32 days to go

Saturday 4 Dallam runners, 1 COLT

It’s been a hard week of training but with only 32 days to go it needed to be. The week started at Sedbergh and a run over the Howgills with there mega steep climbs and the knee busting descents, at the time you hate them but when you get back to the car and look back up at them you feel good.

Wednesday night had us running up Ingleborough with the club. This was a good turn out of mixed runners which gives me some good training starting from the very back and working my way up trying to pass as many runners as I can then running to the back again.

Thursday night I ran from Dunmail to the Langdale in the dark with Jonny.This turned out to be a wet second part of the outing the first few climbs went well around schedule time but that wasn’t why we were running at 9pm mid week. Our main aim was to check out the route in the dark. Most of the run was good then just about the same place as Marcus’s round the clag came down this had the same effect as before making finding the summits very hard but we made it to Harrison before cutting down to the car.

Friday had me up early which was not so good after such a late night. The plan was to walk with my big sis for Day 5 of her coast to coast walk; this was to be the Shap to Kirby Stephen section taking in some different tracks I’ve never been on and some that I had. The 21 miles route passes through the village of Orton where we stopped at the Chocolate factory for coffee and cakes around mid day, well worth a visit, after our fill we pressed on towards Kirby the route was full of coast to coasters all enjoying the walk and chatting to one another about the previous few days, how hard they had been climbing over the Lakes and how easy this section was feeling, we arrived in Kirby around tea time so it was only fitting to finished the day with Fish and Chips in the Coast to Coast Chippy just as Wainwright would have.

Saturday had me messing around at home most of the day. Before sorting out transport and bags etc Andrew picked me up mid afternoon, as we drove we chatted about food on the night, pacers, and what Tom had been up to. We pick Stuart up leaving our bags for Mike M to collect, he was joining us at Threkeld so this would be a perfect change to try out some hot food at the checkpoint, it was at this point that Stuart said make sure your head torch is in that bag no need to carry it before hand, opps I had failed to prepare my night run would be doomed to fail with no light I had to eat humble pie and borrow one from Stuart, glad to see some one was fully prepared. We left a car at Dunmail catching a lift down into Keswick with Mike and Helen S, Helen was taking a look around
Keswick before running up for about an hour to meet Mike.

We started from Moot hall today just to check out the best line through the car park then across Fitz park before the long slog up Skiddaw, this was done just under time, we dropped off then we climbed the fence, we need to look out for the section with four posts close together we have built a small cairn pointing towards the path across the fell, we reached the Cumbria way and we said our good bye’s to Mike. The Summit of Great Calva sore us split with Stuart taking Andrew down the direct route across the heather leaving me to run down the fence then stepping over the river, this week I was able to cross without falling. The summit done just Halls ridge to stumble over but with dry rocks it’s pretty easy just the odd bit were you have to look the other way as you balance over the cliff edges.

At Threkeld we had our hot food and filled up with water and extra tops etc. Mike and Helen S watched as we ate Helen saying we were mad to be running on again, but these things have to be done, Mike m was keeping an eye on the time and was soon it was time to leave. The climb up Clough Head had me some way behind thanks to a phone call, but I kept to my pace and before long to summit was done. Mike M was leading to way and so we made good time but Stuart was slipping back slightly we pressed on and the darkness started to come. With the wind in our face I was starting feel the earlier week so time from a caffeine drink which had me zipping along just fine all the time the darkness was coming in, time to get the head lights out, good job Stuart had a spare. We have trained all winter in the dark but when you start to climb in a new area its not that easy the rocks just keep coming and you get a surreal feeling of emptiness but who else would be up here only other fools training or doing a BG, Lower Man done and Stuart was feeling ill with back pains and cramps, Andrew tried to massage his shoulders ‘was that any better’ he asked ‘it not there its under my arms more but it’s very nice all the same’ was Stuart’s reply, that sounds odd four blokes massaging each other in the dark in the middle of the night whilst eating peaches.

At this point we were just going to finish the night as best we could stopping together making sure Stuart was ok, as we dropped off Helvellyn I decided it was time to perfect my commando roll which I think is almost perfect although this is properly not the best time or place to practice, a stony path between Helvellyn and Nethermost, but I made light work of it jumping up straight back into a trot.

