Tour of Pendle (21st Nov 2009)

Looks like a great day out TF.   There’s just so much to do isn’t there?  My next outing with the Sat Squad will be 7th November and looking forward to seeing everyone who’s not at the Joss dinner then.   I feel my membership of the Squad is in danger of downgrading to ‘Associate’ status.  In between then and now we’ve got our annual visit to the mountains of Mallorca, the Joss Dinner and on the 14th we’re in Nant Peris for the weekend of the Rucksack Club dinner.

Yesterday was Autumn in Lakeland – report and piccies to follow, glorious weather.  Keeping up to date by reading your accounts of what you’ve been up to – trust your road outing was similarly blessed with sunshine.

NLN

Tour of Pendle (21st Nov 2009)

I know this is a bit of a way off, but tentative discussions have indicated that TF, YJ and Matt are up for this one. However, TF and Matt have expressed a wish to hone their route choice with a recce.

Other wfdbwgua'ers have suggested 'away days' and I wonder whether it would be possible to combine the two with the added potential for our 2 fledgling navigators to test out their newly learned skills (no pressure girls!). Because of Cross Country and Haircut commitments the only Saturday I could make would be the 14th Nov. Handy as this is one week before the race.

The tricky bits as far as the race is concerned are
1) locating the turn off for the trod to check point 2
2) locating the turn off for the trod to check point 5
3) locating the best line for check point 9
3) Locating the best line for check point 11

The map of the race route is located here http://www.clayton-le-moors-harriers.co.uk/uploads/Archives/Tour/TOPendle_Map.pdf

I don't think we need to recce all of it, so my initial thoughts would be to do the following

1) Follow race route from start to turn off for trod to CP2, (build cairn),
2) Stay on main track and follow until turn off for CP5 (build cairn)
3) Follow race route to turn off for CP9 (build cairn)
4) Follow race route to finish

By my reckoning this gives us nearly 12m and most of the climbs except the one from CP3. Outside guess of 3.5hrs? My time for the full route last year was 4hr37mins, having got through the 2hr cut-off at CP4. I appreciate that some of you may be on tighter dealines and therefore a shorter route would be to go from the start to CP4, and then following race route to CP5 etc, thus effectively doing the 2nd half of the race. At a guess about 9m and do-able (is that a word?) in 2.5hrs? If we arranged to be in Barley for a start some time between 8.30 and 9.00am we could be done by lunchtime. I think car-sharing would be extremely sensible.

Any thoughts?

TF

ps On an important financial note pre-entry is £5 but on the day it's £10 - quite a mark-up. I personally will be pre-entering!!

Saturday Road

Minor changes on my part, in that I'll run from home and meet you Millstone-ish, and I'll not be doing the final loop, due to a lunch invitation.

Hope both your knees are OK, Matt, your old one and presumably your younger one.

Interesting stats from last Saturday YJ, although the Anglezarke loop seemed longer than that to me. No doubt that was because I faded on the climbs. As long as the old knee is ok(I've had a little reaction) I'm interested in doing the road again on Saturday to see if I can improve a bit.

This Saturday

UTUP for me to fell run, or road run, or to do some of both.

Midweek kanter

Postponing my midweek rerun of Saturday's outing proved to be a good move. After Tuesday's monsoon Wednesday's calm, dry and cool weather was perfect for running, although it did bring out the hordes to Rivington, forcing a start to be made from the main drive and not the Lower Barn car park, making the route slightly longer.

The conditions would play some part in the improved pace though more can be attributed to the previous two circuits of the Bolton 40 course.

Pace today was 9 mins 33 secs per mile for 18.5 miles compared to last week's midweek run at 9.54 for 14 miles.

Just for the record, Belmont to Horden Stoop took 13 mins - that was 53 seconds faster than Saturday without my pacer!

Thursday 8th and Saturday 10th

Ankle niggle permitting, I'll be UTUPing both days.

Winter Hill Road Circuit

As we made Horden Stoops we could see the approaching weather, a vast wall of clag, at this point stretching from somewhere over Chorley to a lot further south. I did forlornly hope we'd get back to the Lower Barn without getting wet, but when you're contending with 40mph winds it was a very forlorn hope. Started to feel the first drops at Ammunition corner.

YJ will post the stats, but the initial impression was that we completed the circuit about a minute slower than a similar outing last year. Given the battle up the last climb, I was 'well chuffed' with that, especially as this was the longest road run I'd done this year. Not sure I'd have managed it on my own, so I have the charming company to thank for that (YJ, JtE, Matt & EtU).

I'll be out again on Saturday for a repeat performance.

TF

Sat Stats

Now that the change in the weather to torrential rain has brought a chance to be indoors for a while I can provide the statistics for Saturday's road run. For those who were not with us the squad comprised TF, JtE, Matt, EtU and YJ.

The single lap measures 14.25 miles car to car; plus the Anglezarke loop pushed it up to 18.25 to the Lower Barn; and plodding on to Riv and Blackrod school and back edged the miles to over 20.

Timewise we were amazingly similar to last year's equivalent run. We were back at Rivington Green the first time within 11 seconds of last year (despite the strong Westerly on Saturday) and the Anglezarke loop, with the team now down to EtU, Matt and YJ, was better than my solo run last year by 6 mins. Total climb was 1,569 ft for the single lap and 2,355 ft for the full distance. Pace over 20 miles was 10.57 and as I slowed when left on my own the pace for the full group would be about 10.50.

Times were 2.36 for the single lap; 3.23 for 18 miles and 3.40 for 20 miles.

Plans for a rerun have been shelved for a better day, possibly tomorrow if body and time permit. Training 68 miles in 7 days has finally taken its toll so as today's energy levels are low plans for the next few days are fluid (and I don't mean beer) aIthough I shall definitely be at the UTUP on Saturday, ready for more tarmac.

Last Saturday

Where's the full report YJ?

Rucksack Navigational Challenge

With winds of 50mph on Kinder, the challenge was to stay upright – spectacular views from the plateau of the downfall blowing up into the air.  Early thoughts of putting into practice last week’s instruction were soon abandoned as FSS and I battled the elements to find the controls.  Having bagged three from six I managed to navigate solo back to the warmth of the organiser’s campervan for a nice cup of tea, leaving FSS to capture the last three.  Unfortunately (for those still on the course) my ‘bail out’ coincided with the heaviest rain of the day and no visibility on the tops.  FSS managed one from three of the remaining controls, getting to within half a mile of the furthest before turning back, unable to stand. 

I was out for about 3.5hours and covered 8.67 miles!  Different!  How did you Roadies get on, what were conditions like in our own backyard?

