Coope’s Dozen

I am sorry to say that I am no longer able to provide the hospitality for this event as I have done over the years. Nevertheless, if the run can take place without my support then why not? I am up for it on the 30th. July or on some other date.

Wednesday night entertainment

Last night's run was from the posh bit of Cheshire, Mobberley. A navigating event organized by the Manchester orienteering club. As with the previous two events I'd done, you got a choice of being out for 60mins or 90mins. I thought 60mins of running would suffice. The organizer promised that it wouldn't be as 'hilly' as normal but there was a good network of paths and tracks and plenty of choice of controls to visit. Just what the Doctor ordered then for post-Wasdale recovery.

A long briefing session before the off, which boiled down to 'don't upset the locals, as we won't be invited back!' I'd already recce'd the start/finish area and decided that the field behind the pub was a 'no-go' area due to presence of cows with calves. The map is a version of the 1:25 OS map, scaled up to approx 1:16. We got given a minute to look at the map to plan our route and then off we went. A definite lack of contour lines evident, the controls seemed quite spread out and there was lots of fields with the potential for livestock.

Was doing ok up to 30mins, then I made a bit of a duff choice to go to one control, which I abandoned as I couldn't find a way through a load of brambles and hedgerow for the ROW/footpath. This meant a change of route which ultimately lead to (yes, you've guessed it) a field of cows. Big and little black and white ones, about 30 of them all standing on the footpath halfway down the field. The footpath ran along the edge of the field so I tried to make a wide sweep to avoid them, but they started to charge towards me. So I turned round and sprinted back to the gate (painful). When safely behind the metal, I turned round to find they'd disappeared! Unbeknown to me they'd cut through the hedge, into the neighbouring field having been 'spooked' by a runner coming the opposite way across the field. He said they were friendly, and a bit playful. Didn't look exactly playful when they were charging at me!

Well the 'playful' bit cost me a point, as all this toing-froing meant I arrived back late to the finish. Will await the results to see how every one else coped, I certainly didn't manage to visit as many controls as the previous two events, at least I've got Wasdale as an excuse + the 'friendly' cows.

TF

Coope's Dozen

Not many years back we had settled on the Saturday before Borrowdale for our annual group tour of this round. Last year, due to what we thought might be a poor turnout, we didn't do it, although I was later to learn that Tony Alexander had toed the line alone, sorry Tony.

Any interest this year in the30th July (which coincides with Whittle Pike), or some other date?

Views?

My new toy

Basking in my success, I thought I'd treat myself. I now have a new watch (Suunto) that not only tells the time, but can tell me my direction and altitude. Currently I'm sat in my office at work at 11.45am, facing south and at -37m (office on first floor of building). Me thinks I need to read the instructions again!

I'm hoping to get a bit of practice in, especially with the altimeter to help with Mountain Marathons. So will be bringing the OS map on Thurs to test it out. Expect lots of stop & starts!

TF

Winning ways

After pleading tiredness from the Penine Way run to account for my poor training performances of late I am embarrassed to report a better than expected time for the Catforth 10k on Sunday. Finishing in 47mins 53secs I took the prize for the first Over 70 (I was the only over 70) and quickly converted my winners voucher into a pair of shorts.

It is a very fast and flat two lap course with no hills save those over canal bridges. The second placed runner was from Salford club who had ridden in the Manchester to Blackpool cycle event, stopped off in Catforth, done the 10K race and then continued with the ride to Blackpool.

Don't we know of another Salford runner who did rather well at the weekend? Well done TF - Wasdale is one of the toughest races in the Calendar.

Wivlesfield Wobbler

Yesterday after a gap of six and a half years, I pinned a number to my vest and entered a race! My middle daughter Rebecca (who some of you will remember) has been living on the South coast for several years and now runs for Worthing Harriers. This club is part of a group who compete in the West Sussex Running League and the Wivlesfield Wobbler is one of the events. Rebecca was running and suggested that since it wasn't far (4.5 miles) and mainly off road, that I should try it. So there I was at 11am yesterday lined up near the back of the field with just two ambitions; to run all the way and not to be last! I am pleased to say that I succeeded in both ambitions although the last half mile was a struggle, as much due to the heat as anything else (or that's my excuse). It was nice to compete again as I had forgotten what a race was like, however, however pleased I was with my efforts, they pale into insignificance compared with TF's wonderful achievement at Wasdale - well done indeed.
Just for the record it took me just over 43 mins (a pw) - Rebecca beat me by 10 minutes!

