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.

Boxing Day : On the March Again

Working off the Christmas Excess

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Actually it's Sunday and after something of a three week layoff, or more indeed, the anticipation of the work to come, to say nothing of the cold and wet and ice was daunting to say the least. The short run up from the flat to the A69 and beyond was enough to tell me that the idea of continuing on the cross country route was suicidal, there was still too much ice around. So I detour to the 5.7 mile round route up to the military road at Harlow Hill and along the road back to Ruchester and then Horsley. It's not inspirational as routes go but it's steep enough for a work out and sometimes pituresque as today with winter light and the snow. Busy roads and not all the drivers are considerate, climbing back into Horsley as the blizzards start again.

Whittle Dean Revisited

And Hell is still where I saw it last

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The weather men have over stressed the warnings again, obviously for the benefit of the soft southerners again. To be fair the blow on the south coast does look spectacular but up here in the north, where it's usually 'Grim' remember, we've had a lovely couple of days. Revisiting one of the runs around the village where I live, Horsley, and Whittle Dean, the autumn colours and the bright sunshine making it if not pleasurable at least picturesque. The run ends by acending the Horsley Hell Run which Ihave not attempted for some months. It's as hard as I remember and although I can run most of it now there's a section at the bottom just as you approach the Horsley Wood Cottages where walking is a serious option especially after the last 5.5 miles.

Distance: 9.926 km Elevation gain: 186.5 m Elevation loss: -186.1 m

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.

Training : Mersey Forest

Back To The Country

Visiting parents, doing the loyal son duty and walk running the dog. Six miles through farmland and green lanes in and around the oddly named 'The Mersey Forest'. Odd because there aren't many trees, lots of cows, this is dairy country and a bull but few trees. Whether the six miles is enough to counteract my mum's cooking I don't know.

Training : Back to it

Intervals

So it's dark now and off road running on a Tuesday evening is off. In it's place is road running training, intervals and rat runs in and around Hexham.

After almost three weeks off, lazing in the sun or just skiving, tonight was a bit of a shock. Steep hills flat out, repeated intervals with bugger all rest and a weird masochistic streak that made me try and out run myself and all around me. Add to that coming down with a cold and thinking "this'll kill or cure me" I'm certifiable but I have to work off the holiday excess somehow and there's another race in a week or so!

Training : This is becoming a Habit

Addicted to endorphins

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The Jelly race is just a week away now, Sunday the 6th Sept at 11:00. So I'm trying desperately to put some miles and speed work in. After yesterday's lovely walk in the lakes I was still keen to add more miles. So today I drove to Hexham with a plan to run the start of the road race route to Corbridge and then make my way back via the Dilston road. I had thought it was around 9 miles. In the end I've calculated its 7.7. My GPS packed up half way around, I should have replaced the batteries. But I had noted the time, 1:17mins, that's a steady 6mph again. Yes next week might be possible.

Training : Tyneside

Upping the pace

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It's been a busy weekend. After the race yesterday I decied to take it easy today and sat in front of the TV watching the athletics, got bored, cooked a pork and bean casserole for a late lunch, more athletics, more bored. Damn, changed, and out five miles along the riverside from Ovingham to Wylam over Hagg Bank Bridge and back along the Tynedale Park Riverside route to Ovingham.

It was wet and overcast, I wasn't really on form but feel better for it. A few more of these and a bit longer over the next week or so then maybe the 10 miler may be do-able. Right now I'm still very uncertain. According to Garmin 5.1 miles 52:15 average 6mph

Tuesday : Training

Causey Hill again, the hard way. I'm sure I live in the world of Escher where everything is uphill.

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Training: Hexham

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Route statistics: Distance: 12.88 km; Elevation gain: 243.7 m; Elevation loss: -243.6 m

Training Resumed : Jelly All Round

There's Bears in them Woods

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There's nothing like getting a race bib number in the post and a sudden realisation that the start date is just a few weeks away to get the motivation going. For 'motivation' read PANIC.