Does some one keep moving the summit of Nethermost it never seams to be in the same place, I hope its put back to were I know it is come 11^th June, I think we found it we all agreed it was the right one and so we pressed on over Dollywagon before finding the metal post that marks the descent to Grisedale tarn at which point we stopped for a Haribo Moment. We missing out Fairfield and went straight into Seat this would be a test to find the path down in the dark and one last chance to try out that commando roll again this one was a beauty nice soft grass that’s 2 rolls in one night I best be a little more careful now. Stuart stepped up to lead the way down to perfection and our night was complete.

Overall: A hard week with loads of climbing and a couple of long days. I’m glad we started at 4pm Saturday it gave us a feel of how different it will be to start later in the day.

Totals for Sat: 27miles, 1100ft ascent, 7 hours 45mins, 3.3mph Ave speed

Rest of week: Monday 3600ft,8.5miles, 2hrs,3.9mph,Wed: 2000ft,7.5miles ,1Hrs34 mins,4.9mph, Thurs,3200ft ,9miles,3hrs 20mins 2.7mph, Friday : 2000ft,21miles, 8hrs 2.7mph

The Billy Bland weekend

8^th May 2010

The Billy bland challenge is a race over the Bob Graham course each of the 5 legs is done as relay with two different runners per Leg passing a batten over at the road/checkpoints,

Team Captain: Ray Gill

Road team: Dawn Gill, Lyn Jarvis.

The team:Leg1: Steve Jeffs, Mark Bell. Leg 2: Stuart Hurst, Mick Pearcy. Leg3 John Leech, Dave Deason. Leg4: Ray Gill, Andrew McCracken. Leg5: Richard Jarvis, Andy Leadmen.

Not an early start for me this week doing leg 3 I left the house at around 8am picking up Leechy and Dawn at the filling station on the Kendal by-pass arriving at Dunmail Raise with plenty of time to park up behind Ray’s car. Leechy jumped out to take a look inside to see if Ray was asleep, no sign of him, where can he be? Maybe he has gone up the fell to see the Leg 2 boys in few good 5 mins later and Dawn went for a look. But wait a hand appeared in the window Ray was in the car after all hidden under his sleeping bag in the boot of the car. We sat waiting, drinking coffee and eating cakes, we chatted about the route up Blencathra on our Armrest Map each of us taking turns to point out route on a black piece of cloth Leechy re-programmed the map to explain his route at Caw on Wednesday night, the VW armrest is an invaluable piece of kit that should be taken everywhere a map may be needed. I tried Mick’s phone a few time but no answer, what time would they appear? Then an answer they were close, time to get ready. We watched as Stuart and Mick appear over the hill. They passed the batten over, the famous Dallam Batten that Ray had loving made the week before had been lost on the second hill this meant a new batten in the form of a stick would be passed which changed shape and size on each leg, in the excitement Leechy set off just in the nick of time I stopped him from getting run over on the busy road.

We climbed well up Steel Fell, then pushing the pace along at a good 4mph,we were flying along so much so I made a boob on the final ascent to Calf Crag this cost us 30sec doesn’t sound much but at Billy’s pace he would be half way to Sergeant Man with that kind of advantage. With our loss behind us we were racing along just fine, only being slowed slightly by the head wind up to Raise but with dry ground and the wind behind we soon regained the 30sec lost through Thunacar. With the Stickle’s behind us we had the long drag to Rossett and the welcome sight of Shinny waiting with Jelly babies and Water. Bow Fell was another good climb but from now on we had the rocks to deal with skipping over them as best we could, I had thoughts of how Billy crossed them would he have stumbled along like us worrying that we could slip between the rocks snapping an ankle at any time or is he just lighter then me making him so much better balanced. The climb to Great End is very enjoyable now with the extra cairns we built which are to Leech’s liking. The climbed to Broad crag had me stuck mid stride my trusty Mudclaw’s were feeling the pace, the rubber was dropping off them as fast as Jesson Button sheds rubber from his F1 car. The Pike was busy yet again making our ascent and descent a little tricky next we had Broad Stand the very reason me and Leechy had been moved to leg 3. We popped up onto the big slab to the sight of two chaps, Leechy jumped up with ease, always easier when dry, whilst he did I ask the older chap, on the lower levels, if he was ok, ‘No’ was the reply they were out walking and climbing and he was not happy about going up Broad Stand he allowed me also to pass so he could see how to climb up, I hope he made it up ok think he would have being roped up and all. Last summit was done only had the descent to Wasdale left and find a new batten which we passed over to Ray & Andrew in a time of 4hrs 46mins, a little slow than Billy light foot Bland.

