A Tough Day above Wasdale

Todays Bob Graham training run was most of leg 4. Approacing from Seathwaite this meant we have nearly 30kms of rough ground to cover, and the weather forecast was pretty grim!

After an hour we had done the easy bit, over Styhead Pass to Wasdale. 

 Descent into Wasdale

Now came the brutal 600 metre ascent of Yewbarrow, relentlessly steep, almost vertical. We ascended into the clouds, and wind and rain and would stay above 500 metres until the descent back to the start, still 20kms away. The GPS showed us the way very efficiently, map and compass work would have taken up a lot of time as for much of the way we were taking direct routes and were not on obvious footpaths.

With over 1500 metres of climbing already done we had then to tackle Kirk Fell and Great Gable. Saturated ground, gale force winds, loose scree and tiring legs made these feel pretty tough.

It was with relief that we descended out of the cloud and followed the slippery path back down to Seathwaite. We had seen just one other person since leaving wasdale. A good character building day! More images here

Back out of the cloud at last and a view of Seathwaite

Bob Graham Round - Training

The Bob Graham Round is an epic 24 hour - 70 mile fell runners challenge in the Lake District. People have been attempting this circuit (named after the Keswick resident who first did the route) for many years. It is not easy, so far only 1,500 people have done it. I tried it in 1996 and got about 45 miles done before bailing out. 14 years later I'm going to give it another go as it's now or never!

Having built up a good level of general fitness over the last few years and doing an ironman distance triathlon last year (2009) I should have a reasonable chance of success. The

key is lots of long runs in the fells of course so during the first few months of 2010 I am aiming to do two 30km plus runs each week.

The "BGR" can be broken down into 5 legs, each which provide good training options.

Highlights so far are a fantastic day in the North Lakes in alpine like conditions, some long runs in teh little know Bowland Fells near Lancaster, and completing the Haworth Hobble Ultra Marathon race, a 50km plus race in the Pennines. My first attempt at the round this year will be in late May.

Tom.

Stormin' Norman

Monday - 9 miles 59 mins. Furthest run so far and went much quicker than I had been doing. Felt better.

Tuesday - 9 miles 64 mins. Same route as yesterday but slower. Felt awful obviously tired from yesterdays run. At one point an old lady was running for the bus with 2 shopping bags and I swear I was struggling to catch her!

Wednesday - 9.5 miles 63 mins undulating road loop with Iain Twaddle. I'm working in the Northeast for a couple of days staying with Iain who manages the Start Fitness store in Durham. Found this really hard and the plantar fasciitus was a little sore afterwards.

Thursday - 7 miles including track session with Iain. 1k, 3mins rest, 800m, 2:30 rest, 600m, 2mins rest, 400m, 60 secs rest, 300m, 50 secs rest, 200m. Times 2:59, 2:19, 1:44, 66, 46, 30. Just pulled away towards the end of each rep. This really shocked me because I didn't think I would be capable of running anything like these times after such a long time off. This was my first session since the National 6 Stage in early October last year where the pain in my PF became too unbearable. It was quite sore after the session so I do need to be careful.

Friday - 9.5 miles 68 mins on the trails with Iain at 7am before I set off to work in Scotland for a couple of days. My foot was sore after this so I need a rest day tomorrow as I agreed today to run a short leg in the Northern 12 stage relays on Sunday.

Saturday - Rest day. Although slightly worried about my foot because I was on my feet for 12 hours working at the Deerstalker event on the Scottish Borders promoting our new Ronhill Range. I would have loved to have been able to do this it looked like an extremely fun event. Drove back to Manchester at 10pm so a fairly late night.

Sunday - 9 miles including short leg at the Northern 12 Stage relays. 6th Fastest short leg 14:58 for a leg just short of 5k. I would have been happy with anything under 16 today for my first race since early October so I was bewildered with this run. I really thought I was in over 16 min 5k shape after such a long break but I often underestimate how quickly I can come back after injury and how much difference this weeks training made to my fitness. The foot wasn't too bad after the race, which is encouraging.

Total - 53 miles. After a few miles in Benidorm 2 weeks ago and then a 45 mile first full week of training last week this was a big step forward, a successful first session and first race since last October. Also ate fairly well this week and lost a few lbs. Hopefully I can take another step forward the next few weeks and hold the injuries off.

Andy Norman (Ronhill Sales Rep & Altrincham AC)

The Deerstalker!

On Saturday 20th March, The Deerstalker event was held in Traquair on the Scottish borders.  The event is run by Detail Events.... the team who are also responsible for organising the Rat Race events accross the UK.

