Kielder Greys Summit Race

Castles, Crags, Summits, Snows and Bog

The Kielder Grey's Summit race last Sunday lived up to it's expectation, perhaps with a little less snow that forecast. It was a cold and slightly foggy lunch time start from Kielder Castle, sent on our way by Will and his dog. A substantial turnout, given the weather and remoteness of the location, of some 55 runners all eager and variously willing and able to take on the task of 7 and a bit miles, 1400ft of climbing across icy and snow bound bog and fellside in this remote part of Northumberland.

The race was tough, with the long steady gradient along the toll road at the start of the race taking it's toll good and proper on my legs. Then across a couple of burns before climbing very steeply up to the summit ridge, the final part in snow. The route then proceeds across the ridge and a mixture of snow banks, inch thick ice and frozen bog and heather, cold underfoot even though you're running. Feet becoming numb and slippery conditions don't make for confidence down hill either.

Finally back to the forest and the path, track and the route brings you out at the back of the Castle, final sting in the tail some steep steps up to the finish line. I'm done! (for). Strange feeling of satisfaction even though I'm next to last and a time that's not at all impressive. It's a great route, just the Christmas excess and the lack of training in recent months making it's presence felt.

Photos © Of Respective authors. See results on NFR web site.

Training : It's a start anyway

No racing here

The Kielder Greys Summit Race had been cancelled; still too much snow. It's now on for the 7th Feb. It is probably a good job too for my sake anyway. Training has to start in ernest but work (too much) and motivation (not enough) keep me stuck behind this desk. Thanks to Bryan's article an the link to what is fell racing?; I kicked myself and got out for an hour or so this afternoon. Feeling much better for it.

Hobbling round

Bog Trotting

Very heavy going and the aformentioned head injury and a general feeling of 'thank god it's the last one before Christmas' I didn't really enjoy the run. The route was extremely boggy in parts and very slippery in others. All this rain over the past few weeks has left the ground saturated. I took a couple of falls along the way and I don't think I was the only one. The last one across the final moorland stretch was as a result of stepping one foot into a bog hole past the knee. As usual I wasn't last but not very far off it. I think I'm going to take a rest.

Thanks to the Allen Valley Striders who, despite having one of the worst web sites I know of in the sport, put on a very professionally run and friendly race on Sunday.

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Hobbled in Northumberland

Long shadows on the Moor

The mole catcher's invoice

The weather was so good today I decided to get out, outside with a little encouragement from my friend and self styled life coach (you know who you are). Making the most of it I thought a trip somewhere new, somewhere not far away, it was too late to get to the Lakes, where? Allendale beckoned, the Hexhamshire Hobble in early December is a 10.5 mile trip from Allendale over the bleak moors south east of the town.

Hexhamshire Common
in the late afternoon

Allendale, I've lived in and around Newcastle for much of my adult life and I've never been. It's a typical (?) Northumberland market town and about 10~12 miles from Hexham. Parked the car in the square and set off, lunch on the move, and a 25% climb straight out of the town. Some wag walking an imaginary dog coming down the hill said "don't give up now". Damn near did! 25% is maybe only a ¼ in old money but it's bloody steep enough at any price. I walked a while.

MM2

Although I did have the appropriate OS map, I was working from the race 'flyer' a schematic map of the route, I also wasn't paying too much attention to be fair, I missed a turning. What the detour lacked in distance made up for in more climbing, bollocks. Got a good photo though, as I stopped to read the map. The route is bleak, the moor is everlasting all the way to God knows where with little in between. But in the late afternoon sun, the long shadows and clear air it was beautiful. It was 4:30 by the time I got back to the Town square, 11 miles in just over 2:20 not a cracking pace by any means, in fact bloody slow and I'll have to pick it up if I intend to do anything but last on race day.

