Friday 11 September 2009
packing
Been busy the last couple of days getting ready for 3 weeks of french hot rock, sunshine and food! The stuffs all out, tonight it goes in the van, and tomorrow (early) we set off for Dover, Calais, Fontainbleau and Orpierre. From then who knows: Ceuse, Buis le Barronais, Vent Avon, Boux? I hope to ride up Mont Ventoux as well. See you in 3 weeks!
Wednesday 9 September 2009
3 runs in one day
OK so two of them were only 2.5 miles each but I was impressed with my motivation. After the ride on Sunday I wanted to get out running on Monday, but had physio after work (last session!) so decided to run in along the coast (2.5 miles) from where I park the car. I then obviously had to get back to the car after work, so ran back, then after physio, went up to Kirkland and checked out Leg 4 of the British Fell Running Relays that are happening in October.
I've run on these fells before, but not that much, and don't know them that well. I'm down to do the nav. leg so I know I need to get out in the area to get my bearings. Its not easy terrain to navigate on in the mist!! I eventually left the car at 6:30 and trotted over the course. By now my legs were feeling a little heavy, and I wanted to make sure that I didn't just blast over the course without looking around!! There was a lovely light on the fells as a front was moving in from the west, although it got 'darker' inland first. The leg is fast running with a sting in the tail, which I have to admit hurt a bit!
Total mileage: 10.7 miles, Ascent: not worked out yet probably ~ 1600'
I've run on these fells before, but not that much, and don't know them that well. I'm down to do the nav. leg so I know I need to get out in the area to get my bearings. Its not easy terrain to navigate on in the mist!! I eventually left the car at 6:30 and trotted over the course. By now my legs were feeling a little heavy, and I wanted to make sure that I didn't just blast over the course without looking around!! There was a lovely light on the fells as a front was moving in from the west, although it got 'darker' inland first. The leg is fast running with a sting in the tail, which I have to admit hurt a bit!
Total mileage: 10.7 miles, Ascent: not worked out yet probably ~ 1600'
Monday 7 September 2009
Hardknott & Wrynose
On Sunday, P and I headed out after an inordinate amount of faff (something about me wanting to take my carrier and mud guards of my decent road bike at the last minute!) and rode from home over Hardknott and Wrynose, down to Consiton, Torver, Duddon Bridge, Ulpha, Birker Fell and then home. It was the longest road ride I've done for a while (45 miles) although it wasn't that long! and I'd never ridden Wrynose before. We set off knowing it was going to rain, and as we stepped out the hosue the first few spots fell, but it actually held off for a long time.
I love the ride up to Hardknott, depsite knowing what's coming. I was a little daunted as I'm very unsure of my fitness at the moment, but actually the pass felt fine, OK I didn't set any speed records for the ascent but I was comfortable and enjoyed it. The descent was OK too, although the road was fairly busy (for Hardknott!) and the road was wet in places. We then speed through Cockely Beck and before I knew it we were heading up Wrynose.
From the west Wrynose is not that hard as you start quite high from Cockley Beck, and the climb is fairly steady, so through the top and on down towards Little Langdale. The undulations along this part must be a big killer on the Fred Whitton, with all those miles in your legs. We reached the main road and headed towards Coniston and a food stop. Just as we got back on our bikes after a late lunch, the rain caught us up.
It was just a light rain for a while, as we rode down the main road towards Broughton Mills, and then we turned back up into the Duddon Valley to Ulpha. The climb up out of Ulpha had been looming in my mind again (as it always does) but as always I took it steady, and found it OK. In fact the worst part is not the bottom zig-zags but the straight pull above them. As we got out of the trees on the ascent it started raining harder and it was a wet ride over the tops into the valley.
I really enjoyed the ride, and was surprised how easy it felt, given the summer I've had, and the fact that it was the hardest road ride I've done for a while. I'd also started with stiff shoulders, arms and stomach muscles from a long climbing session at Kendal wall on Saturday, and a reasonably fast run up Muncaster Fell and back on Saturday evening. Kendal wall was the first 'whole' days climbing I'd done since June and my shoulder certainly let me know about it after - in a good way!! I felt pitifully weak on the steep stuff, struggling to do a 6a+, but at the same time I was encouraged that I could do what I could do. The fitness will come back in the next few weeks... hot, dry French rock here we come....
I love the ride up to Hardknott, depsite knowing what's coming. I was a little daunted as I'm very unsure of my fitness at the moment, but actually the pass felt fine, OK I didn't set any speed records for the ascent but I was comfortable and enjoyed it. The descent was OK too, although the road was fairly busy (for Hardknott!) and the road was wet in places. We then speed through Cockely Beck and before I knew it we were heading up Wrynose.
From the west Wrynose is not that hard as you start quite high from Cockley Beck, and the climb is fairly steady, so through the top and on down towards Little Langdale. The undulations along this part must be a big killer on the Fred Whitton, with all those miles in your legs. We reached the main road and headed towards Coniston and a food stop. Just as we got back on our bikes after a late lunch, the rain caught us up.
