Training Log Archive: RHF

Whinlatter parkrun tailwalking
The hilliest parkrun in the country pre fell race. Wanted to save the legs a bit but didn't want to miss the opportunity to do it. Tailwalking worked well, got to meet the local team and admire the views of the Lakes. Had a walkie talkie and they informed me someone had started half an hour later! There's a small loop after halfway so I did that and then waited for the late comer. Nicole had found him on her cool down and was being the new tailwalker! I waited in the sun before finishing with them, definitely my slowest ever parkrun! Met Howard who was marshalling and also doing the fell race, so I got some advice and offered him a lift. Definitely quite a hilly parkrun!

Buttermere Sailbeck 69/134
My first fell race! Wow that was tough. Hadn't quite fueled properly after parkrun and my stomach felt a bit upset. The cereal bars were too heavy and think the gel didn't help (also had issues at the JK). Took 250ml of water and could really feel the heat. Should've eaten something between breakfast and racing and also try to figure out what fuel I should take on during long races. Had been quite casual at Whinlatter, then got a bit panicked due to the traffic and difficulty finding parkrun. On hindsight, should've got to the race a bit earlier.

Both long ascents were so tough! Felt okay on the jog out to the hill, settled in and tried not to worry too much. Calves definitely burning when going up. Quite a few people were going past, the downhill was okay but people were bombing it faster than me (narrow track in heather, slightly loose underfoot). Then the drag up to Causey Pike, as expected it seemed to go on forever. Tried to just keep moving. Felt quite hot. Once up I didn't have much left in my legs to keep going, they felt like jelly and could barely pick up a jog. Undulating ridge along to Eel crag, took the zig zag line up Sail as I wanted it a bit easier going (not quite as fast as straight and most people were moving better than me).

Off the top of Eel crag, diagonal fast line past Wandope testing the shoes. They did feel loose so stopped to tight them. Definitely felt the right decision when it got to the steep bit. Down to Whiteless Pike where Nicole had found a good spectating. Some advice on the racing line, rather than off the rocky top. Fast steep descent down to Buttermere. Not sure I quite got the best line near the bottom but kept trying to go. Legs had felt some twinges of cramp on Whiteless and by the end they felt pretty cramped up. Overtook a few on the descent and didn't get overtaken.

Happy with how I did :) definitely could've been a bit faster, if I had rested more and fuelled properly. Could've dug in more at times but the main goal was to enjoy it. Really nice after sitting in the sun outside the cafe and enjoying an icecream. Legs pretty achey and sore now! Some time to recover, then back to some racing and training and deciding what next.

High Crag, Haystacks and Fleetwith Pike from Gatesgarth
Plan was to have a slightly easier day before the fell race, weather looked good first thing so we headed over the pass to Buttermere. Unfortunately the weather looked worse over the route we'd planned rather than the North Western fells in sunshine and blue skies! Decided to go up High Crag first, this meant a steeper off path line then a real slog to the summit (some of it quite loose). This extension took ages and took it out of us, on hindsight shouldn't have bothered. In future, will work out how much distance and,ascent extra things like this will be! Then down and over Haystacks, a bit scrambly up it and in general a lot rockier than I remembered. Then decided to have lunch at the Dubs Hut bothy. Took us longer than expected to get there which meant a late lunch. It started raining so was nice to be sheltered and get warm again. Nicole had brought hot chocolate which helped, should remember that on cold days. Then up to Fleetwith Pike through some of the mine workings. Long descent down the ridge line to Gatesgarth farm. Really great views over the valley. A good day out but longer than we expected and should've not bothered with High Crag! Legs feel okay enough but a bit tired. Feet a bit sore

Patterdale loop onto High Street
Plan arranged last night to meet up with Tamsin for a walk. Had been a bit unsure of plans after yesterday's conditions and how we coped with it. It was drizzly on the drive over and there was snow on the tops. Sorted a route that allowed some flexibility, onto Angletarn Pikes and Brock Crags with the option of extending onto High Street. Set off in full waterproofs again, but t-shirt and long sleeve base layer rather than jumper. On the first two tops, it felt quite windy and cold when stopped but we kept moving. Felt on the edge of cold but the conditions didn't seem too bad. Had a lunch break by a wall and discussed a plan, everyone felt okay so we headed on. Up to the Knott then on the Roman road to High Street and Thornthwaite Crag. Snowing and snow lying on the ground on the top. Hadn't expected to see snow before the holiday! Coped better with the conditions today, more proactive with layers and gloves.

Grey Knotts and Brandreth from Seathwaite
Windy and drizzly rain, sat in the car not necessarily fancying it. Put on full waterproofs and set off, conditions not as bad as it seemed and soon too hot for my jumper. Really cool hanging valley above Seathwaite after ascending Sour Milk Gill (a little scrambly in places). Bit of a negotiation around the stream and some boulders before ascending the ridge. This felt a bit of a climb then got onto the ridge, quite cold and wet on top. Nicole started to slow down and I wanted to keep moving quickly, was on the edge of being too cold. Stopped to put another layer and thicker gloves on which definitely helped. After that felt okay in the conditions. Nicole wasn't enjoying life so we discussed a plan and descended from the pass after Brandreth. I wish I'd brought more gloves (one thin and one thick) and need to try to be a bit better at preempting the temperature and conditions (maybe should've worn an extra layer for the descent).

Outerside and Barrow fell run
From the cottage door, weather forecast not so great so decided on a different day after two long days of walking. First section steep then a gradual miners track up to Outerside. Couldn't quite imagine racing in the fells and could definitely feel my legs working. A bit rough descending Outerside then an easier run over to Barrow. The ridge descent of Barrow was pretty decent, especially the lower section which was really grassy and runnable. Then a jog back along Newlands beck to Stair.

North Western fells from Rannerdale
A really good day out exploring the North Western fells. Walk along the road before the long ascent up Whin Ben onto Whiteside. This felt like a tough climb. Then along the ridge to Hopegill Head, quite a few younger people on the summit. Quieter than yesterday and also felt higher. Nice lunch spot overlooking Coledale then up a nice off path line exploring onto Grasmoor. Down and up to Eel Crag and Nicole fancied bagging Sail as it looked close. I'd already been but agreed to go (what have I unleashed!) The descent was a lot worse than we'd expected but on the way back we stopped at the pass and had a really nice lie in the sun. It felt warm and was a lovely break. Descending over Wandope and down the ridge to Whiteless Pike, sussing out the lines a bit for the fell race. It felt a long time descending! Then over Rannerdale Knotts, both of us flagging a bit by this point so stopped for a rest. Then a steep descent down the northern side to see the bluebells. They were pretty incredible and really good to see. It started to hail so a quick jog back to the car!