"If you thought about it, you would lie down"

BG Aftermath: And Then It Was Over, And We Took Our Applause.....

2010-08-17T08:40:00.001-07:00

Achieving any long-term goal, such as the BG, inevitably leads to a "challenging" period which can feel a bit empty...physically and emotionally.

As expected, for some days after the BG, walking wasn't easy! Getting up from my sleeping position on the ground the next day was comical...I could get onto all fours, but hadn't the strength to lever myself into a standing position!

That didn't last too long though, and the only physical legacies I appeared to have were a very sore arch on the left foot (I suspect it's "collapsed" a little) and toenails on both big toes that have turned black. The left foot in particular looked pretty horrible, with the nail having been driven into the skin causing inflammation and swelling across the whole foot, which meant a quick trip to A&E to check I hadn't broken a bone somewhere under there.

But all that's behind me now. The foot's still a little niggly, but not too bad. Lethargy still remains though. We've been out walking on the hills since, including a trip up a couple of small Wainwrights, a day on Ilkley Moor and dragging my son and his girlfriend up Snowdon :-) But running isn't really on the agenda.

Last weekend, I did feel about ready to start again. Running leg 1 with Andy would have been great, alternatively a Paddy recce would have been nice, but fate conspired against me, and I'm now struggling with a trapped nerve in my neck. Is this a BG legacy? Who knows. The osteo reckons it's nowt serious and won't take too long to be better, but running's a no-no for another week :-/

Mentally, the first couple of days were a massive high. The grin didn't leave my face. To be fair, it rarely has since. I am really pleased to have done the BG. But, of course, me being me, it's not good enough and it's not the "end" which I always said it might be.

For a start, you can't help looking back and wondering, wishing you'd done a better time. So daft really...I always said that IF I could do the BG, it would be somewhere between 23.30 and 24 hours. Instead, it was 23.20. But, on the day, I was more than capable of easily doing sub-23 and, if I'd known I was going to feel so good all day, I know I could have done nearer 22.30.

The positive side of not seeing it as the "end", though, is that almost immediately, I started to think "what's next?". The obvious thing to look at is the Paddy Buckley. North Wales is where I got my early experience on the mountains, my Dad taking me up Snowdon when I was 5 years old, and then up plenty more of the Welsh summits during my childhood. I much prefer Wales to the Lakes, it has a much "wilder" feel to it, and I'm really looking forward to reacquainting myself with the area.

Obviously, what I've really taken from the BG is the fact that I CAN do these long distances. My eating strategy worked well, my legs and body held up, mentally I got into the right frame of mind....this augers well for the future. And, I guess, the other thing I've taken from it is that I finally feel qualified to call myself a "fellrunner"!

In the short to medium term, several people told me that I'd hit a bit of a low at some point in the weeks after the big day. To be fair, it hasn't been too low, but I'm certainly feeling a bit irritable, a restlessness with life and impatient to move forward again.

But there is SO much to look forward to! 2 weeks on Tuesday, I'm getting married to the most wonderful lass on top of a Scottish mountain!! What could be better, or more fitting after all the support she's given me. Kirsten received a text from someone (who shall remain nameless) after the BG saying that this person thought I was so much stronger mentally these days, that it had been a major factor in my getting round, and that the person felt Kirsten should take a lot of credit for that. What a wonderful text to send, and so much truth in it.

And there's our future to plan and look forward to. We can do anything we want to together. That will inevitably mean us living up in Scotland in the near future. Definite plans aren't yet made, and other things may crop up which open up new and different possibilities, but we'll end up in Scotland sooner rather than later!

It's been a long year, but ultimately, it's been full of positives. It's been (quite literally) an up and down rollercoaster of a ride, but I wouldn't change a moment of it. Anything worth achieving has to be worked at, and there's nothing more satisfying than seeing your hard work pay off.

Come next Spring, I hope to be able to offer support to more people who want to have a go at the BG, and help them to make their dream become reality. The fells, the solitude, the effort, the camaradarie, the tradition, the generosity of people, the chance to be out on the fells for a whole day...these are what makes the BG unique and it will always hold a special place in my heart.

You Who I Let Bathe in the Spotlight's Glare.........

2010-08-12T05:33:00.000-07:00

....photos from the day are here:

BG photos

Thanks to Dave A and Emma for some great photos :-)

Leg 5: So I See It's Me, I Can Do Anything, I'm Still the Child...

2010-08-12T02:54:00.001-07:00

After such a long stop at Honister, I worried how I might feel as we set off again into the rain and mist. It's easy to say "job done" at Honister, but there's still over 10 miles and 2,500ft to go! In the context of the whole day, it's nothing. Having already been going 20 hours, it's no easy trot!

But I needn't have worried. Once I got back into a rhythm going up Dale Head, I was fine. The pace was good, the rain was starting to ease off and I could sense the end drawing near. Dale Head was done up on schedule, the trot along to Hindscarth was wonderful and done well under schedule.

From there, Morgan wanted to take the safe option in poor visibility and so we headed up the fence line on the main path. As we neared the top of the climb, it really hit home that this was the last ascent of the day and the legs found new strength. Soon we were on the top of number 42, Robinson and Dave A took a great photo of me, one that I will always treasure. It summed up the day perfectly, with me smiling through the rain and gloom!

The last tough bit is to get yourself down off Robinson. I've read so many horror stories of people who can hardly walk at this stage and have staggered down. I felt so lucky to be feeling so much better than that. Yes, the legs were tired now, but I still managed a trot. As we neared the rock steps, a headtorch appeared. It was Ian Roberts, who'd popped up to guide us on trods through the heather rather than down the rock! Fantastic! It is humbling and wonderful that people are prepared to do this kind of thing for you. Thanks so much Ian.

As we traversed below the rock steps, the clouds started to part and we got wonderful views down. Finally, after all these hours, the weather was brightening and it was a pleasure to see our surroundings again. We got to the "col" and Ian showed the route down. Soon enough we were heading along the track and approaching the tarmac.

As we trotted along the road, the legs started to complain for the first time...I don't like tarmac! But we kept a decent pace, although we appeared to have lost Morgan somewhere behind us. In no time at all, I could see the lights at Little Town and there's everyone waiting for us. Ian was suggesting he take me off-road for the last few miles, and with the tarmac burning my feet, this sounded like a great idea.

No need for a change of shoes then. Just time to pick up Kirsten to run in with me and we were off, walking up the initial steep hill. Then we were off across the fields, on an improving evening, the rain down to a slight drizzle. It was wonderful to have Kirsten running next to me. SO much of this success was down to her. And she was clearly enjoying it, rushing ahead to open gates for me and Ian.

At one point, we headed across a field...to where a herd of cows barred the way through to the next gate! Now I'm a wee bit nervous about running through cows..and Kirsten's terrified of them! But nowt was going to stop us now, and we both plucked up the courage, running right through the middle of them.

I was enjoying the off-road route...but unfortunately, as we got to the road, we took a wrong turn and missed the off-road continuation :-/ This added some extra distance on, and meant we had to head back uphill to take the road from here to Portinscale. After a long day, I was a wee bit grumpy about this...sorry Ian and Kirsten! It was the first time all day that my head had dropped.

Soon enough though, we headed into Portinscale and the lights of Keswick looked very close. Over the suspension bridge, across the fields and a few tears came into my eyes as the prospect of finishing neared.

Ian moved aside and asked Kirsten to see me home. It was perfect, side by side heading up through the streets of Keswick, Kirsten supporting me as she has done through every twist and turn of the last year.

The Moot Hall came into view, I saw everyone waiting for me and, from somwhere, I managed to spring up the street at a good pace, to touch the doors in 23.20 and complete a wonderful day out.

It was all a bit of a blur...lots of congratulations and hugs, some photos, I was buzzing. No way did I want to sit down, my legs were twitching, raring to go. Kirsten produced a bottle of champagne, which she had to open for me! Plastic cups of champagne all round, and mine went down a treat! I was aware that I was sporting a huge grin on my face, one that was unlikely to disappear for a long, long time. Kirsten disappeared, the reappeared with chips! Perfect! And another glass of champagne was downed very quickly to wash them down....at which point, the alcohol and the tiredness from the day suddenly hit home and I was unable to keep my eyes open!

Kirsten managed to bundle me into the car and get me back up to the campsite, undress me enough to remove the wet clothing, and get me into my sleeping bag. I slept for a while, but it was a restless sleep. My head was filled with excitement from the day, my legs had not got the message that their work was done and they were alert and twitching.

What a wonderful day, one of the best of my life. I enjoyed just about every minute. I felt and still feel privileged, humbled, grateful and so, so lucky to have had the fantastic support I received from my supporters on the fells. The best bunch of folk I know, people I'm really proud to call my friends. The BG really IS about having a special day out on the fells and enjoying the company of like-minded people. Thank you so much to each and every one of you....fancy doing it again next year, in Wales perhaps? :-)

The roadside support was top class as well. Huge thanks to my sister for taking on the long journey to Wasdale and setting up support there, and thanks to Gill for support at Threlkeld and Dunmail. And not forgetting all the wonderful support I received at those road stops from people who were also helping me on the fells. It is such a boost to come down off a leg and see friendly, familiar faces.

And, most importantly, a huge, HUGE thanks to Kirsten. I could not have come close to doing this without her. Such great support on the day, both physical and moral support. The food was laid out perfectly, my every need was met without fuss. And not just me, she also made sure my supporters were fed and watered properly, which is so important when they're doing more than one leg. I think I'm going to hire her out to future BGers!

But what has been even more important is the support she's given me through all the training...when my head's dropped she's been there to pick me up and believe in me, when life's got in the way she's done her very best to smooth away my troubles. Nothing has been too much trouble for her and she's dealt with everything without complaint and always with a smile. And through it all, she's had such total belief in me, and that has given me new-found confidence.

Originally, the plan had been for her to join me on leg 4 and 5, and I know how disappointed she was that a knee injury prevented her from doing so. But having her run with me from Newlands was perfect, sharing those really special moments as you head back towards Keswick and completion. It was fitting that it was just her and me trotting up the street towards the Moot Hall,with 68 miles and 28,000ft behind me - she was the strength behind every step I took.

Leg 4: The Hill To Happiness Is Far Too Steep, I'll Carry on Regardless...

2010-08-11T23:48:00.000-07:00

Fed, watered and clothes changed, I was ready to go. Although I felt like I'd "done it" by leaving Wasdale with so much time to spare, the fact is it's a long way back, and there's a huge climb up Yewbarrow to contend with immediately.

The legs were a bit stiff after a 15 minute stop, and we walked along the road, Yiannis and Morgan carrying on over another leg and Dave A joining us. Emma had a few choice words for me, and then I noticed her giving some kind of instructions to Dave...I found out later what they were!

The cloud was right down now, and it wouldn't be long before we entered it. The rain was incessant, and climbing through the bracken on the lower slopes ensured we were wet through quite quickly. This was the point at which the supporting I'd done through May and June really helped me. I'd watched Mark Jackson and Simon Daws struggle up this climb at, what felt like at the time, a really slow pace...and yet emerge onto the top of Yewbarrow pretty much on schedule.

And so, as I toiled up following Yiannis, I knew that despite feeling a wee bit tired and thinking I was going slowly, I was actually fine. And so it proved, Yewbarrow topped in 49 minutes. It was a bit chilly up there though, and the wind really caught us for the first time, driving the rain into our faces. We speculated that it would be behind us as we tackled the tops later on the leg....but it never proved to be!

From Yewbarrow, the climb back up to Red Pike is, I think, more the key to this leg. You think you've done the hard work getting up Yewbarrow but Red Pike is actually another 50 minutes away. Again, I felt sluggish, but hit the top of Red Pike in 49 minutes, no pausing on the edge of the drop in blustery conditions!

From then on, the leg was quite hard work, constant rain being driven into us by a fresh wind, little visibility and slippy rocks. But, with absolute belief that this was my day, nowt was going to throw me off course. Yiannis and Morgan were doing a magnificent job, striding out ahead to show the way. Dave A was following Emma's advice to the letter...always alongside me, offering food and drink, keeping a bit of chat going to brighten up the gloom. For someone who'd never been on a BG before, he sure learns fast...absolutely perfect support.

The climb out to Steeple was fun, with Yiannis stopping below the summit and saying "shout me when you get there". A chance for a moment to be alone, and take it all in...I was going to complete my BG!

Pillar was climbed quickly, although I slipped on rock at one point and landed, doubled up, with the rock just resting against my ribs. It took a couple of seconds lying there to get myself together, during which I heard alarm in Morgan's voice as he turned to see me prostrate amongst the rocks!

The descent to Black Sail pass was a bit slow because of the slippy rocks, the climb up Joss's Gully was interesting, as we used the grass on the left. Note to self: if you don't like heights, DON'T look down the drop just to your left! :-)

Soon enough we were down to Beck Head, with the rain relentless and all of us having gone quiet in the miserable conditions. The upside of this was that I couldn't see the imposing face of Gable rising ahead of me! So, I just had to get my head down and follow Yiannis and Morgan up an excellent line, Dave sticking right by me and keeping me going. It's a tough climb, and you feel like it goes on forever. But the reality is it's soon over.

Karl had said to me on Friday night "get to Gable by 8pm and you can be back in under 24 hours". As I touched the top, I looked at my watch...it wasn't even 7pm! I couldn't have imagined it going this well when I was talking to Karl on the campsite.

In the conditions, we decided to go down via the path...it wasn't an afternoon for trying to be clever. Again, Yiannis and Morgan took a great line which saw us down below Green Gable quickly enough, and from here the terrain changes back to grassy fells and you're able to run again. Which is what we did, trotting across to Brandreth then Grey Knotts, Yiannis navigating perfectly although visibility was really poor.

And soon enough, we were heading off Grey Knotts on the grassy trod down to Honister. The legs were tired, no doubt about it, but I still managed a run down. As soon as I saw the cars in the car park below, I got an extra spring in my step and it was wonderful to arrive to clapping and cheers and the surprised looks at a few...it wasn't even 8pm!

"Camp" had been set up under the roof, to shelter us from the rain. I got some food down, and had a moment with Kirsten, telling her that I was now feeling tired. She helped me to get changed...and I noticed my patience was now wearing a bit thin, my "favourite" fleecy running top was nowhere to be seen, and I was a wee bit of a spoilt child, saying THAT was the one I wanted! :-)

There seemed to be so much activity and so many smiling faces, I was enjoying myself a bit too much here, chatting to everyone, taking it all in, having a big bowl of stew to warm myself up. I seem to remember someone saying we needed to wait while Morgan (who, let's face it, had already done 2 tough legs and needed some looking after himself) changed into dry clothes. Somehow, I ended up staying at Honister for 21 minutes, which wasn't in the plan!! But I guess it was a sign of how well the day had gone. I'd had visions of not being able to stop here, of having to go straight through if I was to stand any chance. And now here I was, taking my time, enjoying myself!

A kiss from Kirsten, lots of cheers and Morgan, Dave and myself headed up Dale Head....the last leg!

Leg 3: The Company I Choose Is Solidly Singular, Totally Trustworthy, Straight and Sincere…

2010-08-10T07:50:00.001-07:00

Leg 3 was the one that worried me most. Not just because it comes at a time when you’re starting to feel that first bit of tiredness and there’s a long way to go. And not just because you know you’re heading over the highest fells in England and the going gets rocky. But also because this was where it all went wrong last year. Seven hours this leg had taken! Seven hours! It sounds ridiculous now, and I’m not quite sure how it happened. But the doubt was still in my head…

Which is why I was determined to get together a team of supporters on this leg who would ensure that wouldn’t happen again – people I trusted and respected and would know exactly how to deal with the low points, how to keep me on schedule.

So I was thrilled when Karl agreed to navigate, and listened when he told me that Lords Rake was a much better option than dropping all the way down to Foxes Tarn gully. Add to that the fact that Yiannis had agreed to do legs 4 and 5 and I already had the best with me. Then Morgan said he wanted to do 3 legs with me…and I liked the idea of having the BG Sec with me all the way from Dunmail!

And, of course, there was Emma. I always wanted her on this leg. We’ve swapped plenty of e-mails during BG training, one day worrying that we couldn’t do this BG thing, the next feeling confident after a good training run. I was so thrilled when she completed in under 24 hours in May, and was also inspired by the huge resilience and mental strength she showed, having had an horrendous 2^nd leg. I knew that she now knew what it took to get round and her recent experience would be invaluable. Plus she’s great company! And that’s what I wanted out on this leg.

If that wasn’t good enough, in the week leading up to the BG, we got a text from Darren saying he could make it for leg 3. I was so pleased by that. Having had chats with him in various places over the last couple of years, and having seen his BG support style first-hand during May when he was leading a Pennine runner across the Langdales, I knew he was exactly the sort of person I needed – encouraging when it’s deserved, he also tells it as it is and gives you a verbal kick up the arse if it’s needed!

So off we headed up the steep climb onto Steel Fell, with me feeling rather full and wondering if the sickness would start here. Although I felt sluggish, the climb was made on time and the run out to Calf Crag in thick clag was done under schedule. From there to Sergeant Man, there was the bizarre spectacle of Emma trying to force feed me rice pudding from a spoon!! Not easy when she’s 5ft nothing and I’m over 6ft! :-)

The visibility was poor but Karl and Yiannis were doing a tremendous job, navigating perfectly, taking shortcuts off path. I was feeling good, my feeding routine now settled into sour worms and Kendal mint cake, together with lucozade sport drink.

I was still feeling a bit anxious and this wasn’t helped when we took a completely new line (to me) over to Harrison Stickle, and I could hear Darren asking Yiannis to check if he was going the right line. But, as it turns out, it was spot on and I hit Harrison Stickle on schedule.

I enjoyed the climb up Pike O Stickle but then we went “off-trod” across Martcrag Moor and, for the first time, my spirits dipped at having to negotiate rough ground. But soon we were down to the low point and climbing up towards Rossett Pike. A quick stop was made for Darren to undo my shoes and get a stone out….bless him, he didn’t complain about the smelly socks!

Rossett Pike was reached a minute over schedule and, again, I had a slight thought that this might be the “beginning of the end”. But I’m made of sterner stuff than that plus I’ve come to love that climb up to Bowfell. And sure enough, the climb up was done 6 minutes under schedule and we embarked upon my best spell of the day, with Yianni’s great lines knocking minutes off across to Esk Pike and up Great End.

Conversations were going on around me, rather than involving me, but that’s fine. I really enjoyed them. Morgan and Darren spent an hour talking about the BG, its tradition and its future…and one of these days, I’ll add my thoughts as well! Emma and Karl joked about setting a record for carrying a rice pudding over the most tops on a BG round and, to my request for sweets at one point, the immortal line was uttered, “Emma’s got worms”!

The next section is the bit I struggle with. Great End to Scafell is a challenge. But I was feeling good, going well and the weather seemed to improve slightly on Great End. That didn’t last! As we headed across to Ill Crag, the rain started and, pretty soon, we were down to poor visibility and soaking rain. The rocks across to Broad Crag and then the Pike were slippy, but we stayed on schedule.

And so down to Mickledore and Lords Rake. Little did I know that Yiannis and Darren had been discussing whether it was advisable in deteriorating conditions! Best I didn’t know that! In fact, I take my hat off to Karl, it was absolutely fine and I’d even say enjoyable. A couple of moments on the West Wall Traverse where you realise there’s a big drop off to the left, but otherwise I enjoyed using the arms and hands instead of just legs.

And straight up onto the top of Scafell…excellent! Yiannis had already asked which way I’d like to head down and I said grass all the way, believing it to be quicker. He agreed, and said it was shorter…so off we went. But, of course, this being Yiannis, we didn’t stay on the path, but cut the corner on longer grass. It was quick, but I did curse a wee bit at the time! :-)

And then we came out of the cloud and I saw my sister standing at the gate. We trotted down and into the car park having done the leg in 14 minutes under my schedule, despite the weather. I was elated! In my mind, I’d done it. This sounds daft with over 20 miles and over 8,000ft still to go, but I knew leg 4 well and knew that even at slow pace, I now had time. I was 1 hour up on a 23.45 schedule. The leg 3 crew had done exactly what I knew they would and more! They’d kept me on schedule, they’d kept my spirits up and I’d loved their company.

Time to get some food down me. More Corned Beef stew, some rice pudding with bread and butter pudding, Dave A bouncing around impatient to go, Kirsten and Carolyn all smiles, me feeling on top of the world. This was how the BG should be!

Leg 2: Then Out Of The Darkness I Found I Could Still Feel Something Good....

2010-08-03T03:05:00.000-07:00

We set off from Threlkeld over 15 minutes up. I was now being navigated by Bill Johnson, Rod Jones had joined us and Dave Harrison and Mark Smith were continuing over a 2nd leg. Darkness still enveloped us as we headed up the road to Newsham, being caught by a panting Dave who had had to run at full speed to catch us up.

As we headed towards Newsham House, we were joined by some other runners, who turned out to be doing the Lakeland 100...I'm pleased to say they couldn't keep up! We started the climb up the steep grass, maintaining a steady pace and, as we neared the top, we were aware of the first light in the east.

The effect of dawn on overnight runs can never be over-estimated. It gives such a lift to see the first light and feel its energy flowing through you. The long night is over and a new day beckons. A day to be savoured, enjoyed, remembered.

We bagged Great Dodd, Watsons Dodd and Stybarrow Dodd in good time, marvelling at the beautiful red sky to the east, and the first glimpses of the fireball sun. Whilst this was wonderful, it was not lost on any of us that a red sky at this stage meant that the weather wouldn't be holding and I resolved to get my head down and put a bit of extra time in the bank.

Indeed, as we got to the top of Raise, we entered the cloud for the first time and we were pretty much in cloud thereafter until Dunmail. As it turned a bit chilly, conversation revolved around who had my waterproofs....it turned out nobody did! Ooops! As it was, they weren't needed with the morning being quite warm enough.

Bill was navigating us perfectly through the mist and I was aware that minutes were being knocked off the schedule consistently. The conversation was going on around me and, though I wasn't partaking, I was greatful for it. I particularly remember hearing Bill ask Rod how he knew me.....I didn't hear the full answer but, having already explained to Bill why myself and Kirsten ended up as Calder Valley members, I suspect he thinks I lead a very complicated life! :-)

Mark was feeling a little less than 100% and so dropped off towards the road from Helvellyn. We continued to make reasonable time, dropped down from the fence post to Grisedale Hause and then toiled up the screes to a misty, cold Fairfield. I then descended this well and climbed up to Seat Sandal knocking 3 minutes off my split time, better than I'd ever managed in training. Bill talk a perfect line to the "nose" and before we knew it, we were dropping down to Dunmail. Just enough time for me to nip ahead of Bill and Rod by taking a shortcut through the bracken(!) before we crossed the road and it was time to sink into the chair and eat a breakfast consisting of mushroom soup, corned beef stew and flat coke!

There were lots of people around, I was thoroughly enjoying my day and feeling great. Anne Johnson was filming me as I sat scoffing food, Kirsten was fussing around me superbly, there was a new support team ready for the off ..... all was right with the world!

Mind you, the weather was looking a bit lousy, and Leg 3 was always going to be make or break for me. It was wonderful to be 30 minutes up at this stage, plenty of time in the bag....but it would all count for nothing if I didn't get this next section right.