NLN

Downhills and flexibility
Apologies for not posting earlier. On Monday night it did cross my mind as to the non-appearance of Ed. More than that, I did make the comment to the others up there in the mist. I believe Rammy was also expecting you.
As always I was panicking that I would not get there on time. I chose to park at the usual Thursday night spot at about 5.45 thinking that 20 minutes to Wilderswood and 25 minutes to the Stump would be sufficient so I would arrive not too drained. Picking up the shortcut which brings you out to the right of the mast road helped and I was able to a mix of jog/walk to the mast as one of the earliest arrivals. So like me to be so well prepared and arrive in good time, isn't it Ed?
Colin set off first so that there would be someone at the finish who knew who was who as the young lady (Diane) who'd driven off to be at the finish didn't know most of us. I was off next, soon to be caught by Mark, Tony, young Mr Fowler from Preston and Pete R as we headed off towards the Pike, pulling some back as we got a bit of climb towards the Pike where Dougie was ensuring we touched the Tower.
Eventually all but Michelle overhauled me but I think my time of 29:38 may have been a PB, certainly I should have had the biggest improvement prize had there been one as I think last year I included an initial loop around the mast to start all over again.
Ed, I'm surprised Dougie had gone and you didn't catch up to Michelle (who had started after me). We were in the RMI Car Park for quite a while as the prizegiving took some time, such were the volume of prizes. Definitely a race where you had to be inittowinnit - even for the poorest descender in the club like me!
Flexibility - From Nov 1st, I shall be more flexible with my running although my diary is already filling up, but if anyone would like a good long daytime run, let me know.
Changing sport, my TT has had its ups and downs. I represented the region at CSSC games and managed to lose all 13 matches, only winning one game. I then followed up the day and half of TT with a hilly 10k in 49:30. This poor TT performance has been balanced by the new Bolton League season where I've managed to win 8 out of 9 matches so far, with my only loss very narrow to a player I've not yet managed to beat in the past three years - it all depends what level you play at!
And congratulations to YJ. Yes a bit remiss of Ed not to mention at the Quarterly Do.

Belated Congratulations

I learned last night that on the 17th September our good friend YJ became 70 years old. I admonished his little brother for not letting us know at the appropriat time.

Congratulations and very best wishes YJ from all of us.

Well done to YJ for his half-marathon performance. It seems that expletives were not the only thing that were flying round Macclesfield! To run 8 minute miles was tremendous. I shall be Utuping on Saturday, hoping that I can keep him within sight.

Tomorrow and Saturday

UTUP for me Thursday and Saturday. If YJ wants my company on Saturday 20ish miles is ok by me.

This Week

Thursday - UTUPing, suggest fell shoes and move onto tarmac as darkness falls.

Saturday - Will contact Michelle S. via Albs.

I can manage a utup this thursday, but I think it better be a brief appearance if we're going to have to keep up with Y 'speedy'J (well done btw). I can only manage 8min/m pace for the first mile!

Had a quick scan of the entrants for Snowdonia Marathon and Albert's wife Michelle and her friend Kathryn are entered. They might welcome a run round. Michelle did Macc half on Sunday with YJ in just over 2hrs. Anyone who knows them better than me want to invite them?

TF

Downhill Route Last Night

I left the car at the RMI and set off for Scotsman's Stump about five past six, passing the parish church at 6:10 by the clock. As I started the struggle up Foxholes it was beginning to seem that reaching the Stump by 6:30 was unlikely, and as the time ticked away it became blindingly obvious that it was impossible.

Ever the optimist, I consoled myself with the thought that "they're bound to start late" and with the staggered start, it would be some time before the last runner was released from the trap. Also, there was bound to be another runner, on the last minute, getting a lift up to the start, who would share his lift with me.

But it was not to be. Two cars (unknown drivers) passed me on their way down, but neither stopped to offer me a lift up. When I finally arrived at the Stump it was deserted, so I made my final preparation (it was pretty dark by then, so I didn't have to stray far from the road) and set off towards the Pike. Fairly predictably, there was no Pike marshall, so it was a lonely run all the way through. There was a new fence near the bridge over Tiger's Clough, which threw me off my line (the dark didn't help much either) and I lost a few minutes finding it.

Then down Green Lane, across the playing field and as I approached Lee Lane, there was Peter Ramsdale walking back to his car, carrying a bottle of wine (don't know what he did to win that). We exchanged a quick word and then it was past Sam's Bar, across Station Park and back to the RMI. No-one outside, so checked inside, where the only occupants, apart from a barman in danger of redundancy, were lingerers from a Weight Watchers group (!).

Not a totally successful evening, but a reasonable work-out. Total time on feet from the clock in the car ~ one hour thirty minutes, but no time for the course, as no stopwatch.

The is a prize of a poke in the eye with a sharp stick for the best list of lessons that can be learned from this debacle.


Moving On ~ Well done YJ running at 7:56 pace for a tough half marathon. Your little brother was pleased to average 8:00 for a flat 10K!

FRA Navigation Elterwater

It was with some trepidation that Nicole and I approached the FRA Navigation weekend based at Elterwater YH, and for those of you who know us, you will know why. 

Excellent course with extremely supportive volunteers with years of experience made it all seem so easy indoors… and then we tried to put it into practice on the fells.  It wasn’t just us, most of the folk on the course had a bit of a wobble.  My night navigation partner, a burly window cleaner from Nelson was reduced to a jibbering wreck when faced with a 10K solo exercise with ten controls to find.  Our aim on the previous evening was to maybe find three.  We did in fact get all ten, but somehow neither of us could cope with the daylight route, in perfect conditions.

Lots of fun, extremely informative, some people were already signing up for the next event at Kettlewell in April!

Verdict - stick with me at night, follow Nicole in daylight hours.  They say practice makes perfect – we’ve both got a long way to go (and neither of us could probably find the way back).

Won’t be joining you roadies, Rucksack Navigational Challenge in Edale this Saturday EEEEEK!  You’ll be relieved to hear that FSS and I will be doing this as a pair.  Following Saturday  LDWA Autumn in Lakeland – splendid scenic route of just 20 miles.   Looking forward to seeing some of you at the Joss Dinner.

Congrats to YJ on Macc Half.

NLN

Calling all roadies

With the approach of the Snowdonia marathon there are just three Saturdays left and I plan to use them for some hilly road miles round the old Bolton 40 course. Speed won't be important but distance will and initially I shall probably have a short warm-up lap locally. If anyone wants a long run I'll dispense with the warm-up as long as I can stretch the outing to about 20 miles.

Company will help ease the tedium of road milesA single lap is 13 miles, adding the Belmont triangles takes it up to 17 and the old jubilee course (best run clockwise) incorporating Sheephouses and Anglezarke would give us about 22.. If anyone bumps into any other Howrich runners entered in Snowdonia we could always extend the invitation - as long as they are not too fast!

We can start at the UTUP though the last Saturday coincides with the Joss Naylor dinner which may affect timing of the morning programme.

