Cheviot Horseshoe and the Anniversary Waltz race

No racing since December with one thing and another, mainly the pesky ongoing injury problems...... However, I've had a good stint of quality training sessions and long runs so I threw my hat into the ring to do a double weekend of races.

Descending Hedgehope

Cheviot Horseshoe race, 12th April 2015

The Cheviot Horseshoe was a 9.5 mile route up the Cheviot, Cairn Hill around Comb Fell then up and down Hedgehope.  After a glorious week of fine weather, it was typical that race day took a turn for the worse!  It's not often I start a race with waterproof jacket but on this occasion I did and didn't take it off until the finish.  The race began in the rain and wind and half way up Cheviot the rain turned into snow.  Heavy snow.  It was a winter wonderland and a long drag up to the summit.  The flags at the top were very slippy and took a lot of concentration to keep upright especially with the snow smacking the red raw skin of the face.  My gloves were doing nothing to protect my hands, they were probably making them more cold and numb being wet through.

The trudge along Comb fell towards Hedgehope was a bog fest, ending up waist deep at one point.  Thanks to Gary Robson for helping me out.  At the ascent of Hedghehope I began to catch the runners in front and was up to 7th spot, an extra mile and I would have closed up to 5th or 6th.  Great running from everyone in atrocious conditions and huge thanks to Glen and Jack McWilliams for putting on the event.  £300 was raised for Mountain Rescue, fabulous!
Link to the event page http://www.northumberlandfellrunners.co.uk/?p=1916

Anniversary Waltz race, 18th April 2015

The Cheviot race gave me some idea of how my climbing legs were and was a good preparation race for the Anniversary Waltz.  I was humming and harring up until Friday afternoon whether to do the race or not having had a hard training week and heavy week with work.  I convinced myself to do it and to just enjoy it.  The weather was much improved from the week before, beautiful sunshine and 11-12 degrees when we reached Stair in the Newlands Valley.

Top weather

The race started and I strategically placed myself mid-pack.  The first 3 miles are good running so I relaxed into it and took in the atmosphere.  The climb up Robinson I was in fourth or fifth place and was quite surprised given that this is a very popular fell race and is in the Lake District with a great deal of quality runners.  I kept up with a guy from Keswick who was strong on the climbs but I gained time on him on the flat and downhills.  We yo-yo'd from Robinson right up until the finish.  It was nice to have that as it took my mind off the climbs and I could relax and take in the spectacular views.

The final descent from Cat Bells was so fast that it could quite easily have resulted in a fall or injury but thankfully I survived.  I was in fourth at this point chasing the Keswick guy with two or three runners closing in behind.  I thought that if I was up there at the final road section then I would have a good chance of a podium finish.  I dug deep and stepped up the pace and crossed the line in 3rd.  Way above my expectations.

Final descent from Catbells

This is a cracking event and would recommend it!   The Teenager With Altitude is held on the same day but is longer with more ascent.  I'l have to give that a try sometime.  The bait after the race was top notch too.  Mince and potatoes followed by some gluten free cake.  Back of the net.

Event page (results not yet available): http://www.anniversarywaltz.co.uk/?page_id=162

Brough Law and Rowling End

Brough Law

Ready for the off - Brough Law

A while ago I put my name forward to take over the reigns for the Brough law fell race.  This offer was taken up so in 2016 I will be race organiser! Scary.  So, on a gorgeous March day, I turned up at Bulby's wood car park at 7am to meet the current organiser and to learn the ropes.  This entailed setting up the course and registration.  I would, of course, preferred to be running the race but still too early in my recuperation.
As it was the organiser's last race, the fee was only one pound.  I won't go into the detail but there weren't enough numbers to go around which made for a hectic finish to the race.  I'm looking forward to next year, although I think it'll be more than £1!  I'm trying to think of an incentive too, a small prize perhaps.  Must advertise early!


Rowling End

Not a bad view - Rowling End

On the weekend of Friday the 13th March, my wife and I (along with Jasper) had a lovely cottage break over in the Lake District.  We stayed at Rowling End in the Newlands Valley, just up the road from Stair.  The cottage was ideal, perfect for two people with energetic pooch.  The view from the front of the cottage was towards Cat Bells, with Causey Pike at the rear.  It was just what we needed, to get away for a bit and get some peace and quiet. I also got through my birthday under the radar!

Dale Head - Waltz route

I managed to nip out on the Sunday to recce the Anniversary Waltz fell race route.  I loved the route and I've put an entry in for the race on 20th April.  Hoping I'll be back in some sort of shape by then.  It was great to be out in the mountains on my own, taking in the views and going at my own pace.  There was still a dusting of snow on the tops but it wasn't cold.  Shorts and helly were all that were needed.