We had Lunch at Wasdale before driving around to Honister to meet the Leg 5 team. As we drove up the Buttermere valley with it’s dramatic hills dropping to the still waters below we spotted John Hodgson enjoying an Ice Cream, he came to Honister for a chat as again we sat waiting for runners to arrive so I decided to make an early start up Dalehead a little after 6pm so I could have an easy climb before the racing pair arrived. I looked back to see them climbing well so time to take off the coat and pick up the pace again I kept them at an even distance behind me. Richard was not sure of the best line off Robinson but they did a great job and were soon running down the road towards Keswick, well done to Andy he step in late and did a great job of bringing the team home in a pleasing time of 17hrs 16mins.

Overall it was good to run hard on leg 3 stripping well over an hour off my target time but well off Billy’s time, it was also good to carry on and complete leg 5 in around 2hours on tired legs giving me a feel of what to excepted in June.

Well done to all the Dallam team

Totals: 28miles, 9600ft ascent, 7hrs 09mins 3.9mph ave speed

A Day of Two Halves

5 Dallam, 2 COLT

Route: Stonethwaite to High Raise then Legs 3 + 4

A very early start had us stopping at every filling station trying to find one that was open, should have prepared earlier, we messed around a bit driving around Keswick because of the road closures but we arrived at Stonethwaite on time, ready for our 7:30 start, this was to be a gentle warm up. As we climbed, we had thoughts of the chap who was doing an attempt, would we see him? First summit done we pressed on to Thunacar, in the dip we looked across to Sergeant Man and there they where the BG attempt party, just topping out and we seemed to keep that sort of gap from them until Scafell Pike.

Having struggled with food the week before I needed to get it right this week and have a good run out. I had some ham, cheese, malt loaf and flapjack wrapped up in small parcels along with an isotonic drink which I was trying to take on board every 40 -50 mins or whenever we had a small climb to do, this was working well I was feeling good. Each summit came and went on time, we where chatting and joking as we went, which passes the time and summits very quickly, we still had the BG attempt man behind us. Before long we reached Rossett and time to say goodbye to Baz and Mike S, they were turning back down the Borrowdale Valley. Bowfell was again pretty good we seem to have found a good line up, before we started the final climb we passed 3 lads also out on a recci, they quizzed us about our route up, they were well ahead of us and were pretty surprised at how quickly we caught them, maybe they were just slow climbers? We came to Great End, could I find that good line again? Maybe I should have built some cairns last time, this week we did build a few cairns, that’s goner make life easier next time we go that way.

Scafell Pike done and we started the descent we kept on the main path this week, last time we headed too far left of the summit causing us to traverse over some tricky rocks towards Broad Stand, this time we turned a wee bit later which seemed ok but I think we lost some time by doing it. Broad Stand was in front of us all roped up ready for the chap on his attempt. Mick P was first up using the ropes next it was Stuart then Andrew, he was not a happy man, he had fear all over his face but he had little option but to go up so with a few words from the rope men and lot of pushing from me and Tom up he went, that left me and Tom at the bottom but we had to wait, we didn’t want to hold up this chap on his attempt in anyway. Then in a flash up he came onto the rope and a few extra hands from me and Tom, he was gone followed by his two pacers, one was a bit of a girl on the ropes but he got up, that left me and Tom to climb up, pretty easy with a rope in place. We regrouped before topping out allowing the BG lad to get well away from us before the big descent into Wasdale and lunch, pasta, homemade protein shake washed down with a caffeine drink. The skies were closing in and we had a few drops of rain as we started up Yewbarrow.

