Mallorca 2014

A few random pics with details of our trip at Out and About

Port Andratx

Puig Major – highest point on the island

Soller Tram

On the Barranc de Biaraitx

MTB Mallorcan style

In the Placa

On the hill

Looking down to Deia – yesterday’s lunch spot - highest peak in the mid distance to the right

At the top

Mirador

Well at Castel d’Alaro

Farmland in the valley

Evening at the Port

Tuesday 11th November

With no interest having been shown in a head-torch run to the Bomber Memorial, I am joining two of our ladies at the Horwich Stocks to set off for the Pike at 5:30 p.m, assisted by head-torches.

We are planning to view the poppy projected on the Pike Tower, no doubt there will be photographs. All welcome.

Words for Yesterday

Thank you, NLN, for your excellent (as usual) photos (see later for captions), long may you continue.

Just a small group, NLN Jim and self, with YJ meeting and greeting before he set off on his 18 mile road run.

We set off for the Bomber Memorial, agreeing that it 'seemed appropriate'. I dropped off the back fairly soon, but managed to overtake the leading pair with a different route choice, so that we all arrived at the memorial at the same time.

Jim expressed an interest in ancient local history, which prompted our photographer to demonstrate her knowledge of the route to the Pike Stones - no, they're not near the Pike. Then, finding a good trod, we were at Jepson's Gate in no time. Down the tarmac to Manor Farm and then footpath to join the lower route to Waterman's Cottage. Thence to Healey Nab, bumping into the Lostock Hopes on the way.

On leaving the Nab we made the mistake of allowing the ever loquacious Jim (ELJ?) to choose the route and about 5 minutes later he asked if either of us knew the way back to the Barn, as he hadn't a clue! A passing dog walker gave us some very vague guidance and we were soon on the 'usual' path home.

I'd dropped back again by the time the leaders reached the Barn, but I'm told that Jim kept on moving, returning to Horwich on foot.

According to my non-electronic measure we'd clocked up a very enjoyable 7.5 miles in about 2 hours 30; probably closer to 8 miles, as my wheel cuts corners - yes, all on its own.

Picture no. 3 - I think you might have got into a bit of a rut.

Picture no. 4 - That's where I had a d**p last week.

Picture no. 5 - Why do I look so little compared with Jim, when you can clearly see, by the way my left hand is positioned, that I am nearer to the camera than he is? Perhaps I am that little.

Was FSS pleased with his rugby result?

Saturday 8th November – Back to Reality!

After the glorious sunshine of Mallorca Healey Nab was a bit of a shock the system – still the company was good and a trot out to the Bomber Memorial seemed appropriate.  The ancient burial tumulus at Pike Stones featured en route – EtU will post the stats, my guess is seven or eight miles.  An early finish which given the conditions was welcome.  A bonus bump into JtE called for a hot choc in the Barn, a few more here 

The wisdom of the ancients….   in building their burial mound – Pike Stones

Magic Mushrooms

Captions anyone!

 

Bomber Memorial

Any interest in an evening headtorch run to the Bomber Memorial on Tuesday 11th November?

Time to suit interested parties. Departure point open to suggestions, possibly assemble somewhere with decent parking and then drive a bit closer in one vehicle.

Wild Camping - Surely Not!

TM talks of 'wild camping' in her newly acquired VW camper van - parked in a lay-by! Surely that can't be wild camping, how about 'vamping'?

Down and Up the Ramp - Saturday 1st November '14

To add a bit of variety to our Saturday morning outing we revisited the old First Tuesday Time Trial aka Down and Up the Ramp that I used to organise back in 1999 and 2000.  This consists of starting from the gate at the top of the Ramp, haring down the Ramp, taking recording your time as you touch the woodwork above the forestry and then racing back up to the top.

Assuming that you don't fall over (no-one did, so far as I know) this can achieve several things:- a measure of your descending ability, a measure of your ascending ability, a comparison of these two (perhaps indicating where extra work is needed) and, most probably, sore quads.

The plot was to have a staggered start (to match the staggering at the finish) so that we'd all finish reasonably close together, but due in part to me inhaling toilet paper (no it hadn't been soaked in LSD - more details can be provided if required), folk had set off before I got there, so the start was a bit a bit (only a bit?) of a shambles.

