Lads Leap Fell Race 2013 - Lost and Found!

The Lads Leap 5.9m/1669ft AS

Set of from Derby after arranging a "car share" with Stuart Bond, arrived at Baslow and then made our way to the race.

The weather was claggy to say the least and as we made our way to the first climb to assess the conditions under foot it became apparent that the weather was going to get worse.

After signing in, seeing some old faces and getting ready, a small warm-up ensued.

Route Map…

Off, up the first climb, tough log assent that really did knock me for six, but just kept on pushing might have been 58th or something like that at the top, but just couldn’t get my legs going on the flat.

Tough under foot, boggy and hard in paces difficult to judge the next section, then “plug”, in my shoe went, three steps later realised and had to go back for it, digging took place and i eventually found my show, scooped the peat out of it and pushed my foot back in..... i think i lost a good 2 mins.

Pulled my self back to the long line of runners after taking the right around the loop, to find that we had all gone walkabout! which was funny in one way, but i new i wouldn't have much left in the tank.

Map below shows the extent of the walkabout…

All in all a good solid race, Stuart Bond and others went wrong on the day, which lent itself to a strange looking first 15 over the line, but a good day was had by all, including me.

Finished 105^th out of 138 in 1hr. 24mins.

February Races Planned - Spring?

This may be the hardest 4 weeks of fell running i have done for some some time!

Will thinking of the spring, cold late night runs and the sight of spring heather!

Come out of this well and start of March fitness level should be much better.

3rd Feb - Lad Leap - AS - 5.9m/1699ft - Toughest AS in Derbyshire.

10th Feb - Long Mynd Valleys - AM - 11.5m/4501ft - Tough old race.

17th Feb - Dark White Mini MM

24th Feb - New Chew - Unknown distance and feet of assent? - Sounds ard already!

Then we should see some this.......

Tigger Tor Fell Race 2013

Following the recent heavy snow, i usually make my way to Derby for the Wilmot Wander, but this year i have decided to focus on the Totley Series of races, the first one of which is the Tigger Tor.

Race details for this one are:

Start: Tigers RUFC 11.00am
Distance: 10 miles
Height: 2,200ft
Cost: £5.00 pre entry/£6.50 on day

After the recent weather, it was announced the night before that it would be run on a revised Harsh Weather route, taking in HoundKirk Quarry, HoundKirk Road, Hathersage Moor, Tigger Tor and Upper Burbage Bridge.

Some of which is local to the Burbage Skyline route.

Arrived to find the weather quite harsh, wind, cold, and looked like some snow was left and some had metled leaving huge rivers of slush and deep wet bogs, thsi will be a real test.

The race was 15 mins late starting due to late arrivals and parking issues, but a good 390+ started out on what was to be a really grind of a race for me, long slow assents, and muddy boggy energy sapping terrain.

After 20 mins, i felt drained and knowing the route i knew i had to dig deep, so just kept of nailing it as fast as i could, as the time passed and trip, slip and up to my waist. (two runners leaped it in front of me, i thought it might have been a 4 inch puddle, but oh god it wasn't, waist deep, ice cold water, yelped like a pig.... Phil Walters shouted back... whats up with ya, girl or something, or something on those lines) Used my elbows to get out and then plodded on)  

Just coming round after Upper Burbage Bridge.

Made my way to the bridge at the base of the climb upto Higger tor, blasting wind from the left, pushed on as hard as i could and started to pull the tide back in a little!

The trot along the path from Upper Bridge was wet, and tricky underfoot, but still just kept on trotting! 

I could see the 10 runners ahead, took a few then reached the Climb back onto the moor from Sheffield Country Walk .... tough little climb, deep snow in places, then the long trot back and fast decent off the HoundKirk Road, manged to pass a few on teh decent , including Phil Walters ( i had it in the back of my mind, get back to the field before him and i can beat him back) Phil had a great amount of speed left and nailed me at the finish.

A great race all in all, some regular folk, Kenny Turner, Phil Walters, Richard Pegram, Jon Heathfield, Reg etc.

Finished in 1.28.15 266th out of 395 starters, not a bad revised AM.

Looking forward to the next one! 

Even had a Double Rainbow....

Double Rainbow - Coming Through Chatsworth.

 

Run up to Christmas!!! .. and a broken shoe!

Just noticed how long its been since i have updated on here..... Hope you're all keeping well!

Here are a few notes from the run up to Christmas...

Raced hard for a few weeks and completed the following races.

1. Passing Clouds - 28th October -  1 hr 52 mins - Good solid trot

2. Passing Clouds - 11th November -  4 hr 10 mins - Tough day out

3. Famous Grouse - 25th November -  58 mins 32 sec - Great Race always enjoy this one

4. Cardington Cracker - 2nd December - 2 hrs 14 mins - PB - which is good

5. Dark White Peak MM - 16th  December - Great day out and enjoyed the Day with Richard P - Thanks to SBRT for the mention in his blog .... http://sbrtrfr.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/e-dallying.html

So for the next few months....

2013 has started well, managed to complete the 12 days of Christmas, which consists of 78 miles over 12 days. Really pleased with that.

