Probably my last attempt at Category A Long

Well done to TF on a fine run and Ed for improving over last year at Langdale.
I should have been capable of the 3mph pace required to reach the first timeout at Esk Hause shelter but just never got going. I found myself near the back on the climb up to Stickle Tarn with the path giving little opportunity for overtaking. I thought by taking it a little easier on the climb than I normally would, I ought to have more in the tank once the opportunity to accelerate arrived. Alas it was not to be - I made little progress on the flatter stretch and by the climb up to Thurnacar found myself last. I managed to pick up a different track before cutting pack to Angle Tarn by which time I knew the game was over and the continuation to Esk Hause was just for my own pleasure. So just a good 10 mile or so run in the Lakes.
Unless I return to the fitness I reached last Summer, there will be little point in entering the more challenging Lakeland races.

As to the fat lady overtaking me at Gin Pit, that's not a nice thing to say - hope she doesn't see the comment - and she didn't overtake me as I started near the back and paced it so nobody overtook me apart from a couple near the finish who I'd overtaken but they'd been saving something.

Ed - thanks the advice on Sciatica - hopefully the stretching tips will do the trick.

Another Success From the Squad

Click here to read (and view pics) about SN's club championship success:-

http://www.horwichrmiharriers.co.uk/articles/?p=2728

Well done our lass!

Gordon, who was that fat lady just passing you?

Saturday 8th Oct.

Won't be UTUPing tomorrow as I shall be doing a recce of the forthcoming fell relay race with Matt and JtE.

Bill Smith

You might also be interested in another tribute to Bill Smith which you can read here.

Those who were with me at the A58 crossing on the Pennine Way run would have seen the typically modest man who with his long association with fell running at the highest level was still prepared to turn out to support a club runner and his friends.

Nice tribute about Bill on Clayton's website www.clayton-le-moors-harriers.co.uk . Very sad news. But a reminder to those of us of an 'independent' nature that it's important to occasionally let people know what you're up to.

No utup tonight - lots of XC entries to check

Saturday - Langdale (for which the weather is looking grim, so revised estimate for finishing time, less than last year would be good, under 4hrs really chuffed)

TF

This Week

Thursday 6th ~ UTUP

Saturday ~ Langdale.

Tragic News

It has been reported today that on Saturday last someone walking on Saddle Fell near Chipping discovered the body of a man in a peat bog. I have it from a reliable source that this afternoon the man’s sister identified the body as being that of that lovely man and friend to many, Bill Smith.

23mins/mile not 23mph.

Think you'll find that was the point that I made a make-shift little girls room amongst the long-stemed grass on the verge, whilst we waited for YJ (not long) to return to where he parked his car. He's not lost his uphil speed.

TF

Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics

TF, not sure I believe your "phone technology". I know we were skipping along quite quickly after the summit, but if I'm reading the stats correctly, they suggest we clocked 23.1 mph at one point. Obviously no more need for track work!

Trough Of Bowland

My track from yesterday using phone technology. Click on the 'View full workout data' to get to the website and then click on 'data view' to see all the stats. If the website doesn't load up it's because you don't have Adobe flash player 10 on your computer, my computer at work doesn't have it so I can only view info at home.


Many thanks to Ed and John for a superb morning out. In the first part of the run we were averaging 11min/mile pace, a nice comfortable chatting pace! Glad to hear that Ed survived it to the end. His final solo 12m would have been v tough as it was getting very warm, even though there was a southerly breeze I'm guessing it would have been like standing in front of a blast-furnace on the return leg.

TF

Tough Trough

YJ and I had planned to run the Trough of Bowland several years ago, but a dose of man flu stood in the way and the idea was shelved.  It was lifted off the shelf and dusted down this year as I searched desperately for something that might give the boost to my preparation for the Snowdonia Marathon that would enable me to give a creditable performance. The BIL always throws in an "over distance" outing in the lead up to a big event (he hasn't tried a BG yet) so the Trough run seemed appropriate. Unfortunately YJ's sciatic problem meant that he wouldn't be up for the full distance.

TF had offered to help so there we were, this morning in Chipping, TF and I ready to run and YJ on road support, and keeping us company for short stretches near all his drink stations.

The day warmed up very quickly and as YJ ran out to meet us near Burholme Bridge TF and I were already feeling the heat. These two guys obviously felt that they wanted to air their differences, and YJ, who had recorded the England v Scotland decider was worried that their garb was of some significance.

"Where did that haggis go?"

TF didn't ask whether anything was worn under the kilt, and neither of them answered "No ma'm, it's all in perfect working order."

PS ~ Not absolutely sure, but I think the top almost exactly above the bald Scotsman's head is Birkett Fell GR 669481.

We carried on through Dunsop Bridge, past Sykes, met YJ again and then carried on up the biggest climb on the route to the watershed at GR 622551, an elevation of 295 metres, achieved in 1:46:49, approx 10 miles.

From there we had the benefit of a slight breeze and a gentle downhill run which enabled us to make good progress to the 15 mile point, whence, as planned, YJ drove TF to her car, which they had stashed earlier, about a mile and a half off the route.

From that point it was beginning to become apparent that the drinks I had brought were inadequate for the hot conditions and I suffered to some extent. The 20 mile point, a private house, previously the Bleasdale Moorcock, at GR 542471 was achieved in 3:48:22 and from there, with YJ's continuing support I struggled with the undulating route to Higher Brock Mill GR 573445 where I begged water from some residents.

