Half a Bob.

The Bob Graham round is 66 ish miles, 42 tops and 28'000.

As day broke last Sunday morning, and I descended into Langdale I'd done 36 miles 22 tops and 14,000'.

Saturday James kindly drove me up to the Lakes. I was rested, fed, and generally feeling rather good about heading out on a mid winter Bob Graham round.  We arrived just in time to have some supper in a local hostelry, but of course without beer.

 

We'd maybe left it a little tight on time, so I had to be quick to get ready. But there was time for a quick leg massage form Ali before I headed for the Moot Hall.

At the Moot Hall there were lots of people. Along with some of my helpers, and supporting runners were Dave Ward's team. Dave a fellow Pennine runner was setting off at the same time. We must have cut it fine, as apparently we had 3 minutes before our 8pm off. No time for nerves, just as I like it.

Below Steve and Mark, a couple of my leg 2 pacers.

Having not run for a week, I'd feared this first section, as I'd thought my legs would have forgotten how to run. A foundless fear, as one of my pacers said I was running too quickly, when I thought I was jogging. Dave's team were in sight for quite awhile as we headed up Skiddaw's lower flanks, but I made sure I wasn't going to chase them. We were making good progress and thankfully unlike the last two times I'd been up there, the wind was manageable.

Skiddaw was summited with time in hand against schedule. Next a steady jog down into some very damp ground before the climb up to Great Calva. The exact line of the trod to the top proved elusive until we were a fair way up the hill. We weren't the only ones to take an alternative route to the top that evening. As I neared the top Dave's team rolled up a short distance behind.

On the descent Dave's lot were away ahead of us. The River Calva when we reached it was a mellow calf height deep, and in seconds we were across it and on our way towards Mungrisedale Common, and then in turn to Blencathra, though this section seemed to take an eternity. Still, plenty of time in hand.

On Blencathra a few dabs of snow reminded us that this was winter, even though the lack of wind rain and cold seemed to suggest otherwise.

Playing safe we jogged down Doddick Fell. The wind that hadn't really been much of a nuisance briefly reminded me of its presence by whisking my HCtB winter hat from my head before dumping it somewhere near Scales Fell. Sadly I didn't have the time to go and look for it. Hmm a bit of a niggle in my right knee.

Down at Threlkeld I ate, changed head torch batteries and had my legs massaged again.

Leg 2 a trudge through bogs and tussocks to gain the slopes of Clough Head. A bit of wind, but not enough that we couldn't hold a conversation and be heard. Good progress through the occasional mist that came and went. Skirting Calfhow Pike we were soon on the Dodds ridge. As we picked them off in the distance we could see lights. Steve and Alan now joined us.

On over the rest of the ridge towards Dollywagon Pike we kept close to schedule, but as we descended each hill my right knee started to hurt more and more.

Years back I'd had some ITB (illiotibial band) problems, but throughout all my recent training had never had more than the tiniest twinge. Not impressed.

Climbing Fairfield was painful, and descending even more so. By the top of Seat Sandal I'd lost a good chunk of time, and by the time I reached Dunmail to the sound of my crews cow bells a good chunk more.

It's hard to describe the emotions I was feeling there, except to say I was definitely emotional. I felt strong, not tired and really wanted this. But my ITB was murdering me. Failure had never been a possibility until now. I was not going to chuck the towel in. Emma and Ali had tea and noodles for me which I devoured.

Ali again looked after my legs gave me a cuddle and Hey Presto I was ready for Leg 3.

Dunmail to Wasdale was the leg I'd thought if I could get through then the rest would go.

I was encouraged by Hanno thinking that the ascent of Steel Fell was a toughie. For me it was a steady effort, and a short one. The knee was not too painful after it's massage, but that didn't last for long.

The next section should have been quick. I managed to run the few flat bits, but the ups and down were slow. Even though I'd been up here a few weeks back, without my GPS I wouldn't have had a clue as to where we were.  Paul (now to be know asThe Seer) without map and compass however knew more or less excatly where we were. Most impressive.

I got time checks as we attained each summit, and as I'd feared, was hemorrhaging time.

Dawn broke accompanied by a chill wind, not giving the usual lifting of spirits that dawn brings. By Thunacar Knott, I was nearly 1:30 down on schedule. Ahead of me some of the biggest roughest climbs of the round.

Not lightly, for sure, but the decision was made. Getting round in 24 hours was not going to happen. Paul made the call to James to let everyone else know what was happening.

