time to train

Having had good runs at the last three races, I've been having a look at my running to see what I can do to take it up another gear. I have had two winters of a lot of long slow distance work, with minimal speed work. Consequently my endurance is pretty good but I have no speed! While my goals are still dominated by the longer races, if I'm going to go any quicker I need to be a bit more structured! So its hill reps and speed work. It'll be trial and error. Coupled with this I need to work on my flexibility and core strength as its not what it should be, and my running 'style' is poor!

A week in North Wales

After Wasdale, P and I headed off to North Wales in the van for a week. We made the most of the permanent sunshine (!) on the Great Orme, climbing at Pen Trwyn for 4 days. Nearly managed to get Contusion (6c) but the final move to the belay thwarted me! We had one afternoon downstairs before the tides became too inconvenient.

We also had a couple of days mountain biking when it was wet, one at Coed-y-Brenin and one at Gwydyr. What striked me about both is that they still have long fire road climbs and no single track climbs unlike the 7 Stanes routes. Not sure they give you the views that they say and sell these 'sociable' climbs as!

A great week revisiting old haunts!

Wasdale Fell Race

A week last saturday was the Wasdale fell race - always one to get my nerves going for some reason - whether its because its on local terrain and therefore I put myself under more pressure - who knows! Anyway as forecast the day dawned wet, windy and a thick mist covered the fells down to almost valley level. The start was delayed by over 20 minutes which didn't help the nerves! I had no real game plan - I desperately wanted to finish as last time I started I dnf'd at Pillar (I'd just spent 5 12 hour days moving house!) but I also wanted to race, as its not just about getting round.

I started steadily and at the first checkpoint was with two other lasses with one way out in front. The group I was with all took the long way round to get back down the the valley, with not one following me the direct way, so I managed to break away from the other 2 lasses, and that was the last I saw of them. Managed to 'team' up with a small group from Pots of Ashness to Scoat Fell col, the only real bit of navigation needed, and then pulled away.

Managed to trip over coming off Pillar and scuffed my knees a bit. Also managed to drop a full water bottle on the traverse around Kirkfell, which Ros had just handed to me at Black Sail. From then on I was drinking handfuls from streams only! Luckily the fell streams were all very much replenished after the dry spell!

After Sty Head I was on my own until the descent off the Pike, although I passed a couple of runners on the way, and then suffered badly with no grip on the final descent off Lingmell as my old faithful shoes were now thoroughly worn! Finished in 5:31, which was a mildly disappointing time, but the overall winners time was possibly the slowest ever due to conditions! Much more impressed with my overall placing 2nd Lady, 35th out of 167 starters and 122 finishers.

Fisherman's Friend

While I love climbing at St Bees, both the bouldering and the routes, I've never really got on with leading anything much. The climbing feels too insecure and I have a very bad 'head' when it comes to leading even on bolts. I have been keeping myself in my little bubble for a long time.

Well with the BG out the way and the drive to move on, I've started to tackle the demons in my head. So last night instead of just top roping 6's and 7's at St Bees, I tied onto the sharp end and led a route - Fisherman's Friend - a 5! Found the climbing easy, but not the leading. In the end I led it twice and boy did I feel mentally shattered afterwards!! Still I did it, and it marks the first wee chip off the big mental block.

Skiddaw Fell Race

After riding to work and back on Friday and a hard days climbing on Saturday (reaquainting myself with Chapel Head Scar after the lifting of the bird ban) we popped round to Keswick for the Skiddaw Race. The forecast was soo foul I couldn't think of anything else to do!! My legs felt sluggish on warm up - but that may have had more to do with the torrential rain and strong winds than actually feeling tired. As I've done no hill work or fast running for a while I couldn't really settle on a game plan as I didn't know how I'd feel and also as I'm doing Wasdale this weekend, I had that in the back of my mind.

Took it reasonably fast but steady out of Fitz Park and was second behind Pippa at that point. I got passed by a lass going around Latrigg and couldn't keep up (lack of speed on the hills!), but as we ascended into the clag after Latrigg car park, I realised I was gaining on her on the steeper ascents. I kept digging in, but ran out of steep ascent. The weather was pretty appalling, not cold but very strong winds and horizontal rain and hail. It was some surprise when the leaders came past so soon, and I was wondering how badly I could be doing, until we reached the top fence line and found the marshalls sheltering there. So we weren't going to the top then!

