Mearley Clough 3.5m/1200ft Tues 8th May

This one had failed to make it into the 2012 printed calendar hence the reason why distance/climb is in 'old money'. Just checked on the the FRA website and it's now been updated into metric (5.6k and 365m) but had ended up 3ft shorter than last year. That's a almost a whole TF, so not an insignificant amount!

Despite the lack of early advertising there was a good turnout of about 80 odd. Unfortunately for me I was designated the role of last runner and sweeper for this one. That was until we got to the nice steep bit. This is my favourite climb on TofP, so it was even nicer to have a go without the 10m warm up.

3 places gained by the time I reached the cairn. At this point we turned right (TofP route heads left) to run along a nice little trod on the edge of the plateau for a while until the drop. A lot steeper than the TofP route which takes a more diagonal line to the steam. Very nice!

Once over the stream the return route was the same. I'd been a bit remiss in not checking that the finish line was not where we'd started which was at the pub, thinking that this was the reason for the line of cones outside. I'd saved a little for the final tarmac sprint, but as it was the finish was in the last field and got overtaken again in sight of the line.  

Cracking little race, time taken approx 53mins. Thankfully I can still move today, so off out racing tonight but something a little less steep and more running bits.

TF

An Early Coopes Dozen, 7 April.

The calf strain collected earlier in the week did not deteriorate as it normally does when I pick them up so I gave it a run out Sunday at the British Orienteering Relay Championships being held on Helsington Barrows, west of Kendal.  The navigation was not that challenging and the going was fast, a beautiful area to run on.  No side effects or worsening of the strain except burning lungs from the exertion of trying to look good on the final up hill leg past all the club tents to the hand-over, vanity has a lot to answer for.  So time to hunt down my OCT partner for  a Coopes Dozen on Monday.

So onto Monday and Coopes Dozen with a cold wind blowing from the east I had 3 layers on and still felt cold and dB (Andy Ford - I'll explain at some other time) was in a 'T' shirt making me feel somewhat wimpy.  I had even put my TF recommended waterproof socks on expecting the worse only to find a reasonably dry route, dB seemed to go out of his way to prove me wrong finding all the deepest wet parts around the course.

We took the direct routes between Noon Hill, the Pike and Two Lads finding the going surprisingly easy compared to previous crossings.  The grinding slog between Egg Hillock and Counting Hill was made easier by the non-existent spring growth and so despite the cold wind the running was a joy albeit a tiring one.  I think the intense 32 minute race the previous day had taken more out of the legs than expected. dB was having none of this slow stuff was bounding around like Tigger on speed, tearing off, once pointed in the right direction then waiting for the old geezer to catch up.  Luckily for me dB had not much experience on Spitlers and none on Old Adam's Hill so close contact was restored - well it was getting a bit lonely at the back all the time!  Not much badinage or raillery, the distance between us too great to shout.  By the way we need to make bigger cairns on Counting Hill and Spitlers edge, they still take some finding.

dB bagged another peak on Great Hill, never having been there before.  The route from Great Hill via Round Loaf to White Coppice quarry was very enjoyable, springing along on the drying peat.  Nearly managed to step on a nesting goose well camouflaged in the undergrowth. After that it was concrete like surface nearly all the way back via Healy Nab.  18 miles in 4 hours 50 mins battered feet and ankles from the last 4 miles, very sore and tired but happy, another good day on the hills.  Just need to get some rest and light training before the big event.

KLM

Coiners 12.2k/405m Mon 7th May

Just what the legs needed, dips in some icy bogs.

Curiously I last did this race in 2008, when it was (like this year) 2 days after Coniston. The organizers have added an extra climb to take into account my now 'vast' experience in the hills over the last 4 years. So on the face of it the race was now an extra 1000m long and 100m higher.

So given that I'm having trouble breaking 5 mins for 1000m on a flat, oval shaped tarmac on a tuesday evening I was reasonably pleased not to take that much longer on this new extended route over the time for 2008 of 1hr 24mins. (Results to confirm when published)

The downside was I was having difficulty keeping in front of the sweeper, I think the poor forecast had put a few off. Eventually caught up with the two gents in front of me, though to be fair one had a gammy knee and the other as blind as a bat. Hampered by a bit of wire fencing towards the end (short legs, the bane of my life), otherwise they'd have both finished behind me. As it was 'blind as bat' gent pipped me on the line.

Think I'll give the track session a miss tomorrow and get a bit of hill practice in. Mearley Clough looks suitably steep enough.

TF

Horwich Tri

Link to results http://www.epicevents.org/downloads/horwichresults2012.pdf

A quick glance and would appear that the cycle bit was the weaker event.

Fresh 'n' daisy http://www.sportsunday.co.uk/ht-run0130

Well Done

TF

Horwich Tri

Seem to have lost the blog "edit" function:-

http://www.sportsunday.co.uk/ht-swim0095

Yours Truly by D the D.

