It doesn't seem two minutes ago that it was new year and i was planning what i was going to this summer, well it is june in two weeks so i had better get my act together!
I'm pretty happy with the shape i'm in at the moment and its now that my summer racing plans are falling into place. I will be running my favourite local fell race this sunday at Saddleworth and then have a few long races to get round that will hopefully set me up for Sierre - Zinal in August. I will be running the Ennerdale and Duddon Valley races on consecutive weekends at the beginning of June, this could be interesting! Following this i am planning to run the Kinder Trog race at the end of June and then the Arrochar Alps race on the 7th July. Then its off for a brief trip to the Dolomites to run in the Dolomites Skyrace before Zinal on the 12th August. Then its onto bonny Scotland again for the season finale at Ben Nevis, which will be my last race of the year.
My intention between these races is to just keep the legs ticking over and get out climbing alot more aswell, i don't really see the point in putting any serious running in between these races as experience tells me that it will just leave me stale and tired. So really the plan is to keep up the cycling to and from work and college with some extened trips on the way home to turn the legs over and some easy 30-60 minute runs when i feel like it.
I'm getting excited now!
Sunday, 20 May 2012
Thursday, 10 May 2012
Busy Bee
It has been a few weeks since i have wrote anything here, this is mainly due to the fact that i've been super busy with college of late. I have been putting alot of effort into all the work being set as i want to make sure i get the grades. Having only got one offer from Huddersfield Uni its shit or bust so the running has had to take a bit of a backseat since coledale. Having said that i have been getting out and doing something pretty much everyday, and i've been running between 30 - 40 miles a week, with around 7000-8000ft of climb, which although i'm pleased with i would like to push it up to about 50 and 10000ft if my body and time will allow. I have also been cycling pretty much everywhere and climbing when the weather suits. As i've said before though, my mileage has always been very different from week to week, if the weather is good i may climb instead and some weeks i just feel like running alot, i dont want it to get too intense, i mean life is stressful enough, this is my way of relaxing! My aim with my running has always been to do what i feel like and if i'm not enjoying it then i just dont do it. I'm really enjoying just getting out when i feel and if anything i seem to be getting better! I decided on the day last week to do flower scar fell race and didn't really give it 100 % having already ran in the morning but still came 6th, so very happy with that.
Anyway off to Northern Ireland for the weekend tommorow to race Slieve Bearnagh, which is the second race in this years British Champs. After Coledale I am 6th Under 23 so hopefully i can push on and get a podium place after this and Arrochar Alps. But if not then i'm not going to lose any sleep. I have been over the water twice before and its always nice to go back and get together with club mates who i dont see that much of, the guinness is an important factor aswell!
Anyway off to Northern Ireland for the weekend tommorow to race Slieve Bearnagh, which is the second race in this years British Champs. After Coledale I am 6th Under 23 so hopefully i can push on and get a podium place after this and Arrochar Alps. But if not then i'm not going to lose any sleep. I have been over the water twice before and its always nice to go back and get together with club mates who i dont see that much of, the guinness is an important factor aswell!
Sunday, 15 April 2012
Coledale Horseshoe 2012
Well the first British Championship counter has been and gone, and like usual when you think you are running well, the sheer depth of talent that these races bring just puts you in your place! The Coledale Horseshoe is a race that i've wanted to do since i first started running and the hills around the Newlands Valley and Braithwaite are some of my favourite in the country, so i was excited to run the course hard and see what i could do.
The race set off at a frantic pace up through the field and it was elbows out to jostle for a good postition before being spat out onto the road and the epic climb up Grisedale pike. I felt really strong on the climb and was passing people all the way up, if anything the summit came a bit soon for my liking, the extra ascent in training must have been working! The route then contours around Hopegill Head before a second punishing climb up to Eel Crag, this was classic hands on knees tackle and again i felt really strong all the way up. On the long descent from Eel Crag i stitched up quite badly and lost the flow a bit, getting passed by a few runners, i was glad when the short climb up to the final summit of Barrow came and i was able to slow things down a bit and compose myself for the final fling down to the finish.
I have to say i'm fairly happy with my 95th place and 6th under 23 but there is more to come, many things to ponder and many more miles to run........
