Changing some kit

One of the side effects of helping out with the Dragon's Back race was to help me grasp how much outdoor kit had moved on in the last 10 years. So I am slowly sending some of the older stuff off to the school clothes bank and replacing it were and when I find stuff at a reasonable price.

Sportpursuit.co.uk has UnderAmour at a reasonable price a few weeks ago, so off some of my now quite smelly Helly thermals went and I bought a Coldgear Compression Team Mock.

I have used it for doing some work(wood chopping) outside yesterday and today, I also went for a run in it this evening, so some initial thoughts.

• It is slightly itchy when you 1st put it on but that soon goes
• When the UnderAmour is wet and put under just a Goretex jacket, the jacket seems to suck the heat out. Put a thin layer between the 2 and you don't get chilled very quickly.
• Its probably too warm if you are working hard, even on its own, unless it is minus something or you can use the wind to cool you down.
• I put it under a thin fleece when chopping some wood and that was fine. I came in to the house, took the fleece off and got cold straight away, felt like it sucked heat away unless their was something over it. It really is a base layer and does need something over it like a think fleece.

I would be interested to try the warmer weather version or to try this one in cold weather to see how it performs.

So in short, very good for pacing a Winter Bob Graham, not so good for a run down  the coast and a wet, but not that cold November evening.

However, I need to work on my Abs. It is tight enough fitting to really shows up the lack of them.

Cardington Cracker next weekend. not race fit, but going to run it for fun. Might also see if I can get away with doing the Cordon 3 Peaks Classic which is also a great race.

No momentum

I am enjoying each run, but not getting any training momentum together. This week was not too bad and included 2 x 8 miles over rough ground (1 run was to pick up a tractor and  included a commedy of errors with a return journey driving a tractor that died in the middle of the road after less than 2 miles).

No races planned this month and need back into hill reps which seem to make the most difference of the training I have done in the past.

Rowen's cross-country this week, which is something to look forward to.

Thames Path and Arenig Fawr race

Trying to get back into the swing of regular training and not a great week, but not bad either.

• Monday : 14 miles with rucksack along Thames path from Reading to Streetly in Dark. A fine run it was too. Some parts were not that flat and some of the path does not follow the river (hence wondering round a house estate in the dark where the signs pointed me)
• Tuesday : Rest
• Wednesday : 5 miles on coast path plus some climb
• Thursday :Rest (actually just did not have time)
• Friday : Down to sea and back (2 miles 500ft)
• Saturday : 4 miles coast path plus some climb
• Sunday : Arenig Race, 7 miles and 2K of climb. Not a great time, but had a cracking descent. 51 out of about 75, so OK, but shows that I am not race fit. Did recover very quick if we compared to the state I would have been on after running a similar time in 2008.

Rowen has been selected for the country cross country, very pleased and looking forward to going along to that.

and now for a messages from our sponsor

Mt Bloody Windy

Of course, no company is daft enough to give free kit to a tail end of the mid pack runner like me for their running prowess. However, I am really made up with the kit that we got as helpers for the Dragons Back race. Mr. Berghaus gave us the works. Full set of light weight Gore-tex waterproofs, rucksack, warm jacket, 2 base layers, trousers and race T-shirt.

Total value = lots

So, as I have no other medium to say it

Thank you Mr Berghaus. I very much appreciate getting the kit, it is unbelievably light and keeps out horizontal rain coming at you at 70 mph. Thank you for your support of the race.

Mount Clay

So I find myself with a free weekend in Boston in the North East U.S. I had stuffed the Goretex jacket[I think it is one of these] and the insulated jacket [similar to this] and a base layer [Like this but with a zip ] along with shirts, running shoes and the other rubbish a work trip needs. Previously unaware that New Hampshire had mountains (not been to these parts before), I cobbled enough kits from what I had with me, bought a 1:100,000 trail map and headed to the White Mountains to walk/run a loop of Mt's Washington, Jefferson, Clay and Munro. Mt Washington had a bit of the feel of Snowdon with a train running to the top and people wondering round shivering in T-Shirts as they run between the train and the visitors centre.

Mt Jefferson with random dog

Mt Washington is without doubt the most windy place I have ever been. I understand it was an average day and the winds were 70 mph with horizontal driving rain.  The wind only really got up in the last 50 vertical meters which was odd.

A very good day out, but here is the rub, at home I have kit to deal with such conditions, but as I also had to pack shirts and other work related rubbish for the week which is not light, unless I had known I was going to have a free weekend near mountains, I would not have bothered to pack any of outdoor gear, so would not have made the trip. I had no idea that mountain quality kit could be made so light.