After a few weeks of not feeling great and not enjoying the running I decided last night to get down to it and motivate myself. The receipt of the bib for the Tynedale Harrier's Jelly Road Race, start time 11:00am 6th Sept. that morning had something to do with it too. It's 10 Miles! Shit that's far longer than I've run ever at one time before and I'm starting to panic for sure. Tips on how to up the distance from where I'm reasonably comfortable, 10k, to the new goal of 10 Miles, would be helpful.

Statistics: Distance: 10.44 km Elevation gain: 217.1 m Elevation loss: -217.5 m. (As calculated by GPS Visualizer)

Reservoir Dogs

Running on Water

The reservoirs from near Harlow Hill

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Running out after all that rain, I didn't think it'd be possible yesterday but the weather turned warm and sunny. Another new route variation, north from the flat up towards Hadrians Wall and around the reservoirs at the top of Whittle Dean. Many of the tracks were both overgrown from lack of traffic, obviously hardly anyone runs or walks these very often and very very wet. Indeed several times I was up past my ankles in water and mud. Then back down the hill to Horsley, 7 miles or thereabouts quite a slow time, route finding in the long grass and wading through ankle deep mud doesn't make for a fast pace.

Training : 2 for 1

Two For the price of one

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Military Way

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New Shoes: ROC on baby

inov-8 ROCLITE 315

First, limted I admit, impressions are they are good. They seem to be much bouncier under foot and sturdy around the rand. This makes tham look more solid and much more like a mountaineering fell shoe but they are supple and don't feel at all constraining or heavy. 3 miles this evening, it's way too hot for anything except a BBQ.

Training: Flat Out

Ovingham to Wylam and back

River Tyne

I have decided running on the flat, or nearly flat is way way harder than running up hill! How, you may ask yourself, does he reckon that? He is mad. The problem seems to be all about pace.

On the up hill sections of a run, like last Tuesday's run up Causey Hill near Hexham, you can naturally pace yourself, gravity, friction and so all help to find a natural rhythm. On the down hill sections a similar state is achievable and a rolling forward slightly out of control hurtling gait seems like a recovery run.

On the flat a desire for speed and possibly an unfamiliarity seems to take over me and I end up averaging well over 6mph and completely knackered too quickly. I need more practice, loads more or a pacemaker. However there isn't time before Wednesday and I'm losing confidence fast.

Cobblers!

The Wrong Shoes

I sent my trusty pair of inov-8 Flyroc 310's back to the manufacturers yesterday as they appeared to be coming apart. I considered it to be a manufacturing fault and asked inov-8 to repair or replace them. At first they said it was fair wear and tear and refused. They said things like "you've worn the tread down by half" implying I'd had my money's worth and it's "your running style".

They said I was wearing the wrong shoes. I did say they were mine and how could they be the wrong ones. Apparently what they meant was that I should be wearing a diferent style for the type of running / walking I'm doing. They also eventually offered a replacement pair of Roclite 315™. I had to pay a contribution towards the cost but I think we both got a good deal out of the bargain. I'm still waiting for the new shoes to arrive,I'll report back when I have had the chance to try them out.

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!

No rest for the knackered

Back on the treadmill

Too soon perhaps? Last night's regular training run didn't seem to be faster than ususal and the GPS record when examined afterwards confirmed it; a measly 7.11 miles at an average of 5.5mph. However I was at the back of the field most of the evening and suffering.

Obviously that's going to get me nowhere in the forthcoming Tynedale 10k, well not nowhere hopefully 10k but in terms of placings... well you know what I mean. The fact was I was still knackered after our afternoon walk in the Lakes last weekend. I'm still finding it difficult not to eat everything in sight. The fridge is now empty save for some garlic stuffed oilives bought in Keswick market on the Saturday we were there.

So the plan for the next few days, the 10k is on the 1st July, is build up the constant run capability. Road work, maybe down by the Tyne at Corbridge. We'll just have to see how it goes over the next week or so. At least I don't have to wear rubber like some Triathalon Training

Final Adjustments : 4 days to go

Training : Final Planning

With only a few days to go it seems like I've a million and one things to think about. The route itself, final adjustments like 'skirt around the top of High Raise save 400ft and so on. With one eye on the weather, op-out clauses, Seathwaite, Wythburn, skip Helvellyn, the potential variations are mind boggling.