Leg 1: It's Time To Choose Between The Open Water and Your Dreams...

2010-08-03T02:33:00.001-07:00

With the waiting over (and more than a little impatience on my part, meaning we set off at 23.56 rather than 00:00!), I set off from the Moot Hall with Mark Smith navigating and "the Three Daves" as pacers.

Perhaps I should have been a little concerned when they all headed down one alleyway and I headed down another? :-) An inauspicious start indeed! Soon enough though, we were leaving behind the lights of Keswick and heading up on a clear, calm evening. The pace was comfortable but, by Latrigg car park, Mark was telling me I was well up on schedule. It felt fine though, and I wasn't concerned.

The stiff climb up Jenkin Hill was good, the fence was reached, according to Mark, on 22hr schedule. As we crested the top ridge, a cool breeze hit us for the first time and it was a relief to touch my 1st top, scoot down the path then head on a perfect line over the fence and down on the trod to Calva.

The going was boggy near the bottom and across to the main path. Again, the lower parts of Calva were wet and feet were sinking in....what a contrast to May and June, when the ground was solid. Calva was topped along, with the others cutting straight over the fence, then down the fence and across to the Caldew which was less than knee-high and quite refreshing!

The climb up Blencathra is not one of my favourites. Up to now, I was well up on time, but I never seem to make up any on this. I had my first food of the day and Mark entertained us with "mountain facts", some of which I knew, some of which I didn't (what's the most easterly mountain (ie over 2000ft) in the UK?).

Soon enough we were heading up across the scree and the lights of Threlkeld came into view as we touched the top. From there, I've come to enjoy the descent of Doddick Fell ridge. For those who know me, the concept of enjoying a 2500ft descent in a short distance is not usually my style! But, having done it a few times now, I've got to know those little short cuts and easier paths which make it a joy, and having got to the bottom, I enjoyed the chance to stretch out the legs and run down into the first road stop some 14 minutes up.

And what a road stop! Blue balloons lighting up the darkness, lots of folks clapping and a welcome sit down with some food. And, of course, Kirsten's smiling, happy face...although she was in "organisation" mode!

So far, everything had gone better than I could have expected. The navigation was superb, the company was spot on, I was feeling good and I'd put time in the bank at a stage when I didn't expect to.

Behind The Smile Of Confidence, Somewhere You'll Find The Wanted Man....

2010-08-03T01:50:00.000-07:00

Over the last couple of weeks, I'd rarely thought about (let alone worried about) the BG, a stark contrast to last year when it consumed me. Life's in more perspective this year and, with so much to look forward to, my mind was concentrated elsewhere. I took this as a good thing. There's no need to worry, only to enjoy.

The last couple of weeks of rest had been frustrating though. I'm not a naturally inactive person! Add to that the fact that Kirsten had banned alcohol!! A lot of lying around went on, legs resting, body strenthening itself in preparation. Strangely though, the twitching in my calf muscles increased considerably. This is usually something that happens after long runs, now it started happening all day and night. It caused a bit of worry but, in retrospect, I think it might have something to do with the repair of those muscles and the flow of blood (and chi!) through the legs.

Kirsten was wonderful. She took all organisation off my hands, single-handedly ensured that everyone would be where they should be at the right time, put together all the food boxes, laminated instructions etc etc. You can't underestimate what a difference this makes. To be free of that stress makes it so much easier for the big day.

Finally, on Wednesday late afternoon, we headed off to the Lakes, the car packed to the brim! The tent was set up at Castlerigg and the views enjoyed. Thurdsay was spent mostly resting, but we went for a walk up Walla Crag (1-2-3-4!!), a lovely little Wainwright just above the campsite.

Thereafter, the order of the day was rest, eat and hydrate. Friday was a restless day, following on from the first restless sleep I'd had. I played through the route in my mind over and over again and visualised myself trotting down off Robinson towards Newlands, then trotting into the Moot Hall with just under 24 hours on the clock.

Dave A arrived late afternoon, and it was a nice distraction to chat to him. I headed off with Kirsten into Keswick to eat at the Pedlar and then, later, we went down the pub and had "stuffed peppers" which, in retrospect, was an excellent choice for a "last meal" and one which fuelled me through Leg 1.

It was turning into a beautiful evening, with a lovely sunset. This was a good sign, a good leg 1 would really set me up for the day.

I settled down for a rest in the early evening and was amazed that I managed an hour of sleep until I was woken around 10.15ish. Time to get everything together, make sure I had the right kit on, sort out the feet and then four of us squeezed into the car alongside the boxes and headed down to Keswick. Just as well I checked if my fell shoes were packed before we left the camp site ;-)

There was no turning back now...........

Down in Keswick, we made our way through into the square to be greeted by.....nobody!!! However, it turns out that Mark, Emma and Yiannis were sitting on the other side of the Moot Hall, eating chips!

The obligatory photos were required. I wasn't really up for them. I was itching to get going, looking up at the few stars, a thin veil of cloud having started to cover the sky.

Some good wishes, that "smile of confidence", the legs twitching, the head restless, straining at the leash........

The Look of Satisfaction and Happiness........

2010-07-30T07:49:00.001-07:00

24th July 2010 - It's Just One Of Those Days When You Know That Something Is Going To Happen.....

2010-07-27T03:53:00.000-07:00

Much, much more to follow in due course, including a full write-up and photos.

But, for now, all I want and need to say is;

23.20!!!

w/e 18/7/10 - So how can anybody say, They know how I feel, When they are they, And only I am I.

2010-07-20T04:45:00.001-07:00

All these months of training, of heading out onto the Lakes fells to get the route in my head, of heading over to Stoodley and plodding up and down to get the ascent in my legs….all now concentrated into the last mad few days of packing and prepping and resting and worrying and trying to clear the fog that surrounds my brain and gain the clarity of mind needed to get round on Saturday.

Just wrote a big, long blog about all sorts of stuff that’s filling my head….and then deleted it! Suffice to say the head’s not been focused on the BG at all, but has been swimming with an array of issues which convince me more and more that I want, no NEED, to find a different way forward, a more peaceful, profitable (not in the monetary sense) and harmonious way of existing in this modern world, which is so at odds with the way I feel and think. It can be done! The good news is that I have the will and desire to do it, I share that hope and ambition with another wonderful human being and, over the course of the last few months, we’ve come across others with a similar viewpoint.

This world is full of so many wonderful and amazing things, and we must, as a race, allow ourselves to connect more with nature and re-discover our roots. Re-discover what it truly important in life. Remember that everything that nature has given us should be valued and treasured and not treated as a commodity, for the purpose of making monetary profits.

Perhaps it’s a good thing that my head has been distracted. It means I haven’t spent nights awake worrying about the BG! I’m not having nightmares about Yewbarrow, I don’t see a great impenetrable barrier in my dreams, which turns out to be Great Gable!

Hopefully, as we head off to the Lakes tomorrow, I can start to focus my mind and get myself mentally prepared for what will be a tough day, I know that. The weather forecast is looking good after weeks of awful weather….but of course we all know you can’t rely on forecasts! It will be what it will be. The main thing is that the strong winds of the last few weeks are forecast to die out by Friday, and conditions look calm. That will make a huge difference.

Kirsten’s doing an amazing job of pulling all of my support together and packaging everything up into boxes. I almost feel on the periphery of it all! Fancy doing the BG for me as well Kirsten?

I’ve got great support, some of the very best in the business, people I trust and respect – what more could I ask for? I’ve just got to deliver on the day. I’ve rested up a lot these last 3 weeks, conscious of the fact that my body felt like it was falling apart and I had to, in particular, rest the sore foot and let the Achilles settle as much as possible. The foot’s had its rest – I have a feeling it’ll never be the same again after Saturday! And the Achilles – well I’ve done all I can. It’s a problem that isn’t going away, I think from now on I just have to manage it. Saturday will, I’m sure, leave it in a right mess and I’ll be wearing sandals or plimsolls for a month….it’s the price you pay if you really want it I guess!

Hopefully Saturday will be a great day out, a successful and happy one, and a culmination of three years of building up to this moment. Whatever happens, the fells will still be there, I’ll still love being out in them, the future will still be exciting and daunting in equal measure, and I’ll still have that wonderful support and love by my side.

Roll on Friday evening………………..

w/e 11/7 – The Storm Will Come and The Rains Will Fall…And Remove Their Hopes and Dreams Once Again to the Waters That Surround Them…..

2010-07-14T04:58:00.000-07:00

Mountains are inherently dangerous and unpredictable places. The language used in modern-day outdoors speak is so inappropriate. The common term used is that someone has “conquered” a mountain. Never! A person is allowed to reach the summit and get back down again safely, having relished the experience and having been granted a safe passage in that instance. On another day, in different circumstances, that same person can be caught out by winds, cloud, storms, darkness…and fall victim to it.

We do well to remember at all times that we are but small, insignificant beings in this powerful universe.

The settled good weather this spring and early summer has lulled us into a false sense of security I suspect. Long sunny days, clear conditions, dry grippy rocks. The percentage success rate for the BG must have soared.

And so to July, and a definite change in the prevailing conditions. The rain, so noticeable by its absence over the last three months, has returned with a vengeance, and the winds have suddenly appeared. They were a feature of the previous 2 winters, and I remember several days battling into gale force winds on the high fells last spring.

Is this a longer-term change for the summer? We’ll have to see, but it shows no sign of abating yet. Perhaps I will regret not going on 19^th June as I originally planned….it was a perfect day! (not that I do “regrets”!).

Certainly Andy Kitts didn’t have the weather on his side last weekend. The rain had started by the time he set off from the Moot Hall at 7pm ,although there was no sign of the winds to come.

He had a good leg 1, ably navigated by Bob Wightman on good lines. He came down to Threlkeld on schedule and feeling good.

Six of us set off on Leg 2, as the darkness descended and the rain increased in intensity. Progress up Clough Head was ok, and we found the trod in the darkness. But once we got to the summit, the wind started to hit us.

The climb out to Great Dodd went ok as well, and we found the summit with relative ease despite the gloom. Somehow though, after taking a correct bearing off the summit, then waiting for the other 4 to catch us, we headed off track. Having downloaded the garmin, I can now see we were on a perfect line for Watsons Dodd…and then headed off right from some reason L We had to “relocate” several times…including passing straight over the path without recognizing it. The conditions were awful…wet, windy and low visibility, but I still shouldn’t have got that wrong.

In the end, we realized we’d dropped too low to the right, plotted where we were and took a line pretty directly back up and to the summit…having lost 20 minutes.

From there though, the navigation was back on track, taking surer but slightly longer options a couple of times. But the weather was getting tough. The wind and rain was straight into our faces, the visibility was dreadful. Andy and I touched the top of Helvellyn, but the other 4 had disappeared somewhere behind us. Usually, the rule would be keep going and let them fend for themselves. But in conditions like these, it was out of the question. Safety was paramount. So we headed to the relative calm of the shelter and waited for several minutes for their headtorches to appear.

From there, Nethermost’s cairn proved most elusive even though we were stood right by it, the wind threatened to knock us off Dollywagon, then I almost ran us straight off the edge J before we made a good descent down by the fence post and around to the hause.

Going up Fairfield, the wind really kicked in. Progress was slow, being knocked off our stride regularly. The rain was more like being in a car wash. Time was slipping away and the new day was beginning to dawn as we arrived at the top. Andy was still going well though, in the circumstances. If the weather would just improve, he was going strongly enough to make up the time and still complete.

He climbed superbly up Seat Sandal, we took a reasonable line off there in the clag and down to the reeds, before dropping steeply down to Dunmail and the waiting cars, some 55 minutes over schedule.

I’ll be honest, I’d already spoken to Andy on the way up Seat Sandal and suggested it may be wise to call it a day and come back in a couple of weeks. Not because he was lacking in any way, far from it. I have so much respect for how he kept grinding out the miles, his spirits remaining high despite the weather.

But, down at Dunmail, the leg 3 crew were ready and waiting and he was driven on! We stood in the torrential rain, eating bacon and sausage sarnies (thanks Stef, Kirsten and Dave!), before Kirsten got me into the car and drove us back to the tent, me shivering with cold. I got the wet clothes off and climbed into my sleeping bag…and promptly slept until 10am!

The weather didn’t relent. Andy battled on bravely until the decision was made at Great End to head down and call it a day. A wise decision I think. That’s a great training run, and I’m pleased he’s decided to do it all again in a few weeks time. He deserves that chance, he will do it given decent conditions.

Me? I’m praying to the weather gods and keeping everything crossed that the conditions are going to turn better by a week on Saturday!

TOTAL for the week – 15mls & 6,000ft

w/e 4/7 - Don't Doubt The Fact There's Life Within You, Yesterday's Endings Will Tomorrow Life Give You

2010-07-05T23:48:00.000-07:00

And so, finally, the training can start to wind down, the legs can start to recover and gain strength, and the long journey nears its end. The next few weeks are about rest, recuperation and building myself up mentally to have what it takes on the day.

I do feel confident this time. Yes, of course, the doubts surface from time to time. But they're quickly dispelled by a look at the schedule and a sure knowledge that those times are achievable...and I know that because I've spent plenty of time out on those fells this year, training and supporting other people's BGs. This time last year, I felt daunted by it all. Now, I have an excited anticipation and can't wait.

This week provided some good training, but also a reminder that the weather's not usually as kind as it has been these last two months when you're on the high fells. A timely reminder perhaps. I might as well get used to the fact that I could have a rotten, wet and windy day....but I just have to keep going.

After last week's long training weekend, I took a few days off to recover, although I didn't really feel like I needed them. But on Thursday, I was on the road again, heading to the Lakes to stay a couple of days with my sister.

I parked up at Threlkeld at 2pm-ish in sunshine and showers, but having driven through some very wet weather. The climb up Clough Head felt sluggish, the wind was picking up, I didn't feel at my best, But, as a measure of how my fitness has improved, I was on top in 46 minutes, so I was actually moving fine.

My plan for the day thereafter was to take it quite easy, make sure of my navigation for BG support on the 10th, and see what the split times were like. The clag was right down once I got to Great Dodd (4 minutes under schedule, despite only trotting and then walking slowly uphill) and the rain was starting in earnest. The wind was blasting straight into my face and I was wondering whether to drop down Sticks Pass. But that inner voice said I couldn't and musn't. This was almost a test. "Drop out here and you might as well not bother turning up on the 24th!"

So, head down, plough on regardless, making a stupid nav error off Stybarrow Dodd which took me too low and saw me having to climb back up to the col, but still manage Raise in schedule. Thereafter I was hitting time easily, making up minutes on Helvellyn, Nethermost and Dollywagon.

The next section would be interesting. I wasn't sure about my schedule to fairfield, or, for that matter, which way to go. The drop down the zig-zags and then straight up holds some attraction. But several folks have now told me that the route from the hause is much better. Time to see whether there was enough in the schedule.

Down the fenceposts on greasy, slippy grass taking it very, very easy. Around to the hause and the start of the never-ending climb. But, as I touched the summit cairn, I was pleased to see my time was under 36 minutes, whereas I've allowed much more in my schedule. I turned around not looking forward to the descent and doubting I could make Seat Sandal in 25minutes.

In fact, again I think an indication of the amount of training I've put in and how I'm more accustomed to the terrain, the descent was over before it had begun really and I surprised myself by arriving at the hause so quickly. Up Seat Sandal at a slow-ish pace, I was on the top in 24 minutes and peering through the clag for a route down.

Now I know I should have taken my compass out here!! But, in my defence it was torrential rain, strong winds and I was getting cold. So I headed off in roughly the direction I thought I should go, wondering if I could make this descent in the allotted 25 mins.

In fact, I was heading a little too far to the right and as I got lower, I could sense and start to see this. So I had to climb back up a little and trend left to find myself at the reeds on the "nose" above the final descent. A last slippy, slidy descent through the bracken and I was down at the stile in 21 mins, despite the error.

Bless my sister, she'd agreed to pick me up at Dunmail and I was bang on time to meet her. I'm sure she was thrilled to have a soaking wet, muddy runner climb into her car :-)

Friday was a much sunnier, but still very windy, day. I'd already planned to have a lazy morning and then pop out for a couple of hours. In fact, I decided to head to Whinlatter Forest for some shameless Wainwright-bagging. I parked at the car park below Whinlatter and headed straight up the wall to Greystokes, then followed the "ridge" to Broom Fell and Lords Seat, before dropping down to Barf and a wonderful view over Bassenthwaite and across to Skiddaw.

Back up from there, along to Seat How, and then some interesting navigation to get through the trees and onto Whinlatter itself, before dropping down steeply to the north to meet a forest path and back to the car. A lovely 9.5 mile jaunt on unfamiliar fells.

And then, I headed off quickly to Wet Sledale to meet Kirsten and pitch the tent in strong winds, ready for a Saunders weekend.....a weekend to either make us closer or have us arguing ;-)

Unfortunately, K's knee is still nowhere near right and therefore our original plan to do Kirk Fell was ditched and we dropped down a class to Carrock Fell. We had a start time of 8.22 and Saturday morning saw us all packed up and raring to go on a bright and breezy morning.

With the CPs in hand, we plotted a rough route and off we went. This was also unfamiliar terrain, low-lying hills with few features. The navigation on day 1 was fine though, with good visibility. the running wasn't so good. Few paths, lots of tussocky ground and it was more of a fast walk than anything....until the final descent of the day saw us drop near enough 1000ft straight down into Longsledale. Kirsten was struggling on the downhills with her knee, but frustration got the better of her on this one and she took off at full speed, determined and brave. We passed several pairings down here, not even our Mudclaws maintaining grip, and were soon at the bottom and clocked in as 40th pair out of 98 starters....a great result considering the limitations on Kirsten's speed.

We pitched the tent right next to the stream and lazed around, drinking cider(!) and snoozing, before cooking our delicious packet tea!! Off to sleep quite early on luxurious Inov8 rucksac mats(!) to awake to the sound of strong winds and rain. Day 2 was going to be very different!!

We packed up in a dry interlude and set off at 8.15-ish. The first CP was straight up the other side of the valley. A 1000ft steep climb, on tired legs which hadn't had a warm-up....tough!! We found CP1 and then headed up to cross Kentmere Pike on our way to CP2. As we hit the ridge, the weather really hit! Low cloud, gales and driving rain.....lovely!

We headed over Kentmere Pike, bagging a new Wainwright in the process ("touch and go Kirsten" ;-) ) and dropped down to CP2. CP2 to CP3 was an interesting one, involving a rough, steep descent before a climb up the other side of the valley. Unfortunately, for the only time all day, I switched off navigationally here for a moment and we ended up following another pair climbing too high and to the right. The saving grace was a fence which allowed us to place ourselves and "re-locate" to find a good line to CP3.

Thereafter, the ground was fairly featureless and, looking at the split times, some people made some huge navigation errors between here and the end. I'm pleased to say we didn't! And, rather than following the crowd (as a lot of people were doing), we stuck to our guns and took our own lines, mostly making up time, only once dropping a few seconds.

Kirsten was really struggling on her knee by now, doing a remarkable impression of Quasimodo with her running style ;-) and I'm so proud of her for digging deep ;-) and keeping going at the best pace she could. We touched the cairn on Langhow Pike, took a good line directly east to the next CP and then made the final small climb to the wall corner and the last CP. The run in should have been fast and light....but Kirsten only had one leg working now(!) and her face was rather pale with the pain as she hobbled along. But she made it. we clocked in and had actually finished 35th on the day, for an overall position of 38th. A superb result for her first mountain marathon and being in such a physical state. Well done lass!! You never cease to amaze and impress me. Time to get the knee sorted now in preparation for the Ben.

Oh, and we never argued. We were both quite happy with the navigation and worked well as a team....and I think Kirsten very much appreciated my motivational chat to get her through the pain on Day 2!!! :-))) Why do I have a feeling she'll be getting her own back in a couple of weeks?!?!

A great weekend, a fantastic week, a superb spring of training....all heading towards the one goal. Whatever happens, I've loved the journey, loved being out, doing things that make me really happy. Whatever else life throws at me, whatever problems occur, however other people want to act, I will always continue to be myself and do what I love best....being out on the fells puts it all into perspective and enhances and reaffirms the belief that THAT is where life is really lived, where the senses are enriched and the mind is calmed. Life at its essence.

TOTAL for the week - 48mls & 13,000ft

w/e 27/6 - I'm Not Singing For the Future, I'm Not Praying for the Past...

2010-06-29T23:49:00.001-07:00

Less than four weeks to go now, and the nerves kicked in a wee bit this week. I've started playing each leg through in my mind in those quiet moments when no other thoughts are occupying me. Imagining myself heading up each climb, concentrating on the downhills, sensing the tiredness in my body but willing myself to push through it. I just need to work on that and make sure I visualise it right through to the Moot Hall and under 24 hours.

I've been reading Andy Kirkpatrick's book this last week (thanks for the pressie Kirsten!) and he talks a lot about the fear he faces and how, in the end, the fear of NOT doing things and always wishing he had outweighs the fear of doing them. I hope to conjour up some of that feeling ready for the day.

The week was a great training one. I've settled into a pattern now of long weekend days followed by more resting up in the week than I've done in the past, and it seems to be helping.

Tuesday night I went out for a leg-stretching jog. But by the time I came down off Scout Road, I was feeling more up for it, and decided hill reps were the order of the day. So I pushed myself to do 8 running reps of the hill, the legs straining, the lungs bursting, but the head feeling good.

On Wednesday I headed over to Stoodley Pike for the first time in a while and did 4 reps of the hill. The interesting thing was, although I felt fairly slow, the watch said differently. I was 30-45secs under the time I used to ascend in, and whereas the descent used to take 4+ minutes, I was now doing it in 3.30ish with no perceived increase in effort. That's a good sign I think.

And then it was time to head off for the Lakes for the weekend and support Dawsy's BG. I drove straight to Keswick and saw him off at 7pm at the Moot Hall. Then I went over to Honister and tried to grab a few hours sleep, despite the whine of the generator and the crowing of a cockerel all night!!!

Then, at 3.30am, I was awoken from my fitful sleep by the alarm and, in the darkness, I prepared myself for a big day out. 15 minutes later, I set off to climb Grey Knotts, then Brandreth and the Gables before heading down to Sty Head, and across up to Esk Hause. A wee bit of breakfast there, and a "good morning" to the first BG group of the day, then I wandered up to Scafell Pike, which was teeming with 3-Peakers. I could say a lot, but I'll keep it short - something has to be done to ensure that people who are coming on the mountains for such "events" at least show the place some respect, in terms of having the right kit, acting properly and not leaving their rubbish strewn all over the highest point in England.

I quickly dropped down to Mickledore and watched the BG group going up Broad Stand, re-affirming my belief that there is NO way I'm going up there! Instead, I went and had a look at Lords Rake (Karl insisting that it's the way to go) and it looks do-able. I want to go back before 24th July and go all the way up.

From there, I dropped down to Wasdale and met Jan, Jackie and Pauline who were doing the wonderful support for Dawsy. They fed and watered me superbly as we waited. After a wee while, figures were spotted coming down the scree, and "operation Mercia" went into action!! Simon was doing well, up on time, and feeling pretty good.

