Race 32: Two Lads

Hot, fast and another poor run. Oh dear.

Simon coming down from Two Lads in the top 25%

Me on the same descent but miles behind!

Results: 111th/195  45:17
Distance: 8.4km/5.2 miles  Climb: 274m/899ft

Race 31: Pen y Ghent

This is one of the few races I have done in recent years and I was fairly pleased to get in only a couple of minutes slower than four years ago and less than five minutes slower than 21 years ago, (although I have run faster in between). The race in 2010 was run in warm, clear conditions but this year it was wet, much cooler, misty and windy on top of the hill. The rain had been very heavy earlier in the day so conditions underfoot were a bit slippery but the cool, light rain during the race was a bonus for me. No problem with the mist on top because the route is always visible on the ground and I made up a lot of time on the descent, having felt tired on the climb.

It was another tough day out for Kath, slogging her way up some slippery fields and then standing in the rain with a camera, waiting an age for me to show up two thirds of the way down the field and then trudging back round to the finish to see if I've picked up enough places on the way down. For me it was an enjoyable run but still not quite fast enough to be happy with the result. We are both looking forward to fewer races next year, me in the hope that I will be able to do them better, Kath hoping that there will be more time to do something else!

Early on in the climb towards Pen y Ghent.
It steepens considerably after this.

Short uphill on the track running in to the finish at Horton in Ribblesdale.
We have just come off the low ridge behind, just out of the clouds.

Results: 56th/106  1:08:48
Distance: 9.5km/5.9 miles  Climb: 564m/1850ft

Race 30: Paddy's Pole

First race after Jura so I'm bound to be tired but looking at Parlick Fell before the race it looked small and soft and comfortable in comparison. I felt that I ran well enough, keeping going all the way on the runnable climb up Fair Snape and descending fairly well too but not quite quick enough for a top half finish this year. Must do better! (I have never been much more than a minute quicker than this year but I think that the route has been shortened near the top of Fair Snape since I last did it.)

Blue skies over Parlick before the race

Results: 58th/108  37:04
Distance: 6km/3.7 miles  Climb: 336m/1102ft

Race 29: Jura

Hardest race so far by miles and I found it very hard indeed. My slowest time in eight go's at it - around 5:42 when I did 4:30 as recently as 2006. I'm sure I still have a 5 hour Jura run in me and I must do better on this of all races at least one more time. The conditions were hot, which I don't really like, but no excuses as the going underfoot was as good as it gets and the visibility was superb. I simply ran out of steam by Beinn an Oir, which is pretty much the middle of the race, I guess because my training hasn't been geared towards this type of event. Kath made it all the way to the top of Beinn Shiantaidh via a direct route from the Three Arch Bridge so we were both pretty done in by the end. We called in at the hotel during a bike ride later in the week to book a room for race week next year. Simply a must do.

Just appearing near the top of Beinn Shiantadh, with
Beinn an Oir, already tackled, in the background.

Kath with the bikes and the last three of the seven
Jura Fell Race summits in the background. Beinn
Shiantadh is in the centre from this angle.

Results: 160th/213  5:42:03
Distance 28km/17.4 miles  Climb: 2370m/7775ft

Race 28: Buttermere Sailbeck

Horrible, horrible weather and a bit of a nasty fall just after Causey Pike, leaving me with bruised knees, hands and pride. Thanks to the runner and photographer who stopped to check that I was all right. I was too tired after the climb up Causey Pike and consequently I wasn't at my most nimble. Oddly, I came round a bit after that and didn't feel too short of energy for the rest of the race, even though I was a little stiff and sore. I can do better on this race and the route is superb, making it well worth another visit.

Photos on the Racing Snakes website.
Picture 242 shows me taking a nose-dive!
Note the V shaped marking on the rock in the bottom left of the picture and then again in the top right on the next one.

Results: 75th/105  2:40:12
Distance: 15km/9.3 miles  Climb: 1315m/4314ft

Race 27: Wray Caton Moor

Crossing fields just a few hundred yards before the finish

A lot more photos on racing snakes website - I'm on pictures 48 and 166.

Results: 84th/174  57:29
Distance: 11km/6.8 miles  Climb: 335m/1099ft

Race 26: Great Hameldon

In a long line of competitors on the run out to the moor.

Getting past a few on a bit of steep downhill.

Results: 113/ 255  53:33
Distance: 9.6km/6 miles  Climb: 338m/1109ft