However, I now feel I'm ready for the challenge - it's just a case of maintaining the fitness level with not long to go.
Friday 28 May 2010
Week 29 - slight setback
After the long walk on Sunday, rested on Monday then went out Tuesday morning for a 4 mile run and could feel a tickle in my throat, this developed so that I couldn't do the Jubilee race on Wednesday night and by Friday morning considered cancelling my appearance at the North Lancs Soul Festival that evening. Recovered sufficiently for that but not for much running and a full weekend meant I would get little mileage in walking. Watched my daughter finish in the Keswick triathlon on Sunday but the week was very short on both mileage (18 against 47 scheduled) and ascent (700 against 6700). At least I walked into Bolton and back on Wednesday.
Tuesday 25 May 2010
Music to take with me
As people who know me may be aware, I'm slightly obsessed with music. Well obsessed may be a bit strong but given a choice between watching telly and listening to good music, I know what I go for.
On my walk I'll be filling up a few micro SD cards with tunes to listen to.
The first to go on will be the recently released (a week ago) compilation "Get Down With The Philly Sound" a superb set of originals and remix of Philly Classics. Accompanying it there is also an excellent documentary featuring some of the legendary musicians who made the music. Have a watch of it if you appreciate good music.
On my walk I'll be filling up a few micro SD cards with tunes to listen to.
The first to go on will be the recently released (a week ago) compilation "Get Down With The Philly Sound" a superb set of originals and remix of Philly Classics. Accompanying it there is also an excellent documentary featuring some of the legendary musicians who made the music. Have a watch of it if you appreciate good music.
Dimitri from Paris presents "Get Down With The Philly Sound" from BBE Music on Vimeo.
Last weekend was spent at the North Lancs Soul Weekend at Morecambe and one of the popular tunes was this remix of an early Aretha Franklin song called One Step Ahead. The remix version is very good but I slightly prefer the original. Here's both for you to enjoy, first the Featurecast remix which also samples a small part of a Marvin Gaye vocal.
And here is the beautiful original which was recorded a couple of years before she became a world-wide star.
I may come back and update this post in the next few days.
Monday 17 May 2010
A very long walk in the Lake District
Due to a late night on Saturday, I'd arranged to meet up with this East Lancs LDWA walk two hours into it.
The walk is named the High Street Stroll. If the name conjures up a gentle afternoon stroll, think again!
The walk started in Ambleside at 8am, then headed over to Kentmere where I met up with the rest of the six strong group on the path from Garburn Pass shortly after 10am.
The route after Kentmere: Nan Bield Pass - Harter Fell - Branstree - Mosedale - Selside Pike - Mardale Head (bottom of Haweswater) - Kidsty Pike - High Street - Thornthwaite Crag - Stony Cove Pike - Kirkstone Pass and then back to Ambleside.
The estimated time for reaching the cars at Ambleside was 8pm for this 30 mile walk. However, GPS showed it to be 31·5 miles and we finally returned at 9.15pm. And we are not talking about slow walkers : these are hardened experienced walkers who go at a fast pace. Many will be completing in the forthcoming "Hundred" in Scotland.
There will be a more detailed report soon on the East Lancashire LDWA Website
All photos were taken with a cheap phone camera on which the lcd is little use in bright sunshine so it's point and hope!
The first couple of photos were taken on the top of Branstree, the second of the unusual trig point.
The next is the view eastwards towards Shap and the final from the col between Kidsty Pike and High Street.
As usual with me, I was slow on the tricky descents but making up on the climbs where, even late in the day, I was happy with my stamina, being able to push strongly up the final major climb up Stony Cove Pike. By joining them late, I was only out for 11hrs 15 minutes but this is the longest walk or run I have ever done by over a couple of hours. The longest day on my GR10 schedule is nine and a half hours according to the book, so I should hopefully be able to cope, providing I get early enough starts to avoid the worst of the heat.
The walk is named the High Street Stroll. If the name conjures up a gentle afternoon stroll, think again!
The walk started in Ambleside at 8am, then headed over to Kentmere where I met up with the rest of the six strong group on the path from Garburn Pass shortly after 10am.
The route after Kentmere: Nan Bield Pass - Harter Fell - Branstree - Mosedale - Selside Pike - Mardale Head (bottom of Haweswater) - Kidsty Pike - High Street - Thornthwaite Crag - Stony Cove Pike - Kirkstone Pass and then back to Ambleside.
The estimated time for reaching the cars at Ambleside was 8pm for this 30 mile walk. However, GPS showed it to be 31·5 miles and we finally returned at 9.15pm. And we are not talking about slow walkers : these are hardened experienced walkers who go at a fast pace. Many will be completing in the forthcoming "Hundred" in Scotland.
There will be a more detailed report soon on the East Lancashire LDWA Website
All photos were taken with a cheap phone camera on which the lcd is little use in bright sunshine so it's point and hope!