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Next Time

What Next Indeed

The observant amongst you will have noticed the lack of future events on my timetable. (the right-hand column of this page). It's not that I'm giving up you understand it's just I can't make my mind up what to do next. This year has been one of nay firsts and not all of them 'Horriblis'. The Yorkshire 3 Peaks, iROC, and the Lakeland 3000, not to mention the 2 or 3 Northumbrian Fell Races this summer. I only started this pursuit less than 12 months ago remember.

Some friends are talking about Triathalons but I can't swim. Well I can but there's not much talent and it's more like drowning with style. But I tend to think I'd be better off thinking about more adventure style racing or the duathalon, thats bikes and running. So I'm considering:

• Open 5
• Whinlatter Duathalon

The latter one is probably too soon as I don't have a bike worth squat presently and never done fast off road riding. You get the idea though. Any advice would be gratefully recieved.

Alwinton Border Shepherds Show

Gridlocked

Alwinton Border Shepherd's Show
start of fell race by Rob Stephens.

It's always a good idea to arrive a little early for these show events. They are usually popular, depending on the weather of course, and access to 'carpark' facilities is often restricted after all it's usually just a gate and a field. I thought I'd left plenty of time, the weather didn't look great so I'd assumed that it wouldn't attract too big a crowd at this end of the season and it's way way deep in Northumberland, miles from anywhere. Oops how wrong could I be. Stuck in the biggest traffic jam I've been in for ages. Queuing from Harbottle all the way to the show ground. That extra hour I'd left myself, to change and warm up all disappeared. Changing in the car while on the 'move' (a euphemism for a kerb crawl) and eventually dumping the car half a mile from the showground.

MM2

I'm late but it would appear that they have delayed the start by 1/4 of an hour because of the traffic. So I sign in and get a number, 74. So I'm stressed and I've had little or no sleep for the past two nights what with servers going tits up. I feel as old as my running number. I'm working on the fact that it's a really short race and although steep, so steep I'm told that it's only possible to walk up, and I like running down hill, I'll be fine.

The first 1k was hell, I felt like quitting, really, but not wanting DNF thought last is better than not. Dig in climb up, then the run down, it gets better. The run back, down hill, fast, the last 1k through bog, finish, not last.

Falstone Falcon

Falstone Show Fell Race

My second 'real' Northumberland fell race, like the previous one based at a country show. This time at Falstone near Kielder Water in the heart of Northumberland.

The start by Rob Stephens / Pat?

The race was hard with a pull up the fell behind Falstone of some 500' or so over tussock grass and heather. Then on through the forest, crossing several streams all of which required steep drops and climbs back out again.

I kind of held a middle ground with all most everyone off in front and fewer behind me. This meant that for the most part I seemed to be running alone. The course was not well marked but I didn't get lost unlike some.

So I wasn't last but I did miss the hour mark by about 7 mins which was disappointing, next year. The event overall was great, the views above the Resevoir are spectacular and the show itself is friendly and fun. I will be back.

Update there's a brilliant series of photos by Rob Stephens (NFR) which give you a good idea of what a fell race of this type is like. Step through his filckr set of the Falstone Falcon.

Running Hexham

Causey Hill

View Hexham Causey Hill

Back to the traditional Tuesday night runouts, this time Causey Hill. The pull up from the Wentworth leisure centre in Hexham is unforgiving. Halfway up the hill at one of the natural stops, a stile, I had to lie down or else I'd have fallen over, light headed and dizzy. I can only assume that I'm de-hydrated and lacking energy despite eating and drinking; I thought enough; today.

A brief rest and a steady pace up to the top of the hill and I'm managing, the down hill is easy one you get into a stride. Then the long return run, up again and again before the long run back through to Hexham's main street and back to the Wentworth Leisure Centre. 6.33 miles 5.2mph In this heat that's enough for now!

Skiddaw : Hey there is a view!

Skiddaw from Keswick Moot Hall

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A bright but hazy morning saw me up early and after a brief rather manic drive along the A69/M6/A66 saw me in Keswick by 8:00.

