Well that was some kind of navigation. Definitely not good navigation, mind. It was bloody horrendous out there. Didn't stop raining the whole time and with the strong wind, it was slightly stinging in places. V and I reccied the Four Fans fell race. My main interest was the route choice from Fan Frynych to Fan Nedd. I was reasonably sure of the best way. The recce confirmed it. Ssssh, can't tell.
After that we took our eyes off the ball. Despite being low visibility we couldn't be bothered to get out the compass. We probably should have... Rest assured the compass will be to hand in the actual race. So, chatting about food and baking - as you do when out recceing in the mountains in poor conditions - we pretty much went off course on every other aspect of the route - good work. I wasn't bothered as there isn't really any route choice from Fan Llia. So with compass to hand there will be much less wandering off line. In poor visibility, like today, it will all be down to the compass as the ground is quite unremarkable underfoot with few distinguishing features.
Anyway, we descended way far to the right - doh and then had to cut back. We climbed to Fan Fawr before really going astray again... We put ourselves back on track after we had descended a little to regain some visibility - and an extra mile or two - doh. The river crossing was fun as we clung together to get across - there's been a fair bit of rain this last week from the torrent that was raging. Made it home in one piece. Been another two good days of training.
Sunday, August 04, 2013
Saturday, August 03, 2013
The Impassable Pass Passable
Well that was a nice surprise. The impassable path of two weeks ago had been completely cleared. I was going to run the upper path through Blaisdon but seeing the lower path clear I went there instead. Ooh hang on, now I'm worried. Does that mean the Forestry Commission are tidying things up ahead of selling it off?
Anyway, back to the start. I set off over to Flaxley intending to run steadily and try a few more new paths. I went out the far side of the woods, down the road a little, towards Little Dean and around the back of Welshbury Wood into Flaxley. There's some money in that yer Flaxley Abbey. Must be worth a bob or two.
From Flaxley I took the steady climb across the fields into Mugglewort Wood, Blaisdon Wood, Hobbs Quarry and home. In all I covered just shy of ten miles as I'm saving myself for a tougher day of it tomorrow over in the west Black Mountains. Not looking forward to the heat though. The forecast is looking warm again but with some of the wet stuff. Going to be hard work in this kind of heat with no cover. Got to be done though.
Anyway, back to the start. I set off over to Flaxley intending to run steadily and try a few more new paths. I went out the far side of the woods, down the road a little, towards Little Dean and around the back of Welshbury Wood into Flaxley. There's some money in that yer Flaxley Abbey. Must be worth a bob or two.
From Flaxley I took the steady climb across the fields into Mugglewort Wood, Blaisdon Wood, Hobbs Quarry and home. In all I covered just shy of ten miles as I'm saving myself for a tougher day of it tomorrow over in the west Black Mountains. Not looking forward to the heat though. The forecast is looking warm again but with some of the wet stuff. Going to be hard work in this kind of heat with no cover. Got to be done though.
Friday, August 02, 2013
The Fourth Run
In a week. It's been a while since I've run four times in one week.59k ain't exactly miles - no it's kilometres - but it is the most for quite some considerable time. I'm definitely going to build from here.
Tonight's run was refreshing if slightly broken. I knew the path along from Hobbs Quarry would be overrun and took the scythe for a spot of bramble slashing. Strava is pretty good at stripping out the slow moving/stationary sections so it doesn't look like I stopped at all. Most importantly I had no internal battle with myself about getting out there and I enjoyed it.
I'm undecided about the weekend. I'm looking forward to a recce of the Four Fans race on Sunday - the recce not the race on Sunday. Not sure about Saturday yet though...
Tonight's run was refreshing if slightly broken. I knew the path along from Hobbs Quarry would be overrun and took the scythe for a spot of bramble slashing. Strava is pretty good at stripping out the slow moving/stationary sections so it doesn't look like I stopped at all. Most importantly I had no internal battle with myself about getting out there and I enjoyed it.