After his rest, we set off up Yewbarrow, a good bunch of folks to keep the banter going and help him ignore the pain. Fact was, he was still climbing superbly. Yewbarrow was ticked under schedule, and Red Pike was near enough. As the leg went on, he struggled on the downhills due to the state of his feet, but his uphill pace had us all working hard to keep up.

I was pleased with how I was going as well though, with a heavy pack on and 3.5 hours in the legs from earlier, I felt strong. And, having done the leg several times recently, I was leading the navigation for several sections, picking up those little short-cuts and trods which make a difference. And, where I was at all unsure, I was able to pick up hints and tips from Andy Davies - learn from the best!

As we descended into a warm Honister, Dawsy was well up on schedule and it was certain he'd do it...he was now going for a time. I had planned to stop here, but decided I needed to push on and finish with him. So I got some food and drink inside me and headed off up Dale Head with the rest of them. Dawsy continued to climb stongly, in perfect conditions, making time up on each of the 2 summits.

We decided to go along Hign Snab Bank before descending, which certainly makes for a more gentle route. I think I might use it. A quick change of shoes for Dawsy at Little Town and we were off on the tarmac, with him getting stronger all the time and really making us work hard to keep up. Soon enough, the buildings of Keswick were in view, and he trotted up the main square to touch the Moot Hall in 22.14, a superb efffort.

I'd had a great day, and an uplifting one for me. Not just in terms of seeing Dawsy do so well (and catching up with various people I hadn't seen for a while) but also how strong I felt having effectively done over 2.5 legs on the day. This augers well I think.

And, whereas last weekend I was too tired to do much on the Sunday, this time me and Kirsten had a proper day out in the mountains! Despite her bad knee, she was really keen to go up some of the bigger fells, having never done them before.

So I devised a plan (which changed during the day!) to park at Seathwaite, going up Ruddy Gill, then to Esk Hause. From there we dropped to Angle Tarn, nipped up Rossett Pike, then took the BG trod to Bowfell (which she thoroughly enjoyed), over Esk Pike, out to Great End, then Ill Crag and Broad Crag before heading up to a deserted Scafell Pike (everyone was watching the football!!). Deserted, that is, except for all the rubbish left behind...disgusting!

From there, we took the corridor route down to Esk Hause (having decided we didn't have enough time to nip up Lingmell) and back to the car. Kirsten climbed strongly all day, but struggled on the downhills because of her knee :-(

I felt pretty good considering, still climbing well, feet a bit sore, mainly because of a huge blister on one toe....but I kept going at a decent pace and loved the day out on big fells with Kirsten :-)

So, all in all, a cracking week and one which has given me confidence.

And I'm off up there again tomorrow (Thursday), with plans to recce Leg 2 (for navigating a BG in the dark in a couple of weeks!) then go and do Lords Rake/West Wall Traverse. And then, onFriday night, meet up with Kirsten at Wet Sledale ready for the Saunders!! We're going to have to drop some classes because of K's knee, which is a shame 'cause I was really going to push her this weekend. Ahhh well, at least we should be at midway camp in time for beer and milk! :-)

Total for the week - 53mls & 19,600ft

We the People Are Getting Tired of Your Lies...

2010-06-29T23:34:00.000-07:00

A quick non-BG post, just because I still can't believe what I heard on the news yesterday and it has me seething, generally at the state of modern life and specifically at anyone who could have voted Conservative at the elections and expected anything new or different about them.

The scary thing is, having heard this story on the radio, I've tried to look it up on the internet and there is nothing, anywhere, about it. As though it's a minor little item that can be hidden, doesn't need to be discussed, and has no implications.

I'm just hoping at some point that my faith will be restored and once I can get behind the "headline" news, the detail will show it's not as told yesterday.

And the news story was this:

The government is to look at a scheme whereby local residents will be given council tax rebates if they agree to new developments in their area and don't put in objections.

I had to highlight it. Is it just me or is that the most unbelievable thing you could ever read from a British government?

What it equates to, it seems to me, is a government offering a bribe to the people on behalf of their multinational, blue-chip mates. Is that not it? Am I missing something? And, of course, as an example of where the "policy" (read "bribe") would apply, they cited the development of wind-farms. Fancy that!

The fact that's being kept quiet (one of many!) is that, in order to meet the current targets for production of energy from wind-farms, every hill and moor in places such as Calderdale, mid-Wales etc will have to be covered by one of these developments, ruining the countryside forever for the sake of a disproved technology.

And who has just taken up a board role with one of the largest provider of wind-farms, a company currently targeting the UK? Step forward the deputy prime minister's wife!

w/e 20/6 - And All We Do Is Multiply, Subtract and Divide....

2010-06-22T23:37:00.000-07:00

Time's slipping by very quickly all of a sudden. A couple of weeks ago, the BG seemed a long way off. But now, it's fast approaching and the time for training is running out. And helping on other BGs, and seeing attempts out on the fells brings home exactly what I have to do and sets the nerves on edge and fills me with a mixture of excitement, impatience and trepidation.

And it all starts coming down to the numbers.

Every long day out in the Lakes now is checked against the watch. What's the allowed split time? What was my actual time? Take into account tired legs on the day....where can I make up time....where do I need to have extra allowance....which bits suit me.....which bits don't.

I've had to nurse the body through the last couple of weeks as well. The niggle in the knee wasn't going away. I did the exercises the osteo had showed me, to "open up" the knee. I massaged it and put anti-inflamm gel on at night. And I felt some improvement, within a few days.

Due to the knee, and the need to protect my aging body a little, I only got out for one run during the week....a fairly gentle run around the valley. I have to admit as well....part of the problem is a lack of interest in running around Calderdale now. I'm spoilt by trips to the Lakes and Scotland. I want big mountains. I want huge slopes which require 30+ mins of hard effort to get up. That's a good sign I'd have thought? But the gentle slopes and boggy plateaux of Calderdale are just not doing it for me right now.

Anyway, I had biggish plans for the weekend, so no harm in resting up a bit this week.

Friday saw us back on the M6 again, our 13th weekend in a row away from home! Back up to Langdale with a good plan in place for the Saturday.

At 9am, I was off and heading up past the New Dungeon Ghyll, up the path by the waterfall and out to the right of Pavey Ark on a glorious morning to pick up the path to Sargeant Man. From there onwards, it was time to check the split times and see whether I could handle leg 3, which is the key for me, then put in a good effort on leg 4.

Just as I neared the summit, along came a BG attempt...and it was Darren doing the navigating/supporting/pacing (on his own!) with a contender. So I settled in with them over the Langdales so that I could check the route across to Rossett Pike.

Mark was struggling with his stomach, and losing a wee bit of time on each split at this stage. But he descended well and it was a great line across to Rossett Pike on a faint trod, and I know where to turn off the main path now!

Once at the top of Rossett Ghyll, I decided to push on, putting in a decent climb up to Bowfell, way up on split time, picking up minutes all the way to Broad Crag (what a difference dry rock makes!!), then on time to the Pike.

By now, I was running with the stragglers in the Great Lakes Run, and I knew they were heading for Foxes Tarn gully, as was I. What I didn't know was that, whereas I was planning to find my "secret" grassy gully down to avoid the screes, that was where the race route actually went!! So much for "secret"!

Still, it's a great way down, saves much slipping and sliding and, in no time at all, I was in the gully pulling myself up the rocks. The next bit of the race was flagged, turning right up steep grassy slopes at the top of the gully, avoiding the scree path and emerging near the top of the ridge...definitely the way up on BG day!!

I've ruled out Broad Stand, have yet to recce Lords Rake, and have worried about the loss of time going Foxes Tarn....but in fact it took me 35 minutes including stopping to talk to a race marshall.....that's fine!

From there, it's the 3,000ft descent down to Wasdale. I'd intended to recce the scree descent. But that grassy path that keeps descending is, to be honest, perfect for me and, without really pushing it, I was down in Wasdale in 30mins, which is fine. I may have a look at the scree, but then again, I may not!

Down in Wasdale there was lots of activity and it was nice to see Nick, who informed me that Clare was not far ahead supporting an attempt. But first I headed into the campsite to fill up with water, and got some food down me ready for the climb.

Yewbarrow and Red Pike get no easier! Both climbs were tough in the warmth. Both were done up on time though, which is a reasonable sign. And once on top of Red Pike, it was a joy from there, to be out on such a beautiful day, enjoying a high promenade above the Lakes.

I found the trods off Pillar, taking time to chat to another BG contender who was suffering but going to complete in sub-24, went up Joss's gully which was quicker than the nose seemingly, and climbed Gable at what I thought was a very slow speed, but which was actually a fair bit quicker than split (and, yes, I know it'll be very different after 20+ hours!).

I need some help in finding a good route off Gable, I tried to take the grass but got it wrong and ended up scrambling down rocks. Green Gable to Brandreth has more of a climb than I remember, then it was a quick trot out to Grey Knotts and down to Honister, at a decent enough pace, to finish the 2 legs in 9.51 of running time. I reckon I missed about 20 mins by the different start point, but about the same climb....so 10.10 for the 2 legs would have been around my time...add on 20mins at Wasdale, gives 10.30 hours. that'll do nicely!!

Sunday saw us take it easy, on a much hotter day. We had Rufus with us, so we headed to Grasmere and parked up and then went up Stone Arthur in relays. Stone Arthur is one of those hills you end up not doing if you're not careful. It's off the main Fairfield ridge, a drop of about 850 from it. Instead, from the road, it's a steep pull up of around 1400ft in not much more than a mile. The legs were understandably tired at first, but I got going in the end, and loved the views up there.

Back down, tea and cake in Bilbo's cafe (what a great place!), then back home reasonably early for a pint in the Fox to end another great weekend.

Not many to go now. This weekend, I'm heading up for a trot on Friday, leg 4 support on Saturday and then another day out on Sunday. This will be my "big" final weekend I think. The weekend after is the Saunders with Kirsten, then the one after that I'll support Andy...otherwise it'll be time to rest.

So, back to the schedule......checking the numbers.

Total for the week - 34mls & 14,500ft

w/e 13/6 - Waiting in my Corner, Waiting on the Bell...........

2010-06-15T04:45:00.000-07:00

Another solid week of training, upping it slowly but surely to ensure I hit peak fitness at the right time. There's no doubt that over the last couple of years, I've hit the training too hard too early and ending up peaking somewhere around April/May and then be past my best by June/July. This time, I hope I'm getting it right.

The body's holding up. Or at least I'm putting to the back of my mind all the niggles and aches and pains which would normally worry me and affect my running.

This week was a good one. It started out with a Tuesday club run on tired legs, which turned into more of a run/walk as I stayed with Kirsten who was suffering with a right knee problem (thankfully now diagnosed to be not too serious).

On Wednesday, I watched the rain lashing down against the windows at home....and decided to head out!! A 9.5 mile run up onto a wild and windy Midgley Moor, as far as High Brown Knoll, getting soaked and windswept in the process. I'm determined to head out in rough weather now...let's face it, it could be like that on the day!! The run ended on a slightly down note as I tweaked the ankle coming down towards Midgley. But in the current spirit of things, I'm ignoring the pain from that!!

Friday saw me head over to Stoodley for the first time in ages and do 3 reps, saving myself for the weekend. The twingy ITB was there, but I still felt I climbed ok.

Saturday was the big day of the week. Another weekend in the Lakes, and the Achille Ratti hut was a bit quieter than the last few weekends up there!! At 10.30, I met up with Andy Kitts and the legendary Bob Wightman....the man who provides the facts and figures and information which inspire so many of us to give the BG a go.

Kirsten dropped us in Keswick and we set off on Leg 1. The pace was steady, the weather warmish but nice. Skiddaw was reached in 81 minutes of "running"time (there were a few short clothing etc stops, but I stopped the watch on these). The descent over HAre Crag was obvious, the climb up Calva as fun as ever, and the top reached in 40 minutes without pushing it....allowance is 50!

From there, Bob led us a direct route through the heather to cross the Caldew and climb. I think I'll stick to the fence route, there's a path and it's easier underfoot although a little longer. We climbed steadily to the scree beneath Blencathra and then across it to the summit, which was reached in under 69 leisurely minutes.

From there we went down Doddick, which Bob hadn't done before. Conditions were perfect, with a little bit of give in the ground and, again, without pushing too hard, I was down to the car in under 27 minutes against a 31 minute allowance. Overall, our running time on the leg had been 3.38 and it was all at a pace sustainable on the day. Good stuff!!

At this point, Andy and Bob headed off for Yorkshire, but I carried on over Leg 2, steadily climbing Clough Head in 50 minutes, 25 minutes to Great Dodd (which is the best I've done yet), then picking up a few more minutes on schedule as far as Raise, at which point I doubled back then down Sticks Pass to the waiting Kirsten at Stanah. All told, 5.51 of running, 22 miles and 8,400ft.....a great day.

A big confidence boost as well. I hadn't felt liked I'd been climbing the steeper slopes well recently, but the times up Skiddaw, Blencathra and Clough Head in particular showed that I am climbing well. This, as I said, was sustainable pace. That's pleasing.

On Sunday, the weather changed!! Having packed up, we drove up to Dunmail Raise and sat in the car contemplating heading out into the rain and wind....we almost didn't!! But we're tougher than that, oh yes!! ;-) We got out and headed up Raise Gill, soaked through by the time we got to Grisedale Tarn.

From there, we were up the wall and onto the Helvellyn ridge, out to Nethermost, then back taking in Dollywagon. It was cold, wet and miserable up there...no views to be had!! From Dollywagon, we dropped down through the zig-zags to the tarn then, undecided whether to go on, decided to head straight up the front path on Fairfield,as the mist started to clear a little. It's a steep, great path that brings you out just to the west of Cofa Pike.

A little scramble out onto the pike, then back up to Fairfield, where it seemed much warmer. A slide down the scree escalator to the hause, then a scramble up to Seat Sandal...before dropping down on the clear BG trod to the corner above Dunmail Raise then shooting down through the bracken to the car. A smashing day in the end, and we were both pleased with ourselves for getting out of the car on a foul weather day and pushing on regardless. Smashing!!

Kirsten's knee was bothering her on the descents, but on the plus side, she climbed really well. My knee was twingy, but never really affected me, so all is good there. All in all, it was a real confidence-boosting, excellent weekend.

Total for the week - 48.5mls & 16,649ft

A quick look through the figures, and the last 4 weeks has seen me do 214mls & 55,865ft!! That's good, with more to come. I have to be a wee bit careful not to overdo it, but resting up during the week more and pushing it at the weekends should see me ok. In some ways, I feel ready for it now, and with decent weather forecast this week, I was partly regretting not going for it this weekend after all. But the hills will still be the same in July, I'll be a wee bit more rested for the couple of weeks beforehand, and the head will be in the right place.

w/e 7/6 - It's So Funny, I Never Thought I'd Feel Like This Again....

2010-06-14T12:44:00.000-07:00

The week following the 100 was one of ups and downs, which is to be expected. The disappointment was there, along with the "what ifs" and the "could I have gone on?". Pain is such a temporary thing and if there is something to be learned along the way in these long distance events it is this.....you only get one chance to pack it in! Those were Big Steve's words of wisdom to me last year at Grisedale Tarn and, whilst I'd let it slip too much by then to get back on track, they propelled me up Fairfield when all I wanted to do was stop.

It's something you only learn through doing and going through the pain barrier (the physical and mental one). You push further all the time, as Kirsten will no doubt do in future.

The irony of the weekend was that Sunday and Monday were glorious! If that weather had persisted through Saturday night....well who knows.

Instead, we slept most of Sunday, then on Monday, I headed up the three munros that form Beinn a Ghlo. A glorious day under a clear blue sky. Wonderful mountains, airy, runnable, rough and wild. A stop to talk with the man behind the Mourne Seven Sevens, a chat to a munroist with less than 20 left to go. Fabulous.

Kirsten walked Rufus up a nearby hill then waited in the sun at the car. I trotted in and we sat in the bright sun, surrounded by beauty, feeling most content with our lives and the world.

And it seemed like the ideal place and time to ask a question which I never thought I'd ask anyone again ;-)

And as if to prove that the Gods of fate approved of my actions, we took a drive up to Newtonmore and Kingussie the next day. A chance stop at a lovely cafe/pottery shop, where we got talking to the owner who has ambitious plans and who is looking for like-minded people to help with that, and help bring visitors into the area.....and who also assured us that there's lots of work in the area already. Someone we're going to be keeping in touch with and who knows where that might lead? Initially it led us on a drive down a wonderful, unspoilt valley which turns into the Corrieyarrack Pass....a real hidden gem of the Highlands.

After that, it was back to the gloom of Calderdale and "real life", but with the prospect of heading straight back up to the Lakes for the weekend and supporting Mark Jackson's BG. I said I'd head over to Wasdale from Honister and do Leg 4. It was a warm day but not too bad, I ran over to Honister in just over an hour and a half. Support crew were waiting, Mark was doing well against schedule. He came in looking tired but still smiling.

And off we went, 6 of us in total, heading up an increasinly warm Yewbarrow. Tony was the life and soul of the party, cracking jokes and promising Mark food stops if he just kept going on certain climbs. Time was dropped on Yewbarrow and Red Pike, but it wasn't critical. With those out of the way, Mark picked up and we kept a good pace thereafter. I nipped underneath Kirk Fell to fill numerous water bottles (which we never used after all that!!), and we trotted on in beautiful late afternoon light, until we were charging down off Grey Knotts and into Honister. He'd done it. Over 3 and a half hours left, he could walk it from here. In fact, he was picking up pace as the day's heat relented and he sensed "victory". I joined them for the climb up Dale Head, then ran down at race pace to meet Kirsten and drive to Keswick to see him home. A great effort, he really kept at it and showed me what I need to do.

The next day, we both headed up Doddick Fell ridge to do the Blencathra descent (and have a look at Yiannis's line). Taking it very easy, stopping to talk to someone and stopping to feel a twinge in my knee a couple of times....we still did 33 minutes. That'll do nicely. Doddick Fell it is.

Total for the week - 36mls & 14,716ft

After the disappointment of the previous weekend, this week had really picked us both up and filled us with excitement for the future :-)

And You Rewrote My Life and Showed Me A Happy End...............................

w/e 30/5 - Across The Moorlands, Past the Mountains

2010-06-14T12:13:00.000-07:00

Across the moorlands, past the mountains
O'er the rivers beside the new stream
Something tells me that I'm going home.....................

Following on from my trials and tribulations of the previous week, it was Kirsten's turn to face those long-distance demons this week, to find out how deep she could dig, and to gain valuable experience, grit and toughness in the art of "keeping going when you don't want to"!

We headed up to Scotland on the Tuesday, to camp at Bridge of Orchy. Kirsten was under strict instructions to do nothing but take it easy!! Rufus was with us, so dog-walking was the order of the day for her!!

No such restrictions for me though!!! So, with the weather glorious when we arrived at 5pm, I headed straight over the road and straight up Beinn Dorain. And I mean straight up!!! No path to the col, I took a direct line 2,500ft upwards to head through the crags and emerge pretty much at the summit. Exhilirating is the word that springs to mind!! I've been up that mountain 4 times now, but I don't think I've ever seen such a beautiful clear view from it. Snowy mountains in every direction, the Ben standing majestically above them all. A quick run back down (down the path!) and tea and midges to end a lovely day.

Wednesday and Thursday saw me doing some running on the West Highland Way and meeting up with some folks who were walking it for charity. A good combination of fast, hard running on the trail, followed by long, gentle walking, chatting and absorbing the wonderful views across the Rannoch Moor...all done in glorious weather. Thursday saw some rain as I ran over the Devil's Staircase to Kinlochleven then ran back up to the top again to meet the rest of them. The views of the Buchaille were awesome!!

And then we headed off to Aberfeldy to set up camp and prepare. The weather forecast was looking a bit iffy for the Saturday...but at least it wasn't going to be 80 degrees like the previous weekend!!

In fact, it was an overcast but pleasant morning as the masses assembled in Dunkeld. Kirsten was a bag of nerves (to be expected) and desperate to get going. The group were piped out of the town, as I headed a few miles up the route to go and take Rufus to kennels for the weekend, before watching Kirsten come through, looking very relaxed and quite near the front.

I zoomed over to Kirkmichael and joined some other folks from Yorkshire in heading up onto the hill to watch the first few appear...then Kirsten appeared, and I ran in with her to the checkpoint at 12-ish miles. She was going really well, and smiling!!

As I left her here, I knew it would be some time before I saw her again, as she headed out into the "wilds" towards Glen Tilt. I parked up at Blair Atholl and headed back to the checkpoint at Shinagag, then back again on the path where I'd suffered from near-frostbitten toes back in February.

And soon enough, along she came, trotting well and looking good for someone who'd done a fair few miles by now!! We ran together and were joined by Norman, also looking very comfortable. As we reached the road section down into Blair Atholl, I nipped ahead in the car to meet her at the checkpoint, where it became apparent her feet were starting to hurt a bit. No surprise really.

I left her then, to do the 6 miles up to Calvine School, where I took a look at her blistering feet, and did the best I could to patch them up. Not what she wanted with a 6-mile stretch of tarmac cycle path ahead, and the rain starting to fall quite heavily.

At the next checkpoint (run by the Marches in a marquee!), the rain really started. As Kirsten headed out into the dark for a 2-mile uphill stretch on road, I drove up to Errochty Dam where I'd promised to navigate her through the night. The rain was bouncing off the road now, turning it into a river, with the bizarre site of frogs of all shapes and sizes hopping across it.

I parked the car as best I could by the roadside, donned 5 layers and the waterproof and sat, not relishing the prospect of leaving the car. Somehow, I missed Kirsten going by (probably the fact that I could only pick out the odd torchlight through the downpour!) but saw Norman and quickly nipped out and into a wild Scottish night.

The checkpoint at the dam was full of wet, miserable-looking people. Cold people as well, with quite a few already shivering. We gathered a group of 6, as I led them off into the gloom and a relatively straightforward first few miles on a wet track by the side of the loch. But thereafter, it deteriorated badly, heading across boggy, tussocky, pathless, flat ground to a sel-clip checkpoint in the middle of the bog, before a pointless climb up slippy peat alongside a deer-fence, then a traverse along the top of the deer fence, before my navigation was tested in the first light of dawn on a pathless descent to the hillside above Kinloch Rannoch. Somehow I got it spot on!!

I'd tried to be cheerful early on and keep spirits up, but after over 4 hours of bog-trotting, conversation was at a premium, there were some miserable faces, and Kirsten and Norman's friend were struggling at the back, both having incredibly painful feet, blistered beyond comprehension by the mix of hard trails then wet boggy ground, causing them to limp on the sides of their feet.

We got into the checkpoint with Kirsten feeling she'd had enough. I persuaded her to take her time, have her breakfast and see how she felt then. Which she did, but she clearly wasn't coming round to a sufficient degree to allow her to head out and into another steep, pathless, boggy area on the shoulder of Schiehallion. When Norman's friend said he was stopping here, that, I think, was the nail in the coffin and the decision was made (rightly, in my view and in retrospect).

