Vanessa Chappell Fell Race 5.6m/1317ft
You needed a bit of insider info for this one or have run it before. I had both but Colin W still managed to get a good 100m ahead through the initial obstacle course of steps, gates, and stiles. He must have been doing some seriously hard training this year as try as I might I couldn't manage to reel him back on the next road section.
After that it's game over, as a seriously long wait at the next ladder stile scuppers any hope thereafter. All I could do now was to hit the original target of beating last years time. Not one for taking the easy option, I'd done a hardish run the day before and had to contend with the organizer altering the course slightly, adding a detour to avoid a collapsed bridge.
I think having a Manchester YMCA harrier lady breathing very hard down my neck along the last ridge concentrated my efforts for the last descent. She must have wondered where the sudden burst of speed came from as I set off downhill like some startled rabbit. Worked though, 3mins quicker than last year, but 2 mins slower than Colin W.
Impressed with the speed of the availability of the results
http://www.goytvalleystriders.org.uk/pages/vanessaresults/vanessa2011.html
Question - He's got the speed, but can he do the distance?
Next CW/EtU/TF show-down is Duddon Fell Race Saturday 4th June. Need to get serious for this one, can't be letting the girls' side down, so don't think I'll be doing a little trot from Belmont to Darwen Tower and back in under 2hrs the day before like I did this week!
TF
ps Found a new trod to avoid running along the road section near Tockholes Wood. Remind me to show it to you all next time we're out that way.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
English Championship
So I'm guessing as it doesn't state 'best 3 out of 4' then the V70's have to do them all. Don't know much about Loughrigg-Silverhowe' but Whittle Pike I've definitely done (see post on Thurs 21st Aug 2008).
It's usually a mid-week evening race, with some short steep descents to test the footwear (especially in the wet), a river crossing to test your sense of balance, and a little bit of concrete downhill section at the end just to finally do your quads in. Absolute cracker of a race. Not sure where they'll put all the cars mind you.
TF
So I'm guessing as it doesn't state 'best 3 out of 4' then the V70's have to do them all. Don't know much about Loughrigg-Silverhowe' but Whittle Pike I've definitely done (see post on Thurs 21st Aug 2008).
It's usually a mid-week evening race, with some short steep descents to test the footwear (especially in the wet), a river crossing to test your sense of balance, and a little bit of concrete downhill section at the end just to finally do your quads in. Absolute cracker of a race. Not sure where they'll put all the cars mind you.
TF
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Monday, May 23, 2011
Playing Catch-up
Well what've I been up to since last post. As EtU mentioned, a chance meeting on Wednesday morning last week at Greendale, he was just finishing his run I was just starting.
This was the last day of my hols in the Lakes. I could report that the best bit of the 6 days was waiting the 20 mins for the camp-site tumble dryer to finish its cycle. But you know I'd only be joking, don't you? Wouldn't be a Lakes holiday without a bit of rain, just glad it wasn't too windy in the valleys.
Other note-worthy highs included a pb for Fairfield Horseshoe Fell Race in 2:06:52 and finding the summit of Great Gable on Monday. Lows, not locating the trig on Seatallan on Tuesday and contouring myself into the wrong valley (east of Middle Fell instead of west!) on the way back from Pots of Ashness.
With clearer weather on Wednesday I was able to see that I needed to change my bearing slightly as I neared the end of the Wasdale race trod on reaching the plateau. Was only about 25m away the day before, but it'd been too cold, wet and windy for faffing about on the top. A useful recce of the route as far as Scoat Fell then followed and even managed to find the right valley on the way back. In hindsight they'd been too many clues the day before which I'd chosen to ignore which had landed me in the predicament I'd found myself. Can't do 'it's about right' or 'it'll do' for bearings and trods in that weather!
Hopefully I'll have my 'N' hat on for 'Navigator' on Saturday, but just in case I went and recced the Kinder section on Friday!!
TF
Well what've I been up to since last post. As EtU mentioned, a chance meeting on Wednesday morning last week at Greendale, he was just finishing his run I was just starting.
This was the last day of my hols in the Lakes. I could report that the best bit of the 6 days was waiting the 20 mins for the camp-site tumble dryer to finish its cycle. But you know I'd only be joking, don't you? Wouldn't be a Lakes holiday without a bit of rain, just glad it wasn't too windy in the valleys.
Other note-worthy highs included a pb for Fairfield Horseshoe Fell Race in 2:06:52 and finding the summit of Great Gable on Monday. Lows, not locating the trig on Seatallan on Tuesday and contouring myself into the wrong valley (east of Middle Fell instead of west!) on the way back from Pots of Ashness.
With clearer weather on Wednesday I was able to see that I needed to change my bearing slightly as I neared the end of the Wasdale race trod on reaching the plateau. Was only about 25m away the day before, but it'd been too cold, wet and windy for faffing about on the top. A useful recce of the route as far as Scoat Fell then followed and even managed to find the right valley on the way back. In hindsight they'd been too many clues the day before which I'd chosen to ignore which had landed me in the predicament I'd found myself. Can't do 'it's about right' or 'it'll do' for bearings and trods in that weather!
Hopefully I'll have my 'N' hat on for 'Navigator' on Saturday, but just in case I went and recced the Kinder section on Friday!!
TF
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Santon Bridge May 2011
Our youngest daughter Meredith and her family were with us for the first two nights, and as is usual on these occasions, I was charged with providing some excitement for Dean, father of their two sons. I chose Buckbarrow, and we attacked it on Saturday via its "unassailable" south face (AW 1965). We used the westernmost of the two scree gullies, and although this looks formidable from Greendale, it is, although a stiff climb, a safe and unexposed route.
Greendale and the screes from near the top of the gully.
The Scafells from Buckbarrow top.
Cascades on Greendale Gill on the descent.
After a trip back to Bolton on Tuesday (someone has to keep the wheels of industry turning) followed by the Workington 10k that evening (don't ask), it was up Middle Fell with David P-T and Joss on Wednesday morning, when I was treated to a chance meeting with TF as we returned to Greendale. She seemed in fine spirits and was off to have a second attempt at finding Seatallan trig; I left her discussing the route with Joss.
The grey squirrels have reached Wasdale, so the OSH and I were delighted to encounter this little chap in Blengdale on Friday afternoon.
Not great photographs, but it was kind of him to hang around long enough for me to take these.
Blengdale is a fine valley and although it's Forestry Commission, it's a good mix of conifers and broad leaf, not planted in any obvious pattern and many of the conifers are quite mature.
Greendale and the screes from near the top of the gully.
The Scafells from Buckbarrow top.
Cascades on Greendale Gill on the descent.
After a trip back to Bolton on Tuesday (someone has to keep the wheels of industry turning) followed by the Workington 10k that evening (don't ask), it was up Middle Fell with David P-T and Joss on Wednesday morning, when I was treated to a chance meeting with TF as we returned to Greendale. She seemed in fine spirits and was off to have a second attempt at finding Seatallan trig; I left her discussing the route with Joss.
The grey squirrels have reached Wasdale, so the OSH and I were delighted to encounter this little chap in Blengdale on Friday afternoon.
Not great photographs, but it was kind of him to hang around long enough for me to take these.
Blengdale is a fine valley and although it's Forestry Commission, it's a good mix of conifers and broad leaf, not planted in any obvious pattern and many of the conifers are quite mature.
He's Moving Up the Rankings!
After his second place in the first English Championship race, out youngest John was unsure what Mearley Clough would hold for him. He was dispatched with words of encouragement, but we really didn't know how he would fare on this A Short on Pendle Hill.
Peter Ramsdale (his Monday coach) made sure he made the start line, but I wonder whether the confusion over his age was down to Peter's poor command of numbers. You see, John is in the results as a V55, and although this was reported to the organisers on the day as an error, this still stands on their website http://www.clayton-le-moors-harriers.co.uk/uploads/Results/2011/mearley_clough_men_2011.pdf
As reported by Peter, John was behind both him and Peter Covey (V70), who had placed first at Long Mynd, until the final descent. On the roughest part of the descent, John passed his coach and moved in just behind Covey. Then, in a perfectly timed final charge, both he and Peter passed Covey in the final half mile and John finished first vet 70. Although the results have him down as nobbut a lad, his seniority was recognised in the prize giving, and he was awarded the vet 70 prize. Well done John!
This leaves him in equal first place with Covey in the championship. Watch this space!
Peter Ramsdale (his Monday coach) made sure he made the start line, but I wonder whether the confusion over his age was down to Peter's poor command of numbers. You see, John is in the results as a V55, and although this was reported to the organisers on the day as an error, this still stands on their website http://www.clayton-le-moors-harriers.co.uk/uploads/Results/2011/mearley_clough_men_2011.pdf
As reported by Peter, John was behind both him and Peter Covey (V70), who had placed first at Long Mynd, until the final descent. On the roughest part of the descent, John passed his coach and moved in just behind Covey. Then, in a perfectly timed final charge, both he and Peter passed Covey in the final half mile and John finished first vet 70. Although the results have him down as nobbut a lad, his seniority was recognised in the prize giving, and he was awarded the vet 70 prize. Well done John!
This leaves him in equal first place with Covey in the championship. Watch this space!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
PW recce
On Friday 20th May I plan to do a low speed recce of the Pennine Way south from the B6105 near Glossop I'm not expecting it to be a long outing, just enough to check the route over Bleaklow Head towards Snake Pass and would welcome company if anyone is free.
Saturday will see the winding up of serious training with a leisurely run from the Lower Barn (UTUP)
On Friday 20th May I plan to do a low speed recce of the Pennine Way south from the B6105 near Glossop I'm not expecting it to be a long outing, just enough to check the route over Bleaklow Head towards Snake Pass and would welcome company if anyone is free.
Saturday will see the winding up of serious training with a leisurely run from the Lower Barn (UTUP)
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
The Future
UTUPing this Thursday 12th May.
Then all Saturdays are spoken for for a long time, starting with a long week in the Lakes, then YJ's 70, then Duddon, then Menorca then Wasdale ~ did I say Wasdale?
Will be doing Thursdays again from 26th May.
Then all Saturdays are spoken for for a long time, starting with a long week in the Lakes, then YJ's 70, then Duddon, then Menorca then Wasdale ~ did I say Wasdale?
Will be doing Thursdays again from 26th May.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Burbage Skyline 5.75m/1200ft Tues 10th May
A little trip over towards Sheffield to practise some boulder hopping. Not an auspicious start for the organizing club (Dark Peak) when the queue for registration was doing two laps round the pub car park. They'd remembered the numbers but not the registration forms. It took until 6.45pm until they decided that we were a trustworthy enough looking bunch not to sue for millions. So basic details only (name and age category) and no signature.
