Grisdale Horseshoe

Monday 25th August.

At CB's suggestion he, DW and myself set out to recce the Grisdale Horseshoe race route. A race neither of us had done before and therefore offered potential for disaster. All starts well as we head up Birkhouse Moor to Hole-in-the-Wall. Then on to checkpoint 1 on Catstycam. Up Swirral Edge to checkpoint 2 at Helvellyn. All straight forward so far. We think checkpoint 3 is at the outflow of Grisdale Tarn. This would make sense as there would be no point in one on Dollywagon as well. Checkpoint 4 on St Sunday Crag is straight forward but then we are heading for new ground.

Neither of us had bothered to make a note of the checkpoint references of plot them on a map so there was much discussion. However we find the good descent line down to the valley and checkpoint 5 which we agree is at a barn on the main track. We know checkpoint 6 is on a stile in the wall leading up to Hole-in-the-Wall but we wrongly think it is high up so struggle to find a good line. Head high bracken is a clue that tells us we do not get it right. We join the main path and continue all the way up to HITW. At least the extra climbing will do me good.

Checking later we see the correct location of checkpoint 6 is much lower and no doubt has a reasonable bracken free line leading to it. We live and learn. One day when I decide not the enter the Ben Nevis race I will do this instead. Although it appears to be the tougher option.

Russell

School Knott

A run I have been thinking about for quite a while but have struggled to link up the paths and bridal ways satisfactorily. So it ends with two miles of road. 

The route follows the Dales Way from Staveley until just before Windermere then goes over School Knott. Returning on paths to Ings and then the road back to the village.

Early morning run

Tuesday 18/08/14

I have finally managed to do something that I have been thinking about for years. Go for a run first thing in the morning. Only half an hour around Craggy Wood but very enjoyable. I might even repeat the process one day. Every step counts with the Ben looming.

Russell

What's been happening?

Not posted for a long while so time for a catch up and then hopefully more regular posts will follow.

The Coniston race went better than expected. A steady start meant I ran well after Wetherlam. Got a good descent and was pleased at the end.

Did not do much after that because of work commitments and before I knew it the Saunders was looming. There were a couple of course changes this year so we made the wise decision to drop a class from the usual Bowfell to Kirkfell. It was still a tough weekend for me, particularly day one. Day two was much better. We made some good route choices. Thanks to DW for his patience.

After getting back into training and doing a few local runs I decided a race might be a good idea. Turner Landscape coincided with my day off and as I had not done it before despite trying to fit it in for the last two years it seemed a good choice. And so it proved.

It is a pretty long grind up Grey Friar so I set off super steady. Misty and breezy on the tops. A nice surprise to see Joss Naylor taking the numbers on Swirl How. Then I pick up the pace a little and catch a few runners. Pushing on I pass a couple more but the final descent is slow as my legs are not used to it, everything hurts and I am careful as the ground becomes quite rough.

Overall pleased with my time but know I can go much quicker with a more positive approach. If I manage to make it to the start next year then I have a target.

Trying to get as much time and climb in as I can now. Ben Nevis next.

Came across this great quote the other day.

"A boat is safe in the harbour, but that is not the purpose of a boat"

Russell

A little more enthusiasm.

A while since the last post but at least something has been happening. I actually feel a bit more enthusiastic and have done a couple of races and some more orienteering. 

Coniston fell race went well. Not the best time but ran steady and pleased to remain strong all the way around. Sedbergh Gala is a bit short and brutal but I was able to maintain the effort throughout.

The orienteering is improving but small errors remain. What would help most is running faster. I know that sounds obvious, it's a little more complicated than that. Work in progress. Although training on Wednesdays is going well. It is difficult to run the session and get the most out of it for myself. 

A good run today up Red Screes from Ambleside. Last week a couple of hours out watching the Buttermere Sailbeck race in some fairly bad weather.

Causey Pike from near CP2

Russell

Coniston recce

Saturday 29th March 2014

I had planned to do a recce of the Coniston fell race today, then I get an email from LH asking if I fancied a recce of Coniston fell race. Result! So we agree on a late start to avoid the Coniston 14 road race. 

We start just after 11.30am. The initial climb up Mouldry Bank is steep and the long climb to Wetherlam interminable as usual. Then steady going to the Old Man. We took our time to recce the descent and got the best line I think I have ever done. 

Don't ask as it will be a secret I take with me. 

Or maybe buy me a pint and see.

Russell 

Blea Tarn Orienteering

Sunday 2nd March 2014

A tough day today. Plenty of tussocks and bogs. Two errors but also some good choices. Must concentrate more in future. One day I will get it right.

Russell

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

The Dodds but not Helvellyn.

