What a Grand Day Out

This morning must rank as one of the best days ever on the West Pennine Moors, setting off from the lower barn in freezing fog didn't look too promising, but by the time dangerous corner was reached, we had emerged from the clag into brilliant sunshine.   Great Hill taking on that lovely red glow of the low rising sun - what a pity none of us had a camera.  JtE had a 'superlong' route in store for us taking us via the Amble route out to Darwen Tower where we sat in the glorious sunshine for a snack.   Back via Great Hill and Spitlers Edge and the sun still shone, with the inversion clearly visible at the head of the valley.  Operator error meant that we didn't get an actual readout of miles completed, but I think JtE will provide us with appropriate information.   The looks of disappointment on everyone's face when I read out that we had completed only 6.1 miles at Darwen Tower were a picture!

Anyway in the absence of any piccies from this morning, I hope you enjoy the ones below captured on Christmas Eve 2006 when FSS and I arrived at Ambleside in exactly the same conditions as this morning and again climbed through the cloud and had the most glorious Christmas Eve completing the Fairfield Horse Shoe, before descending back through the clag in the afternoon.

NLN

Darwen Tower

Yes, if you say so NLN!

Change of Plans

Means that I'm looking forward to running from the Lower Barn tomorrow - when you say long JtE are you talking Darwen Tower?? Time to bury the ghost!

NLN

Note to TF re Photos

It's because you're on them that they need blowing up, it's the only way we can see you!

EtU

Thursdays (and Saturday 29th)

Thursdays seem to be falling apart a bit. There's only been me on three of the last five weeks. So I'm going to start turning up for 6:30, then if no-one else shows by soon after 25 to 7, I'll scamper off to join Norman's group, which kicks off at 6:45.

Plasterer coming Sunday, so I'm now a definite for Saturday.

EtU

I'll be at Lower Barn on Saturday Morning.

Sorry I didn't post an absence note yesterday. I was on an IT training course and wasn't allowed access to internet! All about teeth, so I'm afraid I can't help with the photo thing. Anyway given the fact that I'm on some of these photos, surely the smaller the better.

TF

I'll be Utuping on Saturday

Saturday the 29th.

I'm UTUPing (and hoping for a longish run!).

Thursday 27th & Saturday 29th Nov '08

I'm UTUPing Thursday (with headtorch) and Saturday (plasterer permitting), but don't wait for me.

EtU

Will it work using Picasa?

I think it's going to be too large!

So do I

EtU, I use that icon as well. Looking at Properties and comparing with other photo properties which do expand, everything seems in order. When I've a bit more time I'll have a play, but it's an interesting one.

Pictures

Mat, might it be something to do with how we upload pictures? I use the "Add Image" icon.

EtU

No Success

Sorry about that last post. I was just wondering if the size of the upload had anything to do with my pictures not expanding. But it doesn't.

Thanks everyone for the kind comments re The Tour of Pendle.

Just Testing

Yesterday's Local Run

NicO, Matt and I turned out to run via Hordern Stoops, Catherine Ege, Great Hill, Brinscall and White Coppice. EtU, who hadn't been well all week, had joined us, but was a bit off song, and left us at Drinkwaters.

There was a low air temperature, but otherwise the weather was kind to us.

14.5 Miles.

Don't Go to the Thatch and Thistle...

...on the 12th 'cos they're not expecting us. Due to a timing difficulty with the booking arrangements, we are expected at the Waggon and Horses, half a mile further north along the A6, on the left.

EtU

Kirkbymoor 6.5m/1600ft

Nothing much to report other than I didn't break 90mins, probably about 93mins this time. Height wasn't a factor with the stickers this time, as there weren't any. I skipped the prize-giving in favour of a hot flask of soup back at the car, refreshments being limited to tea and biscuits in the village hall. Black Combe are usually pretty prompt about getting results on the website so they'll appear here www.bcrunners.org.uk in the next day or two if you're curious.

Think I had 2 behind me. On a claggy day should be even more given the route choices of some from the 5th cp. Weather will determine when the next time will be!

Prizes

Well done Matt. Guess I just need to keep things ticking over for the next 20-odd years and then start to put some serious training in, hoping that all those V40's winning prizes now will have burnt themselves out.

TF

Tour of Pendle

FSS and Matt: Have you seen your pictures and the write up on the Horwich RMI blog? Well done Matt. You beat all those O70s who were not fit enough to turn up, and there are a lot of those at our age!

ToP Prize

TF wondered whether there was a prize for me from the ToP. Well in todays post I received a £15 voucher for Pete Bland's from Kieran Carr the organiser. Not bad considering I didn't have any competition.

TaTing

Yep, Friday the 12th. is ok for me.

Long Runs and Other Training

I, too, look forward to supporting JtE on some good long outings on Saturdays. OK For TaT 12th I think and then a good outing on the 13th as I'm not out for the next two Sats.

Attended my first Track session last Tuesday - verdict - not as bad as I had feared, thanks to the generous support and encouragement provided by JtE, Nic'O, FSS and the Sunter brigade. However, this could have been because Norman wasn't about, I'm advised that there's a policy of no 'chatting' on the way round when the top man's on duty! FSS has been telling me this is what I should be doing for at least two years, but hearing it from friends who run at about my pace made it much less threatening! So thank you, I'll give it a few more go's. It has meant changing my evening sessions about a bit so that I don't miss out on the kick boxing/weights, and getting in one decent run - not to mention the Yoga which at the moment is having to take a raincheck. This not good as my legs and lower back really need this. Anyway will see how it goes on the run up to Christmas.

NLN

T of P & Sats.