Given the registration problems, they did well to get us off only ten minutes late. With an apparently ever increasingly popular race, unless you were at the front you were never destined to get off to a 'flyer'. Being congested it was difficult at first to get a good route choice, but eventually we thinned out a bit. Was doing ok, but then hit the typical peak district boulder path, sandy bits interspersed with rounded bits of rocks of varying sizes. Not sure why it is but I always seem to struggle on these paths, even on the flatter sections. However I persevered and even managed to keep running up two of the steeper climbs.
I had hoped to get under 60 mins for this one, so was a bit disappointed to make the finish line in nearer 65 mins. I was however pleased to achieve my other aim which was to 'run' the whole route without any walking, a year or two back I'd have struggled to do that on a race with 800ft of climb, let alone 1200ft. I also feel it did me good to race over an unfamiliar route, keeps you on your toes so to speak, and a whole lot better than running circles on a track. I didn't stay for the prize giving but I bet they're still there trying to sort out the team awards!
Will be out on thursday this week for a utup, but away in the Lakes at the weekend.
TF
A little trip over towards Sheffield to practise some boulder hopping. Not an auspicious start for the organizing club (Dark Peak) when the queue for registration was doing two laps round the pub car park. They'd remembered the numbers but not the registration forms. It took until 6.45pm until they decided that we were a trustworthy enough looking bunch not to sue for millions. So basic details only (name and age category) and no signature.
Given the registration problems, they did well to get us off only ten minutes late. With an apparently ever increasingly popular race, unless you were at the front you were never destined to get off to a 'flyer'. Being congested it was difficult at first to get a good route choice, but eventually we thinned out a bit. Was doing ok, but then hit the typical peak district boulder path, sandy bits interspersed with rounded bits of rocks of varying sizes. Not sure why it is but I always seem to struggle on these paths, even on the flatter sections. However I persevered and even managed to keep running up two of the steeper climbs.
I had hoped to get under 60 mins for this one, so was a bit disappointed to make the finish line in nearer 65 mins. I was however pleased to achieve my other aim which was to 'run' the whole route without any walking, a year or two back I'd have struggled to do that on a race with 800ft of climb, let alone 1200ft. I also feel it did me good to race over an unfamiliar route, keeps you on your toes so to speak, and a whole lot better than running circles on a track. I didn't stay for the prize giving but I bet they're still there trying to sort out the team awards!
Will be out on thursday this week for a utup, but away in the Lakes at the weekend.
TF
Monday, May 09, 2011
Calderdale Way Relay Sun 8th May 2011
This was the rescheduled event from December 2010. For those not in the know, the Calderdale Way is a 50 mile footpath circuit across the hills and valleys surrounding Halifax. For the purposes of this event the circuit is divided in 6 sections of varying lengths from 5m to 11m. Clubs enter teams on the basis of all men, all women, mixed and veterans, 2 runners (who have to stick together) on each section. So 12 runners per team. With each leg starting and finishing in a different place, it can be a logistical nightmare making sure everyone is where they should be.
Salford had a pretty solid mens 'A' team and a mixed 'B' team. The 'A' team remained mainly unchanged from initial planning, the 'B' team however metamorphosed, which meant I originally started out running on leg 3, had a brief flirtation with leg 2 and eventually landed up on leg 5 with a 39 min 10k-er!!!
My comment to my original partner on leg 3 was, 'it's alright for you, but it's going to be a bit eyeballs out for me!'. However my leg 5 partner (a Mexican called Tania) has only completed in one previous off-road event such as this and didn't really take to the downhill bits, which meant that I got a bit of a rest at the bottom. The rest was definitely 'eye balls out' and we completed the 7.5m in 1hr 15mins. Being the true fellrunner that I am, I managed to find the only mud on what was a very hard, dry route, and have a roll round in it. Backside well and truely covered to the extent I nearly didn't get a lift back to my car!
Despite having a strong 'A' team the lads were beaten into 2nd place by Calder Valley's Mens Team. The first time that they've won the event, so well done to Calder Valley. No results out yet to know where the 'B' team finished, we were involved in the mass starts on leg 5 & 6, so difficult to assess on the day.
TF
This was the rescheduled event from December 2010. For those not in the know, the Calderdale Way is a 50 mile footpath circuit across the hills and valleys surrounding Halifax. For the purposes of this event the circuit is divided in 6 sections of varying lengths from 5m to 11m. Clubs enter teams on the basis of all men, all women, mixed and veterans, 2 runners (who have to stick together) on each section. So 12 runners per team. With each leg starting and finishing in a different place, it can be a logistical nightmare making sure everyone is where they should be.
Salford had a pretty solid mens 'A' team and a mixed 'B' team. The 'A' team remained mainly unchanged from initial planning, the 'B' team however metamorphosed, which meant I originally started out running on leg 3, had a brief flirtation with leg 2 and eventually landed up on leg 5 with a 39 min 10k-er!!!
My comment to my original partner on leg 3 was, 'it's alright for you, but it's going to be a bit eyeballs out for me!'. However my leg 5 partner (a Mexican called Tania) has only completed in one previous off-road event such as this and didn't really take to the downhill bits, which meant that I got a bit of a rest at the bottom. The rest was definitely 'eye balls out' and we completed the 7.5m in 1hr 15mins. Being the true fellrunner that I am, I managed to find the only mud on what was a very hard, dry route, and have a roll round in it. Backside well and truely covered to the extent I nearly didn't get a lift back to my car!
Despite having a strong 'A' team the lads were beaten into 2nd place by Calder Valley's Mens Team. The first time that they've won the event, so well done to Calder Valley. No results out yet to know where the 'B' team finished, we were involved in the mass starts on leg 5 & 6, so difficult to assess on the day.
TF
Monday, May 02, 2011
This Week
Tuesday ~ planning to be at Wilderswood for 5:45, but don't wait.
Thursday 5th ~ UTUP.
Saturday ~ Pennine Way Recce.
Thursday 5th ~ UTUP.
Saturday ~ Pennine Way Recce.
Last Saturday
It’s very generous of you EtU to report that we ran to Two Lads. With my lack of fitness causing slow progress I was worried that you might get hypothermia through hanging around for me. However your company was much appreciated and thanks for your comments in general.
I am now able to cover most of our normal Saturday terrain and one thing that has surprised me is the work that has been carried out to various footpaths in the last nine months or so. I have previously mentioned those to the Brinscall triangle route. I have subsequently seen diversions on the way to Healey Nab and now I see “improvements” to the path approaching, and in places around, Smithills Reservoir. The latter work disappoints me. I don’t think that there was any particular erosion problem. It seems unnecessary and might encourage more people to go into the area. It has always struck me as a wild sort of place with a feeling of remoteness and quietness. I hope it stays that way.
Can't mistake that running action
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nitZZViEOtU&NR=1
just in case you missed me I make an appearance at 5:40 mins, who else can you spot?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nitZZViEOtU&NR=1
just in case you missed me I make an appearance at 5:40 mins, who else can you spot?
Sunday, May 01, 2011
Wasdale?
Well done at the Three Peaks, TF; you did the work and you earned the result.
Wasdale ~ do I enter now or wait until after Duddon? Planning to try the Pillar to Gable section when I'm up there in a fortnight. Perhaps decide on 5th June.
Wasdale ~ do I enter now or wait until after Duddon? Planning to try the Pillar to Gable section when I'm up there in a fortnight. Perhaps decide on 5th June.
Saturday 30th April
A bracing outing yesterday. JtE was at the Bottom Barn and we ran up to meet EYJ on Two Lads.
The senior J had decided that it wasn't his knee that had been holding him back, but rather his lack of fitness due to nursing the knee that the medics had diagnosed was the problem. So he set off for the Shooting Hut and thence Smithills Res and the wall, whilst the lad and I headed for the Pike, Noon Hill and then Winter Hill Trig. It was cold at first but we warmed up as we ran harder and the sun got higher in the sky.
As planned, we rendezvous'd with JtE part way along the wall, and having chatted briefly, continued to Winberry Hill where EYJ dropped off for home and I continued back via the Res, to the mast, then the Pike again, then back to the Barn. JtE's car was still there, so I checked the coffee shop then drove home.
A smashing outing and good to see that you can't keep a good man down; we just need to get him fit again!
The senior J had decided that it wasn't his knee that had been holding him back, but rather his lack of fitness due to nursing the knee that the medics had diagnosed was the problem. So he set off for the Shooting Hut and thence Smithills Res and the wall, whilst the lad and I headed for the Pike, Noon Hill and then Winter Hill Trig. It was cold at first but we warmed up as we ran harder and the sun got higher in the sky.
As planned, we rendezvous'd with JtE part way along the wall, and having chatted briefly, continued to Winberry Hill where EYJ dropped off for home and I continued back via the Res, to the mast, then the Pike again, then back to the Barn. JtE's car was still there, so I checked the coffee shop then drove home.
A smashing outing and good to see that you can't keep a good man down; we just need to get him fit again!
Three Peaks Fell Race 23.3m/5280ft Sat 30th April
4:49:31. Looks good, so I'll have to type it again 4:49:31
All the preparation, stress, worry and on the day a near fautless performance, that is aside from forgetting to apply the spF50. Glowing now for a number of reasons, inside and out!
A little nervy setting off, not helped by witnessing a spectacular tumble by one of the faster runners coming down the top path from Pen-y-Ghent. Medical knowledge allowed me to ascertain he was still breathing as I step over him, so knew he'd be alright. First checkpoint gained in 47:33 mins, so on target and could relax a little. But not too much as I'd beat Tony V to the first summit and there was just a little nagging doubt about it being a bit too quick, but all the stats I'd studied suggested that it should be just slightly quicker (approx 1min or so) than current 10k time, and mine seemed to be about bang on.
The gusty wind gave some assistance on sections to Ribblehead, arriving as I'd hoped with a good 10 mins to spare in 1:57:24. Credit to the announcer for pronouncing my name right, not everyone does at first attempt. So on to the unknown, my first assault on Whernside by the direct route. I can honestly say I loved all 45 mins of it, I gained over 50 places on this section alone, although that might be with a few calling it quits and getting the minibus back. Being a bit of a titch really does come into it's own when the the wind's blowing you up the hill. Different story on the top though, it was a real struggle going down the hill the right way up. But I knew I had a good 45mins to play with and could take time to be careful(ish). In the end got down in 28mins arriving at Hill Inn in 3:11:19.
Not much time to celebrate as I grabbed my bottle of juice and jumped the queue for the temporary 'little girls room', although I do wonder what gave it away to the woman at the front of the queue when she asked 'are you doing the race?'. Very grateful to her for letting me push in.
Onwards and upwards. Another near miss on the steep zig-zag climb on the way up to Ingleborough when a dislodge rock missed me by about a foot, but hit the runner behind on the ankle at a guess, due to the amount of expletives it brought forth. Beginning to feel I was leading a bit of a charmed life. As I turned to retrace my steps on the summit of Ingleborough just over 4hrs had elapsed, on my one recce of this section it'd taken me over an hour to get back to Horton so I thought a 5hr15 finish could be on the cards. So well impressed with a return in under 50mins given the strong headwind. Equally stunned by this performance as I was with my performance at Edale, it just seemed to come good on the day, can't ask for more than that.
