A Backwards Waltz

1 Dallam runner 2 COLT (City of Lancaster Triathlon)

Dallam were out-numbered by COLTS for the first time.

The route : Catbells, Maiden Moor, High Spy, Dale Head, Hindscarth, Robinson

The morning was crisp both under foot and in the air our trot through the woods towards Catbells is a lovely run any time of the year, I would recommend this route. We approached the foot of Catbells and Tom set a lung and leg busting pace, Andrew keeping with him, I lagged behind sticking to a more breathable pace. Catbells done I pushed on only touching the summit leaving Tom and Andrew to admire to view and take some snaps. We climbed again to Maiden Moor then onto High Spy this time we stopped to treat Andrew’s feet and take more snaps. Dropping to Dale Head Tarn before a long climb to Dale Head which was covered in snow, this being the worst summit for snow and ice we were now on the BG route. Hindscarth came quickly I’m hoping it’s that easy in May. The route to Robinson was difficult ,the small trod had a few foot prints on it which had melted the day before then frozen again over night not nice to run on so we had to run on the slopping banks of snow which was solid making it hard to grip. I was thinking I would be over any second twisting an ankle and that’s my BG over for May so I was super slow.

Tom powered on, he seems very light on his feet and the question of his weight came up, he says he’s not a light weight skinny fell runner but he runs like one, we split up in the dip, Tom taking the fence line with the more defined path Andrew and I cutting across the leg sapping fell, think we will stick to the fence come May, Robinson summit done we sat for drinks food and more photos we had 100 mins to reach Keswick. I was hoping to take a look at a different run off Robinson. I think we had dropped too far before we spotted the gully, we cut across the fell but the descent was very hard on our legs so it going to be even harder after 42 peaks. That route was soon ditched and it was back to the ridge line and that killer grassy descent to the reservoir catching Tom out on the frozen ground. We left the farm track onto the tarmac road Andrew had a smile on his face he loves the Tarmac .We passed the church before a small climb to take the off road run home, Tom has a relentless pace both up and down whatever the terrain, as we passed under Catbells I glanced up to see crowds of people on the summit, I’m glad we did that first. We arrived back at the car 63mins from Robinson summit and around 1 and half miles to Moot hall steps job done.

Overall we had a fast hard work out, the only summit with any real snow being Dale Head, the views where stunning and the company great as always.

Totals 15 miles, 4531ft of ascent, 4.1mph ave speed