The drop down to Langdale if I was fit would have taken 15 minutes tops, on the day probably closer to an hour aided by my walking poles which I'd picked up at Dunmail to take the pressure of my knee.

Down at the New Dungeon Ghyll we were greeted by Jenn with tea coffee, and gingerbread biscuits. Yeah. Some walkers commented on how gauche we were having tea and coffee before we set off on our walk. I said "Start? I've just finished, and started from Keswick". I don't think they believed me.

Back at Keswick were Ann and the kids. It was great to see them. We adjourned to a cafe where Emma, Ali and James joined us for breakfast. I ate, chatted, and shortly after was struggling to stay awake.

So, as I finish writing this a couple of days after the end, my current reflective thoughts.

A winter round is a toughie. You have to love the night. I'd trained in the dark and being able to cover rough ground quickly by torchlight is essential. When I was not hobbling, I was on, or ahead of pace, so I feel that part of things was good. I ate reasonably well, and at one stage I probably ate a bit too much which my stomach didn't like. The logistics of the round went well. Having a number of helpers on the ground proved useful on a couple of occasions. I see no reason why I wouldn't have got round if my knee hadn't flared up.

I am indebted to a number of people who haven't been named here, but they have been thanked in person. I certainly wouldn't have got as far as I did without them.

Will there be another attempt at the round? Indeed there will. I'm going to find a nice day in the summer when my knee is fixed and do the round with some friends and have a few beers afterwards.

Next Winter though I'll be back. The Lake District is a special place as you all know, but having it to yourself and a few mates in the dark is something else.

PS. Congratulations to Dave Ward, 23:02 for his round. :)

Saturday Nights Alright For Fighting.

Well a less than ideal forecast for an 8pm start on Saturday, but there you go.

Other forecasts say that we start of windy, and as Saturday night continues the winds abate.
Sunday day is meant to be quite pleasant, before the winds, and hey some rain on Sunday night.

Gear packed, some food to buy tomorrow.

Ready, steady......

BGR training done, now Weatherwatch...

Happy New Year!

My training is now done and dusted for my winter Bob Graham round.

I started keeping a training diary at the beginning of October 2011, and my totals to the end of December are 470 miles run with 114,805' of ascent and descent.

That's not far off the usual recommendations of 40 miles a week and 10,000 of hills. I've never run so much over such a period of time, and as the weeks have gone by, I've found I've enjoyed running more and more.

One thing is for sure, is that post BG I'll try and keep at it. Already I have my eye on some other longer events.

A few days of rest now and weather permitting I'll be leaving the Moot Hall in Keswick at 8pm on the 6th of January.

I've set up a twitter feed for my helpers to add updates enroute if you're interested. @RichpipsBGR

A Date in Winter.

I feel I've done enough training now for my Bob Graham round. 3 months of high miles, and big ascents, building on the rest of the years base miles.

So, the 6th/7th of January I shall be leaving the Moot Hall at 8pm.
Darkness for legs 1 + 2 and as far as Rossett Crag. From there the most technical ground will traversed in daylight, before dusk again falls at Honister Pass. Leg 5 back to Keswick again in the dark. All this based on a 23 hour schedule.

I'm feeling strong and confident.

Having written all that, I will be at the mercy of the weather and ground conditions. A much faster runner than me, Nick Clark is currently on his own winter round. Early expectations were of a sub 20 hour round. The most recent time check is that he's well down on the 24 hour time limit after leg 2. Rain, low visibility, and deep snow aren't helping. My fingers are crossed for him.

Let's hope the Lakeland Fells and weather play nice in January.

Bob Graham Training 2011 for a Winter Round.

Just over a year ago I started training for the Bob Graham.

Unfortunately the training ended about a month later.

Too much too soon, seemed to be the cause of it. I'd read of building run mileages up slowly, but I guess I thought this didn't refer to me.

I did try a come back of sorts but my aspirations for 2010 as written elsewhere on here fizzled out. Looking back now, this has been a good thing.

I kept at the running, didn't fret about the mileage or ascent, and in so doing built a solid base from which to work from.

I trained hard as well for the Three Peaks Cyclo-Cross. With lots of time spent on the bike which seems to have transferred well to running up hills.

So after the Peaks I tentatively decided to keep training with half an eye on the BG again.

I've concentrated on my running technique, I'm now a fore/mid foot runner, and the knee problems that have plagued me in the past, are a distant memory.

