miles long and I use to be able to run it in around 40mins.
Looking back in my running log, tonight was the first road run I've done since March, and it told.
What made it more difficult was the fact that is was a glorious night with the fell tops all in good sight, but I convinced myself that this run would be more beneficial to me with it been smooth and relatively flat (compared to the fells) and would be kinder to my groin/hip.
For me running on the roads is so much harder then running on the fells, as on the fells you can take a recovery without losing too much time, but on the road there is no hiding place, its all about 'times' and its an hard effort from start to finish.
So, getting back to tonight's run. It was horrible. The old route has fallen out with me and gave me real turning over. Where as once it encouraged to run faster, tonight it made life very hard for me, made me look a chump. I suppose that's what you get if you neglect an old friend.
I ran this hard too, with the idea it would be my benchmark for the summer, but 44minutes dead shouldn't take much beating.
Tomorrow im back on the fells but next week I plan to visit my old friend once a week until we are mates again.....it might take some time!!

Langdale Legends

Things are getting back to normal, the back of the knee as improved but the hip/groin is still causing me discomfort especially on down hills.

Last week I had my biggest mileage for 4 weeks, hitting the big 25.
17 of these were done on leg 1 of the bg route where I joined up with Steve Bennett, who was wanting a long slow plod on the fells and was very keen to show me a fast line of Gt Calva.

We agreed that if I was struggling that I would skirt around Skiddaw and meet him at the bottom of Gt Calva.
On reaching the turn off point for me to skirt away (and miss the big climb) Steve convinced me to carry on and he would go steady.
5 minutes later and Steve is a good few yards ahead with me hanging on just to keep a glimpse of him. We reached the top in 63 minutes and again he assured me he would slow it down a bit. We crossed the fence and hes flying off towards Hare Crag, so I stretch out my legs and overtake but soon have to ease up. Steve's
loving it but I will get my revenge.
We are finally on Calva and Steve is dragging me through the high heather on his short cut. We reach the Caldew some 20 minutes later where it should of took us 10 at the most. He is still convinced tho that its easier then the fence line........how he works this out is beyond me.
We descend Blencathra via Doddick and this is where I really feel my groin but still get back to the cricket club car park in 22 mins whilst Steve ( who is flying, it has to said, does it easily in 19)
A big test for me and glad I decided to tag along.

The next few weeks im going to do some easy miles on the fells, not worry about racing and try and get my little bit of speed back, which I've definitely lost.

I'm thinking of entering the langdale road marathon in September but rather then train on the road for it, do most of my running on the high street range where it is all runnable. Perhaps I will do one session a week on the road, this might be the new streets race route or I might go to the grass track and do a few 800m???

I haven't really got a plan or a time for it but it would be nice to get close to my one and only marathon time of 3.16 ( loch ness ) in 2008.

]

Steve Bennett and Steve Angus

These two lads (has been's!!) above are well experienced road runners, both sub 3 marathon runners and both done fantastic times at Langdale, if I could get within 15 mins of their time I'll be well pleased.

On Sunday I rode out to Ullswater to watch a triathlon where crazy people swim a bit, bike a lot and then run up and down a valley............mad, but very entertaining.

                                
  Only a 56 mile bike ride and a 13 mile fell run left.

Here We Go Again

Managed a 9 mile fell run today, first one in eight days. Groin still sore, knee still stiff, got attacked by a Buzzard (well swooped down on 5 times, but enough to scare the living daylights out of me) but you know what..... I loved it!!  (the run, not the Buzzard)

Hopefully the knee and groin will sort themselves out and I can get back to tramping about on the fells once more. 

Tonight my son, Max attended the school prom. How proud am I of him. Where's the years gone?






Bobby Dazzler!!!!!!!

21hr 07mins. And Relax!!!

May 29th will forever be etched into my memory, not as much for my success of the Bob Graham Round, but more of the true friendship, camaraderie  and kindness shown to me by some amazing folk. Im not going to thank them by name as they know who they are

I started writing  this blog in August last year to record all my days out on the fells and to also to keep as a record of all things related to the Bob Graham.

I'm afraid im not going to write a report of my Bob Graham Round, as its something that does not need writing down for me to read again, it will stay in my memory long after I cant run any more.

