When you're not training, you're reflecting on your training. Here are the best bits.
The start of the summer training, yes summer - Dave's BGR in early June - me at the summit of Esk Pike in a freak dawn snowstorm. Dave (in the background)flew round in less than 22 hours and showed us all how much fitter he'd become. I was made redundant a month after this but the storm clouds were gathering and I and was already starting to think about time on my hands and a winter round
Snow gully on Pillar - December 09. The last really long day out, with clear weather and whiteouts. A landmark training run - not least cos I felt brilliant for the whole 9 hours. This was the run that gave me the confidence that I could run well in winter for a long time.
Oct 24/25: The Original Mountain Marathon, day one - Paul Miller and I competed in the Long Score event, finishing 42nd from 250 teams. I felt strong, despite the tussocks and marshy ground. I loved that weekend in the remote Elan Valley in mid-wales.
One of the best shots of the whole campaign - Great Gable and the Scafell Range from Kirk Fell in the snow. It was really really really cold that day! December 2009.
Another great shot on a moody autumn day - Paul Miller running towards Haweswater from Nan Bield. We did a 9 hour day, about 25 miles and 10,000 feet around the far eastern fells. Great to run on some lakeland hills that aren't of the BGR.
Nick Holmes on a glorous freezing day on Arant Haw, Howgills. We had a superb run that day and I felt brilliant from start to finish.
The Nantlle ridge, snowdonia - a tough run on rough ground in a new area for me. I like the way this photo leads your eye frmo front to back.
A beautiful dawn on a generally foul day. I was out for 13.5 hours, starting in the dark and finishing in the dark. This dawn over Mickleden revealed itself so suddenly and vanished pretty quickly. It was a stunning moment on a long hard, lonely day.
I love the fells, and I have a soft spot for Landrovers so running past a landrover on the open fell was a sight that made me smile! There was no driver in sight near the summit of Bera Bach, Carneddau, Snowdonia. I really love this shot.
The war memorial on the lofty, frozen summit of Great Gable. This is the site of a remembrance day service each November. A month on, the poppies were still there.
Running up and down Penyolewen three times from Ogwen is a headbanging session. It does offer a brilliant view of Elidir Fawr though.
Just a few highlights from a really enjoyable period of fellrunning during autumn/winter 09.
Best of luck Mark, it looks like your more then ready. Hope the weather is kind for you.
ReplyDeleteVERY BEST OF LUCK MARK.....Take Good care, may the weather be kind and everything fall into place. Hopefully see you at the Moot Hall at the finish. (that's hoping I can get there in time, not in the sense you won't be there!!)
ReplyDeleteEmma