The 'Mighty' Deerstalker which was the longest of the 2 events on Saturday was advertised as 10k (ish!). Participants would soon find out the length was closer to 10 miles accross hay bales, through water tunnels, up on to the fells, and down steep scree slopes finishing in the pitch black... head torches recommended!

It was a fantastic event with a band and party that went on in a heated marquee until the early hours. With 2000 entrants it was also a great place to showcase the new Ronhill range. Ronhill sales rep Andy enjoyed the event so much he has now comitted to taking part in the Hambledon Horseplay event next week! Another event organised by the same team but this time in Oxfordshire. Here Andy will be once again promoting the new Ronhill range throughout the day with a slight break to get his legs muddy!

Ex-Birmingham Athletes Run 10K

On May 16th 2010 a group of ex Birmingham University athletes from the 1970s will meet up to run 10km together, in memory of a good friend, Angela Deegan (nee Turland) who sadly died last year after a long battle with cancer, aged 51.The run will be at Woodley in Bucks.

 

This is the first time in over 30 years that we will meet up, and although some are in better shape than others, the reason we all met in the first place was running at university. By running together on the 16th May we intend to celebrate the life of Ange and raise as much money as we can for Cancer Research UK.

Angela suffered from malignant melanoma, a type of skin cancer for which there is currently no effective treatment. As an active athlete, coach, teacher and mother she enjoyed life to the full, and we feel it appropriate to run in her memory.

Cancer will affect all of us at some time in our lives, either directly or through a relative or loved one. This disease does not discriminate in anyone’s favour. Angela had a healthy lifestyle, exercised often, ate well, did not smoke and drank moderately.
 If you want to support the Birmingham athletes with a donation it will be much appreciated. www.justgiving.com/mikedeegan

Christine Benning, Martin Benning, David Cowles, Helen Page Clark, Mike Deegan, Lisa Davies, Steve Emson, June Farnorth, Ian Gilmour, Lorraine Griffiths, Jill Clarke Harrison, , Andy Holden, Paula Holden, Mike Kearns, Ian Kiltie, Steve Lawrence, Mike Longthorn, Christine Midgley, Mike Ridout, Paul Rowland, Paul Sanderson and Sarah Sanderson

Trail Blazing!

Over the past 4 decades we have been supplying athletes and amateur runners alike with kit ideal for fell and adventure running. One of the most recognisable is the Trackster!

 

This year we have a designed a complete range of clothing ideal for these events. From featherweight jackets to a range of leg wear and t-shirts, there are plenty of options available to suit your needs. Tell us if there is something you would like to see added to the range!

We have to say the highlight for the Spring Summer 2010 season is the new Microlight Trail Jacket for men (Advance) and women (Aspiration).

 

Made from super lightweight 100% Polyester this jacket has a high standard of wind resistance and water repellence.

The Microlight Trail Jacket features a hood and also packs into its own pocket with belt strap. All this and the jacket only weights 144g! If you get one let us know your feedback.

Stormin' Norman

I have really struggled with injury over the past few months. I tore my calf muscle after attempting to come back from a long lay off to rest the plantar fasciitus. With all the injury problems I have had I became extremely frustrated and decided I was quitting running for good. This was never going to last... I’ve been running since I was 8 years old and it’s all I’ve known. I've just returned from a week’s stag do in Benidorm and I am now going to try and live a healthier lifestyle during my comeback. So here I am on yet another comeback trail.

Monday 8th - 7 miles steady 48 mins in Benidorm. Best I’ve felt since I started running again earlier this week. Last night was a relatively sober one when compared with the other 6 nights of the Holiday.

Tuesday 9th - Rest day. Shattered from travelling after a long last night in Benidorm.

Wednesday 10th - 7.5 miles steady 52 mins back in Manchester. Felt terrible.

Thursday 11th - 7.5 miles 54 mins. The same loop as yesterday but felt even worse. Its going to take a while to regain the fitness and lose the 10 or so lbs I’ve put on during my period of inactivity.

Friday 12th - 8 miles 55 mins. A slightly hilly run today on the trails around Reddish Vale. Really felt this.

Saturday 13th - 7.5 miles 52 mins. Felt a bit better today same loop as Tuesday / Wednesday.

Sunday 14th - 8 miles 53 mins. Felt better still today. I was going to cycle 3 hours as a rest from running but I had to run to collect my car, which I had left in Didsbury last night. My friend announced he was getting married in September and I am to be the best man. There seems to be no break from Weddings and Stag do's this year! I am going to have to let someone down if I am to compete well throughout the summer. At least I have no occasions now until June so I can use the next couple of months to knuckle down and get back in to shape.

Weekly Total - 45.5 miles.

Andy Norman (Ronhill Sales Rep & Altincham AC)