Sunday 19 October. A good bad week.

Paul Miller descending to Mardale on a filthy wet day. I love this photo (taken with a phone!)

Despite feeling really crap, mentally and physically this week i did manage a very good training week; 14,500' and some tough road sessions in there too. Thing is tho, i'm gaining, not losing weight. Not working means not stressing all day and not being as active between bouts of exercise. I am eating with my usual appetite, but i think i'm going to have to lay off the crisps and hummus!

I'm getting fitter though - i have proof! On Monday, i finally broke 1:15 for my 'Moel Famau times two' route. I ran really hard and loved it, apart from going out too fast and throwing up on the way up that first climb. Still got the pb tho! In early august, i did that run in 1:34, and the fastest i did it 2 years ago before my summer BGR was 1:15, so my new time of 1:14:34 was most welcome and proof that i'm getting somewhere.


My Moel Famau times two route

It doesn't mean i'm getting that much closer to getting round the BGR on December 18/19 though. I'm conscious that I still need to find time for some night runs and lots of time on my feet. The night runs will come during November once the OMM is out of the way and the conditions start to become comparable. But i did get a very long and wet day in with Paul on Sunday, which was just what was needed. The good news is that i felt good all day, didn;t push too hard all despite feeling like I was coming down with a cold (which has now materialised - grr).

Despite poor weather all day, Sunday was a real tonic and built well on my training to date. We started in beautiful and quiet Longsleddale at the hamlet (farm really) of Sadgill. Paul's ingenious route took us over Grey Crag, Tarn Crag, Branstree and Harter Fell before dropping to Mardale. Then it was up High Street up Long Stile and down to Hartsop before that desperately steep pull up Hartsop Dodd and Caudale Moor before over to Thornthwaite Crag/Beacon and then over Froswick, Ill Bell and Yoke before descending to Kentmere and then over the pass back to the car. Phew, tired just typing it.


Sadgill Run - 19 Oct 09


Sadgill, Longsleddale

In all, we climbed 10,000 feet and covered 25 miles, in just over 8 hours in the wet. Not bad, esp as we had a little break in Mardale and Hartsop for food and fruitless weather related prayers.

Next weekend is the OMM which marks the end of the phase of my training which has been all about fitness. In November, fitness gives way to preparation - longer days, nights, schedules, organising help, equipment, accomodation and perhaps the purchase of an old land rover defender for the road crossing stops (been mulling over getting one for ages...). I think i'll do some night legs of the BGR as well as the Cumbrian Traverse, which i just plain like the look of.

Week summary - 14,500' climbing, 50+ miles

Monday - Moel Famau times 2 - 1:14:34, a record
Tuesday - 3 * 1 mile efforts on the road, found it very tough, first road speed session for ages
Weds - 5 railways, after a long drive to and from Leeds for job interview, here's hoping...
Thurs - 8.3 miles, hilly road run, running club session. Got round ok, but a little off the pace.
Fri - Swim, and massage from Sarah (very painful)
Sat - 30 mile bike ride, easy
Sun - Sadgill circuit, 25 miles, 10,000' very wet, 8+ hours, felt good, a bit snotty

Tune in Head - Stan, Eminiem - god only knows why (maybe it was the Dido bit?)