The race set off at a frantic pace up through the field and it was elbows out to jostle for a good postition before being spat out onto the road and the epic climb up Grisedale pike. I felt really strong on the climb and was passing people all the way up, if anything the summit came a bit soon for my liking, the extra ascent in training must have been working! The route then contours around Hopegill Head before a second punishing climb up to Eel Crag, this was classic hands on knees tackle and again i felt really strong all the way up. On the long descent from Eel Crag i stitched up quite badly and lost the flow a bit, getting passed by a few runners, i was glad when the short climb up to the final summit of Barrow came and i was able to slow things down a bit and compose myself for the final fling down to the finish.
I have to say i'm fairly happy with my 95th place and 6th under 23 but there is more to come, many things to ponder and many more miles to run........
Wednesday, 4 April 2012
Bloody Weather.........
The British are renowned for always moaning about the weather, it's hardly ever just right and when it is, it doesn't usually last long! I suppose everyone has a personal preference as to what makes 'ideal' weather conditions, some like it red hot and are not happy unless it's above 30 degrees whilst others are pissed off if it rises above zero! Perfect to me would be between 15 and 25 degrees with a slight breeze with the sun beating down on my back whilst out running or rock climbing, as you can see i'm not picky! And of course it's usually like that for only about two weeks every year in the UK, i just hope the last two weeks were not the last of it for this year!
I have to say i was lulled into a false sense of security by the strange weather the last couple of weeks, i was afterall climbing and running topless last week so thought that it can't possibly snow again.....
Well it did
I awoke to a horrible slushy, cold and windy world this morning, my plans and motivation for a run up Alphin were banished and i have resigned myself to a well earned duvet day! I have done some form of activity be it running or climbing or both everyday for the last 3 weeks and the usual feeling of guilt about not getting out and doing something that would usually be hovering over me is non existant, i feel like a rest day. The last couple of days i have kind of been going through the motions a bit, not really flowing like i had been and that for me is usually a sign to back off a bit. This for me highlights the importance of chilling out every now and again, i think you need it if you have been pushing it, and with my first goal race of the year, the coledale horseshoe, only 10 days away it may be a blessing in disguise. Although i am sure i will out again tommorow....
I have slotted into a nice rythem at present, getting out seems easy and the miles are fun, the motivation seems to be high everyday, it seems there is so much to do and so little time, but thats good, i never want to lacking ideas for future projects, i think we need this as runners and as human beings in in order to get the most out of our potential. Life is good.
I ran Midgley Moor last saturday and felt really strong, was in about 7th place and feeling really good, moving really effortlessly through the first few checkpoint when i decided to take an interesting route to see if i could get in front of a few people, i did and was probably in about 4th place when i re joined the main track, the only slight problem was that i had missed a checkpoint so had to run about 400m up the hill to it and then back again! Note to self....look at the course before trying anything stupid in future!
I have to say i was lulled into a false sense of security by the strange weather the last couple of weeks, i was afterall climbing and running topless last week so thought that it can't possibly snow again.....
Well it did
I awoke to a horrible slushy, cold and windy world this morning, my plans and motivation for a run up Alphin were banished and i have resigned myself to a well earned duvet day! I have done some form of activity be it running or climbing or both everyday for the last 3 weeks and the usual feeling of guilt about not getting out and doing something that would usually be hovering over me is non existant, i feel like a rest day. The last couple of days i have kind of been going through the motions a bit, not really flowing like i had been and that for me is usually a sign to back off a bit. This for me highlights the importance of chilling out every now and again, i think you need it if you have been pushing it, and with my first goal race of the year, the coledale horseshoe, only 10 days away it may be a blessing in disguise. Although i am sure i will out again tommorow....
I have slotted into a nice rythem at present, getting out seems easy and the miles are fun, the motivation seems to be high everyday, it seems there is so much to do and so little time, but thats good, i never want to lacking ideas for future projects, i think we need this as runners and as human beings in in order to get the most out of our potential. Life is good.