It was just a light rain for a while, as we rode down the main road towards Broughton Mills, and then we turned back up into the Duddon Valley to Ulpha. The climb up out of Ulpha had been looming in my mind again (as it always does) but as always I took it steady, and found it OK. In fact the worst part is not the bottom zig-zags but the straight pull above them. As we got out of the trees on the ascent it started raining harder and it was a wet ride over the tops into the valley.
I really enjoyed the ride, and was surprised how easy it felt, given the summer I've had, and the fact that it was the hardest road ride I've done for a while. I'd also started with stiff shoulders, arms and stomach muscles from a long climbing session at Kendal wall on Saturday, and a reasonably fast run up Muncaster Fell and back on Saturday evening. Kendal wall was the first 'whole' days climbing I'd done since June and my shoulder certainly let me know about it after - in a good way!! I felt pitifully weak on the steep stuff, struggling to do a 6a+, but at the same time I was encouraged that I could do what I could do. The fitness will come back in the next few weeks... hot, dry French rock here we come....
Friday 4 September 2009
Valley 7
trotted out last night in the gales and heavy showers for a 7 miler in the valley. I just couldn't face going up on the tops in that wind, I know .... nesh.
Anyway I had a lovely run along the river and back. It was very high but no overs its banks, no one else out and lots of mud to play in! Pace was steady, and felt good. Think I might need to do some more of these 'flat' runs, to work on running style.
Anyway I had a lovely run along the river and back. It was very high but no overs its banks, no one else out and lots of mud to play in! Pace was steady, and felt good. Think I might need to do some more of these 'flat' runs, to work on running style.
Wednesday 2 September 2009
a little bit of everything on a BH weekend
This weekend did feel like a little bit of everything. Run, walk, party, cake, dancing, cooked brekkie, village fete, more cake, mountain bike ride, house sorting. One thing there was no variation in was the weather - just a lot of rain!!
Friday night was a nice quiet one in. Saturday was the big day for the Fells Angels and Friends BG relay attempt to break Billy Bland's record of 13 hours, 53 minutes set in 1982. P and I were running back to back legs in the afternoon over Kirkfell, so we had a leisurely morning and trundled over to Honsiter Pass and had a cuppa in the van. WHile we were supping away another couple of fellow runners pulled up as well as the King himself - Billy. A very entetaining, funny and humble man!
We planned to walk into our positions, so set off fairly early to get to Black Sail pass at about 1:30pm. We dawdled in fairly slowly, in reasonable weather. It was cloudy and windy but the rain held off. We got to BS pass on time, and I hung around with P for a while, and then with about 50 minutes left before the baton was scheduled I decided to plod up to the summit and assume my position. No sooner had I left P and got to the bottom of Joss's gully, did I hear a feint shout from him, and turned round to see him pointing! Oh No!!! The last thing I wanted was a eyeballs out ascent of Kirkfell but it seemed like the baton was up on schedule so I got stuck in and pushed hard to the top expecting P to come tearing up behind me at any moment!!
I arrived on top just as the cloud and rain arrived, and hunkered down on the summit expecting a short wait. When 10 minutes had gone by I realsied P must have called a false alarm and the people he had seen running down Pillar were not 'our people'!! I then had confirmation that the baton was on schedule leaving Pillar Summit. So I relaxed a little having felt pretty worse for wear after my effort up. Then began 30 odd more minutes of waiting in the rain and wind for P to appear over the near horizon. I had very little time between when he would appear and when I actually had to set off, so couldn't put loads of layers on. Instead I sat there with what amounted to a few granny blankets covering my legs, to keep warm.
Then about 10 minutes up on schedule, P appeared flying up hill looking more than just a bit nauseas from the effort, handed me the 'baton' a small camelback rucksac with the gps and radio in and I was off!! I gave it everything I had down the descent to Beckhead, and managed to stay on my feet which was very pleasing after the last few weeks! As I came over the brow of the hillside I could see 2 small figures move into position by the tarns and was relieved to know I didn't have to do the next leg up Gable. So soon I was down at Beckhead, passing over the baton, and off it went with Chris and Andy, disappearing into the mist on Gable. I don't think I've ever felt physically sick from effort on a downhill before!
and that was that! P and I met up again behind Kirkfell and trundled off to the van. We then drove into Keswick to see if we could get there and meet the incoming hopefully triumphant runners! We made it to Moot Hall just as the baton had got to Portinscale, so pottled out towards Stormwater Bridge to meet them, and enjoyed the run in to a very busy market day Keswick. The baton reaching Moot Hall after 13 hours 17 minutes and 45 seconds!!
It was a great atmosphere as everyone milled around at the finish. So many people involved both runners and supporters, it was a great sight to see. The party in the evening was a good do, with a hog roast and large amounts of food!!! We kipped in the van overnight and headed to Keswick for a fry up in the morning! It was another wet day in Cumbria, so headed via a shop or two back home, to then go to Eskdale Fete in the afternoon.