I've worked on a week of hard work, followed by an easier one to allow recovery. Though throughout making sure I get as much hill work in, even if the mileage is low.

There have been some long runs, and some proper long rough ones.

I've been practicing eating on the move, and gorged myself in cafes on the way round, all good.

This last week has been my biggest so far, and a sort of tester to reassure myself that all is going to plan.

64 miles and 9000' on the fixie with lots of hard efforts.

60 miles and 19,200' run including a 9 1/2 hour day.

Felt pretty good throughout really, though a couple of little niggles started to appear towards the end of the week. Though these don't seem to be developing in to show stoppers. Anway, an easy week this one.

So I'm fit enough I reckon to give the Bob Graham round a good go.

Plans are afoot for a winter round if the weather plays nice.

More soon.

School Run #1

 Putting ones proposed plans on the internet is good if you need a reminder, or a little nudge, but is not so good if you have a change of mind. Writing this a couple of days ago commited me to going for a long run yesterday. Basically drop kids at school, go for long run, pick kids up after school. Which would have been fine if I, a) woke up with more than fifteen minutes to get ready and be out of the door, and b) hadn't got a bit of a hangover. I could have so easily opted for a less stressful start to the day.

I rushed a gulp of tea, and a couple of rounds of toast down me whilst collecting together the stuff I'd fortunately organised the preceding evening. Less than ten minutes to get to school, means we'll be riding there and quickly. Kids delivered to school on time, bike dumped in the school bike shed, and I'm away.

I'd been rushing that much that I ran off on autopilot, not going the exact way I had planned. Soon to be rectified with a slight change of direction. The next part of the route I knew well, and it wasn't until past the Brown Knoll trig, that I covered some new to me ground. The sun was shining thankfully and the ground was dry, Brown Knoll has little attraction on any other day.

Brown Knoll from South Head.

After the desolation of Brown Knoll, it was back to a sort of civilisation and the kempt ridge path that takes me over Lord's Seat and onto Lose Hill. Lots of folk out walking this part of the route. I say good morning to them all.

Whilst descending Lose Hill, I check my watch and I'm down on my schedule by about ten minutes. I also can't decide what I'm going to have for lunch. I'd like a full English, but can envisage my stomach not being impressed once I start running again. Ten minutes later and I am in the Woodbine Cafe. A pint of coffee in front of me and beans on toast ordered. Map out to see if I can find a bit of time in better route choices, if I'm ten minutes down now, then that would mean maybe twenty minutes down overall, which wouldn't do. I find a solution. Nothing for it but to run the first two and a bit miles on the road, which should give me back a bit of time.

Another cup of coffee before I leave and I'm soon heading up Edale road. I'm making for the YHA en route for Ringing Roger and the Kinder Plateau.

Edale YHA.

After the YHA it is open ground, and the headwind I was expecting began to make itself apparent. Once on the plateau, whilst near the edge the wind near blew me over a couple of times. Thankfully when inland of the edge a bit, the wind's effect was not as intense.

I'm starting to clock watch more intensely now, doing Naismith type calculations in my head whilst trying to keep up my running speed. Unsurprisingly my legs are tiring a bit, so pushing on hurts. At Edale Cross, it's mostly downhill, the time is 15:02. I conclude that it's going to be a close thing getting back to school for 15:20, which I've since worked out would be 3 x 6 minute miles :)

The last thing I want to do at the end of a long run is to start running fast, but that is exactly what I had to do. I lengthened my stride and went for it.  Down the rocky uneven  ankle twisting Edale Road, then onto the unforgiving, no excuse not to really run fast tarmac back into the village and onto school.

I made it some ten minutes late, only to be told off by my kids for keeping them waiting.

25 miles, and 4400', 5 Hours 48 minutes moving.

A really enjoyable day out in the hills.

Plotted, A School Run.

I've quite often got free time during the week after taking the kids to school and before picking them again if I'm not working.

So I've come up with an occasional challenge, which shall be henceforth called the "School Run". The idea is to drop the kids at school at 8:50 and run somewhere, before returning to pick them up at  15:20.

6 1/2 hours should be good for a good few hilly miles. I've done it before on the bike, and it can be quite challenging getting back "just in time".

My first School Run is plotted for tomorrow at 25 miles.  From here over to the Woodbine Cafe for lunch and then back again. Weather is looking bang on.