I've been back to the club for the last two weeks and had some decent sessions.  Still having a bit of jip on the longer runs though.  Trying not to dwell on it!  Stretching, strengthening, cycling, swimming should help too.....

Laid bare

It is now 18th February. I had my OP on the 2nd February.  Not pleasant and most definitely worse than I had anticipated.  I had seen the consultant on Wednesday, 28th January to discuss my options after a period of rest and physio hadn't solve the problem.  He decided he needed to intervene and perform the Inguinal ligament release procedure which would hopefully cure my Sportsman's groin.  He also mentioned that "while i'm in there, I'll check for any weaknesses or hernia's and if there are I'll repair and reinforce the area".

Recovery walk

I arrived on the ward at 7:30am as requested.  I was to be number three on the list.  Not too bad, I thought.  Should be done by lunchtime....  I was called at 12:15pm!  When I came around it was approximately 3pm and I felt sick, very sore and wasn't entirely with it.  It's difficult to describe the pain, like your core has been ripped out, stamped on and squashed back in.  I spent a couple of hours on the ward to recover, having to be able to pee before I was allowed to be discharged.  I left the hospital in a wheelchair at 6pm.  The discharge letter stated bilateral inguinal hernia repair!  The road to recovery began.

So, I had a week of doing nothing apart from hobble around the house.  Every time I moved it was uncomfortable.  Sleep was difficult, but every day was better than the previous one.  Week two, plenty walking the dog and trying to be on my feet as much as possible, also some cycling.  Week three, a couple of runs, slow ones.  The ache is almost gone but will take time.  Overall I do feel more flexible and hopeful that the op has done the job.  We shall see.

Oh, I did manage to recce the Brough Law fell race route, not that I'll be doing it this year..

Brough Law - top race

New Happy Year

Christmas 2014 has been a quiet affair this especially as it has been running-free.  Consultation following an MRI mid-December revealed my ongoing groin issues are down to Sportsman's groin aka Sports hernia (http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/).  Treatment for this is physical therapy and rest. Six weeks of rest!  I'm already into week three and still have my finger nails so not doing too bad.  I'm hoping that this period will sort out the problem and I can return to running in February.

I've spent some quality time with the family and had some nice long walks with our now one year old springer spaniel, Jasper.

I managed a bike ride today via spectating at the Morpeth 11k.  Canny windy!  It beats the turbo trainer which I find incredibly dull.

Happy New Year, let's hope it is a prosperous one.

Derwentwater 10 and 2014 review

So, my racing year has come to a premature end with the ongoing hernia issues I’ve had since July.  I’m hoping I will be sorted out before Christmas.  Up until then I will be ticking over and enjoying some steady running.

My last race for 2014 was the Derwentwater 10, a week past Sunday.  I’ve ran this race twice before and it’s a cracker with undulations all the way.  I had a decent run, considering the inconsistent and interrupted training in the past few months.  I finished in 14th place with a time of 58:52 which clinched division 2 of the Morpeth Harriers grand prix.  It wasn’t an easy course, but I’d rather run a difficult 10 miler in a great location than a flat one in a not so appealing place.

I’ve had a fantastic year, surpassing all of my expectations.  I have achieved PB’s for 5k, 10k (NECAA silver medal), 10m.  Other highlights I can reflect on are running in the National Cross Country Championships, the Yorkshire 3 peaks, representing the NECAA at the Inter Counties Fell championships, a great result at the Lakeland 50 and second place at the Chevy Chase.  Also nabbing my first race win at the Thropton Show.

I’ve enjoyed the fells as always, and the challenge of the Lakeland 50 for the second time. The experience of supporting a friend on his Bob Graham success will be invaluable, what a day! Hoping to support on another attempt next summer.

I’ve also thoroughly enjoyed running fast on the road.  There have been some great tussles with my harriers club mates.  Specifically at the National XC, Blaydon, Blyth 10k and Wallsend 5k.  You know who you are, Mr Straughan! Coach Waugh’s training plans are paying dividends for all in the group which is terrific to see.

I’ve bagged the NFR grand prix and been promoted to division one for Morpeth Harriers grand prix.  I’m very pleased and proud of what I have done this year and shouldn’t feel too gutted at ending the year with injury, as frustrating as it is!  Some consistent training in the New Year should get me back on track, all being well.

My targets for next year remain unknown, or at least I don’t want to jinx them by making them public.  I do have some unfinished business at the Yorkshire 3 peaks (sub 3:30) and at Chevy.  It isn’t long until the ballot opens again for the UTMB.  If the TDS pops up as the only option, then I’m going to take it this time.  

