So you thought you had a difficult journey to work then!

Check this out – you need to let the ad play before getting to the ‘journey’.  Well done TF what a fantastic weekend to be on the high fells.  Lucky us.  Back again this weekend but weather looking decidedly dodgy.

NLN

Rab Mountain Marathon 25th/26th September

Set off on Saturday morning at 5:30am for the drive up to Bampton (approx 5m NW of Shap) with a mixture of nervous excitement and intrepidation, the day finally dawning for the start of my toughest challenge yet. With the promise of some fantastic weather I was hopefully going to get to see some of the views I missed last month on my 'practice go'.

Should have seen the size of the map we were given! I spent a good 15 mins plotting my route for the first day, only some of the controls were active on Day 1 and you had to be careful not to score nil points for finding the wrong control. A maximum of 6hrs was allowed for Day 1 on my course and points were taken off for being late back on an exponential scale. If you were over 30mins late you lost all your points for the first day.

The overnight camp was in the Martindale Common area and my Day 1 route took me from the start at Drybarrows to Measand Beck and continuing along to Longgrain Beck to then up to contour round High Raise and over Rampsgill Head. A drop straightdown (very exciting!!) to Hayeswater and then on to Lingy Crag above Hartsop and then finally onto Beda Head and down to Dale Head with enough time to collect one last control on the other side of Rampsgill Beck. Total time 5hrs 41mins , 150pts and approx 12.5m and 3500ft (ish). One very elated TF. Unfortunately for many, the penalty points kicked in and numerous teams finished with nil points for their efforts at the end of day 1.

Tent up, kettle on and time to study the map for Day 2 in between my three courses of Soup, Chili with Cous Cous and Sticky Toffee Pudding (home made) and Custard and of course a half bottle of full bodied Rjioca (had the most alc/vol at 14%).

Day 2 and 5hrs time limit to get back to near where we started the day before. Although you could work out potential routes the night before, you weren't given the sheet with the points on until you crossed the start line. So again a bit of time spent plotting with my piece of string. I sent off back up to Beda Head across over to Hallin Fell and was on my way to a 25pt control near Arthurs Pike when I decided it would put me to far out to get back in time, so bailed out and headed straight up to one on top of Brook Crag (instead of getting both). A contour round the north of Loadpot Hill to drop down to Cawdale Beck round to Drybarrows and a compulsory control and finally followed a taped section to the finish at The Howes. Total time 4hrs 35mins, 95pts and approx 10.5m and 3800ft.

Not as good a day tactically on Sunday as Saturday, but the whole experience was absolutely awesome, got in all the views I missed in August and saw my first Deer in the Lake District (4 Sat, 6 Sun). Can't wait for next year!

So how did I do compared to everyone else? Well a lot better than most, in fact better than half of them. On the standard course with my total score of 245 I finished 133 out of 268, was 5th Female Vet overall (of 20 teams, solos & pairs) and 3rd Female Vet Solo. Results and some photos are on www.darkandwhite.co.uk .

TF

An Imperfect Ten

Although Sunday's Swinton Ten was a resounding victory for Horwich RMI as a club, the glory did not extend all the way down the ranks. Courtesy of Martyn Bell (V40) 1st in 55:35, Colin Rigby (V40) 2nd and Rob Jackson (also V40) in 4th place, the club easily won the men's team prize with 7 points, ahead of second placed Salford (sorry TF) with 17.

Horwich also finished a B team in 5th place and a C team, 18th out of 24, courtesy of Gary Chadderton, t'Y (107th in 1:16:51) and yours truly (154th in a yet another PW of 1:25:45). 201 finished.

Well run Gordon.

This Week

Tuesday 28th UTUP, then up to Santon on Thursday, back in time to UTUP Tuesday 5th Oct.

Glorious Weekend Weather

Weather forecast lived up to expectations and resulted in an impromptu dash to the Lakes as FSS wanted to recce the scree descent off Fairfield for Mark’s Winter BG attempt in December.  Accepting the request to navigate a leg is something not taken lightly and when the contender states a preference for a specific route, that needs careful attention.  Just the excuse we needed to have a great day out over Fairfield, Helvellyn and the Dodds – as if one were needed. 

Pausing at Lake Windermere on the way to Dunmail Rise

 

Fairfield from Seat Sandal

Grisedale Tarn

FSS contemplating the path up to Fairfield

Looking across to Striding Edge from the approach to Helvellyn summit

… and another one (click to enlarge to see the numbers traversing)

Looking down on the final approach to Helvellyn summit – the orange netting is where a pitched path is being constructed

The hoards on the summit of Helvellyn

Looking back to Fairfield summit.  The scree descent where we were earlier in the day, can be seen clearly descending from the col to Grisedale Tarn (out of shot).   This has most likely been created by BG aspirants and their supporters over the last ten years or so.