Clearly my real mind set is imagining myself on every part of the route, moving strongly and actually completing the trip. I think this approach means half the battle, the mental one, is being started now, before I get on the hill and will give me a much better chance of success. I think the training decision to walk as much of the route as possible over the past few weeks has been really helpful, really positive and one hell of a confidence boost.

Problem is the weather looks shite for Friday night, I don't fancy walking off the edge of Helvellyn into Brown Cove in the middle of the night in thick cloud. Bought a new head torch, Black Diamond H7, bright it is for sure.

Re-Hydration

After the 13.1 miles and over 4,500ft of climbing yesterday in the heat and sunshine yesterday still trying to recover fluid balance.

On days like yesterday it's hard to overestimate the amount of fluid
and energy lost, don't hold back during or afterwards.

Training : Tyne Green

Bankside along the Tyne

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Tuesday, back running out with the pack, we're short on numbers as it's still half term. Running out of Hexham, west alongside of the river Tyne is especially beautiful this time of year. Sandwiched between the river and the Golf Club the route follows the trail eventually turning left (south) and crosses the A69 before pulling up the steep and unrelenting hill towards 'Low Gate'. Why Low when it's the highestpoint for miles?

Now it's across fields now lush with grass, before the 1st cut silage due late May i.e. any time now. Through the woods than back to the road for the final down hill dash back through Hexham to the leisure centre.

7 miles, plus an extra half warm up which makes all the difference to both the performance and the sense of satisfaction at the end. 6.8mph moving average 5mph overall; not a bad evening out. This is the reverse of this route.

Murder Miles

1 dead 6 more

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Yesterday evening's Murder Mile was, well murderous. A sort of handicapped, staggered start times, up hill run up a series of hairpin bends which never seemed to end, from The Dyvels Pub just out side Corbridge to the top of prospect hill. I didn't do as well as I had hoped but there again I'm always self critical. But it was as they say just for fun.
This was followed by a 6+ mile training run over to Dilston and back down along the riverside to the pub. A beautiful evening, sunshine views and everything, did not detract from the fact that this was very hard work. All the best runners from the club were there and it was all on the road, non stop. Normally Tuesday's running is off road, and the odd 30sec stop for gates or stiles makes all the difference. But a good evening was had by all, food and beer at the pub making it all the more enjoyable.

Training : Loopback

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Training : Walking the Dog

The Mersey Forest

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Running with the dog in and around my parents in Cheshire. The OS map said it was the Mersey Forest but there didn't seem to be enough trees for a forest. Mostly fields of grass and Fresians, the latter taking a distinct dislike to the dog.

We came across this litle pond half way round the circular route, between Crowton and Acton Bridge. It was surrounded by cherry blossom and bull rushes, very picturesque. Stopped just for a photo and a drink before continuing back up the hill to Delamere. Total time just over the hour and 5.7 miles. Hey it's a bank holiday.

Running : Not Singing

Tuesday and its raining

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Tuesday evening and for the first time it's really raining, actually it's heaving it down. Funny though the pain in the legs, before they warm up and the gasping for breath is just the same as every other time, just wetter.

The run tonight took us up north of Heham to Acomb. I really am beginging to see more of this county that I have ever done in the time I've lived here. I just wish I wasn't quite so knackered so I could take it all in.

As usual the run is a mix of trail, fields and forest or woodland tracs and a long road run back into Hexham. At about 6 miles I'm still raring to go an my liking for long down hill runs pushes me out front runnin hard for the leisure centre. The steam rises from all who dare to hang about outside in the car park in the drizzle.

Postscript, Chris made it around the London Marathon, 3:50 well done!

The Analytics

Some further geeky analysis of the training run from the GPS data. It may be a little too much for some of you, especially those who practice running on the flat but to me wher the problem and achievment is the hilly bits this profile stuff is a true indicator of the level I'm at.

THe route profile using STM data from 'best source'. compare that with live data from my own GPS device.

The route profile using GPS acquired data.