Self recorded times (down, up, total and down/up %age):-

TM 8:21 15:50 24:11 52.7%

KLM 8:46 16:05 24:51 54.5%

Jim 10:01 14:59 25:00 66.9%

EtU 10:57 16:07 27:04 67.9%

YJ 15:29 16:03 31:32 94.7%

What does this tell us? Christa is the fastest descender and the fastest overall. Kev is nowhere near as slow on the descent as he reckons. Jim's a mean climber. I'm a bad all rounder and John needs to brush up on his descending skills. No-one managed sub 50% for their down/up ratio - but this can easily be achieved by going for it downhill, and then strolling casually up - but no-one would do this on purpose, would they?

Folks' electronic kit tells us the one way distance is 1.05 miles, so even downhill, only Christa managed a sub 8 minute mile.

Yorkshire Two Peaks

If anybody is interested, here's a link to my blog post from Wednesday.  I still think Ed will do a much better write up than me though, mine is very dull and pretty short really.

http://6legs2heads.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/the-yorkshire-two-peaks.html

P.S. I'll be UTUPing tomorrow.

Winter Solstice 'Do'

There didn't seem very much interest in an evening do for the Autumn Equinox, so I didn't organise anything.

The best day for a winter do would, for me, be Friday 19th December; if you fancy that can you let me know and I'll try and book us in somewhere, probably the Black Horse at Limbrick.  We could even call it our Christmas 'Do' and have party hats and everything...

...or perhaps not.  Your call.

Toughing it out on the Trough

If training goes well and recovery from the Langdale marathon continues I am planning a road  run round the Trough of Bowland on Weds 19th Nov,  a distance of about 26 miles.

EtU took on this challenge on a very hot day about three years ago, a run I was due to do with him but from which  I had to back out due to injury.  Since then it has been planned that I would tackle the run  with  his time of 5hr 20mins (approx) as a target and with his support from a following car to provide food and drink.

I realise road running  is not everyone's favourite pastime but if anyone wishes to join us for all or part of this venture they are most welcome. If  there is sufficient interest it may be possible to change the date to a weekend. 

As ever at the moment all plans are subject to the scheduled operation on my shoulder.  As yet there is no hint of a date.

Coniston Outlyers and Wasdale Wander – Sat/Sun 18/19 October

A Saturday bagging summits, a variety of Wainright’s outlyers, Birketts and Marilyns followed by the Joss Naylor Dinner a The Bridge and a Wander around Wasdale on Sunday morning led by the man himself.  Very enjoyable : )  Few more here

 

Sunshine on Morcambe Bay from Coniston Fells

 

 

Wasdale residents

 

Boat house on Wastwater

Saturday 25th October

I'm UTUPING - anyone else?

The power of 10K

Disappointed at my Fleet half marathon time slipping out of  the Power of 10 rankings the Parbold 10K, which was advertised as a course suitable for PBs, seemed a good opportunity to return to the age group listings.

Unfortunately the organisers were a trifle liberal with their use of the English language and what promised to be a fast course was in fact undulating with a steady climb during the last mile. However, recent   training on the hilly roads around Winter Hill proved their worth and gave me a finishing time of 51 mins 14 secs, fast enough to win a bottle of wine (I was the only over 75). I also beat the winner of the over 70s, who is member of the national duathlon team, so a worthy scalp to take.

Tomorrow

I shall be UTUPing tomorrow, Saturday October 18th,  but only for a short outing as I am planning to run the Parbold 10K on Saturday.

Couple of pics from Saturday's outing

 

Floating mast

Chilling at the barn (photo by Ray McGloin)

Langdale Fell Race - Saturday 11th October

Earlier rain made for treacherous conditions for the racers resulting in our mate TYC being airlifted off with a dislocated knee.  He’s resting up and planning to be back on the fells before too long

FSS suffering from a poorly knee so I had company on the hill for a bit of a trot and some snapping.  More in the usual place if you fancy it.

Gatekeeper

From The Band

Three Tarns

 

 

Suzanne

Bad Step

Martin

Last Saturday

Thanks EtU for your kind words. It is obvious from my performance that I have a mountain to climb.

Saturday 11th October

A happy little outing, with TM, KLM, YJ, self and last, but definitely not least, JtE! Good to have you back John.

Without an obvious leader we weren't really sure where to go but eventually opted for the Pike, Two Lads, the Trig Point, Hordern Stoops, the Bomber Memorial and back to Rivington Green via Alance Bridge.  At that point YJ and I decided that we had permission to play out for a little longer and roamed through the gardens whilst the others headed back to the barn for refreshments.

The cafe set probably clocked up a good 9 miles, whilst the bros went well over 11.

Good to have a bigger group than of late, and especially good to have our senior member back on board.

