27.6.07

Carneddau

Sunday 24/06/07

Ras Carneddau - 10miles (+) / 4230ft
British championships medium counter
43rd place - 1hr 58mins 51secs

My best result in a championship race.
Settled for a steady start on the road for once, but still found myself with Ali, Aly, Karen and Sharon when we hit the fell.
Felt strong on the climb of Dafydd so I started to wind it up and passed Matt Hulley and Janet Maciver as I hung on to Gavin who was cannily battling to catch Bethesda local James McQueen.
Didn't help myself by removing my brain and ignoring what I had read about the course.
I knew there was a trod off to the right of the ridge off Daffyd so why didn't I take it?
This was where Janet sailed past underneath me as I struggled through boulders.
Thankfully met my supporter (Hi Jo Bo!) as the ridge turned between Dafydd and Llewellyn.
Was just catching Janet and Gavin at the top of Llewellyn but a slight stumble meant they vanished in the mist and I followed what turned out to be Corny/Chris Steele/Barry and a load of other's stud marks down a duff route.
Didn't like the fact that nobody was following me so I stopped and found a traverse to the right and managed to get to the col up to Yr Elen OK.
Another slight blunder off there found me descending to the left of the chasing group including Paul and Chris. Tried vainly to hang on but they both got a spurt on when I told them they were behind Janet.
So if I'd took a perfect line I would have been in the top 30, but then again so many others got even more lost that I think I'll settle for my result!
Results

21.6.07

Langstrath

Wednesday 20/06/07
Langstrath fell race - 4.5miles / 1370feet
16th place - 47mins 57secs

Was in a comfortable 13th place with Gavin and Paul Knowles in sight when we reached the bog.
Sank into the bog, pulled my sopping wet ass out and found myself in no man's land.
Chose the wrong gully and went for a big wander and stopped for a head scratch.
Finally got back on track in around the mid 30s.
Being decidedly hacked off with the situation I set off like a lunatic much to the bemusement of those I overtook.
Could see Richard U off in the distance but couldn't quite get there so had to endure a ribbing on the way home for that one.
Iffy weather was reminiscent of last year when I fell over, nearly jacked and ran through the field in a similar fashion.
Why can't I just stick to the path like the normal people?!?
Results

Tebay

Wednesday 13/06/07
Tebay fell race - 8miles / 2750feet
(BFR championship race)
?? place - 1hr 26mins dead

Not the best week for the Roberts household.
Not wanting to be outdone by his better half, Rob Jebb broke Mark Robert's record by a few seconds tonight.
Conditions were pretty damp though it still didn't stop the usual midges.
I had a good run, just a bit peeved to be beaten by Andy Beaty who got me in the last half mile.
Also had another good battle with Martin Holroyd upto the second last descent where he took off, never to be seen again.
Anyway, four plus minutes off my previous best for this so things are looking up.

8.6.07

Coledale

Tuesday 05/06/07

Coledale Horseshoe fell race - 9miles / 3430ft
24th place - 1hr 29mins 14secs

Pride got the better of me tonight.
Was battling round the first half with BFR team mate Martin Holroyd and Sharon T.
I had a hunch that Martin would sail past off Crag Hill as was the case.
Had a shot at keeping up with him and got a stone in my shoe.
This wouldn't normally stop me but the blighter wouldn't shift from under my heel.
So a combination of the long grassy descent off Barrow and the road at the end has left me with a ripped and bruised hoof. Was it worth it?
Well at least Sharon didn't catch me!
She was over the moon to beat Lou Robert's record by three seconds.
Nice one Sharon.
Results

Duddon

Saturday 02/06/07

Duddon Valley fell race - 20?miles / 6440ft
(British, English, Lakeland Classics and BFR champs race)
101st place - 3hrs 39mins 99secs

Yet another Champs race failure from your author and yet another suicidal start.
Why oh Why oh Why?
Billy didn't know why either!
Wishing I was still on Jura.
Though it didn't seem to bother Ian H, Lloyd and Jon Wright.
Results

4.6.07

Jura

Saturday 26/05/07

Isle of Jura fell race - 17miles / 7860ft
11th place - 3hrs 53mins 45secs

JURA ROCKS!!!

Results