Training Log Archive: RHF

Lake District Mountain Trial Medium 2nd +40mins!

A race I've wanted to do for years and not been able to do or not wanted to travel up for. Went I found out I could head up, was unsure of my fitness levels and whether I could get round or wanted to do it. Last minute saw Jane was heading up so could get a lift one way and Matt was still keen for a fell running weekend. Didn't really have any time to train for this and wanted to get out in the days before the race.

Felt a bit nervous on the morning, unsure of how it would go and the forecast was for deteriorating conditions. Plan was for some food every 45 mins or so which didn't quite work out. Saw Matt off and then got rid of a bit of kit from my bag. Could see a lot of people going up the Band which seemed like the best option for 1. Settled into the climb, trying to check out the course and make plans but also keep steadily climbing. Hard to know how to pace it, didn't want to go too fast and be far slower ascending later. Rough contour round the back of Bowfell but picked a few people off. Took it steady ish, it was a bit rocky and slippy in places. The slope the control was bigger than expected. Original plan was to contour higher up the valley and drop into the control but ended up descending and climbing into it.

Then some downhill controls, could've been more tricky in poor visibility. Didn't always get the best line and a bit slow in bracken or in rocky sections. Tightened my shoes a couple of times as they got wet and felt loose when descending. Navigation was good through this section. Would like to be reading the map more while running and have a better appreciation of distance and size.

Long leg route choice, thought I'd cut across to the end of hardknott to the pass and then diagonally uphill. Think it would've been better to do a bit more on the path and go higher like Zoe did. Didn't see anyone for the first half of the route, a bit marshy in places and the drop to the river was steep, brackeny and then rocky river crossing. Saw everyone else heading up the path, then diagonally up. Fell into rhythm with two other guys, I lead most of the line up and we were moving okay. Legs a bit tired. At the top, the guy who had gone into the front, hesitated but I had a plan so lead it down. A small miss on the control, overshooting slightly but then spotted the radio control mast. Started to feel some cramp, especially in my right groin (quite painful!) Alright contouring round Pike o Blisco, slightly lower than planned. A bit hesitant through here and to the river crossing control, but did hit it okay.

Steep descent to the bridge, the grass was a bit damp and I was slipping quite a bit. Went down a couple of times (nothing major but a little bruised), tried to just keep descending. Could feel the cramp building and the long run in was on the edge of cramping up the whole way. Think I ate 1 nakd bar, 1 cereal bar, 1 Clif bar and some jelly babies, probably should've had more. Drinking from streams as I went.

Finished 2nd overall and 1st male. Very happy with the result and in general just getting round. Didn't know if I could do it and have struggled to walk up stairs at times this summer (probably have Lyme's disease again, seeing the GP Thurs). Satisfying to be fit enough to get round and competent enough to do it. Would like to do some more events like this and one day do the Classic.

Black Fell and Holme Fell with Abi

Nice catch up with Abi, not seen her for a few years. Took in two smaller Wainwrights (both about 320m). Sections felt a bit like orienteering (both areas are mapped) and it was a really chilled run. At one point, ran a bit of the course of an ultra. Descending Holme we got dragged off line, descended too far and missed the path. Got to the quarry and realised we'd gone too far! Didn't want a rest day pre race as I wanted to enjoy the Lakes. Quick wash off in the stream then post run cake at Chester's, definitely will go back there.

Crinkle Crags, Cold Pike, Pike o Blisco, Lingmoor Fell
Straight up the Band and then over the tops, Crinkle Crags was surprisingly rough. Feeling alright after yesterday, had been a bit worried about my fitness levels before hand. Followed the trod off Crinkle Crags and ended up above the Bad Step, there were people attempting to come up it and looking unsure so we skirted around on the steep slope. Had a bit of rest before Cold Pike and enjoyed the views. Descending Cold Pike Matt cut his hand so a stop to administer first aid! A lot of blood and the first use of my first aid kit for a long time. Kept moving okay and it was definitely worth running through here, a reccee, new good area and 4 new Wainwrights. A long path descent to Blea pass, tried to flow down a bit more and trick myself into thinking I was better at descending. The ascent of Lingmoor felt a struggle and I hit the wall (again maybe not eating enough/the right stuff? It was warm but had been drinking). Got to the top and we had a discussion about if it was the actual top! Had a sit down and some jelly babies and then perked up. Matt on the descent then started to struggle, mostly long gradual descent into Elterwater.

Grasmere to Ambleside over Fairfield and some other tops
Got the bus from Windermere to Grasmere, then up to Stone Arthur. Started in waterproofs (over a tshirt) and wore them all day. A little bit of doubt about Stone Arthur then continued up the ridge to Fairfield. In the clag the whole way and with worsening rain and wind on the top. Stopped for a bit but got a little cold, saw a walker who didn't seem confident of his nav and had a wet map! Matt led off the top and we continued over Hart and Dove Crags, which were rocky in places. Then over Little Hart Crag, we discussed how much more we wanted to do but it didn't seem worth doing anything else. A poor line off Little Hart Crag before descending Scandale Beck on the path. Ran past a little wood that I helped plant 6 years ago.
Gloves, hat, buff got wet in side pockets before wearing them. Maybe could've eaten a little bit more? I quite enjoy being out in these conditions, didn't see many people!