Saturday 26th May
DW and I head out for a recce of this race, forecast is for a warm day but strong winds. Correct!
Leaving the car near the cricket club we run up the road to Newsham. I had forgotten how steep this was. As usual I take a while to get going. We follow the route on the race map and are soon into the main climb. It is hard work. From Clough Head the next checkpoint is Great Dodd. Not on the original race route I find it a bit strange and not quite in keeping. Especially as it also has to be visited on the return route. The wind in relentless and only gets stronger as we approach Raise. No time to hang around, on we go. Finally at Helvellyn we have a brief stop for food and decide to head straight back. The wind makes any conversation or stops to discuss route choices unpleasant.
Retracing our steps as it were we are soon climbing back up Great Dodd, the contour path to our left looking very appealing. But not the race route. On the descent my legs begin to feel it. Niggles creeping in. Coming off Clough Head is steep and the further we go the hotter it gets. On the tarmac the heat is intense. Once back at the car the wind soon cools us.
On reflection a good run.
Russell
Tuesday, 29 May 2012
Loughrigg Monday
Monday 28th May
Loughrigg 2 ways. 2 tarns and a lot of paths.
Perfect evening for a run so I decide to go up Loughrigg 2 ways I have never been, or at least not for a long time. I park in Clappersgate and set off up the small path from the phone box. Last time I went up this was was over 30 years ago. That makes me feel old. Soon climbing steeply I am hoping to find Lily Tarn. The map shows a path going straight there. There are a lot of paths! However I locate the tarn and then head off to pick up the main path down to Loughrigg tarn.
Here the map shows a path going past a farm and then climbing very steeply almost directly to the summit. Now I say map but although I did look at it earlier in the day I don't actually have one with me so memory is put o the test. Map and memory prove right and sure enough after a warm climb I pop out just below the summit. I am alone.
I follow the race route back to the main path and test the line along the wall. Better running than the other way but quicker?
Back to Lily tarn and reverse the ascent route.
A pleasant evening.
Russell
Loughrigg 2 ways. 2 tarns and a lot of paths.
Perfect evening for a run so I decide to go up Loughrigg 2 ways I have never been, or at least not for a long time. I park in Clappersgate and set off up the small path from the phone box. Last time I went up this was was over 30 years ago. That makes me feel old. Soon climbing steeply I am hoping to find Lily Tarn. The map shows a path going straight there. There are a lot of paths! However I locate the tarn and then head off to pick up the main path down to Loughrigg tarn.
Here the map shows a path going past a farm and then climbing very steeply almost directly to the summit. Now I say map but although I did look at it earlier in the day I don't actually have one with me so memory is put o the test. Map and memory prove right and sure enough after a warm climb I pop out just below the summit. I am alone.
I follow the race route back to the main path and test the line along the wall. Better running than the other way but quicker?
Back to Lily tarn and reverse the ascent route.
A pleasant evening.
Russell
Thursday, 17 May 2012
Ankle, recce and loss of fitness.
The story starts a couple of weeks ago whilst in a race I turned my ankle descending a heathery slope. Over the years I have learnt to tell how seriously I had done it. This time I knew it was worse then one of those tweaks I occasionally have but not bad enough to keep me out of action for too long. I continue to descend steadily and at the bottom give it a minute in the river. I then jog the the next checkpoint. As I am OK doing this and climbing is not a problem I decide to continue. I might as well as getting back to the start would still mean a few miles walk. Strangely up and down hills are OK but flat running is more of a problem.
So as a result I do not run at all for 10 days. Then at training I manage OK so feel fit enough to at least try the Great Lakes recce we have planned. The day is windy with a forecast to get worse. We cut the recce short but still manage a good few hours out. Again I am OK on hills but still tentative on the faster running sections.
The following Tuesday I have a short run through Craggy Wood and over the scar. A modicum of fitness still remains but I will need to do much more before the LAMM in 3 weeks.
Training again goes well but the ankle is stiff the next day, cycling to work seem to help. I plan a couple of longer days out and hope as enthusiasm begins to return I will regain some stamina.
Russell
So as a result I do not run at all for 10 days. Then at training I manage OK so feel fit enough to at least try the Great Lakes recce we have planned. The day is windy with a forecast to get worse. We cut the recce short but still manage a good few hours out. Again I am OK on hills but still tentative on the faster running sections.
The following Tuesday I have a short run through Craggy Wood and over the scar. A modicum of fitness still remains but I will need to do much more before the LAMM in 3 weeks.
