Walk write up HERE
Funghi on the walk up to the ridge
Ian at the trigpoint at Alfabia Summit
Atmospheric conditions
Not Winter Hill! Telecommunications masts on Alfabia Ridge
L’Ofre as the cloud rolls in
New found friend!
Monday, November 12, 2012
Winter Solstice "Do"
Thought that it might be time to let someone else have the opportunity to arrange this. Please form an orderly queue.
Which, in case it crops up in a pub quiz, is, so far as I know, the only word that is pronounced the same with, or without, its last four letters.
Which, in case it crops up in a pub quiz, is, so far as I know, the only word that is pronounced the same with, or without, its last four letters.
Barranc de Biniaraix – Ses Heures - Sementer Gran – Es Cornadors
Walk write up HERE
Soller in sunlight with Biniaraix in the foreground
A rare sight in the Barranc
Refreshments
Looking back down the gorge
One of the few terraces still farmed
Es Cornadors
Back in Biniaraix with the sun low in the sky
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Rab Mini MM Coniston Sun 11th Nov (4hr Score event - for the cognoscenti)
Well you know what they say about the shoes completing the outfit, well mine certainly did that if I'd been a first-timer on the fells and didn't know any better.
Must have looked like someone tottering around on 6inch heels, apart from when I was doing an impression of Brian the Snail off Magic Roundabout. Went for the ones that offered comfort and warm toes instead of grip, and paid the price on number of controls visited. Forecast had suggested worse weather than we actually got.
Anyway a lovely day out of the fells, despite the numerous slips. My route for the day took me from the Miners Bridge up past the Youth Hostel to Levers Water and a climb to Levers Hawse. The 'Duddon' traverse (including a slight pause following a contratente with a slippy slab of rock) to Goats Hause. A contour to the stream at GR275971 (west of Buck Pike) and thence to White Maiden. Some unfortunate souls headed for White Pike instead. Having been on it now should know if I've got it wrong in the Duddon race in future if the clag is down.
Return to the finish was via Blind Tarn, a contour around Little Arrow Moor dropping for one on the Walna Scar Road to then climb to the middle knoll on the Bell then (past the finish at Miners Bridge!) for a final out and back for a 10 pointer on Dixon Ground.
By my reckoning with the correct shoes I should have been capable of at least one more control worth 20 points. Hey hum, such is life.
TF
Well you know what they say about the shoes completing the outfit, well mine certainly did that if I'd been a first-timer on the fells and didn't know any better.
Must have looked like someone tottering around on 6inch heels, apart from when I was doing an impression of Brian the Snail off Magic Roundabout. Went for the ones that offered comfort and warm toes instead of grip, and paid the price on number of controls visited. Forecast had suggested worse weather than we actually got.
Anyway a lovely day out of the fells, despite the numerous slips. My route for the day took me from the Miners Bridge up past the Youth Hostel to Levers Water and a climb to Levers Hawse. The 'Duddon' traverse (including a slight pause following a contratente with a slippy slab of rock) to Goats Hause. A contour to the stream at GR275971 (west of Buck Pike) and thence to White Maiden. Some unfortunate souls headed for White Pike instead. Having been on it now should know if I've got it wrong in the Duddon race in future if the clag is down.
Return to the finish was via Blind Tarn, a contour around Little Arrow Moor dropping for one on the Walna Scar Road to then climb to the middle knoll on the Bell then (past the finish at Miners Bridge!) for a final out and back for a 10 pointer on Dixon Ground.
By my reckoning with the correct shoes I should have been capable of at least one more control worth 20 points. Hey hum, such is life.
TF
Friday, November 09, 2012
Thursday, November 08, 2012
Wednesday, November 07, 2012
Shepherd's Skyline Sat 4th Nov 10K/350m
A slight shock to the system following a long lay off from 'short' racing.
It's a popular race, but as I neared to turn onto Lambuts Rd (used for parking) cars were doing 'u' turns and had me thinking that there were more entrants than normal. So parked up and prepared myself for a mile and half or so of jog on tarmac to the pub. 100yrds into my 'warm up' source of the problem was down to an ambulance parked up outside a house at the narrowest point on the road.
Decided I was lucky on two counts, a) not having a trip in said ambulance and b) likely to be in top 300 not top 500.
Plenty of photographers out on the course but I especially liked this photo by Dave Woodhead with Stoodley Pike in the background (don't say that very often about photos of me). Notice how colour co-ordinated I am with my pink top to match the pink piping on my leggings, makes a change from all black. Shame about the slight clash with the obligatory club vest and hat.
A slight shock to the system following a long lay off from 'short' racing.
It's a popular race, but as I neared to turn onto Lambuts Rd (used for parking) cars were doing 'u' turns and had me thinking that there were more entrants than normal. So parked up and prepared myself for a mile and half or so of jog on tarmac to the pub. 100yrds into my 'warm up' source of the problem was down to an ambulance parked up outside a house at the narrowest point on the road.
Decided I was lucky on two counts, a) not having a trip in said ambulance and b) likely to be in top 300 not top 500.
