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

Loughrigg

Sunday 29th September 2013

A late run this weekend so I head off at 5pm for what I am going to call my Loughrigg run. I am not going into detail about the actual route but I really enjoy this alternative way to the summit. Surprisingly I go well and have some energy. No doubt this will be a regular for me.

Russell

Legs 1 & 2

Sunday 22nd September 2013

I join CH, AB and VU for a recce of legs 1 and 2 of the Ian Hodgson relay. Off to a slow start as one of our number is a little worse for wear after an evening of over indulgence. We find good lines and enjoy the weather. There is a new path section near Hayeswater. I assume this is to allow them to remove the weir. Pic below. I wonder what it will look like afterwards.

 A very pleasant day out but certainly need to do more training. The ladies are going great and I am sure they will do very well on the event.

Russell

Up The Buckle

Buachaille Etive Mor (Stob Dearg)

Sunday 8th September 2013

The day after the Ben. 

I had never done anything after the Ben race before so this seemed like a good idea. And surprisingly it was. A very pleasant ascent. Unlike last time I was here. That is another story. 

Russell

Photos.

A good day.

Our day. No view :-(

Ben Nevis 2013

Saturday 7th September 2013

As we head up the M6 on the way to my 13th Ben Nevis race I feel more than a little apprehensive. Not nervous about the race itself but more about how I am feeling about the whole process of coming to a race like this. Having done 12 previous Bens my motivation is low and the ever-resent prospect of completing 21 to receive a commemorative plaque plays on my mind. Should I call it a day? Is it going to be unlucky number 13? Emotions all over the place. 

After eating and setting up camp it is soon time to settle down for the night. Not much sleep is usual for me on the first nights camping. Tonight is no different. The morning comes with rain showers and cloud but slowly improves . The race would be run in dry conditions for most and a clear summit. After registration we get prepared. Much debate about what to wear. Shorts and vest seam optimistic at first but once the start approaches I decide to shed the long sleeve top. A good decision. It is very warm on the first half of the climb and I suffer. 

The path to half way may be awkward and hard work but I know it will be much worse on the return journey. Above half way it cools and I settle into a good rhythm. The lack of training showing but progress is steady. Running on the summit plateau hurts the feet. Glad to be turning I decide to go at a comfortable pace and not really race back down. This works well and I pass runners when the opportunity arises and quite enjoy myself. 

At the grass bank things change. Runners, including me, weave and wobble our way down like bow legged drunks at 11.30pm on Finkle Street on a Saturday night. Legs buckling on the final few steps to the Red Burn. The tourist path as expected is an ordeal. Just an exercise in trying not to fall over (again). This year I manage it but the pace is slow. The road is almost a relief. 

My slowest time but I am not disappointed. Actually quite positive. Perhaps if I do some training next year (?) I might do better.

Russell

Red Screes

Saturday 31st August 2013

A quick trip to Kirkstone for some last minute Ben training. First up the path. OK. Descend via the scree. Not good. Back up old Ian Hodgson route. Oh dear. Descend tired. Enough. 

Outlook?

Russell