For me now, im going to rest up a few weeks and then start doing what  I love doing more then anything else, running in the hills.(oh, and Susan wants two bedrooms decorated)

Round Done!
Job Done!
Blog Done!

Thank you all for all your kind comments and advice over the past few months.

Some photos of the day can be found at http://www.pbase.com/davidharrison/root.
(Good one of Stevie B on his arse)

THE END
Stu.

A Tough Week. Doing Nowt.

This last 6 days have been very tough. I have been wanting to run but resisted, hence I think has made me feel very tired, or is it the nerves??
I was going to go for a light run on Wednesday evening , but had forgotten I had a long overdue MRI scan at Carlisle for my ongoing knee problem at 5.50pm.
At time of posting this (8.45am) I still have a load of things to arrange but at least im of work today.
The weather looks like its going to be breezy and showers, but I cant do anything about that, its not as if i will melt or anything.
One tiny issue that is bothering me is not having anybody to rope Broad Stand for us, which means we will have to carry a rope with us, but again its not the end of the world.
So, that's it, at 1am on Saturday morning I will leave the Moot Hall and hopefully have a very memorable 24 hours on the tops.

Can I Have The Same Weather, Just A Bit Cooler Please!!!

Last year whilst recceing leg 1, I met a fella Called Seb Pflanz at the Sheepfold by the Caldew, We recced the rest of leg 1 together and arranged to meet up again during the winter months. Due to either work commitments or the snowy winter we never did recce any other legs together, but we did keep in touch from time to time to see how the other was getting on with their training.

On Wednesday  night we met each other again to recce leg 5 (hill section only) as it was the only leg that he had not gone over before his attempt on Saturday, which I was navigating on leg 2.
I was a bit dubious about this as Im meant to be tapering mode, but it was good to meet up with Seb again and have another look at the descent of Robinson.

Seb had told me he was on a 23 hour schedule but I thought I had best turn up to Threlkeld early as he is a very experienced ultra runner and I new he would be ahead on his estimated time.

Seb on Stybarrow

Seb with Dark Peak Simon just behind

                                                  

Sure enough he rolled into Threlkeld early and after a shoe change we were off towards Clough Head with his other pacers Craig and Sandy, both Scottish. We weren't even on Gt Dodd before the banter started about the English and the Scottish, but I was quick to remind them who was going to the World cup, Seb is German born by the way!!!

The pace felt good and easy and I kept asking Seb if he was relaxed enough and he said he was fine at the pace we were setting.

Seb had set off from Moot Hall at 2am along with another group who was on 20hr schedule and we had caught them up by Watson Dodd, which did concern me a bit because they were bang on there own schedule and Seb was well ahead of his, but again Seb assured me he was ok with the pace.

Its worth noting here that both groups were about 50 yards apart at Dollywagon, whilst Seb went down the right of the tarn, the other team(simon, dark peak) went to the left. Seb stopped at the bottom to take his sock off as he thought he had a stone in his shoe, turned out to be a blister but we still reached the top of Fairfield just ahead of them.

From Seat Sandal I ran ahead to pre warn his valley crew he was on his way and to have things ready.

Seb had fantastic support

Seb arrived at Dunmail slightly ahead of 20 hour pace and im very pleased to report that he finished his round last night in 21hrs 47mins.

From my own point of view Seb did his round pretty much how I would want to attempt mine this coming Saturday, with getting to Dunmail ahead of schedule and then hanging on the best I can.

So, last week only 2 legs covered, but its taper all week for me now, apart from Wednesday when I might go for a light jog.
The rest of the week I will be glued to the weather forecast!!

Not A Lot To Say

Last week was a much easier week for me, but still got over 10,000 feet, but only 35 miles covered.
Out of the seven days I was only out 3 and this week it looks like the same.
Tomorrow  evening im thinking of looking over leg 5 , but only from Dalehead to Robinson.
On Saturday im pacing on leg 2 for Seb Pflanz's attempt and on Sunday I might have a slow run up to Skiddaw House and along the path to the Caldew and take another bearing for Mungrisdale Common. ( measure twice, cut once )
Still working on my schedule/plan/food.

