SportsShoes Blog

After torrential rain Friday night, Saturday was almost perfect running conditions for the Langdale race.

I had a good run round making third counter for the Bingley team with Rob Jebb (race winner) and my 3 Peaks Yacht Race partner Robin in 12th. Not sure of my position yet as results aren’t up and I was too interested in getting a pie and a pint at the finish to worry about the leaderboard.

The course was very wet underfoot and some of the bogs were genuine people swallowers - ask my pal Martin Peace who literally dissappeared up to his chest. I asked him if, as he was sinking, he was thinking about what Ray Mears would do - he replied that he did exactly what Ray Mears would have done - ‘panicked and kicked like f**k!!’ Ha ha ha ha….

Anyway, in my opinion the day didn’t belong to us seasoned (read old) fell runners who’ve done this sort of thing before but to our Bingley teammates who were tackling Langdale as their 1st ever A-long lakeland race. As Mary commented before and after the race this was a BIG step up from anything she’d done before but she faced it head on and nailed it - well done to her Steve Firth and all the other Bingley gang that got round. For those that didn’t make it, remember it’ll be on again next year so you’ve a full year to get ready for it!!!

Another pal of mine Steve ‘Carnage’ slipped after about 3 miles and jarred his back, got going again only to fall, bang his head on a rock and almost knock himself out then stagger round to about 1/2 mile from home where he fell again and was told to lie still as he was in shock by a marshal. Anyway, he made it to the finish, got some treatment by the medics then managed to stay out on the beer til 4 in the morning - a true endurance athlete!!!

After the fun and games of Saturday, I managed an hour on the roadie Sunday and pedalled to work and back today.

Langdale Fell Race tomorrow - 14 miles and 4000 feet of climb - it’s a hard ‘A-Long’ lakeland race and it’s likely to be a tad damp on them there ‘ills….

This week I did a speed session on Tuesday - a tough ‘half pyramid’ where we did three laps - rest (jog recovery) - two laps - rest - one lap - rest - all at race pace. It sounds easy but the laps were about 2 min 45 secs in length so it was a real lung buster. I used my new Nike Zoom Air Waffle XC spikes - what a difference they make - the traction from those few tiny spikes is amazing compared to fell shoes.

Wednesday I went to work on my bike then dropped my wife’s car off at the garage and cycled home.

Thursday I did a very steady 45 min jog with 3 other pals who are racing at Langdale tomorrow.

Today I’ve been to work on my bike again - this time ’singlespeed’ after I converted my Kona during the week - my how the old legs were spinning!! -see earlier post.

Well I guess you can tell it’s summer as the rain is slightly warmer!!!

Did an 1 hour 15 on the hills Saturday and felt quite good if not a little damp. The new pod phones (standard ipod) aren’t as good as my old Sonys - they were blowing out in the wind!!) Tune of the session - Whole Lotta Rosie - AC/DC - I would say the best heavy rock song ever written….

Sunday - went to Dalby Forest with my son - he’s not ridden a trail centre yet so we set off on the blue route but quickly realised this was too tame so split off on the red route. He loved every meter of it and can’t wait to get back to tackle some more. If you like riding MTBs and have never been to Dalby, do yourself a favour and take a trip east - you will not be dissappointed.

Monday - just a couple of walks out with the dog but no running - it’s amazing how much more you see when you walk.

Tuesday - a quick hour on the hills tonight and guess what, it rained - lots. Looked like a drowned rat when I got back but at least it was warm rain. iPod song of the session - Ramble On - Led Zeppelin.

Looking ahead - here’s what’s coming up :-

early Sept - Ben Nevis Fell Race

late Sept - 3 Peaks Cyclo Cross (this is going to hurt this year as I’ve hardly touched the bike…)

early Oct - Langdale Fell race

late Oct - OMM (Original Mountain Marathon) 2 day orienteering race carrying full kit - they’ve just announced the location as Borrowdale in the Lake district - NICE!!

Soon be Christmas……………