Saturday 15th February 2020 - Dennis No Deterrent...

...well, perhaps a bit of one.

Nowadays the usual turnout on a Saturday is just YJ and yours truly, so it was good to be joined by TF on this not very welcoming morning. The three of us made it up the Pike in a not too shabby time, having, on route, exchanged greetings with my eldest daughter, Rachel, accompanied by one of her regular training companions. We descended down the Race route to continue along George's lane, but rather than turn up to Two Lads at Pike Cottage we continued towards Wilderswood, where TF, on a limited timescale, turned for home.

YJ and I continued until the Matchmoor Lane junction, where YJ dropped down to Chorley Old Road, to reduce the risk of a recent injury being aggravated by a slip on the saturated fell.

I turned up the concrete quarry road onto Burnt Edge and, then, heading for Two Lads, caught up with a walking group made up of NLN, SN and NicO. Good to see you ladies! We stayed together until Two Lads, when I sensed they could smell the coffee and they descended to their cars.

I dropped down to George's Lane, then it was up the Pike for the second time that morning, but by then the rain was penetrating my less than adequate attire, and I too headed down and home.

Good to see so many of us out, even if only in dribs and drabs (do either of those two words have any meaning if one is used without the other?) despite the rain appearing on a more continuous basis.

I had mentioned that YJ and I are working on arranging an outing (in the Weakened Warrior series) each month during the summer. The first of these will be an assault on the Coniston fells on Saturday 4th April. I will post outline plans for further expeditions shortly.

A Re-Birth for YJ

After his disappointment at missing the 2019 Snowdonia Marathon due to the recurrence of a long term lurking viral complaint - it would have been his first as an eighty-year-old - YJ has recovered and has gone from strength to strength.

Having achieved an age group win in the Lancaster Half Marathon, and at the same time securing the top 2019 UK ranking for that distance, he has turned his attention to Park Runs.

He now holds the all time over 80 record at Whitstable, Kent and, closer to home, at Avenham, Preston. I think Haigh Hall is soon going to be treated to a visit - watch this space!

Start the Year...

...with a run with the Bros.

YJ and I will be 'running' from the Lower Barn tomorrow - New Year's Day! - starting at 8:30. All welcome.

Seasons Greetings

The Lord and Lady of Brentford would like to wish all their good friends at wfdbwgua a very happy and holy Christmas. As has been our custom for several years now, we are not sending any Christmas cards: instead we are making a donation to the Yorkshire Cancer Centre.
I look forward to running with you in 2020.

That's Lyth Recce Sat 23rd Nov

Me and YJ are planning a recce of approx 2/3rds of the That's Lyth route on this Saturday.

There is currently 3 seats available in the car if you wish to come to.

We'll be leaving our usual meeting point in Bamber Bridge at 8am to head for Sizergh Castle where we'll start/finish our route. Approx 15m in total.

Alternatively, you could meet us at Sizergh Castle.

The route has a bit of road involved but probably no more than 2-3m.

Please let us know by Friday 5pm if you want to come.

TF

Quarterly 'Do'

A date for your diary - Friday 6th December 2019 - Black Horse at Limbrick - as we used to say "Be there, or be square!"

Week 3 on my comeback - Sun 13th October

It was a busy day helping out at the first race of the XC League on the Saturday, so I was looking forward to an easier day spectating at the Manchester Half Marathon.

My friend was running it with her cousins husband. It was his first time at a half marathon, she's lost count how many she's done!

With lots of road closures I had to drop little Smartie off in a local side street and run a mile and a bit to get to the start area. There was an initial out and back loop for the runners so the back of the start was also mile 2. Well 30 mins had elapsed after the official start when I got a phone call - 'we've not moved yet, we're still at the start'.

It took them a further 30 mins before they came past. I was getting a little chilly so I said I'd run with them a bit to warm up. So I kept to one side and used the pavement where I could.

I had a map of the route and the intention was cut off and re-join them further along the route. We were chatting and enjoying the atmosphere so much that I just kept going. At the 10k marker, our novice runner announced that this was the furthest he'd ever run. He's a tall lad, my friend's not much taller than me so I decided to stick with them just in case he needed some help later on.

Never seen anyone so determined to complete an event. The only time he stopped running was for a pee stop just before 9 miles. He crossed the line in 2hrs 56, beating his target time of 3hrs. First time I've seen beer given out as a post race recovery drink at a road race (it was alcohol-free though).

An impressive amount of people out supporting round the course, lots of music and a very nice atmosphere.

By the time I got back to Smartie, I'd also done a half marathon. So much for an easy day.

TF

Curbar Commotion Saturday 5th October (9.8m/415metres climb)

I've been waiting for the results before posting a report, but non have appeared.