Downhill Race tonight
A bit late to mention it, but whilst making a brew just now, I've just remembered that it is the Downhill Race from Scotsman's Stump tonight at 6.30 if anyone fancies a quick blast over to the Pike and down. I expect I shall be the slowest.
Not seen results from Saturday's XC yet. I set off too quickly harbouring ideas of battling with Mr Murray but struggled on the second lap. At least I was in front of Mssrs Shuttleworth and Chester (Barry is the Soul Twins' cousin).

Macclesfield half

After the disappointment of last week, Sunday's Macclesfield half marathon came as something of a relief. Following a fast start, strong on exuberance and low on commonsense with a fastest mile of 7 mins 03 secs on this rural course that has a total climb of nearly 2,000 ft., the hills started to bite. The climbs are long and hard with some sharp descents, the last ascent coming at 10.5 miles and lasting until 12 miles.

Throughout, the target has been the over 0/70s record which demanded an average of 8 mins 30 secs per mile and by the halfway point it obvious that only a disaster of Langdale proportions was going to thwart this ambition.

The line was crossed in 1 hr 43 mins 55 secs, almost 8 mins inside the previous record and guaranteed the other objective of first 0/70.

Perusing the posted results, post race, a younger veteran runner standing behind me said to his mate: "Wow (expletive deleted) look at that 1 43 at 70" his mate repeated "(expletive deleted) 1.43 at 70" at which point I felt compelled to come clean before the third joined in. It was almost as rewarding as the £20 vouchers I won plus the £10 spot prize voucher.

Sir Nicholas Winterton presented the prizes and was moved to make a comment each time he handed over the vouchers. Make what you will of his remark as I approached "...and all the way from Chorley, looking very distinguished..." Maybe he should have gone to Specsavers.

LMS v LNER

Whilst running last Saturday, EtU and I, having nothing better to talk about, discussed LMS and LNER steam locomotives. They were designed to haul trains between London and Scotland and vice versa. Whilst the LNER engines were, perhaps, a bit quicker, in my view the LMS engines had it on sheer good looks.

 

The quickest LNER locomotive, “Mallard”, still holds the world record for a steam engine at 125.80 miles per hour.

 

The quickest record for an LMS locomotive is 114 mph.

 

Just thought you all might be interested!

Last of the Summer...

...or to be more correct, first of the Autumn.

Thursday saw four of us setting off for what will probably be our last 2009 evening gallop (!) up the climbs. We started at 6:30 sharp (ish), and attained Two Lads in reasonable light, where we met Albert, Tony V and Colin Jones. Then a border collie arrived, closely followed by Doug Hayes. We chatted only briefly as we were on a mission.

Dusk was already falling as we stopped for a photo-shoot on the Pike. At this point TF turned for home, leaving the Good, the Bad and the (very) Ugly to continue Noonwards.



Not much light on Noon Hill, and even less as we descended to Georges Lane and thence up to the trig point, where yours truly managed (eventually) to master the technology and use the timer on the camera.


Then it was down the motor road with the aid of headtorches and back to the cars in just about two hours. A good outing, marred only by JtE arriving home a little later than had been hoped and thereby risked missing the start of New Tricks.


But don't fret John, here's one I took earlier.

Elterwater? Where's that?

Do you realize girls that your first challenge will be to find the place? If you manage to find it, then have a great weekend and take care!

LDMT

I had initially considered the road and track option to the north of Harter Fell but thought 'proper' fellrunners can't do that and if anyone found out I'd get laughed at. The other consideration was by that stage in the proceedings there would have been too much of a temptation to carry on down the road back to the Youth Hostel and miss out 5 & 6 altogether.

So south side I went, following the Duddon route in reverse except the very top. As I guessed correctly (having subsequently checked) the ft/climb for both routes was nearly the same. Even if it'd been a nice smooth path I doubt that I'd have run much of it anyway, so opted for the shorter route.

As for the last check-point, I could have cried when I realised what I'd done, but I was too tired. A humongous effort to make myself climb back up the last hill. Looks like a lot didn't bother!

TF

Thursday 24th Sep

At this time of year we're losing daylight at the rate of nearly three minutes at both dawn and dusk every day. The sun sets at 7:01 pm this Thursday, so assuming that we'll just about be able to see for another half hour after that, we should just about be able to do the climbs one last time (sun sets 6:43 next week ~ no, JtE, not all week, just on Thusday).

So, put your climbing legs on, be ready to run at 6:30 sharp (or as soon as I arrive after that) and let's go for it ~ but put a headtorch in your bum-bag, just in case.

LDMT

Followed TF's route round the LDMT using Routegadget; a fascinating piece of software. Hers was a brave but unpopular route choice from CP 4 to 5, and her aberration between 5 and 6 was, to say the least, "interesting".

Open to Offas – 30.29 miles, 6,977ft climbed

Having done this event last year with FSS and got round in just under seven hours, this year was always going to be a more leisurely and social  affair, the aim simply to get some miles in.  This was accomplished in a very enjoyable manner.  Without my trusty ‘pacer’ I added an hour to my time, completing in just over eight hours as a result of a wrong turn right at the end, would have been in just under eight without this.  Had I stuck with Keith, my original plan, I would have been nearly two hours over!  This as a result of too many pints having been consumed on the Friday night – Keith not me!

A great day out, wonderful route, warm, overcast.  Jogged along with a couple of chaps from West Lancs LDWA and a Macc Harriers man, who some of us will meet at the Joss Naylor dinner, as he completed his round in June this year. 

 

 

Peter Nolan, Macc Harriers

 

Recognise the man on the right – Brian Fisher of West Lancs LDWA.  We’ve bumped into him a few times around Winter Hill, Great Hill.  One of your saviours JtE at White Coppice, on the Amble.

Here’s a link to Brian’s picture gallery for more piccies of the day.

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/goodwalkerme/OpenToOffas19thSep2009#

PS  FSS supporting Bill Williamson’s Ramsey Round.  Sadly weather in Scotland not so kind, this coupled with a shortage of daylight hours meant that Bill didn’t get round in the 24 hours.

Holiday Pictures

What do medieval church buildings and railway steam engines have in common. The answer, using modern parlance is “You get what you see”

Here, no matter where you look, the columns, tracery, arches, and externally the buttresses and pinnacles are all in stone in compression in all its glory doing its  job in stabalizing the structure for all to see. No hidden steelwork or reinforced concrete here.

Similarly, the works of the steam engine is exposed to be seen. No hidden crankshaft, pistons, connecting rods and the like.

Normally steam engines have four buffers, one at each corner, but this one has a fifth buffer on the footplate. Have you seen the driver’s headgear!.

Finally, this one’s for Ian.

Hope you’ll all forgive my ramblings. Thanks FSS for the now downloaded software making blog postings with pictures much easier.

As predicted, Sunday's Langdale marathon was a stern test and a major disappointment in that my finishing time of 4hr 52min was my worst ever. For the first time I knew what it means to 'hit the wall' and this I did at 20 miles.