As I turned I made a real effort on the descent (not one of my strong points) and soon caught and passed the lass in 2nd. I put such effort in that the final descent round Latrigg my legs has gone completely, and it was a real effort to  keep the pace going. Finished in 1:19:32 in 2nd place, with badly jelly legs. Happy with that!! Even did a warm down my legs felt so bad. Still finished 11 minutes behind Pippa in first!!

Photo courtesy of StuStod - thanks!

The Bob Graham Club

this arrived the other day...!

Mountain Biking

Also been getting out mountain biking again and learning to love it! Its taken me a few rides to feel like I'm getting my groove back. A weekend away in Dumfries and Galloway really helped - Saturday at Kirroughtree and Sunday at Drumlanrig. Fantastic and even better as it was soooo dry.... I didn't go near McMoab thou!

A great weekend with a big bunch of mates all capped by a swim in the River Nith near Drumlanrig.

Bouldering at St Bees

A relatively easy day on Sunday at St Bees. I was feeling quite tired and spent a fair bit of the day sun bathing not climbing. We spent some time at Fleswick bay but a combination of a high tide and strong onshore winds meant the newly developed boulders at the south end were a no go and a fair amount of the older problems were wt, so we headed around to the northern end beneath Apiary Wall. Met some mates and had a good craic. Just pootled myself on a beautiful day though.

John’s BG - Leg 4

Another great day out on the local fells support John on his BG. He was over an hour up on his 23 schedule coming into Wasdale, and continued to go well for the rest of the round. It was a hot sunny but breezy day, although waiting at Brackenclose there was a lot of cloud building up on the higher fells and we watched a stunning sight of Mickledore filling up with cloud. After a good 15 minute rest in Wasdale, we set off up Yewbarrow. I’d agreed to navigate (as much as you need to on a crystal clear day!), and Ann was general food and drink provider.

We made really good time along the leg, with John picking up a few minutes on each split. He had a moderately bad spell around Gable were he was only on split times, but we arrived in Honister over an hour and a half up on schedule. He eventually came into Keswick in 21 hours and 6 minutes – a fantastic effort on another warm day.

60 miles on the road bike

P and I took Friday off and drove around to Loweswater for a good road ride. The Route took us from Loweswater, Fangs Brow, Mockerkin, Mosser, Embleton, Bassenthwaite, Caldbeck, Mungrisdale, Castlerigg Stone Circle, Keswick, Borrrowdale, Honister Hause, Buttermere, Loweswater. A great ride in slightly cloudy and muggy conditions. We had lunch at the Priest’s Mill café in Caldbeck – highly recommended!! Great salads…

It felt really good to be back on the bike and it’s the longest ride I’ve done for a very long time. Ironic to think its still fewer miles that I ran for the BG! Honister felt pretty steady despite being at the end of the ride. I only had one worry – I was support John on his BG the next day for Leg 4 – hopefully the race and this ride hadn’t taken too much out of me!

Langstrath Fell Race

Last Wednesday was the Langstrath Fell race from Stonethwaite in Borrowdale. P wanted a session at the Bowderstone, so I jogged down the valley from there to the start. After a considerable warm up for me, it was time for the start of the race. I loved this race last year and it was my last for a while after my bike accident, so was a bit nervous about what would happen this year. Although undoubtedly fitter, I’m also still fairly tired and have no speed at all!

It was a muggy cloudy evening. I took it fairly steady on the climb up Lingy End, and soon realised I was in first place. It started to hurt fairly quickly and I have to admit to taking the foot off the gas a bit. It also started to drizzle, wetting the rocks very slowly, and I rued my decision of shoes – La Sportiva Crosslites – great shoes except on wet rock where they are the worst of all fell shoes. Still I kept a reasonable pace up slipping and sliding all over the place. The climb back over from Watendlath really hurt, and on the final descent I looked over my shoulder and saw Jo from Keswick seemingly closing in. I put my foot back on the gas and worked really hard to the finish. Slightly disappointed with my time, which was over a minute slower than last year but held on to first place!

BG - Leg 5 - Honister to Moot Hall

Another tin of lentil soup went down really well, and another butty was shove in my hand as I left. Rich and Ros shared the task of washing and vaselining my feet! More new socks and same shoes. Pete was here to fuss over me a bit. Here I found out I had 4 supporters for the final leg, as Nick and Barbara were joined by Paul and Sam. It was really good to have so many familiar faces around supporting. Again quite humbling as many people have said before.