This was the 2nd race in my 'come-back' series.

Based in the Peak District from the small village of Curbar which is on the A623 heading towards Bakewell.

A lot larger field of runners for this one than the previous week, the weather was a lot more benign.



The route heading out along the main road to start with before heading north through a wooded area up to Froggat Edge where we were greeted by a lady ringing a bell telling us we were at the top. At this point I'd just been keeping ahead of 2 ladies chatting at the back.

Once on the edge, I put a bit of a spurt on until we reached a boggy bit round some fields. Some nice firm running until the southern most point. Here I caught up with a couple more runners on downhill muddy section, and managed to just keep ahead of them until the end.

The parent/governors of the school had laid on a good selection of drinks and cakes at the end.

I clocked 10.25m in the end and a time of 2hrs15. A lot more runnable than the week before, but still hard work and a good effort.

I'm having a week off racing this week as it's XC league. But will be back on racing next Sunday 20th Oct

TF

Rombalds Romp Fell Race  8m /1214ft Sunday 29th Sept

I've decided, I'm making a come-back. None of my clothes fit! Well I picked a cracker of a race for my first V50 fell race. Yep, you read that right, 51 and 3/4, and this was going to be my first V50 race of the type that you rock up on the day, fill in paper form, hand over a bit of dosh (probably less than a pint of beer in London) in return for a number you pin on your chest.

I'd done a bit of orienteering on Rombalds Moor (just south of Ilkley) in the past. I had a look at the route map yesterday and realised there was a bit of everything in this one, trail paths, peaty trods, boggy bits, a bit of road (not excessive). Just over 8m with a previous winning time of about 50 mins, last runner 2hrs 10 in 2018. I can do it, bring it on!

Not many races you get a 'full on' orienteering map to follow. 60-odd toed the line. The weather was biblical.

Well, I was walking up the first hill on the tarmac. Not a good sign, but I did have someone behind me keeping the sweepers company. I lost sight of the lady in front by the 2nd CP, so ran virtually the entire race by myself. 

The route was completely flagged, so my map stayed in my pocket, and I could just run. It was an absolute blast! The weather was pretty grim, but the route wasn't steep enough that I couldn't keep moving to keep warm. It was very wet, boggy, muddy, a real good variety of terrain. It reminded me why I love fell-running so much.

I crossed the finish line in 2.07mins. The race organiser was there to greet me, I must have had a big smile on my face as he asked if I'd enjoyed it. Fabulous,  I told him, it was my come back race and I'd be back again in a year, hopefully to get under 2hrs. I complemented him and his helpers on the flagged route that took us round the best bits of Rombalds Moor.

I came away with these

The one on the left I got for finishing, the one on the right for being V50. What a result!

TF 

A Good Do!

The cake says it all!    An early celebration to mark a special birthday for a special person at the Black Horse last night.  Enjoy it when it arrives John.

YJ Does His Bit for His Country

The 2019 Maidenhead Half Marathon had been promoted as including The Celtic Challenge, a veterans' home international. John had secured a place in the England V75 squad, by virtue of achieving  a top three place in one of the selection races.

He had been hoping for a sub 2 hour time, preferably closer to 1:55. However on the day it just wasn't there and he ran a, nevertheless very respectable, time of 2:02:47. To save you doing the maths, that's just over 9 minute miles.

The race results are a bit of a hotchpotch; one version has him down as 6th out 8 V75 men; another has him down as 1st V80 - he turns 80 in fact, 16 days after the race date. What is clear that he finished 11 minutes in front of the first man who was actually 80 years old on the day.

I can find no trace for the results of the Celtic Challenge - perhaps culling them from the overall race results was beyond the scope of the results system.

A couple of photos:-

Our man with his grandson Milton.

...and with a lady who obviously took a shine to him - he didn't disclose whether they exchanged contact details.

Let's see what he can do in his first race as a real 80 year old - The Snowdonia Marathon - in six weeks time.

Joss Leg 1 - Saturday 17th August '19

Just three of us, TF, YJ and self, set off for Pooley Bridge for a day out on the Eastern Fells. The weather was fine for the drive, although a mixed day was forecast.

The eponymous bridge appears not yet to have been fully repaired after the floods, traffic lights ensuring that there is only one way traffic proceeding at any time.

We approached the fell via the main camp site, which appeared to be very busy as we passed through. Gaining height steadily, we by-passed Arthur's Pike and were soon on Loadpot:-

Note: - This is a stock image, obviously taken in sunshine. As we approached, we watched a squall blowing in from the south west and were just about fully waterproofed when it struck. There were more to come, but these reduced in severity as the day went on.