We checked to see if she could get a lift back to Errochty...nope! Which meant I'd got to run back to the car!!! Strangely, I decided to take the tarmac route!! No idea why now, apart from the fact it got me back in just over 2 hours. I jumped in, drove back....to find Kirsten fast asleep in the gym hall at the school!!! I woke her and she limped into the car, feeling a bit low.

A couple of painful, sore days thereafter....both physically and mentally. It hits you hard when you don't complete something you've trained for....I should know!! But, as time passes, you get perspective and realise how much you've gained from that very experience. Kirsten completed 62 really tough miles in 18 hours. The conditions were awful overnight, just when she didn't need it to be like that. She's been running for just a year and, as I've pointed out many times since, it takes YEARS to build up the mental side, let alone the physical one.

And, in retrospect, stopping was the right thing to do. She's a bit crocked right now with what may be an ITB problem, caused I suspect by running on the sides of her feet for the last x miles at the 100. We've got a lot on during these summer months, far too much to look forward to to wreck herself on one run. She'll bounce back better next year and complete the Shropshire 100 if she wants to...although I partly sense focus turning towards a medium-term 2 to 3 year plan to go a BG. Whatever she does, I'm really proud of her and for her for an astonishing year of long-distance training and running, for getting as far as she did, in such a good time and, most of all, for keeping that lovely smile on her face at all times (oh, ok, ALMOST all of the time!!).

I realised afterwards just how many miles I'd done myself on the day. About 35 I reckon, albeit at a slow-ish pace. But it was a big mileage week again, and my body has complained a little since. I'm not cut out for much more than 50 miles in a week these days I think.

Total for the week - 74mls & 11,000ft

w/e 23/5 - In These Mirror Images of Myself, There Are No Secrets...

2010-06-14T11:47:00.000-07:00

About time I got up to date, after a whirlwind 4 weeks, full of ups and downs, high and lows, disappointment (never regret), new hope, fresh ideas, some fear but mostly excitement about life in general and what the future holds.

But back to the week in question, and a race that really made me stare into the mirror, see my mortal reflection staring meekly back at me.....but choose to ignore it and press on through the pain. This was a week that I hope and believe I'll look back on as THE run which symbolised my mental preparation for the BG this time.

Following on from Emma's outstanding success, I headed out on Monday and Wednesday evenings, determined to start pushing myself harder as I build up in these final weeks of trainings. Hill reps were sweated out, adding an extra one when I felt I could do no more. I went up Tod and had a club run with the medium group. And then, on the Thursday, I headed out for a wonderful pleasant evening around the Luddenden Valley with a few Calder Valley folk, including Kirsten.

The weather was warm, and warmer was predicted. Not exactly a rest week in preparation for the Old County Tops, and not my sort of weather either. 37 miles and 10,000ft in the heat....it was unthinkable!!

Race day dawned hot. I met up with Chris, topped up the water, added the nuun tablets and chatted to various folks outside the Dungeon Ghyll. Then at 8am, we were off! A steady pace, but as we headed up and over to Grasmere, the heat was already building and it was clear this was going to be a "special" day!

I walked up towards Grisedale Tarn with Colin D, both of us bemoaning the fact that we're not warm-weather people. The sweat was dripping off us already, but we weren't the only ones. The climb up to the ridge was never-ending, although I was climbing ok. But the time to Helvellyn (and the smiley face of Dave Makin!) was the slowest I've done it yet.

The descent down to Wythburn was great and I overtook quite a few, including Rick and Dawsy. And we rolled into the checkpoint, drinks of water and a bit of food before heading out and up the valley and into "the Bog", where the heat radiated from the ground. As we climbed up Greenup Edge, I realised I was following Yiannis and his partner on a slightly different line from the rest, and we followed them from the top all the way across to Angle Tarn on a very direct and fast line.

Various Toddies were at the Tarn, as well as the beaming smile of Kirsten, and it was a chance to have a sit-down and recover slightly. The hat was being dipped in every pool of water we found to try and keep cool. The climb out to Scafell was hot! But, to be fair, athe rocks were dry and it made quite a difference in speed over there. We dropped down Little Narrowcove...and again, the heat in that bowl hit. It was a dry cauldron, compared to the usual boggy mess. Moasdale was no better, although I managed a decent trot down there, 6 of us heading down together including old friends from Shropshire.

As I staggered into Cockley Beck, I remember Chrispy saying "get him a chair quickly" as I pretty much fell into it and watched the world spin. We must have taken 15 minutes there. It became apparent that a lot had already dropped out due to the heat, and more were going to be timed out because of it. Chrispy suggested I should think about stopping.....AS IF!!!!

The mind was determined. I stared into that mirror of self-reflection and saw so clearly that if I had any real hope or intention of completing the BG this year, I HAD to get up and get myself to the end. And, along with the Shropshire lads, that's what I did. I felt wretched on the climb, but no more so than several others, including Mark Jackson who was attempting his BG 2 weeks later. Once up on the ridge, the breeze kicked in and I felt slightly better.

We trotted the way back from Coniston, descended gingerly from Wet Side Edge to see Kirsten again at the Three Shires Stone, then walked (yes, really!) the road section before putting in a bit of effort as we saw the Newport lads just ahead. A bit of a race (if you can call it that) ensued across those last fields, but I didn't have it in me to catch them.

As we turned onto the road, with 100yds to go, Chris, who'd been the stronger all day, threw up, to make an excellent spectacle for the watching crowd! We crossed the line in a ridiculously slow 11.06 but WE'D FINISHED!!! It turned out that 27 pairs out of 80-ish hadn't!!

But the fun was only just starting. I sat in a chair trying to get salty egg sandwiches inside me, feeling a bit strange....then collapsed onto the floor as the world went spinning!! In total, I think I spent about half an hour down there, wrapped in a space blanket, being looked after by Kirsten, Jeff, Dave and Chris, before the nuun drink kicked in and I came round. As soon as I tried to get up though, my whole body went into cramp, and eventually, Jeff and Dave lifted me up onto my feet and I was ok.

With the benefit of reflection and hindsight, I'm so, SO pleased with the fact I continued. For my head, I had to. For my body, it might have been better not to, although I feel I'm pretty much recovered now (4 weeks later!).

A couple of weeks afterwards, I told Mark J that the Old County Tops was the day that he proved HE could do the BG. I hope the same applies to me in a few weeks.

Total for the week - 55.5mls & 13,500ft

w/e 16/5 - And the Only Thing Misplaced Was Direction.....

2010-05-17T02:58:00.000-07:00

And I found direction
There is no childhood's end
There is no childhood's end
Won't you lead me on.................

A couple of weeks since I last blogged, and a lot has happened in that time. Mostly to do with my mental state in terms of doing the BG this year.

The continuing niggles in the legs have really undermined my confidence. Firstly, the Achilles keeps flaring up despite doing all the exercises and despite reassurances from people who’ve had the same problem that it just disappears at some point. The fact is it hasn’t and it’s been almost a year now.

And then, no doubt because I favour that leg now and push everything onto my right side, that right knee which I thought had ended my summer aspirations continues to haunt me. I’m waiting for the pain to reappear. With every footfall, I think I can feel the weakness returning. And that’s no way to be feeling as you wind up your training for a 24 hour round.

And I think all those thoughts and feelings accumulated over the last 14 days to the point where I decided in my head that it would be better to back off running for a few months and see if I can sort all these physical problems out, problems which were causing me to feel mentally drained and physically weak. Because one thing is for sure…..your head has to be 100% right to do a BG and, if it’s not, you’re wasting everyone’s time by starting.

So I’ve kept some training going these last couple of weeks, but it’s been sporadic.

And then this last weekend really sorted me out, for two reasons;

Firstly, another of those conversations where you realize that life is just too short to be thinking about ifs and maybes and putting off things until tomorrow. As we drove around the Lakes at the weekend, we chatted in the car about the fact that so many people these days seem to stop living their lives by the time they’re in their mid-twenties. It was characterized by an article in the Saturday paper where a twenty-something said the topic of conversation on a night out had been about “all the mad things we used to get up to when we were young”! What!?!!! Get up to mad things NOW. Whatever age you are, you don’t have to stop (as was typified by a certain V60 gentleman this weekend, who led a perilous route off Blencathra at a speed faster than all the “youngsters” with him!).

If ever I give up doing mad things, shoot me! So many people sitting around watching TV, eating crap food, talking about what they USED to do and, seemingly, just counting down the days and filling in their time until they die, wrapped up in this consumer-society that’s been created to allow just that. Well, no way will I be doing that. Of course, as we get older, we have to set our sights differently….but god help me, I will always be looking to push my boundaries, even as they tighten around me.

And all that nicely led into the main reason we were in the Lakes for the weekend. I’ve known Emma a wee while now and she’s a remarkable lass. Her infectious enthusiasm for being out on the fells, coupled with a beaming smile at all times, makes her great company for running and a fellow free spirit out on the hills. What’s particularly amazing about her is that her life off the fells is not an easy one, and if most of us had to manage with the circumstances she does, we’d be wanting a rest when we had free time rather than be zooming off to do hill reps.

And she’s really pushed herself in training for the BG. I’ve really noticed that this person who, just a year ago, would have struggled to keep with me on a steep climb, has trained so hard that she now leaves me behind. And most of all, she’s had incredible mental strength, maintaining a quiet confidence throughout that she would do it.

And so it was a pleasure and a privilege to be able to help out on her round, me and Kirsten providing roadside support and a couple of trips onto the fells to assist.

Friday afternoon saw us arrive in Keswick, all pacers sorted and arrangements made following a flurry of e-mails during the week. We picked up food boxes from Emma (along with several hundred cakes!) and got ready for a long 24 hours.

A crowd gathered at the Moot Hall at 7pm to see her off with a handful of pacers. The weather was looking perfect, the forecast good and it was all down to Emma now. We headed off for an 11pm rendezvous at Threlkeld and stood chatting with leg 2 pacers and scanning the hillside. We got one hell of a surprise when lights appeared on the top some 35 minutes up on schedule….what WAS she up to?!?! Far too fast!!

The route down Middle Tongue in near-darkness looked precarious, led by the legend that is Yiannis. But, it was a quick route, and she was into Threlkeld some 40 minutes up, an incredible achievement….we just hoped she wouldn’t pay for it.

Off up Clough Head she went, on what looked like a starlit night. We drove down to Threlkeld and settled down in the car for a couple of hours sleep. The alarm woke us at 1.45am and, with the knowledge that Emma was so far up on time, we quickly jumped out and set up everything ready for her.

With Kirsten starting to cook, I headed up Seat Sandal, having promised to shine a light to show the line down the nose above Dunmail. It was cold up there, very frosty. A beautiful starry night, although cloud clung like a carpet over the Dodds and Helvellyn ridge. I had no watch on, but was aware that time was slipping by, I was feeling very cold, and there was no sign of them. I worried that they’d nipped underneath me somewhere and trotted back (torch off to avoid confusing road support) to check. But they hadn’t, and eventually they emerged, having had some navigational issues In the clag, and with Emma now 30 minutes down on schedule.
Dunmail was understandably a bit tense. A wee bit of food, a quick calf massage and they were off up Steel Fell, dawn now upon us, looking to make up time. After a long and tense night, we headed off back to the tent for a few hours sleep.

Once up (on a glorious day), we packed up again and headed to Honister. Linda had sent a text informing us that Emma was now around 50 minutes down….I wondered if it was slipping away.

We got to Honister, and I left Kirsten to set up and headed off with what felt like a heavy pack (full of water) to intercept them at Black Sail pass. There’s no water sources on leg 4 and it can be a long way on a warm day. I was joined for a trot by Dave from Tod, who limped along on the twisted ankle he’d suffered coming off Blencathra. We got to Black Sail and waited….and waited. There was no sign that Emma had made up much time as yet but, with she would still be under 24 hours although it would be tight. It all depended how she was feeling.

Soon enough, the unmistakable figure of Yiannis came trotting down, grateful for the water and jelly babies I think, and Emma soon followed, looking tired and pale but still going well. She had made up some time, and there was plenty in each split time now. And sure enough, as we intercepted them again at Beck Head,a good chunk of time had been clawed back and there was just the one last climb of Gable to do.

We headed back to warn Kirsten that they would be coming soon but she may not be stopping. I went back up towards Grey Knotts to watch for them, and was amazed and so pleased to see them coming down much sooner than expected, and with plenty of time for Emma to have a 10 minute stop and get some food down her. She left Honister with 3hr 40mins to spare for a leg which would take a maximum of 3hrs. She had no idea that she’d effectively done it and, when I explained, the emotion really showed on her face…bless her.

But one last climb to do, and she set off with an army of pacers to coax her along. We zoomed over to Little Town with road shoes and met her coming down the road, looking shattered but having plenty of time in hand.

Back to the Moot Hall to join the gathering crown amidst a bizarre scene, with both a market and the Keswick Jazz festival taking place. There as a buzz of excitement amongst us and, soon enough, the group came trotting up the street and Emma touched that door in 23.08, an incredible achievement.

It was a wonderful day, so pleasing to see someone who’s worked so hard actually achieve their goal. And it’s really inspired me. YOU have really inspired me Emma. It’s time to put aside these doubts and worries about niggles etc and just get on with it, believe I can do it, and make sure I get a good team around me in the way that Emma did.

To be honest, I’m shattered from the weekend. Both physically in terms of the hours we put in, driving around, putting stuff out, packing stuff up etc. But also mentally. It was a really nerve-racking day. The highs and lows of supporting are hard work you know!!!

And Kirsten could hardly get out of bed this morning. What an amazing job she did. She was there with everything ready, food cooled just nicely, everything under control. Future BGers – she’s available to hire at a price!!

Despite tiredness (or perhaps because of), we headed towards home on Sunday afternoon after a lazy morning, but stopped to nip up Great and Little Mell Fell, both of us putting some effort into running the ups, and me trying to correct my downhill running style to take the pressure off the Achilles (but that’s another story for another day!).

Totals for week; w/e 16/5 - 17mls & 5,500ft, w/e 9/5 - 23mls & 6,400ft

The plan is being put in place today – 8 weeks to build up the training, get 100% ready and make sure I get this BG done at the end of July.

Lead me on……………….

w/e 2/5 - We Felt The Sensations Drift Inside Our Frames

2010-05-06T06:46:00.000-07:00

We felt the sensations drift inside our frames
Finding complete contentment there
And all the tensions that hurt us in the past
Just seemed to vanish in thin air

I think we all sometimes forget what’s important in life, what really matters. And we get sucked into the melodrama of modern day life which, in my opinion at least, is all just a made-up game we play to wile away the hours which are no longer filled with the essentials and necessities of living.

It’s certainly easy to get like that with all the election stuff that’s been going on in the news. Self-important people trying to make out that they really matter, when it’s all just a passing moment and, long after they’re gone and no-one even remembers their name, the mountains will still be there, the tides will still ebb and flow, the wind will still whistle through the trees.

And it’s easy to get wrapped up in “work”, as though it really matters. There are very few worthwhile jobs out there. Certainly, all those of us who work in “non-essential” areas would do well to remember that. The planet existed before we invented nuts and bolts and fridges and TVs and cars and playstations and all that shit.

Life is really at its essence only when we are engaged in providing the necessities – warmth, shelter, food, drink – and when we are immersed in the landscape that surrounds us.

So the weekend was a timely one, another weekend away in the Lakes, both of us leaving home feeling a little stressed about things that DON’T matter. Both of us wound up by people who will never know the freedom and exhilaration to be had out on the fells, and whose lives stretch only to the nearest retail parks and fast food joints, and whose Sundays are probably spent sitting reading papers!

Whereas we both had weekends that invigorated us and, in Kirsten’s case in particular, very much focused in on when life is REALLY being lived “on the edge”!

We headed up after a leisurely breakfast on Friday, set up camp at a beautiful site (Birch Bank Farm near Grizebeck), then decided to have a plod up Coniston Old Man, via its south face. A faint trod was found initially from the Walna Scar road, but we ended up going direct, on steepish slopes, to emerge at the summit cairn.

The cloud was down and there was a chill breeze, but the swirling mists gave us delicious glimpses across to the ramparts of Dow Crag and down into the valley. We carried on over Swirl How and then decided to take the path down from Levers Hause. Downhill on the major path from Levers Water, then across the mine workings and back up by “the Bell” to get to the car. A gentle, chatty, lovely afternoon out.

Saturday was Championship race day, and although I wasn’t running, I decided to trot around the route and watch the race. Kirsten on the other hand, met up with the group in Coniston for her first day of scrambling, in Levers Water Ghyll and on the Bell.

I parked at the race HQ, caught up with a couple of familiar faces, then set off for Wetherlam. Just as I reached the turn off to head uphill, there was Chrispy with her 2 dogs and we walked uphill together, chatting and enjoying the warm sunshine. She’s a remarkable lady, who’s been there and done it all, someone who really inspires through her infectious enthusiasm, and it was lovely to catch up with her.

After Wetherlam, we headed up the Prison Band then stopped to watch the leaders come through. Some amazing running considering how steep it was. After a while, I decided to trot on, running along with the competitors to the top of Levers Hause, where I saw Jo, Louise and Mandy go through, before dropping down to Levers Water to try and get back before them.

As I headed down by the ghyll, I made a detour when I saw Kirsten scrambling her way up a rocky face. I stopped to watch for a moment, until she saw me and, not wanting to intrude upon her day or feel self-conscious, I trotted away down the hillside, to get back in time to see Mandy finishing.

After that, the rain started and I retreated to the car to wait for Kirsten, who appeared some hours later looking cold and wet. She got in the car, said “take me to a pub, I want to get warm and I want a pint. No stopping”!

Once she’d stopped shivering, it transpired that she’d had a great day but the last couple of hours were deathly slow for someone used to fellrunning, and she was freezing. We soon thawed her out in the Greyhound at Grizebeck though!

And so Sunday dawned, a beautiful morning with the sun lighting up the surrounding countryside. We headed off early to Langdale, where Kirsten was meeting up with the group for her big day! It was glorious when we got there and, having established that they were heading up Stickle Ghyll before doing Jack’s Rake, I decided to head up that way as well once I’d got my stuff together.

And what a beautiful morning. I nipped up the path, in time to see Kirsten scrambling up the lower falls, then made my way to Stickle Tarn. Intrigued, and having never looked closely at Jack’s Rake, I made my way around the tarn and to the bottom of it. The lower slopes were ok and, with nobody else around, I had a quick scramble up. But fairly quickly, I could see it was going to turn into something “challenging” for someone like me, who has no head for heights….so I retreated and headed up “Easy Gully”, which had its moments near the top as well!!

Wanting to see Kirsten in the rake, I headed around and back down to Stickle Tarn but, having dropped down to the ghyll again, I saw them still scrambling in there so decided it was time for the off.

And what a cracking day. Up Harrison Stickle, across to Pike O’ Stickle under schedule, (where I chatted with Yvonne from Leicestershire who’s contemplating a BG in June but needs helpers….if you’re reading this, put that message on FRA forum!!!), across Martcrag Moor on a decent high line to the crags and then out to Rossett Pike. A nice chat with 3 other BG recciers, then up the traverse to Bowfell, back to Esk Pike, out to Great End, then Ill Crag and Broad Crag easily on schedule in the dry conditions.

Originally I’d thought of doing the Scafells, but with the crowds accumulating on the summit of the Pike, I baulked at the idea and headed back to Angle Tarn and the top of Rossett Ghyll. Having got here, I decided I’d get that climb to Bowfell into my head by doing it again, before heading down the Band and back into Langdale.

And I trotted into the garden of the pub, to be greeted by a smiling Kirsten who had survived a “challenging” (!) day and who had great tales to tell. A quick pint there, the decision to stay another night, then off to Ulverston for a smashing curry, before heading back to the campsite and crowding 8 of us into Thirza’s campervan for a drink and a natter – the perfect way to end a perfect day.

And a confidence-boosting day at that. Around 18 miles and 7,500ft and I never felt too uncomfortable. I could easily have carried on. With the decision now made to postpone my attempt until 24th July, to be feeling like that at this stage of my training is a bonus. Fingers crossed I can keep it like that.

And what a cracking weekend for Kirsten as well. Not so much physically, but mentally. In a few weeks’ time, she’ll face a huge mental challenge to keep going when her body is screaming to stop. The fact that she was able to confront her fears and push on when a single wrong step would have meant fairly certain death will stand her in good stead. And of course provide a timely reminder that the lives we live when we’re not on the fells are really so insignificant when compared to those exhilarating, vital times when we place our bodies on the line and feel at one with our natural surroundings. Well done lass!

Just for completeness, the week included 2 other runs – a Tuesday club run which was taken at slow pace, on the route of the Shepherds Skyline race, and a Thursday recce of Coiners with Kirsten and Jo, a smashing evening splashing through the rain and mud J

Total for the week – 44.25mls and 15,250ft

Some photos of the weekend to follow………

w/e 25/4 - Teenage Kicks!

2010-04-27T01:54:00.000-07:00

Well another week of half-decent training done, which included a smashing weekend away in the Lakes, camping for the third weekend in a row!

And it included taking part in the inaugral running of what is destined to become a classic Lakes race!! As soon as I saw that the Teenager With Altitude had got the go-ahead this year, I fancied doing it - partly because it looked like excellent BG training, but mostly because it had the makings of a classic route to add on to what is already a great race weekend.

So I entered! And planned a recce or two, which never materialised.....until last Wednesday, 3 days before the race!! Nowt like planning is there!!

So on Tuesday night, still nursing a couple of niggly injuries from last weekend's 50-miler, I headed up to the hut in Langdale, for a smashing evening - only me and one other guy there! Up early the next morning, I zoomed up to the Newlands Valley and parked where the start would be on the Saturday.

It was a glorious sunny morning, albeit with a cold breeze and a hint of frost in the air. The plan was to pretty much walk the route so that I didn't trash the legs, and I could see how tight the midway cut-off was.

And I had a splendid day - toiling up Causey Pike and being a little spooked by the scramble at the top, but knowing that on race day I wouldn't even notice it! A smashing line down and up to Outerside, a choice then to Coledale Hause and I went over the top of the crags.

There was a chill in the air as I skirted the "ridge" and headed out to Grasmoor, but I warmed up by trotting around the edge of the corrie and onto Whiteless ridge, which is absolutely spectacular...wonderful views!

On to the top of Whiteless Pike and then the bit I really wanted to see....just how steep was the direct descent off the top? In fact, for someone who doesn't like the really steep stuff, I found it to be fine and runnable - heathery and cushioned rather than awkward and bouldery. Trashes the legs though...I could tell that! From the bottom, I contoured Ard Crags and arrived at Newlands Hause 3 minutes over the cut-off time, having walked almost all of it...no problem then!

The plan was then to take it very easy and walk back down the valley....but Ard Crags beckoned and I, of course, headed up and along the ridge for a beautiful end to the day out.

And so to the weekend. We headed up on Friday night and set up the tent at Braithwaite. Saturday morning dawned with a hazy sun, as we headed down to Stair to register me for the early start...and the nerves kicked in a bit as I saw the other runners and realised I could be last for the first time ever in a race!