Up that point it had been a pleasant if strenuous outing with the warm sunshine bathing the surrounding fells and raising the temperature for those grunting round this two lap race. It could have been the heat, or the lack of recent long runs that progressively sapped the energy. As the half marathoners peeled off to their finish the road ahead became increasingly quiet with just a few companions to divert the mind from the task ahead.

By 20 miles walking, especially on the climbs was becoming more frequent and by 23 it was difficult to raise the pace to a run. At 24 miles an ambulance pulled alongside to check on my condition, driving on when I assured them that all the vital signs of life were still there.

Passing the car park for the last quarter mile meant more effort to impress the few spectators who had hung about. That last section was the hardest road run I can remember.

Desperate to gain some crumbs of comfort from the outing I was the winner (and only entrant) in my age group and, more positively, completed the first lap in 1hr 58mins, ahead of the age-group winner of the half marathon, Edward Corley of Horwich RMI, by 14 minutes.

The Langdale marathon's claim to be the toughest road marathon in the world does have some credence with its 3,927 feet of climb. Must do better next year.

I've plotted my route on the routegadet thing. A picture is worth a thousand words!

http://www.sportident.co.uk/results/2009/LDMT/index.html

Can manage UTUP thurs and fri, but not sat.

Wishing Hazel a speedy recovery.

TF

Holiday at Santon

Not a lot to report, other than that I managed to run every day, apart from travelling days. Did my Mitredale round and was ticked off by a Duke of Edinburgh adjudicator for advising a group of young ladies who seemed to need some advice from an old man.

Accompanied David P-T whilst he ticked off what he felt was his last Wainwright that it was sensible to tackle from Wasdale. This was Seaththwaite Fell, a fine small top that overlooks (would you believe?) Seathwaite. One that should definitely be visited, even if you're not "bagging".

Other days were just Irton Pike.

Tracking Tuesday, and UTUPing Thursday and Saturday.

Memo to TF

"what a day" is not an adequate account of your LDMT epic!

Just to let everyone know that Hazel is now home and recovering. For those that didn't know - Hazel felt ill but decided to try a longish run (like fell runners do) and ran home from work, over 7 miles, before being admitted to hospital with septicaemia. It means she is a true member of the wfdbwgua, and probably it's a hard one to better.
If you are reading Hazel," Get well soon."

YJ - also 'Unready'

Ten days away on holiday with minimal training is not the best preparation for a marathon so Sunday's 26-miler is going to be a real test and also the reason why I shall not be UTUPing on Saturday.

I shall be at the solstice meal on the 25th by which time I shall have decided whether I shall be out on the 26th or saving my energies for the Macclesfield half marathon on the 27th.

LDMT
7hr52 & 25/25, what a day! Results (& splits) on sportident website. Routes will be on routegadget at some point so you can all have a go. My route was 13.5m on straight lines, don't know ft/climb.
TF

Not utup for me tomorrow, workmen coming round to discuss a job. Off to Nottingham on Monday for a few days and I'm not sure if I'll be out the following Saturday, so don't wait if I'm not there by 8.30.

Sneaking on while IT at work are fiddling with the system!

No Utup for me this week as resting for the LDMT on Sunday. This is likely to be my longest and toughest day out in the hills so far (if I finish) and I've already emailed the organisers advising that I'll be the slowest and wanted an early start. They believed me and I got 8:32am!

So for post-race recuperation I have planned a relaxing weeks holiday in the Lakes which starts on Monday with a full body massage and facial, which I thought I'd probably deserve after my hard efforts the day before. This is followed on Wednesday by a day of improving my culinary skills, and Friday watching the Uphill Race at the Commonwealth Games in Keswick. As you can see, not a lot of movement required for any of these, so I may try to fit in a few hills as well, but a lot depends on whether my legs agree with my head.

I can make the utup on 25th Sept.

TF

Next Couple of Weeks

UTUPing Thursday 10th, then Santon Bridge 12th to 19th.

Most folk can make 25th for the "do" so I'm firming up on that, apologies to those who can't make it, will allow more time for planning for the Winter Solstice.

Blast from the Past

Probably my favourite when I was about 6 years old - we'd just got a telly.

Don't think I'll use that style for my next race finish though!

Up in the Lakes this weekend but probably get no mileage in - going to watch Diane in the Great North Swim on Saturday.

Pandion Haliaetus

Dennis Mason sent us this link.

http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/tracking/lochgartenospreys/index.asp

Rufford 10k, yesterday
Just a few quick comments. I thought Ed must have had a cracking race as he was only two minutes behind and had done a fair old bit of mileage on the Saturday. Obviously the carbo loading on Saturday night must have done wonders. I had my fastest time since 2004 and we weren't far behind the likes of Blandy and Bazza. I'm sure Matt would have been first V70 were it not for not being race sharp. Below is my deteriation then slight improvement over the years for the course:
09 - 47:32
08 - dns
07 - 47:36
06 - 47:45
05 - 49:37
04 - 47:19
03 - 44:44
02 - 46:12
01 - 44:05
00 - 43:40
99 - 45:47
25th is fine for me for equinox but is it too far for Ed and PW to travel?

A Blast From the Past ~ Nostalgia Still Rules ~ OK

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fedb77hZF18

Where Larks and Swifts Splash

Having survived the short course, I have a lot of respect for NLN's completion of the full WEF route. The short course wasn't especially demanding as a route, but at 18 miles with water splashing up from the ground, gurgling down the streams and falling from the heavens (guess that's lower case for the pleural) to take on the extra 8 miles into the high ground deserves a lot of credit, well done!

TF and I splashed along and had a great time. My number was 69, so it didn't matter whether I was on my a**e or my elbow and the two alternated more than once or twice. Towards the end we were to-ing and fro-ing with a trio of sporty ladies who seemed to have the edge on us speed-wise, but TF's (almost) perfect navigating kept us in contention, and they fell by the wayside with a mile or two to go, and we were eating our quiche and salad (hardly the food for heroes) when they finally landed. An excellent long morning out.

Haven't yet seen the results for the Rufford 10k thingy (was Matt's reference to the Ruffold 10k just a mistake, a Freudian slip, or a clever reference to it being a contest between two rough old men?), but despite Saturday's exertions and a couple or more beers in the evening, I managed to get back to a sub 50 minutes finish (it was a very flat course). T'Yorkshireman beat me by over 2 minutes, well done Gordon. Matt was a few minutes behind me, but no doubt was further up his age group than I was in mine.

Matt bemoaned his lack of speed, blaming it on not being able to do the Tuesday track sessions, but we are investigating the possibility of organising our own session at the Arena on Wednesdays ~ all welcome.

Where Eagles Fly

Well they might well do, but there was no chance of seeing them on Harter Fell in all that clag!  My first attempt at running solo and therefore being responsible for my own navigation EEK!  Chose this event as having done the Kentmere Horseshoe recently I knew second half of route.  This being said I poured over the maps, instructions, plotted the whole thing on memory map and fretted over ever getting out of Burneside.