Training again goes well but the ankle is stiff the next day, cycling to work seem to help. I plan a couple of longer days out and hope as enthusiasm begins to return I will regain some stamina.
Russell
Monday, 7 May 2012
Highlander Mountain Marathon
14th and 15th April 2012.
Kinlochewe.
The weekend has finally come. The forecast is for cold weather but not much wind. A possibility of snow. Gear choice could be crucial. Not that I have that much to choose from. We arrive on Friday afternoon and register. We can start anytime between 7.30 and 8.30 am on Saturday morning. The start is a short walk from the event center so we plane to be there for approx 8.15. After the usual morning faffing around with gear deciding what to take and food etc we arrive at the start, what we have is what we have, too late to change our minds now so we join the queue, dib to start, collect our control descriptions and map and begin to mark up the route.
It is a nice change to only have 9 controls. We have done the score course in the past which involves plotting a lot and then taking some time to plan a route. This time we are off to control 1 on no time. Straight into a short steep climb. 1 dibbed and then a straight 4k to 2 and it begins to snow/hail/sleet. We plod on and eventually the control sight comes into view. A rough and boggy descent and we are there. Now the fun really starts. Our next control is another straight 4k away only this time it is directly on the opposite side of Slioch, a 980m Munro. Choices are north, longer but less climb. Or south, steep climb but more direct. We opt for south, as you do, but first we have to descend into Gleann Bianasdail, heathery and steep, then cross Abhainn an Fhasaigh (a big river)! We try several places before there is nothing to do but go for it. But not before I fully test the waterproofness of our maps. They are really waterproof! Once across I take the time to eat and tackle the climb.
It is here that I feel a little low. It usually happens at some point. But once the climb is over and I can take in the fantastic scenery I feel much better. As we reach our high point and begin to descend and contour to the control I feel it is a pity having come this far not to visit the summit. But as DW has been there before I will save it for another day. Perhaps the Slioch race. Mental note to check the date.
From Control 3 things pick up as controls are closer together. A short hop to 4 and then mainly on a path to 5 above Lochan Fada with another short steep climb at the end. I expect this to be tough but it goes OK. Although the day is getting warmer. 5 to 6 is a long contour up Allt Gleann Tulacha, we make good time here and admire the amazing cliffs under Beinn Lair. Again good time to 7. I find it tricky to pinpoint the control as I have written on my map and the pre marked circle obscures the contours but DW has it sorted and we are off to 8. We take a little time on this leg but it pays off as we stick to our line and avoid a climb other teams are taking. Then it is the final descent of the day to 9 and into the finish. 6 hours 21mins. A good day.
To get to mid camp we are treated to a RIB ride across Loch Maree. Exhilarating!
We eat well and then find we are in the chasing start. 5th place and 1st vets. So we collect our number for day 2 (B5). The chasing start is run in reverse.i.e. the fastest teams going of last at 8.30am. All teams not in the chasing start can go from 7.00 to 7.30am. We assume to ensure everyone gets back in good time and there is not too much waiting around at the finish. I sleep well but worry a little about keeping it up for day 2.
Day 2
The day starts cloudy and with some snow but soon clears and turns out to be fine all day. We make it to the start in time and are soon off. Only 7 controls today. The first dilemma of the day is the route to control 1. Most teams seem to be heading straight up the hill. We realise that we can run along the road for a mile or so and then climb direct to the control. It has to be a better option than a similar climb followed by an uncertain contour. It works well and at least one team before us has done the same as we follow their footprints in the snow.
Control 2 is approx 7k away with a 5k contour up Strath Lungard. It takes a long time, running is hard on the rough ground and we walk most of it. Control 3 is at a small lochan on Maell a Ghuithias. The route choice is the direct line dropping into Glen Grudie and a steep climb or stay high, longer but a shorter climb. We go direct. Another good choice as we hear later the high line was very awkward ground. I am surprised to climb well and we are soon up into the snow. My feet then get very cold and numb. No time to complain as we need to keep moving. With the last few controls close together we make good progress and no errors.
At control 4 we are passed by team B4 (a Swedish pair?) but manage to keep up with them to control 5. We pass B6. DW assumes B4 must be orienteers and so are good navigators therefore we have the option to just follow them to 6 and not waste time deciding what to do. A quick look at the map confirms they are heading in the right direction and we are off. They pull away but the route becomes obvious anyway and in no time we have dibbed 6 and 7 and are on the run in to the finish.
It is 1k or so on a good path. I usually find this hard work at the end of a mountain marathon but this time I feel OK. I can even stand and speak coherently at the finish. 5 hours 2 mins today.