I'm up in the Lakes on the 18th (Joss Naylor Dinner and probably the Screes Race) but hopefully someone will take my place at the barn and keep the numbers up.

Tomorrow

I will be UTUPping tomorrow, Saturday  11th October.

Does anybody fancy going to 'Ell and back on Sunday

I wouldn't mind having a go at this challenge event - 20 miles in Calderdale, 9.30 start for runners. Does anyone fancy going over with me? Details here.

Saturday 4th October

I'm UTUPing, but only out until 11:00.

Bowland Fells – Sunday 29th September

Good conditions for a run out over Toridge Fell, passing Langdale Castle – more details here 

Langden Castle

 

 

Saturday 27th September

I'm UTUPing.

Langdale Marathon - 20th September 2014

In conditions perfect for running and just three days after his 75th birthday, YJ stormed round this two lap hilly course in just 4 hours and 37 minutes and in the process left all the V65s and all but two of the V60s trailing in his wake (there was no other runner older than 69).

As he crossed the finish line in front of the New Dungeon Ghyll, his younger brother still had 6 miles to 'run'!

I think the only time I smiled (except for Josie's photograph) was when I asked the whereabouts of the electric sweeper car and was told that when fully charged, it was good for 28 miles. Fine for the marathon it was thought, but no allowance had been made for the distance from the charging point in Ambleside to the start of the race some distance up the Langdale Valley. Seems like our Duracell Bunny carried more charge than theirs!

Ladies will no doubt be pleased to hear that one Katherine Cousins, of Lancaster and Morcambe AC, placed 5th overall, beating all the senior men. Vets took the first four places, with Steven Prentice the outright winner in 3:05 and Glyn Kay of Horwich second in 3:11.

Not a lot more to say other than to repeat my congratulations to John and to return once more to the drawing board - I'm wearing a path in the carpet!

Full results on John Schofield's website.

Three Shires Fell Race - Saturday 20th September

With FSS nursing a poorly knee, we opted for a hill bagging day collecting a couple of Wainrights and nine Birketts.  Crossing the path of the racers gave us the chance to snap a few locals more details here if it’s of interest : )

 

 

 

Lake District Mountain Trial Sunday 14th Sept

Me and KLM and a posse of local Lancasterians travelled up on Sunday at 'bleary-eyed-O-clock' to do battle with the Cumbrian Fells.

 

This year the location was Patterdale. The LDMT is organised so that you have to run a bit, following a taped route before you get to the map issueing point. First nervy bit 'am I heading the right direction' to get my map. Two fast lads had set off immediately before me and had disappeared up the lane out of sight.

 

So it was with some relief that I got the map in hand. The relief didn't last long. The first control looked straightforward enough as did the last, the bit in between - well I'll let you decide which way you would have gone by checking the link to the routegadget site on this page http://results.sportident.co.uk/home/event.html?eventid=a1c3fec1-b9de-43c0-93a7-9a80b55df790 . This is a new version, it's supposed to work better on all computers but I have a conflict on my computers at work, but it will now work on apple devices which it didn't before.

 

KLM had set off 2 mins before me and I managed to catch up on the descent into the Grisedale valley. We both opted for a route climbing up to the 'Hole in the wall' on the Striding Edge ridge, where we parted company and KLM carried on the climb up Swirral Edge and I opted for the 'duffers' route contouring around Catsye Cam and onto the path around Keppel Cove to then skirt round the summit of White Side. Our 2nd control being a sheepfold about halfway down Helvellyn Gill. KLM had already said hello to the Marshalls nestled in its walls by the time I arrived.

 

By the time we both reached the 4th control KLM was still ahead (check the 'winsplits') but I managed to claw back some time by doing an 'up and over' whilst he took a contouring route to the 5th control. All the courses had this control and the next one as their last 2 controls. I note that a couple of runners on the long course have plotted an 'up and over' route to the last control - that definitely deserves some respect!

 

I think the % of non-finishers over all the courses shows how tough a day it was. For myself given the lack of training over the last 2 months (distracted by having new kitchen done) I was chuffed to make it round in one piece. Having plotted my route I got 17.5m and about 6500ft climb, as you can imagine stairs are tricky at the moment.

 

Can't wait for a fortnights time when I get further 2 days in the Lakes of map reading and route choice with an even heavier rucksack!

 

TF

 

 

Lake District Mountain Trial Sunday 14th September

Some familiar names on the LDMTA 'medium' course results. Well done folks!

Photos anybody?