I'm undecided about the weekend. I'm looking forward to a recce of the Four Fans race on Sunday - the recce not the race on Sunday. Not sure about Saturday yet though...
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Nout But Work Today
It sure was a long one. I left home six thirty and finally got home with a few minutes to spare from nine pm. It was successful but long. The flag-ship cap-zone treatment works - the only one on the company - ran the full planned twelve hour shift plus an hour without a hitch. With things complete by eight we did not hang around long - and didn't need telling twice before getting the hell out of there.....
No time for training then. Still, it's not been a bad few days on that front over all. Can't grumble.
No time for training then. Still, it's not been a bad few days on that front over all. Can't grumble.
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Third Race In Four Days
I was coaxed out and over to the LCL Road Race tonight. I can't say I ran the fastest I ever have but I tried as hard as ever I can. I decided to start towards the front, go out hard and hang on - and by the end I was really hanging on. It was a pleasant course but I didn't like the hill - especially second time round. Saying that, wasn't really much of a hill to a fell runner but then I don't feel much like a fell runner at the moment. I found it tough going on that second loop.
Anyway, I'm glad I was coaxed out to run. I actually enjoyed the pain of a 'relative' fast pace. According to Strava I clocked a PR mile, kilometre and half mile and 2nd fastest 5k all within the 8.3km race. That says more about how few road races I've recorded with the GPS while on Strava as opposed to actually running any faster of late. Still feeling the new found love of running....
Anyway, I'm glad I was coaxed out to run. I actually enjoyed the pain of a 'relative' fast pace. According to Strava I clocked a PR mile, kilometre and half mile and 2nd fastest 5k all within the 8.3km race. That says more about how few road races I've recorded with the GPS while on Strava as opposed to actually running any faster of late. Still feeling the new found love of running....
Monday, July 29, 2013
So Lazy
Despite feeling pretty wrecked at the finish of the Seaview 17 I don't feel too achy today. It was bloody nice not to have to get up at six - so I got up at nine instead - result. That was earlier than planned and only to feed the damn cat who was squeaking at me for breakfast. Bloody women! If she hadn't bugged me I could have lay there all morning - and possibly into the afternoon....
Having got up I brewed a coffee and ate authentic muesli - Alpen is costly but good - while studying the route and stages for Chepstow's Offa's Dyke Relay. I'm not fit enough to run as much of it as previously planned - Sunday proved that. Instead I want to try and run 20-25 miles each day, split into a morning and afternoon session. For the rest of the day I generally pottered in the garden - between showers - and around the house, catching up on the chores.
The achilles is tight today but not sore. I put in a bike session while the rains poured. Tomorrow I want to get out for an easy hour on foot provided the achilles feels okay.
Having got up I brewed a coffee and ate authentic muesli - Alpen is costly but good - while studying the route and stages for Chepstow's Offa's Dyke Relay. I'm not fit enough to run as much of it as previously planned - Sunday proved that. Instead I want to try and run 20-25 miles each day, split into a morning and afternoon session. For the rest of the day I generally pottered in the garden - between showers - and around the house, catching up on the chores.
The achilles is tight today but not sore. I put in a bike session while the rains poured. Tomorrow I want to get out for an easy hour on foot provided the achilles feels okay.
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Oh Well, Not So Great
I'll cut to the chase, that was disappointing. I know I'm a little out of sorts fitness wise but come on, when has the Mad Runner ever struggled to raise his game on a double header weekend? This weekend, that's when - boo. God, I was rubbish.
I set off towards the front as if you start too far back you get well scuppered on the single file track. After about 2 miles I knew I was in for a battle. I struggled on even the lowliest of climbs. Not good. Not good at all. I quickly realised this was going to be about finishing the race to keep my record going rather than doing anything special. By the time I reached Porlock Weir I was really struggling. As I ran across the flats towards Bossington Hill I was all for jacking it in. The only thing which stopped me calling it a day is my record of never not finishing a race I've started. I was struggling but by god I was going to get to the end - even if it was going to kill me.