We hold on the 5th place and first vets.
Russell
Kinlochewe.
The weekend has finally come. The forecast is for cold weather but not much wind. A possibility of snow. Gear choice could be crucial. Not that I have that much to choose from. We arrive on Friday afternoon and register. We can start anytime between 7.30 and 8.30 am on Saturday morning. The start is a short walk from the event center so we plane to be there for approx 8.15. After the usual morning faffing around with gear deciding what to take and food etc we arrive at the start, what we have is what we have, too late to change our minds now so we join the queue, dib to start, collect our control descriptions and map and begin to mark up the route.
It is a nice change to only have 9 controls. We have done the score course in the past which involves plotting a lot and then taking some time to plan a route. This time we are off to control 1 on no time. Straight into a short steep climb. 1 dibbed and then a straight 4k to 2 and it begins to snow/hail/sleet. We plod on and eventually the control sight comes into view. A rough and boggy descent and we are there. Now the fun really starts. Our next control is another straight 4k away only this time it is directly on the opposite side of Slioch, a 980m Munro. Choices are north, longer but less climb. Or south, steep climb but more direct. We opt for south, as you do, but first we have to descend into Gleann Bianasdail, heathery and steep, then cross Abhainn an Fhasaigh (a big river)! We try several places before there is nothing to do but go for it. But not before I fully test the waterproofness of our maps. They are really waterproof! Once across I take the time to eat and tackle the climb.
It is here that I feel a little low. It usually happens at some point. But once the climb is over and I can take in the fantastic scenery I feel much better. As we reach our high point and begin to descend and contour to the control I feel it is a pity having come this far not to visit the summit. But as DW has been there before I will save it for another day. Perhaps the Slioch race. Mental note to check the date.
From Control 3 things pick up as controls are closer together. A short hop to 4 and then mainly on a path to 5 above Lochan Fada with another short steep climb at the end. I expect this to be tough but it goes OK. Although the day is getting warmer. 5 to 6 is a long contour up Allt Gleann Tulacha, we make good time here and admire the amazing cliffs under Beinn Lair. Again good time to 7. I find it tricky to pinpoint the control as I have written on my map and the pre marked circle obscures the contours but DW has it sorted and we are off to 8. We take a little time on this leg but it pays off as we stick to our line and avoid a climb other teams are taking. Then it is the final descent of the day to 9 and into the finish. 6 hours 21mins. A good day.
To get to mid camp we are treated to a RIB ride across Loch Maree. Exhilarating!
We eat well and then find we are in the chasing start. 5th place and 1st vets. So we collect our number for day 2 (B5). The chasing start is run in reverse.i.e. the fastest teams going of last at 8.30am. All teams not in the chasing start can go from 7.00 to 7.30am. We assume to ensure everyone gets back in good time and there is not too much waiting around at the finish. I sleep well but worry a little about keeping it up for day 2.
Day 2
The day starts cloudy and with some snow but soon clears and turns out to be fine all day. We make it to the start in time and are soon off. Only 7 controls today. The first dilemma of the day is the route to control 1. Most teams seem to be heading straight up the hill. We realise that we can run along the road for a mile or so and then climb direct to the control. It has to be a better option than a similar climb followed by an uncertain contour. It works well and at least one team before us has done the same as we follow their footprints in the snow.
Control 2 is approx 7k away with a 5k contour up Strath Lungard. It takes a long time, running is hard on the rough ground and we walk most of it. Control 3 is at a small lochan on Maell a Ghuithias. The route choice is the direct line dropping into Glen Grudie and a steep climb or stay high, longer but a shorter climb. We go direct. Another good choice as we hear later the high line was very awkward ground. I am surprised to climb well and we are soon up into the snow. My feet then get very cold and numb. No time to complain as we need to keep moving. With the last few controls close together we make good progress and no errors.
At control 4 we are passed by team B4 (a Swedish pair?) but manage to keep up with them to control 5. We pass B6. DW assumes B4 must be orienteers and so are good navigators therefore we have the option to just follow them to 6 and not waste time deciding what to do. A quick look at the map confirms they are heading in the right direction and we are off. They pull away but the route becomes obvious anyway and in no time we have dibbed 6 and 7 and are on the run in to the finish.
It is 1k or so on a good path. I usually find this hard work at the end of a mountain marathon but this time I feel OK. I can even stand and speak coherently at the finish. 5 hours 2 mins today.
We hold on the 5th place and first vets.
Russell
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