Three Shires route

Saturday 25th October 2014

Whatever we chose to do today it was going to be a little bit wet and a little bit windy. I did not fancy a low level run, I needed to get up some hills. As much for my state of mind as my fitness. So DW and I opt for the Three Shires race route. After bacon sandwiches and the usual gear and shoe faffing we head out from near the Three Shires Inn and after a quick look at Cathedral quarry we are en-route.

The climb of Wetherlam does not get any easier with time but I feel like I am going better than of late. The best line through the bracken eludes us and we eventually pop out onto the grassy ramp line. Then we decide to get on the ridge instead of the usual race line. I don't think this is any better, too rocky and scrambley. If I do the race again I'll take the race line, head down and grind it out.

The summit is breezy to say the least so we do not linger and are quickly down to Swirl Hawse and into the climb of Prison Band, part of the route both DW and I enjoy. The summit of Swirl How is not breezy, it is definitely very windy, so again we are quickly on our way. A brief stop at the memorial on Great Carrs which has been re built. Then give DW a quick lesson on how to use a compass and we are off to Wet Side Edge.

Straight over the road at Three Shires Stone, Weynose Pass, and onward to Pike 'O' Blisco. It is a steady mostly grassy climb. There should be a bit more running than walking going on here but there is still the climb of Lingmoor to come and I am trying to maintain a steady pace. Another breezy summit and again we are quickly off on the descent. The racing line is a bit more obvious than it used to be.

We had been wearing our waterproof trousers since Wetherlam but the weather had improved slightly so we removed them just before the final descent to Blea Tarn. I don't understand why people dislike this part of the race. A nice technical, rough and rocky descent. Better than namby pamby grassy stuff. Straight into the climb up Limgmoor. This is where I will find out if I am getting fitter.

My pace is perhaps not great but I do maintain it all the way up, happy with that. And then another of my favourite descents to the bottom track and across fields to the finish. Coffee and mince pies await. A very enjoyable day out.

Russell

The FRA Relay 2014

So by some strange quirk or miracle I get selected for the clubs mixed team for the FRA relays. I have a few weeks to train more and get fitter etc but of course I don't manage to do as much as I wish. However I do manage a recce of the area. All this does is confirm how tough some of the legs will be and gives no clue as to where my, navigation, leg will go. So fingers crossed for the day.

I know I have done this leg a few times before, plus some other navigation events but it still made me feel very nervous in the few days before. I guess this is because it is a team event an others are depending on you to perform, not least your running partner, because it is a pairs leg.

My partner Caroline is considerably younger than me and although a little inexperienced I am certain she will be more than a match speed wise. I will have to work very hard and feel the pressure to navigate well. If she is nervous she does not show it. Because we on leg 3 we have quite a wait for our turn to run. But when it comes we have to react quickly. I find the start very tough but once we collect the map I get into my running. 

The navigation turns out to be quite straightforward but I am right about having to work hard. At several points our biggest challenge was battling against the strong wind. In the end it turns out we are well matched and do well. In fact the whole team do well as do all the clubs teams. A good day and a boost to my confidence. 

It is always a good feeling to represent your club in a team event.

Russell

FRA relay recce

Friday 3 Oct

Had a good look around the area today. Some great running to be had but plenty of challenging stuff too. As I am on the nav leg things could be interesting if the cloud is down. Perhaps that will suit me, perhaps not! Should be fun. 

Apparently there is a cut off after leg 2. I do hope this is generous enough to allow all teams to complete the course. It would be very unfair if all the time spent recceing, travelling and mentally preparing went to waste. Not to mention the monetary investment. After all this is the one big event for the FRA and should be inclusive and not elitist.

Russell