The climb up Bossington Hill was awful. I was grinding ever so slowly to a halt but I eventually reached the summit. All I could think about on the run across the top was, shit, there's still 10k to go. I was dieing on my feet but fortuntely no one came past - until I hit the sea front... As I stuggled along the front a couple of runners came past. There was to be no hanging on to get them back.
To put the icing of an already poor run, as I ran up Seaview - that's the name of the final road- the bloody train crossing barriers came down. There I was, stood, helpless but unable to go any further for an agonising two minutes. As I stood there twiddling my fingers a runner turned the corner and into view behind. I was urging the barriers to lift... and they did while there was still enough gap between me and him to see me home.
Never has buffet lunch been more welcome and the shower was heavenly. With my left achilles feeling sore I decided to call it a day on the camping and came home. It was a really draining race and I'm not going to be capable of much tomorrow. The achilles will probably be fine as I've not really ever been prone to problems on that front but it would be a pisser to have stayed down and then not been able to do anything. Anyway, I had a quick 30 minute nap before making the drive home, fully ready, nee expecting to have to pull over at some point for another recovery nap but it wasn't needed and I finally arrived home safe and sound.
I've still got Monday and Tuesday off so I will see how I feel tomorrow before doing something...
I set off towards the front as if you start too far back you get well scuppered on the single file track. After about 2 miles I knew I was in for a battle. I struggled on even the lowliest of climbs. Not good. Not good at all. I quickly realised this was going to be about finishing the race to keep my record going rather than doing anything special. By the time I reached Porlock Weir I was really struggling. As I ran across the flats towards Bossington Hill I was all for jacking it in. The only thing which stopped me calling it a day is my record of never not finishing a race I've started. I was struggling but by god I was going to get to the end - even if it was going to kill me.
The climb up Bossington Hill was awful. I was grinding ever so slowly to a halt but I eventually reached the summit. All I could think about on the run across the top was, shit, there's still 10k to go. I was dieing on my feet but fortuntely no one came past - until I hit the sea front... As I stuggled along the front a couple of runners came past. There was to be no hanging on to get them back.
To put the icing of an already poor run, as I ran up Seaview - that's the name of the final road- the bloody train crossing barriers came down. There I was, stood, helpless but unable to go any further for an agonising two minutes. As I stood there twiddling my fingers a runner turned the corner and into view behind. I was urging the barriers to lift... and they did while there was still enough gap between me and him to see me home.
Never has buffet lunch been more welcome and the shower was heavenly. With my left achilles feeling sore I decided to call it a day on the camping and came home. It was a really draining race and I'm not going to be capable of much tomorrow. The achilles will probably be fine as I've not really ever been prone to problems on that front but it would be a pisser to have stayed down and then not been able to do anything. Anyway, I had a quick 30 minute nap before making the drive home, fully ready, nee expecting to have to pull over at some point for another recovery nap but it wasn't needed and I finally arrived home safe and sound.
I've still got Monday and Tuesday off so I will see how I feel tomorrow before doing something...
Penny Fan, Nice Lass
This one is going out late on account of that old fashion lady called no reception in the back of beyond. To be fair I wasn't that far out the back, just a mile or two up the road from Dunster in Forestry Commission entrance. I thought being up high might help - fail.
Anyway, to the race. The weather held and after a brief speech by the race president we set off. I followed the roman road towards Fan y Big for four fifths of its length before pulling off direct to the summit - ooh matron. My descent back down was pants. I had a stone in my shoe, making it really painful. As the coll neared it seemed to disappear. Happy days - or not.
The ascent to Cribyn was okay. I'm not as strong climbing as once I was but held it together. The descent was a totally disaster. That stone hadn't gone and had worked its way into an even more painful position. With hindsight I should have stopped and got it out - but I didn't. A normally strong part of my game was a total flop.
Suffice to say on the ascent of Pen y Fan I did stop and take the rock out of my shoe - a case of after the horse has bolted.