So on the day?  Stuck to the Toyota school of map reading (following the one in front) out of Burneside, however beyond Potter Tarn felt confident with the preparation and got to first checkpoint, in fact picked a better route than FSS when comparing map traces.  Over to Mardale and up to Nan Bield not even I could have gone wrong, slight hiccup induced by following two blokes along the contour path under Harter Fell, but realised that they were intending to bypass summit so struck out and up to cairn and passed them on the run off to Kentmere Pike. 

Up to Nan Bield Jenny (Chorley H) and I had been running together more or less but she pulled away from me on the climb to Harter where I had a few agonising bursts of cramp in my right calf.  Not fully recovered from last week’s exertions then!  Thank goodness I’d stuffed a Clif bar in my rucksack as an afterthought back home, I managed to swallow this and wash it down with a full bottle of water and the cramp eased off. 

Following route instructions, but reluctant to get map out in appalling conditions coming off Kentmere Pike, followed another two blokes to ‘Ladder stile’.  Turned out to be a different ladder stile anyway in right direction but managed to miss out Shipman’s Knotts, traversing on path below.  This bit didn’t feel just right but as all four blokes were now following me, I thought it must be OK (not just me then).  Got to vicinity of Mag’s How but couldn’t find the blessed place.  Ran up and down village knowing I was within 100yds of it as I’d found the path away from the checkpoint!  AAARGH!  Then saw Jenny – she’d had a couple of mishaps coming off Shipman’s and so had been delayed.  Trotted last leg together Jenny doing most of the route finding on the bridleways/tracks/footpaths, which all looked the same to me.  But I did find the path by the river and did feel I knew the general direction we were going in due to the preparation and at one point corrected the wrong turn on the road.  So feel reasonably good about fulfilling the objectives 7/10.

The last leg from Kentmere didn’t just prove confusing to me - FSS missed a gate and put an extra four miles on his route missing out on 2nd man home which he had been up until that point (still about an hour ahead of me).

Lessons learnt – not difficult but much more practice required.  Looking forward to Navigation weekend on 25th.

Including my run down to Kentmere Church and all the way back up to Green Quarter looking for the checkpoint, I clocked 26.75miles and 5,839ft of climbing.  This is one of the toughest LDWA events I’ve done, reflected in the time of just under seven hours which neither Jenny or I could believe.  Getting back ‘though, only one other woman was ahead of us, so we weren’t as slow as you might think.  And it wasn’t Britta (Fellrunner Editor) in fact there were a number of women who at the start I didn’t think I would see again, which I didn’t but for a different reason if you see what I mean. 

Good to see EtU and TF at the start (rucksack now ordered – thanks for info TF) – how was it for you?

NLN

Utup tomorrow but only doing a couple of hours due to Ruffold 10k on Sunday.

utup thurs, and eagles (short) sat

TF

This Saturday, the 5th.

UTUP for me for a canal towpath run.

Equinox Do

I have provisionally booked the TaT for Friday 25th September.

Speak now or forever...

This Week

Thursday 3rd Sep ~ UTUP.

Saturday 5th Sep ~ Flying With the Eagles ~ but http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tL8eMF4NW5U.

Keswick to Barrow - ‘The Haute Route’

 

Friday night saw us travelling up to the Rucksack Club’s Lake District HQ in the Duddon Valley, High Moss where we met up with our Leader and fellow contenders for tomorrows expedition.  Two stalwarts of this kind of affair Paul and Wade were missing, the former attending a wedding in St Ives and the latter according to Geoff was ‘Losing the will to suffer’.  Need I say more!

A fitful night’s sleep was had listening to the howling wind and rain outside but the forecast promised a bit of a respite for tomorrow.  Rising at 4.15am for a 5.00am departure for Keswick gave us only a brief shower and we set off not long after 6.00am in dry conditions but with a concerning headwind.

  Leaving High Moss 5.00am –ish – Geoff, Ros, NLN, Keith and FSS – Helen would join us at the Moot Hall

Moot Hall, Keswick just after Six o’clock with Helen (Keith parking car)

On leaving Portinscale and approaching the suspension bridge we were surprised to be met by throngs of folk, breakfasting, messing about with canoes/bikes/running kit.  Apparently they were all engaged in a multi-sport Coast-to-Coast and had just paddled down Derwentwater and were readying themselves for the next leg on bikes – amazing what we all do for fun.

Dramatic scenes over Derwentwater from Cat Bells heralded the first heavy rain.  But soon, having traversed High Stile etc we were dropping into Honister, where Rae had warm drinks and food ready for us.

 

Support HQ manned by Rae Pritchard, with Meet leader Ros Murray and Helen

Rainbow, leaving Honister

Looking down Ennerdale with Buttermere and Crummock water to the right

Upwards and onwards to Sty Head over Grey Knotts, Brandreth and Green Gable then Bow Fell over the Crinkles to the three Shires Stone for extremely welcome hot soup and sandwiches.

 

Glorious run off Green Gable

Geoff

 

The worst of the weather on this leg forced us below Swirral How, before traversing Brim Fell where horizontal hailstones and gale force winds buffeted us to the ground at some points.  Too dangerous to contemplate the summit of Dow Cragg, Ros guided us expertly along a rising traverse to Goats Water Hause and then White Pike to Broughton, where rice pudding awaited.  

Dow Crag – click on full size to see the two climbers half way up one of the gullies towards the bottom on the right

From Broughton it was a simple matter of following the coast, over the sand dunes, through the marshes and along the beach to our destination at Barrow.  As our leader warned us, its longer than it looks.  I say simple because the five of us were just following Ros’s headtorch at this stage.  Five hours later we arrived at the Town Hall in Barrow, attracting quite a bit of attention, not being dressed in the manner of most of the Saturday night crowd on what the locals refer to as the ‘Gaza Strip’.  Geoff described the town centre scene as ‘Vibrant’  which rather captured it.

Made it! – Barrow Town Hall just before 1.00am

Six started, six finished – Ros, Keith, Geoff, NLN, Helen and FSS

Total time 18hours 39mins, 10,000ft climbing, 46.6 miles covered.

Conditions – heavy showers (some hail), bright intervals, constant strong winds.  A great day in the hills.

Not out next Sat, doing Where Eagles Fly – see earlier post.

NLN

Intent to Dent

I went to Dent,
With energy unspent,
On the scent of a gent,
Whose superiority,
I went to dent.

Saturday was the last in the English Championship races for us wrinklies. Fred Gibbs of Bingley Harriers has been the M70's winner of the previous three by a country 1.6093 kms. He's streets, or in our case, hills ahead of the rest of us, and always shows us a dirty pair of heels. In the two races I've entered, both medium distance, Peter Norman of Wrexham has been second, myself third. On the first occasion he beat me by over 9 mins, but on the second by only 1min 13 secs, so at Dent it was "Race on".

