Monday 29th August
Planned to have a good run this morning and get some climb in. Fortunately DW texts me with an invite to Fairfield Horseshoe, Rydal at 8.30am. I am in the middle of the game with no name at my brother in laws 50th birthday party so my reply is not too clear. Some red wine had been consumed and more was to follow!
So dragging myself out of bed at 7.50am was hard but needed to be done. Who knows how long I would have stayed there without the motivation of a brisk 9 miles and some 3000+ feet of climbing. A quick breakfast and assuming we will be going at a good pace I throw minimal kit together. I question whether I should be driving at all this morning but don't feel too bad after the juice and cereal.
Arriving at Rydal I find a few others have come along and this makes it a good sociable run. The climbs up Nab Scar and Heron Pike go on longer than expected, but they always do. I decide this is a good thing and ideal preparation for Ben Nevis next week. A cool breeze picks up so I put on my jacket and decide it is best o keep moving. After the summit of Fairfield the wind is behind and the going good.
The views are great and we take time to admire them. Spotting lines and checkpoints for the up coming Ian Hodgson Relay. Then it is down. One of my favourite pieces of fell running in the Lakes. The Fairfield race probably has the worst climb and the best descent going (only my opinion). Things warm up so it is off with the jacket and enjoy the feeling of moving over the short grass at the perfect angle to stride out and just let it happen.
I have to dash off home so miss out on the coffee and cake. Instead it is shopping in Preston. I am soon parted from this months wages by 'neccessities' for my daughters return to university. The contrast between the two parts of my day are not lost on me.
Russell
Tuesday, 30 August 2011
Thursday, 25 August 2011
Shipman Knotts Fell Race
23rd August 2011
Last year after a couple of years to get my act together I organised the Shipman Knotts fell race. Designed to be a low key basic traditional type of race. i.e. Just turn up, run, cup of tea, not too much red tape as it were.
Although only 23 runners turned up it was deemed a success so I took the plunge and put it in the FRA calendar for this year.
After a minimum of effort on my part everything seemed to be in place. DR was despatched to the summit. DW to the car park (sorry), Ali and Moira to the gates. I sat with EM awaiting entries. After a few nervous minutes (was anyone coming?) the runners started to appear and soon we had 43 willing souls and I made my way to the start. Brief instructions issued and it was go!
I organise the finish team. EM on numbers, me on the times and hopefully DW could work on the results at the same time and save a on a lot of work that would normally be done after everyone had finished.
The system seems to work well and soon we are drinking tea and organising the prize giving. The setting on the terrace at Maggs Howe is fantastic.
I don't like standing up and talking in front of a crowd but tell myself that these are all like minded people and will understand my nervousness. It was good to see the surprised faces as people received unexpected prizes.
Thank you to the runners. Those who donated prizes. Christine at Maggs Howe but most of all to the volunteers who marshalled. Without whom there would be no race.
£121 raised for Kentmere Institute.
Russell
Last year after a couple of years to get my act together I organised the Shipman Knotts fell race. Designed to be a low key basic traditional type of race. i.e. Just turn up, run, cup of tea, not too much red tape as it were.
Although only 23 runners turned up it was deemed a success so I took the plunge and put it in the FRA calendar for this year.
After a minimum of effort on my part everything seemed to be in place. DR was despatched to the summit. DW to the car park (sorry), Ali and Moira to the gates. I sat with EM awaiting entries. After a few nervous minutes (was anyone coming?) the runners started to appear and soon we had 43 willing souls and I made my way to the start. Brief instructions issued and it was go!
I organise the finish team. EM on numbers, me on the times and hopefully DW could work on the results at the same time and save a on a lot of work that would normally be done after everyone had finished.
The system seems to work well and soon we are drinking tea and organising the prize giving. The setting on the terrace at Maggs Howe is fantastic.
I don't like standing up and talking in front of a crowd but tell myself that these are all like minded people and will understand my nervousness. It was good to see the surprised faces as people received unexpected prizes.
Thank you to the runners. Those who donated prizes. Christine at Maggs Howe but most of all to the volunteers who marshalled. Without whom there would be no race.
£121 raised for Kentmere Institute.
Russell
Sunday, 14 August 2011
Five of the best part 2
Beinn na Caillich
Number 4 in the best 5 runs ever.
September 2010
Having been invited to a friends wedding on Skye we (wife and I) decide to make it a long weekend. We must have been the luckiest people ever as the weather was perfect for 3 days. After the wedding on Saturday we headed to Elgol on Sunday after which I had a few hours to spare. Our B&B was at Old Corry so a trip up Beinn na Caillich seemed almost compulsory.