The weather forecast was a bit dire with rain and showers predicted for the afternoon. So, determined to see if there was a view for the summit of Skiddaw I planned the early start. In all the years I have been walking in the Lakes and the many times I have actually been up Skiddaw I have been surrounded in mist or buried deep in cloud and rain and never seen any kind of view from the top.

The other reason for chosing this particular route was to reconnoitre it in preparation for the Lakeland 3000s later on this year. One of the key things we learned from the Yorkshire 3 Peaks trip was that knowing the route meant that virtually no time at all was spent looking at the map. That saved us a huge amount of time as we were inevitably making good forward progress all day, stopping only for food and drink. This walk from Keswick's Moot Hall to the summit of Skiddaw and back, is the first section of the L3K trip. Making sure we can get out of Keswick at the start and back through the town and on to Borrowdale in the dark will be important.

As it was I got a little lost at the beginning and found the dead end that is the road up to the Keswick Hotel and the Station. A short detour and a stop or two two for photos and to embed the path into the memory meant that it took about half an hour to clear Keswick and get to the start of the Latrigg path at the end of Spooney Green Lane.

Once on this path there is no real possibility of losing your way. This is a main road of a path and it continues around Latrigg, forming part of the Cumbrian Way long distance path.

This early in the morning there were few people about and I made good progress, running some of the time, walking otherwise. The climb from Hawell monument is pretty unremitting calling for some determination, head down, keep going. It's not until the shoulder above Jenkin Hill is reached does it become flat(ish) enough to break into a jog again.

The summit is still some way from here but the views are indeed fantastic despite the haze, and its windy a somewhat refeshing cold Southerly breeze bringing a welcome relief.

A short stop on the summit to pat the ubiqutious dog, say hi to passers by and take the odd photograph, using thenew camera's self timer and the trig point as a tripod. But the breeze is actually quite cold and it's not long before I'm off at a fair pace down.

The path is quite steady from the top and I'm able to crack on passing all those still on their way up. Most of these folk are well overdressed or so it seems. Maybe it's just me being a bit self rightous.

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The way back is obvious, through the plantaion around Latrigg again and Spooley Green Lane but then I missjudge the road and forget the gate and well get a bit lost on the old railway track back down into Keswick. It's not long before I realise and correct my mistake and get back onto the road, coming back into Keswick along the road in from the A66. Back at the Moot Hall in what is now a crowded market place at about 11:00, 3 hrs round trip, 11.1 miles according to the GPS.

 

Gear: inov-8 Flyroc 310

Running Gear

I've been using a pair of inov-8 Flyroc 354 GTX trail shoes for some time now. However, while at the iROC event the other day inov-8 were selling any of their shoes at a ridiculous price of £30. Well I couldn't resist and bought a pair of the standard Flyroc 310's and wore them then end there for the race. I've used them since too for the training run around Hexham last Tuesday. To say I'm pleased is a bit of an understatement, no blisters and dead comfy, they're fantastic. They are lighter than the others and for these warmer times they appear to breathe more easily.

I haven't quite taken to wearing them about the flat but that's just because they're already too muddy.

iROC : The Fell Race

The baptism of a novice

As Churchill said it'll be long and it'll be hard but of this I can assure you there will be no withdrawal, too bloody right. It was long, 15km. It was hard, 900m. It was bloody hard, according to my team member '..it's the hardest thing I've done to my body ever..' and he plays rugby regularly. There wasn't any withdrawal either, I did complete the course dispite my ankle. The last leg included a fording of the river, so cold it anethetised my ankle sufficently to allow me to run the last mile properly.

I wasn't last but was well down the field finishing in just over two hours, 2:03 to be more precise. Mark did much better, 1:40, well done him but we're both outside of the top 100 entrants. The winner's time by the way was 1:03!

There is a iROC Race Report over on SleepMonster's website and some photos too. More photos on my flickr photostream and Paul's Facebook

It was a learning experience that's for sure. Will I do another? Probably the bug has bitten, the endorphines addictive and the rationalism ...