It was Dent Gala day and the race started from a field near Church Bridge before going through the farm at Shoolbred. Billy the Bull is known to frequent these parts but I reasoned that by the time I got there he'd be bored of tupping people in red vests. From the farm it's a steep climb with two false peaks before turning east at the top to go about 600yds to Aye Gill Pike. Then the same route back.

I panted my way up the hill(one day I'll try climbing) and settled in behind a guy in a yellow vest, intending to get him on the way down. At the top, for some reason, probably to trip up 70 year olds, there was a tape across the bottom of an opening in the wall. It worked, and having picked both myself and my glasses up I proceeded a full 5 yards before falling flat in the bog, thus enabling Yellowvest to open up a gap. After another encounter with the bog on the return, I was asked to re-form the Black & White Minstrels! On the steep descent I'd hoped to pick up a few places, but there was too great a gap and I only passed a chap in a strange vest and one in a Stripey vest, but Yellowvest kept his distance and who can blame him.

After I'd stumbled to the finish, Stripeyvest came in 50 secs. later and immediately came over to shake my hand. It soon became apparent that he was none other than Peter Norman. Later I met Fred Gibbs and George Arnold a veteran of Championship races, for the first time. So, 2nd place apart, meeting these other ancients made it a good day out, though they may say "Well it was until ....".

Dentdale

Looks like our man had a good one on Whernside. Come on Matt, spill!

Today's Run

The team today was TF, Hazel, YJ, EtU and me. The route, to begin with, was Healey Nab, Brinscall Triangle and Great Hill. All but EtU started on this route whilst EtU, who was walking his daughter's dog first, was to join us in an anti clockwise direction. We met up just above Drinkwater's Farm, below Great Hill. On Great Hill it was decided to carry on to Hordern Stoops and at that point Hazel an TF decided to go in via Ammunition Corner whilst the rest of us took in Winter Hill via the wooden footbridge, then skirting Two Lads and going in via the gardens. The milages were 22 for YJ, who had done his Pike loop before the main run, 15 for me and, I expect, about 13 for the ladies. I'm not sure of EtU's distance.

The weather was chilly but bright and the bonus was the heather when the sun was out. More than usual Wheatears were along the wall on spittlers.

Going to attempt the Winter Hill road circuit tomorrow - so long as it's not raining!

This is where I got to on Saturday, http://www.nato.routegadget.co.uk/cgi-bin/reitti.cgi?act=map&id=18&kieli= Same instructions as in the post on Weds 3rd June, but you need to drag the map quite a long way to the left before you get to see the route. I did course 'C' and finished 18/28 in the solos, there were people also doing it as 'pairs'. The finishing times are next to each name on the list. The only ones that have plotted their course are the ones with '*'.

This routegadget thing is quite good for practising a bit of 'armchair' navigating. Seclect a course, decided what route you would have taken and then click on the names of those who have plotted their routes and see if you agree.

TF

This One's for TF!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GugsCdLHm-Q

This Thursday and Saturday

UTUP for me.

Forward Planning

I can manage a utup on Saturday this week. The following weekend plans will depend on how the ankle fares, being mindful of the LDMT (12m/5000ft straight lines) on the 12th. It did ok on Saturday just gone, but still a bit wary of it.

The 16m option could be a possibility for me on the event NLN has suggested, if it was looking like a group outing. If EtU has a 'whole day out' pass then it'd be a shame to not venture further afield. Perhaps EtU could provide some extra 'readies' just to make sure it's a very long shopping trip?

TF

Ed’s Request for Ideas 5th September

Will miss out on Ed’s long day out on the 5th. Doing 'Where Eagles Fly' - why not make this a group outing?  Need to get entries in quick 'though.

http://www.ldwa.org.uk/challenge_events/show_event.php?list_option=S&list_type=F&event_id=5514

26 miles from Burneside Cricket Club, Kendal out over Longsleddale, Mardale, Nan Bield, Kentmere Pike and back.  Route description below

http://morecambebayandbowland.homestead.com/Routepage.html

Worth thinking about

NLN

Thursday 27th & Saturday 29th

I'm UTUPing.

5th September ~ A Full Day's Pass

The Old Speckled Hen and the youngest daughter Meredith (the OSH reads a lot of romantic novels) are on a (shopping) marathon on 5th September, so lunch won't be on the table at 12:30 sharp.

So I'm looking for something a bit different (not from the OSH I hasten to add!). First thought is a Coope's/Baker's dozen, which is a regular CD plus Darwen Tower.

Any thoughts? Not particularly canvassing company for the whole round, or road support, but company up to Old Adam would be good.

Start UTUP.

Darwen Gala Fell Race

Julie, Prince (the current demander of food and walks) and missen made our way over to Darwen this afternoon. Julie and Prince availed themselves to the pleasures of the gala and ancilliary stalls whilst I made acquaintance with NicO, Mark S, Tony V and few more before the race was underway with a stiff climb out of the park. I held back - well my excuse, I was actually just slow - whilst Mark and NicO surged away although I did pass NicO and Jan Atkins between points A and G (see map below). Up to the tower and then the decent and the turn where Mr Sammon decided to walk so I duly passed him. He was obviously just having a recovery phase as he then proceeded to go past me on the long steady ascent to E where I was at the back of the group with a fair gap behind me. By point G, the gap was in front of me and Jan was breathing down my neck so I suggested my target was keep up with her on the rest of the descent. Everyone knows how rubbish my descending is but of course the descent from G to the finish is almost like a road race, the surface underfoot being so easy so I belted my way down well in front of my 40 minute estimate.

Looking at past results though there's not that many who take longer than 40 minutes so don't know whether I had a good run. NicO had a rare off day. Jan is usually in front of me. If I'm within 50% of James's winning time I shall be happy. From the numbers it looks like the race was much better supported than previous years and Horwich came away with good results for the juniors (it was in the Junior Championships) and James Kevan won the senior race (Suzanne may have been first lady but not seen results yet).

And most importantly my left adductor came out unscathed.

And Julie and Prince had found a bargain - torosaurus (I think) for Prince to look after.

Quarterly dooo - I'm a bit busy weekend of 18/19th so following would be better for me - probably not for the rest of you.

If the map lessens your viewing pleasure, I could replace it with a link to it on Darwen's site.

UPDATE - just looked on FRA forum and results are now available - yes many more runners - 122 finishers - usually less than 50. Suzanne was beaten by three fast U18s. James managed sub 23, and was the only over 18 in the first ten!

Also seen that I finished 8th man in the Darwen Summer series and ..... wait for it ........ there were more than 8 men completing series (11 to be precise). Suzanne won the ladies and NicO was third. As I didn't go to the presentation I shall be miffed if there were prizes for the first ten! In fact I was less than two minutes behind 6th and did beat the 6th and 7th place men today. Aggies was my downfall.

Jubilee

Further to t'Yorkshireman's post, he was at the rear of an interesting little spacing: Ted Orrell (1st V70) was 81st, YJ (1st V65) was 83rd, Mike Ogle (V60) 85th and t'Y (injured V50) 87th. Seems like the older they get, the faster they get. There's hope for us all!