Taking our landlords advice I did not head straight for the summit as might seem normal but went into Coire Fearchair and onto the North East ridge. A good choice. The direct route is covered in shattered boulders and very tough going. I was however very soon aware of how isolated I was despite being only a mile or so from the B&B. A boulder I stood on rolled over and gave me a nasty scratch. Not expected back for 3 or more hours I would have had a long wait for help with a broken leg.
The ridge was steep but with the frequent stops to take in the views it was worth it. However reaching the summit was even better giving a distant view if the Cuillin Ridge.
There was a cool breeze so keeping moving was essential. And after taking these photos my phone ran out of battery. More alone now! The run to Beinn Dearg Mhor was pure pleasure and more great views. Stop for biscuit. I had read about the descent to Bealach Coire Sgreamhach so set of down with some caution. Obviously the authors of those articles do not appreciate the finer points of scree running. I was brilliant!! On to Beinn Dearg Bheag. Then follow the ridge east to Coire Beithe. The running became very technical. A rocky twisting path with intermittent bouldery bits and bog. A twisted ankle here would not be good. Soon down into the heather and bilberry covered lower slopes the path disappeared and intermittent trods led me to Coire-chat-achan. The B&B and a hot shower.
This was special because there is nothing like a solo run on new ground. And I didn't see another soul. It holds the concentration to the exclusion of all else and makes you very aware of your frailties.
If you head to Skye don't just go for the Cuillin. You will be missing out.
Russell
Number 4 in the best 5 runs ever.
September 2010
Having been invited to a friends wedding on Skye we (wife and I) decide to make it a long weekend. We must have been the luckiest people ever as the weather was perfect for 3 days. After the wedding on Saturday we headed to Elgol on Sunday after which I had a few hours to spare. Our B&B was at Old Corry so a trip up Beinn na Caillich seemed almost compulsory.
Taking our landlords advice I did not head straight for the summit as might seem normal but went into Coire Fearchair and onto the North East ridge. A good choice. The direct route is covered in shattered boulders and very tough going. I was however very soon aware of how isolated I was despite being only a mile or so from the B&B. A boulder I stood on rolled over and gave me a nasty scratch. Not expected back for 3 or more hours I would have had a long wait for help with a broken leg.
The ridge was steep but with the frequent stops to take in the views it was worth it. However reaching the summit was even better giving a distant view if the Cuillin Ridge.
Here I am.
This was special because there is nothing like a solo run on new ground. And I didn't see another soul. It holds the concentration to the exclusion of all else and makes you very aware of your frailties.
If you head to Skye don't just go for the Cuillin. You will be missing out.
Russell
Tuesday, 2 August 2011
Farleton Knott
31st July 2011
Well, I put this in the club championship because I hadn't done it before and fancied it. That was the only reason I was on the start line. It was too hot, I felt tired, heavy legged and my hay fever had really picked up nicely in the week.
The long run out and round to the top should be all runnable but I had to walk the short steep sections. There was little respite along the main path before the descent. The scree run down is great but then it is an immediate turn and back to the top. This was a big effort. My legs had nothing. There was a gap behind me and the runners ahead were pulling away. I could just go steady and finish.
But oddly I found myself catching up on the long return run to the finish. The racing spirit took over and I was determined to pass somebody before the line. This I managed. Earning myself an ice cream!
Mondays steady hour run was a struggle at first but I got into it after half an hour and the ride to work on Tuesday felt quite good. Light at the end of the tunnel.
DW did the 100 mile Ultra Tour of the Lake District at the weekend. Should I be inspired?
Watch this space.
Russell
Well, I put this in the club championship because I hadn't done it before and fancied it. That was the only reason I was on the start line. It was too hot, I felt tired, heavy legged and my hay fever had really picked up nicely in the week.
The long run out and round to the top should be all runnable but I had to walk the short steep sections. There was little respite along the main path before the descent. The scree run down is great but then it is an immediate turn and back to the top. This was a big effort. My legs had nothing. There was a gap behind me and the runners ahead were pulling away. I could just go steady and finish.
But oddly I found myself catching up on the long return run to the finish. The racing spirit took over and I was determined to pass somebody before the line. This I managed. Earning myself an ice cream!
Mondays steady hour run was a struggle at first but I got into it after half an hour and the ride to work on Tuesday felt quite good. Light at the end of the tunnel.
DW did the 100 mile Ultra Tour of the Lake District at the weekend. Should I be inspired?
Watch this space.
Russell
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