Bob Graham Round Leg 4

Saturday 19th November 2011

DW has a plan to do leg 4 of the BG. But starting from Honister and running over to Wasdale first.
We have done this before as a recce for pacing duties and therefore whilst actually supporting. Today though will be different as I have not done anything of this distance and time since the summer. I expect a tough day.

It is cold and breezy as we leave Honister at 8.36am when DW, KA and I set off. This is a great route to Wasdale, not much climb and with great views, though perhaps not today.

Here is an evening view of Ennerdale on a better day.

Crossing Beck Head under Great Gable it occurs to me that in another four and a half hours or so we will pass this way again but won't be taking the easy way back. The path down to Gavel Neese is rocky at first then grassy down the ridge. I go steady to preserve my quads. In Wasdale we see the hunt starting out onto the slopes of Yewbarrow then all too soon we leave the road and start the steep ascent ourselves. Steady again, there is a long way to go. The summit comes in good time so onto Red Pike and into the mist.

The views do not improve over Steeple, Scoat Fell and Pillar but the pace is good and we drop out of it as we approach Black Sail. Here we cross paths with the hunt. Beginning to feel it now on Kirk Fell but know Gable is next and that is the last big one. Again I set my pace and just keep going. It works well as I feel quite good.

Great Gable from Kirk Fell

We decide to take my racing line from the summit to Windy Gap, this is much quicker but does require a bit of commitment! Green Gable is soon behind us. Just before Brandtreth a disorientated group ask me just where they are. I am tempted to say Helvellyn but resist and point them in the right direction. On over Grey Knotts and down to the car where DW provides welcome tea and biscuits, excellent!

A great day but my quads feel it. Thanks DW.
Stairs are a problem on Sunday and Monday training is a test but I make it through.

Russell

Remembrance and training etc

Remembrance Sunday I have short run from home. Craggy Wood and Reston Scar finishing at the war memorial for 11am. I feel a distinct lack of enthusiasm.

Monday training again, what am I doing, it goes well. Hard but that is what it is meant to be. No doubt the rewards will be reaped in the future.

40 mins run around Milnthorpe and Heversham on Tuesday whilst MC does his circuit training. Surprisingly OK.

Wednesday training is on Low Fellside. Various reps on the cobbles and lanes. The group is still big and quite difficult to keep together in this area. Not getting back down fast enough for the next rep. Will discuss.
Some positive feedback from a couple of new people.

Must now recover for big day on Saturday.

Russell

Wednesday 9th Nov Training

Peat Lane.

I plan to do 8 reps but time will only allow for 7.
A large group again but not as many as last week.

It seemed to go OK. Hope we did not upset too many drivers.

My third day running in a row and I could feel it.

Russell

Monday Training.

My first time to Shaun's Monday training. I need to get some speed back. We do about 14 (I lost count) reps of various distance. Not knowing what was coming next. With short recovery. I think I managed to hold my own.

Not easy to motivate myself for this sort of thing but feel good about doing it afterwards.

I must keep it up.

Russell

Really Wild Boar Fell Race

Saturday 5th November

I have been meaning to do this for the last couple of years but not been able to fit it in. So this year I had planned to just sneak off on my own and, have a good run and win a prize. None of which actually happened.

I picked up DW on the way and met RS, John? And an assortment of Addisons there. My run was poor from the start. Struggling to get any pace on the track and the short climb was hard. Although my descent (into the unknown) was OK picking up a few places.

So no prizes for me. Not even a spot (raffle) prize. I think just about everyone else who turned up went away with something. DW winning the holiday.

Maybe next year. Or probably maybe not!

Russell

Training 2nd November

Wednesday training again. With the schedule set this week is Captain French Lane. An amazing 45 people turn up. Is the group too big? Well it seemed to work OK this week. Will monitor.

8 x 2 min reps. Felt good.

Russell

Five of the best part 4

Jura May 2007

I wrote 75% of this blog and then went and deleted it by mistake so whilst I recover my composure and try to remember what I had written.

Jura, best fell race in the world, discuss!

Russell