Not wanting to rest on my laurels, the Wasdale entry is in the post. Anyone else willing to give it a go with me and watch me bite off more than I can chew?
TF
4:49:31. Looks good, so I'll have to type it again 4:49:31
All the preparation, stress, worry and on the day a near fautless performance, that is aside from forgetting to apply the spF50. Glowing now for a number of reasons, inside and out!
A little nervy setting off, not helped by witnessing a spectacular tumble by one of the faster runners coming down the top path from Pen-y-Ghent. Medical knowledge allowed me to ascertain he was still breathing as I step over him, so knew he'd be alright. First checkpoint gained in 47:33 mins, so on target and could relax a little. But not too much as I'd beat Tony V to the first summit and there was just a little nagging doubt about it being a bit too quick, but all the stats I'd studied suggested that it should be just slightly quicker (approx 1min or so) than current 10k time, and mine seemed to be about bang on.
The gusty wind gave some assistance on sections to Ribblehead, arriving as I'd hoped with a good 10 mins to spare in 1:57:24. Credit to the announcer for pronouncing my name right, not everyone does at first attempt. So on to the unknown, my first assault on Whernside by the direct route. I can honestly say I loved all 45 mins of it, I gained over 50 places on this section alone, although that might be with a few calling it quits and getting the minibus back. Being a bit of a titch really does come into it's own when the the wind's blowing you up the hill. Different story on the top though, it was a real struggle going down the hill the right way up. But I knew I had a good 45mins to play with and could take time to be careful(ish). In the end got down in 28mins arriving at Hill Inn in 3:11:19.
Not much time to celebrate as I grabbed my bottle of juice and jumped the queue for the temporary 'little girls room', although I do wonder what gave it away to the woman at the front of the queue when she asked 'are you doing the race?'. Very grateful to her for letting me push in.
Onwards and upwards. Another near miss on the steep zig-zag climb on the way up to Ingleborough when a dislodge rock missed me by about a foot, but hit the runner behind on the ankle at a guess, due to the amount of expletives it brought forth. Beginning to feel I was leading a bit of a charmed life. As I turned to retrace my steps on the summit of Ingleborough just over 4hrs had elapsed, on my one recce of this section it'd taken me over an hour to get back to Horton so I thought a 5hr15 finish could be on the cards. So well impressed with a return in under 50mins given the strong headwind. Equally stunned by this performance as I was with my performance at Edale, it just seemed to come good on the day, can't ask for more than that.
Not wanting to rest on my laurels, the Wasdale entry is in the post. Anyone else willing to give it a go with me and watch me bite off more than I can chew?
TF
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Stewards Enquiry - Part II
You may recall a couple of postings earlier mention of stewards enquiry regarding the Mini Mountain Marathon, or to give it the proper title the Dark&White/Racekit Mini-MM/Trail Running Series 2011. Well the overall league positions have now been published and 'little TF' is provisionally 3rd in her age group. There were three events and it was the best 2 out of 3.
I say provisionally, as the organizers are inviting comments/amendments up until 10th May, when they become the final results. I had placed myself 4th overall. The reason for the apparent anomaly is that a H Barnett (who scored better points than me) ran one event as part of a pair, and her second event solo. So despite scoring points in two events the organizers appear to have classed her as separate entries, scoring once as a team and once solo. With me so far?
Looking at the results might help
http://www.darkandwhite.co.uk/results/racekitmmmleaguetableafter3rnds.xls
Does seem a bit harsh, and I guess H Barnett has the potential to lodge a complaint. So await the outcome on the 11th May.
TF
You may recall a couple of postings earlier mention of stewards enquiry regarding the Mini Mountain Marathon, or to give it the proper title the Dark&White/Racekit Mini-MM/Trail Running Series 2011. Well the overall league positions have now been published and 'little TF' is provisionally 3rd in her age group. There were three events and it was the best 2 out of 3.
I say provisionally, as the organizers are inviting comments/amendments up until 10th May, when they become the final results. I had placed myself 4th overall. The reason for the apparent anomaly is that a H Barnett (who scored better points than me) ran one event as part of a pair, and her second event solo. So despite scoring points in two events the organizers appear to have classed her as separate entries, scoring once as a team and once solo. With me so far?
Looking at the results might help
http://www.darkandwhite.co.uk/results/racekitmmmleaguetableafter3rnds.xls
Does seem a bit harsh, and I guess H Barnett has the potential to lodge a complaint. So await the outcome on the 11th May.
TF
From www.mwis.org.uk
Viewing forecast for Saturday, 30th April, 2011
Forecast last reviewed on Thursday, 28/04/11 at 07:38
How Windy?
Easterly; 30 to perhaps 40mph with gusts locally 50mph.
Effect Of Wind?
Buffeting likely, particularly near major ridges, with sudden gusts blowing downslope into some valleys.
Could be worse - could be a Northerly! Mind you I know someone that'll have a few yards of silk going spare tomorrow afternoon. Could get my sewing machine out and make a parachute/windsail.
No utups for me this week. Not sure about next week yet. Team for calderdale relays hasn't been decided yet, so guess it'll be armchair recceing for me for this event if I'm needed.
TF
Viewing forecast for Saturday, 30th April, 2011
Forecast last reviewed on Thursday, 28/04/11 at 07:38
How Windy?
Easterly; 30 to perhaps 40mph with gusts locally 50mph.
Effect Of Wind?
Buffeting likely, particularly near major ridges, with sudden gusts blowing downslope into some valleys.
Could be worse - could be a Northerly! Mind you I know someone that'll have a few yards of silk going spare tomorrow afternoon. Could get my sewing machine out and make a parachute/windsail.
No utups for me this week. Not sure about next week yet. Team for calderdale relays hasn't been decided yet, so guess it'll be armchair recceing for me for this event if I'm needed.
TF
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
Wray
Well done TF on your first sub 50 10k, a good margin! Bodes well for the Three Peaks.
Come on SN, we need to do some work! What have we got coming up?
Come on SN, we need to do some work! What have we got coming up?
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Up the Pike
Easter Saturday morning in the Lakes followed by a quick dash back to Horwich for the Pike race has become something of a tradition for EtU and myself. You can follow our exploits on my Pennine Way challenge blog - http://70at70forheroes.blogspot.com
Easter Saturday morning in the Lakes followed by a quick dash back to Horwich for the Pike race has become something of a tradition for EtU and myself. You can follow our exploits on my Pennine Way challenge blog - http://70at70forheroes.blogspot.com
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Sat 23rd April Wray Scarecrow 10k
Job done.
A sub 50 min 10k. 48:45, 40th out of 85 runners, 2nd LV40 results - http://www.wrayvillage.co.uk/documents/ResultAllcompetitors.pdf
Can't believe we had people waiting for an hour yesterday to see if they could get an 'on-the-day' entry to run round Salford (our club's 10K) when for half the price you could run round a scenic, traffic free (although I did have a near miss with a couple of horses and later on a milk tanker and a queue of cars) course. But I guess for some people the lure of a flat, fast and definite pb course will always win out. If I'd have gone in the car and not cycled to the event I probably wouldn't have ended up on the 'awkward' table dealing with disgruntled customers. In the end due to the number of no-shows from the on-line entries, most did get a run.
Anyway back to today's race. The 10K at Wray is the first event in the calendar for a week of activities which is part of the Scarecrow Festival. The local residents take part in a competition to produce the best dressed Scarecrow. This years' 2 themes were "Royalty: Past and Present" and "Austerity Measures" a sample of a few are here
Laminated sign in middle a bit too 'shiny' for the mobile but reads 'Legless due to Government Cuts'
'King Ethelred the Unready' .. anyone we know?
Job done.
A sub 50 min 10k. 48:45, 40th out of 85 runners, 2nd LV40 results - http://www.wrayvillage.co.uk/documents/ResultAllcompetitors.pdf
Can't believe we had people waiting for an hour yesterday to see if they could get an 'on-the-day' entry to run round Salford (our club's 10K) when for half the price you could run round a scenic, traffic free (although I did have a near miss with a couple of horses and later on a milk tanker and a queue of cars) course. But I guess for some people the lure of a flat, fast and definite pb course will always win out. If I'd have gone in the car and not cycled to the event I probably wouldn't have ended up on the 'awkward' table dealing with disgruntled customers. In the end due to the number of no-shows from the on-line entries, most did get a run.
Anyway back to today's race. The 10K at Wray is the first event in the calendar for a week of activities which is part of the Scarecrow Festival. The local residents take part in a competition to produce the best dressed Scarecrow. This years' 2 themes were "Royalty: Past and Present" and "Austerity Measures" a sample of a few are here
Laminated sign in middle a bit too 'shiny' for the mobile but reads 'Legless due to Government Cuts'
'King Ethelred the Unready' .. anyone we know?TF
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
This Week
Thursday 21st ~ UTUP
Saturday 23rd ~ Leaving Grimeford Lane at 6:00 a.m for The Old Dungeon Ghyll, thence Scafell Pike. Back in time for the Pike Race, any takers?
A fine result in the Mini Mountain Marathon, TF. Best position ever?
Saturday 23rd ~ Leaving Grimeford Lane at 6:00 a.m for The Old Dungeon Ghyll, thence Scafell Pike. Back in time for the Pike Race, any takers?
A fine result in the Mini Mountain Marathon, TF. Best position ever?
Congrats to Ed & Loughrigg last Wednesday
Just had a quick search to find the results then found you'd already written up. Sounds a pretty decent time considering the heat and nature of the course.
I managed a little run up Loughrigg on Wednesday night. Weather was pretty poor (had been up Sunday afternoon in glorious sunshine) but managed to find my way up and down. Unusually for me in a Lakeland category A race (ok tis only 4 miles) I didn't get timed out. In fact 7 minutes into my descent I passed a trio of ladies still going up so I assumed I must have at least 20 minutes lead on them. Only lost 4 places and about 3 minutes on the descent and did my usual impressive sprint to the line with no-one to beat, to finish in 47:09 (106th of 117). The winner took 27:55, the three ladies took 1:45:50 (well two of them at least - maybe they were taking it easy in preparation for Madrid?)
The visibility was so poor that I missed chatting to a six-time Pike Race winner. May get chance to apologise on Saturday. Had to rush off for an excellent meal at the Glass House.
I managed a little run up Loughrigg on Wednesday night. Weather was pretty poor (had been up Sunday afternoon in glorious sunshine) but managed to find my way up and down. Unusually for me in a Lakeland category A race (ok tis only 4 miles) I didn't get timed out. In fact 7 minutes into my descent I passed a trio of ladies still going up so I assumed I must have at least 20 minutes lead on them. Only lost 4 places and about 3 minutes on the descent and did my usual impressive sprint to the line with no-one to beat, to finish in 47:09 (106th of 117). The winner took 27:55, the three ladies took 1:45:50 (well two of them at least - maybe they were taking it easy in preparation for Madrid?)