On from there we joined the course of High Street, the Roman road and on to Wether Hill (Google what a 'wether' is - it's not just a bad spell of 'weather'), then Red Crag. There is a slight col at that point, whence I sent my faster companions ahead, to allow me a comfort break and to avoid me slowing progress further.

From there, we separately took in Raven Howe and reconvened a little way further on, me part way to High Raise, J & J on their return from that peak.

I turned at that point, and we descended together down Ramps Gill, enjoying a light lunch part way down:-

We kept to the east of the motor road and after what seemed (to me) an eternity on an undulating off-road route we returned to Pooley Bridge.

A great day out, despite our early drenching, with 17 miles completed. Many thanks to my companions for their company - and navigation.

Joss Leg One - Sat 17th Aug '19

YJ and I will be driving up to Pooley Bridge to run part (?) of Leg 1 of the Joss Naylor Challenge - no reason, other than we like the route - and Lakeland calls.

Any takers?

One Outa Nine Ain't Good but...

… Well Done That One!

When I rocked up at the barn yesterday I was neither surprised nor disappointed to find that there were just two familiar faces, bright eyed and bushy tailed, (can a face be bushy tailed?) waiting in readiness for the day ahead. But eventually, in ones and twos, most of the usual suspects reported for duty:-

The only 'newby' was Ian, hairy guy, far right of picture. The ninth member of our squad for the day was wielding the camera.

After the photo-shoot we set off, just about 10 minutes later than scheduled, and immediately split into two groups, Paul with his three training partners plus Ian, at the front and the rest (me and the three folk who felt most sorry for me) bringing up the rear. Note that my first born had opted for the front group.


No details reported from the front group regarding route choices, so just a few from the slow group:- 

1.   Eschewing the usual diagonal up to George's Lane, TF and YJ tried the broken road up to the Pigeon Tower, but the avoidance of the overgrown 'path' did not compensate for the added distance, so the diagonal seems to remain the better choice.

2.  As previously, from the lop of Two Lads YJ led us on a low route past Holden's Farm and then on tarmac until we had passed Green Nook when we turned north to pick up the usual route to Whimberry Hill and thence to Egg Hillock. 

3.   The various escape routes from Egg Hillock have often been compared, but no-one seems to have come up with an agreed best solution - cue YJ's recommendation:-  This involves backtracking up to Whimberry Hill and continuing back up the ridge to pick up the wall leading eventually to the Trig Point, passing, at some vague point, the top of Counting Hill. It's a bit further than any of the more direct lines, but has the great benefit of avoiding the awful bracken fields, plus a reduction in lost (and therefore needing to be regained) height. Get's my vote.

TF had baled out at Two Lads to continue with her day and by the time we three reached the Trig Point the rain was getting heavier and legs were wearying. YJ decided to head back to the Barn to (as they say in the boxing world) avoid further punishment and Christa agreed to act as his carer and companion.

I staggered down to Hordern Stoops  with the aim of continuing along the route as far as my allotted time (6 and a half hours) would allow, but the prospect of the wet tussocks on the way to Old Adam's put me off and I continued along Spitlers, with just a casual nod to its ill-defined top, turning for home after Redmond's Edge, to arrive back at the Barn a few minutes short of 6 hours to find...

...Ian! 

Perched on the back of his boot, taking a little 'light' refreshment. He'd completed the route, solo after the Trig Point, having never covered it before, but having done not a little research before the day. Again, well done that man!

Suggestions for the future:-

1.  Consider whether there would be any interest in an outing targeting just the northernmost five tops.

2.   YJ and I are planning a 'do or die' attempt on the full round, later in the year but before the weather gets seriously worse.

3.   The main event remains the mob-handed assault on the full round on the last Saturday in July - just like yesterday's but with more completers; just 365 days (2020 is a leap year) to go - best not hold your breath!

Oh Ye of Little Faith

See, I didn't make him up:-

Coope's Dozen 2019

The 2019 running of this annual social event will be held on Saturday 27th July, that is, as per usual, just one week before the Borrowdale race.

The event will start from Rivington Top Barn at 09:00 hours and follow the usual pattern of folk splitting into informal groups, depending on how energetic they are feeling. The full route is approximately 18 miles, and crosses the Belmont/Rivington Road at Horden stoops, where it's possible to drop down to Rivington after covering about ten miles.

Further details are available by email from edswift@btinternet.com

All welcome.

South of Horwich

On our last outing to the Lakes, EtU had mentioned that he fancied an day trip outing in hills in the South. To this I guessed he meant the 'Peak District' and not South South, with a bit of interrogation, we located a it little more precisely to Edale. I think he felt he'd missed the 'views' on is last trip on YJ's 70@70 primarily with the issue of it being in the pitch-black and mist.