Thanks TF for the info re the Tour of Pendle. I didn't wait for the prize-giving as M65 is the oldest category on the Entry form. If Yj is to attempt to beat Brian Leathey's time some reccying is required I think, bearing in mind Brian is a Clayton-le-moors harrier and will know the course like the back of his hand, or front of his foot if thats more appropriate.


With the festive season almost upon us and entertaining to be done, it's clear that JtE is running short of beer glasses, so please try to help him out. As he says in his blog, "Any suppot will be greatly appreciated".


Will be Utuping on Saturday. Friday 12th for TaTing sounds ok to me.

On a More Serious Note...

...initial enquiries indicate that Friday 12th December is looking good for the next "do". It's always difficult to suit everybody, so unless there's a mass objection, I'll see if The TaT can accommodate us for that evening.

Additional guests always welcome.

EtU

Saturday Runs

I'll be keen to keep my long distance training going as I've entered the 'Hebden' (LDWA) on Sat 3rd Jan 2009. I'll be at ut/up on Saturday 29th Nov and Saturday 6th Dec so keen for a couple of 3hr+ outings!

TF

This Saturday

I'll be there UTUP.

Routeing A Round

Hoping to lay the ghost of my disasterous 2007 Anglezarke Amble 'run' I am hoping to increase my Saturday milage. With this in mind I propose the following round for one of our Saturday outings:

From the Lower Barn to Hordern Stoops, then Belmont, Catherine Edge as far as GR667190 (just beyond Lower Pasture Barn Farm) and there turning east up the moor to join the Amble route at GR673191. From this point to Darwen Tower and remaining on the Amble route back to Rivington and the Lower Barn. About 17 miles.

Another useful round is YJ's training run from the Lower Barn visiting Slipper Lowe, Roddlesworth Reservoirs, Abbey Village, Brinscall, White Coppice and back to the Lower Barn. I think about 15 miles.

Any suppot would be greatly appreciated.

Thursday 20th and Saturday 22nd Nov '08

I'm UTUPing

EtU

Why Is It...

...that when I post a photo and you click on it, it goes full screen, but Matt's photos don't react in this way? If no contributor knows, perhaps NLN would pose the question to FSS.

EtU

The results are now up for Saturday's race http://www.clayton-le-moors-harriers.co.uk/index.php?pageref=results

What a star performer, Mr Ray 'Matt' Stafford was 1st V70. Well done Matt.

Even more impressive is that on checking previous results there hasn't been a V70 finisher since 2002 - Brian Leathley of Clayton-le-Moors in 4:03 and Derek Clutterbuck of Rochdale in 4:25. Makes me wonder if you had a prize to collect?

I wonder if 4:03 is the record for a V70, would be interesting to find out in readiness for next year (YJ!), 21st November 2009.

I'm off racing again (proverbial kid in sweet shop now) on Saturday, but can be at UT/UP on thurs if anyone else fancies it. If not I'll have a run from the gym and save my batteries!

What a Reporter

Well done to TF for producing her report of The Tour of Pendle so quickly. Had it been left to me it would have been nearer Christmas, and not necessarily this one.

I had, for me, an uneventful run as opposed to the last time I did the Tour. Did I ever tell you about that? Anyway this time, I did not lose my;

glasses; checkpoint tags; or hat; all of these retrieved, but only the hat by me. Nor did I lose my drinks bottle without even having a drink, or my way about four times.

I did get off the correct path on the way to checkpoint 2 which cost me a few minutes and I should have dropped off to checkpoint 9 earlier than I did but I didn't lose too much there. I also took a dive that a professional footballer would have been proud of, and left my car unlocked for the duration of the race. It didn't work. The car was still there when I got back. It reminds me of the time when I left the house alarm off. A burglar broke in and left us a television.

Congratulations to TF for completing what is a challenging course, just a fortnight after doing the Snowdonia marathon. That was quite an achievement. The Snowdonia marathon was obviously the reason that YJ was narrowly timed out at checkpoint 4. Us oldies don't recover as quickly as you youngies, as you'll find out one day(hopefully).

Checkpoint 4 is the same as the last checkpoint(11), so it wouldn't have taken YJ long to get back to the Start/finish. He must have had a long wait for myself and TF to come in and she expresses my sentiments exactly when she says it was much appreciated.

As you curse your way up the last two climbs, both very steep, you wonder why you do these things, but as you drop off Pendle Hill to the last checkpoint you get your answer. All in all, a great day out.

Regarding the photos on the link that TF provided, there are photos of us and of Ian at the beginning of the race. Ian, 16-26 and various combinations of us 41-48.

By the way, I never did catch that young lady you see me chasing at the stream. Whenever I got close to her she seemed to find a talent for sprinting that I'm sure she never realised she had until Saturday. I have this effect on people. Very inspiritional.

Here's a photo of us before the start.

Saturday - Post Script

YJ wasn't the only one having a bad day yesterday - FSS took a very nasty turn of the ankle at about the ten mile point.  Having tried to 'run it off' he gave up and hobbled to the finish in the most direct route available.  With some difficulty he did manage to get a pair of dress shoes on for our inaugural Rucksack Annual Dinner engagement last night.  A very rare outbreak of common sense persuaded him not to run today, dispite the glorious conditions.

I attach our local route of yesterday which gave us a good outing, the weather having cleared up niclely after the first hour.   We stared across to Pendle Hill from Great Hill and conditions didn't look too bad .  Will miss you all for the next two weeks as Kendal Mountain Film festival weekend and a Rucksack Meet mitigate against Saturday runs.