Immediate plans are now focusing on the Lakes 3000's trip though, that's all the 3000ft peaks in 24 hours in the Lake District, 46 miles and 11,000ft of actual ascent. Target dates are early June.

Today : Tomorrow

iROCket Science

Food and liquids all day, steady as they go. Two helpings of Robert's Famous Beef Curry and brown rice for tea.

Tomorrow up and about by seven; on the way to the event by eight thirty; start time is 11:00. Hoping that the ankle will hold together with 8m of zinc tape. Please don't let me be last!

Rugby Training : Mark My Words

Youth and rugby training 5 nights a week

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Mark a collegue from work and the other deranged person in the Off Exploring iROC team came and ran along with the Tuesday Night group I've been training with. Well I say along with, what I actually mean is 'ran far ahead of' as he was always way out front. It's youth of course, he's half the average age of the group, and the 5 nights rugby training for Ponteland Rugby Football Club that does it.

Unfortunately my GPS packed up halfway through the run so I had to guess at the actual route we took. It was all new territory as far as I was concerned anyway.

Performance this week, not great struggled most of the way around and damaged my left ankle again. I really will have to rest it over the next few days. Looks like boring cycle training for a while.

iROC is just over a week away now and while I'm not quite in a state of panic it is begining to come to the forefront of my mind. One thing I have learnt over the past few weeks is the state of one's mental fitness is just as important as the body. Any tips on how to stay focussed and positive would be helpful as would words of encouragement; like those from Bryan over at Tyne Dock Green.

Training : Flat Out

Along the flat

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Wracked with pain and not just in my ankle. This was supposed to be a longer distance training run in an attempt to get the stamina built up for iROC. In the end it was painful and demoralising and my bloody ankle hurts still.

Town and Country

Mersyside Derby : Cheshire Plain

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Off Exploring's iROC Team

Off Exploring's Robert Campbell and Mark McGookin sign up for iROC

Off Exploring's Robert Campbell and Mark McGookin sign up for the iROC adventure race with attitude

The intrepid, some say insane duo, have persuaded each other and themselves that the fun thing to do on Easter weekend is run up hill for a very long way and look cool while doing it.

To look extra cool the boys have spec'd out some soft – wear, the skin tight Lycra tops they're modelling in the photo. No doubt they'll look OK until the race starts at which point no amount of man made fibre, elastic or not, is going to keep these two in-check or looking suave or cool in any sense of the word. The race is going to be a gruelling run up hill and presumably down as well, for a total of 13k and over 900 meters of ascent.

At the moment their training regime is a punishing mix of gym work and road and fell running. With only 4 weeks before the event, which is on the 18th of April, the pace of training is beginning to quicken as they realise that whatever they do it's probably not going to be enough.

Mark has the advantage, he plays Rugby for Ponteland RFC 1sts as is already up to the 'mark', pardon the ridiculous pun, while Robert is right back on the pace having only just started to do any kind of exercise at all and never run more than 200m at once in his life.

The race is being run by another North East company inov-8 who describe themselves as 'a British company that's passionate about specialist off-road and extreme sports products'. They make running shoes and other gear for mad people like these two.

The race is being run in an old cement factory and quarry, presumably so there's somewhere to bury the dead bodies that will litter the hillside before, during and after the event is over.

But hey it's bound to be a great day out, come along and support the two, there's even a family fun run, cycling and a beer tent. That sounds like a place just for me, see you there

Yours Gripp Type-Thinne.

Hexham Runnin Around

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Abbey Going to Hexham

Last week I met an Oldie at the leisure centre after going to the gym, Chris as it turns out who's training for a Marathon. I don't remember which one. When I asked about the group of runners he was with, he invited me to join them next week, i.e. today. Which is what I did and it was great. Running with others is a new experience and I had no idea whether I could keep up or not, I genuinely had no idea what was in store.

Five miles of street running and hilly ones at that later I felt I'd had a good workout and not been embarrassed as I thought I might be. Everyone was friendly and encouraging, thanks guys, I'll be back next week.