Once to the summit of PyF it was just a case of keeping things together on the rocky sections of the ridge - which I did.
I finished in 1hr 20minutes. I'm happy with that. After all I'm soon to head out on the 20miles of the Seaview 17 so I'll claim I saved a little bit for today. Okay that's a lie but only a small one...
Friday, July 26, 2013
Back In Love With Running
These last few years me and running kind of fell out of love. I never stopped but it felt more like a chore. That's not to say I've not enjoyed the racing but that's about all I have enjoyed. Anyway, these last couple of months I've started to feel differently about my running and I've started to enjoy my pootles through the countryside - and they really are just pootles. It's no longer feeling like a chore.
I spent the morning dilly dallying. I fixed the van windscreen washer pump this morning in preparation for my camping trip. Harvested the last of my potatoes and red onions and then spent the rest of the time sitting in the sun listening to the birds and animals go about their business.
This afternoon I went for a run. I decided to take the footpath that follows Longhope Brook at the end of Mill Lane. Haven't run there for ages - and I didn't get to run there today either! At the end of Mill Lane the footpath was roped off with a Highways notice stating that the footpath is closed! Apparently there was a landslide a year ago which has made it impassable and unsafe. Obviously to someone such as myself I could have no doubt got past without trouble but I obeyed the notice and went around another way.
Looks like it won't be back in action any time soon though. The notice says it's due for re-instatement by November 2013 but it all looked very overgrown so I'm thinking there hasn't been much action on the fixing it front. It's a shame because it was a nice little section under tree cover along by the brook. Anyway, I took the detour past the sewage works - that was pleasant - before re-joining the original route again. I continued along into Flaxley Woods and pootled home.... It was hot out there but never the less very enjoyable.
Going to cook up some of those potatoes from earlier. I'm thinking of doing tuna and tomato bake topped with sliced potato. It'll give me a chance to use some of my cherry tomatoes and basil...
I spent the morning dilly dallying. I fixed the van windscreen washer pump this morning in preparation for my camping trip. Harvested the last of my potatoes and red onions and then spent the rest of the time sitting in the sun listening to the birds and animals go about their business.
This afternoon I went for a run. I decided to take the footpath that follows Longhope Brook at the end of Mill Lane. Haven't run there for ages - and I didn't get to run there today either! At the end of Mill Lane the footpath was roped off with a Highways notice stating that the footpath is closed! Apparently there was a landslide a year ago which has made it impassable and unsafe. Obviously to someone such as myself I could have no doubt got past without trouble but I obeyed the notice and went around another way.
Looks like it won't be back in action any time soon though. The notice says it's due for re-instatement by November 2013 but it all looked very overgrown so I'm thinking there hasn't been much action on the fixing it front. It's a shame because it was a nice little section under tree cover along by the brook. Anyway, I took the detour past the sewage works - that was pleasant - before re-joining the original route again. I continued along into Flaxley Woods and pootled home.... It was hot out there but never the less very enjoyable.
Going to cook up some of those potatoes from earlier. I'm thinking of doing tuna and tomato bake topped with sliced potato. It'll give me a chance to use some of my cherry tomatoes and basil...
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Plan Set
So, I've the day off tomorrow. Going to do sod all but chill - apart from going for a run. Lovely jubbley. Saturday I'm going to run the new Pen-y-Fan horseshoe fell race - come rain or burning heat I'm not bottling this time... Then I'll be heading down to Minehead in the van ahead of the Seaview 17, Sunday. Monday I'll be heading out over Exmoor before heading home. The only slight hiccup to the plan is that I don't have the OS map of Exmoor. So Monday might be a bit random.....
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Dayous Horibilis
Been a bit pants these last 24 hours. Was on the phone to work till 1am this morning. Out to site this morning to fix things and then on the phone till gone 6 this evening. Not going to say anything further. Touching wood - no, you grubby bastards, not that. All that and now Friday ain't happening so I could have gone on holiday tomorrow after all. Might book Friday off - again - as one of my 15 days still left to take for an even longer long weekend and just do f*(% all. It's an option at this stage.