NLN

Tour of Pendle 16.8m/4850ft

The intrepid trio were off again, however this time we had a substitute – ‘Matt’ in place of EtU. Having watched two weather forecasts before I left home I did begin to wonder whether the BBC would be better off just sticking to News and Sport. It looked a ‘compass’ sort of day glancing out of my window. 20miles further north, the conditions began to match the forecast.

Something new for me was a collection of little tags to hand in at each check-point. You can tell I’m a novice – I counted them all and checked all the numbers. Well would you believe it! I had 12 ‘131’ and 2 ‘130’. Imagine the confusion that could have created. Mind you I’d have liked a couple of spares just in case any dropped off. Lots of ‘tug’ tests later and I was reasonably convinced I wasn’t going to lose any on the way round.

The race organiser managed to engender a communal spirit when told we had to stick to path next to the wall after CP1. Groan all round. Issues to do with erosion have begun to affect Pendle Hill, I’m guessing he’s trying to ensure the race lasts another 25 years. When recceing this bit, I’d only got so far when ‘I don’t think so’ struck, and headed off onto the moor to locate a better route. I knew it wouldn’t be YJ’s favourite section of the course. So it was to be, I passed him a bit further on as he was carefully negotiating a few more bits of ‘sticky-up’ rocks. ‘Matt’ had long disappeared into the distance by this time. My worry was how much sticking to wall on this section was going to affect my time at the cut-off point. As I climbed over the stile onto Spence Moor I had 15mins to cross the top and get down ‘geronimo’. I managed to keep my bum clear of most of it and 7mins later I handed my tag in at the bottom.

Have a look at these http://picasaweb.google.com/David.Massey.Pilgrim/TourOfPendle2009#
and give them marks out of ten for style & artistic merit – Matt 262-268, TF 284-292 & YJ 300-304

The rest was a picnic! I munched my way through Jelly Beans, Nuts, Fruit, Cake and Chocolate – saved that for last climb. Aside from a little bit of clag on the first climb it was a lovely clear day all the way round, perfect for my first attempt. My drop off for CP 9 needs a bit of work, but overall really pleased with my efforts.

YJ was there to cheer me in at the finish, as he’d done with Matt some 20mins earlier. For YJ, it was to turn out to be a disappointing Tour of Pendle as he’d had to call it a day at the half-way point. A long wait to see us both home, much appreciated YJ. Matt managed 4hrs16mins and I did 4hrs 37mins. There were two runners tied for first place. Time was 2hrs 20-something – the stickers were too high up the wall for me to be able to read them properly, so didn’t get their names/club.

At time of going to press I can report that I can manage to come down the stairs facing forward, unlike three weeks ago! Think I'll avoid the hard stuff from now on.

TF

Witch Way - Witton Weavers Way

Whilst most of the gang were at Pendle, NLN and I embarked upon a route taking us into an area where there are a myriad of paths all marked 'Witton Weavers Way'. I sometimes wonder if these people were weavers in the traditional sense, or whether they got their name as a result of their weaving around these footpaths in some incomprehensible manner.

Our route took us from the Lower Barn via Hordern Stoops to Belmont, over the Belmont reservoir dam and then via the Amble route to the Darwen road. Following the road roughly north for about half a mile we picked up the old Amble route past Cranshaws and along a Witton Weavers Way, across the moor and to Piccadilli. From there it was Great Hill and Spitlers Edge to Hordern Stoops. I mentioned to NLN at this stage that I hoped that we would get 15 miles out of our trip. With this in mind, she suggested that we took in Noon Hill just to make sure! This we did and back at the barn her device gave us 15.78 miles.

A considerable part of the route was deep in mud but the rain mostly held off. Looking from Great Hill, Pendle Hill seemed to be capped in cloud but otherwise the weather looked good.

A Date for Your Diary

After long discussion, Barry Allman and I have homed in on Saturday 17th January '09 for our winter dozen. I know this date won't suit everybody but aiming for January or February and dodging major cross-country events, the Amble, Winter Hill and Barry's trip to Torremolinos, this was our optimum date.

The plan is a 9:00 a.m. start from the top barn and to travel clockwise, self contained (i.e. no road support). Hopefully there will be enough of us to make up more than one group.

If this date excludes too many, I 'd welcome the arranging of an additional outing on an alternative date, which I'd also hope to take part in.

Nearer the time I'll give the 17th a bit more publicity, as ever, the more the merrier.

EtU

Shall not be Utuping on Thursday but hope to see YJ & TF before the start of the Tour on Saturday.

Longridge 7 ~ Sunday 14th Dec '08

I'd indicated that I may be doing this race, and can now confirm that I've entered it. Details on John Schofield's site.


Thursday 13th and Saturday 15th Nov '08

I'm UTUPing Thursday, but away Saturday. Saturday may be a bit lean as I understand that TF, YJ and Matt will be in the Mist Over Pendle.

EtU

The Hobble

Thanks TF for your latest report and especially for the map. Stoodley Pike, Mankinholes, Todmorden. What memories these names conjure up. Great days out with EtU on the Howorth Hobble. Good weather, bad weather, it didn't really matter. Always striving for six hours but never making it!

Shepherds Skyline 6m/1150ft

The warm-up for this one began at 9.30am with a bit more recceing of Leg 4 of the Calderdale Way Relay. I was joining the route as it passes above Hebden Bridge Golf Club but decided not to be too cheeky and use their car park and left the car parked further along the road. On my return, I thought I’d short-cut across the course to get back to the car. Some people never learn do they? Foiled by a stone wall and barbed wire, I trudged back up the hill emerging on a tee just as one of the golfers was about to drive off. Oops. Apologised profusely and offered him the golf ball I’d found.