Note I'm not being cheeky when I say Oldie, it was Chris that brought up the tag suggesting that I was more their age, of his group, than the one's I'd seen running around the track.

Coledale Round: Blistering Pace

Testing Times & Drinking From your Own Bladder

In an attempt to have one big training day this month, prior to and far enough away from from the iROC event, I went to the Lakes and did what is the Coledale Round. I've walked this several times this year alone, it's one of my favourites, taking in the North Western fells of Grisdale Pike, Eel Crag (Crag Hill) Sail and Causey Pike from Braithwaite. The route itself takes all the tops you can see in the photo above, from right to left.

I noted the time I took on the last but one outing was around 4.5 hours for the 9.5 or so miles. The last trip was in a monstrous hurricane and trip times don't count. This time I was aiming to do it as fast as possible, maybe under 3 hours would be ambitious.

Hydration

The new rucksack, Haglof TIGHT PRO, was as the marketing blurb said 'hydration system compatible'. What that actually meant was if you spend another £18 you can fit a bladder and a drinking tube inside the sac and use that instead of your trusty SIGG bottle you have had for the last 30 years.

I have been a bit sceptical about these, thinking that they were just a gimmick and an expensive way of being somewhat anti social. After all it's not as easy to share a drinking tube and bite valve amongst friends than passing a bottle around. However I have to say, today it was just the thing. It meant no stopping, drinking and eating on the run.

It was, and my excuse was there was too much weather. The forecast had been for cloudless tops and fine windless day. The windless bit was correct but by the time I was there, 8:00 it was still cloudy and well I got a wee bit lost coming off Hobcarton Crag. Not really lost you understand just enough to stop and get the map and GPS out to make sure I didn't, get lost that is. Well there's at least 10 mins I reckon.

The pull up from the car park to the top of Grisdale Pike is steep, it progresses in three sections each getting steeper and I found it very difficult at the beginning. More time lost against the plan, mainly down to pacing myself badly from the start.

From the summit of Grisdale Pike, now in thick mist, the path drops down a bit before regaining some height on the pull up to Hobcarton / Hopegill Head. From there it's a long run down to Coldale Hause, the col between there and Eel Crag. Finding the right direction in the mist caused a momentary worry and a dive into the 'sac for the GPS and map just to make sure that I took the right direction, almost due south over Sand Hill.

The next phase of the climb is hard slog, it's a long pull up and round the back of Eel Crag to the top of Crag Hill and I mean a slog. It's no where near as steep as the final ridge to Grisdale but the un-remitting length is what drains the energy.

From the summit of Crag Hill, a well defined trig point if ever there was one, the route takes the Easterly ridge down a surprisingly steep and narrow rocky ridge, across the col to Sail and a number of switch back tops to the final top of the day, Causey Pike. This was taken at an almost constant run, stopping only to pat the dog on the summit of Causey Pike and turn around to go back down to the col and head off down the steepest of rabbit runs to crossing of Stonycroft Gill. On from there through Barrow Door, along the steep gradual path alongside Barrow Door Gill to Braithwaite, parting the various groups of family walkers (....and look Emily he's got special shoes too. )just beginning their day out, at some speed.

The worst bit of the day, the grind up the road from Braithwaite to the car park. It's less than half a mile but steep tarmac and the blisters had really begun to make their presence felt. Back at the car, 3 Hours 28 minutes and 9.87 Miles, according to the GPS. Verdict: over an hour shorter than previous, not bad, shows promise, could do better. iROC still might be possible.

Improvements to the time, iROC is almost2 miles shorter, but just as steep, no mist (we hope) and its taped so no diversions, I wasted 5 mins off track just after Sail, and well there's another month's worth of training to do. Is it going to be enough?

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Blisters

Over the years I have suffered from blisters. No matter what boots I have bought, how much I have spent or how long I have broken them or my feet in I have always got blisters.