The visibility was so poor that I missed chatting to a six-time Pike Race winner. May get chance to apologise on Saturday. Had to rush off for an excellent meal at the Glass House.
Rab Mini Mountain Marathon Update
Well they've deliberated and the results are here - split times http://www.darkandwhite.co.uk/results/RaceKit2011Round3splittimesbyclass.html,
and overall results http://www.darkandwhite.co.uk/results/RaceKit2011Round3overallplaces.html
Not much explanation from the organizers, except it appears that they've added a ten minute penalty for those coming down the hill from 12 to 7 (should have backtracked to 15 and then onto correct path) and a 5 minute penalty for those going up the hill from 7 (should have gone to 15 first, then 12)
Yours truly escaped any penalty points by virtue of the fact that I finished with more than 10 mins to spare, phew!! I did however have a very grovelling email prepared and ready to send expressing my sincere apologies and promising not to do it again, so long as I wasn't banned from any future events and could therefore keep my entry for the 2 day mountain marathon in September.
By my reckoning 42/112 competitors were affected by their inability to interpret the map correctly, including some like me who finished with time in hand. So adding time penalties and not disqualifying us all probably makes good 'business' sense. I think competitors and organizers will have both learned from this experience. I know I have.
Well done to EtU for completing the Madrid Marathon. It can't be easy when you've not had much of a chance to reconnoitre the course and know what to expect mile by mile.
TF
Well they've deliberated and the results are here - split times http://www.darkandwhite.co.uk/results/RaceKit2011Round3splittimesbyclass.html,
and overall results http://www.darkandwhite.co.uk/results/RaceKit2011Round3overallplaces.html
Not much explanation from the organizers, except it appears that they've added a ten minute penalty for those coming down the hill from 12 to 7 (should have backtracked to 15 and then onto correct path) and a 5 minute penalty for those going up the hill from 7 (should have gone to 15 first, then 12)
Yours truly escaped any penalty points by virtue of the fact that I finished with more than 10 mins to spare, phew!! I did however have a very grovelling email prepared and ready to send expressing my sincere apologies and promising not to do it again, so long as I wasn't banned from any future events and could therefore keep my entry for the 2 day mountain marathon in September.
By my reckoning 42/112 competitors were affected by their inability to interpret the map correctly, including some like me who finished with time in hand. So adding time penalties and not disqualifying us all probably makes good 'business' sense. I think competitors and organizers will have both learned from this experience. I know I have.
Well done to EtU for completing the Madrid Marathon. It can't be easy when you've not had much of a chance to reconnoitre the course and know what to expect mile by mile.
TF
Monday, April 18, 2011
A Flying Visit To Madrid
Flew out to Madrid on Friday morning and was pleased when disembarking to find the weather not too hot. Registered for the Marathon without too much difficulty, although I did resort to pointing at my my map and pleading "por favor" more than once.
The difficulty was in finding the right bus out to La Cabrera, a small town about 40 miles north east of Madrid where Jorge's (our Spanish son-in-law) parents lived. However this obstacle was overcome and I homed in on the Spanish in-laws. Some difficulty in communicating as Hazel had failed to teach me the Spanish for "pasta's good the day before a marathon" or "I've got to stay well hydrated".
Saturday morning, went for a stroll and was impressed by the line of crags overlooking the village. They reminded me of a mini Cullin; another volcano rim?
...but not impressed by the registration number of Jorge's father's car in which we were to travel to the start!
On another walk later in the day after Rachel, Jorge, Sam and Sarah had arrived, we heard a loud clattering from the top of the church.
It was a pair of storks getting aquainted.
Then on Sunday it was an early start to get to the race, with warmer weather than I had seen since arriving.
The field was about 8,500 strong, and it took four minutes to cross the line. Most of the first quarter of the race was uphill, the middle half was gradual downhill, then most of the last 10k was uphill again, but by then it was getting quite warm and despite the regular 5k water stations I was begining to suffer. However the finish eventually arrived without my pace dropping too much (no splits published yet) and it was good to be able to stop punishing my weary legs any longer.
Very few Brits were in evidence; my main contact was with trio of ladies from Coventry, who I identified as Brtish by hearing the bossy one instructing the wild one about how to get her stop-watch back on song. The bossy one beat me by a few seconds, the wild one who couldn't fix her watch dropped back by about five minutes after suffering from my usual complaint, but I don't know what happened to the poorly one who'd been in bed with the flu during the week ~ I know you're meant to rest up before a marathon, but that's a bit extreme!
Final result:- 1st Moses Arusei in 2:10:58, 1st lady Girma Tadesse in 2:35:28, Yours Truly, 6,784th in 4:21:06 (chip) 4:25:15 (clock) 8,583 finished.
The difficulty was in finding the right bus out to La Cabrera, a small town about 40 miles north east of Madrid where Jorge's (our Spanish son-in-law) parents lived. However this obstacle was overcome and I homed in on the Spanish in-laws. Some difficulty in communicating as Hazel had failed to teach me the Spanish for "pasta's good the day before a marathon" or "I've got to stay well hydrated".
Saturday morning, went for a stroll and was impressed by the line of crags overlooking the village. They reminded me of a mini Cullin; another volcano rim?
...but not impressed by the registration number of Jorge's father's car in which we were to travel to the start!
On another walk later in the day after Rachel, Jorge, Sam and Sarah had arrived, we heard a loud clattering from the top of the church.
It was a pair of storks getting aquainted.
Then on Sunday it was an early start to get to the race, with warmer weather than I had seen since arriving.
The field was about 8,500 strong, and it took four minutes to cross the line. Most of the first quarter of the race was uphill, the middle half was gradual downhill, then most of the last 10k was uphill again, but by then it was getting quite warm and despite the regular 5k water stations I was begining to suffer. However the finish eventually arrived without my pace dropping too much (no splits published yet) and it was good to be able to stop punishing my weary legs any longer.
Very few Brits were in evidence; my main contact was with trio of ladies from Coventry, who I identified as Brtish by hearing the bossy one instructing the wild one about how to get her stop-watch back on song. The bossy one beat me by a few seconds, the wild one who couldn't fix her watch dropped back by about five minutes after suffering from my usual complaint, but I don't know what happened to the poorly one who'd been in bed with the flu during the week ~ I know you're meant to rest up before a marathon, but that's a bit extreme!
Final result:- 1st Moses Arusei in 2:10:58, 1st lady Girma Tadesse in 2:35:28, Yours Truly, 6,784th in 4:21:06 (chip) 4:25:15 (clock) 8,583 finished.
Anybody know anything about copyright legislation?
On a happier note, TBIL placed 3rd V60 at London in 3:05.
Blogging
In response to TF’s comments on posting, suggest downloading Windows Live Writer. Just google it –free to download and makes posting stuff much much easier, especially if you’re uploading pictures. Been using it for ages now and recommended it to JtE who started using it about a year ago I think.
Weekend
Having set off with not a cloud in the sky very early Saturday morning, a little disappointing to find the high fells in the Lakes a little clagged in at the start of the Grasmere Lakes and Tarns event. However, this soon cleared and a glorious day evolved although not in time to get the best views from the summit of Fairfield. A good 20 mile outing with 6,565ft of climbing, which might explain why my quads are creaking going down stairs today
Piccies will be here soon.
Another Lakes weekend coming up – so not out this Saturday
NLN
Weekend Update
Sat 16th April Ras Y Moelwyn 10.5m/2800
The course runs through old mine workings and the surrounding hills of Blaenau Ffestiniog. I had to miss this race last year having been called up for road relay duties, so was keen to see what I'd had to give up.
Turned out to be a bit of a shock to the system all the wet rocks after months of peaty bogs. Even had to navigate on my own for a stretch after pulling away from the runners behind. They soon caught me up as I slowed negotiating a really rocky ridge in the mist with map and compass in hand. Mind you I had left a trail of blood for them to follow having scratched the index finger of left hand. For such an apparent tiny scratch it continually poured forth copious red stuff. Had to keep hiding it from the marshalls just in case they retired me.
A bit of navigating cock-up (yes I'd put the compass away 'cos I could 'see' where I was going) coming off the last hill meant I lost a place. I felt my time (approx 2hr20mins) was very slow compared to recent results. But will be back sometime to do it 'properly'.
Sun 17th April Rab Mini Mountain Marathon - Hope Valley
Stewards enquiry ongoing. It looks as though I'm going to be hit with time penalties for this one. The area in question is just south of Castleton. As you can see from the map below
there are 2 small areas of out of bounds (red hatchings) and some paths/ROW (green lines). Red numbers on map are the control numbers, blue ones are the point score. I'd got number 15, then number 12 and had intended on going to number 10 next. However runner in front headed off right. I hadn't considered 7, but did now seeing that it was 15 points.
Now the crux! Dropped down to the green line to find a 4ft6 wall (remember previous measuring aid), the 'official' path being on other side, but I was on a pretty well marked trod/path. Ran alongside wall to the control 7, where gaps in wall allowed access, at no point did I climb over anything more than 2 inches high. From 7 dropped down into Castleton to use paths to get to 10. I didn't do as some did which was to cut across the out of bounds area!!
I finished with over 10mins spare, so await with interest how they'll sort this out as I guess I'm not the only one. My full route measured approx 13m with 2500ft. Numbers 4, 13, 14, 18, 21, 11, 19, 17, 20, 15, 12, 7, 10, 3 and 1. Not in the frame for any prizes this year, but it just shows how careful you need to be with this trail-running malarky, can't go running willy-nilly like you can on 't fells.
TF
ps is anyone else having problems when switching between 'edit html' and 'compose'? I'm spending ages on layout of 'text' just so you don't get one block paragraph to read. It's definitley altered from before Xmas. This ps is a case in point as I'm not going back into 'compose' just in case I have to realign all the paragraphs again. Very fustrating. TF
Sat 16th April Ras Y Moelwyn 10.5m/2800
The course runs through old mine workings and the surrounding hills of Blaenau Ffestiniog. I had to miss this race last year having been called up for road relay duties, so was keen to see what I'd had to give up.
Turned out to be a bit of a shock to the system all the wet rocks after months of peaty bogs. Even had to navigate on my own for a stretch after pulling away from the runners behind. They soon caught me up as I slowed negotiating a really rocky ridge in the mist with map and compass in hand. Mind you I had left a trail of blood for them to follow having scratched the index finger of left hand. For such an apparent tiny scratch it continually poured forth copious red stuff. Had to keep hiding it from the marshalls just in case they retired me.
A bit of navigating cock-up (yes I'd put the compass away 'cos I could 'see' where I was going) coming off the last hill meant I lost a place. I felt my time (approx 2hr20mins) was very slow compared to recent results. But will be back sometime to do it 'properly'.