TLoB

Wasdale 2011

First of all lots of thank yous. To all the wfdbwgua members for all your support and encouragement, to Rhys Findlay-Robinson for taking on the mantle of stand-in organizer, the team of marshals and helpers that make one of the toughest fell races happen and finally the weather-gods for providing near perfect conditions.

Race plan was the same as Duddon, set off at a pace and keep it going for as long as possible. Cut-offs were as follows, Whin Rigg 1hr, Seatallan 2hr 25, Pillar 3hr 25, Great Gable 4hr 30.

Whin Rigg in 51:27 so good solid start.
Seatallan in 2:11:48 - was chuffed with this as it really gave me a good cushion for later.
Pillar in 3:17:48 - not the 10mins clear I was hoping for, but not a disaster.

So nearly there. Got to Black Sail pass with 52 mins to go, Beck Head with 24 mins to go, getting stressed and worried about the touch of cramp I kept getting in left thigh. Kept checking my watch on the way up and finally

Great Gable in 4:27:36 - what a relief!! Had a 20p fudge bar to celebrate, whilst I talked to the marshals and had a look round at the view. Third time I'd been on the summit and the first time I could see more than twenty feet ahead!

Got myself safely off Gable and onto the next stage of the race, completion. Now the stressful bit was over just had to concentrate on moving forward (without falling over) and enjoy it! Being able to ease off the pace helped a bit as the dreaded cramp never returned. As you can see from NLN's photos the weather from here onwards was glorious. I passed on my regards to Dave P-T at Esk Hause and due to a bit of a conversation I'd over heard between two of the other runners, realised that the CFR runner I'd had in sight most of the way round was Peter Ferris, who'd helped on a couple of JN. He was accompanied by his dog on the route who seemed to be as good at navigating as his owner, although occasionally decided that his owner should throw in an extra summit, as if the 5 main ones weren't enough!

Got to Esk Hause in 5:20:59, Scafell Pike 6:01:48 and Lingmell Nose 6:30:04.

Finish time 6:36:57. My friend Ruth (runs for Salford H too) had decided to come up to Wasdale for the day, bringing her Mum for a trip out and was there to see me into the finish. She thinks I'm mad. Drove me to the Wasdale Inn for a pint to celebrate. I think I'd earnt it.

TF
(all being well I'll be out for a run on thurs, and trip back to Wasdale on Saturday if the weather looks favourable)

Saturday at Wasdale

 

What a stunning day in the Lakes yesterday at the Wasdale FR.  Albert was the only Horwich runners at the start, but sadly retired.   However there were a bunch of Bowland lads and lasses, along with a lone (?) Salford lady whom sadly I missed getting a picture of.  The reason for this being that said lady advised me that if I wished to use the facilities on the campsite I needed to rush across before they closed for cleaning!  So sorry TF, but looking forward to the race report. 

Mark Sammon and his mate Chris Green were up for the weekend and Mark and I joined forces for a trot round some of the high spots from a spectator’s view that is.  Our route taking us over Black Sail Pass following the race route to Beck Head, up and over Great Gable and down to Sty Head on the route, before taking the corridor route to rejoin the runners down the nose of Lingmell this gave us just under ten miles and just over 4,248 ft climbed.

More action shots on FSS’s blog here.

Spectator’s route!

It’s those last minute adjustments that make all the difference before the race

 

Bill and Chris.  We would see them both again, not looking quite so fresh.  We came across Bill reeling in agony amongst the rocks below Beck Head  suffering from severe cramp, we stopped to respond to his agonised cries for - of all things …..  DIORALYTE…..  and believe it or not Mark had a couple of sachets about his person.   Best thing apparently for rehydration and preventing (if taken soon enough) muscle cramps.  A quick and vigorous calf massage and Bill was on his way.  Our good deeds of the day!

RO Rhys Findlay-Robinson who heroically stepped in to save this year’s race when the original organiser found himself unable to continue.

READY

STEADY

GO

… and they’re off

Water stop on way from Black Sail Pass to Beck Head

Click for larger version above, to see the  runners making their way up Gable, and below the big picture with the summit – both from Beck Head

The clouds breaking up to reveal the view across to the Langdales from the summit of Great Gable

From Sty Head looking down to Wasdale Head

FSS leading a small group out of Sty Head to tackle Scafell et al.  Mark and I took the corridor route and then re-joined the race route with perfect timing to catch them again as they came down to the last descent to the race field.

