pastures new

Last week was again disrupted, this time by work and family things. Monday evening I got out and did two slightly varied ascents through the Miterdale woods, totaling 5.7 miles and 2500' ascent. This was nice as it wasn't open fell night-time weather and felt like I was getting a quality session in.

Tuesday was a speed session with the local club on road, which this week involved short recovery sets. I haven't actually run that fast a pace since I was in High school training on the track I reckon! This totalled about 5 miles.

Wednesday disappeared due to work commitments during the day and in the evening for once. Thursday I attempted to head up Whin Rigg but the visibility in the dark and mist was less than 5 meters, and I bottled it after leaving the shelter of the intake wall. I readjusted the run to several differing ascents up Irton fell in the woods again, being careful not to duplicate Mondays run. This totalled about 8.38 miles, with 2700' ascent.

Nothing got done at all until Sunday, when P and I left my parents early and stopped at Cannock Chase to check out the cross country mountain bike trail there. Its only 7 miles, but after two laps we were a bit bored of it. Fun for what it is, but I'm sure it would be a blue route here in the Lakes or in Scotland!! I like the swoopy singletrack through the trees but both of us found it a bit flat!!

Monday and Tuesday again had to be sacrificed to the god of work (this is a very rare event), but tonight I got out on some new fells very near to home, and even did one of them totally in the light after work!! I have run around Middlefell and Buckbarrow many times, ridden past on mountain bike and road bike and climbed at Buckbarrow too, but I had realised these are the nearest Wainrights I haven't ticked, so after work I parked up at Greendale and headed up Middlefell, ran on towards the col between Middlefell and Seatallen in fadding light, before contouring across the flanks of Seatallen towards Buckbarrow. I nearly made it to buckbarrow before having to light up, which was a lovely feeling./ the bogs were semi frozen, providing some amusement and cold feet, and after working a little in very little light to work out that I had actually summited the correct bit of Buckbarrow, I found a feint path heading back down to the road and back to the car. A wonderful run, making up for a bit of a hit and miss period. Beautiful views up to the pike and gable, still snowy!