Earlier this year I though I had it cracked, new boots some cheap HiTec bendy boots, light weight and for a time blister free. But it didn't last long before they too attacked the back of my feet. Then I was advised to use 1000 Mile Socks. What a bloodless revelation. From that point on I have not had any blisters of any significance.

That was until this weekend, I wore one of them inside out on Saturday. That makes all the difference, the technology doesn't work like that. So I ran all day Sunday with a hole in my foot! Arrrhgg I will not make that mistake again!

For those who wish to look at the gory details see this blisters photo. I do not advise it for those of a nervous or squeamish disposition.

Training Woes

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Training: Upping the Game

Unprepared, unfit and cramps setting in by the time the pull back up the hill was attempted. This does not bode well for iROC. 

Three of a Kind

Round the Yorkshire 3 Peaks, 9 hours, 25 miles.

The view out of the window at 7:00 in the morning was not at all promising and when combined with the events and advice from the previous evening the prospects for success were not looking good.

The evening we arrived at The Station Inn at Ribblehead there were Cave and Fell Rescue folk all over Whernside and a Sea King helicopter in the field all trying to evacuate a couple of walkers from below the summit. The two of them had fallen over 300ft on the ice and one was quite badly injured but alive.

The initial part of the route takes a path below the famous viaduct, a spectacular sight or so I'm lead to believe but in today's weather it's a mere shadow in the fog and I can't even get a photograph.

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Madness

Committed, we should be

I have signed up, along with a couple of friends and colleagues from work, to do Race 1 at this event in April. Although it's only an 8 mile race (13Km) it does include 900m of climb. I've worked out that is equivalent to doing 4 HHRa on the trot. This may be a challenge too far. We are all amateurs, never run in an event like this before and other than Mark, haven't done any endurance events at all. Mark plays rugby for Ponteland RFC and trains most days of the week.

There is a facebook group called iROC Adventure Race Weekend and looking at the other competitors we are going to be last of that there is no doubt. Never mind it's the taking part that counts isn't it?

Xmas is Postponed

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As Christmas is Postponed this year until Sunday runnin seemed to be in order. Another review of the Training Extended run, this time taking in the track beside Whittle Dean and through the village at Ovingham without having to run on the road. While I didn't have the GPS analysis of the map would put the total at 5 miles in just under the hour. Big mistake this time was not taking water or other fluids, suffering from cramp in the shins as I ran up the bank back to Horsley (HHR).

Training Extended

Horsley to Ovingham

Extending the HHR somewhat; by almost three miles by running across to the next village Ovingham and back along the Tyne to the bottom of the Extended-HHR The weather today was really bright, cold and frosty, -2DegC, and the fog over the Tyne was very picturesque, even if the sheer cold made breathing difficult and the ice on the hill back up the Hell Run quite treacherous. The boggy bits were still really boggy and wasn't quite frozen enough to stop me getting muddy. According to my GPS it's 4.3 miles and I did it in around 45 minutes. Overall the run was hard, more than doubling the usual training effort in one go was probably a bit ambitious but an average of 5.5 mph was quite satisfying. The eROC is only two of these, in distance anyway, probably more than double the height gain.

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Looking over the Tyne Valley

Rockefeller State Park

Rockefeller State Park, by rantoutloud.

In the park again, running this time. On the flat makes things easy compared to HHR. The beautiful view over the lake and the Autumn/Fall colours in the sunshine made running almost a pleasure.

Grisdale Pike

grisdale pike, uploaded by rantoutloud.

Cold wind on top, cloud closing in from west, ipod karma shuffle in reflective mood. The weather is fantastic and the clouds hold off all day. Didn't stop anywhere for long and the complete round took just about 4.5 hours.
The route takes the path from the quarry car park at the edge of Braithwaite up on to the ridge to Sleet How and Grisdale Pike itself. After a brief stop for coffee and a banana (?) Hopegill Head or Hobcarton Crag depending on which map you read, down to Coldale Hause and back up to Crag Hill, or Eel Crag again depending on which map you read. From Eel the ridge is followed over Sail and on to Causey Pike. The descent from the col between Scar Crags and Causey Pike leads down to the path which skirts Outerside and Stile End and back down to Braithwaite by the Coldale Pub, about 9.5 miles. This means I still haven't visited the summit of Grasmoor! I was informed by John that it was too boring anyway so I don't feel I missed out.