Off then to Lambutts and the Shepherds Rest Inn. Tod Harriers had thought of everything. To save us messing up the pub there was an area outside designated ‘Hose Down’. However, after registering and arriving back at my car, I found one of West Yorkshire’s shiny new fire engines parked in front of it. I decided that what ever mud I collected I’d take it home with me.

How good is this for a route map!





The weather forecast wasn’t quite spot on, and carrying a windproof top was insisted on. I added a hat and gloves in pockets but bared a bit more leg on this occasion. For one poor runner, who wrenched his knee after just dropping past Stoodley Pike, the number of runners offering spare kit would prove a godsend. He was eventually stretchered off the hill.

I finished leaving plenty of room for improvement for next time. Winner Ian Holmes (Bingley) 42:31, me 83:38 and a record turn out of 362. So I just about squeaked under double the winning time, which is usually my marker for a poor race, but then this also depends on the calibre of the winning runner.

TF

Headtorches at Dusk

(as opposed to pistols at dawn)

I think it was TF to blame, either directly or indirectly, in that she was most obviously wearing a headtorch. My recollection is that it was her (she?) that suggested we run up the Pike, and whilst some of the guys (Steve, The Galloping Major and me) may not have have been so keen, no-one was prepared to be seen as a wimp. So there we were, five minutes later, on Thursday evening, jogging up to the Ye Jolly Crofters to tackle the Pike from Georges Lane.

An enjoyable, if somewhat uneventful outing. We ran round to the steps side of the Pike, up the steps, recovered our breaths by the tower, down the race route and then back along Georges Lane and down Foxholes. There seemed to be quite a lot of mountain bike activity (no indication of anything organised) but no other runners.

We dispersed soon after 8:00, all tasked with coming up with new routes for future outings.

EtU

UT/UP

I'll be out tonight. But on Saturday I'm doing a bit of recceing for Calderdale Relays and a race.

TF

Looking Forward to seeing you all Sat

NLN

YJ, fresh from running on the South Downs and round the stockbroker belt of Hampshire, will be at the lower barn at the usual time on Saturday 8th. However, he will be off to Burnley for the Mid Lancs cross country in the afternoon so please be gentle with him.


It will be good to get back to proper Saturday mornings.

Thurs & Sat

Concerting dis Thursday. Will be chasing around with the other Utuppers on Saturday.

Saturday 8th. November.

I'm UTUPing.

Thursday 6th & Saturday 8th Nov '08

I'm UTUPing.

EtU

Thursday 30th

I TUP'd, but no-one else did ~ lonely.

All together now ~ Ahhhhh!

EtL

Thurs, Sat, Snowdonia

Not out(It's just not cricket) tonight. Big Sis visiting from far-off lands.Nottingham.
Not sure about Saturday so if I'm not there by 8.30 please don't wait. I'm sure you have no intention of doing so anyway!

Well done to the Snowdonia trio in appalling conditions. YJ may not have been 1st M65 but I'll bet he was first for his age. It's very pleasing to see TF's training start to pay off. Maybe long-distance events are her forte. EtU no doubt went round carrying a barrel of beer from the previous evening, so his time was quite creditable. It all made me feel quite a wimp.
No doubt you're all queueing up with your replies to that last remark!

Tonight and Saturday

I'm not running this evening but I will be out on Saturday UTUP.

Saturday 1st Nov '08

UTUPing

Thursday 30th Oct '08

I'm UTUPing (but slowly).

Saturday 25th Oct '08

Watched our heroine on "Catch-up", doesn't do her justice.

Judging from the surroundings and the packed field, I think this was shot at about the 3 mile mark, about 3/4 mile before the top of Pen-Y-Pass.

EtU

I was on the telly!

S4C did a programme about the marathon on Sunday night. Having gone on their website (www.s4c.co.uk) you can catch-up with past programmes. Click on 'clic' and then go down to 'catch-up' and 'sunday'.

My home computer and the ones at work don't run the video very well, it's all a bit stop/start but just caught a moment when I was on it at 45mins51secs into programme (if run via windows media, total time 48:07). I'm the one with the light blue top (centre screen) to the left of the woman with the bright green one. Think this was just after half-way as I remember the women in green as she had her own support car!

TF

Well done to the Marathoners. Can't wait to join you all, perhaps next year..
We had an enjoyable run Saturday before the bad weather took hold and you were definitely in our thoughts and conversation. Mind you, had to keep an eye on Matt and all those sheep. Not running Saturday but hope to be utup the week after. Nic O

Snowdonia Marathon

What an experience. Thank you everyone for all the encouragement and forbearance while I trained for this event. For me it was a truly memorable occasion and lovely to have shared it with YJ and EtU. Post-race food (prepared by EtU’s wife Anne – thank-you) was meat and tatty pie, a welcome change to all the chocolate eaten earlier and really appreciated.

Asides from running 26.2 miles there was a few notable ‘firsts’.

1) A road race in full fellrunning gear.
2) Last 3 miles of a road race quicker than the first 3 miles.
3) Sore quads and ‘twitchy’ calves whilst running.
4) No toilet stops in 5hrs
5) Back before EtU

I fully expected to be greeted by both YJ and EtU at the finish. It was disconcerting to say the least to find only one of them. So, you can imagine the discussion. EtU's bag, no EtU and I'd been behind him from the start and hadn't seen him on the way round. He arrived back before we could manage to work our way through all the possible scenarios. On his own admission not his best race, but so generous in his praise of me and YJ. Thank you EtU.

