A local run

Saturday 18th January 2014

An offer from CB for a couple of hours run on Saturday afternoon fits in very well with my plans for the weekend. We leave home and head downstream to Cowan Head. Then up to Potter Tarn and on to Gurnal Dubbs. From there it is cross country to the fine viewpoint of Ulgraves. We drop and skirt the lower slopes of Potter Fell before climbing back up to Brunt Knott. I find this hard. Then back down to the village, clean off in the river and home.

On Sunday 19th MC and I have a couple of hours out on the bikes around Crook, Underbarrow, Crosthwaite, Winster and back via Crook. Followed by lunch at Wilfs. Would be good to do more of this.

Russell

Sedbergh Hills

Sunday 12th January.

Given the choice for a long run with a good amount of climbing this would not be top of my list. However it is just what I need to do, so time to knuckle down and get on with it. At least if I do the route now I won't have to do the race again. 

The forecast is quite good but we go prepared for a winters day. I find the climbs tough and we take it easier on the descents to hopefully prevent sore legs for the next few days. I feel for DW as he has to keep waiting for me and it is cold.

On the big climb up to Calf it gets increasingly windy. My feet and legs get cold but upper body and hands are warm, despite no gloves on. Cold feet make the rest of the run tough especially the descents, pounding the hard ground. 

Happy I got around the route in a steady time and reasonable state. But need to get faster and stronger on the climbs. 

Russell.

A bit off Langdale

Saturday 4th January 2014

Origanal plans to go out on Sunday were changed because of the bad weather forecast. However waking up to rain did nothing for my enthusiasm. But we had planned a late start, 12 noon. Langdale was the chosen destination and en route we plan to start up Pike 'o' Blisco. As usual I take a while to get going. On the good side the weather is holding out, no rain. Soon into the mist and the snow line. The ground is covered in slush and the rocks are a bit slippy. We do not linger on the summit.

Progress continues to be steady and the conversation helps the distance pass. As we approach the Crinlkes the snow gets more like it should be. The bad step went OK but after that we slowed as we weaved our way along the rocky ground to Three Tarns. Time is getting on but we decide to pop up and down Bowfell before descending The Band. It is strangely calm on the top. We are alone.

We drop out of the mist to find the  Pikes, Raise and Pike 'o' Blisco now out of the mist. What a great time and place to be. We descend steadily back to the ODG and the camper. Coffee and mince pies most welcome. The of course a pint in the Eagle and Child.

A good day. And it didn't rain.

Russell

Nine Standards

Wednesday 1st January 2014

It was a good idea to leave this post until today. After the race yesterday I was cold and disappointed. I haven't done it for several years and yesterday was exactly why. Mostly on road and track, rain forecast and not being fit at the moment all adds up to a miserable time. And it was. 

Having said all that now a day has passed I am glad I did it. The ascent into the increasing wind and snow almost broke my will but the descent went well, improving all the way down. 

Conditions on the summit were very bad and I can only imagine how those wearing only T shirts and shorts were feeling. There were a few cases of mild hyperthermia. If it was not for the facts that the course is mainly obvious and the mountain rescue were on hand the organisers would have had good reason to cancel.

I will seriously need to improve if I am to toe the start line again next year. So there is some motivation.

Russell