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
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