Training for the hills!

After a few years of promising to spend less time running i have finally but my hand in my pocket,

It took me an age to decide and after some careful consideration, i have a Genesis Croix De Fer!



The sales blurb states the following:

Equally well suited to winter commuting on the roads or hammering down sun baked bridleways or even exploring the world, it’s a versatile and beautiful bicycle that crosses many boundaries.

I have clocked up some 80 miles during the two and a half weeks i have had it, first week was painful, but not ridden a bike for some 5 years.

Seem to be getting fitter, as the routes i have chosen are 10 miles long and take in 3 or 4 climbs,

The key is that when i get home i have no Fell Running pain in my legs at all, also i seem to be able to get up faster than ever,

Cycling + Rest + Small Hilly Reps = better fell race times this year ( fingers crossed)

Grindleford Gallop 2012

Grindleford Gallop 2012.

Seems like ages ago.... But i think this race must have been the point when i realised that i am doing something right this year.

Training for the BGr is going so well, and gaining the core strength before getting the longer days in.



"Cold Day Recce on the Grindleford gallop route - just near Curbar Gap."

So, after a rotter of an end to last year, i entered this Beautiful route, something that i have always found to be a really tough challenge.

Sitting at home the night before i realised what had encouraged me to knock 17 mins of the Wilmot Wander this year, writing the checkpoint times on the back of my hand. So proceeded to find split time for a runner that ran 3hr 45min last year.

Wrote them down and placed them on my hand the following morning,



"Checkpoint times"

I had also ran the route twice, once in snow and the other in really icy conditions, and on both occasions found it tough, but in my mind i had made the click, after thinking the route through.

So. saw loads of familiar faces when i arrived and remained focused, Steve, also a Dark Peak runner, traveled across with me and he later said that i looked really focused.

And off....... i decided that i really should focus on my own race and times and very quickly saw the field disappear, but as one guy said let the tide go out! and it will come back in!

Checkpoint one and i was 2 mins up on the 3hr 45 min times, Checkpoint 2 and i had gained another 3 mins, so let off a little just in case,

When i came to the long slow climb up onto Longstone Moor i saw Steve who has set off like a train, he cramping up, to much to soon, passed Steve, which is something that i have never done.

Before i new it i was off the Monsal trail and climbing back up towards Hassop. With only one climb to go and the run through Chatsworth, i felt that i could do this, arriving at Baslow i could see three or four Dark Peak Runners, and seemed to be taking time out of the runners in front of me, which was surprising.

Climbed up to Eagle Rock and then across the edge to Curbar Gap and on to finish, trying not to even think about looking at the time, just getting on with it,

A finishing time of 3hrs 36min, placing me provisionally 141st, but then to 148th out of 337.
That's 28 mins off my PB.

Can't complain at that!

Welcome Back!

Its been too long, but i have decided to get back into blogging about my fell running!

So here is a recap from last year and this year so far:

I was 40 years old in October last year.
I planned to have a crack at the BGr last year but had toe issues.
Managed to achieve my 40 trig points and peaked my 40th on my 40th Birthday.
Training this year is going really well.
Ran the "Wilmot Wander" again this year and knocked 17 mins of my PB



40th Trig Point on my 40th Birthday 12th October 2011 - Raynards

So, lets see how it goes from here on in!