Yewbarrow is a monster it’s an endless climb so steep it hurts your neck to keep looking up so its head down and think of some thing else like fish and chip in Keswick later or maybe this week I’ll try a pie and peas, no I’ll leave the peas and I’ll have gravy, then before you know it your almost there and just about on time, which depends on where you start from. On Red Pike it started to rain so the coats came out and they stayed on for the rest of the day, we made good time through the next few summits but the weather was grim, we were all getting cold, I just wanted to get back to the car as quickly as I could but we had two big climbs and two small ones to do then as we climbed Kirk Fell the rain stopped but the wind was still around us, we polished off our peaches and pears on Gable before heading down, the last three summits came very quickly before we knew it we were dropping into Honister. We turned right just before the slate mine then headed down the road and back to the car.

Overall a good testing day on the fells, we had good warm weather at the start of the day then it quickly turned wet and cold, was Bob testing us again with the weather? He’s running out of weekends to test us!

Totals: 31 miles, 12100ft ascent, 11hrs 35mins 3.0mph ave speed

The BG attempt chap finished his round touching the doors of Moot hall in 20:59 well done

Legs 3 & 4

17th April 2010

3 Dallam runner 1 COLT

The route: Stonethwaite, High rise through to Green Gable, Seathwaite, Stonethwaite

An early start had us pulling out of Stonethwaite to morning sunshine with little spring nip to the air. The morning chat was about Wednesday’s night run and what else? the Bob Graham, again we went through different scenario mostly Andrew’s attempt. We soon started passing walkers as we climbed to High Raise, this first climb taking longer than I had estimated, we cracked on hitting the summits at above BG pace, testing different lines on and off the summits, some good some very bad. As we climbed to Rossett Crag, we had three fell runners behind us, we reached the summit stopping briefly for food allowing the three old guys to catch us up, they asked about our day and we asked about what they were up to, one was training for the Joss Naylor, we climbed Bow Fell with them then wished them well before we pressed on towards Esk Pike.

At Great End I opted for the direct line keeping more to the left than previous days, think I got it spot on today I found a nice little path to the summit but it would be hard to follow in the clag. As we passed over Ill Crag and Broad Crag the number of walkers was increasing. We reached Scafell Pike, for the first time this year, to around two hundred people it was truly unbelievable to see so many people up there. We dropped to Mickledore looking across towards Broad stand, not an option today, to the right Lords Rake covered in snow ,so that was out, our only route to Scafell was to the left and the Foxes tarn route. We refuelled at the mountain rescue box chatting to some Essex boy’s who asked if we were doing the 3 peaks ‘no the Bob Graham’ we said, being southerners they didn’t know what this was, Mickey P soon had them told what we were up to, ‘42 peaks’ they said looking at us in disbelieve.

Foxes Tarn route is a total nightmare, you lose so much height and the climb back up is steep and the rocks are loose, we only lost about 14 mins, but still way too much for a BG attempt, we dropped into Wasdale having lunch next to the footbridge, pasta, rice pudding and a foot spar in the Icy beck, we stopped too long but what the hell it’s a recci day. The thought of climbing Yewbarrow had been praying on my mind for some time and it was as hard as I had imagined, a 50 minute climb followed by another 50 minutes to Red Pike. I started to question my ability to do the Bob Graham, I was finding it tough and my head was spinning, as we climbed I noticed that everyone was feeling it there were big sighs come from all directions, I looked at Mickey, he had his head phones in, the dancing queen was feeling it too, then bingo we reached Red Pike summit and we had picked up around 15 minutes on the two climbs, happy days were here again, I was back on track and I was feeling good again I could have kept on going running , Keswick didn’t seem that far away right now.

Time was ticking on and we were running out of day with still lots to do. I got the map out to see about a different route back to the car. We pushed on through Steeple towards Pillar, the dancing queen had got a new lease of life; he was up front enjoying the climbs and his music. I followed close by pointing out to Andrew some little short cuts that need to be done when I caught a stone sending me hurtling towards the rocky path, a quick dip of the shoulder and into a roll before stopping in a seated position and just a small scratch to the knee. At the base of Great Gable I finished off my last sports drink and downed some flapjack before the last big climb of the day. We kept to the zig zag path until about half way before hanging a left over some large rocks then on to a small path which leads to the summit, a great route up, we climbed Green Gable before turning right down toward Seathwaite, then the gentle run through the valley back to the car before driving into Keswick for fish and chips. As we pulled out of Keswick the daylight was going I never thought we’d been out for so long, sorry to the other halves.

