An Early Coopes Dozen, 7 April.

The calf strain collected earlier in the week did not deteriorate as it normally does when I pick them up so I gave it a run out Sunday at the British Orienteering Relay Championships being held on Helsington Barrows, west of Kendal.  The navigation was not that challenging and the going was fast, a beautiful area to run on.  No side effects or worsening of the strain except burning lungs from the exertion of trying to look good on the final up hill leg past all the club tents to the hand-over, vanity has a lot to answer for.  So time to hunt down my OCT partner for  a Coopes Dozen on Monday.

So onto Monday and Coopes Dozen with a cold wind blowing from the east I had 3 layers on and still felt cold and dB (Andy Ford - I'll explain at some other time) was in a 'T' shirt making me feel somewhat wimpy.  I had even put my TF recommended waterproof socks on expecting the worse only to find a reasonably dry route, dB seemed to go out of his way to prove me wrong finding all the deepest wet parts around the course.

We took the direct routes between Noon Hill, the Pike and Two Lads finding the going surprisingly easy compared to previous crossings.  The grinding slog between Egg Hillock and Counting Hill was made easier by the non-existent spring growth and so despite the cold wind the running was a joy albeit a tiring one.  I think the intense 32 minute race the previous day had taken more out of the legs than expected. dB was having none of this slow stuff was bounding around like Tigger on speed, tearing off, once pointed in the right direction then waiting for the old geezer to catch up.  Luckily for me dB had not much experience on Spitlers and none on Old Adam's Hill so close contact was restored - well it was getting a bit lonely at the back all the time!  Not much badinage or raillery, the distance between us too great to shout.  By the way we need to make bigger cairns on Counting Hill and Spitlers edge, they still take some finding.

dB bagged another peak on Great Hill, never having been there before.  The route from Great Hill via Round Loaf to White Coppice quarry was very enjoyable, springing along on the drying peat.  Nearly managed to step on a nesting goose well camouflaged in the undergrowth. After that it was concrete like surface nearly all the way back via Healy Nab.  18 miles in 4 hours 50 mins battered feet and ankles from the last 4 miles, very sore and tired but happy, another good day on the hills.  Just need to get some rest and light training before the big event.

KLM