Soon enough, a hardy band of 58 runners were gathered in the sun, Kirsten there to see me off and take a couple of photos, looking resplendent in her Calder Valley top. And then we were soon off, toiling for 30 mins up to Causey Pike. Things went pretty well from here, taking the upper line to Coledale Hause again, a good contour line to Grasmoor, and I quite went for it on the descent off Whiteless Pike, passing a couple of others (unheard of for me on a steep descent!). Unfortunately, as I reached the bottom, I realised how trashed my legs were!! :-) Plus an adductor niggle that's bothered me all week after the Woldsman, was really kicking in on the more runnable bits.

I made the cut-off in just over 2 hours, then faced the toil up to High Snock Rigg and Robinson. The climbing legs were there though, and I passed a couple more and started to gain on the Pennine runner. Unfortunately, the top of Robinson signalled the end of my decent pace....with the faster running that is possible on the Waltz route, the adductor strain just couldn't cope and I was having to shuffle rather than run.

Still, it was fun to blend in with the later Waltzers, and I took a couple on a decent line down off Dale Head. The bit from High Spy onwards was frustrating 'cause that's my sort of fellrunning, but I wasn't flying today. One Teenager passed me, and I then played cat and mouse with a Bowland guy all the way to Catbells, only overtaking him on the descent from there for the final time.

I really wanted sub-4.30, but as I hit Catbells with less than 12 minutes to spare, and now reduced to a shuffle, I wasn't sure I could do it. I shut out the pain and pushed as hard as I could, the pounding on the final bit of tarmac road reminding me that my legs were sore. I entered the field to a surprise and very welcome "come on Richard" from Sharon and Shaun, and kept going right through the funnel to finish in 4.29.32 :-) Not the greatest run I've ever had, but I'm pleased enough.

And then I looked for Kirsten. No sign. I wasn't sure if she was ahead of me or behind me, but Sharon said she'd not come through. As time ticked over the 3.10, I was sure she hadn't had a good race - she's easily capable of sub-3 on such a course. And then she appeared, looking rather pale, but still smiling, to finish in 3.13.

And my worries were confirmed as she collapsed on the floor, looking worse for wear and feeling very sick, as she had done all race....as she had done all week to be fair. My guess is it's still the effects of running 50 miles in the sun last weekend. I know I'm still feeling it. We both had a bit of heatstroke afterwards, and combined with the exhaustion, it takes time to recover.

But the main thing was she completed, when it would have been easy to dns or dnf. Sometimes you have those races, and you take the best you can out of them. I certainly had one last year at the Haworth Hobble, when a week of sickness meant I spent most of the day with my head swimming...but I finished and looking back, it was one of the most satisfying days of last year's training. The same will apply to Kirsten as she toils around the 105 miles in a few weeks' time. There will be plenty of occasions when the head's gone, when she feels sick, when she's in pain and when she feels like she can't continue.....and having pushed on to complete the Waltz will stand her in good stead then.

We headed down to the hall to chat. I ate some stew, Kirsten threw up a couple of times :-) and then we headed back to the car. Back to the campsite where she fell asleep in the afternoon sun while I watched my legs twitch! By the time she woke up, she felt a wee bit better, and even managed most of a risotto at the Pheasant, while I demolished a fish pie :-)

After a good night's sleep, Kirsten felt much better and was up for another day on the fells. My adductor strain was tight though, so it would be a walk, with a bit of running, rather than a running day. And the weather had changed in the night....low could, heavy drizzle and a strongish wind.

Wanting to recce some BG, we headed to Keswick and set off up to Latrigg car park, then up Jenkins Hill in increasingly bad weather. We entered the cloud and, as we headed towards the top, the strong wind kicked in big-time! No stopping, straight over the top, down a bit,a right turn to cross the fence and head towards Hare Crag.

We found the trod initially, but in poor visibility, it disappeared and I needed to take a bearing...which is when we found out the compass wasn't working very well!! We followed East, which turned out to be more North-East! I finally worked out that we'd dropped off to the left slightly too early, so we faced a bit of heather-bashing to get back on course.

We crossed the Cumbria Way and headed up Calva, soon back in the cloud. It wasn't a day for stopping up there either, and we crossed the fence and dropped down to the stream as quickly as possible, Kirsten running well. We made out way up to the Cumbria Way and decided to leave Blencathra to another day. A right turn, a trudge up to Skiddaw House and then a left to take us back around the valley to Latrigg car park.

It seemed rude not to detour up to the top of Latrigg, then we cut straight down and back to the car to end a smashing day. We zoomed into town just in time to pick up cake and coffee from Pedlars cafe, then headed back to Calderdale, where a couple of pints in the Fox provided the perfect end to another fantastic weekend!

Another weekend of camping coming up as well!! Off to Coniston, although neither of us is running the race. K's off scrambling up Jack's Rake (yikes!!), I'll do a couple of BG reccies (if I can shake off this new injury) and we'll no doubt be back in the Fox to celebrate another great weekend!

Totals for the week - 42.5mls & 16,242ft!!

w/e 18/4/10 - Out Here Life Is At Its Essence

2010-04-20T04:09:00.000-07:00

Our here life is at its essence,
and watches the world with innocent eyes;
far from grime, far from rushing people,
it seems that I have found a tiny peace

I've managed to get through 44 years of my life without ever doing a 50 mile event. Or indeed, for that matter, having felt the need to do one!! The furthest events I've done in the past have been the Calderdale Hike, at 37 miles, and the Old County Tops, which weighs in at about 36. Mind you, on last year's failed BG attempt, I did manage around 56 miles, but it doesn't really count because I didn't finish!

So, when we were perusing the calendar for spring training, taking into account both my requirements and Kirsten's need for long days ready for the 100, the Woldsman 50 jumped out at us from the page.

Just the right timing for K, coming as it does only a few weeks before the end of her training and start of tapering. Just the right timing for me, to act as some kind of a marker as to how the physical and, even more importantly, mental side of my training was getting on.

And make no mistake, with not much ascent on the route, the Woldsman was as much, if not more, of a test of mental strength to keep going. There was a lot of running....and I'm not used to it!! The muscles are now trained to deal with walking up hills and then letting gravity guide me down them. They're not at all attuned to shuffling along for 50 miles on gentle gradients. I thought the days of DOMS were over! But sure enough, this event got me........

So off we drove on Friday evening, heading east, bound for Driffield. As we neared the area, we were both perturbed by just how flat and dull it looked...we had visions of a tough, uninspiring day. Anyway, we set up camp on the showground, popped into a local pub (a very strange place...webbed feet and six fingers!), then settled down for a chilly night, with ice on the inside of the tent in the morning.

Up nice and early, and ready for the off at 8am. Already the sun was up, and there was the promise of a long, warm day. The first part of the route was relatively gentle, and I settled in with a few others at a fairly brisk pace. A nice chat with Steve the BG hopeful passed some miles, and soon enough, we were passing through checkpoints, stopping briefly to nibble some goodies.

After a fairly dull start, the route headed into beautiful dales and valleys, with lovely countryside to look out at. The only downside was that the going was either tarmac/gravel roads or hard-baked solid mud...ouch! But there were some real highlights on that first half, including the deserted medieval village of Wharram Percy.

The pace was still good, and I trotted down the hill and into the halfway checkpoint in 4.08...which seemed a tad fast if I'm honest! And I was just starting to have a bad patch. With the marathon distance covered in 4.19 (how DO people take 5+ hours to "run" a marathon?!?!?), I suddenly felt a bit the worse for wear....tiredness creeping in, a slight headache and phantom pains in my achilles.

But I soldiered on the checkpoint at the scout hut, where I sat for a few minutes, had a gel and then (whisper it) took some ibuprofen. Fifteen minutes later....I felt on top of the world (on top of the Wold?!). Suddenly running was easier again, the pains had gone. Just as well really, as we headed towards the only real climbs of the day....and what a relief they were!! It was noticeable how I left others behind going up the hills, but they caught me on the flatter bits.

The gel and the pills carried me through to around 40 miles, when the accumulated damage to my joints and muscles started to kick in. But I pushed on, playing games counting down the distance, and calculating the possibility of a sub-10 hour finish. It was also helped by running with Neil from Ilkley for a while, a smashing guy.

The long, flat tarmac then gravel section to the 46 mile checkpoint was enough to break anybody! I somehow managed to keep shuffling, and with 4 miles to go, I had over 55 miles to get under the 10 hour marker.

On that last stretch, I was joined by a young lad, running with no kit bag, in t-shirt and shorts carrying only a water bottle in his hand, who was well out of it. He had no idea where he was and kept asking me which way to go. Hmmm....I know it was a warm day, and I know we weren't in the high fells, but it still grates that some people rely on others for their safety and navigation.

Anyway, with the odd walking break now, I shuffled along, back through the park and into the welcome sight of the showground. Back into the hut, and a decent finish time of 9h 45mins....relatively pleased with that!

I slumped into a chair...then immediately had to go outside as the world spun and sickness threatened! 15 mins outside, and a milkshake sunk almost in one, and I was able to go back in and face some food....lots of it in fact!!! A nice chat with Neil, then Steve when he came in, then I waited for Kirsten........who of course exceeded expectations, and knocked over an hour off her Norfolk 50 time, to come home in a marvellous 11hr 41mins....fantastic again!!

So, reflections....well 50 miles to me was quite daunting, despite Kirsten taking it in her stride and having no nerves! But, in fact, I handled it better mentally on the day than I could have hoped, adopting an "every step forward is one step nearer the finish" approach whenever I felt tired. If I can adopt that come BG day, that will stand me in good stead.

The legs have been trashed though! That's because of the running, and the hard surface. I'm used to neither. I was a sorry sight on Sunday....which at least gave K a good laugh!! But I'm recovering now, and shortly heading off to the Lakes, for a recce of Saturday's TWA.....now THAT is daunting :-)

For the record, I only had one other run in the week, partly 'cause I wanted to be tapered for the 50 miler, partly 'cause I was taking it easy after the previous weekend, and coaxing the achilles into recovering.

So, totals for the week - 57mls & 4,500ft

And for anyone else who's got to my age, but never done a 50-mile event, I'd just say this:

You're never too Wold! ;-)

w/e 11/4/10 - Welcome to the Jungle....

2010-04-12T12:37:00.000-07:00

Or at least that's what it seems
You never see the cages, the illusion is you're free
Every day's a lesson, delivered with a smile
To remind you there's no future on this planet for a creature truly wild..........

In a week when every time I turn on the radio, there's more inane and meaningless chatter and discussion and arguments about the election, it's been great to have our first proper weekend of the year up in the Lakes, and our first night of the year under canvas!! Somehow it all puts it into perspective, demonstrates what's TRULY important, and strengthens my belief that somehow I don't really feel part of this "modern world" and the future is in moving back from it, and keeping it at the periphery of my life.

It's been another splendid week, with the injuries responding well to the increase in training. The knee problem seems to have completely vanished for now, despite the pounding the knees got this weekend. The ankle is healing well and every run where I don't twist an ankle is a step on the road to full recovery. Even the achilles seems to be responding to more exercise.

Great to catch up with Andy K this weekend as well, and for him to recall that he had a similar (or larger) lump on his achilles for even longer, and got rid of it through some exercises which he demonstrated - I'll be doing them religiously from now on!

So the training week started with a fantastic club run out on Tuesday night, away up to Erringden Moor, Dicks Lane, Stoodley, down to London Road then back via various paths. I started off feeling quite awkward in my gait, but a "race" up to Stoodley with Barbara saw me putting in a reasonably hard effort, and it's amazing how your running style loosens up when you push yourself! I thoroughly enjoyed the run and it was great to be pushed by a couple of people. Fair play for Kirsten hanging on in there with the group quite easily as well!

Thursday's run was a lovely trot out with Kirsten and Jo, doing several up and downs around Stoodley...I think they enjoyed it ;-) A beautiful evening, took it relatively easy but felt good.

And so to the weekend, and a marked change in the weather.....snow mostly gone from the tops, blazing sunshine and soaring temperatures!!! A great weekend to pick to go to the Lakes!!

Saturday saw us arrive at lunchtime and set up camp near Rosthwaite. Then we parked up at Honister, trudged up the BG route to Dale Head in glorious hot weather, dropped down to Dalehead Tarn on a pretty much perfect grassy line which we'll need to replicate on Anni Waltz day. Then down into the valley from there, to Low Snab Farm, then Newlands Church, before heading up Robinson, taking the left hand line past the reservoir and turning up by the waterfall...much quicker I think!

From there, we contoured out to Hindscarth, ran back along to Dale Head and dropped down at a reasonable pace to Honister. A smashing day out, but very warm in the sun...our bodies aren't acclimatised yet!!

Back to the tent for a delicious bbq, then along to the Scafell Hotel for a couple of pints with Emma and Andy, before crashing into our sleeping bags, to end a great day.

But Sunday was even better!! An early start to trot down to Rosthwaite village hall and register for the Lakes, Ridges and Wainwrights LDWA event. Although there was cloud cover at this stage, the forecast was for warm sunshine later...and it didn't disappoint!!

At 8.30am, we were off, initially taking a bad line right at the bridge instead of left, which lost us a few minutes straight away!! Doh!! But once back on track, we climbed up through the old mines and soon enough were heading up to High Spy and along that ridge. Great running on good terrain, then a good descent down to Low Snab Farm for a doughnut and the first of many drinks during the day!!

I was starting to wake up and feeling good, and while Andy and Emma were still scoffing and nattering, I pottered off for the climb up Hindscarth, assuming they'd catch up with me at some stage.

And what a long slog of a climb, although an interesting one. I passed a lot of people here, the "runners" who'd gone off too fast! Also passed and chatted to the Irish guy I've seen at lots of these LDWA events.

Eventually the top of Hindscarth was reached, then a good descent and re-ascent up to Robinson on the BG trod. I was surprised Andy and Emma hadn't caught me up by now, but I guess I was actually going at a reasonable pace.

At the top of Robinson, I joined up with a group of 4 lads and 2 lasses, who led me a cracking steep descent down to High Snockrigg and then over and down into Buttermere, and the delights of CP2, where rice pudd and fruit salad was being served....a godsend! I sat and ate for 5 minutes.

As I left and headed around Buttermere, I met up with a walker (who lives in Kendal) and, in the spirit of these events, decided it was much nicer to walk along and chat with him than run this section. An interesting conversation ensued about how fellrunners (generally) aren't very quick ascenders when walking, and how he seemed to be catching them on ascents. So, of course, I had to make sure I put in some effort up to Scarth Gap ;-) but he's right - it was noticeable how many folks I passed on each ascent.

From the top of Scarth Gap, Haystacks still looked enormous, towering above, and this was probably my "low point" of the day, where the distance, ascent and, more importantly, heat got to me a little and I had a few wobbly leg moments!

But soon enough I was trotting down towards Honister and peeling off left to take a grassy rake rather than the awful slate path! Into Honister and another check point where I sat in one of the chairs, enjoyed a drink or two and a nice chat with the marshalls.

Then off up the BG route to Dale Head in baking hot sunshine, but on a mission to put a decent effort in. Sure enough, the top was reached in 32 minutes, quite happy with that! Then the descent, where I missed the line slightly, probably being cursed by the guy who was following me and seemed to slow to a walk! :-)

Met up with another guy at the tarn, who is training for the Lakeland 100 and had done 80 miles in the previous 3 days! I took him along the trod to the stile, then zoomed down the grass as he followed the path...no contest! I followed a couple of runners down the very runnable lower slopes, knees now complaining a lot, before crossing the river and heading back into the hall for some welcome food and drink, finishing in 6hrs 12mins. A smashing day on the fells.

I welcomed Emma and Andy back in shortly after that, then decided I'd put my shoes back on and go back up to meet Kirsten....but of course she chose that moment to come trotting in, looking fresh as a daisy and with a beautiful, beaming smile on her face! What an absolute star she is!! It's alright for me, I'm BG training and I've got years of climbing my legs. But for her, to put in a weekend like that with only a year of running under her belt is astonishing. Future BGer? If she wants it enough ;-)

After feeding Kirsten, we headed back home for the obligatory pint in the Fox with Rufus, before devouring a chinese and collapsing into bed to mark the end of a fabulous weekend :-)

Things are back on course at the moment then. Who's to say how long that will last, but I'll take it for now! BG for the 19th? Yep, I think so at the moment, as long as the next couple of weekends go well. Woldsman 50-miler this weekend, then the Teenager with Altitude followed by a BG recce the weekend after. Crunch time approaches.

Oh, and this week's special mention goes to Emma...another remarkable lass! A really tough day's BG recce on the Saturday, but she was still strong at the event on Sunday and ran Dale Head in 24 minutes!! Nowt can stop you Emma, the BG is well, well within your grasp!!

Total for the week - 50mls & 14,500ft

w/e 4/4/10 - Evidently Goldfish!

2010-04-06T07:22:00.000-07:00

Evidently goldfish
Never questioning environment
self-evidently goldfish
We swim in circular experience

It's true. We are, in the main, quite evidently goldfish, returning to situations, places and feelings which are familiar and safe. And generally, as a race, I'd say human beings are becoming more and more like that.

So many people for who a bank holiday means sitting in front of a square box, open-mouthed, expressionless. And for most of the rest, the same expressions as they sit in long queues of traffic on their way to some bland retail park full of material goods which nobody "needs" yet which their ever-shrinking brains convince them are "vital" and "desirable" for life.

And yet......am I (are we?) any better as fellrunners? Returning to familiar places again and again. Everyone has their favourite runs. How many times do we push beyond those boundaries and decide to go off and do something totally different?

If there's one thing that's become clearer to me these last few months, it's that I don't want to settle back into a life of "sameness", heading to the familiar places, the same old races, year after year. There's so much to explore, what excuse is there to go back somewhere again and again?

So, as a consequence, I'm pleased with our weekend :-) Two completely new places visited, both of which were splendid and which have encouraged us to go back to those general areas and explore the vast ranges of fells which we observed from our chosen routes.

Saturday saw us head up to Arncliffe, park the car, then head over the fells to a beautifully still and calm Malham Tarn. Then a turn uphill and up to the summit of Fountains Fell, via the Pennine Way. From there, we headed steeply down (looking out for the many mineshafts!) into the valley between that fell and Pen Y Ghent. I'd been here before, on a run-walk over PYG and Plover Hill, but it was lovely to be on the other side of the valley and heading in the other direction.

As we made our way along the track, we were dive-bombed by a lapwing, as we strayed to close to the nest. What a gorgeous bird, and watching them in flight is truely awe-inspiring. Soon enough, we were heading back east along a farmed valley towards Arncliffe. Just time to pass through a field of very young lambs :-) before arriving back in the village in beautiful sunshine.

A fantastic 16 mile day out, in lovely conditions, enjoying each other's company but, just as importantly, enjoying the splendour and quietness of the fells...we saw no more than a handful of other people all day :-)

And then Sunday....one of the best days I've had out for a good, long while. And somewhere I've been meaning to go for so long and never managed to get to.

We drove up to Sedbergh, and parked our car in the shadow of the towering Howgill fells. From the town, we followed and old packhorse route, contouring eastwards under the fells, before turning towards Cautley Spout.

And what a very special place. The fells towered above us, the waterfall crashed down the rocks at the head of the valley...and on a bank holiday sunday, there were no more than a handful of people here.

We toiled up a steep path, stopping for a smashing chat with a guy supervising a group of army cadet lads on their DofE Silver expedition. Onwards and upwards, until we were up above the waterfall and on the main ridge of the Howgills.

And what a great place! What views! And perfect running terrain, short grass, even underfoot and undulating.

We headed off towards the main top, The Calf, but cut underneath and west towards the far tops which dominate the view from the M6 as you pass through Cumbria. Having gone out to the far top, we made our way back, Kirsten flagging a little but still pushing on, bless her.

Back up, and this time to the top of the Calf, which we had to ourselves. Then down on a newly constructed path (which seemed at odds with the surroundings!), over the top of Arant Haw, then down to the top of Winder, perched over Sedbergh.

In glorious sunshined, we headed steeply down, stopping for a photo of the wild horses grazing on the hillside, then down into town, back to the car, and a well-earned mug of soup. A wonderful day - wonderful fells, wonderful weather, wonderful company, and a wonderful sense of freedom being back out on the fells.

And, of course, with 31 miles and 5,500ft in two days, it means I'm getting back towards where I want to be. The knee recovery is miraculous...nothing at all from it (touch wood!). The ankle's healing pretty well, and this weekend's runs on soft, easier terrain have really helped it. The achilles is the only nagging worry. It flared up again, a little, after the steep descent. But it's certainly better than it has been...and if truth's told, probably the same as it has been for months now, it's just that I'm more aware of and focussed on it. Exercises are being done religiously (how appropriate at Easter! :-) ) and anti-inflamms go on whenever I feel it flaring up again. Hopefully, I can manage the problem away, through sensible training, massage and stretches.

Earlier in the week, I'd had a lovely club run on the Tuesday, up onto Midgley Moor. Only short, and in wet conditions, but enough to convince me that the knee was better. And then, on Thursday, I'd headed out with Kirsten after work for a lovely evening run around Erringden Moor and over Scout Rock.

Things are getting back on track, but I'm not daft enough to think I'm there yet. I am consciously and unconsciously favouring my left leg significantly, which is going to lead to problems at some point unless I can convince myself to "let go", which I hope I will be able to do.

I've got some big weekends coming up. This will be make or break. I've already got a date a month later than planned in mind, as back-up in case I feel I can't get back into training quickly enough, or I suffer a relapse.

But for now, all that is secondary to the love of being back out on the fells, exploring new places and having wonderful days out and breaking the circular experince. What could be better?!

Total for the week - 40.5miles & 7,400ft

Beautiful views of the Howgill Fells from near the saddle above Cautley Spout
Cautley Spout Waterfall

Kirsten heading back across the fields towards Arncliffe, in glorious sunshine
The top of Fountains Fell, looking out at the Dales fells

w/e 28/3/10 – All we need is a little patience

2010-03-29T05:37:00.000-07:00

Patience is a virtue apparently. Never one I’ve particularly possessed or been keen on possessing. If I want something, I try to make things happen. “Patience is a virtue” has always seemed to me to be the motto of the “lie back and wait for things to happen” brigade.

But patience is just what I’m having to learn at the moment.

Firstly, another trip to the osteo on Friday. The knee is really coming on well, and I’ve had a couple of decent hill runs where there has been no reaction at all….excellent! The ankle is healing although,as you would expect, it is still a bit limiting at this stage.

But I kept the appointment so he could have a look at the Achilles again. I’d be a liar if I didn’t admit that it’s been worrying me. And, typically, you suddenly get a couple of high-profile Achilles tendon ruptures in footie matches on the tv!

So he had a look, declared it a lot less worrying than the previous week and, to some extent, reassured me that, out of the fairly decent number of people he sees with Achilles problems, well over 90% go on to a full recovery and only a very tiny proportion end up in rupture.

Which is not to say I won’t, but I’m doing all the right exercises, massaging the area to promote blood flow, reducing my running and upping the bike to reduce stress on it….nowt much more I can do!

So, having had a green (or at least amber going to green) light for resuming training, I got stuck into a run on Friday afternoon. Only a shortie, a bit sore from the Achilles having been prodded and poked, but enough to convince me that the knee is over the worst and I can start to get going again.