Plenty of photographers out on the course but I especially liked this photo by Dave Woodhead with Stoodley Pike in the background (don't say that very often about photos of me). Notice how colour co-ordinated I am with my pink top to match the pink piping on my leggings, makes a change from all black. Shame about the slight clash with the obligatory club vest and hat.
A touch slower than 2010, so it'll be interesting to see what happens at TofP and how my time compares to 2010 and 2011. Somewhere between the two would be good, but may be weather dependent.
TF
Tuesday - Es Tossals (3435ft) and Puig sa Font (3507ft) from Cuber
Details here if more of Mallorcan’s mountains appeal :)
Cuber Reservoir from the climb up to the ridge
Train arrived from Palma in Soller
Digs/Hotel Eden (centre)
Tram drivers meeting
Port de Soller by night
Wednesday – tourist day – Lluc, Porto Pollensa
Monastery at Lluc
Back at the Port and the weather picks up
Busy at the beach
Beer before dinner
Sunday and Monday in the Tramuntana Mountains
Sunday – Es Teix summit from Valldemossa
More here
Mixed weather day
The lighthouse above Port de Soller
Market – Valldemossa
Valldemossa
The Bay of Palma from Es Teix summit
The Port of Valldemossa is about 6Km from the town and the high winds had whipped up the sea into a frenzy
Driving back to Port de Soller gave us this amazing light on the mountains from the setting sun
Puig Major catching the sun
Back at the Port for a beer in the setting sun, watching the trams and the world go by 
Monday - Sa Rateta and L’Ofre summits
Details here
Puig Major
All eyes upon us
Looking down at the plateau farm from the summit of L’Ofre
Sunset from the lighthouse above the Port
Tuesday, November 06, 2012
The Trigs
Monday, November 05, 2012
Through the Villages
Ran my first race since the cross bay thingy on Sunday. 8.45 miles through the villages of Wheelton, Brinscall, Withnell and Abbey Village. Very scenic, very undulating and very gorgeous weather.
Managed to finish in 1;23 so below 10 min mile pace which I was chuffed with given the climbs.
Once again I was first Horwich RMI lady.
Managed to finish in 1;23 so below 10 min mile pace which I was chuffed with given the climbs.
Once again I was first Horwich RMI lady.
Runaround
As some of you will be aware T’Yorkshireman has re-launched “Runaround”, the Harriers’ monthly magazine, with a November issue. It is informative and provides a useful link between the club, its members and anyone else interested. I suggest that we give T’Y support in this venture. The magazine is provided by e-mail and to get it T’Y should be contacted at gordon@soulfulhorwich.org.uk and he will include you on his mailing list.
The Three Winter Hill Trigs
An attempt to visit all three trigpoints on Winter Hill on Saturday was only partially successful (no further detail will be published) but offers an opportunity for the navigators amongst you.
Can we have suggestions for the optimum (fastest) route, starting at the Top Barn (a la Coope's Dozen), visiting all three, and returning to the start.
The one near Matchmoor isn't on access land, but is very close to a public right of way, so shouldn't be a problem. The one overlooking Smithills is on the edge of access land, possibly just a yard or two outside. Suggest the main Winter Hill trig is visited last to allow for a fast final run in to the finish.
Can we have suggestions for the optimum (fastest) route, starting at the Top Barn (a la Coope's Dozen), visiting all three, and returning to the start.
The one near Matchmoor isn't on access land, but is very close to a public right of way, so shouldn't be a problem. The one overlooking Smithills is on the edge of access land, possibly just a yard or two outside. Suggest the main Winter Hill trig is visited last to allow for a fast final run in to the finish.
Saturday, November 03, 2012
Quite a hard day's walk (Wednesday)
With the weather forecast decidedly on the wet side and I'd not told anyone to expect me to turn up for the LDWA walk over Pendle I chose to "do my own thing"which would allow me to alter my route should the weather turn particularly inclement.
After sorting a few jobs out I was eventually on my way from Wilderswood with a plan to head via Two Lads over Winter Hill then down to Belmont before picking up Witton Weavers Way on Catherine Edge and then if I felt I had time, off up to to Darwen Tower.
Amazingly the rain held off so I was able to dine at the blustery Darwen Tower before heading down to Hollinshead Hall and up to Great Hill from Piccadilly. Finally at around 2pm the rain started : I think I'd done very well to get over four hours walking in dry conditions overhead. Underfoot of course it was as wet is has been for many months. At least I was on the descent to White Coppice so the strong wind at the top of Great Hill would reduce.
In my head I think of Darwen Tower as being the halfway mark at under 9 miles but you soon realise that it is far from the truth with the climb back from Rivington to Wilderswood being much further than you think it is, despite having run that stretch (or at least to Pike Cottage) so many times on a Saturday morning.
I reached the car just before dusk with the Garmin recording 20.2 miles and 3800 feet of climb in 6hrs 56. I'd hoped to maintain 3mph (including lunch break) but just fell short at 2.9mph. Considering the climb and the conditions underfoot I suppose that is quite reasonable, bearing in mind that today's UTUP run returned only 3.4mph. Below are screen grabs from google earth of the route and the profile.