The kit I had with me yesterday was light enough and took up so little room in my luggage, that I just packed it anyway. I would not have made this off the cuff trip in the wilds of New Hampshire without the kind sponsorship by Berghaus of the Dragon's Back and the quality  of kit they gave out to the race helpers.

Inspired by the Dragon

Spent most of last week supporting the Dragon's Back Race and a privilege it was to. I had 3 great runs out, learned that the Black Mountain and the Black Mountains are different, got 1st hand experience that organizing an event of that scale is as much of an effort as running in it and meet some really great new people, both competitors and supporters.

Being involved in this race in any way resets your baseline of what HARD really means and I don't think I still really get what this race involved. Many of the competitors I spoke to said they thought it was the hardest race out there. Around 3/4 of the starters did not finish the whole thing. That should not detract from the achievements of those who did part days in any way, but gives some idea of just how bloody hard it was.

I would never be able to do it, I am not physically or mentally wired in such a way as to be able to do the full event over the 5 days.

I have only admiration for Shane, the race director, lets hope he runs it again before an other 20 years have elapsed. This event more than any I have run in or helped at shows that sport(elite or not) is not just about the Olympics and medals.

It has wetted my appetite to run a Mountain Marathon (2 day type thing) next year. Just need to find a partner of similar running outlook and ability.

Change of course, again

I had plans over the last 3 months to train with the Peris Horseshoe in mind and then step up to a long winter event. Training over the last few months has not gone well or been in any way consistent. I have the running mojo back, that bit of the jigsaw sorted itself out quite some time ago. It is just time. Moving house(no small effort), getting the new place into shape, getting the old one in a position to rent or sell has been hugely time consuming. If improving fitness was measured in arm strength, I would be doing well.

So I won't be doing the Peris this year (again) and anyway I am away with work around that time. However, the thought process has brought me to a different goal. I have done long and hard, the Bob Graham was that journey and a great one, but it is not time to repeat that sort of challenge yet and I just don't have the time to go our and run for 4 hours a couple of times a week at the moment. So I am going to try to get fast. Well, faster at any rate. I am going to work on the 6 to 10 mile AM fell race, see how much I can improve and these are the races I plan to do over the next 6 months. Lets see how the power of commitment and guilt works out.

• Arenig Race
• Ras Robell Fawr
• Cardington Cracker
• Cordon Classic
• Long Mynd Valleys race
• Ras-Y-Aran

I might also add in the Aberystwyth Twin Peaks race.

Part of the rational is if I am going for something like a Paddy in 2013/2014, it would be good to get faster 1st. 

The Tarrens : Corris to Aberdoevy

Last weekend, prompted by my good lady sister in law's wish to visit the Craft centre in Corris and the small peoples wish to ride on a donkey, a plan was hatched for them to do as they wished and me to get a lift to run the line of hills from Corris to Aberdovey which I had admired many times from the south.

While I did not quite run the whole length as planned (my taxi service ran out of patience), we did get as far as Happy Valley, but it is a cracking run, about 14 miles. The line was


View Untitled in a larger map

1st 1/2 was either very rough, either bog, heather, rough forest or very steep grass which her ladyship is perfectly suited to. 2nd half was fast and very enjoyable running, but Mist was a bit tired over the last section. We saw no one all afternoon, except the same can't be said of the top of Snowdon.

Dog + a pile of stones

Looking towards Bearded Lake

Looking towards Cader Idris

See, no people

In short, lots more to explore up in this range, some great running and some of the best views in Wales.

back now with a goal

So after 6 months of getting a house ready to move out of and to move into a new one, we are back running again. Now situated on the Ceredigion (or All Wales) coast path, there is lots of scope for longer run outs with plenty of hill and with a gently sloping field which is ideal for doing speed work in.


I did the half Peris course yesterday late afternoon. Quite slow, but it was very hot and I had a few work phone calls to deal with on route. Sorted out a few lines. I had intended to do the whole Peris, but by the time I got to Pen-Y-Pass the heat had taken its toll. Still cracking run and I don't feel that tired today, no aching muscles.


So my only running goal for the next few months is a sub 5 hour Peris. I am fit enough to finish, even do a 5.15 at the moment. Getting the next 20 minutes will require a lot of work over the next 6 weeks.

Ras-y_haford and the Leventon Line

After some period of running drought, this was a full on running weekend.

Friday night say 3 or of the 4 (or 5 if you count dog) running at the Hafod masnsion. Kids did a 1 mile races and Dad did the 6 mile trail race. All pleased with our results, but we broke no record. Andrew was the youngest in his class by 2 years (next was his sister) and both did very well. Dad just enjoyed his run and tried in vain to save his legs fro Sunday.