… and finally me trotting down Seat Sandal to Dunmail for a very welcome cup of coffee.  Fantastic day out on the fells amounting to little over 11.5 miles with 5,134ft of climbing.

UTUP Tuesday – weather permitting!

NLN

This Morning

Just EYJ and yours truly toed the start line for this morning's run. We decided to test his retention of the Winter Hill Race route details that TF had etched on his mind last week, and he passed the test with flying colours.

It was a gloriously bright cloud free morning, and earlier I had had to clear ice from the car for the first time this back end. Out of the wind we nearly got warm a couple of times but the wind was chilling and we struggled to keep warm for much of the outing. We covered all of the route except for the descent to the knoll and clocked up a little over 11 miles.

A good bracing outing.

Tomoz

Taking advantage of the good weather to have a long run in the Lakes.

Dean Brooks

With my appitite whetted by the Cigarette Tunnel, I did a little research to establish the name of the stream that flows from Hole Bottom, just to the SE of Two Lads, alongside Burnt Edge, down through the tunnel to Barrow Bridge.

It's called Dean Brook; and further research (more Googling) revealed that it shares this name with the stream that drains the moor between Great Hill and Round Loaf. It's this second one that we join on Coope's Dozen after leaving Round Loaf on our way to White Coppice. The following scene should look familiar:-

Green with envy..

Can't begin to tell you how envious I was when I saw the pics from Tuesday evening. I'd gladly swop my nurses uniform for running gear any day!
The patient is making a slow but steady recovery from his back op. Just coming to the end of two weeks lying flat and about to begin "gradually increased mobility". Don't think that includes any utups for him, but I'm hoping to be back next week.
Still working on a babysitter for the 8th, provided that "gradually increased mobility" leads to being able to walk to the bar!

Hasta luego
SN

No Trespassing!

Although on Tuesday evening we went within half a mile or so of it, unusually, NLN didn't insist that we visited her favourite landmark.

Also, we went even closer to, but didn't actually see, the Cigarette Tunnel, which passes under the low point of Walker Fold Road, close to Walker Fold itself.

From the direction of the water flow, this must have been taken from the Bolton side of the road; wonder if that pool's deep enough for swimming?

Tonight’s Run on Winter Hill

Just EtU and me out tonight, although we did bump into EYJ and his daughter Linda at the top of the Ramp which was very nice.  Just got to the trig in time to capture the setting sun, having gone over Two Lads via Pike Cottage, above the quarries to Burnt Edge out to the Road – too tired to look this up on map so EtU will oblige I’m sure.  Then back up to Trig Point and over Two Lads to cars at Wilders Wood.

8.03m +1,407ft

  

Track tonight, where I'll have a few quiet thoughts

I'd planned to go down to the track tonight and I've just heard the news which will make the session somewhat more reflective. Track sessions is something I associate with one man - Norman Matthews. I've just heard the news an hour ago of Norman's passing, so when I get a track I shall think of the sessions that he started with EtU, JtE, Gary Harold, and (after a few weeks, YJ). It was probably 1991, initially at Rivington School grass track then Robin Park, Witton Park (while Robin Park was renewed), back to the new facilities at Robin Park and finally our own track at the Arena. I've always been a long way off ever being an elite athlete but Norman would ensure JtE, YJ and I got equal benefit to the international level athletes who would later join us and come and go.
I'll not be able to get away from my lectures on Thursday for his funeral but his encouragement will live on in me and I shall be thinking of him.
Rest in Peace, Norman

This Week

Planning to UTUP Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Three Shires Weekend

Great weekend at the Achille Ratti hut in Great Langdale, superb location and a warm welcome made for an excellent weekend.   Saturday night supper with the Bowland crowd in the Wainwright who were on their club camping weekend.    Having had my share of camping this year I didn’t envy them one bit as the weather turned excessively wet overnight and into Sunday, resulting in an early departure for us.

Achille Ratti hut

view from the door

Random stretches before the race!

Click to enlarge to see the runners climbing.   Even before the heavy rain on Saturday night, the ground was saturated which may have accounted for an extremely bad fall for one unlucky runner.  MRT stretchered the casualty with a broken fib and tib, down to the 3 Shires Stone where he was helicoptered to Lancaster for surgery.

As I trotted up to the three shires stone, a couple of vintage autos were making their way up Wrynose without too much difficulty

Rather more wine consumed for me than miles run – but hey!  More piccies here.

Planning UTUP Tuesday and Saturday this week if anyone around.

NLN

Saturday's Utup

It was just me and EYJ on Saturday. We started the day with some sad news as EYJ had been informed the previous evening that Norman Matthews (Head Coach at Horwich RMI Harriers) had passed away peacefully at home on Thursday following a long illness. I'm sure all of us that knew Norman would wish to pass on our condolences to his wife Brenda and his family.

With just the two of us it seemed sensible to make the most of the opportunity to go and do a bit of recceing for the Winter Hill Fell Race. I've also decided to make it a target race as part of my preparation for having another crack at Edale Skyline next March. EYJ was interested in checking out the section from the trig to the wooden bridge near ammunition corner.