Incidentally, Mike seems to be running very well at present, I can imagine that Chorley H are finding it dificult to find guides who can stay with him. He beat me to the top in the Pike race a couple of years ago. I passed him on the descent, but took no pride in this, considering his handicap.

I was hoping to do this last Jubilee of 2009, fate having conspired against me on three previous occasions, but it was not to be, and I went home for my supper, rather than watch so many folk eating midges for theirs.

Jubilee, Darwen, left - right?
YJ and I managed to make the start line on Wednesday night for the Jubilee 5 miler. I nearly didn't, having strained (or something - whatever, it hurt) my left adductor whilst warming up.
No matter, I started - not sure if YJ started - he said that everyone set off without him!
Unsure whether I would have my first retirement in a short road race, I took it steady then seemed to move through the field, going quite well up the hill past camera trigger-happy Norman. Onto the second lap and into the worst swarm of midges I've known in the 18 years or so that I've run in the Jubilee - just solid clouds of them on the Street. Half way along YJ passes me and I fade into oblivion finishing nearly two minutes behind him. Goodness knows why I run on the Jubilee course as I never enjoy it!
Obviously I'm in no shape to do Sedbergh (despite my quickest time of the year on the climbs on Sunday) so I may risk Darwen Gala. Went to Haigh Show last Sunday but most upset to find there was no fell race. Didn't have my kit with me anyway!
Ed, what's this about track efforts - I've never made an effort on the track and can't recall you doing so (hope Norman's not reading this haha) but it looks my left side is my weakness, along with all the others.
And well done JtE on your conquering Mt. Ambleness.

Adding to the confusion

Firstly, I shall not be utuping for the next two Saturdays. Secondly, belated congratulations to JtE for his achievement last Saturday. The weather decided to join in by mimicking February for a spell in order to simulate the real thing. Bet you were pleased about that, JtE.

You should know better than ask me for meaningful information, NLN. After all I'm hardly the norm. Stop nodding your head so enthusiastically! Anyway, I am right-handed and as you'll have guessed, my problem knee is my left one. That said, apart from my knee and my frozen shoulder, all the injuries I have sustained over the years from physical activity, knocks apart, have been on my right side. I don't know what happened in my development but my right side(shoulder and chest) differs substantially from, and is not as well-formed, as my left. Perhaps that's true of my brain as well. So, does anyone know if the right side of the brain controls your powers of observation and retention? If they do, that would explain my stunning weakness in these areas.

As far as I'm concerned my left leg/foot is the dominant one. I think this is because it is longer than my right, enough for back specialists and physiotherapists to make a point of, during treatment. Haven't you noticed me hopping along on Saturday mornings?

So there you have it, more confusion. But at least you'll soon be nodding off, that's if you haven't done already!

Left Right!

When I was in my mid teens and started walking on the fells, the group I walked with adopted the old army chant of "Left, left, I had a good home and I left, right, left, I had a good home..." We used this when we were off the fells and on the, often long, walk back to a bus route. I sometimes mutter it to my self, even now to take my mind off the pain towards the end of a long run.

But to move on to TF's research. I think we must first be clear what we are talking about. TF talks of "landing" whilst NLN uses the word "dominant" (well she would, wouldn't she?). So you may have a dominant right leg, with which you push off, but you land on your left; so are you right or left footed? (Ignore religious connotations.)

I'm right handed. When I'm starting a track effort I toe the line with my left foot and contrary to a normal running action my first movement is forward with both my right arm and my right foot. This very soon corrects to a normal gait, so that opposing foot and arm move forward together.

For jumping both up onto something and down from something, I push off with my right leg and lead forward with my left. This may be in anticipation of falling down in that in leading with my left leg , I'm also leading with my right arm, which is stronger and therefore better able to absorb a fall ~ but does this mean I'm right or left footed?

Perhaps NLN and YJ are moving like camels, which I believe move both left legs forward at the same time, then move both right legs forward, or is it the other way round?

As ever, more questions than answers I'm afraid, and we may be as confused as ever, but I do like to think that we may be confused on a slightly higher plane than previously.

PS ~ UTUPing Thursday 20th and Saturday 22nd.

This Saturday

UTUP for me all being well.

Ambidexterity

TF raises an interesting subject right/left handed and footedness, to put it clumsily (as I would).  I am right handed and right footed naturally.  You can tell this by which foot you lead with when you run up a flight of stairs.  However, conscious of the strain this puts on my right knee and the problems I have had over the years, particularly in ultra events,  I started several years ago to consciously try to lead with my left foot and this has paid off to some degree in evening out the repetitive strain on my right side.   This, along with off the shelf orthotics to assist alignment has resulted in an easing off of the previous problems with my right leg.

However, this doesn’t come naturally and when tired or when instinct takes over, the dominant limb prevails – evidenced by my broken right arm which instinctively is used to break a fall – as it were.

Interesting to hear from Matt – is your bad knee your right one and are you right handed?

YJ had mirror images on Saturday morning of mine after his fall with damage to the left knee and left elbow – so is he left handed?

Jessica Ennis having sustained a triple fracture of her right foot which put her out of the Beijing Olympic games was trained to change to lead with her left foot for the long jump.  This took her a year to master but paid off handsomely at the weekend.

Your thoughts?

Cautiously UTUP-ing Sat all being well

NLN

Thurs utup - will have to give this a miss as ankle still a bit sore and want to make sure it's ok for my trip this weekend to the Cheviot Hills. Hopefully, back out again sometime next week.

Even the bike is resting as it's my twisting on/off foot that's sore. The other one stays clipped in for the duration and I don't wish to confuse things at this stage in the learning process.

Strange though that it's my left one that's sore, as my right foot is usually the side that I land on if it's going to be a one-footed/awkward landing, and hence the one that usually gets 'tweaked'. My right side being the more dominant. So do left-handers land with left foot first? Should we undertake a very unscientific poll. Left or Right or No preference?

TF

Well Done John!

Pleased to hear you've laid that ghost, John, you certainly seemed in fine form as you disappeared over the fields towards Entwistle.

From the top of Winter Hill we watched the first and probably the most severe squall as it blew towards you; we just caught the edge of it. Soon after, the wind abated slightly and less dramatic, but more persistent rain blew in. It can't have been much fun being out in it for several hours.

Mission Accomplished

With the support of the gang, the purpose of today's outing was to lay the ghost, so to speak, of my disasterous February Amble when my back gave in by White Coppice and I had to be driven to the finish by a marshall. The idea today was, therefore, to complete the Amble route successfully.