And I was looking forward to the weekend. I’d made the decision (in my own mind) to run Midgley Moor very slowly. Possibly even offer to be sweeper. And then Sunday was Blubberhouses Moor 25 miler. A chance for a lovely day out with Kirsten, some decent mileage and a feeling like things were moving again.

So it was a wee bit of a blow when I went down with a sickness bug on Friday evening! Friday night was spent in the bathroom or my head in a bowl, not sleeping! No chance of running Midgley, but I kept shoveling food in hoping to be fit for Sunday. Some hope! Lethargic is not the word, wiped-out is more suitable.

So another good weekend’s running missed, but it was great to see Kirsten have another good run at Midgley on Saturday (me and Rufus strolled around the lower part of the route) and then very proud of her for getting out and doing 25 miles on Sunday. She looked shattered last night! :-)

Hopefully I’ll pick up this week and get some good training in. We’re off to the Lakes Friday if the weather’s ok and this is the planned start of the training towards 19 June. Wish me luck!!

I did manage a couple of runs this week though! There was the run Friday, plus I headed out on a club run on Tuesday night, up onto Midgley Moor on a dreadful night, dark and wet. I loved it :-) It might have had something to do with the group being me and 6 ladies? ;-)

Plus a couple of sessions on the turbo trainer, of all things. This is going to become a more prominent feature of my training, not just between now and June, but from here onwards. I have to face facts, I’m getting older, I’ve got some injuries that belong to the “older runner” category, and if I want to prolong my running as long as possible, I need to mix it up a bit and take the weight off my feet quite literally.

So from now on, the plan is never to run more than 5 days a week, and cut that back to 4 in tough weeks. The balance of training will be on the bike, and I wouldn’t mind starting back in the pool as well. It’ll be interesting to see the effect it has…there are some very good runners who do most, if not all, of their training on bikes and they swear by it, both in terms of stamina and speed. Speed? Ah yes, I remember what that is, I used to have some in the dim and distant past!

So patience it is. Patience in getting over this run of bad health, patience in building up the mileage at a steady pace again, patience in seeing off this Achilles problem, and patience in changing my training routines and waiting to see the results that brings…….

Total for the week…..11 miles and 1,500ft! Plus 45mins on the TT!

w/e 21/3/10 - Little by Little

2010-03-23T04:19:00.000-07:00

Little by little, the time goes
Little by little, the days pass by
Little by little, the air clears
Little by little, I can breathe again
I can breathe again --

An inauspicious week's training, in terms of where I should be right now, heading towards that date in June....but a leap forward from where I thought I was going to be.

Little by little, that's the key right now I think. Too much too soon and I'm going to set myself back very quickly.

The knee - another trip back to the osteo, having done the exercises, and it's definitely feeling easier although there's still a slight niggle that seems to increase when going up steep slopes. Nowhere near as bad though. Osteo said it felt a lot smoother, but did warn that it was "early days" and to be cautious.

The ankle - the best recovery I've ever had from a badly sprained ankle. The bruising has pretty much gone, there's a little pain with the foot twisted, but the proprioception seems to have returned remarkably quickly :-)

The achilles - well it's certainly proved to be an achilles heel! I thought I was pretty much over this, but a speedy type session with Kirsten on tarmac on Wednesday night saw it flare up again on Thursday. When I saw the osteo on Friday, he was more concerned about this than the knee! In particular he warned that there's a "nick" in the tendon. Now this MIGHT be the way it's healed (I suspect so) but it's clear that there is a chance of it snapping at some point. Nowt much I can do though, apart from carry on regardless, and back off if it feels overworked or tender.

So, in all, 3 runs for the week - which is 3 more than I expected at this stage!!

Tuesday - a gentle 6 miles, initially along the canal to Hebden, then up over Erringden Moor and down into Mytholmroyd and home. Lovely day for it. Felt awkward to begin with, favouring the right leg badly. But it felt easier by the end to be honest.

Wednesday - the idea was a speed session for Kirsten, with me trotting around. But of course, I joined in!! Lampposts....lovely!!! Quite a long session, and Kirsten started out at a reasonable pace....but gave the game away by talking immediately after finishing one of the longer reps....mistake!!!! "You shouldn't be able to talk so soon...you're not putting enough effort in!" :-)

So the rest of the reps were run at a noticeably quicker pace...and there's no doubt the leg speed is there for her. Just more training, more speedwork in particular,and an appreciation of the level of effort you have to put in when you're running fast :-)

I enjoyed the session as well. I used to love speedwork when I was down in Shropshire. And it does improve you. But it also takes a hefty toll on the joints etc when you're on tarmac. Hopefully, with the lighter nights, we can do some sessions on grass.

I rested for a few days then, to let the achilles calm down a bit, then went out for 5 miles or so on Sunday afternoon. And, significantly, this was the first run back with proper off-road and a wee bit of climb. Along to Foster Clough, around to Old Town, back past Churn Milk Joan, through Midgley, and down. A nice run, met Richard B at Joan and had a nice chat. Knee twinged a bit on the steeper ups, but was fine on the down...and the ankle held out fine :-)

So, it's cautious, but the comeback is at least underway. I'll see how it progresses this week. Run planned tonight, possibly a trot out tomorrow, then an LDWA event at the weekend.

I can breathe again.......

Total for the week - 16 miles and 1,500ft

w/e 14/3/10 - In the here and now

2010-03-16T06:50:00.000-07:00

In the here and now,
between sensation at the nerve-ends
and the arrival of information at the cortex
time elapses

No time to be looking back, looking down, thinking what have been or feeling sorry for myself. There's so much to do, and so much to look forward to in life (for ALL of us) that it's a crime to waste any of it in self-pity.

Back up off the floor, dusted down, clinging to hopes of getting back out there sooner than I could possibly have hoped....but just as importantly, determined to make the most of my time anyway, and celebrate and enjoy all that's good in my life :-)

A lovely weekend away to take my mind off things (thank you!) and a chance to remember that you CAN enjoy yourself even if you're not running....yes, really!!! :-)

A trip up to the North-East coast of England and the South-East coast of Scotland, two lovely walks, time together, time with Rufus the dog, a few pints, some nice food...and smiles :-)

Kirsten and Rufus on the beach :-)

The cliffs of St Abbs Head

What a handsome dog!!

Baring his teeth and wrestling with the seaweed

I'm not letting go, and neither is Rufus!

I'm tough, rough, ready and able

2010-03-12T15:24:00.000-08:00

To pick myself up from under this table
Don't stick no sign on me, I got no label
I'm a little sick, unsure, unsound and unstable

But I'm fighting my way back

One week one.....and of course there's no way I'm giving up without a fight. I'm not saying I'll be there at the Moot Hall on 19 June...but I'm certainly not discounting that I will be!!!!

And if I need any inspiration......Kirsten's onto the entry list for the Scotland 100!!!! Which is actually 105 miles!!!!! What an amazing lass, what an inspiration, what an example to follow. Running for one year...and doing 100 miles.....and she will do it!! I have no doubt!!

How can I not fight on? And believe that I'llbe fit and ready come June?

w/e 7/3/10 and beyond....There But For The Grace of God.....

2010-03-06T09:13:00.000-08:00

Last week , I read Nick Ham's blog and really felt the pain (both mental and physical) and frustration he was experiencing.

Let's face it, we've all been there. And there's nowt you can do but be sensible and work your way back bit by bit.

And I thought "there but for the grace of God go I".

One week on...................

Last Friday, I bent down to put a DVD in, felt a bit of pain in my knee, thought no more about it until it bothered me after 21 miles of last Saturday's run...but still presumed it would be ok.

It isn't. It's continued to bother me and, although I've tried to ignore it, I know the pain is coming from deep inside my knee, around the lateral meniscus area.

But, being a fellrunner, I decided to test it out today. I headed along the cycle path to Mytholmroyd, and it felt ok. In fact, it only hurts when load-bearing and at one particular angle.

So I went up the path to Erringden Moor. On the way up, I slipped and a shot of pain went straight up my leg and left my head spinning. Ok then, sensible thing is to head down and get it looked at.

Which I did, but finding it no problem on the downhill, I got a bit of pace up....but didn't reckon with the fact that my running gait had changed to accommodate the knee.....and next moment, I was heading for the floor and hearing the popping of ankle ligaments as my foot gave way.

I lay on the ground in pain for about a minute, wondering if I could get up....but of course I could. I limped down, got a lift home, and started RICE immediately.

But it was a bad one. As bad as time I did that ankle in the OCT, and that kept me out for 2 months. Realistically, it may be the same....and that's a lot of training to miss in advance of the BG.

But, worse than that, this knee pain isn't going away. This will test my resolve. I swore, after having surgery on that knee previously, I wouldn't rush to do it again. What now? Can I/do I stick to that? A trip to the osteo first to see what he thinks, and I'll take it from there.

But I'm already facing up to the fact that all the March and April plans are probably out of the window. The BG is certainly delayed, if not postponed until next year. The plans are in tatters.

I've faced quite a few mental battles these last couple of years, in one way or another. This might be the most trying and challenging. But I'll stick with it, I'll be back. I'm a fighter when my back's against the wall. I will respond in the only way I know.

So folks, no updates for some time unless something miraculous happens....but just remember, there but for the grace of God........

w/e 28/2/10 - We Step Outside and Face the Poisoned Weather....

2010-03-02T05:14:00.000-08:00

The tiredness hit this week. In a big way. And I guess it's to be expected. Over 100 miles and 12,000ft last week....what did I expect?

In truth, looking back as I did the other day, I think I'm "ahead of the game" at this stage this year. What I have to be careful of is not burning brightly now, only to fizzle out in April/May. That certainly happened a couple of years ago, when a BG attempt was a possibility. I piled up the miles and the long days, I put in a pretty hard effort at the Old County Tops and....the legs went, and didn't feel the same again all summer.

But this is two years on, and there's nothing truer than the fact that every year of putting in climbs does steel you for the road ahead. Your legs don't forget, they adapt. And I'm hoping that's where I am this year. I'm ahead of where I was last year because, a year on, the legs are ready for it without needing too much base to build on.

The weather's getting frustrating though. Another missed opportunity to pop up to the Lakes this week, based on the fact that I'd have needed ice-axe and crampons rather than fell shoes. Spring can't come soon enough now, and some midweek trips up for 2-dayers in the Lakes.

The only downside of the week is that I've ended it with a slight niggle....a pain somewhere inside the right knee when descending, and a little fluid on that knee in response to the problem. I don't think it's serious, but it needs a bit of nursing so my lovely idea of heading to Sedbergh for a race on a Tuesday afternoon is abandoned. Hopefully I'll be fit and ready for the weekend.

But, as for the week in question, it started with a couple of rest days, to get over the previous week. But by Wednesday, with a Mercia friend coming to stay, it seemed a good idea to head to club night, having told him all about the great group who go bat-running.

So we turned up at 7pm to find.....nobody bat-running! I'm not sure what's happened these days. A year ago, I seem to remember 20+ out most Wednesdays, now it's getting down to 4 or 5 regulars and, obviously, this week, just 2 of us. Very poor.

Still, we made the most of it, heading down into the valley, all the way back up to Stoodley Pike, in new snow, down the Pennine Way to London Road, back to Mankinholes, down into the valley again, and up to the golf club. A smashing run, just disappointing that nobody else wanted to share it.

Thursday turned out to be another rest day, running ditched in favour of a good tea and chat.

But Friday, we headed over to Pendle, for a half tour recce. Pendle's one of my favourite places around here, and it seemed a good place to take visitors. It was looking like a tough day though, with low cloud and persistent rain.....which changed pretty quickly to snow as we headed out of Barley.

By halfway up, it had become a blizzard and was settling up to around our ankles, with a driving wind from our left, making things cold and uncomfortable. We ploughed on (snowploughed on!) regardless, the snow getting deeper and deeper, to eventually arrive at the trig point. But, as we tried to peer into the howling gale in the direction we needed to go, we made our decision...down!! It was not a day for heroics, and Pendle felt every inch as big as a high Lakes fell today! We slithered down, back to snowy Barley and cake and coffee in the cafe, before heading home.

Saturday was a little better, and a big tour of the moors was planned. We headed off over Midgley Moor and across to High Brown Knoll, which was boggy, slushy and cold. From there, we dropped down to Lumb Falls, then across to Walshaw Farm, Widdop, Gorple and picked up the Pennine Way there, following it over to Blackshaw Head. Here we picked up the path down Jumble Hole Clough and down to the main road.

We followed the Hebden route up to Stoodley (where the path from London Road has been vandalised by a digger, presumably doing "repairs" :-/ ), then along Dicks Lane, across the moor and down into Mytholmroyd. It was here that I felt the first twinge in my knee, nothing dramatic, but noticeable.

Nevertheless, one more climb to do, and we headed up over Scout Rock before dropping down to the house - a tough run, in tough conditions.

Sunday saw me head out on my own, despite the knee, to go and put in a few reps on Stoodley. I managed 4, and saw one other nutter (you know who you are!) doing exactly the same.....the things us BG attempters have to do :-)

And that was the end of my "easy" week. Again, I hope I'm judging this right. In the past, my easy week has been next to nothing. This time, it's not far off a normal week. But that feels right to me, especially since I want to up the training from last year. Only time will tell. Hopefully the knee will settle quickly and I can push on hard.

The week ended, as ever, with a lovely couple of pints in the Fox, with an incredibly tired-looking Kirsten, having just returned from her 50-miler in Norfolk, before picking up a curry and stuffing ourselves full of lentils, veg and chappatis whilst we could still stay awake.

Total for the week - 39miles & 9,000ft

w/e 21/2/10 - Do You Dream of a Journey, Taking You Back to Your Home...

2010-03-01T01:50:00.000-08:00

…Where the cry from the heart of the Highlands lives on

A wonderful week’s training in a wonderful place. Back in my spiritual home, albeit a new area for discovery.

We headed off on the Sunday to stay in Perthshire and recce a set route ;-) with the plan being to cover 80+ miles over 5 days. Kirsten had found a great place to stay – a hostel a mile outside Aberfeldy, which we had to ourselves for the duration of our stay :-)

And as we headed over the border and into more remote and wild scenery, I felt uplifted, as I always do when I make this journey.

I actually flew once, taking a plane to Inverness before hiring a car….and, sure, it saved a wee bit of time, but I vowed never to do it again because you miss the journey, the transition from wild Borders country, through the tenements and dire greyness of Glasgow, to the first glimpses of the big mountains of Loch Lomond-side until you finally arrive on that narrow twisting road along its shore, before descending into Crianlarich,which is truly the “gateway to the Highlands”.

But this time, we headed off a different way, going east towards Stirling from Glasgow, before taking the road over the Pass of Ledi and down into Killin (and memories of a glorious snowy group trip up there a few years ago) , before heading past Ben Lawers and Loch Tay to arrive in Aberfeldy.

I’ll blog separately about the week itself, there’s so much I want to record that it would get a bit much in the midst of all this.

But suffice to say, we ended up covering about 70 miles of the route. Throw in a few loops back etc and my mileage was 93 for the trip, together with 10,400ft of ascent.

Having travelled back on the Friday afternoon, then travelled down and back to the Midlands on the Saturday, I was feeling tired on Sunday!

But, of course, being so close to 100 miles for the week, I had to go out again!! So a trip from home, over to Stoodley, across Erringden Moor, down into Mytholmroyd and finally back up over Scout Rock, gave me another 10 miles and 2,000ft to take me up to my biggest week ever.

Which, to be honest, has left me shattered, but I know it will pay dividends in due course. Following my 3 weeks build-up, 1 week cut back training method, the last week of February should be an easier week….about time too!!! :-)

Whereas, for Kirsten, having done over 80miles last week, it’s a 50-miler for her on Saturday 27th…..I’m glad I don’t have to do that!!!

Total for the week – 103miles & 12,400ft

Update: Kirsten continues to amaze and inspire me, by not only completing her first 50-miler (no problem!), but also coming back 1st Lady!!! YOU STAR!!!

w/e 14/2 - It's Time to Choose Between the Open Water and Your Dreams

2010-02-23T04:54:00.000-08:00

Time you faced reality, time you faced your fears....

With a few good weeks of training behind me, and with a renewed energy and much-improved state of mind, it really is time to 100% commit to getting this training right and making sure I'm succesful this June.

Not that I haven't committed. I clearly have (in my mind at least). Reps up and down Stoodley are committed, going out in any and all weathers is committed.

But I suspect it's about much more than that. Certainly in my case, and in the case of one or two others, if I am reading correctly between the lines in blogs.

If my experience last year taught me anything, it is that the physical side of the preparation and, indeed, the day is the easiest bit to get right. Train hard, put the climbs in, take enough rest to go with that....and, inshallah, you'll be there or thereabouts on the day. There are no short-cuts, no "secret" formula as such. Just hard work. Anyone can do that, including me.

The tough part to get right is the mental side. It's what let me down last time, and I'm sure it's behind the vast majority of "failures". Of course, we can blame weather, eating, niggles, navigation...anything we like. But those are all just excuses really. And I can say that with some certainty, having helped someone to a successful round a couple of years ago in appalling conditions. I watched that person shut out everything that was going "wrong" around him and just concentrate on one foot in front of the other, and keep going. And he did it astonishingly well, coming home sub-22 despite the conditions. And therein lies the key, I believe, to a successful round this June. I have to want it enough to shut out everything else that may happen (and rest assured,things will happen).

And a big part of that is a belief in being able to do it and not even contemplating failure. I have that initial belief now, having come relatively close last year and now knowing my body will stand up to that distance and ascent/descent. It's that mental side that needs the work now. And I'd say the same to others who are wondering and doubting....you CAN do it, absolutely no doubt. It's not about speed, it's about an ability to keep going at a very steady pace for nearly 24 hours. Get that inside your head, truly believe it and live it, and success will follow......must go and practice that myself!

So back to the week in question, and another decent week's training. Following the great day out on the Mynd, I coaxed Kirsten out for a very steady 3 miler along the canal on Monday, just to shake lethargy out of the legs...and I think it worked!

Tuesday...and time to re-start another of the training methods that did work for me last year...the "double day". I headed out to Stoodley in the morning and did 4 reps of the steep side, legs feeling a little weary but not too bad at all. Then, in the evening, I headed over to the club with Kirsten and an 8-mile road run with the medium group. A tough, hilly run following on from the morning, but I dug in and kept a good pace. These double days are good!

Wednesday saw the opposite though! A long-ish day at work and I couldn't be arsed to head out to Todmorden golf club for the run, so spent a night on the sofa!!

But Thursday saw us back out, and a chance to introduce Kirsten to the delights of Stoodley hill reps in the dark!! Only 3, but I think she really appreciated them....I could tell by the way she said not a thing and had a look of determination (was that determination? ;-) ) on her face!!

That single-mindedness kicked in again on Friday, and despite feeling tired, I headed back up to Stoodley and put in 6 climbs, 3,000ft of ascent on a day when I could easily have sat and drunk coffee and read a book!!! These days will prove so worthwhile in the end.

Saturday proved to be a corker of a day. I wanted to go somewhere different, but needed a relatively early start. A call was put out, and Matt from CV was up for a trip over to Pendle to recce the half tour. A fantastic run. The legs were really tired but I managed a decent pace, dragged along by having someone of a similar speed with me. Matt was excellent on the ascents, running every one of them...good stuff!! I kept up a fast walk a wee way behind, but was pretty much matching him.

The weather turned out lovely in the end, no problems with mist, a bit frozen underfoot, but not as bad in terms of snow as it was a few weeks ago. It was warm as we climbed up the final big climb, headed over the moor and approached Geronimo....and great fun going down it! :-) We pushed it a wee bit back across the fields to the "finish" then walked down into Barley and the end of a smashing run.

Which ended another good week of training. 37 miles & 10,000ft by my reckoning.

And then Sunday was a "rest" day as we drove up to God's Own Country with a tough week planned.....

This is the story so far.....

2010-02-09T14:12:00.000-08:00

Photos from the weekend, the story of a tough but brilliant race!

Heading up into the mist after the first couple of climbs, a long runnable section to follow

Just after the Minton Batch CP and now the race really starts! 3 tough climbs and 3 steep descents to the finish

Digging deep up Packetstone Hill...........................nice technique there lass!!!!

The final part of the ascent up Callow.....COME ON CALDER VALLEY!!!!!

Nearing the top of the final climb up Yearlet.."How much do you want it Kirsten?"!!!!

Still buzzing from the day, although the legs were tired on both of today's runs. Such a great day out, and so much potential to be fulfilled. For someone who only started running less than a year ago, it's incredible what Kirsten has achieved already.

Me? I'm just a middle-aged, mid-pack plodder, who can mostly go all day and will occasionally pull a rabbit out of the hat in a race (metaphorically of course, although then again.....it would be fun!). Whereas Kirsten has potential to be an excellent fellrunner, great leg speed, pretty fearless and reads the ground well.

So the big question is......."how will I feel when she starts beating me?"!!!! Ooops, no, the big question is, of course, "How much do you want it?" :-)

w/e 7/2/10 - Sometimes you wanna get high

2010-02-07T14:41:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you gotta start low....

The adrenaline's still flowing, the endorphins are rampant, ensuring that sleep isn't going to come easily this evening! There's NOTHING like a runner's high, the feeling of self-satisfaction knowing that you've had a good day out on the fells :-)

Another excellent training week and, in particular, the partly suprising news is that, despite putting in nearly 12,000ft this week, some at a decent intensity, the legs are feeling absolutely fine. No niggles, no tiredness, no pains....just solid, strong legs. The extra year of putting climbs in my legs seems to be paying dividends. Long may it continue.

So why am I still buzzing at this hour? Well, I've had a fantastic trip down to my "homeland" today, to the Long Mynd and the place where I learnt to fell run. As mentioned a couple of blogs ago, proper fellrunning terrain, with steep testing climbs and fast runnable ground.

But most of all, I'm absolutely buzzing from watching someone else start to really fulfil their potential as a fellrunner, and loving it into the bargain.

Today saw the running of the Long Mynd Valleys, arguably one of the toughest and best medium fell races in the calendar. At 11.5 miles and 5,000ft (they advertise 4,500ft but it is the full 5,000!), it's a real test for even the best of fellrunners. There's an aura that surrounds this race that means that even longstanding members of the fellrunning community give it a wide berth on the basis that it's too tough!

So roll up, and take your place on the starting line if you've just been running for less than a year and are just easing your way into the scene, Kirsten! And, no pressure, but this is your first race in club colours!!! There was definite apprehension in the air this morning on the way down, despite reassurances that this was a race that suited her. The clag was right down, we'd chosen the late start rather than the early one, meaning the race would be on to meet the halfway checkpoint cut-off.

Steady away is the order of the day in this one, with 3 tough climbs in the second half of the race, but still with that cut-off in mind. We started a little apprehensively, conscious of the long day to come and, at one point, I wondered if the cut-off would be made. But with a combination of good downhill speed and digging in on the uphills, it was made with over 10 minutes to spare and, as we raced down Minton Batch, the race really began. And Kirsten rose to the occasion, digging so deep on the climbs and going for it on the downs.

Runners who had set off too fast were caught and passed, and with the help of a couple of gels, we ascended at a decent speed as well. Two climbs done, a fast descent through the mud off Barristers Plain, and we were down in Ashes Hollow with just one climb to go, and catching more people.