Horwich Tri 6th May

Slightly more successful than some of my other recent expeditions.

Pleased with my swim time of 13:53 for the 20 lengths, beating my prediction by over a minute. Not pleased with sharing a lane with two much faster guys and having to pause to let them pass on five occasions. Why were we asked to give a swim time if we weren't to share  a lane with folk of a similar speed?

Concerned at one point by what appeared to be a body, motionless in the deep end. Then a photographic flash told me it was a photographer - Dave the Diver as I later found out.

The cycle was hard, slightly slower than two years ago, and left my legs lifeless for the pike. Total time 3:39, a bit faster than 2010, but both the swim and the run had been shortened.

Results are to appear on the epic events website, but were "broken" when I tried to access then a few minutes ago.  Swim time will be the actual swim plus the road crossing and entry to the transition. Bike time will be the transition time plus the ride, and run time will be the transition plus the run.

Perhaps when the results are available someone could assess my weakest discipline by comparing my times with the best.

Coniston Fell Race 14k/1065m Sat 5th May

Still no results for this one which is probably just as well as by my watch I was slower than the last time in 2008 (2hrs08). But hopefully not as slow as I predicted on Thurs evening when out for a short trot with EtU.

Day got off to a strange start when joining the M6 to be confronted with queueing traffic. The reason, the Boys in Blue were trying to round up an errant greyhound! The only way they could get it off the motorway was for one car (driving in reverse) with lights flashing to chase it down the hard shoulder. Could have done with a bit of it's leg speed later on.

Even a change to finish field making the route slightly shorter than 2008 couldn't improve my time. I even took a direct line this time off Coniston (which needs a touch of work) instead of the tourist path, but to no avail. Post race report from the Walkingtons (both spectating) was that there were runners coming down in all directions off Coniston so there obviously isn't one 'best' line, must be a case of what works best for you. Ah well, perhaps it was the kick up the whatsit that I need. Off to do Coiners race today just to loosen up the sore legs. Fairfield next week.

TF

Wigan Wildlife!

Not the Friday/Saturday variety, but the Tuesday morning variety heron and goslings

O.C.T. '12 Front End Recce - Attempt No. 2

Well this time the weather held, albeit cold and windy with the cloud base lifting as we progressed up through the contours.  Good early start from the ODG in the Langdales around 8:20 giving us plenty of time, or so we thought to achieve our higher ambition of Esk Hause then Esk Pike, Bow Fell the Band and in.
The weather had been kind up to Grizedale Tarn with one very heavy dose of rain forcing us into full waterproofs, which were a blessing higher up when we had a full facial hail shower.  We decided to take the direct route up the wall/fence line to the top of Dollywaggon to allow Andy (Ford) to bag some summits.  We trotted on from Dollywaggon in a freezing gale over Nethermost Pike eventually finishing on Helvellyn.  We did it in a pitifully slow time, which will have to be improved upon on the day of the event.
Next was the plummet down to the valley bottom using the grassy route to Wythburn.  My memory failed me again and we went along the track missing the turn for the control point - another lesson learned.  The valley bottom was a lot warmer and less windy making it  a bearable trudge up through Wythburn towards High Raise.  We could not help but stop to take in the stunning views around us, such a wonderfully clear day.  I was hoping to download some of Andy's photos but I can't figure how to do it from Flicker on my I-mac - advise anyone?
Next, over High Raise, well contouring really and a direct line for the tarns near Stake pass then on to Angle Tarn.  Our target was 5 hours, we took 6.5 hours!  Timed out if we were on the event but we did take time out to take in the scenery and have a typical WFDBWGUA type Saturday run.
Both feeling a bit jiggered, wind beaten and in my case very cold, we dropped off the tops via Rosset Gyll and trotted along the valley bottom to the car.
A good recce, a great day out - pity about the speed.  Must do better on the day.

KLM

Horrid Hazel Does It Again

Further indignity last Thursday at the Fielden Cup.

A new course, courtesy of t'Y saw us assembling on Georges Lane at its junction with Matchmoor Lane. I was set off first with a fairly generous handicap, with SN let off the leash shortly after. The course was straight to Pike Cottage (t'dawg kennels), round a strategically placed traffic cone and then back to the finish, again, near Matchmoor. Conditions were poor and we ran the whole course in wind and rain.

SN passed me very soon after the start, and was shortly followed by all the rest of the field.

Final result:- 1st Stephen Diaz (nee Sweatman), 2nd and 1st lady SN, last Yours Truly.  Nine ran, one very slowly. Presentation and a quick drink in the Jolly Crofters afterwards.

Once again, well done SN!

This Week

Had toyed with the idea of finding an evening race, but with the closest fell race being the AS Flower Scar from near Todmorden and the option of the Chorley Park trail race, both on Wednesday, I decided to do my own thing locally.