A Run out from Kettlewell - Sunday 14th September

A few more here it it’s of interest

Heading down to Starbottom

Along the path back to Kettlewell

t'Yorkshire-man 10k

Original plan this weekend was to do Hodder Show Fell Race on Saturday and then drive over from there with Julie to York and on Sunday support Diane in a 10k.
Logistics in the end meant that Hodder Valley would have to be missed so I'd did the UTUP on Saturday morning with EtU, TF and Rachel (Ed, have you a publishable nom de plume for your daughter?) After a very sluggish climb up Two Lads, I decided to call it a day and return to the UP. I had it in mind to enter Diane's race on the Sunday but was a little apprehensive as I suspected I still had tiredness in my legs from the GRP - certainly felt tired on Thursday's 3 hour run.
Diane was quite happy to have her dad in the same race, so after a rushed breakfast and good few glasses of Rioja the previous evening, we headed over to Newby Hall to give us an hour before the 10.30 start. Registration was somewhat hectic as some glitch meant that many of the pre-registered had to register again.
After a few minutes delay and the 2k fun run, I lined up with Diane somewhere near the back of the runners, planning to run the first few hundred metres alongside Diane. By the time I reached the start line, which I now know to have taken 13 seconds, I could hold back no longer as the pace around me seemed a little slow (and I was last after 200 metres at Henderson's End earlier in the year, so it must have been slow). I managed to weave my way around the other runners and got up to my planned pace over the next kilometre.
I'm used to the rest of the runners being strung out around, thinned out in my customary position at the back of the field. This was now happening but with a subtle difference - I wasn't at the back of the field.
I passed one bloke who I thought may be in the same age category and thought of the possibility of a paucity of V55 runners ahead of me. The final kilometre came and the tiredness must have affected me as I lost six places, including  to my potential rival. However, the finishing clock did make me happy, a few seconds over 46 minutes, some four minutes quicker than my last 10k, the supposedly fast course of the Manchester 10k last year. My garmin, showed the course as marginally short by 80 metres but as it was 70% off road, that is hardly surprising.
The prizegiving came but was very limited, no category prizes, think it was just first three m/f and first veteran under 40!!! I did manage to get a peak at the results which showed that I had finished 40th with a chip time of 46:00.
The full results are now up and include age-related performance which make pleasant reading as my result was 8th best amongst the men, with three women having better results, out of 262 finishers. So for once, this tail-end Charlie is quite happy with his race - and looking the age-related performances think I must have been first V55. It also puts me in the Runbritain top 100 V55 10k in the North West - still a long way to go to match the likes of anyone called John though.
Oh, the race was called the Yorkshire 10k, although I don't think it could be classed as a championship race.

This Week

Thursday 11th - Fielden Cup (handicap) from Jolly Crofters/Georges lane - guests welcome.

Saturday 13th - UTUPing.

Settle Up

At 8 o'clock last night I was running(?) up Pen y Ghent on my own in the dark! No I am not completely mad but I must admit that I hadn't planned it at all. I had contacted the local running group, Settle Harriers, and having been told that Monday night sessions were slower and easier than Wednesday's, I duly turned up at Helwith Bridge at 7.30, expecting to meet lots of other runners. Exactly two other runners as it happened, both of whom were much younger, much fitter and much more used to the fells than me. Where are we going I asked: up Pen y Ghent they said! OK it is only three miles to PyG from Helwith Bridge but also about 1700 ft of climbing and it was going dark. I managed to stay with them for just over a mile but was clearly holding them back, so they went on ahead, promising to meet me on their way down. Things improved after that: I don't know if I relaxed or just got used to the gradient, but I managed to get almost to where the path on the 3 Peaks route joined my path, when I met the others coming back. They hadn't made the summit, turning back at the first rocky section instead. The descent was interesting: my head torch which was fine in the Thames Valley, was as much use as an ashtray on a motorbike at 2000ft on PyG. Fortunately, one of the others had a very powerful torch and we got down without mmishap. A very welcome pint then followed and they asked if I was going to turn out on Wednesday. I said I would but if that was the easy session, I think more embarrassment is in store tomorrow.

Clan Kavanagh v The Rest of The World - Now With News From The Front!

A much increased field for this year's Tri Winter Hill:-

From the left:- Allan, Dave and self (RoTW), then Mary, John and Margaret (CK).

On this beautifully sunny day, Dave went into the lead followed by the CK, with Allan and me following. John dropped back temporarily due to a rucksac malfunction, but soon moved back into second place.