Sun 17th April Rab Mini Mountain Marathon - Hope Valley
Stewards enquiry ongoing. It looks as though I'm going to be hit with time penalties for this one. The area in question is just south of Castleton. As you can see from the map below
there are 2 small areas of out of bounds (red hatchings) and some paths/ROW (green lines). Red numbers on map are the control numbers, blue ones are the point score. I'd got number 15, then number 12 and had intended on going to number 10 next. However runner in front headed off right. I hadn't considered 7, but did now seeing that it was 15 points.
Now the crux! Dropped down to the green line to find a 4ft6 wall (remember previous measuring aid), the 'official' path being on other side, but I was on a pretty well marked trod/path. Ran alongside wall to the control 7, where gaps in wall allowed access, at no point did I climb over anything more than 2 inches high. From 7 dropped down into Castleton to use paths to get to 10. I didn't do as some did which was to cut across the out of bounds area!!
I finished with over 10mins spare, so await with interest how they'll sort this out as I guess I'm not the only one. My full route measured approx 13m with 2500ft. Numbers 4, 13, 14, 18, 21, 11, 19, 17, 20, 15, 12, 7, 10, 3 and 1. Not in the frame for any prizes this year, but it just shows how careful you need to be with this trail-running malarky, can't go running willy-nilly like you can on 't fells.
TF
ps is anyone else having problems when switching between 'edit html' and 'compose'? I'm spending ages on layout of 'text' just so you don't get one block paragraph to read. It's definitley altered from before Xmas. This ps is a case in point as I'm not going back into 'compose' just in case I have to realign all the paragraphs again. Very fustrating. TF
Friday, April 15, 2011
Heading North
Another great Lakeland event tomorrow. Grasmere Fells and Tarns, visiting the fabulous Fairfield. Let's hope the weather is as good as last Saturday when we enjoyed lots and lots of the Dales. Some piccies here. Have a great weekend everybody.
NLN
NLN
Saturday April 16th
I will be UTUPing on Saturday. Will anyone else be there?
Coniston 14
A report of last week's Coniston 14 road race can be seen here.
I will be UTUPing on Saturday. Will anyone else be there?
Coniston 14
A report of last week's Coniston 14 road race can be seen here.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
This Week
Thursday 14th ~ UTUP for a gentle meander on t'fell.
Saturday 16th ~ rest day
...and to respond to YJ's jibe on his http://www.70at70forheroes.blogspot.com/
Pardone senor, donde estan los aseos, por favor ~ which for those of you not fluent in Spanish, roughly translates as:- "ay oop, mucker wus t'next facilities".
Saturday 16th ~ rest day
...and to respond to YJ's jibe on his http://www.70at70forheroes.blogspot.com/
Pardone senor, donde estan los aseos, por favor ~ which for those of you not fluent in Spanish, roughly translates as:- "ay oop, mucker wus t'next facilities".
Saturday, April 09, 2011
Todays Run
Don't know about everyone else, but how good was that to be out in the sun? My run today was a recce of the permitted training route for the first two peaks of the 3 Peaks Fell Race. Being a girl on a mission meant a lack of photos but Pen y Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough (viewed from a distance) were looking their best.
The run started with a timed 'effort' to the summit of Pen y Ghent and then a steady pace run to Ribblehead. The permitted route then follows the tourist route up Whernside, adding no feet of climb but does add an extra 2 miles compared to the race route. A bit slower pace dodging all the 3 Peak Walkers. Overhearing some conversations I didn't like the sound of the 7am start that some of them had. My 10am one would have sounded positively decadent in comparison!
I managed to get to the Hill Inn in a total of 4hrs, which although 30 mins outside the allowed race time, I felt that come race day I might just be able to shave a few mins, hopefully 31 of them, off this time. Refreshed with a glass of fizzy pop, I completed the final mile and a bit road run back to the Station Inn at Ribblehead. The glass of fizzy pop here was fortified with a bit of alcohol, proud to have completed my longest solo off-road recce run.
Next week I can be available for a utup on Thurs, or will join the fast'uns at Wilderswood. Saturday I'm off to Wales for a go at a Welsh Mountain called Moelwyn.
TF
Don't know about everyone else, but how good was that to be out in the sun? My run today was a recce of the permitted training route for the first two peaks of the 3 Peaks Fell Race. Being a girl on a mission meant a lack of photos but Pen y Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough (viewed from a distance) were looking their best.
The run started with a timed 'effort' to the summit of Pen y Ghent and then a steady pace run to Ribblehead. The permitted route then follows the tourist route up Whernside, adding no feet of climb but does add an extra 2 miles compared to the race route. A bit slower pace dodging all the 3 Peak Walkers. Overhearing some conversations I didn't like the sound of the 7am start that some of them had. My 10am one would have sounded positively decadent in comparison!
I managed to get to the Hill Inn in a total of 4hrs, which although 30 mins outside the allowed race time, I felt that come race day I might just be able to shave a few mins, hopefully 31 of them, off this time. Refreshed with a glass of fizzy pop, I completed the final mile and a bit road run back to the Station Inn at Ribblehead. The glass of fizzy pop here was fortified with a bit of alcohol, proud to have completed my longest solo off-road recce run.
Next week I can be available for a utup on Thurs, or will join the fast'uns at Wilderswood. Saturday I'm off to Wales for a go at a Welsh Mountain called Moelwyn.
TF
Thursday, April 07, 2011
Wednesday, April 06, 2011
Easter Saturday
YJ and I are planning an early start, travelling up to the Old Dungeon Ghyll and attacking Scafell Pike via Rosset Ghyll. Then back to Horwich for the Pike Race. Anyone else interested?
This Week
Thursday 7th ~ three choices:-
a. Foxholes reps, 6:45 guess where!
b Fielden Cup, http://www.horwichrmiharriers.co.uk/articles/?p=1939
c. None of these.
I'm opting for "b".
Saturday 9th ~ I'm UTUPing ~ EYJ, will you be on Two Lads?
a. Foxholes reps, 6:45 guess where!
b Fielden Cup, http://www.horwichrmiharriers.co.uk/articles/?p=1939
c. None of these.
I'm opting for "b".
Saturday 9th ~ I'm UTUPing ~ EYJ, will you be on Two Lads?
Monday, April 04, 2011
Edale Skyline
Was beginning to think I'd dreamt the whole thing!
But there I am at number 231, with 20% of the field finishing behind me (not including DNF's) http://www.dpfr.org.uk/#pages/show/skyline
Saturday Utup
Just me, YJ and EtU for this one. The usual road circuit of Winter Hill or aka 'Bolton 40' circuit (or one third of it.) This was to be EtU's last long road run before the Madrid Marathon on 17th April.
I had a few bail-out options, but in the end the company was so agreeable that I completed the full circuit, including the time trial from the Black Dog to Horden Stoops. I only just managed to hold off YJ, who'd already run an extra 4.9m earlier in the morning and EtU who was saving himself for the additional Anglezarke loop. Just the 14m for me, EtU probably 18/19m and YJ nearer 25 ('cos I'm sure he'd have done an extra loop to make sure)
Time Trial Results 1.2 miles / ? ft
TF 12:34
YJ 12:54
EtU 14:44
TF
Was beginning to think I'd dreamt the whole thing!
But there I am at number 231, with 20% of the field finishing behind me (not including DNF's) http://www.dpfr.org.uk/#pages/show/skyline
Saturday Utup
Just me, YJ and EtU for this one. The usual road circuit of Winter Hill or aka 'Bolton 40' circuit (or one third of it.) This was to be EtU's last long road run before the Madrid Marathon on 17th April.
I had a few bail-out options, but in the end the company was so agreeable that I completed the full circuit, including the time trial from the Black Dog to Horden Stoops. I only just managed to hold off YJ, who'd already run an extra 4.9m earlier in the morning and EtU who was saving himself for the additional Anglezarke loop. Just the 14m for me, EtU probably 18/19m and YJ nearer 25 ('cos I'm sure he'd have done an extra loop to make sure)
Time Trial Results 1.2 miles / ? ft
TF 12:34
YJ 12:54
EtU 14:44
TF
Sunday, April 03, 2011
Pics from Santon
A fine English Longhorn on Irton Park Estate.
Late afternoon sun on the Screes.
Britain's favourite view from the pumping station.
Late afternoon sun on the Screes.
Britain's favourite view from the pumping station.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Saurday 2nd April
YJ and I will be UTUPing, but plan to do a long road run to further my preparation for the Madrid Marathon 15 days later.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Liver Hill
Just three Horwich reps last night at the Marl Pits, for this first evening fell race of the season; Paul Boardman, EYJ and yours truly, and, fairly predictably, that was our finishing order.
No results yet (PS now at http://www.rossendaleharriers.co.uk/results/2011LiverHill.pdf ) but from seeing him as he descended, Paul was probably in the first quarter of the field, EYJ was a good five minutes in front of me and I ran 54 something, about ten places from the back.
It's a curious little race, with a serpentine and undulating start, followed by about 2 miles across flattish, but stile-studded, fields with a bit of a rough climb at the turn, which in the fading light could pass for open fell. Time is lost on the run out, making way for the descending early runners at the stiles, but for us at the tail end of the field, the way was clear on our descent.
Ex-Harrier Danny Hope was in second place half way down the descent, so it will be interesting to see how he finished when the results are published. Jan Atkins finished a minute or two in front of me and was expressing an interest in our 70at70; her clubmate had been on your blog, John, and there were a few Lostock lads there that EYJ seemed to know.
A cream egg for each finisher and scruffy but very effective showers in the clubhouse, with the water just the right temperature.
No results yet (PS now at http://www.rossendaleharriers.co.uk/results/2011LiverHill.pdf ) but from seeing him as he descended, Paul was probably in the first quarter of the field, EYJ was a good five minutes in front of me and I ran 54 something, about ten places from the back.
It's a curious little race, with a serpentine and undulating start, followed by about 2 miles across flattish, but stile-studded, fields with a bit of a rough climb at the turn, which in the fading light could pass for open fell. Time is lost on the run out, making way for the descending early runners at the stiles, but for us at the tail end of the field, the way was clear on our descent.
Ex-Harrier Danny Hope was in second place half way down the descent, so it will be interesting to see how he finished when the results are published. Jan Atkins finished a minute or two in front of me and was expressing an interest in our 70at70; her clubmate had been on your blog, John, and there were a few Lostock lads there that EYJ seemed to know.
A cream egg for each finisher and scruffy but very effective showers in the clubhouse, with the water just the right temperature.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Post Race Musings
No official results as yet, but to continue the stats theme here are mine from Sunday's race. YJ had very kindly sent me some of his stats from his Edale race in 2000 so that I'd have something to extrapolate for some timings for my race. I hope he won't mind me reproducing them for comparison. In YJ's race, he reached the half-way point (Mam Nick) in 2hrs4mins. I decided to add 5 mins for each split which would get me there in 2hrs24mins, a good 5mins inside the cut off time.
