Big Blen & Again

I had planned to do leg 1 today, but couldnt get out till lunchtime so opted to do Blencathra, twice. I ran up from Scales without stopping to walk then up and over the top and down blease fell, touched the tarmac on the road to the centre and ran back up to the top and back down to Scales.
People thought I was bonkers and so did I when on the way down blease fell, I knew each easy step downhill , was probably 2 hard steps back up hill.

The weather was good though, brilliant clear skies although quite cold in the Northerly winds.

All in all a good training session in quite a quick time - 4000ft in 2hrs 25 min. I think this will form my Tue/Thurs sessions as and when the nigts draw out a bit. Sat'days will be training on the course.

Finally I feel like the proper training has started with 118 days to go.

Move Over Ladies

Had a good weekend with some good mileage and climbing around leg 4. Yewbarrow holds no fears now (ask me after 16 hrs/40 miles or so).

I went to see David Stone on Tuesday who gave me a right good massage on my lower back & pelvis area. I came out of there feeling great, supple & energetic. As a fellow fell runner & having completed the BG back in the early 80's, Dave is ideal to seek advice from on keeping fit & injury free. He pointed out the obvious, when he explained that stiff muscles require more energy to make them move. Therefore if we are supple with loose muscles then we use less energy to cover the same distance in the same time. In essence a supple body can run more efficiently which means, with the addition of stretching exercises in a fitness regime, improvements in times/results can be achieved without extra mileage. Off the back of this I have planned to start doing Pilates on Friday nights. So move over ladies, there's a new kid with a mat.

Oh BTW I am definitley becoming middle aged. I have been asked to become a school governer. I can't actually believe that I am no longer the bad boy rebel type, but a school governer. I had better go out & buy a nice cardigan, pipe & slippers......................................................

Bad Back - Good Crack

Fixed my back whike stretching on the gym ball. There was this loud crack and hey presto, I was jumping about like a "gert salmon" . It still aches a little but is a lot better as it is no longer affecting my running. I am still going to the massage joint on Tues next week though to get looked at. Thats remedial massage not some backstreet dodgy one, (not that there are any round Penrith).

Training this week has mainly consisted of my usual runs into and around town, up and down the New Streets and back home. I have supplemented these with sessions in the gym on the bike. I have discovered a "reet gud" interval setting on the bike which gives my legs a burn after an hour.

Work has been weird since closing down last Friday. I have been asked about a job in Barrow but am a bit reluctant due to the travelling affecting both my family life and my training. I guess bread on the table is whats most important though.

If the weather holds up I intend to get out very early on Sat morning and get some big mileage in probably on the BGR route. Hopefully the glass back will hold up

133 Days - Bad Day & Bad Back

Today hasnt been a good day.

My business has gone into liquidation and to cap it off I have hurt my back today. The recession has finally nailed the coffin shut on my business and 12 jobs. Its been very hard the last 18 months and has been a major pressure in my life. Running has helped me get away from that pressure. I do feel a huge weight off my shoulders right now.
As part of the shut down I had to collect a digger from a site near Bury and have pulled my back quite bad when trying to move the trailer by hand. I hurt my back when playing rugby many years ago, and it feels like the same injury. There is a lateral shift in my lower spine which means that there is a visible twist when looking in a mirror. I can't remember if it is something that "pops" back in quickly or takes ages to put right.

Dont think I will be able to run tomorrow even thought the thaw is setting in so will probably go to gym and sit on exercise bike.

With only 133 days to go I really dont need a break from training but I am sure that it will be ok.

Oh and the goldfish died last night (5 yrs old) ...................

Miles Behind. Literally........- 20 weeks to go

I am just not getting enough miles/climb in. There are a number of reasons including work, weather & wife.
(sorry Rach but it should really say family commitments but the words starting with "w" fit well together.

I have managed to get a few smaller runs in this week - 7 to 8 milers but no real climbing. In my training programme I had planned to do 2 legs together this weekend but the weather and work comittments have put pay to that. Planning to get out for 3-4 hours on Sat morning then out for a quick 1 hr run on Sunday sometime.

Am sure this cold snap can't go on forever so will catch up then.

Still off the drink despite immense pressure at work. I know it will be worth it.

147 Days to go- Happy New Year

Enjoyed Nine Standards today- 6th out of about 70 so quiet chuffed. Worked hard to keep up with Stu Stod but struggled in deep snow at top. Enjoyed down hill although a little sketchy.

Had an epic on Wed, getting lost in blizzard conditions on back of Blencathra- Basic complacency meant that we got lost for 50 mins. Lessons have been learned.

Looks like snow is going to hang around so will have to be careful.

Looks like I am going ot re-join my local running club- Eden Runners. Am bored with being unattached. Have thought long and hard about which club to join as Eden aren't a big fell club but my loyalties to my home town are strong. Maybe they/we can become strong on the fell if a few more local runners were actually representing their home club. Will see.