We had decided that without a support team, the logical swim direction would be east to west so that we would then run barefoot back along the bank to re-shoe ourselves before returning to transition for the bikes. John obviously didn't fancy going barefoot and swam back, completing his full swim in a remarkable 14 minutes and 6 seconds - I'd been told to expect something special from his swim, and he didn't disappoint.

From here I completely lost contact with the sharp end, so I'll hand over to Mary:-

"I was very briefly in the lead, leaving the car park first on the bike.  Dave soon overtook me.  After the descent into Rivington I caught up Dave again and then John went flying past both of us.  That spurred Dave on I think and he overtook John on the climb up Chorley Old Road. Dave kept his lead from there.  A good contest!"

Dave had the fastest ride in 46 minutes with John just behind in 47, closely followed by Mary in 50 minutes. Dave also had the fastest run with 57 minutes, with Mary and John both showing 61minutes.

Final positions:-

Dave          2:39
John           2:41
Mary          2:44
Margaret    3:00
Allan          3:26
Ed             3.55

Although Dave had some good moving times, he admitted that his overall time suffered due to sloppy transitions. Mary must have given the top two some concern, running them both very close. Was there any change of positions after starting the run back from the swim?

Team Result:- 1st Clan Kavanagh 9 points   2nd Rest of The World 12 points.

With regard to the barefoot run back to the shoes, there has been a suggestion that this added something to the uniqueness of the event, perhaps a good job no-one skinnied!

Up and Above Longsleddale - Saturday 6th September

Turned into a great day on the fells after an unpromising start – more here if it’s of interest

Survey Pillar

Haweswater from Little Harter Fell

Bridleway down to Sadgill

Looking from Sadgill down Longsleddale

Tuesday Night on Winter Hill

and what a night it was – few more here

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday 6th September

I'm UTUPing on Saturday.

St Bega's Ultra - Saturday 30th August 2014

As a change from all my recent exploits, on this occasion, I am pleased to report a small degree of success!

This 36 mile trail race (advertised as 35 miles but generally reckoned to be anything up to 37) starts from near the lower osprey view point overlooking Bassenthwaite, through Portinscale, down the west side of Derwent Water to the first checkpoint in Rosthwaite Institute.

Then it's up to Honnister Quarry via the old drovers' road, and then up to cross the Brandreth Fence and down Loft Beck into Ennerdale and past Black Sail Hut to the second checkpoint at Low Gillerthwaite Field Centre.

Thence the route continues to Ennerdale Bridge, picks up the footpath alongside the Cold Fell road before striking right along the lovely Uldale to climb Dent Fell and down to ckeckpoint three at Cleator Hall.

Then, mostly following cycle paths, a further four miles to the finish at St Bee's School.

My main concern, before the start, was my usual one of meeting the cut-offs. I was 25 minutes inside the CP1 cut-off, which lifted some of the pressure and also my spirits. 33 minutes inside at Low Gillerthwaite after the climb up Honnister and down into Ennerdale. I lost some of this advantage on leg three, but was still 22 minutes ahead at Cleator. I had been last up to this point, but caught up a small happy band (Liz, Jane, Darren and Richard) here and together we picked up the pace to finally finish 43 minutes inside the 12 hour limit, having passed a couple of other tail-enders a couple of miles out. My final position was 96th out of 100 finishers.

Verdict:- a fine, extremely well organised event, manned entirely by the small but very enthusiastic local St Bees Triers - a smashing group of people. Two drawback for me:- the very detailed route instructions (14 A5 sides of narrative supported by the same number of maps) meant that I 'ran' the full thing in my glasses and also I hadn't realised the extent of the provisions that were provided at the checkpoints, so was weighed down by 35 miles' worth of food and drink - when in doubt, read the instructions!

If anyone is interested, they can have a 'borrow' of the route book.

Thank you TM, for your good wishes, you might have made the difference!

Tri Winter Hill - Sunday 7th September

Yes, I'm afraid that it's another of my "made up" events, back for its second annual running.

9:00 a.m start from Horrocks Fold car park GR 694 132.

Everyone is welcome to participate in all three disciplines, but company on any part is also welcome. I am anticipating a 50% increase on last year's entry.

What would be particularly helpful is someone to help with the swim, transferring kit from one end of the reservoir to the other; if you are a competent lifeguard, that would be an added bonus! You would need to be on duty from about 9:10 to 10:00. It's a self timed event, so no recording duty is involved, other than checking that the same number of folk leave the water as entered it!

If you can commit to the kit move, please can you let me know then I need look no further.