So armed with this information I knew what time I needed to hit each summit. I had 4 mins in hand at Win Hill and 7 mins ahead of schedule by Lose Hill, so was fairly confident of making the cut. So in the end 16 mins clear, which meant I could enjoy a leisurely cup of orange squash to celebrate.
In my calculations I'd added a further 5mins for each section in the second half to gain a 'best possible' finish time of about 5hrs or a more realistic 10mins a section to get about 5:20-5:30 finish time. In the terms of 'best laid plans' and all that here's what happened on the Edale Skyline (times taken between CPs)
TF -Ringing Roger 18 mins YJ - Ringing Roger 16:52
TF -Win Hill 51mins YJ - Win Hill 46:41
TF - Lose Hill 38mins YJ - Lose Hill 36:01
TF - Mam Nick 27mins YJ - Mam Nick 25:07
At cut off (2hrs30mins) TF 2:14 YJ 2:04:41
TF - Brown Knoll 46mins YJ Brown Knoll 40:35
TF - Grindslow 45mins YJ Grindslow 47:54
TF - Ringing Roger 31mins YJ Ringing Roger 31:01
TF - Finish 10 mins YJ Finish 13:55
At Finish TF 4:25:26 YJ 4:17:23
TF
No official results as yet, but to continue the stats theme here are mine from Sunday's race. YJ had very kindly sent me some of his stats from his Edale race in 2000 so that I'd have something to extrapolate for some timings for my race. I hope he won't mind me reproducing them for comparison. In YJ's race, he reached the half-way point (Mam Nick) in 2hrs4mins. I decided to add 5 mins for each split which would get me there in 2hrs24mins, a good 5mins inside the cut off time.
So armed with this information I knew what time I needed to hit each summit. I had 4 mins in hand at Win Hill and 7 mins ahead of schedule by Lose Hill, so was fairly confident of making the cut. So in the end 16 mins clear, which meant I could enjoy a leisurely cup of orange squash to celebrate.
In my calculations I'd added a further 5mins for each section in the second half to gain a 'best possible' finish time of about 5hrs or a more realistic 10mins a section to get about 5:20-5:30 finish time. In the terms of 'best laid plans' and all that here's what happened on the Edale Skyline (times taken between CPs)
TF -Ringing Roger 18 mins YJ - Ringing Roger 16:52
TF -Win Hill 51mins YJ - Win Hill 46:41
TF - Lose Hill 38mins YJ - Lose Hill 36:01
TF - Mam Nick 27mins YJ - Mam Nick 25:07
At cut off (2hrs30mins) TF 2:14 YJ 2:04:41
TF - Brown Knoll 46mins YJ Brown Knoll 40:35
TF - Grindslow 45mins YJ Grindslow 47:54
TF - Ringing Roger 31mins YJ Ringing Roger 31:01
TF - Finish 10 mins YJ Finish 13:55
At Finish TF 4:25:26 YJ 4:17:23
TF
Upping the pace
If anyone thought Saturday's outing was a bit pacy the stats for the last few weeks will confirm their impressions.
The numbers relating to my extended run show a distance of 21.31 miles in 4hrs. 38mins 43secs at a pace of 13mins 05secs per mile with a total climb of 3,363ft.
Pace for the previous Saturday outings were 13mins 35secs for 32 miles (Hobble); 13mins 23secs (21 miles); 11mins 56secs (South Downs); and 12mins 37secs (Amble). These figures compare with an average for our January outings of well over 14 mins. So last Saturday was pacy. But not as fast as TF's outing on the Edale Skyline which I calculate as 12mins 38secs per mile. Well done TF, your time had me hurriedly checking my records.
If anyone thought Saturday's outing was a bit pacy the stats for the last few weeks will confirm their impressions.
The numbers relating to my extended run show a distance of 21.31 miles in 4hrs. 38mins 43secs at a pace of 13mins 05secs per mile with a total climb of 3,363ft.
Pace for the previous Saturday outings were 13mins 35secs for 32 miles (Hobble); 13mins 23secs (21 miles); 11mins 56secs (South Downs); and 12mins 37secs (Amble). These figures compare with an average for our January outings of well over 14 mins. So last Saturday was pacy. But not as fast as TF's outing on the Edale Skyline which I calculate as 12mins 38secs per mile. Well done TF, your time had me hurriedly checking my records.
Stop Press!
Checked the start time for tomorrow's Liver Hill Race, it's quarter to 7, not quarter past.
EYJ and I are doing a Foxholes session this evening at 6:45, all welcome.
I'm sure we're all nearly as pleased as TF obviously is to have given the Edale Skyline Race a good seeing to. Well done TF, you earned that one!
EYJ and I are doing a Foxholes session this evening at 6:45, all welcome.
I'm sure we're all nearly as pleased as TF obviously is to have given the Edale Skyline Race a good seeing to. Well done TF, you earned that one!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Pennine Way recce/Lakes training runs
In my build-up to the PW challenge on May 28th I am hoping to do some extra runs either as a Pennine Way recce or in the Lakes and would welcome some company. You can see the dates that are available here:-
APR 2 Road training for EtU’s Madrid marathon
APR 3 Recovery day
APR 9 Coniston 14
APR 10 Recovery day
APR 16 Free for Pennine Way recce/Lakes training run
APR 17 Free for Pennine Way recce/Lakes training run
APR 22 Free for Pennine Way recce/Lakes training run
APR 23 Scafell Pike/Rivington Pike race
APR 24 Free for Pennine Way recce/Lakes training run
APR 25 Free for Pennine Way recce/Lakes training run
APR 30 Barbondale round
MAY 1 Recovery day
MAY 7 Free for Pennine Way recce/Lakes training run
MAY 8 Free for Pennine Way recce/Lakes training run
MAY 14 Free for Pennine Way recce/Lakes training run
MAY 15 Free for Pennine Way recce/Lakes training run
MAY 21 Easy run UTUP
MAY 22 Resting
MIDWEEK RUNS:
I am available most Monday’s, Tuesday’s and Friday’s for extra Pennine Way recce/Lakes training runs.
LAKES TRAINING:
Open to offers regarding route but prefer initially to tackle the first leg of the Joss Naylor traverse from Pooley Bridge to Rampsgill head, returning via Mardale, a distance of about 20 miles.
In my build-up to the PW challenge on May 28th I am hoping to do some extra runs either as a Pennine Way recce or in the Lakes and would welcome some company. You can see the dates that are available here:-
APR 2 Road training for EtU’s Madrid marathon
APR 3 Recovery day
APR 9 Coniston 14
APR 10 Recovery day
APR 16 Free for Pennine Way recce/Lakes training run
APR 17 Free for Pennine Way recce/Lakes training run
APR 22 Free for Pennine Way recce/Lakes training run
APR 23 Scafell Pike/Rivington Pike race
APR 24 Free for Pennine Way recce/Lakes training run
APR 25 Free for Pennine Way recce/Lakes training run
APR 30 Barbondale round
MAY 1 Recovery day
MAY 7 Free for Pennine Way recce/Lakes training run
MAY 8 Free for Pennine Way recce/Lakes training run
MAY 14 Free for Pennine Way recce/Lakes training run
MAY 15 Free for Pennine Way recce/Lakes training run
MAY 21 Easy run UTUP
MAY 22 Resting
MIDWEEK RUNS:
I am available most Monday’s, Tuesday’s and Friday’s for extra Pennine Way recce/Lakes training runs.
LAKES TRAINING:
Open to offers regarding route but prefer initially to tackle the first leg of the Joss Naylor traverse from Pooley Bridge to Rampsgill head, returning via Mardale, a distance of about 20 miles.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
…forgot to mention!
So excited to be back out on our local hills on Tues evening, I forgot to mention how fantastic the Lakeland Four Passes event was on Saturday. Gorgeous weather, as you all enjoyed on your outings, superb organisation and a classic route, which some of you will remember from it’s earlier format when run by the YHA Borrowdale.
Anyway, some pics here, which I think capture the day. Hope to be out on Saturday.
NLN
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
First Outing of the Season
Spring really feels like it’s sprung. SN and I met up at 5.30pm at Wilderswood for the first Tues evening outing of the season last night (Tues) and what a great night to be out. Very busy with cyclists, runners, walkers. Great sky, we managed 5.6m and got back to the cars just as the light went completely.
Route – track up to water station, across to road over to quarries, burnt edge, over to stream crossing and along to green road to mast, trig point, straight down to Belmont Rd/Georges Lane, Pike, Georges Lane to WW car park.
Welsh mountains clear as a bell from Rivington Pike.
We intend to meet at 5.30 for next few weeks as EtU has signalled his intention to maintain track attendance for marathon purposes. After that the time will revert to 5.45pm as per last year. Feel free to join us if you’re around.
NLN
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Happy Days Are Here Again...
...or rather light nights are here again.
As you all know, the clocks spring forward in the early hours of the morning of Sunday 27th March.
This means that we can get out on the fells again in the evenings, work and other commitments permitting. Dates worth considering are Tuesday 29th March, when the first evening race of the year in the FRA calendar is Liver Hill from the Rawtenstall Marl Pits, with a 6:45 start.
Then on the 31st we could have the first Thursday wfdbwgua UTUP massed start of the year from Horwich Stocks at 6:30 ... anybody?
There could also be a resurrection of the Tuesday evening fell session (reps or roaming), but I'll be giving this a miss in favour of the track until after Madrid.
Any takers?
As you all know, the clocks spring forward in the early hours of the morning of Sunday 27th March.
This means that we can get out on the fells again in the evenings, work and other commitments permitting. Dates worth considering are Tuesday 29th March, when the first evening race of the year in the FRA calendar is Liver Hill from the Rawtenstall Marl Pits, with a 6:45 start.
Then on the 31st we could have the first Thursday wfdbwgua UTUP massed start of the year from Horwich Stocks at 6:30 ... anybody?
There could also be a resurrection of the Tuesday evening fell session (reps or roaming), but I'll be giving this a miss in favour of the track until after Madrid.
Any takers?
Monday, March 21, 2011
YJ and BiL Put the Pressure on Me for Snowdonia!
http://www.fleethalfmarathon.com/archive/2011/prizewinners2011.pdf
For those not acquainted with the Swift family tree, the over 60 winner is the OSH's brother!
For those not acquainted with the Swift family tree, the over 60 winner is the OSH's brother!
Last Saturday and a Week next Friday
Just me at the barn again, then up to Two Lads to meet EYJ. Apparently he runs hard to the meeting point, uses our run as a recovery period (cheeky so-and-so) and then runs hard home again. We cruised around Winter Hill, taking in Burnt Edge, almost to the Cigarette Tunnel, Smithills Res, Winter Hill Trig and down the Ramp. John left for home and I returned via Belmont and Hordern Stoops.
A fine bright morning, I clocked a good 12 and John 15.
In the absence of any firm "regrets" I've booked the Thatch/Cherry Tree for Friday 1st April.
A fine bright morning, I clocked a good 12 and John 15.
