Why oh Why!!

Was working at home on Thursday as we were having a new carpet fitted, and planned my day so I could escape in the afternoon while it was still daylight. The morning was stunningly clear, with a gorgeous blue sky. However, work and carpet fitters meant that I wasn't going to get out until the afternoon, by which time a bank of low cloud had rolled in off the Irish Sea! I still went out and decided to run up to the trig on Muncaster and back. As this is a low level run I didn't bother taking anything with me, I even glanced at the camera and decided not. That was the mistake. As I got higher up the fell, it was obvious I was going to pop out the cloud and was met with a stunning sight! Such an impressive cloud inversion. Despite being set on a hard run to the trig, I had to stop just briefly to take it all in! Then I got my head down again to the high point - 1 minute 26 seconds faster than ever before! WOW!

I then stayed for a few minutes to take in the view. The cloud stretched right out to sea, obscuring the coast and the Isle of Man. The high fells were clear as bells. It really was stunning. I then loped back down into the mist. Next time I'll remember to take the camera with me!

Blakes Heaven Run

Out last night with Chris and Rich to run around the race route - having got permission from the land owner first. A strange concept to recce a route in the dark and the mist, but it kinda worked! I did the race a few years back, but couldn't remember much, and the route has changed a wee bit too. Had fun and got a good run out as they're both much faster than me. It was a shame the mist was down on the tops as the moon was beautiful.

Skiddaw RUN!

Combining a trip to Keswick to spend money on shiny things, P and I ran up Skiddaw. Now I've always not just gone up Skiddaw, but carried on over the top either on a BG recce or some other long and hair-brained route.

So the concept of just going up to the summit and back was a novel one, and meant that I had to run all the way, which is what I did! Not sure I was actually any faster than racing it by fast walking, but as a confidence boost it was second to none - especially as it was incredibly windy on the summit ridge. Descended down over Latrigg just to add a little bit extra. Great views of the flooded lakes after Saturday's rain too, just a shame I forgot the camera.

on yer bike

Loving being back on my bike again! 3 full commutes and one half-ish commute, meant a total of 75 miles on the bike in the last week, plus one extended run to work and back totaling 8 miles was the sum of commuting exercise for the week.

not the commuting workhorse but it did one ride this week

Add to that a couple of sessions on the woody in the garage, some yoga and some more running mileage! mmmm... what was it about easing gently back into it after illness....

time to forget...

the first week of 2011! I don't think I've ever spent the first week of a new year in bed, but then there's a first time for everything. Feeling much better now, and raring to go. Have scoured the race listings for the year, got a wall planner out, and filled in lots of weekends with races and stuff - just wish there was a race near here soon. I'll have to wait until Blake's Heaven at the end of the month. Still gives me time to get some serious training in.

A quick blast on the single speed to and from work from the car park today to get my lungs used to cold air again. Did the trick... ready now....

2010 Stats

Although for the moment its recorded on the left, I thought I'd post up my outdoor adventure stats for 2010.


1 Bob Graham Round
49 climbing days (up to Trad: VS, Sport: 6b, Bouldering V3/F5)
762 miles fell running and racing
110 miles road running and racing
172 miles walking of the hilly variety!
877 miles commuting on the bike
268 miles mountain biking
190 miles road riding


18 races (including 1 road)

     This totals 1044 miles on foot, and 1335 miles on two wheels. So more running and less biking in the last year. But that figures with my BG training. Climbing grades have not changed significantly, but the   amount of climbing has been steadily in decline over the last few years.

     Looking forward, I think 2011 will mean more bike milage again, lower running mileage, and hopefully   more climbing! 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Christmas is traditionally a time I really let myself put my feet up at our families homes. However, with the snow on the ground and the sky mostly blue, we kept some momentum up by going out most days for a short fartlek run. Never more than 30 minutes, but always leaving me feeling well exercised. One thing is for sure, I'm not great at repeated unstructured pace work!

A busy christmas seeing friends and family was followed by an equally busy run up to New Year, including a good session at the Climbing Works in Sheffield when the grit boulders were too damp and a NYE walk in the Peak. 2011 was seen in with friends and champagne.

Just a pity that 2011 started properly on the 1st with my first illness of the year (also my last?!?!). This nasty cold has had me in bed for 3 days already.