UTUPing Thursday and Saturday, but not looking for too far on Saturday, saving myself for the Horwich Tri on Sunday.

Yesterday (Sat 28th)

As ever, a bit of a lucky dip with regard to who would be at the lower barn, but not a bad selection yesterday.

t'Y was there, but not for the full morning, NLN still claiming not to be fully fit, but going very well nevertheless and new boy Chris (PS = Posh Scouser) in the transition from road runner to fellsman, plus yours truly.

Headed for Two Lads, then the quarries, Burnt Edge, Holden's Farm, the Trespass Stone (well we did have NLN on board, what did you expect?). Dropped t'Y soon after, then round the res, the wall and then the Trig Point. Then it was across the wet bit to Noon Hill, Georges Lane (apostrophe ?) the PIke and back to the barn.

A good outing, cold at times. Thank you for the piccies Pauline.

Smithills Res-Winter Hill Sat 28 April

Good run with EtU and PS (EtU will explain) covering just under 11 miles on a very chilly but dry morning.  More here and EtU’s write up to follow.

T’Y with new kid on the block PS

the path alongside Smithills Res

EtU pretending to be a garden gnome at the little pool by the wall up to WH summit from Smithills Res

Trigpointing

Looking north from Noon Hill summit

Not out next Sat – have fun all

NLN

New Kit

A brief test last night and going well, maybe too well.

Salford were putting on our 5K race in Heaton Park, so where better to trial the new t-shirt in a brief run from the car park to the registration point. I was going to to a few hill reps but it was raining (a lot). It generated quite a bit of interest and have managed to fend off 3 potential orders claiming that it's a prototype and still under testing.

Have to congratulate all the runners for turning up for the 5K (our first venture in hosting evening races) in such a foul weather. The new course seemed a good hit, especially the downhill finish.

I'm not out this Saturday as I'm at my British Dental Association Conference at G-mex (or Manchester Central as it's now called, had me confused for a while), so it's only my brain that'll get exercised, unless I fall asleep in the lectures. It's the first time I've been to the yearly conference in over 20 years of being a dentist, and they had to offer up a free day to get me there otherwise I'd have been out on the hills on my day off. Thinking of taking my 30L rucksack to fill up on freebies from the exhibitor stands. Toothbrush and toothpaste anyone?

TF 

Sunday, St John’s in the Vale–High Rigg

To finish off the weekend a stroll through St John’s in the Vale from Threlkeld and back over the ridge and High Rigg.  More pics here.

Early morning mist on Derwentwater

The old packhorse bridge over St John’s Beck

Above and below Blencathra from High Rigg

FSS having an easy day!

Hope to be out Saturday UTUP and catchup

NLN

This Week

UTUPing Thursday, but then jogging up to the Crofters for the Fielden cup - what time, Gordon?

UTUPing Saturday.

Don't know which was worst about my cycle ride round Winter Hill earlier this evening, the desperately painful drag up to Hordern Stoops from Belmont, the terrifying ride down to Rivington on the other side, or the humiliation of being passed by a fat lady (also on a bike) on that descent.

Put my bike on ebay and pass me my slippers.

Fielden Cup this Thursday for those who fancy it

If you want to build a historical race into your Thursday night session, you could do a little warm up from UTUP to the Jolly Crofters, pay your 200 pennies and then compete in the Fielden Cup, 2.2 miles along Georges Lane to Pike Cottage and back (S/F by Matchmoor Lane). We have prizes and something edible for all finishers. You could then do a couple more miles before the presentation with optional drinking in the Jolly Crofters. If you are a paid-up member of HRMI Harriers victory will seal the prestigious Fielden Cup - you'll need a big mantlepiece for its display. It is a handicap race so helpful to let me know in advance for estimating a sensible handicap time (EtU got yours calculated along with 50 other harriers from recent races). Hopefully at least 10 will run but over 30 would put pressure on the finishing team. I wonder what is the record field for the event.

Well It Was Like THis...

...a lot of the course was unsurfaced, there was a narrow bridge where we had to queue up to get across, there were lots of tight turns, Barry Alman reckons it was long, I had been out for 3 hours 26 minutes on Saurday morning and after all, the winner only ran 34:34. Will that do?

The chip timing is interesting and I think illustrates why perhaps although necessary in bigger races, it can lead to confusion. The results (see TF's link) appear to be in gun time order, but quote chips times. I ran shoulder to shoulder with Martin Banks for the last half mile or so and outsprinted him over the last 200 yards. I'm in the results one place in front of him (positions 430/431), but we're reminded by the chip time that as he crossed the start line 7 seconds after me, that he probably ran the race faster than me. Oh, woe!

Finally, although these results tell me that I was just inside the hour, I know, and my training diary needs to know (and now you know) that I really took over the hour for this 10k - double woe!

Stop procrastinating EtU, we need a report to explain http://www.race-results.co.uk/results/2012/bolton10k.pdf

Thank goodness for chip timing TF