In the absence of any firm "regrets" I've booked the Thatch/Cherry Tree for Friday 1st April.
Weekend roundup for TF
Saturday - Part I -Parked up at Ribblehead and caught the 10:49 train back to Horton. Set off on the 3P route as far as right turn for Pen-y-Ghent, 25mins steady pace. Turned left and followed 3P route to Ribblehead, 1hr 10mins for this section. This included a short section of walking & chatting to a bloke with a dog called Dillon, he was also doing 3P route that day but was aiming to do it all. Back to the car for a spot of lunch (soup & 2 pitta breads) and then set off for
Saturday - Part II - followed the permitted training route to gain summit of Whernside. Back onto 3P's race route to the bottom of the fell and then back to the viaduct, Dillon and his owner had nearly caught me up by this point. Not sure I'm going to like that descent if I'm under time pressure to make the cut-off, so need to go back for one or two more recces just to make sure. Part II was at a lot gentler pace (mindful of my race the following day) but managed to be back at the car in 2hrs.
So a useful day out gaining critical pace info, especially the tarmac section.
Sunday -Part I - Dark and White Mini Mountain Marathon - Chaple-en-le Frith.
Some more running around areas I'd not been to before. Improved a place this time in my age category by finishing 3rd, but dropped a few overall by finishing 72/120 this time. I scored less points, 195 as compared to 213 on the first event, maybe I was playing it a bit too safe as I returned with 10 mins to spare. But better that than lose the lot by being over ambitious
Sunday - Part II - Following a relax in the sauna & steam room at the DL gym, a couple of hours strolling round John Lewis admiring the new seasons collections.
UTUP
Might be up for brief utups this week. I've got Edale Skyline on Sunday so will be taking it easy, definitely no reps!
TF
Saturday - Part I -Parked up at Ribblehead and caught the 10:49 train back to Horton. Set off on the 3P route as far as right turn for Pen-y-Ghent, 25mins steady pace. Turned left and followed 3P route to Ribblehead, 1hr 10mins for this section. This included a short section of walking & chatting to a bloke with a dog called Dillon, he was also doing 3P route that day but was aiming to do it all. Back to the car for a spot of lunch (soup & 2 pitta breads) and then set off for
Saturday - Part II - followed the permitted training route to gain summit of Whernside. Back onto 3P's race route to the bottom of the fell and then back to the viaduct, Dillon and his owner had nearly caught me up by this point. Not sure I'm going to like that descent if I'm under time pressure to make the cut-off, so need to go back for one or two more recces just to make sure. Part II was at a lot gentler pace (mindful of my race the following day) but managed to be back at the car in 2hrs.
So a useful day out gaining critical pace info, especially the tarmac section.
Sunday -Part I - Dark and White Mini Mountain Marathon - Chaple-en-le Frith.
Some more running around areas I'd not been to before. Improved a place this time in my age category by finishing 3rd, but dropped a few overall by finishing 72/120 this time. I scored less points, 195 as compared to 213 on the first event, maybe I was playing it a bit too safe as I returned with 10 mins to spare. But better that than lose the lot by being over ambitious
Sunday - Part II - Following a relax in the sauna & steam room at the DL gym, a couple of hours strolling round John Lewis admiring the new seasons collections.
UTUP
Might be up for brief utups this week. I've got Edale Skyline on Sunday so will be taking it easy, definitely no reps!
TF
Friday, March 18, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
This and That
Great run out at the Hobble last Saturday, although I didn't think that at 5.00am. The only thing that got me there was the alternative prospect of having to help my sister with a day of domestic chores in preparation for nephew's 21st party. I think everyone said it all, plenty craic all the way round with the five of us to-ing and fro-ing. One highlight was stalking T'Y before he cottoned on, and then leaving him on the descent from Stoodley - as he says, big difference from last year with all his training for the Pyrenees. No doubt this will be remedied at the end of your course T'Y.
Not out Saturday, looking forward to the classic Lakeland Four Passes event which has been resurrected for the first time for many years.
We're OK for Solstice Supper on 1st April.
NLN
Not out Saturday, looking forward to the classic Lakeland Four Passes event which has been resurrected for the first time for many years.
We're OK for Solstice Supper on 1st April.
NLN
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Last Saturday and This Week
Just me at the Barn on Saturday, whence I ran to Two Lads to meet EYJ. We proceded to the TP where we agreed that it didn't seem the same without it's main fan. Then down the road to Walker Fold Rd, left towards Belmont and then back onto the fell after the rifle range, then the wall route up to the top of the ramp, where we parted company.
John reckoned he'd clock up 15 miles by the time he got home, and I was disappointed to find that I'd only done 11 and a bit.
Not now UTUPing Thursday 17th, but on for Saturday 19th.
John reckoned he'd clock up 15 miles by the time he got home, and I was disappointed to find that I'd only done 11 and a bit.
Not now UTUPing Thursday 17th, but on for Saturday 19th.
Duddon
The race site now lists accepted entries and these include TF (no. 31) and yours truly (no. 111). There is a scattering of other Horwich entries including Suzanne, who must have been sharp off the mark as she's no. 1!
As of today only 222 entries are shown and with a limit of 500 to be applied it looks like there's still time to enter; although it's not clear just when the list was updated.
As of today only 222 entries are shown and with a limit of 500 to be applied it looks like there's still time to enter; although it's not clear just when the list was updated.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Haworth Hobble/Wuthering Hike
Congratulations to the gang for putting up with the Novice Hobbler. I did warn everyone that I wasn't sure what would happen after 22m, as that was the furthest I done in one go on an off-road route.
Having handed over the navigating responsibilities to YJ, I just had to relax and soak up the atmosphere. With the added bonus of being able to stuff my face for over 7hrs. I reckoned I'd have about 5200kcal to play with, using some basic sums to calculate my daily allowance with a base of 2000kcal + 100kcal / mile.
So I went for it. The day kicked off at 5.00am with a bowl of porridge. Arrival at registration just after 7.00am and 4 biscuits. CP1 snaffled the biggest bit of shortbread before YJ. CP3 Shortbread again. CP4 hot dog sausage (for the salt) and hotcross bun. CP5 Jelly babies and Shortbread again, declined offer of tot of whisky. Last CP jam doughnut. Post race refreshment was a bowl of pasta and vegetables and a selection of buns/cakes. I also made light inroads into the bag of dried fruit I was carrying in my rucksack pocket.
I was one ounce heavier on Sunday morning than Saturday. I'm blaming that on the 2 Ibuprofen I had at Stoodley Pike taken in preparation for the last 10 miles. Definitely tipped the balance!
Will I be back? Of course, other plans permitting. Having been expertly led and encouraged round the route by YJ without putting a foot wrong, I'm confident I could manage it again. I would say that having done the Hobble now, if you like this race then you have to do the 'Hebden'. It serves as a good warm-up and has the added bonus of a proper flushing toilet at the halfway point. The post race refreshment this year included mulled wine and waitress service, always a bonus when you've seized up!
TF
Congratulations to the gang for putting up with the Novice Hobbler. I did warn everyone that I wasn't sure what would happen after 22m, as that was the furthest I done in one go on an off-road route.
Having handed over the navigating responsibilities to YJ, I just had to relax and soak up the atmosphere. With the added bonus of being able to stuff my face for over 7hrs. I reckoned I'd have about 5200kcal to play with, using some basic sums to calculate my daily allowance with a base of 2000kcal + 100kcal / mile.
So I went for it. The day kicked off at 5.00am with a bowl of porridge. Arrival at registration just after 7.00am and 4 biscuits. CP1 snaffled the biggest bit of shortbread before YJ. CP3 Shortbread again. CP4 hot dog sausage (for the salt) and hotcross bun. CP5 Jelly babies and Shortbread again, declined offer of tot of whisky. Last CP jam doughnut. Post race refreshment was a bowl of pasta and vegetables and a selection of buns/cakes. I also made light inroads into the bag of dried fruit I was carrying in my rucksack pocket.
I was one ounce heavier on Sunday morning than Saturday. I'm blaming that on the 2 Ibuprofen I had at Stoodley Pike taken in preparation for the last 10 miles. Definitely tipped the balance!
Will I be back? Of course, other plans permitting. Having been expertly led and encouraged round the route by YJ without putting a foot wrong, I'm confident I could manage it again. I would say that having done the Hobble now, if you like this race then you have to do the 'Hebden'. It serves as a good warm-up and has the added bonus of a proper flushing toilet at the halfway point. The post race refreshment this year included mulled wine and waitress service, always a bonus when you've seized up!
TF
70at70 blog
My blog relating to the 70at70-ish Pennine Way run on May 28th is now up and running although it no doubt requires a little refinement and a few photographs, which can hopefully be sorted out. At the moment its content is limited but I hope to have weekly updates on how training is going and an introduction to members of the support team. To this end it would help if supporters could email me a potted running biography and picture for inclusion.
Any matters relating to support on the day will probably be best dealt with on this blog. Meanwhile I would appreciate any help in publicising my blog address http://70at70forheroes.blogspot.com and the site where donations can be made www.bmycharity.com/70at70tohelpHeroes as widely as possible.
Howarth Hobble
As preparation for the Pennine Way run the Howarth Hobble/Wuthering Hike fell race produced more questions than it answered. Teamed with TF the plan was to have a nice easy day out that hopefully would produce a time slightly better than last year when the other half of the team was NLN.
The team of two had already been expanded to three by prior consent with the inclusion of NLN and as the event progressed the group swelled to five with the addition of Paul M and Geraldine W and briefly to six when we caught T'Y.
The early pace was edging ahead of 2010 and by 20 miles we were 4 minutes in front in spite of taking the climb out of Calderdale at walking pace. A pattern was emerging where TF and I were taking our pace from the other three, myself losing ground on the descents and making up the loss on the next climb. By Hardcastle Crags (25miles) the gap between last year and this had opened to 11 minutes and by the finish to 27 minutes largely due to a 12 minute improvement over the last three miles.
The question is whether the conservation of energy on the slower walk on the climb from Hardcastle Crags was responsible for the faster descent to Howarth or whether there was more energy in the first place. The answer is probably a combination of the two and a similar strategy on May 28th may well be the outcome.
To finish strongly certainly makes for a more enjoyable event and I shall definitely avoid destroying myself on the climbs when the big day comes.
To my Hobble partner congratulations on her first Ultra event. She never flagged and looked good enough for a second lap at the finish. She would have had an impressive time without me holding her back.
Stats for the event were 31.87 miles; total time 7.12.49; average pace 13.35; total climb 5,637 ft.
My blog relating to the 70at70-ish Pennine Way run on May 28th is now up and running although it no doubt requires a little refinement and a few photographs, which can hopefully be sorted out. At the moment its content is limited but I hope to have weekly updates on how training is going and an introduction to members of the support team. To this end it would help if supporters could email me a potted running biography and picture for inclusion.
