Get ready for winter

Yep its officially arrived. My fingers will remain cold now until Feb/March and every time you set out it will be cold, damp or wet.
Snow I don't mind, in fact I love it, but the dark winter conditions are hard to get through. You have to just push through my fellow fellrunners and cyclists.
It will come. The sun will shine once more.
Set a goal for the new year. Get home from work and no matter what just jump into your kit and get out the door.
We all feel better when we have ( Done a bit) as I say.
The FRA calendar will drop through the door soon with all those events to pick out and dream of.
I keep that picture of Bernaud Hinault in my shed. Mind he got paid a serious amount of money to be out in that weather.
Happy training

Gravy Pud Fell Race

The Bulls Head Pub in Tintwistle is the start venue for the Gravy Pud Fell Race. This year I am told had a record turnout.
Its my first time doing this one as before I know it has clashed with the Tankies Trog race and other things.
The weather was not good en route to Tintwistle and coming over Woodhead the snow was starting to blow in and visibility was not the best. By the time I dropped down a little bit to the pub it was hammering it down with rain.
Quite a few team mates had dared to venture out on such a rough morning and we all had a chat before the start generally moaning about the weather and jokingly questioning why we do this on a Sunday morning.
But we do.
We all line up and co organiser Andi Jones gives us a little chat before sending us away up the fellside.
It took me a while to get in my stride up the incline and I was red lining a little to hold the pace. As it levelled out on the track the numbers thinned out and myself and a Saddleworth Runner kept together. He was strong on the downs and I was strong on the ups but on this day he was just a little faster than me and he would beat me at the finish to take third. The course was quite boggy after the initial climbs and the run back past the reservoir dragged on a bit. The rain was very heavy as I crossed the finish line and I can say that I would not have wanted it to have been any longer than what it was.
A good course though and possibly my last short race of the year.
I will be back for this one now I know the route.
Loads of cakes,tea,t shirts and prizes in the Pub.
Thanks to the Northern Boys Love Gravy guys. Andi and his team did a great job.
www.nblg.co.uk if you want a look

Full Tour of Pendle Fell Race

It was either going to be the Roaches fell race or the Tour of Pendle and I chose Pendle.
Barley is a lovely setting for a race and I signed on early on Saturday morning for the 18mile epic that covers Pendle. There are loads of checkpoints which see you transversing back and forward until you finally run back down into the village.
Its a tough race but apart from a couple of the steep climbs it was quite runnable. The race set off very quickly and I had in my mind that I wanted to be in the first group. I wasn't and settled in just behind the leaders who flew ahead.
I settled in after the first climb in a group of four and we didn't split until after checkpoint 3. Then it was two of us together until about checkpoint 8 and then I was on my own for the final part of the race.
All was going okay until the final drop back down into Barley and then bang for no reason I fell over quite badly. After a few seconds I got up and just carried on and finished the race with a graze or two.
4th place overall which was okay but I should of had an extra Gel or something on the second to last climb as I was feeling it near the end.
This race sees you pass by Judith's Cairn ( more of that in a later post). I donned my cycling cap in respect to Judith as I passed by which was in my mind since I had thought of doing the race.
Some terrific support en route with some good friends along the way.



Not the most straightforward route on the fellracing calendar.
The knees responded quite well to antiseptic wipes and a scrubbing brush. ( Ouch)
Great organisation from Keiron Carrs of Clayton Le Moors and all his team.
If your looking for a nice long race try it.

What I was thinking

I didnt feel quite right posting this on the Remembrance post but oddly as I ran off Gable I was humming this tune.
Ive no idea why but it just summed the day up.
Enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCJ7keVBj6Y

Finally

3.25am Sunday Morning and finally the Fox came close to me and grabbed a dog biscuit.
Every time I have been up at 3 or 4 in the morning this litle fox has been snoopi around.
I left a few dog biscuits out before and each time the fox has taken them. But Sunday morning it came as close as ever and took the food as if it was a household pet.
No doubt people will say dont feed it but I did and it was a special moment.

A very special day

Sunday was an amazing day. The weather forecast was good for the Lake District and whilst there was a fell race or two knocking about it was time to go and pay my respects properly. I have wanted to climb up to Gable summit for years but never got around to it.
So early doors Sunday morning I left and headed north.
Seathwaite was very busy with lots of walkers heading up various routes to the summit ready for 11o clock to visit the Fell and Rock memorial that is placed n the top of Gable.
It was a strange feeling skipping past the walkers heading up. Many comments to be had. How do you run uphill, your making it look easy, will you carry our rucksack, and many more. Whilst we fellrunners cover the ground faster, walkers have one thing over us fellrunners. They see more.
But this day was to be amazing. Ace views over the whole of the Lake District. Fell Tops were picked out. BG summits could be traced and Tarns could be seen but remained unnamed as I had forgotten the names.
Just before 11 oclock a speech was made and hundreds of us stayed silent to remember.
It was so special just standing there. In silence. I will never forget it.
Soon after the run continued and another 90 minutes of fellrunning passed by before it was time to head back.

Shepherds Skyline Fell Race

Another new race for me and I was surprised how many runners arrived at the Shepherds Rest Inn. Easily over 300 started the race which made it a busy start. I kept well up on the first climb but paid the price a little bit on the top towards Stoodley Pike Monument. I pulled back a couple of runners on the second climb b couldnt quite hold them offgoing down the final descent back to the pub. There was at least half a dozen Wharfedale Harrier lads around me which made for a good battle all the way round.
Not many Pennine runners at this one but Mrs Noel claimed 2nd lady. I was happy with 12th position.



A fairly straight forward route this one and ideal for someone just coming into fellracing. Plenty of friendly people and brilliant junior races.
Todmorden Harriers do a fine job.