Off we set up Yearlet, with the chance that we could make sub-3 hrs. This was conveyed to Kirsten with the question "how much do you want it?". This was like red rag to a bull as far as she was concerned and the pace noticealy picked up (as did the muttering under her breath in my direction! :-) ). We summited Yearlet far quicker than I could have imagined then really went for it on the steep direct descent into the valley. Down to the path at the bottom and then "run like you've never run before" as we headed for the end. Digging deep for the last "little sod" uphill then a plunge down the slope to the end and through the finish line.

I casually asked..."what's our time?" to be astonished, surprised and delighted by the response "2.51"! A quite incredible achievement and I'm so, so pleased that potential is already turning into reality and that she's loving it so much. I tell you what, I'm pleased enough with 2.51!!!

Especially at the end of a tough week. I've gone for ascent over distance this week. In fact, it's been a fairly "short" week, but well over the 10,000ft.

Tuesday saw me doing hill reps up Stoodley, somewhere I'm going to become well-acquainted with this spring!!

On Wednesday, the snow returned and I decided not to attempt to get to the club, so had a lazy restful evening instead.

Which meant that Thursday evening, I headed back up to Stoodley and 3 reps of the 500ft slope. Just to prove how single-minded I can be when I get something in my head, I went back there on Friday and did 6 x 500ft reps on a pleasant afternoon. An excellent 3,000ft session.

Saturday was another lovely day that saw us marshalling the Trog at Haworth Old Road. It's great fun to marshall on occasions, and good to give something back to the sport. We thoroughly enjoyed it, and that enjoyment was enhanced by a couple of pints and some food in the pub afterwards with a mixture of Tod and Calder Valley folk.

So another pleasing week, and I'm feeling physically and mentally confident. The legs feel good and the head is in the right place, which is all good in the grand scheme of things and, whilst I'll not take anything for granted, I'm feeling an air of inevitability about getting around that BG in under 24 hours at the moment.

Other news for the week is that I've entered the Teenager With Altitude, which should be fun! And we're both in the Ben Nevis race....what AM I doing?!?! :-)

Total for the week 30.5mls & 11,750ft

But the week belongs to someone else.....amazing!! And so much more to come!!

You can never have too much of a good thing!

2010-02-05T02:29:00.000-08:00

A few more, what an incredible place. My heart races just looking at the photos, my yearning to be there increases, my resolve to do just that strengthens....

I meant every word that I said, yeah I really did....

2010-02-05T01:41:00.000-08:00

But you gotta understand that I was sleeping then

So relax!

A couple of blogs ago, I alluded to the fact that, in my mind, I'm quite clear now that living in Calderdale is not a long-term situation, and that to some extent, I don't regard the running done around here as "fellrunning". I feel, for my own peace of mind and as some kind of exorcism in writing, I ought to record why.

(and note, this is just my view, others hold the view that Yorkshire fellrunning is what it's all about...and they're entitled to that opinion!)

Since being a young lad, I've always had a great love for the mountains, scenery and culture of the Scottish highlands. Early trips included holidays around Glencoe, Kintail, Sutherland and a walking group holiday to Skye. Great memories of days on "serious" mountains followed by evenings sat by a burn while my Dad cooked sizzling steaks on a gas stove and smoked cigars to keep the midges at bay!

I've talked about moving up there for as long as I can remember. But life interferes with those plans sometimes, and in particular, raising my son was my biggest priority, particularly once I was a single dad.

But time moves on, he's now an adult in his own right, making his way in the world and I have new freedom to choose what to do with my life.

The move to Calderdale was not one I would have planned, not somewhere I'd ever considered or even really visited up until a couple of years ago. But circumstances lead me to this area (no complaints, "I meant everything that I said, yeah I really did"!) and certainly, it's been a good move in terms of severing some ties with the past (I'd lived in my old house for 18 years, and you can become too "comfortable" in one place) and recognising new opportunities.

But right from the first time I came up here for a run, I well remember complaining that it wasn't "proper" running terrain. Having spent my fellrunning time mainly on the Shropshire fells or in the Lakes, I was used to the fact that, if you wanted to get from A to B, you plotted a reasonably direct route and just did it. In Calderdale, if you decide to do that, you're likely to end up in thigh-deep tussocks, or lost in boggy wasteland, barely getting into a running rhythm.

Plus, wherever you go, you're never far from civilisation and you're likely to come across buildings. Contrast this even with Shropshire, where, once you're up on the fells, you'll not see much sign of human life.

I commented on that back in January 2008, when I came up to do the Hebden, and I still feel that way now. Light pollution in the area is massive, rarely do you get to see the stars, as I used to in Shropshire.

But that's not to say I don't make the most of it and enjoy it. There are some great things about the area....the people and their attitude towards getting outdoors, the network of paths, the accessibility.

But I still long for days out in the Lakes, yearn for more time spent in Scotland and positively relish trips back to the Mynd and surrounding hills, where the running is fast and tough.

So what does this all mean? Essentially that life is too short to have regrets. I've always wanted to live in Scotland and the plan is to do so in the medium-term. Things need to stabilise a bit first so no mad rush, but then plans will be made and it will happen.

Time, and this move to Calderdale, have helped to focus attention on the questions that arise about living up there though. Once upon a time, I'd have said I wanted to live in as remote a place as possible. Whilst this still appeals on one level, I know that the ability to get to other places reasonably quickly is important to me and therefore transport links will be a major factor.

But that doesn't limit too much these days. There are great train links from the southern highlands via Glasgow, and there are air links from somewhere like Inverness.

Likewise, the ability to take part in fellrunning, both at races and training with a club, are quite important. But a wee bit of research indicates there are plenty of both over the border these days, and with good transport links, the Lakes will also be accessible for races.

Otherwise, my requirements for life are quite simple - some great mountains, some running shoes and equipment, a modest but decent, warm place to call home, some good food, a wee bit of drink, and someone to share that with who feels the same way. I see no reason why those aren't all possible, and why my views should change in the least :-)

And Scotland is THE best place in the world. As I toil up Stoodley Pike doing hill reps, looking up at a 500ft slope, topped by a man-made monument, I imagine those 2000ft+ slopes in the highlands, huge corries dotted with herds of deer, burns trickling down the hillside and a remoteness not found elsewhere in the UK. I can't wait!!!

We're off again in a couple of weeks (this time to Perthshire), we were last up at Lochinver in November.....and if anyone is in doubt as what an incredible place it is (and I'm clearly not!), perhaps these will persuade?

w/e 31/1/10 - I Live For The Spirit I Am

2010-02-02T01:48:00.000-08:00

Physical exercise and hard work is a funny thing. When you get out of the habit, it can be very difficult to get going again, everything seems like such an effort, enthusiasm is lacking and bouts of exercise leaving you feeling drained.

But conversely, once you get into the groove, exercise is so addictive, often feeling effortless, leaving you on a high and those endorphins flow through you, leaving you with a permanent (stupid?!) grin!!

After going through the former, I'm currently falling into that latter category without a doubt! Several good weeks of training in a row, pushing myself harder than I have been and, instead of feeling fit to drop, the motivation levels have soared, the legs are feeling good, the enthusiasm for new runs and events is strong and I'm loving my running.

And it has such a positive effect on your life when you feel like that. After some dark and difficult days over the last few months, the energy is back, there's lots to look forwards to (although there always was and is lots to look forward to, of course), the smile is back on my face and the spring is both metaphorically and literally back in my step. Life occasionally drags you down, but if you stick with it, good things generally happen :-)

Make no mistake, this was a good week. In fact a good 10 days of tough running, and though the legs will need a bit of rest at some point, these strong patches pay handsome dividends in the long run (no pun intended!).

Following on from last weekend's decent run at the Hebden, and my resolve to keep at or above 10,000ft a week from now on, I took Monday as a rest day but then headed over to Stoodley on Tuesday to do 5 reps. Someone has now confirmed to me that the climb up the steep side is roughly 500ft, so it's a perfect slope to use. The legs warmed up fairly quickly and I felt good. It was cold out again though.

Wednesday saw me head over to Littleborough for a club run. Another poor turn-out for the bat run - just 5 hardy souls. I was looking for a fairly gentle run, but the only people going out bat-running were me, Dave S and 3 of the fasties. Nothing for it then, best put an effort in!! We headed up through Wardle and over to the reservoir on a lovely route, before dropping back to Summit and a couple of miles back along the canal. The pace was fast-ish, but I felt fine, strong on the ups, able to keep pace on the descents. An excellent run and myself and Dave committed to going out with the faster group every week. I need pushing on like that, I do still have pace and can get back to some decent race results. The only exception I'll make is weeks when I've trained hard on the Tuesday or I've got a race at the weekend I really want to prepare for.

Thursday was a rest day, but Friday saw me head out first thing with Kirsten for a 6.5 mile run down to Mytholmroyd, up to Erringden Moor, down into Cragg Vale and then back over Scout Rock. It was a smashing early run, it started snowing a little bit as we came down through the woods but there was also plenty of sunshine.

Once back home and fed and watered, I headed out again in the early afternoon to do some more reps on Stoodley. Again, the legs felt fine and I enjoyed being up there.

The weekend saw us heading up to the Lakes. I had no idea what the conditions would be like, but was looking forward to it anyway.

First of all, a trip into Pete Blands...a new pair of Mudclaws for me, a new waterproof for Kirsten, plus a surprise purchase of a little pocket book of Scottish hill runs. Get a copy if you like running over the border, it's a great little reference book.

Then we headed up to Dunmail to recce some of leg 3. We climbed directly up Steel Fell, which got quite interesting near the top, with little grip on the icy grass. Kirsten was a bit spooked by it, which transferred across to me just near the top, where I struggled with one step up. But we got there, trotted along to the summit, then headed off to Calf Crag. Conditions up there were good, with the usual bog being frozen and crispy.

From there we headed up Mere Beck towards Sargeant Man and here the fun started! There were considerable stretches of ice and very icy snow. A couple of times, as it got steep, we thought we might have to turn back, but each turn, we found an alternative and safer way up.

And before long, we emerged onto the plateau leading towards the summit, where the conditions were absolutely glorious. We could have been forgiven for thinking we were in the Alps, wonderful snow and ice fields and blazing sunshine. Some of the finest conditions I've ever experienced on the fells.

As we headed across to High Raise, 4 runners were coming towards us. "I bet we know them!" I said and, sure enough, it was Phil and the others from the hut, having had a major day out over Scafell etc.

From High Raise, we headed back the way we'd come, feeling much more confident on the snow and ice than we had earlier. We got back to Steel Fell and decided to drop down the southern ridge before cutting back to the car and the end of a stunning, wonderful outing.

A lovely couple of pints in the ODG, a tasty Pie and Pea supper, and a reasonably early night (but little sleep, dormitory rooms are NOT good!!!)

Sunday morning saw us up at 6.15am!!! A quick breakfast, pack up and head for Kendal and the That's Lyth LDWA event, 23.5 miles and 3,200ft.

We met up with Emma at the Scout Hut, got our tags and were ready for the off on a freezing cold morning (the car had registered -5). Legs were tired from the previous day, but we soon broke into a trot as we headed off on a beautiful morning along a smashing route, touring the "scars" above Kendal.

It's somewhere I've never run or walked, always zooming past towards the big mountains. But it was lovely, and there was plenty of climbing. The views across to the main fells were stunning and quite surreal.

We plodded on, digging deep to summon up energy. Kirsten was tired, and quite rightly so..a massive week of around 47.5 miles and 7.500ft! That's more like BG training, not someone who only started running last March!! Time to back off for a week soon, young lady, and let your body adapt to the stress you're putting it under.

There was a long stretch of road towards teh last checkpoint, which knocked us mentally, but once back onto fellside, we got going again and had a good descent into Kendal and the finish. An absolutely lovely day, a nice route, great company, nice chat, a meet up with K's friend Norman again and a lift arranged for her to Norfolk. Food, tea, a coffee to take with us and we headed back home, to the Fox for a couple of pints then a takeaway to round off a great weekend and an excellent training week.

Total for the week - 55.5 miles and 11,700ft

I'll be getting in my 10,000ft this week, but backing off a bit to allow my legs some recovery in time for the Valleys on Sunday. Still to decide whether to really go for it myself, or see Kirsten round. I'll probably see how the week's training goes.

But one thing's for certain.....I live for the spirit I am :-)

w/e 24/1/10 - And all I needed was this one to get me back on my way

2010-01-25T09:56:00.000-08:00

It wasn't long before I realised there was no time to waste
There was soul all around me
Everybody let go
It wasnt long before we realised
There was no time to waste

Some days, some incidents, some events, some defining moments just steal up on you and take you by surprise. Out of the morass of problems of life emerges a bright shaft of light, guiding the way forward. And there really is no time waste when you sense it.

And so this week proved to be.

The training has been ok, but nothing special. The fitness levels have felt barely adequate. The commitment sporadic. The head has been un-focused, even at the best of times.

So the only question on my lips since Saturday has been "where the fuck did THAT come from?"!

The start of the week provided no hint of what was to come. I started a new job on Monday and, whether it was tiredness from that, a realisation that some of the "dream" I came here for had, for now, been deflected and deceived by one of life's curveballs or just the fact that I couldn't be arsed....but the net result was that I didn't run from Monday to Wednesday!

The weather didn't help of course. Still icy in places, drizzle, cloud....I had no real incentive to go out. I didn't want to road run on Tuesday night and couldn't be bothered with the social aspect of a Wednesday night run.

But on Thursday, I arranged a day out over Pendle and zoomed off to one of the areas I have really enjoyed since I moved up here. Once you get over the back of the hills and into the cloughs, you could fool yourself that you were in one of the bigger mountain ranges.

It was a smashing run, enhanced by encountering deep snow drifts, and by the rays of sunshine providing warming respite from the recent weather.

The plan had been to do the full tour route, but common sense prevailed, and with an evening run planned with Kirsten, the half tour route provided ample fun, followed by broth and coffee in the little cafe at the car park. Fantastic! I felt on a high, which showed (I think) later when we headed out for another 6.5 miles, parking at the Hinchcliffe and heading along the last part of the Hebden route, to see what the snow was like (much better by the way!).

All in all, a smashing day, and I felt renewed enthusiasm for my running. But I still can't say I felt very fit.

Friday saw me head off mid-afternoon to Stoodley to do some hill reps and get that much-needed ascent in. I headed up to London Road, and then did 4 x reps of the steep side, up to the top. The legs were tired, the back was still a bit sore from the fall last week.....but I stuck at it!!

Now this was all well and good....but with 22 miles planned for Saturday, perhaps I'd have been better not to have gone out and trashed the legs? Still, the plan was to set off "steady away" and just make it round the Hebden...no pressure.

Saturday morning dawned, a little grey but with hopefully a brighter day ahead. We were up early, wolfed down some breakfast...and then got on our bikes to cycle down to Mytholmroyd. What a cracking way to start the day!!

We arrived with just enough time to lock up our bikes in the centre, get our tags and head around to the start. And then we were off!!! Just enough time to wish Kirsten a nice run....and I headed off, trailing a few of the fast lads!

And somehow, from somewhere, unexpectedly....everything fell into place and I felt great!! I really thought I was "steady away", but heading along from Brearley, I caught up with Nick Ham, who has a reputation as a very decent long distance runner. If I can keep in that sort of company, I'll be happy! But of course, the thought was there that there was a long way to go, and the legs would fall apart at some point.

Only they didn't! And without too much effort (certainly not flat out), I kept pushing on, and kept passing people, particularly on the ascents.

And then, somewhere around Pecket Well, I hooked up with Dave from Tod and Ginny from Middleton, who are both planning BG attempts this year. And we provided good company for each other, spurred each other on, and provided that nice little bit of competition that would otherwise have been missing.

And we pretty much stayed together to the end, pushing on quite hard after coming down off Erringden Moor, running all the ups and keeping good speed on the flatter sections.

Route-finding was spot on, and we headed down off Scout Rock, past home to turn back towards Mytholmroyd and the finish. The three of us entered the centre together and handed our tags in. Ginny asked "what time is it?" since none of us had a clue. The answer - 2 minutes to 12 - astonished us. As I said..."where the fuck did that come from?"!!! 3.58 for 22 miles and 4,000ft, that's absolutely smashing. Plus it's nearly an hour faster than the previous year!! (and nearly 3 hours faster than the year before that...but that's another story!)

As always at LDWA events, the post-run food was GREAT!! I went and got pie and peas and sat with Rich and Carolyn from Brum. I sat chatting and eating, then wondered whether to go home on the bike and get changed, then come back to meet Kirsten, who I suspected might finish in something like 5.30/6.00.

So, THE best part of the day, and the thing that really boosted my mood into the stratosphere, was suddenly seeing Kirsten appear at the door, having done an astonishing 4.46!! That's faster than my time last year!!

But to be fair, I'm not surprised that she DID the time, because I've been telling her over and over again what enormous potential she has as an off-road runner. The good thing was that she delivered, so that now she's starting to believe. And there really is nothing better (as far as I'm concerned) than seeing someone realising their running potential. And, again, she hadn't gone flat out and didn't feel ready to drop at the end. Which suggests better things are to come (I KNOW they are!), especially with the focused training she's now doing. She'll meet her goals for this year (ambitious as they are!), I'm sure of that.

So she scoffed her food, I drank 2 gallons of tea...and then we headed back on our bikes...where she left me trailing in her wake! I'm a wee bit scared I won't be able to keep up before long at this rate!

So all in all, a fabulous day, and we both wore huge smiles of satisfaction as we headed for the Fox & Goose, with Rufus in tow, to down some celebratory pints. There we met up with Clive, who kept us entertained, before we headed home with a takeaway treat, before collapsing into bed...only to find we couldn't sleep because of the adrenaline still surging through our veins. There is NOTHING like a runner's high! :-)

And so to Sunday, and the plan was to recce the half Trog. It was a drizzly, misty morning, but with all that enthusiasm, we had to go out!! So we parked up in Old Town, struggled with initial directions, found our way to the top of High Brown Knoll and then down into Castle Carr estate and back up again....and then it all went wrong!! A pathless, trodless, boggy, tussocky, wet, cold, tramp across the moor. Well after moving so well the previous day, we really couldn't be arsed. So about turn, back over High Brown Knoll to drop back to the car. And decision made...neither of us enjoyed bog-trotting and both of us agreed that it was not what fellrunning is all about.....we'll forget the Trog and head down to "proper" ;-) fellrunning terrain on the Sunday to really put a good effort in at the Valleys. Still, it was good to get out, good physically and mentally. It snowed on us, the conditions were fairly miserable, the legs were a wee bit tired, the minds even more so....but we ploughed on!! That'll stand us both in good stead in those darker moments we'll have this year on long distance events.

I think I'll blog seperately about Sunday in fact, and what it said to me about my views on fells and fellrunning, and about where I see myself in the future (where I've always seen myself). It was really clear that this area is just a stop-gap, just a mid-way point. And I'll enjoy it for what I can, make the most of it....but with bigger and better plans in my mind, to be put into action in the not too distant future.

So, anyway, the end of the week sees me with a real renewed enthusiasm for running, delighted that the legs are still there from all the training I did last year, excited again with the prospect of having a goal for the year, and very, very determined. This was a 10,000ft week, and that's the standard from now on. The head's been through a lot these last few months but, out of that, I'll find greater mental strength that will carry me on a journey.....

Total for the week - 50mls & 10,000ft

w/e 17/1/10...And Pride Is Just Another Way, Of Trying to Live With My Mistakes

2010-01-19T11:00:00.000-08:00

Denial is a better way

Of getting through another day

And silence is another way

Of saying what I wanna say

And lying is another way

Of hoping it will go away

.....And you were always my mistake...

An enjoyable weekend on the fells reaffirmed how much I love to be out there enjoying myself, whatever the weather. And yet, conversely, it also conspired to make me question if I really want to push myself so hard for the BG. The fells are there to be enjoyed, appreciated, loved...for what they are, not as an "obstacle" in a "challenge".

I'm still trying to work out if those feelings are my true ones or whether, underneath, there is an appreciation that my base level of fitness for this year is nowhere near what it was last year? Is there time to rectify that? Indeed, is that better, in that I can plan training to peak at the right moment instead of feeling tired and wearing myself out too soon?

Or perhaps events of the last six months have had an accumulated effect that has left me wanting to enjoy rather than always looking to push myself. There's no doubt that, in life generally, I've come to the realisation that my current state of mind is looking for some stability, a settled future, rather than always looking for more and always being restless, as has been the case in the past. Those feelings may well have permeated into my running. Only time will tell if the edge comes back, as the weather improves and I up the training.

Anyway, back to the week in question, and it started out with a Tuesday trot out on snow and ice covered roads with Calder Valley, putting in some efforts on hills and enjoying a nice chat with a guy who I'd met on the Saturday at Elise's run. A good run, although a bit dodgy in places with the conditions.

The plan was to do more running through the rest of the week, but on Wednesday the conditions were as bad as I think I've ever known. The slight thaw had frozen hard turning everything into a treachorous skating rink. I headed out for a walk down to the main road and slipped unexpectedly, coming down to earth with a crash and a shot of pain right up my back. I lay on the ice for half a minute, regaining my breath, then realised I couldn't actually stand up again because it was so slippy. So I crawled on all fours to the side of the path, got up gingerly and made my way home. By the evening I felt a bit sore, on Thursday and Friday I felt too stiff to run.

But by Saturday, I was feeling a bit better, and with it being Kirsten's birthday, it would have been rude not to have headed out! The original plan was to go away for the weekend. But with the cars still stuck and unable to move, we decided on a Trog recce. Which changed the moment we saw the conditions!!

The birthday girl gets acquainted with the slightly taller Joan

We headed up via Foster Clough, and on up to Churn Milk Joan. Even that part was tough. But once up there, running was near impossible and most frustrating. We struggled along and decided to drop down into Old Town. At this point, we realised we'd got £4 between us, and the chance of a half and a packet of crisps at the Hare and Hounds was too good to refuse! The landlord did us a "credit crunch" deal allowing us to have crisps and nuts :-)

Working hard at our running :-)

Refreshed, we decided we'd follow the Hebden route around to the crags and take it from there. The path through the crags was ridiculously slippy, but fun. From there, we climbed up to Slack before dropping down past Popples and into Hebden, to run back along an even slippier canal towpath! :-)

A tough trip out, but overall an enjoyable one. Enhanced of course, by picking up Rufus the dog, managing to get the car out, and driving down for a couple of pints down at the Fox & Goose (where Rufus is a much-loved regular! :-) )

With transport now available again, we decided to take a trip out on Sunday, down to Shropshire to recce the Long Mynd Valleys route. As soon as we got out of Yorkshire, the sun started shining and conditions were much milder!!

By lunchtime, we were down at Carding Mill, where the Newport crowd were assembled, having just finished a run. We donned layers and headed off towards the golf course. Within five minutes, we were both stripping off layers in the heat! Initially there was a little snow, but conditions were fine. However, as we headed up the gully from Jonathon's Hollow, things got tougher and that continued over the top to the head of Motts Road and on to the main road over the Mynd. I say "main road", but it was clear nobody had used it for a good while and there were several inches of snow on it.