Following a post-race discussion it later transpired that I’d tiptoed past him at about the 20 mile point as he decided to take a tour of the facilities of one of the campsites along the route. Presumably trying to decide if it would be an improvement on this years’ accommodation, not ones that either of us would recommend!

TF

A gentle stroll in Lakeland

Sorry I've not been out running much with y'all recently. Went up to Braithwaite yesterday for a gentle mystery stroll with Cumbria LDWA. It was a little bit breezy up on Grisedale Pike and Grasmoor. Heard there's been the odd little difficulty with it spitting a bit - "Everybody In" is what I'd say to that. Mebbe that's why some of the paths were a bit disrupted. Got TT tomorrow and a leaving doo on Thursday so running will be a bit disrupted this week. Mind you taking Wednesday off if anyone's interested.

Not a Lot more to Say...

...other than to repeat "Well done TF!" and that the conditions were dire (it's just that we didn't get as excited about them as the folk in the Lakes did).

Plus a few stats. (I'll quote gun times, rather than times from the line (chip times) as it would be possible, using chip times for the second placed runner to post a faster time than the winner, because he (she?) took longer to cross the line (strange but true). So gun times rule OK.

There were 1,133 finishers and, remarkably, only 34 DNFs! YJ, in a time of 4:17, placed 583 overall (just outside the first half of the field) and 4th V65 out of 6, Julie, in a time of 4:40, placed 787 overall and 21st F40 out of 43 ~ not bad for a debutante. I maintained my current form with another PW, in a time of 4:53, placing 895 overall, 16th V60 out of 27.

We at first thought there was no V70 finisher (or indeed no V70 entrant) but there seem to have been a small handful, with the first one home being a Jack Humphries in 4:38; so John, if you can maintain your current form, and Eric Sidebottom, doesn't move up a category with you, you might just make it a hat-trick of category wins in 2009.

One final statistic; although our records are incomplete, it would seem that YJ ran the last 3.2 miles in about 37 minutes, whilst TF (who memorised most of her splits ~ OK so women can multi-task) ran the same stretch in 30 minutes! Pity it wasn't a 30 miler, Jules.

If you think we looked a sight at the start, you should have seen us at the finish! (Note to self ~ ditch the silly grin for photos).

Finally, taking a leaf out of the boxing referee's handbook, YJ confiscated my running shoes after the event ~ to save me taking further punishment?

EtU

Snowdonia, wet and windy


I'm sure a fuller report will eventually appear, as modesty prevents me from going into too much detail. Conditions were horrendous, gale force winds gusting to severe gale force (the Beaufort scale doesn't have a category at which the wind brings runners to a halt) and unremitting rain, sometimes torrential.

Times were:- YJ 4.17.11 (chip time)/4.17.51(gun time); TF 4.39.09/4.40.52; EtU 4.51.36/4.53.02

Congratulations to TF on a brilliant debut performance. She was one of the few people smiling at the finish.

We all came away empty handed. I was fourth O/65, 12 minutes behind Eric Sidebottom. Training to put him in his place next year has already begun, the target being under four hours and first O/70.

Snowdon Marathon

Come on someone, give us the news!

Latecomer

I'll also be Utupping tomorrow. That doesn't mean I'll be charging female sheep all morning!
Part of it?
Maybe.

Good Luck for Snowdon

Bags all packed for a week's walking/climbing in Mallorca, so looking forward to seeing everyone in a couple of weeks time.  Will be checking blog while away to see how our Marathoners got on so please post!  Wishing you all the very best on the day - hope the weather is kind to us all.  Don't fancy the prospect of gale force cross winds on take-off from Manchester.

NLN

Hi everyone. EtU has allowed me to enter the club. Was that wise? Anyway, good luck to the intrepid marathon runners, glad the hair is sorted TF. Probably too late for anyone to read this but I am intending to be at UTUP tomorrow. Thanks to NLN for run AND coffee last Saturday. NicO

No Play, Thursday

Cannot come out to play tonight. So just to wish the Snowdonia trio all the best for Saturday.

Thursday 23rd. and Saturday 25th.

I'm unlikely to turn out on Thursday and so, if I'm not there at 6.45 please go without me.

I'll be at the Lower Barn on Saturday at 8.30 as usual for a run on the moors.

All the best to TF, YJ and EtU on Saturday. Have a good un as they say.

YJ learns the awful truth

You do all that training, run all those miles, climb all those thousands of feet and finish up with an empty tankard!

Wait till Ed finds out. Saturday 23rd May 09, may just be free after all.

Wot NO Beer!

Snowdonia Marathon

In the latest missive from the organisers they appeared to suggest that 'loved ones' could follow the progress of the race from the comfort of their armchairs (deck-chairs for my M&D) as they would be using an innovative GPS tracking system. On closer scrutiny it appears that they've only bought enough for 10 runners and the lead and sweeper car.

Guessing that us three won't be amongst the favoured '10' and If you can't wait for a phonecall/text/blog report you can follow the link from http://www.snowdoniamarathon.co.uk/News.asp for news on how we all fared.

I'll put in a brief appearance on Thurs (and I mean brief).

TF

Thursday 23rd October

I'll be UTUPing in road shoes, but you'll have to be gentle with me 'cos it's the big "S" on Saturday.

EtU

A Night to Remember

Sorry that the pictures appeared without captions. The occasion is, of course, The Joss Naylor Presentation Dinner with YJ receiving his trophy from Joss and holding the tankard in triumph.

A great night out!

Have a nice run everyone. I'll be relaxing in the hairdressers - have to look my best for next week.

It appears I have managed to avoid nos 13, 118 and 666 for next saturday, so less excuses available now.