On Sunday supported Helen Skelton who has done a bit of running before as is shown here for the last 2 legs of the Leventon Line which runs from Llangothlen to Barmouth., about 50 miles and 12,000ft of climb.

Well done Helen, an excellent time at around 15.30 and a good fun day. I had to work very hard to keep up on the section across the last 3 tops and got left for dust once we got to the road. Still, did me a lot of good and hound enjoyed it. Great bunch of people and yes, I did leave the box with most of my gear outside the house, been a lot going on in the world of the king family of late, but still the pinnacle of cluelessness. Thanks to Andy for sorting me out with gear.

Charlie has some photo's here.

Caz the Hat does the Merri

Looking North towards Arenig Fawr

I meet Carwyn about 3 weeks before while supporting a Paddy and knew he was going to have a go at the Meirionnydd Round which had only had 1 sub-24 hour completion by Yannis in 1998.  Being quite local, this was an event I wanted to be part of.

I helped support leg 4 over Arenig Fawr and Rhobell Fawr. I would guess it was about 15 miles and maybe 4000ft of climb in total. However, both Bill Williamson (no mean runner of rounds himself) and I thought this leg was at least as hard as leg 3 of a BGR. There are long sections of boggy heather with no defined path and some forest. The much of the last 2 miles of descent was just heather and bog with little or no path. At least BGR plus 2 hours, no well warn paths here, this is real adventure country.

The story of the Round is for Caz to tell and he very much deserves to tell it. 23.31 was a great achievement given the challenge and the heat. He worked very hard both on the day and doing a lot of prep. in the months before. A great day with great people.

Lets hope it gets some more attempts, but maybe one of the charms of the area is that it won't get too many.

Looking forward to supporting a Leventons Line (yes, a new one on me as well) and a Paddy over the next few weeks.

Caz and hat with Moel Llyfant in background

From Moel Llyfnant toward Arenig Fawr

Now quite a Paddy

Paced some (about 1/2 the Moel Hebog leg) of a Paddy Buckley last night. Weather was fantastic(though cold when the sun went down) and was about 30 seconds too slow to get a picture of  Brocken spectre from the top of Moel Hebog. I was looking forward to the Snowdon section as well, but it was not to be. Family King decamped to camp in a great little camp site in Llanberis, so fun had by all.

The story of Keen's not quite a Paddy is his to tell. Great effort and achievement none the less.

Previous Sunday I did a early circuit of Cader Idirs with my running friend Richard who was a Cader Idris virgin. Cracking morning all round.

A firm reminder I need to start training again

I have run the Moelwyn race in 2008 and 2009. I remember being wasted after it both times, but really enjoying the descents.

I have not run much since August, so today outing was a firm reminder that I need to get back into some more serious training, in particular steep hill reps.

The race is put on by the community of Blaenau Ffestiniog and it is by my measure by far the best community run race I have been to. Soup, tea and cakes and just the general enthusiasm and friendly nature of the people and the marshals makes it a special race for me.

I did not have a great race, but quite enjoyed most of it.  Usual pattern of loosing places on the flat and gentle up hills. Slowly gaining places on the steep up hill and making lots of places going downhill.
1st for me was having to stop for 3 or 4 minutes with cramp just on the descent of Moelwyn Fach. Every runner stopped to ask if I was OK, 2 marshals came across and then made a joke that I was not going to push a rock over (I was using it to stretch against - you had to be there). Cramp cleared on the descent, but came back when I really pushed it on the flat sections towards the end. Maybe a pack of sodium, potassium, etc, maybe a lack of fitness. By the end of the race, places did not matter, but the race severed its purpose, I enjoyed most of it except the cramp and proved to I need to train far more aggressively that I was.

1 thing that was very different for 2008 and 2009 was my speed of recovery. I could have run it again if I really had to today (would not have been happy about it and would have been slow, but I could have). I remember being wiped out after the race 2 and 3 years ago and today was not. Guess we are starting again from a much higher base of endurance, though I do find going hard on gentle hills wipes me out. Time for some serious hill training.

Captin Blacketts BGR

Andy's BGR story is Andy's to tell, so read it here. Very pleased for him and he put himself through it from Pillar to the end. Suffering and sacrifice on the last 2 legs is what makes a BGR memorable and Andy did his share of both to his credit. It is not meant to be easy.

I really enjoyed walking over to Moss Trod between Great Gable and Kirk Fell on leg 4 in the moon light, brewing up coffee and hot Jelly(I thought Jim Mann were joking when I 1st heard him suggest that Andy liked liquid jelly) seeing them for 30 seconds and then disappearing again.