Then another three and a bit miles into Chipping to be met again by YJ.

Total time 5:23:04, distance about 27 miles. Please don't work out the average pace.

A fine, if a bit too hot and a bit tougher than I had expected, day out.

Thanks guys, I needed you. Must do it again, but not this year. Has it set me up for Snowdonia, or wrecked me for Snowdonia? One month today will perhaps tell.

Great Hill Update

I see that the shelter on Great Hill is now being encircled by a drainage gutter, formed in stone and about 25cm wide by 10cm deep. Unless it is an optical illusion the bottom of the gutter slopes upwards to the outfall. Stone paving is currently being laid between the gutter and the shelter and the whole of the works appears to be about75% complete.

 

Must Have Been a Poor Quality Field!

On Saturday, wearing my new lightweight Brooks racing pumps I toed the line for my first attempt at the Langdale half marathon.  The day was mild and very wet, and I was surprised that the route, starting from the New Dungeon Gill, set off up the valley. Now as everyone knows, there is only one road route out of the top of the Langdale Valley and that is the one that turns south and heads over the pass by Blea Tarn. So only one mile into the race and I was walking. Once over the brow I was able to run again and was able to enjoy the views, made quite spectacular as all the high stuff disappeared into the clouds.

The route descends to Little Langdale, heads towards the Drunken Duck, hits the main road again at Skelwith Bridge, then takes the high road towards Grasmere (walked again) and then descends towards Elterwater Village before returning to the start via Chapel Stile.

Lost quite a few places just before the ten mile point due to an enforced pit stop, but was so cross at this, that the resultant adrenalin helped me to retake them all, and more, before the finish.

A PW of 2:11:27 for this distance, but was nevertheless the first OAP home (out of 3 V65s and 2 V70s).

However this was small consolation when I checked back in my archives to find that I had run 3:43 for the full marathon placing 11th out of 53 in 1993 and was 24th out of 97 in 3:24 in 1994; two laps of the same course in the other direction. Father Time, you are a cruel man.

Charlie Pass of Wesham won in 1:19:15, Paul Muller was 3rd and firstV50 in 1:23:53 and first lady was Mairi Crawford of Heaton in 1:37:39.

Steven Prentice of N.E. Marathon club won the full distance race in 3:04:47.

This Week

Thursday 29th UTUP ~ probably off-road 'til the light goes then picking up the mast road, but a head torch would be sensible.

Saturday 1st Oct ~ Chipping at 9:00 a.m for a 27 mile hilly road run ~ hopefully a head torch won't be needed.

Here I am bright eyed and bushy tailed Saturday morning

http://www.sleepmonsters.com/photosystem/rightplacerighttime/digital_photosales_window.php?path=8773_8901&file=110927045024

Look at the size of the map, nearly bigger than me!

Still smiling Sunday afternoon on the finish line

http://www.sleepmonsters.com/photosystem/rightplacerighttime/digital_photosales_window.php?path=8773_8899&file=110926085042

A Few Holiday Pics.

Sunset at the farm.

 

Flamborough Head.

 

Robin Hood’s Bay: A sting in the tail.

 

 

The notice says it all. (Please don’t get any ideas YJ!)

 

One for TF.

 

One for FSS.

Butser Hill Challenge

It is in the FRA fixture list as a cat B race, which I have to say had me puzzled until I got there. How could a 4.5 mile race on the South Downs be a cat B? Easy, they make you climb it from bottom to top 3 times! Still its all part of the great comeback, even though on the third climb I doubted my sanity. The winner did 33 something, our Rebecca 46 and I took 54, which means I have cut the gap between us!
A final thought: there are some very bad descenders down here . I was never any good at descending when I was fit and I cant have improved, but I still managed to overtake several runners on the descents. Very unusual indeed.

Swinton 10M

1hour 32 mins to complete the above, I'm calling it a pb as it's the first 10 mile race I've ever done!
More importantly I was first (and only) Horwich RMI lady and acquired 30 points. This puts me on 117 points with one race to go. My nearest rival has 89 points so I need to complete the Gin Pit 5M next Sunday just in case B of B turns up to do it and ends up with 119 points.Hope that makes sense.
Hoping to utup Tues but various parents' evenings make me unavailable for Thursday's outing with the male trio.
Just need to make sure I don't break any ribs before next Sunday!
SN

Fast Ladies

Looks like TF had a successful weekend over the border, sounds good!

SN was telling me that her overall success in the Horwich road championship hinged on whether the Brunette from Blackrod showed up for the final race. The B from B wasn't on the Swinton 10 finishers' list, so did you crack it, SN.

Rab Mountain Marathon 24/25th Sep 2011

Just returned from North Wales. Absolutely fabulous weekend. Results here

http://www.darkandwhite.co.uk/RabMM/2011/Results/index.html

I was on the standard course, unbelievably lying 2nd FV40 'team' overnight, but the 3rd and 4th placed FV40's (also both doing it solo) pulled the stops out on Day 2, leaving me a creditable 4th FV40, one place improvement from last year. The best bit was being 55th (out of 292) overall, last year 133/268.

A few pictures from the overnight campsite

On Day 2 you had a choice of climbing to the top of this hill for your first control

or climbing to the corner of the felled forrest seen in the picture below



Both only worth 10 points, I opted for the later, will have to analyse the split times to see if I made the right decision!

TF