I had been dreading the climb up Dale Head, and it did take me nearly 8 minutes longer than schedule. I knew I was going slowly and for once couldn’t find anything in my legs. Sam was a star again, making me keep taking small sips of liquid on board. By this time, once the butty had gone down, I really didn’t fancy any food at all, and apart from a few jelly babies, didn’t really take much on at all. The descent off Dale Head was hard, and Sam kept talking to me, coaching me in actual fact, and I really responded to this. The climb up Hindscarth went well as I put my head down and pushed hard. Although I knew I was only about 10 minutes down on schedule I just couldn’t relax and accept that it was in the bag. The descent of Hindscarth and the ascent of Robinson (the last one!) really hurt and at this point I have to admit that the enjoyment started to leave me. I wasn’t hating it at all, but it felt more like hard work than a good day out in the hills, which is what it had been like till that point.

Nick did a great job out front getting the most direct line to Robinson summit, reducing any unnecessary mileage to virtually nil. After posing for a quick summit photo, the business of getting off the fell started. There had been some debate as to which way to go. To be honest at this point I didn’t really care, I just wanted the descent to be over. Nick and Sam worked well ahead of us, picking out the best line for me zig-zagging between the rocky sections. I have to admit I was whimpering at this point, as my body did start to really complain. I had been descending in a strange way for 16 odd hours and everything was starting to feel sore. I just concentrated on reaching Little Town as I knew Pete was there with more new socks and my road shoes.

Finally the steepest part of the descent was over and I tried to trot along the track beneath a huge fragrant patch of gause towards Little Town. This proved very hard to do and trying to do anything except walk slowly required all my concentration. Eventually the final descent to the road appeared and I saw Pete ahead. Sam trotted ahead to meet him and get things sorted. Pete had got road shoes for all off us, so we all changed shoes, and I risked a quick sit down in the van to do mine, with Pete helping me!

The final part of the leg was now on us, and it really just came down to keeping one foot in front of the other for 4 and a bit miles. I had never run this road section before, although I had driven it many times. I was concerned that this might be a problem, but with hindsight it was actually a good thing, and I couldn’t picture all the little ups, I just dealt with them when the came. Sam still had me taking small sips of water at this point, not to make a difference between here and Keswick, but to make sure that I was just as hydrated as I could be following it. It did feel like a long way along the road, and I managed to keep a slow trot up on all but the ups, which reduced me to a walk. Both knees were now very painful, and I had no idea how much ibuprofen I had in my system. I had been taking 1 or 2 pills every 2/3 hours since Helvellyn but figured that that wouldn’t exceed potential limits.

Finally the bridge over the River Derwent arrived and we trotted over it and onto the path to Keswick. I slowed here to make sure I had enough in my legs to run up the high street to Moot Hall! It was only here that I finally knew I had done it, and allowed myself to think that. Pete was standing on the bridge over the River Greta, taking photos and ran in with us to Moot Hall. There was a small gathering of people there, friends who had come along to see me finish and I was vaguely aware that they were clapping. I touched the Moot Hall steps after 23 hours and 20 minutes at 6:25pm and burst into tears!! I had finally started and finished my BG!

BG - Leg 4 - Wasdale to Honister Hause

The fifteen minutes here went very quickly. I seemed to do nothing except shove foods in my mouth – a wonderful egg butty. Ros washed my feet – something no one should have to do, and vaslined them again before I put on new socks and same shoes. Again a change of top and shorts and new bandana, slapped on the factor 30 sun cream, and all too soon it was time to leave with another butty in hand for the first climb with Mike and Tracy and Ben the dog. The climb up Yewbarrow was fine, again I knew it so well that I felt mentally prepared for it to hurt. We were spot on time up here and Tracy and I had a great natter on the descent to Dore Head and climb up Red Pike. In fact it was a generally chatty leg and was great at keeping my mind off my knee. Ben has brilliant despite getting under my feet a few times. He was suffering in the heat being a black dog, but seemed to settle down after the first climb, and soon started seeking out puddles and tarns to cool off in!

