Phew what a wet and windy day! Definitely the first real autumn low of the year up here I think. Still did managed to get out on the fells, although it was plan B, not plan A.
More of that in a bit, but first just to recap yesterday, as P and I headed over early to Keswick to do a bit of shopping. Mindful that the forecast wasn't the best and it was the end of half term up here we headed there fairly early, and ticked off a fair number of things on our lists and also parted with money for things that weren't on our lists too! Nothing like a bit of retail therapy, we don't do it very often. We then met up with friends and friends of friends for a shortish mountain bike ride, from Keswick, to Threlkeld, up and back down the Glendaterra valley, round Latrigg and back to Keswick. The weather held off for the most part although it was very wet under tyre. For the first time since June I actually felt really good on the bike (its only the 6th outing on it since I got the cruz, and the 3rd since I crashed!) It was a great feeling to feel 'at one' with the bike and I loved the ride. We followed it up with tea and cake in our mates van before heading home via DIY shops! Another necessary evil.
This morning my plan A had been a long run from Wasdale Head visiting all the central lakeland valleys. I knew the forecast was poor and when I woke up it was lashing rain against the window. Some days you have a 'bring it on' attitude and other days you just don't feel up for it, and today I wasn't up for it, it just seemed to nasty out there. But with Pendle and Tanky's looming I needed to get out for a long one on the fells, so after a bit of map perusing, I decided to do 3 laps of Muncaster Fell, which would take me over 15 miles. So after a bit of procrastination, I headed out. It was wet, it was windy, but it was kinda ok! I had a plan to warm up on the first ascent, run the descent at a steady pace, and then use the track along the base of the fell as an effort at about 10k pace or quicker. Then repeat... twice.
Plan executed almost to perfection. Each ascent of the fell was taken with different lines, although after venturing off the path a couple of times, and nearly having to swim, I stuck to good trods and paths! Boy was it it wet up there and getting wetter with every minute! The descent down the bridleway was always done steady and then the effort along the base. My second of the three was the quickest at about 7.2 min/mile, but the other two were not much slower. Quite pleased with these as I have seriously neglected my 'flat' running and although this is not that hilly it is not a flat section as you are climbing subtly up the valley and it was a very soggy track today!
Trogged back after the third lap via Forge Bridge to see how far over its banks the river was. Had a quick chat to two paddlers just getting out having come down the swollen river - a good ride apparently! Total mileage - 17.94 miles
Total ascent - 5350 feet
Time - 3 hours 20 minutes
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