Heading South

A tough week, ready for a rest now.
Yesterday  seen me and Iain Kelly parking at Seathwaite and climbing up to Esk Hause and doing the rest of leg 3. I have struck gold in having Iain on this leg, his knowledge of it is very reassuring. 
I imagine leg 3 could be where the wheels come off for me, so with having Iain and Steve Angus im hoping they will pull me through it. Mind you Steve can talk some bloody crap at times!!!!
Yesterday also saw me banish one of my main worries by climbing Broad stand without a rope al tho I very nearly ducked out. I was stood on the second ledge whilst Iain was trying to explain to me what to do when all of a sudden a couple of other BGers came sailing by me and sailed up it, making it look very easy and me look very stupid (not hard). So with Iains encouragement I got up it, which in truth was not that bad at all, but it would be a different story if it was wet.Also went down the line of Scafell which again didn't seem that bad , but with 16 hours in my legs I think it might be a different story.
Got back to the cars via Styhead Tarn.It was on this route where I seen some runner trying to get use to running with walking poles, he was having  quite a fight!

Today I was going to do leg 2 with Steve Angus but at the last minute decided I would throw leg 1 in as well, so I arranged I would meet Steve at 10.30 to do leg 2 with him.
I set off from Keswick at 7.07 and got back to Threlkeld CC at 10.07, surprised myself at how quick I had done it, al tho it was far to fast.

 I had 13mins to wait before Steve arrived so I had some food and refilled my bottles. At 10.25 we were off again and the climb up Clough Head felt very hard, but we reached the top in 44mins, too quick, but Steve was on fresh legs and moving very well.
We finished the leg in a time of 3.20.
So 2 legs done in 6.38 that included a 18Min wait at Threlkeld. I hope on the day of my attempt my pacers do a good job or I fear its curtains at Wasdale!
On Wednesday me and Steve Bennett had a good run along the coach road from Dockray to Clough Head and up over the Dodds and back down Hartside where we watched the Dockray-Hartside fell race. As always Steve supplied the entrainment by trying to convince me were running south when in fact we were running north east.WARNING : DO NOT FOLLOW THIS MAN IN A FELL RACE!
(it is my good fortune that he is completely computer illiterate and he cannot work out how to reply on this blog)

And as said in my last post on Monday I did leg 1 running from Threlkeld.

So my total feet climb for the last week was 22500 and 66 miles, im going to start backing off now and try and work out my schedule and road stops and fuel intakes, all of which I am really struggling with, its the part of the BG that Im totally no good at and wish some else would do it for me!

Into the Month of May

Since the 3 Peaks  I have continued all my running on the fells, putting in 69 miles (approx 19000ft, 84miles,23500ft if you inc 3PPP) in the last 8 days. The pleasing thing for me is that my legs and joints are feeling good and strong at the moment. They is no question though that I have lost my short sprint speed, but that is definitely not needed on the Bob Graham Round.

The one big worry that I have is that I may not of put enough long days in, I have done loads of 4-5hrs a few 8 hrs, but  my longest day out has only been 91/2 hrs. I know im comfortable up to 91/2 hrs but what I will be like after 15-16hrs? Also Im due a scan on my troublesome knee soon, but im trying to put that well and truly to the back of my mind, it only really hurts now if I try to fully kneel down on it.

Another concern is that the only part of the route that I have not yet recced fully is Broad stand. I have been down foxes tarn before but would like to look at the other options. Hopefully on Saturday I will get that chance.

On Saturday just gone I was due to recce leg 3 with my navigator but unfortunately he couldn't make it, so I drove to Dunmail with the plan of going as far as Esk Hause before coming back on myself.

As I pulled up they was a road support crew in waiting and when I looked up Seat Sandal I could see the runners charging down. 

Rather then get in the way I set of up Steel fell and waited for the runners to come up. I asked if I could continue along with them as far as Esk Hause to which they said I was more then welcome..

This was a stroke of luck for me as they showed me the correct line up Bowfell and Rosset Crag.

The fella attempting was Stuart Pitcher and he was on a 22 hr schedule and moving very well. His Navigator was Eddie Winslow, who did his own BGR in winter and his other mate was Neil? all Ilkley runners. 

Stuart Im pleased to say completed his round in 20.59, fantastic.

Climbing Esk Pike

Neil, Stuart and Eddie

Today I once again went round leg 1 with Anth, who is supporting me on this leg and he wanted to have a good look at it first. 