After Red Pike, Mike picked a soft line off to Scoat fell, where we left Tracy to reorganise the sacs & food, while Mike and I ticked off Steeple. My memories of this winter in the deep snow coming back to me. No problem with rotten snow today, and we were soon back and trotting along dropping down past Black Crags and down to Wind Gap. The climb up Pillar passed quickly and soon we dropped off the main path to the good grassier trod towards Black Sail. At this point Mike heard on the MRT radio that one of the P&B guys had fallen and injured his face, it was thought potentially a broken cheek bone. Mike was busy keeping up to date with what was happening, but they must have been on the main path above us as we reached Black Sail without seeing them.

Here we caught up with Larry from Macclesfield Harriers who had just sat down and had finally been persuaded to get up and carry on. Chris C was supporting him, and we caught up with the day so far with him as we climbed Kirkfell together, up Joss’s Gully. Larry seemed to be suffering badly in the heat which I just wasn’t noticing. I still felt really quite good! Food and water were going down well, and I still felt really strong on the climbs. At the top of Joss’s gully, Annette was waiting for Larry and team, and passed a segment of orange to me which tasted soo good! We reached the summit just before Larry and headed off down to Beck Head, as he went for a dip in the tarn near the summit. They over took us on the descent down to Beck Head, but again we pulled ahead on the climb up gable. It was somewhat distracting to have this to-ing and fro-ing going on, and made me worry about my descending speed, but I was moving so much better up hill I figured that it was something to worry about too much. Also Larry had started 30 minutes before me which did help my mind.

After Gable, we worked as one team on the descent to Windy Gap. After Green Gable Larry and team seemed to find a second wind and off they went, as I was still struggling to maintain a good pace across the undulating terrain after Green Gable. However, Brandreth and Grey Knotts arrived and went quickly, as the ground was very dry and easy going. Mike sought out a great soft line off Grey Knotts to Honister and it was a great feeling to run into Honister. Rich ran up to find out what I was craving most and Pete wondered up taking some photos on the run in. I even got a round of applause from people in the car park, including the Macc. Harriers support!

BG - Leg 3 - Dunmail to Wasdale

Ros set me off with a cheese sandwich and all refuelled and re-clothed (I decided to put on ¾ length tights and a long sleeved merino), we began the tough climb up Steel Fell. I’d taken more painkillers and put a new tubigrip on my knee. I decided that I didn’t feel bad enough to quit, and therefore Leg 3 would be make or break. If I could maintain my pace and maybe make back some time with my knee as it was, then all would be well. If my knee prevented me from doing this then I would by badly down by Wasdale and the decision would be made. One thing definitely in my favour was the fact that Leg 3 has a lot of big climbs and steady climbs and fewer descents. That was if I could maintain a pace on the ascents!

Having decided to go for it, and basically to ignore the knee pain, it felt like a weight had lifted from my mind. As we set off on Leg 3 up Steel Fell, we kept the pace steady. The only major navigational error occurred on the climb up Steel Fell and it was my fault, as I headed towards the wrong gully (the right and not the left) and by the time Rich had realised John and I were to the side of him, it was too late!! What a fool, what did I have supporters for if not to navigate and way find for me!! It was not the worst of things to happen probably just took us a minute of so longer, a bit of a grassy scramble got us onto the ridge and soon we were trotting along towards Steel Fell and Calf Crag.

The torches were put away as dawn spread across the fells. It was a good pace across to Calf Crag, it’s a route which I find very hard in thick mist but is so obvious in the clear! I was holding onto time here and not loosing any more. The sunrise was still a long way off, but the lightening sky was a wonderful boost and as the skylarks started singing again, and the dew formed on the grass, it was an amazing time to be out. The valleys were full of cloud, and above us the sky was blushed with a faint blue-purple hue. I kept thinking here that regardless of what happened I was so lucky to be out on these fells in these conditions. It was probably the coolest temperature of the whole round, but it was perfect. As the dew formed, a thin shroud of mist formed on the land around us as we climbed up to Sergeant Man and High Raise. The P&B group ahead left only footprints in the dew before us.

I was eating well again by this point, and managing to drink well too. Little and often as I’m sure many people have said is the motto. John and Rich were doing a great job of keeping me hydrated, and every few minutes offering me a bottle of water or nuun to sip from. They also kept a steady supply of food coming. I’d recovered enough from my aversion to sweet food, to get cake and flapjack down me, and started sipping at Lucozade as well. I normally hate this stuff, but today it was going down well. It was also at this point that I started to pick up again on schedule. I was not having any problems on the climbs and felt strong.