The rate of climb x distance for the route

The speedacross the route

The speed x distance for the route

Training : Wot no rest?

WHERE THE HELL ARE WE

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Rather than take a rest day after the weekend I decided to take the usual Tuesday run out with the guys from Hexham. The evening sunshine and a degree of boredom and no small addiction to this obsession got me up and runnin again.

It was the usual mixture of road and off road work, woodland tracks and fields, loads of up hill, just enough to stretch the strength and stamina. It feels good when it's this good.

The run was around 6.3 miles in just over the hour. The last dash down into Hexham through the evening shopping traffic providing a bit of light relief.

Parting gestures to Chris and ? for their Saturday run....The London Marathon.. best of luck guys!

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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!

Training : The run out

The final run out before iROC

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Arrgh... ankle, tweaked, you know the rest. So no more work this week, just carb loading.

Training : The run up

The last Leg

Well the bike came out yesterday and got pushed around and about for 13 or so miles. Not bad considering I haven't been on one for years. No crashes or even a near miss.

As a vehicle for training it seems it uses slightly different muscles in the legs than running and I'm not sure that's a good thing or not. Comments from Triathalon friends please. It did get me some reasonable exercise though and was much easier on the ankle than running. Indeed that and the anti-inflammatories seem have been working and it's begining to feel much better. There's one bodily aspect that did NOT fair well, must get a new saddle.

So this week is last training before iROC and it's not looking too healthy with at least one long car journey, expected 8hrs, and one late night at Daughter's 18th Birthday party to contend with. Last run out with the Hexham group on Tuesday then a complete wind down before the Saturday.

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.

Salmon Run on Tyne : Packing in the calories

Making Carbohydrate Loading a richer experience

Well it's about time this blog included something about my other passion, food and any way the Google map thing doesn't really work if the only exercise has been on a bloody treadmill because the weather's shite.

Salmon Linguine

• Enough Linguine for 4
• Salmon Steak - cooked 1 per person
• Cherry Tomatoes 10~12
• 1/2 Fennel
• Hand-full Rocket leaves - 2~3
• Red pepper - 1 medium
• Green Pepper - 1 medium
• Artichokes Grilled, the ones in olive oil - 4
• Sundried Tomatoes 2~3
• Birdseye Chilli 3~4 (8~10 if cooking at my strength)
• Fresh Mint - small hand-full

Put the pasta on to boil, a splosh of olive oil and a good pinch of salt in the water will stop it boiling over.

Flake the cooked fish and put it to one side. Finely chop all the veg, that is very finely this is only going to take 1 min to cook once the pasta is done. Do the same to the sun-dried tomatoes and the chillies. The cherry toms and the artichokes need only roughly chopping, the latter usually come in quarters anyhoo, just chop them in half. The mint is best shredded by hand into small pieces, this releases the aroma too.

Once the pasta is cooked, al-dente mind don't let it go soggy! drain and serve into warm bowls. Throw all the chopped ingredients into the hot pan with a little more olive oil if necessary. Warm through, this should only take a minute or so, then chuck in the fish and continue to warm that through for at most another min, try to keep the fish flakes intact, season with black pepper and maybe a little salt.

Now serve and eat!

Training : Running up hill

The training tonight was actually on the treadmill, just 3 miles and a high incline; 30 mins start to finish. Just a warm up really because Monday night is usually a night off.

Hexham: Runnin around and up and down

Early evening and off road

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Another great but hard training evening out with the crowd from Hexham. It's amazing what running in a group does for motivation and determination. After such a bad couple of days over the weekend this was sooo much better.

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.

Hexham : Runnin round and round and falling down

Training and Falling Down Potholes

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Another evening's running with the group from Hexham and the Wentworth Centre ended in a bit of a disaster, me falling down a pothole and twisting my ankle badly. Bloody hell it hurts but as my colleague Mark said ..you are probably being a wuss... The balloon at one end of my left leg would suggest otherwise. Other than that the training was good, longer sections, hill starts again and it's tough.

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.