Any matters relating to support on the day will probably be best dealt with on this blog. Meanwhile I would appreciate any help in publicising my blog address http://70at70forheroes.blogspot.com and the site where donations can be made www.bmycharity.com/70at70tohelpHeroes as widely as possible.
Howarth Hobble
As preparation for the Pennine Way run the Howarth Hobble/Wuthering Hike fell race produced more questions than it answered. Teamed with TF the plan was to have a nice easy day out that hopefully would produce a time slightly better than last year when the other half of the team was NLN.
The team of two had already been expanded to three by prior consent with the inclusion of NLN and as the event progressed the group swelled to five with the addition of Paul M and Geraldine W and briefly to six when we caught T'Y.
The early pace was edging ahead of 2010 and by 20 miles we were 4 minutes in front in spite of taking the climb out of Calderdale at walking pace. A pattern was emerging where TF and I were taking our pace from the other three, myself losing ground on the descents and making up the loss on the next climb. By Hardcastle Crags (25miles) the gap between last year and this had opened to 11 minutes and by the finish to 27 minutes largely due to a 12 minute improvement over the last three miles.
The question is whether the conservation of energy on the slower walk on the climb from Hardcastle Crags was responsible for the faster descent to Howarth or whether there was more energy in the first place. The answer is probably a combination of the two and a similar strategy on May 28th may well be the outcome.
To finish strongly certainly makes for a more enjoyable event and I shall definitely avoid destroying myself on the climbs when the big day comes.
To my Hobble partner congratulations on her first Ultra event. She never flagged and looked good enough for a second lap at the finish. She would have had an impressive time without me holding her back.
Stats for the event were 31.87 miles; total time 7.12.49; average pace 13.35; total climb 5,637 ft.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Why oh why?
Do I turn up to do a 33 mile race after no more than ten milers since last June?
Aching today, but it could have been much worse if the weather had been bad. Had planned to retire at Heptonstall, having forgotten it was no longer a checkpoint but luckily the ibuprofen started to work from there so managed to recover a bit of lost time and avoided a PW (by 27 minutes in the end). But whereas last year 6:50 was a doddle with a very gentle first 10 miles, this year's 7:30 was hard. Suppose I can take comfort that it's as fast as my debut - 23 years ago.
I should have held back early on with the rest of the team but seemed to got drawn along. Stopped at Top Withins but no sight of anyone so kept going. Started to suffer on the Calderdale Way and by the descent to the Tod road was in agony. The climb up to Stoodley with the rest of you was enjoyable and would have probably gone quicker but by the time I was descending was becoming very disgruntled and seriously contemplating retirement - just couldn't get running. Having run all the way up to Heptonstall and the option of retirement removed, I seemed to pick up a bit and decided I may as well keep going at Hardcastle Crags. Was able to run most of the rest of the route and finish 18 minutes behind the rest of the group.
Aching today, but it could have been much worse if the weather had been bad. Had planned to retire at Heptonstall, having forgotten it was no longer a checkpoint but luckily the ibuprofen started to work from there so managed to recover a bit of lost time and avoided a PW (by 27 minutes in the end). But whereas last year 6:50 was a doddle with a very gentle first 10 miles, this year's 7:30 was hard. Suppose I can take comfort that it's as fast as my debut - 23 years ago.
I should have held back early on with the rest of the team but seemed to got drawn along. Stopped at Top Withins but no sight of anyone so kept going. Started to suffer on the Calderdale Way and by the descent to the Tod road was in agony. The climb up to Stoodley with the rest of you was enjoyable and would have probably gone quicker but by the time I was descending was becoming very disgruntled and seriously contemplating retirement - just couldn't get running. Having run all the way up to Heptonstall and the option of retirement removed, I seemed to pick up a bit and decided I may as well keep going at Hardcastle Crags. Was able to run most of the rest of the route and finish 18 minutes behind the rest of the group.
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
M70 Masters
Congratulations to EYJ on his success in the Long Mynd Valleys Race. Now, not only have we got a master on the roads in YJ but also a master on the fells. Pretty soon, anyone wanting to join the group will have to fill in an application form detailing their achievements, and be interviewed by a panel which will have to include YJ and EYJ. What an elite group!
Congratulations to EYJ on his success in the Long Mynd Valleys Race. Now, not only have we got a master on the roads in YJ but also a master on the fells. Pretty soon, anyone wanting to join the group will have to fill in an application form detailing their achievements, and be interviewed by a panel which will have to include YJ and EYJ. What an elite group!
This Week
Planning to UTUP on Thursay 10th, work permitting, for the dreaded monthly reps; we'll be short of at least one regular due to that prospect. We'll have the choice of either doing our own thing, or joining the Harriers' session, what do you reckon, TF?
UTUPing on Saturday, but, in the pursuit of miles, will probably run from home, so may be even slower than usual.
UTUPing on Saturday, but, in the pursuit of miles, will probably run from home, so may be even slower than usual.
Monday, March 07, 2011
Saturday 5th March
Saturday's outing saw EtU, NLN SN and myself heading out to 2 Lads to meet EYJ who stayed with us briefly before heading off to rest up for Sunday's championship race while we continued to the mast and then to Belmont.
Undaunted by the barricades across the dam access road EtU's strength and perseverance created a gap for us to squeeze through (under) and after pausing briefly to admire the standard of the new stonework we took the track through Dog Bucket Farm and on to Hollinshead Hall, Piccadilly and Great Hill where the squad split up EtU and SN returning via Spittlers leaving NLN and myself to take the Amble route back to Rivington.
EtU and SN had done about 13 miles, NLN 15 and myself 21 having done a warm up lap earlier.
My stats for the day were 21.36 miles in 4hrs 45mins 25secs (13.22 mins per mile) with an elevation of 3750ft.
Saturday's outing saw EtU, NLN SN and myself heading out to 2 Lads to meet EYJ who stayed with us briefly before heading off to rest up for Sunday's championship race while we continued to the mast and then to Belmont.
Undaunted by the barricades across the dam access road EtU's strength and perseverance created a gap for us to squeeze through (under) and after pausing briefly to admire the standard of the new stonework we took the track through Dog Bucket Farm and on to Hollinshead Hall, Piccadilly and Great Hill where the squad split up EtU and SN returning via Spittlers leaving NLN and myself to take the Amble route back to Rivington.
EtU and SN had done about 13 miles, NLN 15 and myself 21 having done a warm up lap earlier.
My stats for the day were 21.36 miles in 4hrs 45mins 25secs (13.22 mins per mile) with an elevation of 3750ft.
Hi, Ho, Silver Shining...
Probably a bit too early in the season to be clearing a space in the trophy cabinet, but our youngest John finished in silver medal position in the Long Mynd Valleys Race, the first of this year's English champion races.
No first hand account as yet, but full results at http://www.merciafellrunners.org.uk/node/1699 indicate that he came in as second over 70 in a time of 2:45, behind his category winner, Peter Covey of Bingley.
Other names to spot are John's assistant coach Peter Ramsdale, who took a nasty fall but got up again to finish, and Mary White and her sister Margaret Huyton.
Well done that man!
No first hand account as yet, but full results at http://www.merciafellrunners.org.uk/node/1699 indicate that he came in as second over 70 in a time of 2:45, behind his category winner, Peter Covey of Bingley.
Other names to spot are John's assistant coach Peter Ramsdale, who took a nasty fall but got up again to finish, and Mary White and her sister Margaret Huyton.
Well done that man!
Sunday, March 06, 2011
Black Combe 8m/3400ft Sat 5th March
Well chuffed with the result for this one. A dry week prior to the race helped me achieve a sub 2hr finish. A bit of mist on top of Black Combe, but all nice and springy and no boggy bits to speak of on the top circuit round to White Combe. Thought I could get close to 2 hrs, but in the end absolutely 'nailed' it with 1:52:27.
A quicker time than Noonstone, when all around were doing slower than the week before. I'm sure it must have something to do with the % leg length that sinks into the peat bog. Being 50% in, must have a more detrimental effect on your race time than being 25% in.
Await the split time results with interest, but for now have to make do with the straightforward results
http://www.bcrunners.org.uk/races/black-combe/2011
New Chew 'O' Sun 6th March
Choice on this one was 4.5hrs Score Event, 3.5hrs Score Event, and a Scoreless event (find designated controls, no time limit)
I entered the sensible option of 3.5hrs Score, given the fact that I knew I was racing the day before. Albert S and Mark Sammon (paired) opted for 4.5hrs and Tony V and Paul Murray (paired) opted for the Scoreless. Controls had different values, furthest away from start had the highest points, being back late incurred penalties of three points per minute.
At the end of the day we all left with prizes for various reasons. Mostly alcohol, and something to drink it out of. So a definite result for the all the Bolton/Horwich contingent. Some minor quibbles about not being able to spot controls at twenty paces and time keeping but all in all a tough but satisfying event.
Will we be back next year? Jury's out on that one! Results available for perusal on Saddleworth's website here
http://www.saddleworth-runners.co.uk/results
(tab keys at bottom of excel page to bring up the results of the separate races)
I'll be out for a utup on Thursday this week. I notice that an official 'whistleblower' will be available on Foxholes from 6.30pm (see Horwich website). Will we be making use of this service?
TF
Well chuffed with the result for this one. A dry week prior to the race helped me achieve a sub 2hr finish. A bit of mist on top of Black Combe, but all nice and springy and no boggy bits to speak of on the top circuit round to White Combe. Thought I could get close to 2 hrs, but in the end absolutely 'nailed' it with 1:52:27.
A quicker time than Noonstone, when all around were doing slower than the week before. I'm sure it must have something to do with the % leg length that sinks into the peat bog. Being 50% in, must have a more detrimental effect on your race time than being 25% in.
Await the split time results with interest, but for now have to make do with the straightforward results
http://www.bcrunners.org.uk/races/black-combe/2011
New Chew 'O' Sun 6th March
Choice on this one was 4.5hrs Score Event, 3.5hrs Score Event, and a Scoreless event (find designated controls, no time limit)
I entered the sensible option of 3.5hrs Score, given the fact that I knew I was racing the day before. Albert S and Mark Sammon (paired) opted for 4.5hrs and Tony V and Paul Murray (paired) opted for the Scoreless. Controls had different values, furthest away from start had the highest points, being back late incurred penalties of three points per minute.
At the end of the day we all left with prizes for various reasons. Mostly alcohol, and something to drink it out of. So a definite result for the all the Bolton/Horwich contingent. Some minor quibbles about not being able to spot controls at twenty paces and time keeping but all in all a tough but satisfying event.
Will we be back next year? Jury's out on that one! Results available for perusal on Saddleworth's website here
http://www.saddleworth-runners.co.uk/results
(tab keys at bottom of excel page to bring up the results of the separate races)
I'll be out for a utup on Thursday this week. I notice that an official 'whistleblower' will be available on Foxholes from 6.30pm (see Horwich website). Will we be making use of this service?
TF
Friday, March 04, 2011
Thursday, March 03, 2011
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