With regards to road running and cross country, I aim to make the National (Parliament Hill) and also improve my 5/10k PB’s.

I will be turning V40 too, feeling old already……is that Bob Graham at the door?.…. Scalpel!

Two Breweries hill race, 27th September 2014

What a great idea.  A race from one brewery to another over some beautiful Scottish Border countryside, on a cracking September day.  I reiterate the word 'idea'.  Doing it should be regarded as bonkers.

This was selected as one of the Northumberland Fell Runners championship races and was located in an area which I hadn't visited before.  The hills were akin to the Cheviots.  Rolling, grassy, heathery and deceptively gentle looking.

The drive up took a good two and a half hours.  With little traffic on the roads, Emma Bain and I made good progress and arrived with plenty time to spare to get sorted and hop on the bus to transport us to the start at Traquair house.  It was a lovely setting complete with a marquee tent, it felt like we were gate crashing a wedding.  We hung around for a while before the start having a chinwag, good crack with the NFR's.  The kit check was rather regimental but good to see the rules being enforced.

The first couple of miles were a chance to stretch the legs before the first climb up Birkscairn.  The legs were heavy already, probably from last week's race at Thropton and no let up in training during the week.  Stupid mistake.  

Nice hillage - Cheviot-esque

The views were spectacular and I felt privileged to be running in such a place.  The first descent to Glensax was a killer on the quads, seemed steeper than the descent off the Cheviot.  My three week old blister reared its ugly head and began to irritate. The next two ascents and descents were a bit of a blur and by the time we reached to foot of Trahenna I was well and truly jiggered.  I clawed my way up, literally!  There were screams heard from runners ahead, I could sympathise if I wasn't in as much agony as them.

Last road section was quite nippy, although legs were like jelly.  I managed to cross the line on 3:30.  Emma Bain was the star of the day finishing in 3:34.  She's in fine form and strong! I got the points needed to secure the NFR champs so I'm well pleased. Time to ease off the gas before the British Fell relays, feeling goosed.

The catering was top notch at the village hall.  Soup, salad, cakes and all the beer you could want!  Good crack with JT, Paul et al.  Also with the men's V70 winner, legend!  There were some saying it was tougher than Borrowdale, I'd probably agree with that.  Having a climb so steep just two miles from the finish is cruel.

A brutal race but in a lovely place.  It really did kick my arse.  I will return.... one year! 

Well done to all NFR!

Team NFR

Simonside Fell race 20th September 2014

The good thing about a local show fell race is you don’t have to rush around like a mad idiot in the morning getting things sorted for an early start. The Thropton Show gates opened at 12 noon and the race started at 2:30pm. Plenty of time to fuel up and walk the dog. The
only debatable issue was whether to have lunch or a light snack. I chose the latter but ended up being ravenous by the time we gathered for the start.

The weather was muggy and moist in the morning, but began to clear on the trip over at a casual, fuel conserving speed. There was a definite autumnal feel with the falling leaves and rapidly changing colours of the trees. Beautiful. I parked up next to the show field and paid my entry fee.

I was quite tentative about running this race having a niggling hernia which I really need to get sorted out as soon as possible. Hills seem to aggravate it. Mmmm

Top organisation by Phil Green. Clear instructions were given out regarding the route and which areas were marked. We were off. We all had wet feet within the first mile having to cross the river Coquet. I was up at the front, too much responsibility on route navigation! It was a steady climb for the next two miles through fell, forest, heather and a bit of bouldering to reach the top of Simonside (ended up on a slight detour losing around 30 seconds). The descent was very technical with slippery rocks and roots to negotiate. Once through that section it was all out balls out. I was joint leader at the top and was determined to make this my race for the first time.

I retraced the route back to the Coquet and looked back to see how much of a lead I had, not a lot! I ploughed on hoping I wouldn’t lose it at this stage of the race. I reached the show field and knew I had done it, eventually my first ever Fell race win. A great reception from the spectators and a great relief.

Scott Gibson was second (flying!) and Rob Salter third (he did a Park run in the morning too). Winning lady was Karen Robertson. A special mention to Rob and Sam Hancox from Morpeth harriers. Their first fell race and did brilliantly. Sam was with me at the top of Simonside but understandably took it easy on the way down on that terrain. A bit more practice and he’ll be a fab fell runner.

A great race.  Thanks again to Phil and clan. A bit surreal getting my first win, better make the most of it.  Cheers!

Results on Phil's blog: http://thehottrod.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/simonside-fell-race-provisional-results.html

Proud moment - first win