YJ's Edale Report

Another race, another disappointment. Edale was to be an integral part of the Joss Naylor build-up. For TF it was mission accomplished but for me it has to be back to the drawing board.

The day was brilliantly clear but with a stiff breeze that became severely gusty in exposed places. I was already 1min 30ses down on schedule after the first climb. TF was hustling from behind along the rim path. Her nimble footwork on the descents took her well ahead as we started the climb to Whin Hill. A choice of routes put me ahead by the summit checkpoint but the watch told a sad tale -- now 7 mins down.

TF was ahead by a long way at the Hope checkpoint and the climb to Lose Hill again reversed the situation (now 14 mins down) and the same pattern was reflected on the next descent and climb to Mam Tor and the checkpoint at Mam Nick where a firm stand was being taken (and correctly so) on timing the stragglers out.

Schedules don't mean a lot on days like that but for the record by Mam Nick I was 17 minutes behind schedule and 10 mins after the cut off time. Other than that it was a pleasant outing marred only by a performance that wasn't good enough. The answer has to be an overall improvement in fitness so that even on off-days there's enough gas in the tank to keep the pace up.

The next test will be Spring in Lakeland on Saturday but before that I must have another outing on the moors! Congratulations to TF who ran strongly on the rough paths and achieved her objective.

Future Training ~ If anyone fancies a weekend run in the Lakes on May 3 or May 10 I am planning a recce of the first JN leg from Pooley Bridge and possibly a run from Grasmere to link up via Far Easedale with the JN route at the top of Wythburndale and follow it round to Rossett Pike. I am also free for mid-week outings to the Lakes most weeks.

YJ

John, sorry to hear that it didn't go to plan. Wonder whether you're concentrating too much on quantity of training rather than quality; although it always seems to have worked in the past. I'm suggesting to TF that the Lakeland A mediums are better preparation for the Lakes than long moorland runs and it may be that you'd both be forced to work on your different weaknesses by tackling the likes of Coniston, Fairfield, B/Sailbeck etc. Ed