Also the Holly Bush New Years Day Race.....

Also took part in the first of Dave Dentons Peats Pit Woods Races - which didnt start to well with a broken Walshy! Seem to be talking to me, then fell completely apart...

A great start to the year and was pleased with the trot!

Lambs Longer Leg 2013

The weather was being watched by the whole of the Fell running fraternity,

Would it snow... wouldn't it snow..... it didn't and we had glorious sunshine!

I have made the trip up for this one for a few years and with to being the first counter in the Hayfield Champs, wanted to make the trip again. Planning to do the series this year.

Opened the curtains and its was a hard frost but no snow, so packed up teh car and went to pick Richard Pegram up from Wirksworth on the way up to Hayfield.

The usual faces had made the trip, nice to see Stuart Bond back racing proper and great to see some other great friends.


Find this one really tough as never ever get enough training up hill like the start, a great fast bash up, round and back, LAMB'S LONGER LEG (3.1m/950') is a real slog, as a race it hurt a lot!

Please can i have some new lungs, the cold air left me coughing like a smoker!

Managed to bag a PB knocking 3mins 38 seconds of last years time, so proper chuffed with that as a start to the season!! And well done to Richard P, who also knocked 1m 13 seconds of his PB.

Stuart Learmouth Wirksworth Undulator

It's been a while since i have posted!

And yes its been a tough year, two very sad losses in the Fell Running Fraternity!

Stuart Learmouth - who sadley lost his battle with Cancer Earlier in the year and more recently Darren Holloway who died suddenly whilst competing in Leg 4 of the Ian Hodgson Relay.

Both of which were great friends and had my total respect for their commitment to the fell's and the sport itself.

I am sure i am not alone in the way this has rocked me, and the sport i hold very dearly to my chest.

To remember Stuart the Wirksworth Undulator has been renamed to pay respect to this very special member of fell running.

The race takes place on Sat 20th Oct from the Lime Kiln pub Wirksworth at 10.30.

You can see further details on the http://fellrunner.org.uk/races.php?id=178

I hope to see as many local fell runners out to pay your own respects to these two running legends.

Mow Cop Fell Race - Sunday 1st April

Well it's one that i have never done before, and being so close to home 'Nantwich" thought i would drop in and give it a go.

Richard Pegram picked me up and we made our way across, i had just completed a heavy week of BGr training and didn't really feel up for it, but thought it would make a great cool down for the week, and set me up for the week ahead.

Saw some regular faces, which is always nice, and had chance to look at the route, two climbs one from the start and one back up to the ridge,

The start line introductions, were musing, " a local farmer has released his young bullocks just to keep us on his toes' " four wire fences have been errected since yesterday morning" and " if you see a National Trust Warden please salute them is the correct manner" all added to the proceeding of the day.



Not a great start, but pushed up the first hill, which was broken by two stops, due to stiles. As you make your way up the Castle the views just open out and you run along the ridge to the descent, a small road section, then the climb back through the woods, all in all a nice little test. Far to short for me, as i really am not made for fast and short,

From looking at the results 81st 1hr 6 mins and 23 seconds can't complain at that.

Richard had a great run, some 4 mins ahead from memory.

Bob Graham Training Update.

Bob Graham Training Update for Last Week.

Mon - Rest Day - 12 mile Bike Ride
Tues - Sunny Hill Hill Reps x 14 8m/3212ft
Wed - Rest Day - 12 mile Bike Ride
Thurs - Sunny Hill Hill Reps x 14 8m/3212ft
Fri - Chevin Fell Race Route x 2 8.45 m/2454ft
Sat - Thorpe Cloud - 14m/5325ft
Sun - Mow Cop Fell Race - 6.25m 1250 ft

Totals for the week 44m / 15,453 ft

And on Monday it all starts again.

Sad News

Yesterday I heard the sad sad news that Stuart Learmouth a great Fell Running Friend and Fellow Dark Peak Fell Runner sadly lost his battle with Cancer on Monday night. Stuart a loving Husband and Father to Kate and Marnie was a true gent, which is something that you don’t often come across nowadays!

I am sure I can say this for all of his running friends, you will be sadly missed Stuart. Rest assured the promise that we made each other at the Burbage Skyline Race (pictured above in 2010) regarding our Bob Graham Round attempts, I will endeavor to keep for both of us "keep on searching".

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!

Mount Famine - Catagory 'A" Fell Race

I have been training quite hard over the last four/five weekends, racing, upping and generally being out on the fells, so i decided to make my way to Hayfield to have crack at the one race i have heard so much about.

Realised i had left the Garmin at home, so nothing to push me on, when i need a push.

Especially the start!



After last min dash from Derby to Hayfield, i arrived at the scout hut, with mu £4 at the ready, seeing some usual faces and friends made the trip worth while.

A little bit of a map review and a 5 min trot to the start, which seemed a little narrow, i soon realised that the race went sideways from the path, form a line facing up the hill and off, up Elle Bank and what a scramble, the chat soon stopped and was replaced with lung busting breath after lung busting breath.

On reaching the top, and undulating trot before a drop into the woods, sharp right and then up onto the ridge and towards Mount Famine, some ups and some downs then a real sharp push up onto South Head.