The first couple of photos were taken on the top of Branstree, the second of the unusual trig point.
The next is the view eastwards towards Shap and the final from the col between Kidsty Pike and High Street.
As usual with me, I was slow on the tricky descents but making up on the climbs where, even late in the day, I was happy with my stamina, being able to push strongly up the final major climb up Stony Cove Pike. By joining them late, I was only out for 11hrs 15 minutes but this is the longest walk or run I have ever done by over a couple of hours. The longest day on my GR10 schedule is nine and a half hours according to the book, so I should hopefully be able to cope, providing I get early enough starts to avoid the worst of the heat.
Week 28 - only four weeks to go before lift off!
A busy week but not much running.
I did get my regular Winter Hill - Belmont - Winter Hill run in on Tuesday.
Wednesday and Thursday were spent on a Wilderness First Aid Course in the Peak District. My personal first aim was to increase knowledge which could reduce risk should I have a mishap on the walk. Although this was not the course's main objective, it was very useful to meet up with a group of people with much mountain experience. Many on the course were renewing their certification so already had a good base knowledge. The bonus was getting myself trained up should I need such skills whilst out walking or running or marshalling. I now possess certification which covers me for three years. I would heartily recommend the course if you have any involvement with the outdoors. It is very good value. Below is a photo from their facebook.
Rather than staying overnight I drove each day (googlemaps showed the journey as 75 minutes, because of the time of day I allowed 105 minutes). My plan was to do the Haigh Hall Road Race on Wednesday night but by 7 o'clock I was going nowhere on the M60. My drive home eventually took about two and quarter hours - no chance of getting to the registration which I knew was a good ten minutes from the race start, and even if I did I would not be very fresh for the race.
I managed to get a 4 mile hilly road run on busy Saturday schedule prior to a very long walk on Sunday (see separate post) which gave me 42 miles and 9600ft ascent for the week.
I did get my regular Winter Hill - Belmont - Winter Hill run in on Tuesday.
Wednesday and Thursday were spent on a Wilderness First Aid Course in the Peak District. My personal first aim was to increase knowledge which could reduce risk should I have a mishap on the walk. Although this was not the course's main objective, it was very useful to meet up with a group of people with much mountain experience. Many on the course were renewing their certification so already had a good base knowledge. The bonus was getting myself trained up should I need such skills whilst out walking or running or marshalling. I now possess certification which covers me for three years. I would heartily recommend the course if you have any involvement with the outdoors. It is very good value. Below is a photo from their facebook.
Rather than staying overnight I drove each day (googlemaps showed the journey as 75 minutes, because of the time of day I allowed 105 minutes). My plan was to do the Haigh Hall Road Race on Wednesday night but by 7 o'clock I was going nowhere on the M60. My drive home eventually took about two and quarter hours - no chance of getting to the registration which I knew was a good ten minutes from the race start, and even if I did I would not be very fresh for the race.
I managed to get a 4 mile hilly road run on busy Saturday schedule prior to a very long walk on Sunday (see separate post) which gave me 42 miles and 9600ft ascent for the week.
Week 27 - Wray Caton Fell Race
I'd not really planned to do so much mileage on the Sunday - at least it was a variable pace, some hard running to get quickly to certain points on the route followed by rests and slower paced running.
I had planned to run the fell race that coincides with the Wray Scarecrow Festival on Bank Holiday Monday as I have done many times over the years.
Last year I completed it in 67:30 and about a minute quicker the previous year so I hoped for some improvement.
We arrived at Wray in good time (it can take an age to get into the village as the Scarecrow festival is very popular) and safely - just - a pigeon had decided to have an argument with the car on the way up the M6. It won't be arguing again.
Hovering round the institute were names from the past : Neil Wrigley, Allan Blinkhorn and Trevor Dibben. It seems the weather is bringing people out to run.
Seemed to have quite a decent run. Was only overtaken by seven on the descent (10 actually but got three back after the bridge), to finish in under the hour, 59:30 according to the results although my watch said 59:54! As last year's time was 67:30, I can't complain about that. Neil was well in front but did manage to beat Trevor and Allan.
So that's 18 miles and 3100ft towards my May target - but I am looking for 30,000ft of ascent this month so need a few long days.
Wednesday's run was my regular run over Winter Hill to Belmont and back again over Winter Hill. I sort of did the same on Saturday but planned to walk over and run back. In between there would be a little matter of competing in the Belmont Winter Hill Race, only four and a half miles but as it climbs Winter Hill twice manages 1000 ft of ascent. There is a flattish middle section which although runnable is also called The Swamp. No matter how dry the weather has been, it is always wet and muddy. You will always see at least one runner getting very muddy having lost their balance in the bog.
I found myself gaining about 20 places on the first climb, followed by my usual losing of them and more though the swamp and on the descents.
