Sierre Zinal

Sunday 13/08/06

Sierre Zinal mountain race - 31km / 2150mtrs
74th place - 3hrs 28mins 45secs

Despite the grim weather, the race went ahead and I enjoyed every minute of it.
Much speculation at the start about a possibly shortened route as happened last time I did it.
I went off very sprightly with the view of getting stopped at Chandolin or Hotel Weisshorn.
Struggled a bit in the mid race steady sections but got going after Weisshorn and blasted the descent.
Made my target time of sub 3-30.
Now I only need to do it in 2008, 2009 and 2010 to complete the medal collection. Or maybe not.
Results

Zermatt

Wednesday to Friday 9-11/08/06

Photos of a few days in Zermatt.

Geneva

Monday 07/08/06

Pictures of the fun fair on the prom in Geneva.
Mont Blanc is between the towery things on the hotel roof in the second picture.

Borrowdale

Saturday 05/08/06

Borrowdale fell race - 17miles / 6620feet
28th place - 3hrs 44mins 55secs

Yet another pants run. Tank felt empty on the climb of Bessy Boot and it's a long way to Dale Head from there.
The sweat pouring off me at that point was ridiculous, sticky, misty, murky, claggy, slippy.
Lost a lot of places and any sight of those I'd tried to follow at the start before perking a bit at Esk Hause. Breeze!
Awesome crowd at Sty Head, including Joss Naylor who gave me a drink of something very sweet in a china mug!
It must have had some effect as I started to put the boot in up Gable and passed a few.
Managed to go for a wander around Brandreth, however I was heartened to find a big group who'd been an even bigger wander.
They still managed to lead me astray around Grey Knotts.
Helene Whitaker (nee Dia thingy) passed me through the quarry, but otherwise a much beter second half.
However, it is becoming clear that I need a rest. Switzerland here I come!!!