Blisco not so dash.

Tuesday 29th March 2015

Day off and we are in Langdale for various reasons so head up Blisco. Cool and breezy but the weather improves and the spells of sunshine are welcome and give great views. Good to be out again.

Russell

Coniston reverse

Clockwise Coniston round

A day off and what a beautiful day it is. I decide on the Coniston fells and a route I have not done for a while. Reverse of the race route. It is shorts and T shirt weather and the climb up the 'Old Man' is hot. The rare shade is welcome. Above Low Water the patches of snow are frozen solid and it cools a little. Stunning views from the top.

I walk and jog my way over Brim Fell to Swirl How. Descend Prison Band. This is awkward going. Much better to ascend. Heading for Weatherlam there are a few patches of snow to negotiate. After a few minutes to take it all in I head off down. Pleasant running, much better than coming up this way. The clear waters of Church Beck look inviting but cold. I resist. 

Russell

Two evening runs.

Wansfell and Loughrigg

I am on my own for a few days so after work on the Friday I head to Ambleside and dash up Wansfell. I work hard all the way up but am not quick. I think my time to the summit is approx equal to my best total race time. Work to be done.

On the Sunday I head to Ambleside again. This time it is Loughrigg. From Brathy up to Lily Tarn along and down to Loughrigg Tarn then straight up to the summit. Returning via the LSH race route. A good run and very enjoyable. No one around. I really like these evening runs.

Russell

BGR leg 3 part recce

BGR first half leg 3

I join the Helm ladies BGR recce. My intention is to get some time out and help if I can.

Leaving Dunmail we are soon onto the snow. This lasts all day. I am not sure how useful it was as a recce but we did get a couple of helpful references and plenty of map and compass practice. It was great to be out on the tops and in good company. Thanks DW KA for tea and cakes afterwards.

Russell

2016 so far

So 2016 dawns and I need to get off to a positive start. I decide that some racing is probably the best way to get motivated and gain some fitness. Therefore I plan to do enough Winter League races to qualify for the prizes. Not that I will be winning any!

First up is Scout Scar. I just want to run all the way and not embarrass myself. It goes to plan. I don't worry about position or who is ahead of me. Finish OK and more importantly enjoyed it.

Next up is Whitestones. This has been one of my favourite KWL races. I even finished 6th one year. But that only tells you something about what KWL used to be like rather than my racing ability. The start for me is bad because it is a fast sprint into a uphill section. However I keep pushing and once up the climb I get into my running and slowly pick of runners ahead of me. By the finish my legs are gone because the boggy ground really takes it out of you.

On to Birkrigg Common. A very runnable runnable course with a steeper start and finish. The underfoot conditions are very slippery on the day and I have the wrong shoes. Not a valid excuse. I run as hard as I can but the result is not what I wanted. Still, another one down.

Cunswick Scar is next up. I did this last year and felt terrible. Today goes much better and I run well. I have a bit of a battle with a couple of other runners and come out on top. When the results come out I am a little disappointed. Only 30sec quicker. There was a bit more of a hold up at the gates but I thought my time would be much better than that.

My fifth race is Sedbergh School. Not done it before. Basically three laps of a cross country course with a nasty 'water jump' to negotiate. The first lap really hurts and I think it is going to be a bad day. However I pick up and pass a few runners and have a good race.

I have to miss Cautley because of work. No bad thing you might say. So it is on to The Helm. Two laps of very familiar ground. That does not make it any easier! It is tough and also very warm. Never my favourite. I had had a run around Coniston on Thursday (see later post) and did not feel good, perhaps I am feeling the effects.

Next is Elterwater in two weeks. I need to do it to get all my league counters in. Luckily it is a race I like.

Russell