So the 20-odd mile route around the Edale Skyline was agreed on.

Our starting point was the NT car park near Mam Tor and we were going to head in a clockwise direction. This is the half-way point of the fell race of the same name that is held in March every year. That also runs in a clockwise direction, but starts in the village and climbs up to Ringing Roger on the other side of the valley to begin with.

Our first summit was Lords Seat, followed by a much easier traverse across the peat courtesy of the new stone path to the trig point on Brown Knoll. Memory fade on TF's part had failed to pick up the original racing line, but in hindsight it was likely that the 'stick to the path' route that we opted for (see gps trace) could now prove faster.

Very overcast skies meant that photo opportunities didn't materialize until we were on the far side of the valley. Whilst SN was busy snapping the views

TF and EtU were trying to persuade YJ to climb Pym Chair

By this point, the route was becoming very busy with a steady stream of walkers/runners. Usually we hardly see another sole out. After negotiating the 'Wool Packs' and 'Crowden Tower' we stopped for a bite to eat and to analyse our progress.

A group decision was made to miss out Win Hill and aim for Losehill. By now the sun was out and it was a bit warm getting to the summit

A final last slog up to Mam Tor and back to the car park in just over 7.5hrs and just under 18 miles.With the opening of the new by-pass going round the Airport, our journey time to and from the 'Peaks' was just on an hour. A second trip has been proposed. We'll keep you posted

TF

HRUBAATFS part 2

Saturday morning I met the TF at Jn 36 and we drove to Great Langdale in order to recce part of the Joss Naylor route from Rossett Pike to Esk Hause. The first couple of miles along Mickleden are virtually flat so we were warmed up by the time we reached the climb towards Stake Pass. The climb was OK (apart from the bracken) and we then took the path towards the summit of Rossett Pike. At this point, the TF demonstrated here navigational prowess by picking a far better line than I did thereby avoiding some unnecessary climbing. I also had EtU's trouble - meeting a couple of very pleasant young ladies and stopping for a chat! However, we reached the summit and spent a few minutes discussing the options for getting to Bowfell.
We decided that dropping down to Angle Tarn meant losing too much height even if the running was easier, and so we took the direct route. It was steep and tricky in places, but there were some cairns and we reached the plateau below the summit without mishap. A lunch stop and then it was off to Esk Pike where we bumped into two of my fellow Settle Harriers, and down to Esk Hause. We decided that Great End was a bit too much, I had a jog up to Allen Crags, and then it was back to the car.
Now I had thought that it was downhill all the way back to Mickleden, but there were two ups to negotiate before the long descent, and the descent of Rossett Gill was not very enjoyable; it was difficult terrain to run on and I got a blister, which is most unusual for me. Fortunately, the TF came to the rescue with some quick first aid, and we made it back to the car without further mishap. A quick but much needed drink in the Stickle Barn and we were off home.
Thanks to the TF for an enjoyable day out. In total over the two days, I ran 22.55 miles and climbed 8127ft. Sunday was a rest day!

Hill reps up Blencathra and a Tooth Fairy Special part 1

Given how close they are, I don't get to the Lakes that often, but last week I had two epic outings on consecutive days.
One of my hareem, Helen, has entered the Lakes In A Day which takes place in October and she wanted to recce some of the route. So last Friday she and I went up to Threlkeld and met up with Rachel, another Helen and Little Dave. Now Little Dave lives in Burgess Hill which is about 20 miles north of Brighton but he has an encyclopedic knowledge of the Lake District, and he suggested a double Blencathra. First came the easy bit, the gradual ascent of Blease Fell. I say easy but Blencathra is well over 2800ft high, so the term is relative. Anyway we soon reached the summit and were rewarded by stunning views. A quick snack and then the straightforward descent of Scales Fell before the fun began.
The second ascent was via Doddick Fell and started with an awkward little rock scramble right at the base of the fell. Then came an interminable steep ascent through the bracken covered lower slopes. Bracken and I don't get on; spores + hay-fever = asthma, not good when climbing steep hills. Eventually we were through and things improved dramatically.The ridge is quite narrow and there were excellent views into the valleys on either side. Another break on the summit and we set off down Halls Fell. For those that don't know it, Halls Fell is very steep but it is the way down on the LIAD so we had to do it. Helen and I, used to the grassy descents of the Dales, were soon left behind but we managed a lot better than we had feared and were soon down. A quick drink in the Horse and Farrier, and then it was time to go back and get some rest before Saturday.

Saturday 15th June

Just for the occasional Saturday morning participant, I will be at the Bottom Barn at 8:30 a.m (or very soon after) this coming Saturday; hope to have company.