A good descent down Ashes Hollow, a slippy ascent to Barristers Plain and then another snowy gully over to Minton Batch and a good descent down there on a mostly clear path.

We were enjoying ourselves, relishing the warmer conditions and the chance to be out somewhere different. But here, in Minton Batch, the race "begins" (you'll know what I mean if you've done it!). Three steep, tough ascents follow, with three steep descents to match. But Kirsten was staying really strong on the ups, and more than matching me on the downs. Every time we got near the summits, the sun shone on us and it was a wonderful afternoon.

Heading up Callow, fantastic!

We took the direct descent off Yearlet (which is definitely quicker than the "usual" way, especially if you like steep descents), climbed up the last "little sod" in the gathering gloom and, before we knew it we were back at the car, having enjoyed a wonderful afternoon out.

Kirsten heads up the last climb on all fours!!

Fish and chips in Shrewsbury, then a couple of pints with my son in Telford, before driving back up to Yorkshire feeling nicely tired from a lovely weekend.

And that encompasses everything I said at the start of this blog. It was a "leisurely" weekend, at no time did we push ourselves to the very maximum, but it was all the more enjoyable for that. Do I was to swap days like that, for days when I hardly have time to look around? I don't know, we'll see.

Plenty coming up, including the Hebden this weekend, That's Lyth next weekend, the Trog/Valleys double weekend after that. I confirmed with my mate Chris that we're doing the Old County Tops together again, which will be fantastic. We'll be looking for sub-9.30, which should be achievable. Plus it will be lovely to be out on the fells with him again, my partner in the first Old County Tops I did.

So all in all, the mood's not glum, it's just uncertain about what I want at the moment. Time will tell.

Total for the week - 27.5mls & 7,500ft

w/e 10/1/10 - They Ask Me If I've Had The Voices Yet...

2010-01-12T04:50:00.000-08:00

"They don't think I know any true answers.
It's true that I haven't quite finished yet!
When it all comes out in the wash, they'll eat their words.
I've got all their names and addresses,
Later on I'll write each of them a thank-you letter."

A little while back, someone whose opinion I respect told me that, in the run-up to this BG attempt, I should spend as many days out on the fells as possible with the people who would be supporting me....so that they could get to know me, know my style, see what motivated me.

Not an easy thing for me to do. By my nature, I don't let many people get THAT close and I happily choose long days out on the fells on my own for a fair amount of the time. I love the solitude, the added excitement and danger of knowing it's just me and the mountains and I'm in deep shit if I get an injury THIS far off-path! I love depending on no-one, and conversely, no-one depending on me.

But I've pondered over that advice and recognise that it is indeed good advice.

And I've also pondered over what DOES make me tick. What pushes me and motivates me when the chips are down.

And in the midst of life's (sometimes) uneasy lessons, I've observed that I do need to be backed into a corner, so that I come out fighting. Ironic, for somebody who is so non-violent. Or perhaps that's the point. You have to push and push to a point where I eventually explode and then channel that in the right way. I can cite examples from my past.

I guess the good news is that a few people just lately have started backing me into that corner. I feel a sense of indignation at the moment, which may either subside, or rise, in which case I need to channel it. Thank-you letters are being drafted ;-)

I probably need someone (the right someone) to tell me outright that I can't do the BG and that I'm not up to it - that will guarantee success!!

This week's training has been severely interrupted by the weather again. Heavy snow, waist-deep drifts. There's no point getting stressed. Get out there, enjoy it, hold on for the better weather and the chance to head up onto proper fells.

Wednesday evening saw me head over to Littleborough on the train, and join 4 other intrepid souls on an adventure up to Blackstone Edge. It was never fast, it was frequently disrupted by falls in the snow. It was also fucking cold!! :-) But above and beyond all that, it was great fun. I thawed out with several pints in the Red Lion afterwards, before donning cold shoes again for the train journey then mile run home.

Friday saw me head up onto Midgley Moor in lovely weather, to watch the sun going down from Churn Milk Joan, which had a very poor 2p on top....things really are tough in West Yorkshire!

Saturday morning saw an early bus ride in freezing conditions, into "Pretentious-ville" ;-) to meet up with Elise from the club who'd decided to do a 50k run to celebrate her 50th. She hadn't reckoned with the snow!! I got there for 7.20am and thought nobody else was turning up....but by 7.35, there must have been over 20 runners heading up to Stoodley...a great turnout. Conditions were wild on the top, over Erringden Moor and up to the Pike, as the snow started in earnest, whipped up on strengthening winds. Past Gaddings, the wind tore to chill us all to the bone and leave one side of everyone covered in ice and frost! It got warmer on the drop down into Tod. The plan had been to do the whole lot, and the weather was certainly improving. But the head had other ideas and I lost the will on the way out of Tod, consumed by other thoughts. Best to call it a day, rest and reflect. A good early morning out for the most part anyway.

Sunday saw us heading out to "recce" the Hebden (although why you'd recce an LDWA event I don't know ;-) :-) ) Bus to Hebden, walky-run up to Slack and then pick up the route. Tough going again in the snow and ice. Jumble Hole Clough was descended on the higher path, the climb up to Stoodley was hard work in freezing cold winds which was causing drifts. Dicks Lane was a wild place, me cutting a trail through thigh-deep drifts. The route across the moor was lost in the snow, ending in a boggy last couple of hundred yards. And then the descent into Spring Wood was a bit dodgy and a half-slip right at the top spooked me for a while. I was fed a peanut bar to lift my flagging spirits, and was fine again soon after. The wind was really whipping up now and it had started to snow again. Added to which, progress was slow in the conditions and the light was starting to fade. We made our way up Cragg Vale to the road crossing point....and then the fun started!

Once we'd crossed the road, the route headed initially across fields and then along an enclosed track...all of which had seen strong drifts, and the wind was still whipping the snow across us. Progress was painful. One minute on top of the hard snow, the next plunging in over knee-deep. We struggled on the meet the road again and decided, in view of time and tiredness, to follow the road along for a while, before dropping down to Robin Hood Rocks and back over Scout Rock. A really tough day out, a proper workout for the legs and a good lesson in keeping going when conditions are tough.

The snow has started to melt now, and hopefully in the next couple of days I'll be able to get the car out. Plus, with some of the snow gone, I'll be able to get back to some proper runs!!

Total for the week - 37mls & 7,000ft

w/e 3/1/10 - The Way We Miss Our Lives Are Life..

2010-01-07T06:25:00.000-08:00

"A sad fact, of course, about adult life is that you see the very things you'll never adapt to coming toward you on the horizon. You see them as the problems they are, worry like hell about them, make provisions, take precautions, fashion adjustments; you tell yourself you'll have to change your way of doing things.

Only you don't. You can't. Somehow it's already too late.

And maybe it's even worse than that; maybe the thing you see coming from far away is not the real thing - the thing that scares you - but its aftermath. And what you've feared will happen has already taken place.

And in that way, our life gets over before we know it. We miss it."

The first week of the new year. Time to stop looking over the shoulder and look in the here and now (not even at the future). Time to make the most of the opportunities as they arise and appreciate the ones that have already arisen and continue to have resonance.

But not in a "New Year's Resolution" kind-of-way you understand! That's the preserve of the fat or sad or lonely, looking for the "easy miracle" which will improve their lives. When the truth is it's right there in front of them, no need to go looking too far.

From a personal point of view, more than anything, it means not looking too far ahead and thinking about June. Think (and BE!) in the here and now. Enjoy the training for what it is - an excuse for lots of lovely days out on the fells!!

The week started with a meet-up with my old friends from Newport. It was really lovely to see them. Perhaps I'd forgotten (as absence is liable to make you do) what a great bunch they are to run with. A slippy, slidy recce of the Valleys route. Very icy underfoot. 10 of us negotiating steep slopes and revelling in it. A fantastic morning out and I only wish I could have stayed longer with them. (1o mls & 3,500ft)

Tuesday and Wednesday were Christmas recovery days and offered no more than walks to the pub (for rehydration and taking in nutrients!). I'd earned them.

New Year's Eve saw a jaunt up to Penistone Hill in deep snow, to run the Auld Lang Syne. A crowd of nearly 380 set off and I discovered (or rather remembered) what I like and don't like about fellrunning. And one of the things I definitely like is the space you get to run out there on the fells....which was definitely not apparent at this race. Queues of people up the hills, others pushing in when they're halfway (plus!) down the field and going to win nothing. This isn't what I enjoy. Even during the race, my memory was flashing back to those majestic moments when all seems right with the world.....the descent off Helvellyn in the Old County Tops, when I clearly recall the uplift and excitement of seeing pairs of runners emerging from the mist, all over the fellside. In the past, I think (think? yeah right!) I'd have gone into my shell and brooded about my lack of enjoyment of the race. Instead, I decided to "opt out" and just enjoy as best I could. I slowed down, I took in the views, I enjoyed watching people around me floundering in the snow and mud and, actually, quite enjoyed myself. And I made a mental note to only do races which either have a low number of entrants, are open to route-deviations and/or are long!! (6mls & 900ft)

New Year's Day was the perfect antedote however! An icy 9am start in Dewsbury to the Hangover Hike. A smattering of runners, plenty of hardened long distance walkers. Toast and tea and off you go when you're ready. And a very pleasant morning out it was, skidding on icy paths, looking out across snowy scenery. By 1pm we were back in a fantastic, welcoming pub, supping a pint or two to wash down pie and peas (for £2.30 no less!!!!). What a way to start the year, while most people were in bed nursing hangovers! (21mls & 1,800ft)

Saturday was a rest day, watching the snow fall again in the evening. Unfortunately, I didn't move the car down to the bottom of the hill first, so it's still stuck outside, unused, 5 days later!

Sunday saw me head out (alone again, naturally) for a trot around the moors. I decided to do the Hebden route (just because I could!) on a very icy day, with plenty of new snow to make it even harder. I enjoyed myself, but time was against me. And the lovely downhills which can be motored were slowed to a crawl by sheets of ice. I enjoyed it though, made a couple of mistakes, took the slightly higher path down Jumble Hole Clough (I wasn't going on the edge of the drop with the path THAT icy!), slogged my way up to see THE most glorious sunset from Stoodley Pike, then descended down to Mytholmroyd in the dark (having not packed my headtorch!). A lovely afternoon out to end the week. (18mls & 3,500ft)

Total for the week - 55mls & 9,700ft

Well the weather shows no signs of abating, meaning no trips in the car anywhere. And any thoughts of heading to the Lakes for some trots over the fells are placed on the shelf marked "warmer weather". But a 50k around the Calderdale moors planned for Saturday, and hopefully another 20 miles on the moors on Sunday should keep me going!

Seeds of life renewed......

2009-12-29T04:02:00.000-08:00

And the inspiration did indeed fire me up and get me back out there enjoying myself. I've had a fabulous week of running and managed to clear my head of all doubts and negative thoughts and 19th June it will be!!

Last Tuesday did indeed start with a trip up into the moors in deep snow and dense, low cloud. Amazing how you think you know somewhere and that your intuition will see you right....until the light starts fading, you can't quite recognise where you are, and you're struggling in a thigh-deep snowdrift!! All was well in the end, as I followed a compass bearing and managed to drop down to the Calderdale Way and follow that back over to Midgley, then down through the woods in darkness.

Wednesday was a gorgeous day, so another trip up onto the moor to work out where I went wrong the day before (defintely went to the right of High Brown Knoll!). Progress was slow in the deep snow but thoroughly enjoyable. Arrived back home with frozen shoelaces and trousers! Pleased to have got a good run in though, and rewarded myself with a couple of extra pints in the Fox in the evening :-)

Xmas Eve saw a club run from Old Town and, wouldn't you know it, we went up to High Brown Knoll again!!! Low cloud again made navigation interesting, along with a good coating of new snow...but Richard B was spot on to see us up to the top. A smashing run, lovely "credit crunch lunch" and a couple of pints, before heading down into Hebden for another pint in the Fox....excellent!!!

Not content with that run, at 11pm, we got kitted up again on a beautiful evening, and headed up onto the moors, where the deep snow and half moon meant that torches weren't needed as we slithered along the paths to see in Xmas Day. We had a lovely vision of some child in one of the villages looking out bleary-eyed, seeing lights heading across the moors, and imagining it was santa and his reindeer :-) Two hours out on the moors then back to hot drinks and Xmas Day.

A rest on Xmas Day, although we managed to walk a few miles down for a lunchtime pint at the Fox.

Boxing Day saw a trip out to my old running ground of the Stiperstones and the 3 mile "Dash" or "Dawdle". I was somewhere inbetween!!! Not much snow, but sheets of ice all ove the place, making it tough. Smashing run though, and nice to get into the pub and see several old Harriers and Newport friends. Lovely!! Oh, and of course, Rob was there as well, only seen him a few times since supporting on his BG. Still running well, finished in the top 10 and, of course, was there with wise words and motivation, and reassurance that, of course, I will do it this time.

27th saw us heading to Llangynhafal for the 2-mile downhill Jubilee Plunge. We arrived nice and early to have a bit of a run first....only to find the race was cancelled due to ice near the top. Actually, it was a good thing, and meant we had a couple of hours out on the Clywdian Hills, including the steep descent and then ascent up the gully from the November race. It was slippy on top and I can't blame the organiser for calling it off....but nice to see most folks had a run anyway!

28th saw me back on very familiar ground, parking up at Carding Mill to do a recce of the Valleys race. 13 of us in total I think, on a lovely but very cold day. Conditions underfoot were solid and slippy!! Lovely to see everyone though, and I really enjoyed being pushed along a bit.

And now, I'm back in Calderdale, with a race on Thursday and LDWA event on Friday to look forward to!! The achilles is complaining a bit today, but should settle down. Whereas the head is in good condition and raring to get stuck into training.

Inspiration!

2009-12-22T03:28:00.000-08:00

Follow the link on the right "In the bleak midwinter", into the linked blogs on that site, for some incredible photos of what looks like a tough, but inspiring day out. I'm sure Mark must be a bit disappointed to not have dipped under the 24 hours, but what an incredible achievement to get round in true winter conditions. So inspiring, and I feel a wave of excitement and anticipation rising in me just reading about it. I think that desire is still simmering, and once Christmas is out of the way, the training plan will be in place ready for 19th June.

Little in the way of running here for a couple of days. Having had a lovely solo walky run over the moors on Saturday afternoon (including a quick trip into the Cat to warm up in front of the fire with a pint of Pennine Gold ;-) ), Sunday and yesterday were both busy days with little time to get out.

The snow's falling again this morning, adding a new layer to the carpet of snow that covers the moors. Pleased to day I have the time to get out there this afternoon, so will wade my way across to High Brown Knoll and take in the bleakness of the situation.

I hope there's a sunset like there was the other day, but can't see it at the moment.

We are our own saviours....

2009-12-19T02:01:00.000-08:00

Snow comes to West Yorkshire and turns the fells into an exciting playground :-)

Which sort of puts all that last post into perspective. Or not, as the case may be. Perhaps it's my age, perhaps it's circumstances and events. Perhaps I'm getting a realisation that I've been planning the BG for other people rather than myself? To prove something to others? To pretend I am as good as them?

At the end of the day, it's just a day out in the hills. There are people I know who've done it and who admire both for their achievements on the fells and as people. Then there are people I know who've done it, who I respect for that achievement but who are, quite frankly, not the sort of people I'd like to be or be associated with.

And therein lies the enlightenment...the BG won't make me a better person, it might gain me "acceptance" from some people (including those whose acceptance I don't crave) but actually, I'm no longer very interested in that. I'm even getting to the point of feeling that I don't need to prove anything to myself either.

So where does that leave me? Either it leaves me deciding that I'm not bothered and to shelve the idea, and go back to just enjoying the fells for what they are....beautiful and real. Or it strips away all the "wrong" reasons for doing it and leaves me with just a pure desire to have a nice day out and get myself around those 42 peaks because I CAN.

Alternatively, of course, both this post and the last could just be dismissed as a load of self-indulgent claptrap (which they UNDOUBTEDLEY are!)and just a slight veering off course on the path between birth and death, which happens all the time and is nothing to write home about (or indeed write a blog about!).

Anyway, as you were......

Finish with a photo.....lovely snowy fells yesterday

And nothing ever happens, nothing happens at all...

2009-12-15T10:38:00.000-08:00

Seems a bit early and a bit worrying to be questioning whether I have the motivation at this stage! And what exactly my motivation is?

Having been very focused last year, and even through the early part of autumn, I'm now wondering why I want to bother. It's not as if the world is going to stop, or even my own little world is going to care much.

Better to just go out, walk and plod round and enjoy the fells perhaps?

Perhaps this is just a stage, perhaps I'll get over this and find my desire renewed. Or perhaps not. Either way, the hills will still be there and that's where I'll want to be.

Life's too short....

Nothing to see here......

2009-11-16T08:30:00.000-08:00

Still resting up the achilles, so no running done at all this week. Not one single step :-(

Instead, I've been out for 3 decent bike rides. I'm getting a wee bit more confident on the bike, but still a comparative wimp! Enjoyed my trip out on Friday though, coming back along London Road and getting thrown off a few times as the tyres got stuck in boulders.

It's still not running though,is it? And the general mood reflects this. I need a good few hours out on the fells to shake off this cloud that feels like it's hanging over me.

One step forwards, and two steps back!

2009-11-10T01:49:00.000-08:00

I guess that's how it is with fellrunning!! Although, to be fair, it's more like two steps forward and one back.

The steps forward? A good training week, back somewhere near what it needs to be.

The step back? I decided I couldn't ignore the lump on my achilles any longer. It's had long enough to settle down now but still hasn't. So a trip to the physio recommended by various Toddies, some painful massage and frictions, some ultrasound and a "suggestion" that I shouldn't run for at least a couple of weeks otherwise it'll turn into a chronic problem.

And I've decided to follow that advice (subject to one last long run over Pendle last Sunday), so the bike is out, the turbo trainer is ready and the fell shoes are placed away in the cupboard (metaphorically speaking!).

But first, a decent training week and some reassurance that the climbing legs are still there.

Monday started with a trot along the canal in the rain. Felt the need to go out and do something, so after trotting a couple of miles, put in some efforts on the way back, using towpath bridges as a marker for starting and ending. Surprisingly good fun! Only 3.5 miles, but enough to shake any lethargy out of the legs.

Tuesday I made a very rash decision...my first speedwork session at the club, and the first time I've done speedwork in over 6 months! I decided I'd take it easy....yeah, right! The competitive edge kicked in and I pushed as hard as I could to stay out front...leading to completely knackered legs on Wednesday and Thursday :-) Good stuff though, I enjoyed it..especially when the heavens opened in a torrential downpour during my warm-down, leaving me soaked!

Wednesday night was the Tod Fireworks bat run,a damp evening for the event. We plodded up to Stoodley Pike in drizzle and a cold wind, my legs protesting..to watch the fireworks being launched into the night sky from a bow and arrow!!

Thursday I tried to go out and run, but the head just wasn't there at all. First time I've felt that low in the last few weeks. A combination of factors, all of which left me on the floor, lacking motivation and so, after only 3.5 miles, I decided to call it a day and head home.

Friday was a better day and I headed out for a long run on a nice morning. Up from Brearley, over Scout Rock, down into Mytholmroyd and then up over Erringden Moor towards Stoodley Pike. It was lovely up there, the mist clinging to the top of the monument.

A trot up Dicks Lane towards the monument and then I dropped down through the trees to Withens Clough reservoir, before following the path back up to the stoop then heading out to run a complete loop around the head of the reservoir to descend towards Cragg Vale.

At this point, I had no map and no idea where the small trod would lead me...which turned out to be a bit of a problem because it ended at a wall! So I turned right to follow the wall, ending up nearly at the top of the Cragg Vale road.

I was late by now (appointment with physio!), and had to really push on to climb over Scout Rock and back home. By now it was drizzling and turning into a wet, grey afternoon but I'd had a lovely time.
And autumn is such a lovely time of year to be running, the colours are beautiful. As I headed down through the woods, the leaves were glowing on the floor.

Although things have been a wee bit difficult since moving here (master of understatement!), I do love it and don't regret it. Running is fantastic, and the vast majority of people are great, welcoming and recognise someone like themselves in me.

Friday afternoon saw me take a trip to the physio in Haworth for an assessment of the achilles. The good news is she thinks it's not in too bad a condition. The bad news is that it'll need some rest to get it right. But now's the time to be doing that, so fingers crossed it doesn't take too long.

Saturday was a "rest" day, acting as 1st Aider at the Shepherds Skyline race. I expected little apart from the odd cut knee...but instead ended up sprinting along London Road to pick up a runner who'd fallen heavily on her shoulder. A definite reminder, if one was needed, that proper kit should be carried at fell races...you never know when you might need it!

Sunday was my final run before resting! A recce of the Tour of Pendle, organised by Chrispy. Seven of us set off on a cloudy, cool morning for a fantastic run. For various reasons, I started the day feeling down and with a scowl on my face....by the end of the run I was beaming and on a high! Wonderful running, splendid views, lovely company...what more could you want.

So in total, I think the week was 47 miles and 9,000ft, which isn't far off what I want to get back to. And the good news is that, apart from the soreness from speedwork, no after-effects on my legs at all. The climbing legs were clearly still there on Sunday, and I felt fine at the end. It all bodes well...now if I can just get this achilles right....

New beginnings.....

2009-11-03T02:24:00.000-08:00

2009 saw me finally pluck up the courage to have a go at the BG. I'd been thinking about it for a couple of years but, despite having walked on the fells since I was a wee small lad, I didn't have the confidence to consider myself a serious contender.

June 2009 changed all that.

Despite not completing (I baled out after 4 legs, at Threlkeld), I gained so much from that day. I then knew I could do it. It isn't beyond me at all. I learned some very harsh lessons, mostly about nutrition and about the need to stay mentally strong at all times.

The truth is I COULD have done it that day. I talked myself out of it at Dunmail. It certainly would have been close and it wouldn't have been pleasant, having felt sick most of the day. But I could have done it. Put me back at Dunmail again now with just over 9 hours to go, and I'll do it. The BG, I know so completely now, is as much in the mind as in the body.

I did some things right as well. The training was nearly spot on (a few tweaks this time, but nothing radical). The old "10,000ft a week" rule certainly works. And regular sports massage in the weeks leading up to the attempt also worked.

I have a couple of leftover niggles from the summer. Most noticeably, a lumpy achilles which still troubles me at times, but seems better when I am training harder.

I actually set off on another attempt in mid-July, knowing I had the achilles problem and I had a whole heap of personal change going on. Mind you, as soon as we headed out from Keswick, all that seemed to melt away and the 1st leg passed by so easily and 15+ minutes up on the previous attempt. I thought it was going to be my day.

But coming up Great Gable, I felt the first cramps in my calf and the tightening of the achilles. By the time we were heading over Kirk Fell, the achilles felt like it was going to snap at any moment. I decided to call it a day before I did more damage. I shouldn't have started, I knew things weren't right. But this BG does funny things to you, and I tried to put it all aside for the day.

So 2010 is THE year. I will complete the BG this year. The summer has been more relaxed, easing off the mileage. More unsettling personal upheaval, but the test is whether you can bounce back from knocks and lows in your life. I will.

The calendar is out, the training programme being constructed....and I CAN'T WAIT!!!