Still hopeing to head over to Trelleck tomorrow night. Be even better if I book Friday off... Looking forward to the Seaview 17 now. Going to just enjoy pootling along the coastal path. Might be a bit of rain according to the forecast but that's not a problem. I won't be taking my phone on the run - happy days.
Still hopeing to head over to Trelleck tomorrow night. Be even better if I book Friday off... Looking forward to the Seaview 17 now. Going to just enjoy pootling along the coastal path. Might be a bit of rain according to the forecast but that's not a problem. I won't be taking my phone on the run - happy days.
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Holiday Reboot
So, having cancelled my trip to the peak district on Thursday for the sake of colleagues, my plans are rebooted. I'm heading down to Minehead for the Seaview 17 on Sunday. I'm going to take the van and camp up Saturday night somewhere close. Going to stay over Sunday night and go for a run on Exmoor on Monday before making a late call on staying over again for another run Tuesday. That bit's not decided yet. Need to print off some maps and plan some routes....
As to Saturday, I've two choices. Either the Pen-y-Fan horse shoe and then the journey south or the journey south and a run in Exmoor... I guess I've until Friday night to decide - think I'll see how Friday goes....
As to Saturday, I've two choices. Either the Pen-y-Fan horse shoe and then the journey south or the journey south and a run in Exmoor... I guess I've until Friday night to decide - think I'll see how Friday goes....
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Revenge Against The Brambles
I headed back out to Flaxley Woods this morning. Armed with my trusty hand scythe it was time to take my revenge. Legs still smarting from all those cuts yesterday, I jogged up the gentle slope and entered the woods..
As I ran, I took aim at any big brambles, reaching forth from the undergrowth to block my path. Swish, take down. I ran the clockwise loop around the woods today and for the first time, found the lower eastern path through Hope Wood. I've seen it on the map just never found it on the ground so to speak. I know why I've never found it though, I always thought it was a little further north than it actually is - that probably makes no sense but I know what I mean. Anyway, looking round for brambles - as you do - I spotted the path and took it.
The path misses out a small amount of climb but is far more picturesque and pleasant to run than the main forestry path. More importantly it was beginning to get overgrown and I wasn't havin' any of that nonsense. Swish, swish, swish. Die bramble, die. It wasn't exactly quick running but it was good to know I'll be keeping the path clear for the future.
I was out there a fair old time considering I only ran about 6 miles but I was expending a lot of energy and much of it wasn't on the running. Eventually I reached the exit of the woods and headed home. I finished off the days training with an hour out and about on the bike. I didn't go fast but I enjoyed it. I only stayed local but it was good all the same.
As I ran, I took aim at any big brambles, reaching forth from the undergrowth to block my path. Swish, take down. I ran the clockwise loop around the woods today and for the first time, found the lower eastern path through Hope Wood. I've seen it on the map just never found it on the ground so to speak. I know why I've never found it though, I always thought it was a little further north than it actually is - that probably makes no sense but I know what I mean. Anyway, looking round for brambles - as you do - I spotted the path and took it.
The path misses out a small amount of climb but is far more picturesque and pleasant to run than the main forestry path. More importantly it was beginning to get overgrown and I wasn't havin' any of that nonsense. Swish, swish, swish. Die bramble, die. It wasn't exactly quick running but it was good to know I'll be keeping the path clear for the future.
I was out there a fair old time considering I only ran about 6 miles but I was expending a lot of energy and much of it wasn't on the running. Eventually I reached the exit of the woods and headed home. I finished off the days training with an hour out and about on the bike. I didn't go fast but I enjoyed it. I only stayed local but it was good all the same.
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Cut To Ribbons...
I decided it was still too hot for me on the mountains and opted for another local run over some new footpaths. I ran through Flaxley Woods and tagged on a loop of Mugglewort Wood - and yes, that is where she got the name 'muggle' from in that famous series of books....