Here he is - FSS on the last descent – concentrate now, remember what your wife said about not falling over a week before our trek in the Turkish mountains

Here comes Chris

Bill looking a whole lot happier than the last time we saw him

The Scafells and Mickledore from Lingmell – and below.  Now in the sunshine, a bit late for the runners earlier.

My excellent companion for the day Mr Mark Sammon

Looking back at Ling Mell with some runners still descending

See you all after the Turkish mountains and hopefully a successful ascent of the big one – Mt Arrarat, no doubt there will be souvenirs from the Ark available in the bazaars!

NLN

The boy didn’t do Too Bad Either

Well done TF.  Pleased to report that FSS received his first fell race prize by coming in 2nd V55, he did say to mention that there was a Championship race on in Wales!  Photos to follow.

NLN

The Girl Done Good

I am reliably informed by our northern correspondent (ONC) that TF successfully completed the Wasdale fell race today in 6:36, well done that lady.

Any news on FSS?

Whittle Pike Recce

Thursday 14 July is the only date I can manage but as I am struggling to return to fitness I am not making any definite plans.

I will be UTUPing on Saturday 9th and how well I run will determine whether I turn out for the Corridor Route recce the following week.

Hoopoe

Yes EtU, you are quite likely to have seen the exotic upupa epops on Menorca. About the size of a mistle thrush. They are summer breeding visitors to Central and Southern Europe having travelled from their wintering grounds south of the Sahara. Very occasionally they overshoot to Southern England on their journey north and rarely further north still. This year one has been seen at Beetham, Cumbria.

Menorca

Most of you will know that I'm recently back from a fortnight on Menorca, and I thought you may be interested in coming round to my house to see my holiday photographs ~ only joking!  No, I thought you may be interested in a brief resume of the island from a runner's (?!) viewpoint.

Like many Mediterranean areas, Menorca consists of fairly rough terrain, mostly covered in scrub, and not generally easy going if you stray from defined paths. Most of the land is undeveloped and sparsely populated. Although rough and undulating, there is no real mountain terrain, the highest point being Mount Toro, at 352 - 358 metres (about 1,160 ft) depending on which guidebook you read. Sitting on the top, as with Winter Hill, are a number of communication masts, but also a chapel, a cafe bar and gift shop and a large car park; quite crowded really. Due again to the scrub cover, there is no apparent route up, other than by road, and I ran up this, from the nearest car park in an adjacent town in 28 minutes.

This was taken from the summit car park, facing in a northerly direction.

The island benefits from the Cami de Cavalls,which is an ancient bridle path, currently being re-established after possibly centuries of neglect. The path is well marked and generally follows the coast. Whilst it would make a wonderful circular route, but with its meanderings and given that Menorca is about 30 miles long, it probably offers a 150 mile circuit, so you'd be doing well to cover it in less than several days. This means that it's not ideal for running, unless you have road support, as the roads all seem to radiate from the centre, so it generally only offers out and back routes. On the first day when I ran along it from our base at Es Canutells, I was met by a mountain bike event involving several hundred riders that severely impeded my progress. All wall crossings are similarly marked with the type of rustic gate and stoops shown below, and in between, the route is marked with the short posts that can be seen just through it.

The island seems to be largely made up of limestone with large stretches of the coast consisting of severely eroded limestone pavements, giving rise to spectacular cliffs and sea caves.



The bird life was a little disappointing, mostly house sparrows, herring gulls and collared doves, although I did get a couple of glimpses of what I thought were hoopoes: perhaps JtE could say whether that is likely.

We did see several of the wild tortoises, although on one of my wearier runs, I found it difficult to catch up and pass a particularly lively specimen on the road. Apparently now naturalised, they are not indigenous, but were introduced by the Moors. Not sure if that's Mr and Mrs Moor, or some ancient Mediterranean people. This one was helping to keep the grass down in the garden of our villa:-

On a different note, for anyone wanting to develop their all over tan, there is a very relaxed attitude to nudity on the beaches, although gentlemen are expected to cover their chests when purchasing drinks at a bar.

This Week

UTUPing Thursday 7th and Saturday 9th.

