St. Sunday and Paper Bridge

Tuesday 12th May 2015

I wanted to go and see the red Paper Bridge in Grisdale so park in Patterdale and head up to St Sunday crag via the Ian Hodgson Relay route. Going is slowed by the very strong wind. A bit of a battle really. I continue on to the col below Fairfield and then descend via the grassy ridge we had the pleasure of climbing up on the SLMM last year. STEEP. The ground is very wet in Grisdale but I enjoy the running down to the bridge. A lot of people are there and I have to wait for an opportunity to get a shot with no one in it. A quick crossing of the bridge and I head back down the valley to the car.

Russell

Dockray Hartside

Wednesday 6th May 2015

Short notice for this one as it is not in the book. Joe described it as a 'pop up race'. I think that is a great idea. But only 16 of us took to the start line. The first half mile of this race is always my worse and today was no different. A real struggle up the road left me at the back of the field. Once on the fell things improved and I gained a little on runners ahead.

After High Brow the descent to the river crossing was good and I caught the runner ahead. The climb of Hartside went well. I opted for the direct route tonight rather than the around the ridge I usually favour. I think it worked well. Once into the descent I look ahead for other runners but none in sight.

After reaching the ridge before Common Fell two runners who were well ahead of me appeared from my right. Where had they been? They had not done the race before. We basically run together to the finish. A great low key event and the weather just about played ball. Dockray Great Dodd on 10th June to look forward to.

Russell