Overall another good day on the fells, with three great lads for company. I think Bob Graham training would be very hard without them. It turned out to be a longer day then I had planned but good to get loads of climbing and time on your feet under my belt. Our pace may have been a little slow but we had way too long for lunch (30min ).

Total: 32miles 12600ft ascent 11hours 25mins 2.6mph ave speed

Back to Back Weekend

Saturday 10th April: Kentmere Horseshoe

2 Dallam runners 2 dogs

Route : Yorke, Ill Bell, High Street, Harter Fell.

Sunday 11th April: Lakes Ridges and Wainwright’s

9 Dallam runners 181 others

Route : High spy, Hindscarth, Robinson, Haystacks, Dale Head.

A week of sickness followed the Manx weekend, that would explain why I had a bad time out there, little food or drink was consumed during the beginning of the week resulting in cramp in the right Calf muscle on Wednesday night, I had to lay off the training and massage it out. An early start on Saturday seeing Mick and I in Kentmere to blue skies over head and little in the way of wind this was going to be nice training session.

We parked at the church and started our climb at a leisurely pace passing numerous average Joe walker’s, as we climbed the views were stunning, its not often we take time out to enjoy them today we did, we climbed at a steady pace chatting and planning about BG times, dates, routes, food, training weekends and teams we covered every aspect during that morning making the summits come quickly. Before long we were starting the descent back to Kentmere, I’d kept my trainers dry all morning when we hit a very wet patch which I tried to tip toe over, big mistake, I lost my footing and slid about 20 yards down the hill we washing ourselves and the dogs in the beck as we passed before heading home for lunch then out for a few hours to round off the day.

Sunday’s alarm was early we needed to be in Rossthwaite by 8am I picking up Stuart on the way. We enjoyed a quick brew and just time catch up to some Dallam runners before the start. This was a LDWA event so no pressure and no times to worry about as we lined up and started Ray stormed away, just to the first gate, we made a small mistake at the start taking the right side of the valley I soon realised this was wrong we needed to cross to the left and to go through the old Slate quarry then up to Dale head Tarn, this climb proving long and hard, before a great descent to Little Town for the first checkpoint of the day with an assortment of Jam Doughnuts and Malt loaf. The next climb would be Hindscarth again proving to be long and hard, this LDWA was going to be a tough day out, at the summit I pointed out the Bg leg 5 to Stuart, as we hit the dip between Hindscarth and Robinson three other runner who were about our pace were taking my usual line to the summit this was a perfect chance to compare routes with me and Stuart keeping to the main path nearer to the fence, looks a little further but no leg draining wet grass, all five of us summated at the same time. We dropped into Buttermere for lunch, Jam butties, rice pudding with Peaches followed by a cup of Tea the Lwda chap’s know how to look after you.

The path around Buttermere is one of the best lake walks going but today we had the added extra’s of picture perfect views of majestic hills reflecting on the still waters below, we climbed to the summit of Haystacks with its recent land slips before dropping into Honister for the final checkpoint before picking up leg 5 of the Bg again. Dale head done on schedule time we just had to drop back to the Tarn then down the old Slate quarry to the finish back at the Village Hall. As we tucked into Pasta and crumble Dr Martin strolled into our surprise, all changed he had suffered a blister at Buttermere and had to catch a lift back to the finish he was gutted that his training was not going well. We sore in Rob H and Penny before heading home.

Overall a difficult week with illness and sore muscles making the weekend’s training pretty hard going but great to be out and about in the sun shine with some great friends, what a difference two weeks makes.

Totals: Saturday, 12miles, 3300ft ascent, 3.9mph ave speed

Sunday, 23 miles, 8000ft 3.4mph ave speed

Manx Marathon

3^rd April 2010

5 Dallam runners 1 supporter and 76 others

The route: The Manx Marathon

In the departure lounge we hopefully chatted to Wendy Dodds about the course and her previous tours, 6 outings 5 wins, she was looking at a time of around 6 hours so we thought 6 and a half. The boat was full so only a few seats at the back for us boys. This turned out to be the slowest trip I’ve ever done, 4 hours in a packed seating area with the constant drone of the engines sapping every last bit of enthusiasm out of me. At last we docked at Douglas to pouring rain and snow still covering the hills, it should have been a short walked to the hotel instead it was a taxi ride. As we checked in we asked about breakfast to our horror 8am to 9am, our bus to the start was 7:30am luck was on our side chef would come in early to do porridge etc. We had dinner in the hotel, duck pancake followed by Beef and mash, then back to our rooms to pack the kit bags and early bed. The alarm sounded its time to get up but no lights we had a power cut, I had Mickey P in my room so you can guess what he had to say about having to get dressed in the dark fumbling around for kit.