The first 1.51 miles of the race covers 984ft of climbing...... ouch!



After the drop off South Head, which at this stage i thought i was last, really finding it hard to get the legs going fast enough on the ups, having enough to catch folks on the downs, but the last major climb back onto Mount Famine, taking in bits of Dimpus Clough (picture above) was a real digging in session.

The ridge and drop back to the path for the trot along the road, similar to the finish of the Kinder Downfall, cross the bridge and onto the park.

Felt like i had pushed hard, had a really good session, unsure of time and placing due to no garmin and not having a clue how many runners were in front. But even though it was Solid, enjoyed it, in a strange way!

Results have been published today - Finished 109/116 in 1hr 17min 27 seconds!

That's the MOUNT FAMINE (5m/1850') - Saturday, 14th May 2011 - 11:00am - A/S

It's also pushed me up to 32 in the Dark Peak local league.

Burbage Skyline 5.75m/1200ft

After a really tough couple of days working i decided to make the dash from Derby to the Fox House Inn for this annual event,

After last years 300 plus runners i thought i best get on my way a little earlier, but true to form, it was last min as always,


*Higger Tor - Image from Derbyshire Images

The journey seemed to take ages, just like going on holiday as a kid, are we nearly there yet, on the way then, when you come home it seems to fly by!


*Mother Cap - Images from Derbyshire Images

As i made my way down the road, after parking what seemed like a mile away, i wrote my entry out and queued up, only to find no numbers, after lots of dashing around the numbers arrived and the registration continued,

Loads of regular faces, Stephen Burt, Simon Goldsmith, Daz H, and a huge number of Dark Peakers!


*Getting on with it down the "plummet"

The race started with the little trot up before turning left at the flag and the drop to the stream crossing, with such a large field, it helps me, as i don't go off to quickly and burn up, something that i have a tendency to do, looking ahead i could see the leaders upping the mound, to go around toward to climb up Mother Cap, when i reached this point i had really been taking it easy, a route across the heather, meant that the pace dropped to a walk, due to the numbers.


*Upper Burbage Bride

I had noticed that i seemed to be in different company, not run around these faces before, but then thought nothing of it, the short climb up "Mother Cap", seemed to come and go, and after reaching the top i had some juice left in the tank, so just kept trotting on (from last year i think this climb knocked me for six, as i had started to fast).

The trot across and drop down before the climb to "Higger Tor" i really enjoyed, keeping pace with the runners around me, and also taking a few, reaching the start of the Higger climb, i felt strong and trotted until the fast walk took over, digging in, i reached the top and passed two or three folks, who had nothing left, the trot to the "Plummet" seemed shorter,

I love the Plummet, and flew down this passing a couple more runners, and this added to my adrenalin, the woods and short climb to "Upper Burbage Bridge" was tougher, got my line wrong for the river crossing and took my full weight on my left leg on the jump across, mis judged the jump, ouch, i thought i had dislocated my hip, it made me feel physically sick.

The push up onto the ridge flet better and i just kept my head down, through the technical bits and then for the drop onto the path, not as boggy as last year from memory, remember it being quite tricky! I do like the ridge running, bolder hopping bit, but find it saps the energy out of my legs still!

The longish, drain of the path to the finish and i was catching Michael Arundale, but he pipped me by 1 second!

I finished in 278th time of 1hr and 51 seconds, and from last years time of 1hr 8 mins something i am chuffed with that, even though we had a small route change.

Cliff Top - Trig Point TP2226 - #15

Cliff Top - Trig Point TP2226 - #15

I have set myself a target of 40 Trig Points in 2011.
Parked opposite the Pub in Swinscoe, and nipped over the 5 bar gate and up the hill to this one, easy really!

Madge Hill - Trig Point TP4600 - #13

Madge Hill - Trig Point TP4600 - #13

I have set myself a target of 40 Trig Points in 2011.
Love the trot up to this one from Agnesmeadow Bridge, as you reach the Green Lane, the going
can get tough, as it really does get some 4 x 4 hammer!

Milk Hill Trig Point TP4823 - #14

Milk Hill Trig Point TP4823 - #14

I have set myself a target of 40 Trig Points in 2011.

A new one for me this one, not to difficult to find or get bagged!

Hough Park Trig Point TP4037 - #12

Hough Park Trig Point TP4037 - #12

I have set myself a target of 40 Trig Points in 2011.

I always like a trot up to this one, from Hulland Village, its approx 25 mins out and back, found it really hard to find on my first ever visit to this one, and it seems to be getting even more overgrown!

The Mountain - Trig Point TP6409 - #11

The Mountain - Trig Point TP6409 - #11

I have set myself a target of 40 Trig Points in 2011.

A great little trot for this one, a have been to this before, but each time i have been the views are so different!

Alport Heights - Trig Point TP0829 - #10

Alport Heights - Trig Point TP0829 - #10

I have set myself a target of 40 Trig Points in 2011.

The day after i had covered legs 1 and 2 of the Bob Graham i got the map out and
planned a few trigs, this was the first of 6 on the day.