Apologies first of all for reverting to monthly entries. Ever the optimist, I started out with the very best of intentions but weekly blog entries really are a dull and onerous undertaking.
Grisedale Tarn from Seat Sandal
The month got underway in earnest with an epic day out covering the whole of the Helvellyn range, starting at Dunmail Raise and returning to Ambleside down the eastern flank of the Fairfield Horseshoe. The 25 miles and 7,817 feet of ascent almost says it all really. Mrs A and I are in the business of Wainwright bagging and so started out together up Seat Sandal, hence the slow first hour. After that we parted company and I headed north, turning round at the trig point of Clough Head.
Much to the mirth of the hoards of ramblers The Coach was laden down with saddlebags full of food and drink, but as has since been pointed out to me, it's better that I get used to training carrying this weight, which will make me truly appreciate the absence of it when the pacers take on the load. That morning we were passed by someone out training for a solo winter round. Mentalist. I mention it because he was carrying an intermediate sized pack that left me pondering - what other than waterproofs, liquid, food, map, compass, head torch etc do I need to carry? Also, what on earth shall I carry it all in? I've had a look at this Salomon XA10 today and was wondering if any of you have any particular advice or thoughts?
The Coach
One lesson learned on this expedition was that when it comes to nutrition I need to be thinking in terms of baby food, not smoked salmon and cream cheese bagels - the less said about that the better. Soft easily digestibly stuffs like non-citrus fruit, porridge, soup, rice pudding and king of all post long-run recovery breakfasts - Weetabix with hot milk. This is going to require some testing, but speaking with and listening to others I would say that I'm thinking along the correct lines.
On 23rd October I gave the Wistow 10 a blast as nothing more than a test event. In truth I had no idea how fit I was as I haven't been racing with any enthusiasm. The results are here. We won the team prize and I managed 16th place in 1:02.26. Had it not been for the rough winds I feel that I could have stretched to between a minute and ninety seconds faster, i.e. pb territory. The only explanation I can think of for my present unexpected good form is the cross-training that I'm slipping into the mix by commuting on bike and my Wednesday evening tempo sessions with a tight pack from Otley AC.
Helvellyn in the afternoon
At the end of the month I tried another training run from Dunmail Raise, this time bagging Steel Fell with Mrs A in a mild gale and thick fog that made my outing an ordeal. Within fifteen minutes of our parting company, and well before the summit of Calf Crag, I was wondering aimlessly in fog and biting my fingers to try resurrecting some sensation and thereby enable me to turn the bevel of my compass. I exaggerate not. Being candid, I didn't find the summit of either Calf Crag or Sergeant Man although it transpired that I was within shouting distance of both, which was of no use given that I was utterly isolated - something that is simultaneously pleasant and eerie.
This was a vital learning experience. What I concluded from it was that I am not going to attempt a round on a truly foul weather day. No real fell runner minds a bit of the wet stuff or even the old pea soup, but there are degrees of visibility and precipitation and in my own mind I now know what constitutes adverse conditions that I'm unwilling to tackle. Being utterly realistic, I'm not anxious about navigation although I have to admit that if the conditions are atrocious then it could slow me down and potentially cause me to exceed the twenty four hour cut off.
In terms of kit I discovered that the Inov-8 Mistlite 130 pants are the business. Windproof, as good as waterproof and light. I score them 9/10, the only design improvement I would suggest is to make them more fitted as they balloon in a gale. The limitations of my kit choices were the compass and gloves. The needle on the compass was vague in its orientation and the bevel was stiff. That has been replaced by something far superior and that I can no longer flaunt as an excuse for navigational errors when the visibility drops to below ten metres. Gloves have to be wind and water proof, no question. Hence the next day I spent thirty pounds on a pair of Sealskinz. Finally, I need a jacket for winter training. The Montane Minimus jacket is out front in my selection for the moment.
This month I climbed 25,669 feet over 226 miles.
Onwards and upwards!
This was a vital learning experience. What I concluded from it was that I am not going to attempt a round on a truly foul weather day. No real fell runner minds a bit of the wet stuff or even the old pea soup, but there are degrees of visibility and precipitation and in my own mind I now know what constitutes adverse conditions that I'm unwilling to tackle. Being utterly realistic, I'm not anxious about navigation although I have to admit that if the conditions are atrocious then it could slow me down and potentially cause me to exceed the twenty four hour cut off.
In terms of kit I discovered that the Inov-8 Mistlite 130 pants are the business. Windproof, as good as waterproof and light. I score them 9/10, the only design improvement I would suggest is to make them more fitted as they balloon in a gale. The limitations of my kit choices were the compass and gloves. The needle on the compass was vague in its orientation and the bevel was stiff. That has been replaced by something far superior and that I can no longer flaunt as an excuse for navigational errors when the visibility drops to below ten metres. Gloves have to be wind and water proof, no question. Hence the next day I spent thirty pounds on a pair of Sealskinz. Finally, I need a jacket for winter training. The Montane Minimus jacket is out front in my selection for the moment.
This month I climbed 25,669 feet over 226 miles.
The Coach and I on Clough Head
Onwards and upwards!
Great to hear the training's going well. I enjoy reading your blog. I'm hoping for one last run up over the Helvellyn range before I head back to HK in 3 weeks where I'm gearing up for my first 100km there in February.
ReplyDeleteNice blog! Good to hear all about someone else's training for the BGR in 2012. My training is only just getting started, so i'll keep checking your blog for info, updates and advice!! Good luck with it.
ReplyDeleteKeri Page at www.bobgrahamround2012.blogspot.com