Blakes Heaven and Harter Fell

Didn’t manage much during the week for one reason or another. At the weekend I helped out at the Blakes Heaven Fell race, on registration and finishing funnel. It was a bit frustrating not to toe the starting line with so many of my club mates and fellow runners, but equally satisfying to help out for once! All went well, we had a record entry of 104 runners, and counted them all back in again. Conditions were near perfect for a winter’s day, with blue skies, light snow of the fell tops, hardened ground and amazing views.

On Sunday, it was a bit cloudy, and cold again. P and I went for a walk up over Harter Fell from Jubilee Bridge and back down to Hardknott Fort. There was a good covering of snow even on this lowly fell, and the higher fells looked stunning. Great cloud formations too, due to the Easterlies that were blowing. This wasn’t a long walk – as I may have learnt my lesson, but enjoyable to stretch the legs and keep the blood flowing! The bump is growing more and more now! Its all good weight training!

Evening Ride to Hardknott

Popped out after work on the bike with P to ride up the valley to Hardknott and back. Its not a strenuous or long ride, but it felt good. We kept an eye out for the Aurora but it was pretty early in the evening and the Milky Way was so bright anyway! It’s a very dark place up the top of the valley and it was an amazing experience to turn the lights off and watch the sky! We got caught in a vicious little hail storm when nearly back to the house which was a bit unfair!

distance

P fancied a good session at Kendal Wall on Saturday and as I still have no full body harness I couldn’t join him and would have cramped his style too!! So I took myself off for a walk in the strong winds and blustery sleety showers, from Kendal down the river Kent to near Sedgwick, round through the grounds of Sizergh Castle and back over Scout Scar. It was a good brisk walk out – about thirteen miles I think. I may have to start limiting and measuring my walks before hand as physically I’m fine doing these walks and loving them to, but I have to admit that I am pretty tired for a few days after!!

Hellvelyn and then North Yorks.

Friday was forecast to be such a gorgeous day after all the rain that’s fallen up here we quickly organised a day off work and drove around to Glenridding to go for a walk. Our route took us up towards the Hole in the Wall, visiting Birkhouse Moor on the way, down past Red Tarn and up the north-eastern ridge of Catsycam on to Swirral Edge and Hellvelyn Summit. Last time I was on Hellvelyn was my BG! It was a very good day, clear visibility, snow patches in places including one at the top of Striding Edge. We then turned for the van and descended over Whiteside Bank and Glenridding Common past the YHA. A great walk out, I was still one of the fastest walkers on the fell despite taking it very easy!!

We then spent the weekend with family over in North Yorkshire visiting Sutton Bank and Brimham Rocks.

Mid Winter BG

Not me!! Supported at Wasdale for a friend on his attempt. He had a great run finishing in 23:03.

Christmas and New Year

A very lazy Christmas followed by a sickly new year meant that nothing really got done! Still I feel very rested and over the cold. Ready for this years excitement!