I ran Midgley Moor last saturday and felt really strong, was in about 7th place and feeling really good, moving really effortlessly through the first few checkpoint when i decided to take an interesting route to see if i could get in front of a few people, i did and was probably in about 4th place when i re joined the main track, the only slight problem was that i had missed a checkpoint so had to run about 400m up the hill to it and then back again! Note to self....look at the course before trying anything stupid in future!
Sunday, 4 March 2012
Cairngorms, Chew Grit and Black Combe fell race
Been a busy week this week!
The week started up in the Cairngorms on a Winter Skills course run by Glenmore Lodge. Me and my friend Martin had booked onto this hoping to learn some winter skills to help progress our hill knowledge and push on with our climbing skills. Although there wasn't a lot of snow much fun was had and we managed to learn alot of new things, will be going back again to do something else in the future, i would highly recommend the place if you are interested in advancing your hill knowledge and they offer courses that would benefit anyone who gets out in the hills and mountains. This was the first time i'd been to the Cairngorms and i loved it, a really wild place, hope to head back up later this year for a proper look around.
College was cancelled on friday and the weather being good i decided to get out on the local rock and headed up to Dovestones Edge, the first time i've climbed outdoors since going to Thailand for christmas and new year in 2008! Alot of the routes were slimy and a bit wet but we managed to find some dryish ones in the lower grades, this being the first time Martin had climbed outside i hoped he wouldn't be too put off! We manged to get up three routes, Central tower (Vdiff) , Question Mark (HVD) and another route that looked dry but i wasn't sure what it was. Having been climbing indoors for the last few months it was great to get out and actually do some real climbing again! Hope to keep getting out regularly on the local grit and get out on some classic mountain routes in the Lakes and Snowdonia over the next few months to get a good grounding for the Alps.
On saturday i finally managed my first race of the year. Black Combe fell race (8 miles / 3400ft ascent) is a really tough early season race starting from the village of Silecroft on the Cumbrian coast. The route heads straight up towards Black Combe before skirting around the back and over onto White Combe before dropping down and reascending Black Combe again and then a great descent back to Silecroft to the finish. I felt good early on before fading somewhat on the hard second climb. Despite losing a few places on the final ascent and the descent i finished in 31st place out of 197, which i am quite pleased with early in the season, need more ascent in my legs though!
The week started up in the Cairngorms on a Winter Skills course run by Glenmore Lodge. Me and my friend Martin had booked onto this hoping to learn some winter skills to help progress our hill knowledge and push on with our climbing skills. Although there wasn't a lot of snow much fun was had and we managed to learn alot of new things, will be going back again to do something else in the future, i would highly recommend the place if you are interested in advancing your hill knowledge and they offer courses that would benefit anyone who gets out in the hills and mountains. This was the first time i'd been to the Cairngorms and i loved it, a really wild place, hope to head back up later this year for a proper look around.
College was cancelled on friday and the weather being good i decided to get out on the local rock and headed up to Dovestones Edge, the first time i've climbed outdoors since going to Thailand for christmas and new year in 2008! Alot of the routes were slimy and a bit wet but we managed to find some dryish ones in the lower grades, this being the first time Martin had climbed outside i hoped he wouldn't be too put off! We manged to get up three routes, Central tower (Vdiff) , Question Mark (HVD) and another route that looked dry but i wasn't sure what it was. Having been climbing indoors for the last few months it was great to get out and actually do some real climbing again! Hope to keep getting out regularly on the local grit and get out on some classic mountain routes in the Lakes and Snowdonia over the next few months to get a good grounding for the Alps.
On saturday i finally managed my first race of the year. Black Combe fell race (8 miles / 3400ft ascent) is a really tough early season race starting from the village of Silecroft on the Cumbrian coast. The route heads straight up towards Black Combe before skirting around the back and over onto White Combe before dropping down and reascending Black Combe again and then a great descent back to Silecroft to the finish. I felt good early on before fading somewhat on the hard second climb. Despite losing a few places on the final ascent and the descent i finished in 31st place out of 197, which i am quite pleased with early in the season, need more ascent in my legs though!