Again it took me under 22 mins from the summit of Blencathra to the cricket club car park, so nothing to worry about there ( I hope).. 

Never Again (until next year!)

Set off to do the Three Peaks Fell Race on Saturday morning with the intention of running it at a easier pace then last year, wanting to feel much stronger at the end and not feeling as battered.
The race started and I set off along with Nick Ray in a very relaxed manner, which is unlike me, but the heat was going to play a part today so no need for any heroics in the first few miles.
The climb up Pen-y-ghent felt ok and the summit was reached in 35.15 and in 70th position. I noticed Ricky Lightfoot wasn't amongst the leaders as they streamed past us and figured that he had pulled out. A brief chat with him before the race he had hinted as much due to a knee problem, a real shame too, what with Rob Jebb not running it was a good chance for him to win it this year.
I had a good comfortable run to ribblehead that felt easy, picking off a few runners on the way and eventually ran along with a Pudsey runner up to the viaduct. He pulled away from me on the lower slopes off Whernside whilst I tackled an Eccles cake, which just about took me the whole of the climb to eat!
Running along the top I felt my calf's tighten up a bit so took it easy for a while till they got used to running again.
Got to Hill Inn feeling a lot better then last year and pushed on up to Ingleborough  Where the climb seemed to pass in no time at all. it wasn't till I turned around after the checkpoint that both my calf's got cramp, I had no choice but to stop and stretch them both whilst I lost a couple of places. I managed to get going again and had a good descent catching another 5 runners on the run in to the show field.
Crossed the finish line in 3.39.and in 35th position, but more importantly feeling a lot stronger then I did last year.

Climbing Pen-y-ghent

After a quick soak in the river and change I sat down on the warm grass looking up at Pen-y-ghent eating a sarnie, and then a burger and then a bit of cake and then a cup of tea followed by some cola.

Probably do no more racing now until after my Bob Graham Attempt at the end of May, instead do some slow hill miles and recce leg 3 a couple of times to get used to Broad stand, if I do decide to go that way.

Last week
Mon    rest
Tues    9 mile fell run
Weds  10 mile fell run
Thurs   rest
Fri       rest
Sat      23.5 fell race
Sun     6 mile fell run

Sci fi and Swimming!

Been struggling with a bad cough , sore throat and generally feeling crap for a good few days now, so not much done compared to recent weeks.

Finally registered my attempt for the Bob Graham Round for the 29th May, so spending a bit of time trying to work out my schedule and get pacers ect ect.

Im doing the 3 peaks on Saturday, but not really bothered about my time, but hoping to feel a bit stronger then last year where I really did fall apart the last few miles.

Last Weeks Efforts

Mon    Rest
Tues    6 mile fell run
Wed    5 mile fell run
Thurs   Rest
Fri       Rest
Sat      8,5 mile fell run
Sun     11 mile fell run

Legs 4 and 5 recce

With the alarm going off at 5 in the morning after a week off covering shifts, I was asking myself if this was a good idea.

One hour and twenty minutes later 4 of us are running out of Seathwaite to the start of leg 4 at Wasdale , passing lots of wild campers at Styhead tarn on the way.

The four of us were Gary, fellow bg contender and his 2 pacers for leg 4 of his attempt, Kim Colinson and Clare Mckeown.

Gary, Kim me and Clare on Gable

Looking back to Steeple

As we climbed Yewbarrow it was obvious to us all that this was going to be the warmest day of the year so far and we were going to be in for some cracking views, which makes recceing so much easier when you can spot the next top and the best line. Kim was absolutely brilliant  at showing us both the best route choices(but that's what you expect of someone who has done the round in a little over 19 hours!!!)

Im not sure of any of the split times, but we were in Honister in 4 hours and that was with stopping on each top, taking random photos and talking to the odd walker.

It was interesting going up Joss rake??? on Kirkfell where we had to use our hands a bit, on which Gary commented that it made a nice change rather then using your legs, you can always do the round walking on your hands then Gary!!!

Gary and Clare climbing Kirkfell

On reaching Honister Clare dropped out but Gary had arranged another pacer to take her place with Anja and her dog, sky joining. 