TF

Update on plans for Saturday 18th October: Matt and YJ will be leaving the lower barn at 8.00 am, running the tarmac circuit in an anticlockwise direction. Pace and any extra loops will depend on how they cope with injury problems.

Bog Hoppers!

No not an endangered species, however these may be located in a Site of Special Interest by folowing the link below.  I know YJ expressed particular interest at the end of last winter and you will not get a better bargain at half price.  FSS found these and having made the purchase can recommend them.  The ladies version seems to have sold out 'though.

http://upandrunning.co.uk/websales/detail.php?id=67410

Also this Thursday Aldi have their winter running kit in store - you won't find thermal socks at £1.99 in many places - check out specials for Thurs 16 Oct.

http://www.aldi.co.uk

The Lady Enjoyed it!

Just a quick note to say thanks to you all for Saturday (4th Oct). I really enjoyed the run and it was great to see everyone. Look forward to many more cold, wet, winter runs.

NicO

Sorry for late posting, it's been sat on my PC for a few days.

Ed

A Journey of a Thousand Miles...

...well forty something, starts with a single hill session. I had already made arrangements to turn out with Peter Ramsdale's group, even before yesterday's disaster, so with that behind me, tonight's session could be seen as the start of my Joss Naylor campaign.

Having seen the benefits of NLN's multi-group training methods, and having almost literally bumped into Peter's group last Monday, it seemed a good opportunity to add another dimension to my training. Generating winter enthusiasm with limited access to the fells has always been a problem.

The good points were:

1. It's just less than 20 minutes from home to the meet ~ a good warm-up, and no need to use the car.

2. It makes a change to run with folk who aren't drawing their pensions.

3. They're a fit lot, so I had to work hard to stop them disappearing completely out of sight.

The downside was ~ it hurt!

I'll hang on in there and see how it goes for a few weeks; perhaps someone will want to turn out next May and carry a rucksack.

EtU

Despite his date with an inscribed tankard at the Joss Naylor dinner, on Saturday 18th October, YJ is planning a last attempt to improve stamina for Snowdonia with a repeat of last Saturday's tarmac run, including the original Jubilee route in reverse (Horrobin Lane, Nickleton Brow, Yew Tree, Anglezarke Res., and back down Sheephouses Lane - plenty of steep climbs for tired limbs) which I calculated added four miles onto the 14 mile Bolton 40 circuit. Last Saturday's total time was 3hr 30 min which would indicate a PW marathon time.

Apologies to the ladies who probably have other plans. Should anyone want to join me, departure can be 8.30 from the Lower Barn. If I am on my own I may start earlier.

Saturday the 18th.

Sorry girls, YJ, Matt and I are at the Joss Naylor Dinner. YJ gets his tankard from Joss. I will post a picture. EtU will be away on a Ruby Wedding jaunt so far as I know.

Have a good run. Just think - no hanging about for us!

Two Saturdays - Two different Worlds!



What a difference a week makes. Last Saturday we stayed at High Moss on a Rucksack Meet. Paul Murray had set up what should have been a jolly and fun 'Fell Race' with 12 controls to find in 4 hours. The weather was so bad that Ian, Keith and I could not stand up on Brown Pike (below Caw), one control had been swept away and a further one we couldn't locate as we couldn't stand up when we left the path - you get the picture. After 2 and a half hours we were psychologically and physically battered and headed back to the hut and a cup of hot chocolate - even FSS was glad to pack it in! You may know that conditions were so bad that the Ian Hodgson Relay race and the Coniston Trail race were both cancelled. Later that afternoon, the streams were so high that we couldn't leave the cottage by car, and no-one fancied a walk to the pub. Luckily we were well provisioned with sufficient wine etc to accompany the wonderful meal prepared by Paul and his daughter Ros. This was followed by prizes for the winners of the event (which were further consumed by all present). Sunday dawned, bright and sunny and gave us excellent conditions for parties to depart to collect in all of the controls.



This Saturday saw heavenly conditions for Autumn in Lakeland (LDWA), leaving home just after six, prospects didn't look too hopeful, but on arriving at Keswick a little after eight, the sun was up and remained shining for the whole of the day. Great route out over Cat Bells, down and out to Rosthwaite, big climb up the stepped path to Watendlath (very slippy and slow over this part), up and over Walla Crag with fabulous views over Keswick. Delightful run off down through Great Wood and past Surprise View back to the church at Crosthwaite. 21m just under 5,000ft of ascent in 4hr 57min.

This is what you need Ed - kick start your Joss training with some good LDWA events, you don't need to carry much just enjoy the miles and the climbs!


STOP PRESS

FSS is booking me in on an FRA navigation course - and he won't come with me because he says he would end up helping me!

PS

Nicole and I are out Sat 18th UTUP - anyone else or are you all tapering for the big one?

I Knew It Was Comming...

...but I didn't think it would be quite this bad.

Having only once run under 40 minutes for a 10k, about 15 years ago, and recently and having clocked up several 49 minutes and several seconds, I knew that an over 50 minutes outing couldn't be far away. But 53:20!

Yes, that was the time I clocked at Waddington last Sunday. Ok, I'm a bit heavier than I have been, my miles are down, I've still got that pain in my right glute, and on reflection, I shouldn't have opened that second bottle of red, but 53 minutes!

So, lots of resolutions ~ more miles ~ more effort ~ less food ~ and less booze.

You've all got a lot of work to do to get me ready for the Joss next May; but in the meantime, Snowdonia could be one long, painful race.