We nearly bought Jonty out of plants at the plant stall and filled up on plums, apples and cakes from the other stalls. The numbers seemed down on last year again, but the weather was pretty abysmal so I guess it wasn't surprising!
Monday morning we headed out on a local mountain bike ride, my first since the crash back in June. I didn't want anything technical, but that meant a fairly flat and muddy ride. Still it was great to be out on the 'new' bike, which I enjoyed a lot, and the shoulder held out well. I think it would have struggled on steep technical stuff, seeing as it complained a bit when I bunny hopped some puddles near the end of the ride! We managed by shear luck to be out in the driest two hours of the day, and spent the afternoon doing housey stuff, while it got very dark outside and rained an awful lot more!!
Lost - one British summer...
I've ridden into work and back yesterday and today in the rain - all my kit seems to be permanently soaked at the moment.
Friday night was a nice quiet one in. Saturday was the big day for the Fells Angels and Friends BG relay attempt to break Billy Bland's record of 13 hours, 53 minutes set in 1982. P and I were running back to back legs in the afternoon over Kirkfell, so we had a leisurely morning and trundled over to Honsiter Pass and had a cuppa in the van. WHile we were supping away another couple of fellow runners pulled up as well as the King himself - Billy. A very entetaining, funny and humble man!
We planned to walk into our positions, so set off fairly early to get to Black Sail pass at about 1:30pm. We dawdled in fairly slowly, in reasonable weather. It was cloudy and windy but the rain held off. We got to BS pass on time, and I hung around with P for a while, and then with about 50 minutes left before the baton was scheduled I decided to plod up to the summit and assume my position. No sooner had I left P and got to the bottom of Joss's gully, did I hear a feint shout from him, and turned round to see him pointing! Oh No!!! The last thing I wanted was a eyeballs out ascent of Kirkfell but it seemed like the baton was up on schedule so I got stuck in and pushed hard to the top expecting P to come tearing up behind me at any moment!!
I arrived on top just as the cloud and rain arrived, and hunkered down on the summit expecting a short wait. When 10 minutes had gone by I realsied P must have called a false alarm and the people he had seen running down Pillar were not 'our people'!! I then had confirmation that the baton was on schedule leaving Pillar Summit. So I relaxed a little having felt pretty worse for wear after my effort up. Then began 30 odd more minutes of waiting in the rain and wind for P to appear over the near horizon. I had very little time between when he would appear and when I actually had to set off, so couldn't put loads of layers on. Instead I sat there with what amounted to a few granny blankets covering my legs, to keep warm.
Then about 10 minutes up on schedule, P appeared flying up hill looking more than just a bit nauseas from the effort, handed me the 'baton' a small camelback rucksac with the gps and radio in and I was off!! I gave it everything I had down the descent to Beckhead, and managed to stay on my feet which was very pleasing after the last few weeks! As I came over the brow of the hillside I could see 2 small figures move into position by the tarns and was relieved to know I didn't have to do the next leg up Gable. So soon I was down at Beckhead, passing over the baton, and off it went with Chris and Andy, disappearing into the mist on Gable. I don't think I've ever felt physically sick from effort on a downhill before!
and that was that! P and I met up again behind Kirkfell and trundled off to the van. We then drove into Keswick to see if we could get there and meet the incoming hopefully triumphant runners! We made it to Moot Hall just as the baton had got to Portinscale, so pottled out towards Stormwater Bridge to meet them, and enjoyed the run in to a very busy market day Keswick. The baton reaching Moot Hall after 13 hours 17 minutes and 45 seconds!!
It was a great atmosphere as everyone milled around at the finish. So many people involved both runners and supporters, it was a great sight to see. The party in the evening was a good do, with a hog roast and large amounts of food!!! We kipped in the van overnight and headed to Keswick for a fry up in the morning! It was another wet day in Cumbria, so headed via a shop or two back home, to then go to Eskdale Fete in the afternoon.
We nearly bought Jonty out of plants at the plant stall and filled up on plums, apples and cakes from the other stalls. The numbers seemed down on last year again, but the weather was pretty abysmal so I guess it wasn't surprising!
Monday morning we headed out on a local mountain bike ride, my first since the crash back in June. I didn't want anything technical, but that meant a fairly flat and muddy ride. Still it was great to be out on the 'new' bike, which I enjoyed a lot, and the shoulder held out well. I think it would have struggled on steep technical stuff, seeing as it complained a bit when I bunny hopped some puddles near the end of the ride! We managed by shear luck to be out in the driest two hours of the day, and spent the afternoon doing housey stuff, while it got very dark outside and rained an awful lot more!!
Lost - one British summer...
I've ridden into work and back yesterday and today in the rain - all my kit seems to be permanently soaked at the moment.
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