After about 15 mins we were climbing Dalehead which did seem a longer pull then I can remember doing on the Borrowdale fell race, but we were still moving quickly. 

The view from Dalehead

On climbing Robinson we again stopped for a brief chat with some other runners who were recceing the teenager with altitude race route. The descent of Robinson went well, but I will have to be careful on the rocky scramble bit when my legs will be long gone.

Gary seems to have everything in place for his attempt, all his pacers seem strong with navigation, encouragement, and organisation, which was really apparent when we got to the road section and they all produced road shoes out of there packs, Anja even running ahead and getting Gary's ready, and Kim even producing some racing flats!!!

Whilst the shoe change was going on I shuffled about, feeling a little stupid for not bringing mine, but we soon off again. 

The roadies in there cushioned shoes!!

I have raced along these roads in various road races before so I felt very comfortable and strong running back to Keswick via the bridge which is now open again at Portinscale. 

We got to Greggs, beside the moothall 2 hours and 18 minutes after leaving Honister.

Far to fast but still a good run out and the most pleasing thing for me was even running at that pace I felt like I could of carried on to do leg 1, at a much slower pace though!!!!!

Food intake was 3 Eccles cakes, 4 Gels,  multigrain bar and 1 ltr nuun and1/2 ltr diluted vimto

Gary pounding it out

Thanks to Gary for asking me along and it has made me realise that I need to get myself more organised in terms of getting my support up to date and even registering my attempt.

Up And Down

The day after my Ullswater Round was Askham fell race, an 8.5 cross country type race with one big steep climb thrown in. It was my intention to run this but appeals by the race organiser for a marshal on Arthurs Pike summit convinced me to miss it this year, but I would still get 8 miles in by running to the checkpoint and back, at a considerably slower pace though.
What a good decision it turned out to be, watching the front runners fly by, to the to the back markers, who were putting in as much effort, if not more.
Morgan Donnelly won  it in record breaking time and as he passed us, he looked relaxed and as if he was having a stroll out. I wish the same could be said for my mate Steve Bennett, who crawled past  us, as if he had been shot!! Brilliant. Worth missing the race for that sight alone.

On Monday evening I had a run up Blencathra in what was very windy conditions, almost blowing me of my feet at times. a very hard 37 mins up and a easier 17mins back, Never seen another soul.

Wednesday, along with Steve and Sam we made our way over to Ambleside for the Loughrigg fell race, an evening 4 mile race with 1000ft of climb.
Good weather helped make a bigger then usual turnout. The race sets of at breakneck speed for you to try and get to the bridge to avoid any hold up. I was not quick enough and had to wait my turn to cross and then its another mad dash up a steep road which leads out onto the fell. By the time I had reached the fell I was done in, far to fast for me, I have got used to running up hills at a more sedate pace, with a Eccles cake in my hand!
I pushed on though because I knew Steve and Sam wouldn't be very far behind, but in all honesty I felt crap.
The summit takes an age to reach and as I turned around I notice Sam is not far behind.
A fall on the way down, but im soon back up (I blame the speedcross) and I manage to catch and overtake 2 other runners crossing the line in 32.27. There was less then a minute covering me Steve and Sam but, more importantly is its the 1st time in a year that I have beat Steve, he must of stopped for a crack with the summit marshal!!
At the end of the race I was disappointed with how I felt on the climb, thighs were in agony, never known that before. Im hoping its because I have spent all winter moving slower over the fells for longer periods.
Still, I was surprised to have done it 25 seconds quicker then last year so not all bad, but the climb definitely felt easier last year!. A good turn out of Eden Runners too.

The following day, along with workmates I had a run up to Arthurs pike. This was very reassuring for me because I ran it all very comfortably at a steady easy pace.. It was good to run too and not feel like I was having to push myself. A very enjoyable run where David Harrison is once again living up to his billing of being  hot favourite for this year Dumfries half again.

This week I have been covering night shift at work and my diet is all over the place, as well as my sleep. The job I do (printing) can get very boring and I end up eating loads of sweets ,crisps and drinking coke so I will be glad to get back on my normal hours next week.

Tomorrow, I have been invited along to recce legs 4 and 5 with Gary Johnstone and his pacers, who is also doing the bg the same night as me, which is rather worryingly only 7wks away now.

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.

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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.