A hard day's work
The Snowdonia marathon never gets any easier and nor do my times improve. Saturday's outing, my tenth running of this gruelling race, did however experience one of the event's best weather days, warmish, no wind and only a little cooling drizzle.
On the down side my time of 4.27 was five minutes slower than last year. All was going well until about mile 20, where I was a few minutes up on last year, and then the 'wheels fell off' and I struggled on the last climb. Surely a sign of a lack of training miles.
The up side was a win in the over 75 category and a lead of 34 minutes ahead of the over 70 winner. That, tied to a first half marathon time of a few seconds over 2 hrs and a finishing position in the top half of the field, made the outing worthwhile and probably meriting a return visit next year.
Monday, October 31, 2016
Sunday, October 30, 2016
Weakened Warrior Events - Back o'Fairsnape
The 'Chipping Trigs' outing received mixed reviews - 'too long' and 'too much road' being the main complaints. Back o'Fairsnape will cover some of the same ground, but addresses these two complaints.
It draws the main part of its route from the Fiendsdale Race, which I think is now defunct. Starting from Beacon Fell we cross to Fairsnape summit, then heading north east to pick up Bleadale water which will lead us to Langden Castle (an abandoned shepherd's hut (correct placing of the apostrophe?).
Thence south west up Fiendsdale and over back to the Bleasdale plain and Beacon Fell. Probably 13 or 14 miles in total.
I'll be trying to sort out a date, can anyone who is particularly interested in this proposal speak up so they can be consulted. A Saturday would probably be best as it would suit the few remaining wealth generators in our squad.
See:- https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=bleadale+water&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjT26GR1YLQAhVBJsAKHS1UD5QQsAQINg&biw=1600&bih=770 for what lies in store. I'm not sure what the later images on this site have to do with our route, but the earlier ones seem relevant.
It draws the main part of its route from the Fiendsdale Race, which I think is now defunct. Starting from Beacon Fell we cross to Fairsnape summit, then heading north east to pick up Bleadale water which will lead us to Langden Castle (an abandoned shepherd's hut (correct placing of the apostrophe?).
Thence south west up Fiendsdale and over back to the Bleasdale plain and Beacon Fell. Probably 13 or 14 miles in total.
I'll be trying to sort out a date, can anyone who is particularly interested in this proposal speak up so they can be consulted. A Saturday would probably be best as it would suit the few remaining wealth generators in our squad.
See:- https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=bleadale+water&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjT26GR1YLQAhVBJsAKHS1UD5QQsAQINg&biw=1600&bih=770 for what lies in store. I'm not sure what the later images on this site have to do with our route, but the earlier ones seem relevant.
Thursday, October 20, 2016
SWINW
I have to take SWINW to Bolton tomorrow as she and her sister are off to Welsh Wales for the weekend. So as I am in the area my aim is to be UTUPing on Saturday in the hope that others will join me.
Friday, October 14, 2016
Weakened run
Neither EtU nor myself will be UTUPPing tomorrow, EtU doing high altitude training in the Lakes in preparation for the Snowdonia marathon in two weeks time and myself recovering from a sore throat and cold..
If I am sufficiently improved I will attempt to turn out on Sunday (UTUP of course) to run via White Coppice, Brinscall, Abbey Village, Belmont, Two Lads and Horwich, a total of 21.5 miles If anyone feels like taking a chance on me being fit to run I would welcome their company on Sunday.
Neither EtU nor myself will be UTUPPing tomorrow, EtU doing high altitude training in the Lakes in preparation for the Snowdonia marathon in two weeks time and myself recovering from a sore throat and cold..
If I am sufficiently improved I will attempt to turn out on Sunday (UTUP of course) to run via White Coppice, Brinscall, Abbey Village, Belmont, Two Lads and Horwich, a total of 21.5 miles If anyone feels like taking a chance on me being fit to run I would welcome their company on Sunday.
Monday, October 10, 2016
A Rather Belated Thank You...
...to everyone for the good wishes, fine tankard and your company on the 30th; I thoroughly enjoyed the evening, despite it finishing with Mat dropping my beer in the middle of Grimeford Lane as he dropped me at the same time; fortunately neither the bottles nor I broke.
Special thanks go to the Johns for organising the evening and to Ian for the following photographs:-
Special thanks go to the Johns for organising the evening and to Ian for the following photographs:-
Once again, thank you one and all.
Sunday, October 02, 2016
To Ell' and back
As every HTFC fan of a certain edge will know that the answer to "Do You Know Where (H)ell is?" is "'Ell's in Elland Road" (sung to the strains of Lee Marvin's "Wandering Star" from the film "Paint You Wagon". Anyway, at somewhat short notice I decided to do the "to Ell And Back" Challenge Event. The weather forecast had some influence and so it turned out to be a beautiful sunny day in Yorkshire and mere 45 minutes drive to get there.