After sorting a few jobs out I was eventually on my way from Wilderswood with a plan to head via Two Lads over Winter Hill then down to Belmont before picking up Witton Weavers Way on Catherine Edge and then if I felt I had time, off up to to Darwen Tower.
Amazingly the rain held off so I was able to dine at the blustery Darwen Tower before heading down to Hollinshead Hall and up to Great Hill from Piccadilly. Finally at around 2pm the rain started : I think I'd done very well to get over four hours walking in dry conditions overhead. Underfoot of course it was as wet is has been for many months. At least I was on the descent to White Coppice so the strong wind at the top of Great Hill would reduce.
In my head I think of Darwen Tower as being the halfway mark at under 9 miles but you soon realise that it is far from the truth with the climb back from Rivington to Wilderswood being much further than you think it is, despite having run that stretch (or at least to Pike Cottage) so many times on a Saturday morning.
I reached the car just before dusk with the Garmin recording 20.2 miles and 3800 feet of climb in 6hrs 56. I'd hoped to maintain 3mph (including lunch break) but just fell short at 2.9mph. Considering the climb and the conditions underfoot I suppose that is quite reasonable, bearing in mind that today's UTUP run returned only 3.4mph. Below are screen grabs from google earth of the route and the profile.
Friday, November 02, 2012
Anagram drinking part 2
Of course the obersvant among you will have noted that Rob should have owned a vet not a vest! When I saw them I said "Hi. Cry Less Beer" but clearly to no effect.
Anagram Drinking
A pleasant night drinking with Widest Dwarf and Robs Little Vest. Looking forward to visiting the 3 trig points tomorrow.
Thursday, November 01, 2012
Preston Guild Marathon 28th October 2012
With Preston being my home town and the route passing within a couple of hundred yards of my and YJ's (and most of the rest of the family's) primary school this had to be done.
Unfortunately, as you'll be aware, YJ has been injured for some time. What you may not be aware of is that after my initial enthusiasm I was a little lacking in motivation, to the extent that in the months leading up to the race I rarely got in much more than 30 miles a week.
So it was with some trepidation that I toed the line just befor 9:00 a.m last Sunday, having been treated to an extra hour hour in bed, courtesy of our reversion to GMT. Having done a couple of 10k's recently at about 8:45 minute per mile pace, the plan was to run just below 10 minute mile pace until the wheels fell off, and then to move into survival mode.
Despite the awful weather, things went more or less to plan and I went through 10 miles in about 1:38, but then lost a couple of minutes due to 'having to climb a gate', then went through the half in 2:12. Climbed a couple more gates during the second half and started to slow, but eventually finished in 4:43/4:44 (chip/gun). Not good, but could have been worse, considering the wall to wall rain.
The men's race was won by Ben Fish of Blackburn Harriers in 2:21, which seems to be a good time for a fairly low key provincial race. First lady was Emma Curtis-Smith of Bearbrook in 3:00.
Results at:- http://www.prestonguild2012.com/resources/files/294_Results%20-%20Preston%20Guild%20Marathon.pdf
You'll see that PS (Chris) ran 4:01/4:03. Not having seen him at the start, I'd assumed he was way in front of me, but he caught me up at about the 2 mile mark, chatted a bit, and then cruised comfortably away to eventually take over 40 minutes out of me.
Congratulations to BIL2x who was a doubtful a week before the race and then had a stormer, taking the overal V60 prize in 3:13.
Photo below courtesy of PS's mate.
Unfortunately, as you'll be aware, YJ has been injured for some time. What you may not be aware of is that after my initial enthusiasm I was a little lacking in motivation, to the extent that in the months leading up to the race I rarely got in much more than 30 miles a week.
So it was with some trepidation that I toed the line just befor 9:00 a.m last Sunday, having been treated to an extra hour hour in bed, courtesy of our reversion to GMT. Having done a couple of 10k's recently at about 8:45 minute per mile pace, the plan was to run just below 10 minute mile pace until the wheels fell off, and then to move into survival mode.
Despite the awful weather, things went more or less to plan and I went through 10 miles in about 1:38, but then lost a couple of minutes due to 'having to climb a gate', then went through the half in 2:12. Climbed a couple more gates during the second half and started to slow, but eventually finished in 4:43/4:44 (chip/gun). Not good, but could have been worse, considering the wall to wall rain.
The men's race was won by Ben Fish of Blackburn Harriers in 2:21, which seems to be a good time for a fairly low key provincial race. First lady was Emma Curtis-Smith of Bearbrook in 3:00.
Results at:- http://www.prestonguild2012.com/resources/files/294_Results%20-%20Preston%20Guild%20Marathon.pdf
You'll see that PS (Chris) ran 4:01/4:03. Not having seen him at the start, I'd assumed he was way in front of me, but he caught me up at about the 2 mile mark, chatted a bit, and then cruised comfortably away to eventually take over 40 minutes out of me.
Congratulations to BIL2x who was a doubtful a week before the race and then had a stormer, taking the overal V60 prize in 3:13.
Photo below courtesy of PS's mate.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