Out for the second day in a row so I know this is going to be a tough day. Especially as I am out with DW, CB and KA. The plan I think was to do Helvellyn and the Dodds. However, shortly after we leave Threlkeld it becomes all too apparent that I won't be able to keep up. I urge the others to go on at their own pace and pick me up on the way back but they keep waiting for me. At Great Dodd it starts to get proper wintery and at Stybarrow Dodd spikes are needed, we decide to turn back at Raise. I think a good decision in the conditions and at my speed. KA was OK with this and I hope the others didn't mind the shortened day too much. It did have the advantage of allowing us time for a pint (or two) in the Eagle and Child. Plus chips. By the fire!

Legs ache all over today but I look upon it as one step on a return to fitness and take it as a positive.

I might even start 2014 with a race as Nine Standards is in the club championship.

Russell

Loughrigg Silver Howe Loughrigg

Saturday 28th December 2013

Having spent most of the festive period suffering from a cold it is time to get out even though probably not fully recovered. The weather has eased a bit but I do not want to go too high so I decide on Loughrigg Silver How. My route out is a little convoluted but return is more or less via the race route.

Cool and breezy on the tops so I find shelter to enjoy the views.

However perhaps due to my lack of recent training or illness the pace is noticeably slow. To achieve anything in 2014 I will have to get down to some serious work.

Russell

Longsleddale round

Saturday 30th November 2013

I have arranged with DW to go out today and the route choice is up to me. I decide that Longsleddale would be good as we can take in some summits that I have never visited before. CB and CS come along too and we set off from Sadgill on a perfect bright clear morning.

I had no idea how to get onto the fell from the parking area but we spot some walkers and a gate nearby so are striaight into I the first climb of the day. Hard work for me as I usually need half an hour to get going these days. The others take it in their stride, chatting as we ascend. The path takes us nicely to the first top at Grey Crag.

With the way to Tarn Crag unclear and me in the lead thing do not go well. The trod I pick runs out and we are crossing boggy ground. Still we are there soon enough admiring the view and taking a few photos. Next it is on to Branstree via a loveley grassy descent and climb then descend to the top of Gatescarth Pass.

Climbing again to Harter Fell a deer crosses our path some distance ahead. Haven't seen them in the valley for a while. Then we follow the main path over Kentmere Pike and on to Shipman Knotts. We try to unlock the secrets of the descent back to the main Sadgill track and then drop down to the cars.

A good outing and an area I would be keen to visit again.

Russell

Faulds Brow Orienteering.

Sunday 24th November

My third foray into the world of orienteering. This time it is the northern end of the Lakes near Caldbeck. The area is a bit different to the last two events. Much more open and featureless terrain. Lots of controls in pits or depressions whereas previously it had been crags and boulders. So they were much harder to locate quickly. Much easier to overshoot. 

It was good to have CB along on his first event and once 'orientated' he did well. 

Finished off with a pint of Black Sail in The Crown at Heskett Newmarket.

Super

Russell.

Kentmere race route.

Sunday 10th November 2013

Not being able to run at Dunnerdale was disappointing but the compensation was excellent. A round of Kentmere with CB. The weather was perfect as the photos show. Better than the view (nice rainbow though ?) from Staveley the previous day. A pleasure to be out. More please.

Day at the track cycling.

MC and me had a day out at Manchester velodrome. Excellent fun. You are really close to the action.

Great pic by Mat

Evening Potter

Last Tuesday at short notice DW and I head out from Staveley Mill Yard up through Craggy Wood and on to Potter Tarn. Down to Hagg Foot then back along the river. 

Good to be out at night again but inferior torch and need for new batteries made it interesting.

Good fun.

Russell

Grasmere round

Saturday 12th October 2013

Out today with CB. We avoid Langdale because of the race there today. From Grassmere we go via Stone Arrthur to Great Rigg Man and on to Fairfield. Cool, breezy and misty here so we quickly descend to Grisdale Hause. The path has become a bit washed out but lower down Fix the Fells are doing some work. Let's hope this is an improvement. 

Now we head over Seat Sandal and down to Dunmail Raise. A short break and we are soon into the intimidating climb to Steel Fell. It goes well but I will need to be quicker if I am to attempt the JNC. From here on it is a steady pace over Calf Crag then along the ridge to Helm Crag and down to Grasmere to finish. 

A good day but my foot is a little sore afterwards. Hope is is not a serious thing.

Russell

Orienteering

Sunday 6th October 2013

First proper orienteering event today. High Brow near Dockray. Did blue course. Slight mis judgement on the first control but after that it went well. I would certainly like to do more.

Sorry this meant I could not get to support all our HHR teams in the IHMR.

Russell