After breakfast a brisk walk to the taxi rank and then onto the mini bus for the 40 minute ride up the TT course to Ramsay the driver pointing out some interesting places all the time saying how mad we must be to run to Port Erin. In the village hall we prepared for the start then we people watched, kit bags were packed, muddy trainers laced up and stretching of limbs was done, Wendy Dodds proving to be the most flexible of them all, before it was time to go. With only 81 runners the field was soon spread out and we started to climb from the offset. That’s what we seamed to do all day just climb in wet mud and heather, just like the section from Skiddaw to Great calva, this was all day mile after wet mile slipping, sliding, splashing, and wading our way across the island the terrain was leg sapping and hard. The clag was down until we reached our fourth summit and first water station we climb a fence to cross the wettest field on the island with added melting snow to numb the feet for just as we arrived at the next check point a marshal asked if that runner behind was on the road ‘not sure’ was the reply. But he was and it was Greg glancing back as we climb the next summit we could see Greg getting a telling off. The hills kept on coming we passed through heather, wet field’s and gorse bush’s we jumped fences, rivers and walls, one even had a set of aluminium step ladders at them we laughed at the thought of what Greg would have to say about them as he filled in a health and safety foam.

I had been trying to eat something every hour but my stomach had been cramping all morning, turned out Jane had the same starter as me the night before and she was suffering also, I was finding it hard to eat, my head felt it was ten times bigger than normal……… I was feeling very low, this was my first bad patch, I had been battered with the cold, rain, wind and snow the week before but this feeling was worse. It felt like I not only had a ball and chain on each leg but I was dragging the cannon as well, I was ready for stopping at the next water station I had to get some food on board or the day would be over. Mikey P filled me with oranges and I tried some more flapjack, at the water station I gulped fresh water then a marshal forced Jelly babies at me followed by a wet sponge to the head. Luck was on my side the next section was a down hill road I plodding on and I started to pick up soon we passed the 21 mile marker and I was feeling good again, the bad patch had passed, just as it did Mickey started with one my turn to force sports drinks and sweets into him.

We had three hills to do, the weather had pick up, the sky was blue, the views stunning and the end was in sight, chatting to runners as we passed them most were dead on there feet they all complained about the heavy ground draining the legs. We drop to sea level again before the killer final climb and what a climb it was mega steep, all the time we were passing walkers, half Marathon runners and even a couple of early marathon starters, a big boost, we crossed the line made up with what we had done and straight into the sea to cool off the legs before a hot shower at race HQ. We returned to finish line to watch Greg in, we had been close to some of the cut off times and we thought he would have been retired by the marshals but in he came to the biggest cheer of the day, but wait he didn’t cross the line ………he had been retired but thought what the hell I’m doing this course anyway, just as I would have done, we returned to race HQ for hot food and beer, off the beer at the moment but after that kind of day we all had a couple, before the presentation and every one of the half and full marathon runners collected there certificate and great little touch. The mini bus arrived to take us back to Douglas for some more chat in the bar.

Overall the weekend was great with some good like minded company, a very well organised race with some very friendly locals. The race turned out to be one of the hardest days I’ve had so far but in a different way than just being batter by the weather. I was feeling down yet still maintained 4 mph ave speed another good test.

Totals: 32mile, 8100ft ascent, 4mph ave speed

15 rounds with Bobby Gee

28^th March 2010

5 Dallam, 2 COLT, 2 Lonsdale runners

Route planned Leg1: Skiddaw, Great Calva, and Blencathra. Leg 2: Clough head, Great Dodd, Watson Dodd, Stybarrow Dodd, Raise, Whiteside, Helvellyn lower man, Helvellyn, Nethermost Pike, Dollywagon Pike, Fairfeild, and Seat Sandal.