EtU

PS Stuart Edmondson (Horwich senior) placed third in 36:08, Andrew Stubbs of CleM V40 won in 34:56 and first lady in 39:12, 14th overall was Bev Wright F45! of Blackpool Wyre & Fylde.

Saturday the 11th.

My proposed visit to Carlisle having fallen through, I will be at the Lower Barn at 8.30.

Piriformis Stretch

Another stretch, with instructions based upon pain in the right buttock.

Sit on floor with left leg stretched out. Cross bent right leg over left leg with foot in line with knee or higher.

Place left hand or better still, left elbow on right side of right knee, and apply pressure to keep locked.

With right hand on floor behind you for support, twist upper body to right as far as you can, 90 degrees if possible.

Hold for 10 secs. Do 10 times.

Another stretch I have found helpful is the squat but with feet fully on the ground. I hold onto a weight placed in front of me on the ground. This increases the stretch, bringing the back of the thighs closer to the calves, whilst enabling balance to be retained. Hold for as long as you wish.

Sorry for the text appearing alongside the photo on the other article(looks amateurish). I assembled it with the text below but somehow in transferring to the blog it moved to the side.

Piriformis Syndrome

Something else you can try is described in this article Piriformis Syndrome

Like the quote at the end of the article " .......remember, they can’t throw dirt on you if you’re moving, so keep on running."

TF

For those of us who suffer pain in the nether regions while running the following, copied from Runner’s World, might be of some help.


“PIRIFORMIS

The piriformis is a small muscle deep in your buttocks that rotates the leg outwards. It joins the thigh bone to the base of your spine. Repetitive running can result in excessive tightness within the muscle, meaning a restriction in hip mobility. This might manifest as pain deep inside the hip, lower back pain due to hip misalignment and even sciatica (pain right down your leg) because the sciatic nerve runs very close to this muscle and sometimes even through it.

Try the following stretches.-

1. Lying on your back and pulling your knee to the opposite side of your chest.

2. Lying on your back with one knee bent, placing one foot on the other thigh and letting your top knee flop to the side and pulling the lower thigh towards your chest.


Hold stretches for at least 30 secs.”



Saturday 11th October

YJ will be at the lower barn ready for the tarmac run at 8 30am

Planning Even Further Ahead...

...and inspired by Matt's fine photos (although he obviously only found them, rather than having taken them) I seem to remember that Barry Allman and I put down a marker for a winter round ~ to be run clockwise and unsupported. It would be tidy (honest, I don't have OCD) to do this just six months before the regular summer Dozen, so the last Saturday in January, the 31st, looks like it. Could wait 'til the fell calendar comes out to avoid any significant race that may fall on that day, or possibly, if Borrowdale falls into July again, go for the second last Saturday in January (to preserve the symmetry).

I'll speak to Barry to see if he's got a preferred date, as I seem to remember that only he and I thought it was a good idea, and he might have been being polite (does Bazzer do polite?).

Any views?

EtU

Not suitable viewing for persons under 40

I had reason to flip through my SD card the other day and came across these photos of Coopes Dozen which by chance equates to twelve. It could quite as easily have been twenty-five. You know what these Architects are like. You start off with a bungalow and finish up with a Tower block.

It seems to have worked, though I had to move the photos around after the upload. Well you know what Computer people are like. They set out to write you an Accounting system and you finish up with a Warehouse system. And it doesn't work anyway!

Three Score Years and Ten

Just for general info., Matt will be 70 on Monday next, the 13th.

Don't Panic I'm Back!

I made it to the shell garage in just over 3.5hrs, (stopped for newspaper) probably feeling the best I'd felt after completing that similar route on a previous three outings. So a shade over 11min/mile pace by my reckoning, and on target for the pace I'd set for my long training runs. Thank you to everyone who turned out for a bit of tarmac pounding, especially nice to see Nic'O.

Part of my wind down plans to 'M' day is for a 13m road run next Saturday morning. So I thought I'd start from the Lower Barn and run the 13m route going anti-clockwise this time (I've only run it clockwise so far). I'm thinking of setting off at about 8.30am, so can say hello to the off-roaders. Happy for anyone to join me if they can bear a bit more tarmac.

TF

Forward Planning

During yesterday's roll-on roll-off run Matt mentioned that hadn't done much racing recently. A couple of road (!) races that I've done previously and have my eye on this year are the Longridge 7 on 14th December and the Ribble Valley 10k on 28th Dec. Matt and I both did the Longridge race a few years ago, probably because a Christmas pudding was awarded to all finishers (and still is). There's an Ambleside pudding race the day before so this could be a good racing weekend for t'Yorkshireman.

I may be spoken for on the 28th but if not, I'll definitely be doing the Ribble Valley (not all of it)as well. Could be a pleasant little group meet between the two festivals.

Back to yesterday, which seemed to give everyone a good workout, especially TF who would have clocked up 19 miles by the time she got home (did anyone check that she did get home?), but apparently "workout of the day" award goes to JtE as he struggled valiantly (and vainly?) to stay with the chicken farmer as she bounced up the ramp ~ good to have you back, Nic'O, no ill effects I hope.

I'm UTUPing Thursday (road/fell? ~ somebody suggest) 9th and Saturday 11th (fell, as I'm 10king at Wadington on Sunday, although I believe there's another road session for those who fancy it ~ please post details).

EtU

I shall meet JtE at the Lower Barn at 8.30 tomorrow. From there we'll run to the village green, turn left and meet you "somewhere along the way"(name of a Nat King Cole song).