We made the turn at High Raise and the long section down and up to the Langdale Pikes, across Thunacar Knott and on to Harrison Stickle. Here we actually saw someone out who obviously thought they’d have the fells to themselves at that time in the morning. Time was passing really well for me at this point. I felt good and strong on the ascents, although I was conscious that as I neared every summit I started dreading it because it meant I’d have a descent to tackle and these were really painful. I’d almost lost track of the amount of ibuprofen I had taken even by this point. After Pike Of Stickle, Bowfell loomed ominously in the foreground. A huge advantage of knowing this leg so well, was the lack of intimidation that this caused. I was almost looking forward to the ascent, as once on top, it really was home territory! The descent over Martcrag Moor was slow and it still worried me how slow I was being on the descents but I couldn’t do anything about it except try to move as quickly as possible, so I dug in and soon enough the slope of Rossett Pike reared up in front of us. Looking back we’d passed really close to a group of tents without noticing them, but it was still early in the morning and no sign of anyone moving about.

This climb gave way quickly to the top of the Pike, although Rich took us a different way to the one I was used to from the top of the ramp to the summit cairn. Always useful to find better lines! A quick (ish) descent to the top of Rossett Gill and Bowfell was next. We took the climb steady, and it felt really slow. It was refreshing to be able to see the rocks and grass beneath our feet, as the last two times I’d been this way it’s been covered in snow. Rich kept stopping to take photos as the cloud from the valley swirled up and around us, in an eerie way. It was stunningly beautiful. We actually, despite perception, made good time up here and soon I felt like I could still make up time!

Rich also had a great line off Bowfell avoiding the worst of the rocks and rough path, which saved me some pain on the descent to Ore Gap. The climb up Esk Pike did seem to go on for far longer than I remembered it too. I wasn’t sure what this meant and started to get really worried about my pace, but I think at 7 in the morning you’re body and mind can play all sorts of tricks on you. Rich rang ahead to Pete on Broad Stand to let him know we’d just left Bowfell Summit. I realised how important it was to me to see Pete at this point. It gave me a real boost to know he’d be there waiting and I had to stop myself getting too emotional! Rich again zigged and zagged a wee bit on the descent to Esk Hause avoiding the rocks and finding the soft grass. It was great to keep the mind switched off the route finding and just follow.

By now, the day had well and truly dawned and it was obviously going to be a hot one. I was really happy now I was on truly familiar territory and the summits seemed to pass by quickly as we ticked off Great End, Broad Crag, Ill Crag and Scafell Pike. Even at the relatively early time of 8:30am we were not alone up here, and we didn’t stop to take in the view – something I know well anyway! Rich sprinted off in front to get to Pete and get up Broad Stand before I arrived. I had hoped to make up significant number of minutes here but I juts couldn’t descend to Mickledore quick enough. Pete was all set up on B.S. and Rich had got to the top before I arrived at Fat Man’s agony. A quick squirm onto the ledge and step into my harness waist band and I was climbing up the scramble. I had been apprehensive about this bit, hoping I wouldn’t go tharn in my tired state or feel weak armed on the climb, but it was fine. Pete gave me a quick encouraging kiss and I was on and upward to the summit. When I had supported Paul two years previously someone had put a rope all the way from the top of B.S. to the top of the rocks as a guide, so it was quite a shock to have to think at all about the route. Luckily the rocks are polished and worn, so Rich and I picked a route out to the summit, with John following having given Pete the low down on how I was doing.

Now the bit I was dreading – the long descent off Scafell. I took it steady but had to push it mentally to keep a pace up, as it was tempting to walk. I told myself that it hurt just as much whatever speed I took, and those 2 minutes of scree waiting for me would be great fun and pain free. The scree descent was really good fun and a welcome relief from the steep grass and rocks, but all too soon it was over and we descended down through the fields to the west of the main path to Brackenclose and the welcome sight of Ros, the van and Pete.

BG - Leg 2 - Threlkeld to Dunmail

Rich and John were all ready, and while they swapped over kit, Ros got some sweetened tea down me and shoved a jam butty in my hand. I felt incredibly full at that point as Sam had made me eat so much on the first leg. I was also very hydrated as I’d had to stop for a pee on the summit of Blencathra. I did feel slightly surreal at this point as it felt like it should have been someone else doing this and not me! All these people where here for me and fussing over me! A very strange situation.