I did think that one of the registration team was HTFC Manager, David Wagner, moonlighting, until he spoke with no hint of a German accent. I suppose he could take the day off without a worry, being as successful a football manager as you will find at the moment.
Back to running, The walkers had set off at 8.30 so there were just runners milling around when I arrived at 9am. And even then, being low key and no prizes, you were allowed to set off early if you so wish. With no prior experience of the route, I waited and set off with around 15 at the appointed time. This soon reduced to a group of seven, with a quicker group ahead and a slower (yes even slower than me), behind. A camaraderie soon developed as the occasional wrong turnings were almost chosen (the first first section had been changed about three days ago due to path closures). Luckily I had a print with the correct route on it, half-inced off the wall (with permission), so was able to advise those who were shooting off.
The first couple of miles were gently hilly through woodland paths with some tricky wet paths before we dropped to the Calder & Hebble Canal which was then followed to Sowerby Bridge. Some tricky road crossing and ginnels (a la Hebden Bridge on t'Hobble) to return to the canal which was then followed to Luddenden Foot, providing fast running, not much slower than 8 minutes per mile.
Then the climbs began in earnest, gaining views over to Stoodley Pike and for miles around. The "lunch" stop was at Ripponden. I, of course, ensured I had plenty to eat, ensuring I didn't repeat my only ever failure to feed properly where food was available, on this year's 100. This meant I had come adrift of the rest of the group, which did include at least one with route knowledge. However, by this team, we had passed many walkers so there were a few walkers to look out for (although not many - it should be a better supported event). After awhile, I caught sight of two Middleton runners, who who were with our group. They may have had navigational issues. Ok, not may, but definitely did! Hopefully they will not have similar issues in a couple of weeks time on the Snowdonia Marathon. YJ, I told them to follow you. The rest of the route was completed with only a few minutes lost to navigational mistakes, but you always add time checking the route. I ran with them for the remainder of the route to finish in 4:29. The advertised distance was 20 miles. Looks like we did about 20.7. Good home made hot pot pie and peas at the finish at Heath Rugby Club by which time the bar was open. I noticed a league table was showing, but not for association football but rugby union football - Yorkshire Div 1to be precise. Sadly Heath were next to bottom of the league at this early stage of the season. However, my team, the Old Brodleians, were high flying in third.
As always, with LDWA events, great value at only £9 entry. It is worthy of much better support, maybe a chara next year?
No photos from me but they do have some nice photos on their gallery here.
I did think that one of the registration team was HTFC Manager, David Wagner, moonlighting, until he spoke with no hint of a German accent. I suppose he could take the day off without a worry, being as successful a football manager as you will find at the moment.
Back to running, The walkers had set off at 8.30 so there were just runners milling around when I arrived at 9am. And even then, being low key and no prizes, you were allowed to set off early if you so wish. With no prior experience of the route, I waited and set off with around 15 at the appointed time. This soon reduced to a group of seven, with a quicker group ahead and a slower (yes even slower than me), behind. A camaraderie soon developed as the occasional wrong turnings were almost chosen (the first first section had been changed about three days ago due to path closures). Luckily I had a print with the correct route on it, half-inced off the wall (with permission), so was able to advise those who were shooting off.
The first couple of miles were gently hilly through woodland paths with some tricky wet paths before we dropped to the Calder & Hebble Canal which was then followed to Sowerby Bridge. Some tricky road crossing and ginnels (a la Hebden Bridge on t'Hobble) to return to the canal which was then followed to Luddenden Foot, providing fast running, not much slower than 8 minutes per mile.
Then the climbs began in earnest, gaining views over to Stoodley Pike and for miles around. The "lunch" stop was at Ripponden. I, of course, ensured I had plenty to eat, ensuring I didn't repeat my only ever failure to feed properly where food was available, on this year's 100. This meant I had come adrift of the rest of the group, which did include at least one with route knowledge. However, by this team, we had passed many walkers so there were a few walkers to look out for (although not many - it should be a better supported event). After awhile, I caught sight of two Middleton runners, who who were with our group. They may have had navigational issues. Ok, not may, but definitely did! Hopefully they will not have similar issues in a couple of weeks time on the Snowdonia Marathon. YJ, I told them to follow you. The rest of the route was completed with only a few minutes lost to navigational mistakes, but you always add time checking the route. I ran with them for the remainder of the route to finish in 4:29. The advertised distance was 20 miles. Looks like we did about 20.7. Good home made hot pot pie and peas at the finish at Heath Rugby Club by which time the bar was open. I noticed a league table was showing, but not for association football but rugby union football - Yorkshire Div 1to be precise. Sadly Heath were next to bottom of the league at this early stage of the season. However, my team, the Old Brodleians, were high flying in third.
As always, with LDWA events, great value at only £9 entry. It is worthy of much better support, maybe a chara next year?
No photos from me but they do have some nice photos on their gallery here.
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