Whittle Dean

Local Runnin for Local people

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In an attempt to get more running in before the iROC I extended the HHR again to include more of Whittle Dean and surrounding farmland. Extending the run north of the A69 towards the reservoirs, starting directly outside the flat takes in some more gently rolling countryside and views. The weather this afternoon was windy and bright, getting colder but the pace kept everything warm. It was a good outing to test the effectiveness of both the new rucksack and the camera pouch. Both, I'm happy to say performed well and any fears I had that the LowePro APEX 60 AW Camera bag would fall off were unfounded.

It's interesting t note that in the few days that this post has been live Google have updated the satellite imagery for this area and I'm glad to say my house/flat now exists! As does the ecommnet and Off Exploring offices just down the road.

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. 

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?

Munich

Munich, by rantoutloud.

Traditional fare, sod the training for one day!

Cold Cure : Runnin the HHR

Better than Cough Medicine

After more than a week off or rather a week without exercise and only just shaken off the cold a blast around the extended run was called for; or so I thought!
Well all I can say is it's probably cheaper than any expectorant cough medicine and more rapid acting, it even tastes nice.

Yesterday's longer run was a bit of a nightmare though; in terms of timing and performance even if it really did clear the tubes. It must have worked though as today I almost managed the basic HHR (I thought I'd better be a little less ambitious than yesterday) at a non stop jog. I still can't get past the salt bin marker on the initial backup incline without having to break into a walk for 50m or so.

So that's the target for the next month, getting all the way down and up the HHR at a minimum of a slow jog, non stop continuous running. Possible as long as the weather holds off. Oh and I'm maybe doing some fair weather training in Portugal in a weeks time courtesy of Utimaco.

Boxing Day

Boxing Day is a no running day, given the profile of the Horsley Hell Run this must constitute a "Bank Holiday"

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

Bowfell, High Raise and The Langdale Pikes

Bowfell and the Langdale Pikes

22112008, uploaded by rantoutloud.

Saturday 22nd November 2008, 7:30 in the morning, twilight and the weather shaping up for a cold and clear day. The weather was extremely cold and windy, 35~45mph (about -20DegC wind chill) but it was promised to be clear and cloud free.
So a decision was made to at least to take a look at the unfamiliar territory east of Angle Tarn towards High Raise. This section forms part of the Lakes 3000's that we're planning to do next year. Coming after the slog up and down Scafell and Scafell Pike it is likely that will have to be done mid afternoon before we get to Helvellyn. It is a somewhat bleak and rounded group of fell and while we're expecting to do it all in reasonable weather it's obviously advantageous that we're as familiar as possible to make the journey as easy as can be.

In order to make it a bit more of a walk I decided to start from Langdale and ascent up to Esk Hause via the Band, Bowfell and Esk Pike. Esk Hause is the turning point on the route for this section. The track from Esk Hause down to Angle Tarn is very familiar ground and I've covered this at least twice in the last few months. At the point where the path crosses the outflow from the Tarn the path diverges, continuing south west to Rossett Gill and roughly north east to Stake Pass where it crosses the Cumbrian Way.
I followed the Cumbrian Way path for a short while before dropping down into Stake Beck and headed straight up the hill towards the summit of High Raise. The effort to cross the mile or so from the pass to The summit ridge seemed all out of proportion to the 300 or so metres the map suggested it was. The boggy ground, the number of small false summits and what I can only described as heather and moss moguls made the going very tough indeed.

Having got to the top of High Raise, managed to get some food and coffee inside of me the remainder of the walk across Thuncarr Knott, and the Langdale Pikes, (Pavey Ark, Harrison Stickle, Pike O'Stickle and Loft Crag) was done in rapid order. The wind and the cold made it almost impossible to stop without freezing almost immediately. The path down over Raven Crags to the New Dungeon Gill pub is just long and hard on the knees.

In total the day was about 14 Miles, the GPS missed a bit, and about 4900' of ascent in about 7 hours.
The evening was spent winding down at the Kendal Mountain Film Festival, Catherine Destivelle's film was very inspiring. Followed by a excellent meal at Deja-Vu a small French Bistro in Kendal with friends.

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.

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.

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.