The five minutes rest was over all to quickly and after a quick thanks to Chris, John, Rich, Gem and I headed on our way past Newsham and up towards Clough Head. We made steady progress on the ascent, with Rich leading the way with huge assurance on the right route. Gem was busy racing ahead and seemed desperate to get on with it. At one point the head torches of the P&B lads all stopped and turned towards us, as I think Gem had caught them up and given them a bit of a shock seeing a lonesome sheepdog out on the fells near midnight! It was a balmy evening and I was still in shorts and t-shirt although I’d grabbed a long sleeve top at the last minute from Ros’s van to put on.

We picked up the trod first time near the top on the small corrie and were soon at the summit of Great Calva. I just managed to finish my jam butty by the top! The next few summits passed pretty quickly and uneventfully. I have never really got my head around this part of the leg, despite several recces, all in poor weather. I have never been able to remember the order of the fells, until Raise, and so it seemed with this traverse too. We had a wonderful view of the P&B group ahead, headtorches shinning in the darkness. The half full crescent moon sat low in the sky, shinning orange in the blackness.

All the time John kept a steady feed of food and water coming, although I was starting to struggle with the sweet foods. I knew that this would happen but had had real problems thinking what I may want to eat instead. John suggested I try one of his Cumberland sausages. Although this tasted good, it took considerable time for me to eat, and sat badly in my stomach. John then suggested I tried one of his new potatoes. This was salvation in carb. form!! It went down well and actually seemed to ease the slight queasiness in my stomach. Before we reached Dunmail I rather dented his supply!

It was with some awe that we watched the moon become gradually more orange as it set to the west, becoming a deep blood orange before it disappeared. At the same time, very early it seemed there was a vague lightening in the east. As this grew we realised that there was a stunning cloud inversion, and the Thirlmere valley was swathed in cloud. The climb up onto Hellvellyn seemed so easy by comparison to previous recces (all in high winds) as we were quickly trotting off towards Nethermost Pike.

Rich’s unerring navigation in the dark was something to behold, as we made good time in a great line towards the next summit. It felt like it took ages, but I think its always felt like it should be shorter than it really is. After Nethermost we hit some of the valley cloud which had risen up to meet us, and I ticked the only clagged summit of the round on Dollywagon Pike. I also needed another pee by this point which was a great sign. My bowels didn’t do me any favours here though and I have to apologise to all to passed this way in the day after me! Rich got out his compass and made a bearing to pick up the path and the old fence post at the top of the descent. Gem was already one step ahead of us and was sat waiting patiently by the post ready to descend. What a great lass.

We’d been keeping to time pretty much until now, but along the last few miles my right knee had started feeling sore on the outside of the joint, and I had a soreness in the outer part of my hip and thigh. As we descended down to Grisdale Tarn, this became very sore, and I started having to lead with my left leg. I could tell I was slowing down and not running freely. This started playing havoc with my mind. I really couldn’t think what I’d done and why it was hurting, and more to the point what I could do about it. It was a new pain and therefore not one I felt I could dismiss lightly. As we trotted around towards Fairfield, I was able to keep moving at a trot and felt slow but pain free on the climb up Fairfield. The decent was a different story! We passed the P&B runners here as we went up, and they were fairly spread out by this point. Some looked so fresh and springy I couldn’t help but envy them.

This was my lowest point, as I was trying to think my way through this one. I took some ibuprofen, and hoped that would at least ease things. The run down off Seat Sandal was more of a sideways shuffle and felt painfully slow. Just how was I going to complete when this was my descending speed here at the end of Leg 2!

We arrived at Dunmail, as the P&B lads had just left, leaving 3 of their group behind. I was 10 minutes down on schedule here, but somehow this didn’t panic me. Ros had some soup ready which went down incredibly well (Heinz Lentil Soup) and some bread. Also Cheese oatcakes and cheese, and sweetened tea. I changed my socks again, and re-vaselined my feet, which we feeling fine. I was aware that John and Rich were busty refuelling as both were accompanying me to Wasdale on double legs. Gem was staying behind as even wonder dog wouldn’t do Broad Stand!