Then I headed through Blaisdon Wood following the lower, western path - what a monumental pile of chicken poop that route choice was. It was like a god damn jungle - and I didn't have a machete. Like a dick I bashed my way along for a bit, having found a stout, fallen branch and thinking it would ease up once back under the thicker, denser tree cover - it bloody didn't.
So anyway, I was committed and decided it would be quicker to go orienteering style and headed off the path and into the woods themselves. That helped but the wood was pretty dense so I didn't speed up that much. Still, it was good not to be getting slashed by the brambles, my legs already bleeding from multiple stab wounds..
I shortly ventured back to the path hoping it would be less overgrown - it was but not by as much as I'd hoped. After another twenty minutes of bashing and hacking at the vegetation, I finally broke free of Blaisdon Wood and continued on my way over Nottwood hill. The paths were less overgrown and it was good to be running again. I finally hit the Blaisdon road and after a few more minutes running along it, it was soon time to head back off road.
The route over to Ley Park was a new one to me and the run through the woods was pleasant although still a little overgrown in small patches - cue more bashing. After a loop of the woods I was all too soon heading homeward. Across a few more fields before finally reaching the road and the 2 miles home. Ahhhgggg, where the hell was the stile to get onto the road??? Overgrown and I mean totally overgrown with bramble and nettles six foot high! I'm not joking when I say it took me a good ten minutes to bash my way through. I even damaged my baton - ooh, matron - losing a good two feet off its length! If it had got any smaller I would have been in real trouble. Thankfully I got through with only a few more stings and cuts to add to the collection.
Never has a cold shower been more welcome. Apart from the cuts on my legs it wasn't a bad run and I got a good upper body work out into the deal. The only thing I need to be careful of is that I don't get any grass growing out of places that grass shouldn't grow out of. I was plastered in grass seed come the end. It was everywhere - and I mean everywhere....
In all I covered 13 miles and about 1,500 feet of ascent but in a very very slow time on account the jungle.
Then I headed through Blaisdon Wood following the lower, western path - what a monumental pile of chicken poop that route choice was. It was like a god damn jungle - and I didn't have a machete. Like a dick I bashed my way along for a bit, having found a stout, fallen branch and thinking it would ease up once back under the thicker, denser tree cover - it bloody didn't.
So anyway, I was committed and decided it would be quicker to go orienteering style and headed off the path and into the woods themselves. That helped but the wood was pretty dense so I didn't speed up that much. Still, it was good not to be getting slashed by the brambles, my legs already bleeding from multiple stab wounds..
I shortly ventured back to the path hoping it would be less overgrown - it was but not by as much as I'd hoped. After another twenty minutes of bashing and hacking at the vegetation, I finally broke free of Blaisdon Wood and continued on my way over Nottwood hill. The paths were less overgrown and it was good to be running again. I finally hit the Blaisdon road and after a few more minutes running along it, it was soon time to head back off road.
The route over to Ley Park was a new one to me and the run through the woods was pleasant although still a little overgrown in small patches - cue more bashing. After a loop of the woods I was all too soon heading homeward. Across a few more fields before finally reaching the road and the 2 miles home. Ahhhgggg, where the hell was the stile to get onto the road??? Overgrown and I mean totally overgrown with bramble and nettles six foot high! I'm not joking when I say it took me a good ten minutes to bash my way through. I even damaged my baton - ooh, matron - losing a good two feet off its length! If it had got any smaller I would have been in real trouble. Thankfully I got through with only a few more stings and cuts to add to the collection.
Never has a cold shower been more welcome. Apart from the cuts on my legs it wasn't a bad run and I got a good upper body work out into the deal. The only thing I need to be careful of is that I don't get any grass growing out of places that grass shouldn't grow out of. I was plastered in grass seed come the end. It was everywhere - and I mean everywhere....
In all I covered 13 miles and about 1,500 feet of ascent but in a very very slow time on account the jungle.
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