So our route for the morning took us to pike cottage - two lads - WH Trig - Georges Lane. Now my recollection of race day/previous recces was that we turn right and run along to the gate and climb over that. However, it now appears that someone is taking a more direct route to the bridge as the fence opposite the stile has now been cut and a gap has appeared. We didn't use this as not wishing to leave any incriminating footprints, but I'd be curious to know that if the gap is left, will it be a legitimate access point?

From the bridge we climbed back up to Noon Hill. There's now a more definitive trod leaving the cairn heading towards the next cp at the stream junction. Much more so than when I last recce'd it. At the stream junction we opted for the climb back up and round the Pike to drop back through the Chinese Gardens. We had discussed the various route options from the stream junction but we decided that 'time trials' on these options could wait for another day.

I don't think we'll have covered many miles but we did get in a good natter and some useful route finding and at the top barn bumped into the Sweatmans, so further nattering.

I won't be out for Utup on Saturday as I'm off doing my Mountain Marathon in the Lakes. I'll be available for a utup on thurs evening though, if no takers then I may go for a run late afternoon instead.

TF

Struggling

UTUP for a Tuesday meant Wilderswood, which at least saved some of the climbing. In attendance were t'Y, NLN, EYJ and my good self. (EtU was delayed at work and joined us later). NLN took one look at us three men, decided we hadn't much gumption and took charge. "Right" she said " we will do the same as last week" and mentioned an awful lot of places. "Er, how far is that?" said I somewhat worried, "about 7" came the reply, "but you can cut it short". She had clearly realised that I was in no shape to keep up; and she was right.

The first parting of the ways came almost at once; they went up Two Lads via Pike Cottage whilst I went direct - and they still got there first! Then the quarry and then towards the Trespass stone. At this point, NLN took pity on me (or she was getting cold waiting for me) and directed me straight up to the mast whilst they went via the shooting hut. It was cold and wet and the ground was saturated, but hey, it beats talking to the mother-in-law! Eventually we re-grouped, and joined by EtU went to the trig point, back to Two Lads and back to the cars. When we got there, NLN's fancy watch said 6.97 miles,so off she went to make it up to 7. I was so tired that even the prospect of the mother-in-law didn't seem too bad!

I suppose it will get easier when (if) I get fitter. The problem is that there is no way to replicate running on the moors in the deep south, but that's the price I have to pay for living in civilisation.

TLoB

Roadrunner

I will be at the UTUP on Saturday 18th, again planning the road circuit of Winter Hill. Last week was disappointingly slow (by more than a minute a mile), very wet and very tiring so I'm hoping for something better this weekend.

Paper chase

If anyone has a pile of newspapers waiting to be disposed of I can find good use for them: can collect on Saturday.

The New Thatch is Hatching...

...under the new old name of The Cherry Tree.

I'm told that the current building is based on an old transport cafe called the Cherry Tree which served travellers along the A6 in pre M6/M61 days. No information yet on exactly when it became licensed, but I am researching.  Since then it has been also been called the Pavilion and the Happy Pig and possibly more.

Strolled in last night and spoke to the fitters. It's opening to the general public this Friday, with a private do for friends, family and suppliers on Thursday.

Not looking as pubby as it was; definitely leaning gastrowards.

Will try the beer Friday, and I have nudged t'Y regarding testing the food.

Very Belated ‘Ben’ Pics

Having purchased the additional space from google – still no go for the last few days, just found out have to sign out and in again – all very difficult for a non-techie, lucky to have FSS to sort it all out!

Great weekend in Scotland, staying at Craigallan - below view from front door.

Perfect conditions for the runners and spectators.  The runners are piped out of the race field.

Three Horwich runners at the start –  L to R, Ian Hepburn, Marks Samman and Birbeck

FSS – will he be smiling at the end ‘though!

On the way down, first lady - Italian Cecilia Mora completing in 1:56:01

Mr Birbeck – get a load of those shorts yay!

FSS still smiling

The ascent path on the left and the downhill route on the right

 

 

Race was won by local lad Finlay Wild in 1:35:39, beating Robbie Simpson and Ian Holmes.

Fort Bill’s finest chippy – anyone we know?

By the way Nic’O – the mystery man ??? on GJ’s Joss was Kevin Davison who was one of our instructors on the FRA Navigation weekend last year.  He’s looking forward to the next one in a couple of weeks time :o) but clearly not as big a challenge as last year, as we won’t be there!

More pics on FSS’s blog Just Us And A Few Friends

I shall be out for a run on Saturday this week from lower barn.

EtU - re Threee Shires - there's a note about changes to parking and a bit of a swim to start the race (be just up your street!) on the fellrunner web site (www.fellrunner.org.uk). You'll probably need to leave home earlier than anticipated.

TF