Leg 5 required some effort as pacers and Patrick, who I meet for the 1st time, was great company to pace with and we shared the task of getting Andy over the last section. Andy was in his own private hell dimension for most of leg 5, though did crawl out for about 20 minutes around Robinson.
As Fiona (Andy's Wife) coached him along the road at 5.30 in the morning, Patrick and I sat on the bench at Portinscale and pondered if we had any sympathy for Andy as he shuffled down the road, less than a mile from the end. We concluded that while he was clearly suffering, we had no sympathy at all, as it was his choice to do it. Provided he did not do permanent damage to himself,  we were there to get him back to the green door with no excuses. The Bob Graham Round itself plays with your mind while you are a contender, pacers are there to feed and navigate, but also deliver some tough love (figuratively of course) when the self talk gets the better of the runner.

If you are going to do a BGR, there is a lot to learn from pacing leg 5 before your round.

1st BG of the year

Back taped up by physio, but also recovered more than well enough to run now, so I hope to see Andy Blackett wobble into Honister at 1am (he is going clockwise with a 6am start) on Sunday morning.

Really looking forward a leg 5  and running into Keswick with him in the small hours of Sunday morning.

going to get the car

After 15 years of company cars, I have bought my 1st car since 1995 (tractors and diggers don't count). Such was the excitement of being able to choose anything, I got exactly the same as I have had for the last 4 years! Something about being 43 I guess where the prospect of buying a car is meet with indifference rather than excitement. Stuff you Top Gear.

However, I got the car from a garage in Aberaeron and rather than getting a lift or talking the bus to pick up the car on Friday, I used it as an excuse to run along the Coast Path from Aberystwth to Aberaeron, about 18 miles with a fair amount of up and down.

I am not as fit as I was 6 months ago. focusing on other stuff and 2 months of being ill mean it took me 4 hours rather than I would have guessed at 3 hours pre BGR 6 months ago. My legs felt the miles after about 12. Still, I am sure the fitness will return quite quick as I get back into longer runs which is getting easier as the evenings get longer, but it is still hard work and this is the 1st big step.

Her ladyship is not as fit as she was 6 months ago either. Still, cracking day and that is really what it is about.

Huff

So 6 weeks of chest infection, then 10 days in India with the obligatory 3 day of sprinting to the toilet, and I am back in the UK and still not able to run. This is getting boring. Hope to make the Tarren Hendre race next weekend, even if I am not that fit.

30@30

30 was a long time ago for me, but I was a little surprised and very pleased to be invited along to Andy Blacketts 30 birthday do where he was going to run 30 peaks across the Ulswater and Helvellin range in just about daylight.

He managed it(along with Jim Mann), despite 70 mile an hour winds.

When Clive is on top form and Andy and Jim has their legs tied together, Clive would still struggle to keep up with them. 6 weeks of chest infection, still coughing, common sense (of a sort) prevailed. 6 set off from Pooley Bridge early. We meet them for soup at the pub at Kirkstone Pass. Jim and Andy carried on from there to finish on Great Dodd where I planned to meet them.

In the morning I wondered up Cat Bells on my own, my 1st Lakeland hill that was not on the Bob Graham Round, shame on me I know. Cat Bells is quite small, but I almost got blown over while sitting down on the top.

In the afternoon I went up Great Dodd and sat in the shelter at the top as the wind blasted past. It was quite wild, but under my little nylon shelter all of me except my feet warmed up nicely. I should have a) worn a new pair of seal skin sock and b) taken a spare pair of socks with me. The SealSkins I had on have been good friends, but taken hell of a hammering, so don't keep your feet warm or dry now, so time to get a few new pairs I think.

About 30 minutes before Jim and Andy were scheduled to arrive my feet got so cold that I felt it wise to go. I tried walking towards Watson Dodd, but got blown back up the hill. Quite annoyed at myself for not taking a spare pair of socks and not being able to wait around for the lads, but going when I did was the right judgment.

Great weekend, nice to catch up with the lads, looking forward to Andy's BG which he looks very much on form to complete in a fast time and I ordered some new SealSkin socks when I got home, a complete weekend!

still coughing up green stuff

4 weeks and counting ......

3 weeks and counting

3 weeks since I have run. Chest infection remains and seems immune to Amoxycilin suggesting perhaps it is viral rather than bacterial. It is feeling a bit better, but no way I can run yet. I think patience is in order for at least a few more days.

Must resolve to use this time out to stretch and do various specific strengthening exercises. As long as I don't get out of breath I won't start coughing.

Very frustrating for me and dog who's behavior changes towards frustration when she had not had a long run for a week or so.