Fleetwith Pike

I have never really posted pictures of the many fells that I have run on but I thought it time that I did. After doing the Anniversary Waltz race I was taken around to Buttermere and shown a few of the fells around that part of the Lake District. Its not normally an area that I visit but on such a clear day we couldnt resist a run up to a summit or two.
So Fleetwith Pike it was. Not the highest of fells but approached from Haystacks via Dubs Quarry the view off the top was amazing and the descent down back to Gatesgarth is very technical.

Anniversary Waltz Fell Race

April soon comes around and each year that means the Anniversary Waltz fell race. Its beome a firm favourite of mine. Wynn and Steve organise an amazing race and this year as I have found some form I was determined to beat 1hr 50mins for this route. You run out of Newlands, up Scope Beck and directly up the steep incline to Robinson, drop off then run down and around to Hindscarth, Top out on that summit then run around again to Dale Head summit cairn then down to the Tarn, jag left and up to High Spy then across Maiden Moor and onto Catbells before smiling at the tourists and plunge back down from whence you came.
Richard Asquith called it a classic lakeland horseshoe and it is. A bonus on route was bumping into Joss Naylor and saying a quick hello. Anyway I did beat 1 hr 50mins which absolutely wiped me out. As I came off Catbells the wheels were falling off. I collapsed at the finish which I have done in the last three races I have done. Not sure if thats a good thing or a bad thing really. A nice mug, tee shirt and some Pete Bland vouchers as a prize and a big smile on my face for a job well done. Thanks to Andy from Dark peak who ran with me from Hindscarth which helped. We worked together but he pulled away from Catbells but like all races we shook hands at the finish.
A great weekend with some great company. Quite a few Pennine runners making the trip up and telling me that this was their first lakeland fell race. I well remember all those years ago when it was mine.
If your ever going to do one Fell race in the lakes, make it this one.

Runners scramble up a steep part of the route( Hope my Mum and Mother in Law dont see this picture

Dale Head summit cairn. I always steal a view when I get here whether its on this race, BG support, Borrowdale Race etc etc etc. It is THE view in the Lake District.

Kinder Downfall Race

A very hot Downfall race this time around. I initially thought I had gone off to fast but the goal on this race is simply to get up William Clough quickly then have enough in your legs to run even faster across the top past the Downfall then run even faster again down to Edale Cross before running even more faster down Tunstead fields then past the campsite and into the finish field.
Its a cracking race and one I had been training very hard for. I thought I could go sub 1hr 12 mins but just went over. Maybe on a cooler day. A few good tips from a teammate Mr Dunn beforehand who has a fantastic record on this course. So another good race and I was really pleased with 3rd place and to play my part in the team prize with Darren Dunn and Nat Winfield.
My legs have never ached as much as when I got up this morning but the 12mile run tonight still had to be done.



Great organisation and a Gem of a race in the fellracing calendar

Inflation

Right Im having a moan.
CHEESE IS OFFICIALLY A RIP OFF.
Last weeks cheese bill was nearly £12. I like a variety but its getting silly now. But they wont beat me as I have another source for my cheese now other than the supermarkets thankyou very much.



Err are Cyclists or Runners allowed cheese. Yes Wensleydale with cranberries in, thats healthy aint it , surely !!!!!!

Tour of Flanders

Last Sunday night I spent the best part of 6 hrs watching the Tour of Flanders as I have for the last few years. Its a belter of a race that provides so much drama. All the hype was for either Boonen or Cancellara to win. But Saxo Bank's Nick Nuyurns took the win on the line from Sylvain Chavanel. It was a gripping race that twisted and turned all the way through until the end. lets hope Paris-Roubaix is as good this coming Sunday.

Lads Leap Fell Race

Ive done this one before a few years ago but this time round we went the opposite way. A big climb at the start which quickly has you questioning your sanity. But Lads leap came into view soon enough and the its a quick run out over the top before dropping down and doing another big climb before retracing your steps and plunging down to the Activity Centre and back to the campsite. Its quite a technical course with some rapid rocky descents which I like. The guy in front of me fell nasty on the first descent and then I went and did the same further on. We were both on the limit and he just pulled away from me to take 2nd place but I was well happy with 3rd overall. The rocky parts working to my advantage. Great organisation from Mr Des Gibbons and Company. Its a cracking venue is Crowden in the Peak and a good starting point for anyone taking up Fellrunning or racing for the first time.

A nice bottle of wine and I treated myself to a Caramel Starbucks latte on the way home.
Sadly I had to report the handing over of Penistone's team prize from the Ian Roberts Fell Race a week or two ago. Pennine got given it by mistake. The 12 pack of John Smiths has travelled about 1500miles further than it should have. But at least now its finally found its correct home.

Not long now before

The Lakeland Fell Races start. Anywhere I dont care, I need a lakeland race.