After collecting my backpack from the pub, I then headed back up Winter Hill again and home to give me 16 miles and 2800 ft of climb for the day and 35 miles and 6600 ft ascent for the week. I seem to be getting behind with the mileage.
I had planned to run the fell race that coincides with the Wray Scarecrow Festival on Bank Holiday Monday as I have done many times over the years.
Last year I completed it in 67:30 and about a minute quicker the previous year so I hoped for some improvement.
We arrived at Wray in good time (it can take an age to get into the village as the Scarecrow festival is very popular) and safely - just - a pigeon had decided to have an argument with the car on the way up the M6. It won't be arguing again.
Hovering round the institute were names from the past : Neil Wrigley, Allan Blinkhorn and Trevor Dibben. It seems the weather is bringing people out to run.
Seemed to have quite a decent run. Was only overtaken by seven on the descent (10 actually but got three back after the bridge), to finish in under the hour, 59:30 according to the results although my watch said 59:54! As last year's time was 67:30, I can't complain about that. Neil was well in front but did manage to beat Trevor and Allan.
So that's 18 miles and 3100ft towards my May target - but I am looking for 30,000ft of ascent this month so need a few long days.
Wednesday's run was my regular run over Winter Hill to Belmont and back again over Winter Hill. I sort of did the same on Saturday but planned to walk over and run back. In between there would be a little matter of competing in the Belmont Winter Hill Race, only four and a half miles but as it climbs Winter Hill twice manages 1000 ft of ascent. There is a flattish middle section which although runnable is also called The Swamp. No matter how dry the weather has been, it is always wet and muddy. You will always see at least one runner getting very muddy having lost their balance in the bog.
I found myself gaining about 20 places on the first climb, followed by my usual losing of them and more though the swamp and on the descents.
After collecting my backpack from the pub, I then headed back up Winter Hill again and home to give me 16 miles and 2800 ft of climb for the day and 35 miles and 6600 ft ascent for the week. I seem to be getting behind with the mileage.
Week 26
During the week I managed a couple of runs on Winter Hill followed by Sunday morning which consisted of trying to follow my daughter and her fiancé who were competing in the Horwich triathlon. Amazingly, just from trying to catch them on the cycling stages and the run stage which included Rivington Pike on the route, I managed 11 miles with 2000 feet of climb, helped by running home after Diane had finished. Targets were a bit short for the week, especially for mileage (30 against 45 target).
Monday 3 May 2010
April targets achieved
Targets achieved for April. Just need to keep it going through May and now itching to get to the Pyrenees and get started.
Would be nice to see a few more donations to Guide Dogs or British Heart Foundation - it's a slightly bigger challenge than a fun run :-)
Justgiving - Guide Dogs
Justgiving - British Heart Foundation
Would be nice to see a few more donations to Guide Dogs or British Heart Foundation - it's a slightly bigger challenge than a fun run :-)
Justgiving - Guide Dogs
Justgiving - British Heart Foundation
Week 25 - long runs and long walks
Fourteen mile walk with West Lancs LDWA on Tuesday and 20 mile walk (Spanners Round) with East Lancs LDWA on Sunday. Currently updating the walk instruction in readiness for publication on the net - the original booklet is about 13 years old.
A quick run up Winter Hill and down towards the Wrights Arms on Thursday preceded the main run of the week where I accompanied 5 of the Saturday morning group for a nice little saunter up Wetherlam, Swirl How and Coniston Old Man along with other assorted peaks on the Coniston Massif. The main purpose was to give John a run out for route choice for the following week's English Championship fell race. Only 12 miles but nearly 5000 ft of ascent altogether and 5 hours out on the Lakeland Fells. Rather than repeat what is on the group's blog here is the link to all the reports and pics -
NLN's report and loads of photos
More Photos - from me
the route log
Even More
And for more views of the scenery and how the faster runners deal with the terrain, there is an excellent video of the following week's race posted up on youtube.
Overall for the week I accumulated 57 miles and 9600ft of ascent - considerably above schedule for and almost completing mileage target for the month whilst the ascent target was surpassed by nearly 20% - very happy.
A quick run up Winter Hill and down towards the Wrights Arms on Thursday preceded the main run of the week where I accompanied 5 of the Saturday morning group for a nice little saunter up Wetherlam, Swirl How and Coniston Old Man along with other assorted peaks on the Coniston Massif. The main purpose was to give John a run out for route choice for the following week's English Championship fell race. Only 12 miles but nearly 5000 ft of ascent altogether and 5 hours out on the Lakeland Fells. Rather than repeat what is on the group's blog here is the link to all the reports and pics -
NLN's report and loads of photos
More Photos - from me
the route log
Even More
And for more views of the scenery and how the faster runners deal with the terrain, there is an excellent video of the following week's race posted up on youtube.
Overall for the week I accumulated 57 miles and 9600ft of ascent - considerably above schedule for and almost completing mileage target for the month whilst the ascent target was surpassed by nearly 20% - very happy.
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