Coniston 14

Saturday 24/03/07

Coniston 14 road race
45th place - 1hr 29mins 26secs

Weather was el scorchio, bit of a change from 6 days ago in the Peak.
The race was won by a(n ex) fell runner, Dan Golding of Ambleside AC.
My time was 4mins 50secs quicker than last year and a whopping 12 minutes off the year before!
Still not confident I've got the miles in for London, but that puts me on target for sub 3hrs.
Also pleased to not get beat by any lasses (I'm not an mcp, honest!)
Results

Edale Skyline

Sunday 18/03/07

Edale Skyline fell race - 22miles / 6300feet
97th place - 3hrs 41mins 53secs
English championship long race. Nul points scored.

Grimmest weather I've had on a fell race, even worse then Culter 02 (hail stones on bare thighs in June!) and Rydal Round 05 (day of the hurricane in Birmingham).
My positions at the check points go 86/88/84/89/82/92/91/103/101/97.
So I lost 10 places from Lord's seat to Brown Knoll and 12 places from Jacob's Ladder to Grindslow. I think that says a lot about my pacing technique. My hands were so cold, I couldn't fish out my gel going up Brown Knoll, never mind open it. Was probably too late in putting on the jacket, lost a lot of energy in keeping warm instead of running. A tough race, which I will do again in more clement conditions.
And what was the advice, DON'T GO OFF TOO FAST !!!
Results and splits
Some video footage too!

Black Coombe

Sunday 11/06/07

Black Coombe fell race - 8miles / 3510ft
21st place in 1hrs 26mins 33secs

Took nearly 8 minutes off my previous best for this, with each lap being quicker than in 2005.
Followed Brian Thompson up yet another interesting route, which Hazel seemed to think was much better, I am not convinced. We were lucky to nail the last top in the pea soup.
Mike R gleefully told me that if I hadn't been overtaken by Leigh in the finish field, Borrowdale would have been on equal points with Dark Peak for the team prize.
Not to worry though, I don't think Chris Steele is eligible yet and I'm sure Scoffer has enough Pete Bland vouchers to sink a ship.
Results

High Cup Nick

Saturday 10/03/07

High Cup Nick fell race - 9miles / 2000feet
28th place in 1-22-08

The less said about my performance the better.
How do you get lost on a trail race?
I could see the headline 'Dufton's Bobby gets crag fast in High Cup Nick'.
Fortunately I managed to scramble out to the right after a disastrous route choice.
Not to take anything away from great organisation by Morgan and all the Dufton residents. Was spotted by work colleagues on the Border Craic feature on Monday, 15 milliseconds of fame!
Results

Haweswater Half

Sunday 04/03/07

Hawewater Half Marathon - 13.1miles / 1000ft
36th place - 1hr 26mins 08secs

Dragged myself out of bed after a 3am finish for this.
Did the usual set off too quickly thing, the first gal sailed past after 2 miles.
Managed to hang on to a trio of Keswickians (Dave, Dave and Keith) who passed me just after the hotel.
Strangely the return leg felt much easier than going out and I didn't blow up until the last half mile or so.
Vociferous support from Phil Davies on his bike, the driving rain certainly wasn't putting him off.
Nice to see fellow hill billies Adam Breaks, Chris U and James Hyde running so well.
Decent time considering the weather and climb involved, looking OK for London if I buckle down and don't get crocked.
Results