Sunday, 12 February 2012
A bit of a stall
After a few good weeks with the winter weather being kind and managing to avoid any nasty winter cold viruses, it was inevitable that something was going to go, and maybe a blessing in disguise both came at the same time! After planning on running the Long Mynd Valleys race last weekend and opting out due to a heavy snowfall locally i wanted to do the Winter Hill race this morning near Horwich, but the ice and a dose of man flu put paid to that.
Found out this morning that i have got a place in the Ben Nevis race on September 1st, which is very pleasing as i haven't raced it for two years and in my view is the finest race in the UK, not the route as such (although there is something about racing up and down the highest mountain in Britain) but more about the history and atmosphere, that's not even mentioning the great night on the beer afterwards. This also confirms my travel plans for the summer, seeing as i can fly from Geneva to Edinburgh for 40 quid there doesn't seem much point in going home until after the Ben so i will extend my trip by another week and head up to Fort William straight from Chamonix. My main racing aims now being the British Championships , Sierre - Zinal and Ben Nevis, I will be playing it by ear as to any other races i run this year.
This gives me a bit of a focus now and i hope to get as much ascent in as possible locally throughout the week and then races or long runs at the weekends aswell as pushing on with the climbing. I have a great route i can run from my front door that is all off road to the top of Alphin pike and back, it works out at around 9 miles with 2200ft ascent that is mostly runnable all the way and usually takes between 1:25 to 1:35 at a steady pace depedning on conditions,it is such an enjoyable run in that it has everything apart from any flat!! Nice fast tracks, bogs, steep climbs, gentle climbs, and really good descent as you can see from the picture below. I hope to run this route a few times a week for the next few months to get a good solid base in for going to the alps. And maybe i'll finally get a race in at some point as it's been 4 months now. The pictures below show my favourite local hill, Alphin.
Found out this morning that i have got a place in the Ben Nevis race on September 1st, which is very pleasing as i haven't raced it for two years and in my view is the finest race in the UK, not the route as such (although there is something about racing up and down the highest mountain in Britain) but more about the history and atmosphere, that's not even mentioning the great night on the beer afterwards. This also confirms my travel plans for the summer, seeing as i can fly from Geneva to Edinburgh for 40 quid there doesn't seem much point in going home until after the Ben so i will extend my trip by another week and head up to Fort William straight from Chamonix. My main racing aims now being the British Championships , Sierre - Zinal and Ben Nevis, I will be playing it by ear as to any other races i run this year.
This gives me a bit of a focus now and i hope to get as much ascent in as possible locally throughout the week and then races or long runs at the weekends aswell as pushing on with the climbing. I have a great route i can run from my front door that is all off road to the top of Alphin pike and back, it works out at around 9 miles with 2200ft ascent that is mostly runnable all the way and usually takes between 1:25 to 1:35 at a steady pace depedning on conditions,it is such an enjoyable run in that it has everything apart from any flat!! Nice fast tracks, bogs, steep climbs, gentle climbs, and really good descent as you can see from the picture below. I hope to run this route a few times a week for the next few months to get a good solid base in for going to the alps. And maybe i'll finally get a race in at some point as it's been 4 months now. The pictures below show my favourite local hill, Alphin.
(Photos from wildaboutbritain.co.uk and geograph.org)
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
January Stats
Kind of going against my last post but hey ho! Been keeping my dairy for a month so thought i may as well share it on here......
Miles run - 151.7
Feet of Ascent - 29750 ft
Number of Runs - 20
Climbing or Hiking days - 8
Rest days - 3
Longest run - 14 miles / 4000 ft ascent
Pleasing start to the year,want to keep up this level of mileage and ascent for Febuary then push it on a bit if things are going well at up until Coledale race. Going to race at Long Mynd Valleys on sunday but wont be tapering for it as my first goal race isn't until April 14th at Coledale.
Miles run - 151.7
Feet of Ascent - 29750 ft
Number of Runs - 20
Climbing or Hiking days - 8
Rest days - 3
Longest run - 14 miles / 4000 ft ascent
Pleasing start to the year,want to keep up this level of mileage and ascent for Febuary then push it on a bit if things are going well at up until Coledale race. Going to race at Long Mynd Valleys on sunday but wont be tapering for it as my first goal race isn't until April 14th at Coledale.
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