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Runnin runnin

The Grand Old Duke of York

The extended HHR again, and down to the river side through the nettlebeds in shorts only. Overdosing on nettle stings seems a little toxic

River Running

Water water everywhere

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Running the Horsley Hell Run this morning was a very wet affair. The water pouring down the hill from Horsley was being funneled down the track at the end of the run into was was in effect a small river. I extended the run to the very end of the bridalway which goes all the way down to the Tyne at a place between Wylam and Ovingham.
The new fell running shoes, inov-8 Flyroc 345 GTX were a bit dissapointing.
Don't get me wrong they are comfortable and cope well with the really muddy ground, not too hard on the feet and knees on tarmac either, but under these wet, well aquatic, conditions they just filled up with water. I think that the Gortex ® lining under these conditions may be a hinderance rather than a help. I wish now I'd bought the standard version.

Blencathra via Hall's Fell

Gategill by rantoutloud.

Sunday, early start alarm off at 5:00AM hoping to get a weather window before the heavy rain and wind predictied by our chums at the Weather Centre for later on in the day.
Dash over to Threlkeld marred by forgetting the speed camera ot Low Row service station on the A69, think I got snapped! Damn!
Walk up to the summit of Blencathra, technically Hall's Fell Top, is always a challenge. It's steep, lots of pretty orange lines to cross, and the ridge in the wet can be tricky as the rock is slate like and very slippy. The best route to follow is definately to stick to the crest of the ridge, the seemingly attractive path to the left is neither fun or less dangerous.
Very pleased with progress up the hill, no-stop ascent, except to take photos and completed in just over 1.5 hrs. That's not quite good enough yet for 2 miles and about 2,400' of ascent, will need to do better than that. Descended via Doddick Fell running down the easy sections, slipped on aformentioned wet slate and fell on arse. Back down, in the car and home by 12:00. Now looking forward to watching rugby and Ponteland Rugby BBQ later.
The map below is a plot of actual track data from my GPS data logger.

Looking up Hall's Fell at the start of the rocky section

Foule Crag and Sharp Edge from Doddick Fell

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Training: it's progress Jim but not as we know it!

Training the Horsley Hell Run

A second run down the hill and back. This time made it all the way to the bottom fence before McGookin and without stopping in the pouring rain. However, stopped several times on the way back up, still not counting the time, too embarrasing.

Variations on a theme

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Variations on the theme

the discussion now seems to be whether or not to use any form of transport around the road sections of the walk. The sane amongst my friends suggest that road sections should be done by car, enlisting drivers and helpers to do the ferrying. The slightly mad would swap the cars for bicycles, I'm still thinking the challenge has to be all on foot.
46 miles in 24hrs remember so this means that the road sections will have to be jogged at least for the majority of the way and I've never been a distance runner. So I've started training.
Day 1: route from office is down hill towards the Tyne for 3/4 of a mile, then back, average incline : 20deg average state of legs afterwards : rubbery.
The immediate target is two of these a week.

The Lakes 3000'

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The Challenge

A friend of mine recently said 'set yourself a real challenge', (you know who you are now see what you've made me do!). Well I did, the trip up Scafell Pike from Langdale was challenging for a first day on the fells for over a year. Having now completed that I think I need another, The Lakes 3000ft Peaks in 24hrs sounds about enough. According to Ken Wilson's book 'The Big Walks' thats 16 to 20 hours and 46 miles and includes 11,000ft of ascent.
According to friends I'm Mad, but I'll give myself enough time to train and set a target of completing the round before this time next year.
What then....'The Bob Graham Round?'