We started UTUP with Nico, NLN and her friend Keith intending to support me for the full round and EtU, YJ and Matt for part of the round. All went well to the Turton and Entwistle reservoir car park where David met us with refreshments, Etu, YJ and Matt having left us by this time. Nico was suffering a migraine but decided to carry on. Shortly after the Strawberry Duck (now closed) the rain started accompanied by a strong wind and, soon, we were all soaked. We continued on to Darwen Moor and, not having anticipated these conditions, we were under dressed and it was therefore agreed that we should miss out Darwen Tower and drop off the moor to Slipper Lowe where FSS was waiting with his car. By this time Nico's migraine had become severe and she opted for a lift back to her car. The rest of us carried on over Great Hill and down to White Coppice and by this time Keith was suffering. Shortly after White Coppice it was agreed that NLN would stay with Keith and that I, trying to test my fitness, would leave them and see them at the finish.

Thanks to the superb help from all involved I am pleased to say that I finished strongly (by my standard of course) and I had plenty to spare. Further, there was not the slightest trouble from my back. This outing, therefore, has been an absolute success so far as I am concerned.

Many thanks to you all. I should be grateful if Nico and NLN would pass on my thanks to David and to FSS.

22.75 miles.

Very slow this week
Got back on Sunday evening from two weeks in a very hot Thassos (Greece) - 30+C every day and down to about 26 at night! Managed a couple of shortish early morning runs and one evening run and actually lost a few pounds despite the wine and beer. Did manage one early start (6:20) to walk to Potamia and then climb up Mt Ipsario which is a shade above 4000ft. Luckily above 1000ft there was a bit of a breeze, arriving at 9:30 to sign the book.
Did my first run for a week on Wednesday night and had not felt so slow since recovering from my little exploratory operation a few years ago. My legs felt like lead. No point doing UTUP last night so just went to ring road and back to see how much slower I am - about 2 minutes in 30!
Hopefully will get a decent run in this weekend but dj-ing commitments mean I shall probably be busy tomorrow morning.
On the Monday before Coope's Dozen I'd ordered a copy of Feet In the Clouds, hoping it would arrive in time to take on holiday. As I rushed out to head to the top barn, I noticed the postman passing me with book shaped package. Alas when I got back from my half-dozen, I found that the current dog, Onyx had got to it first. Julie immediately ordered a replacement copy and we also now have a replacement dog as well. This one's called Prince and is as well-behaved as Onyx was badly behaved.
Future races - Sedbergh (if fit), Darwen (if less fit), Rufford 10K?, Langdale Half?

Marathon madness

Thursday saw the start of the marathon build up with a single lap of the old Bolton 40 circuit in 2 hr 8 min which was faster than any of my circuits during the whole of last year.

This could mean peaking too soon or is a good omen for the two races planned -- the Langdale and of course the Snowdonia

Saturday 15th August

I shall be UTUPing on Saturday but am not yet sure how long I can play out for.

Utups

Thurs ok, Sat will be subject to broken bones/in hiding if I've appeared on Youtube.

On Friday I pick up my new set of wheels. Only half the price of EtU's, 'cos there's only one wheel at the front and one at the back and more eco-friendly. It'll be my first go with clipless pedals!

TF

This Week

Tuesday 11th ~ Track, subject to left Achilles behaving itself.

Thursday 13th ~ UTUP if anyone confirms, otherwise from home.

Saturday 15th ~ UTUP (unless given any other instruction) returning to the Top Barn for noon.

Spellchecker says use upper case "A" for Achilles, which will be right for that Greek chappie, but is it retained for the tendon?

He was actually held up by his heel, where the tendon inserts, rather by the tendon itself; or so we are led to believe.

Loch Garten Ospreys

The female adult is about to migrate to West Africa. The chicks will migrate before very long. There are instructions on the RSPB website that take you to a superb tracking system allowing you to follow the chicks on Google Earth. How they know that it is time to migrate is one of the great mysteries and it is by no means certain that they will be able to navigate to West Africa.

Memories Are Made of This

My brief two night stay at Santon was a busy, but not hectic, break. Wednesday's excellent morning on the Conistons was followed by an exhilarating drive over Wrynose and Hardnott for a light lunch at Dalegarth station near Boot, then finally to Bitt to start hacking back the undergrowth to unearth sleeping beauty's castle. Yes, the castle was still there, but no beauty, either sleeping or awake. In the Bridge for about 6:30, for the purpose of taking excessive measures to combat dehydration. Supped sensibly on poached salmon, but was still hungry so finished with the sticky toffee pudding. Made arrangements with David P-T for an outing on Friday morning.

Thursday was gardening again until noon when Hilary, (daughter no. 2) arrived with grandsons Alfie and Eddy, and more importantly lunch. Lunch was followed by football, badminton and rides in the new money pit. I was left alone and exhausted by late afternoon for more gardening. Then (you've guessed it!) pub, but no more healthy eating, just a fine Lamb Jennings.

On the fell by 9:30 Friday morning where we touched base with Joss as he gathered stone for Peter Ferris' building project. Then up the left side of Greendale Gill to contour Seatallan and on to the Pots of Ashness and start the climb up Haycock ~ see below. The figure to the right of centre is David, he wasn't really that far ahead, it just took me a long time to get the camera out! The central figure is probably a sheep.
Haycock summit is a fine view point; this one's looking north east to Scoat and Steeple. Then turning back to retrace our steps, this was taken soon after the summit plateau, when Seatallen and Middle fell came into view.

We returned by a similar but slightly lower route, which once again allowed David to demonstrate his descending skills. Another good outing, moving at a slightly faster pace than when I was last in those parts!

Finally, more gardening and then back home in time to walk to the TaT for more re-hydrating.

Saturday 8th Aug

I'll be UTUPing on Saturday with a warm up lap starting about 7 am.

Midweek - no crisis

EtU pulled in to the car park at Tilberthwaite in his mid life crisis with the hood down, soaking up the sunshine on Wednesday morning. This was the start of another magical day in the Lakeland mountains, this time with YJ in charge of not getting lost. After a couple of attempts at finding the way out of the car park we made our way above the Ghyll, past the mine workings and over into the Greenburn valley and up onto Wet Side Edge heading for Swirl How and Coniston Old Man. From there we dropped down into the valley and climbed up to pass between Yewdale fells and Weatherlam to return to the cars.


Total distance was 11.25 miles, ascent 4235 ft and a time of 4 hr 17 mins.

After a cool start the day got hotter and where better to see folk suffer than watching the trippers toil up Coniston Old Man with no cloud cover and no wind. We were variously described as "two fit guys", greeted by a teacher who said her young charges were "well impressed" and "mad" by a largish woman pausing to get her breath on the lower slopes of the Old Man.

I'll be Utuping on Saturday.

Saturday the 8th.

UTUP for me on Saturday but not tomorrow. Family coming down from Carlisle.

Last Thursday

Thanks TF for distance / height info.

For EtU & JtE, last thurs utup was 6.5m using new website from NLN. The ft/climb was an (over)impressive 551m. A more rough guess just from an overall impression of the elevation graph would be nearer 350m, about 1000ft.
TF

This Week

Away until Friday 7th, then UTUPing Saturday 8th.