Whittle Pike Recce

Looks like it's narrowed down to

Thurs 14th July
Mon 18th July
Thurs 21st July
Mon 25th July
Thurs 28th July

(favouring the middle three myself, 28th July could be a bit close to the event, I discounted Mon 11th as could be a bit short notice for notifying people)

I'll be out for a brief utup this week, last run before Wasdale. Probably looking for no more than 45mins and a slow pace so won't get very far. Let me know if anyone else will be out so I know whether to wait.

Wishing TIM/Ray a speedy recovery.

TF

TIM/New Ray

New, but now slightly shop soiled, Ray has just had another set back to his comeback. EYJ tells me that he has been knocked off his bike, and whilst not hospitalised, he has injured ribs and is severely knocked about.

Tough luck, Ray, hope you're soon in the saddle again.

Recces

Whittle Pike ~ Bumped into EYJ and Peter R (one of John's many coaches) on the Pike last night. John says he can do any evening. Peter expressed an interest and said there was only the Jubilee date, 20th July, that he can't do. I can do any Mon/Tues/Wed/Thurs, but would prefer to avoid Tuesdays as that's track night. I should be able to be in Cowpe before 7:00 as having EYJ on board shouldn't slow me down too much.

Borrowdale ~ 16th sounds good, I've got an all day pass!

Whittle Pike Recce
Just to make sure EYJ finishes undisputed champion, we thought a recce of the Whittle Pike course should be organized. Discussions on Saturday favoured an evening mid-week outing, arranging to meet up at Cowpe.

The evenings I can't do are Weds 13th July and Weds 27th July. I'm free-ish though for other evenings from Mon 11th July. I would be driving from work (Manchester) and would hope to be in Cowpe sometime between 6.30 & 7.00pm.

I'm assuming anyone coming from Bolton area would be able to make a similar time, but it would be helpful if others could post their availability and possible ETA, then we could come to some consensus.

Borrowdale Recce
An outing is planned (weather permitting) for Saturday 16th July to recce the corridor route of the Borrowdale Fell Race. Plan would be to start from Brackenclose (Wasdale) and head up to Scafell Pike and follow the route to Styhead, a trip up Great Gable to find a grassy way off to Windy Gap may also be on the cards too, depending on whether the first-aider has enough plasters left! Interested parties should also post so we can organize transport etc.

TF

V70 Fell Championship

Those of you who are even slightly more switched on than me will have realised that my painstaking and detailed assessment of the various possible outcomes of the fell championship was basically flawed, in that only an individual's three best positions count, rather than the four which I had used.

As I believe had already been stated, EYJ is assured of at least a half share in the gold medal, and if he gains any points at Whittle Pike he will be the undisputed V70 champion.

Apologies for any confusion, dismay or suicide attempts I may have caused.

Hope Wakes Fell Race 5.9m/1480ft

I had a couple of choices for Wednesday night racing, but opted for this one. I'd enjoyed it in 2009 when I was in my proverbial 'kid in a sweet shop' mode having been released onto the racing scene following the fairly barren year before (training for the marathon 2008).

So a welcome return. In 2009 I'd managed 77mins, so was hoping for a sub 70min effort. The route takes you from the playing fields in Hope Village and up onto Win Hill. It then drops into the forest along the banks of the Ladybower reservoir, which you run parallel to, until the second climb back up onto Win Hill, this time to the summit. The descent from there is the same (for those that know it) as the one in the Edale Skyline. The beauty of it this time round, is that you can go 'hell for leather' knowing you haven't got Lose Hill, Mam Tor, Lords Seat etc to follow.

The race is now into it's 65th year, one of the oldest races still going in Derbyshire/Peak District area. A very decent turn-out of runners, probably 200+, were sent on our way by the winner of the very first race in 1946, a Mr Bob Randles. Having done a track session the night before I decided to see if it'd have any beneficial affect. Lasted about 200m before a load came streaming past! So with my recent Lakeland training I thought I'd see how many I could pull back on the steeper bits. I pushed myself hard on these climbs, trying to run as much as possible. Although, narrow tracks and single file lines of 'runners' held me back a bit, I was pleased with the places I gained, with a few appreciative comments from the runners I passed.

I returned to the finish field for my celebratory orange squash and flapjack (provided by race organizers) and my own homemade sultana scone. Lovely. Time, I think about 65mins. So quite an improvement on 2009, with a reasonable number of runners behind me too.

An easy run last night, but it's usually 2 days after when I normally suffer. So tonights run will see how much affect 'going for it' on the last downhill stretch has had! All easy-paced runs, and definitely no racing now until Wasdale on the 9th July.

TF