Helvellyn & the Dodds

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