Saturday 4th Oct '08

Injuries permitting, the intrepid Snowdonia Three (aided and abetted by some even older folk?) are tackling the Bolton 40 course once again. The plot is that TF will run from home, meet YJ in Horwich at 8:00 a.m, thence to the Millstone to join up with our Blackrod rep at about 8:20.

From there it's Rivi village (8:40 ish), Hordern Stoops and Belmont.

At that point it's decision time ~ three choices:

1. Straight along the Bolton road, Walker Fold etc.

2. The Belmont Triangle.

3. The Belmont Figure of Eight.

S'pose it'll depend on how we all feel, may be the parting of the ways ~ no prize for guessing what YJ will opt for.

Thursday 2nd

I'm UTUPing in fell shoes, but can't image we'll get much time off road.

EtU

Correction

Somehow the gremlins got in the report of the Macclesfield half marathon which explains EtU's comment on the pace of the Over 65 winner. My time was 1 42, not 1 22, which proves that not only the legs were tired the day after. Apologies to all. EtU should have guessed I couldn't run that fast. Must try harder, both on the road and on the keyboard.

Another Fine Weekend

Making the most of the glorious weather conditions saw me out with the Saturday Squad and then up to the Lakes with FSS on Sunday. Couldn't wish for better.

Saturday

Last Saturday happened to be the first Anniversary of my outings with the boys and what a day it was warm, sunny and although a little hazy first thing, clearing to fine views as the day unfolded. A great morning on the hills, over Two Lads and down across the moor to Smithills Reser, it was warm enough to swim - and so he did!  Whipping off his T shirt EtU amazed us all by diving into the black depths and swimming across to the other side. What can you say!

As if this was a normal everyday occurrence we carried on over Winter Hill where our swimmer had a bit of a 'Joss Moment'.  An LDWA chap from Chorley hailed our presence and remarked on EtU's appearance on the telly last Sunday.  I thought any minute now he's going to ask for a photo shaking hands with Ed at the trigpoint. However, he showed admirable restraint from this request and we all made our respective ways off the summit.

Carrying on down to Horden Stoops we then took the diagonal path to the fire road and across the moor to the paths leading to the bomber memorial, where a stop in the sunshine for refreshment saw all of us savouring the conditions and not wanting to leave. A trot back and we were done - a splendid morning had by all.

Setting off with JTE, MS and EtU I remembered my first outing a year ago and my fears of keeping up with these hard men of the fells. A year on, and thanks to the support, friendship, advice and encouragement I feel stronger and fitter and quite a bit lighter! Thanks guys.

Sunday

Up to the Lakes with FSS for a further recce of the last bit of the first leg and the first bit of the second leg of the Joss Naylor Traverse. Again a glorious day in the offing with clear skies saw us parking at Cow Bridge car park with a trot along the road and through the lovely hamlet of Hartsop. 

Looking up from the car park over Middle Dodd with Red Screes beyond

Up and over Grey Crag where a further layer of clothing was called for. Stunning views but even from yesterday a change in direction of the wind heralded what felt like the onset of more autumnal temperatures. Could this be the last weekend of shorts? (at least for me).

Next up - Thornthwaite Beacon and quite a bit of time spent finding the best way off to avoid the dreadfully eroded path down toThreshthwaite mouth.  Lots of runners about reccying for next week's Ian Hodgson Relay racing.  As we look for the path to the right of the climb up to Stoney Cove Pike, three runners appear and show us the way, avoiding the treacherous rocky scramble.

Looking across at the Kentmere Fells, one half of the horseshoe

Looking back to Thorthwaite Beacon from Stoney Cove Pike

An out and back to Hartsop Dodd, to bag a Wainright for our third round and the view down to Ullswater was breathtaking (below).

Over Caudale Moor and then a good deal of time spent trying to locate the grassy rake from the crags above the Kirkstone Inn, which apppeared straightforward when we were looking up from the road a couple of weeks ago.  Finally got it and discovered a cairned route out to the wall, which turned out to be a bit of a distraction for us.

Looking across at Red Screes with the Kirkstone Pass in the foreground

A wonderful day to savour with better weather than we've seen in the Lakes almost the whole of the summer.  Not too strenuous 13 miles with around 4,000ft of climbing.  

Looking forward to next weekend at High Moss in the Duddon Valley, next to Newfield Inn with a Rucksack Meet organised by Paul Murray - a classic Fell Race for fun apparently - EEK!  Week after a superb LDWA event 'Autumn in Lakeland', starting at Crosthwaite Church, Keswick and taking in Cat Bells, Seatoller, Watendlath and Walla Crag.  Fingers crossed for good weather.

Out Saturday UTUP 18th October.

NLN

Wow! Wow! and Double Wow!

So the over 65 winner ran 1:09 for the Macc Half! What was it won in?

EtU

Beacon Fell

I managed it to Beacon Fell on Tuesday, and on my way there I passed Fairsnape, Longridge Fell, Parlick and Winter Hill in that order!

What a marvelous recovery you might say, and how did you manage it you might ask?

Well the answer is that I attended a training course on Tuesday in a building partly owned by Lancashire County Council, just off the M6 near Preston called the Red Rose Hub. The aforesaid were the imaginatively named conference rooms and Beacon Fell (the one I was in) was at the end of the corridor.

The squeaky new trainers have come out of the box for a 3k test on the treadmill. So far, so good. But I'm not going to push my luck so I have a entry for Macclesfield Half Marathon going spare now, anyone want it? Free to a good home.

TF

And Some Have Greatness (?) Thrust Upon Them

Well Gordon, the production team were looking for a local expert, they'd heard of me through my media contacts, I was approached, and agreed to help. You've got to do your bit to help these small companies in these difficult times.

EtS