The weather forecast was good for the morning but windy in the afternoon, so with a clear sky we set off on our longest day to date. Everyone was keen, full of get up and go, for the early rounds one more than others, must be those long legs and springs in his walking poles, we approached the last gate of Skiddaw, last time we passed this gate only one bar was poking out of the snow, this time no problem with snow but the wind was picking up slightly then around 500 yards from the summit the wind was holding me back it was a real fight to summit I hit the lap timer and dropped off the top as quick as I could regrouping a little lower and out of the wind. As I waited I glanced down to my cold legs to my surprise the mist on them had frozen, others were complaining of near frozen contact lenses, Bobby Gee was fighting hard and dirty.

After a little bit of scouting around for the trod, we started the trek to Great calva which was as wet as ever but hardly any wind, was that all Bob had to offer I was thinking. We experimented off Calva with Stuart and Mike S, heading down the lumpy heather everyone else keeping to the fence line then following the beck, my only concern is if river is high come May the crossing will be a deep one, we looked for the other two as we crossed the river and as we climbed, but no sight of them until we reached Long Brow. We maintained our pace across the lower ground the other two headed up Blue Screes, whilst we maintained our direct line to the summit traversing the fell, cutting out as much of the steepness as we could. Stuart and Mike hit the summit first, the rest of us a few moments later but well within the schedule time, the heather route may be slightly quicker but I’m more then happy with the fence route.

With three summits done we had lunch outside King Kenny’s house, said our goodbyes to Mark Bell and started our next battle of the day and what a fight it turned out to be I think Bob was looking down on us saying I’m goner test you boys today lets see if you can step up to the mark.

Clough Head went pretty smoothly hitting the schedule time but the wind picking up and Great Dodd was in the clouds the hoods were up for maximum protection, but still them little darting rain drops hitting your face, all the time the temperature was dropping, all I wanted at that time was my 15 tog quilt cover. We waited a few moment for a re-group, the Lonsdale boys and our stick man were slipping back slightly on the climbs, we pressed on no point chatting it was too windy to hear anything, all the time we were getting pounded by the wind and rain and we were starting to split up a bit but it was way to cold for regroups on every summit. I waited again telling Mike S to regroup at the Helvellyn Shelter, wrong choice I should have asked, if that’s what they wanted to do as later they said they would have dropped off sooner taking the lower path back. The climb up Lower Man then to Helvellyn was desperate I think I must be like a sail every other step I was being pushed over towards the ridge and I couldn’t get that chap who fell off a ridge last year out of my mind. At the Shelter we waited, I put on every bit of extra kit I had, Bob had me pinned in the corner still punching ……..Bob was winning right now I was ready for home. We sat waiting for what seemed like hour, 12 minutes, getting colder and colder we had to get moving again. A group of walkers were heading down Lower man so was asked if they would tell our remaining three we had pushed on.

Still cold and wind chill of what seamed like -20 running was not easy my fingers and feet were numb I was starting to get tired and hungry, I wasn’t eating anything it was too cold and wet for that, all I wanted was to get out of this hell hole. Nethermost proved tricky to find and get off …I was on the ropes again but I fought back again, as we dropped into Grisedale Tarn and out of the clag I started to warm up a bit I filled up on jelly sweets and water soon I was feeling good again with only two summits to go Bob was on the ropes now. Mickey P had had his fill and headed down Seat alone the three tail-enders missed the last 4 Summits and headed to the Lonsdale team bus, which left 4 to finish the leg.

The Men of Iron powered up Fairfield, Stuart and I followed chatting as the wind had dropped for the ascent. As we approached the summit Bob returned with a blast of wind and snow to test me again, no way this time I was in the middle of the ring feeling strong and in control again. The final round was in sight we climbed again for the last time hitting the summit 18 minutes ahead for the day. Time for that Satsuma, I’ve carried for the last three weeks I should have had it sooner. I got a good line off Seat dropping into the welcome sight of the waiting van everyone was back safe.

Overall I did 15 rounds with an angry Bob trying to knock the fight out of me testing me to limits of near defeat, he had me on the ropes a couple of times but I dug in which I will need to come May. Thanks to everyone that came along new and old hope to see you all up there again. The main lesson learnt today is that I need to eat little and often. Time to drop the Joss Naylor training plan.

Total 27miles, 11,200ft ascent, 8hours 23mins, 3.2mph ave speed