Training Log Archive: northernfeller

This was the CP1 - CP2 leg, although I only got to angle tarn rather than the full leg. There was substantial snow above about 4-500m, which made the going much harder than I anticipated.

I started of at a really casual jog, about 20min mile pace. The first part was flat and not at all challenging, just farmland. I managed to nav pretty well, and didn't make any mistakes for the first part, correctly identifying where the bridge would be etc. As I began the first ascent up to The Bog the snow started to appear on the ground. Nothing major to start with but enough to obscure the path. Once up onto The Bog I made the mistake of travelling to high up above the river, meaning I was constantly negotiating re-entries. The small path actually is down almost at river level, much the same as the river path to the Northern edge of Kinder. I discovered this on the way back. Up the next ascent at Flour Gill and the snow was now lying deeper on the ground making the ascent hard work. I then stopped properly to navigate and get orientated. Made ascent up to Low White Stones and then onto High Raise, which was dead obvious from the path, even in snow. Descent down to Stake Pass, fairly route 1. The key here is to not descend too far so as to minimise the ascent required up to the ridge that leads to Angle Tarn. Once on the ridge only snatches of path were evident in the snow, but I'd imagine that they'll be easily visible once it's thawed. Stopped at Angle Tarn and made the decision that I didn't have enough left in me to ascend Bowfell, much as it gutted me. It was the right decision though, because the climb back up High Raise really exhausted me. Really easy back to van.

Ok, so. I nav'd really well, I'm not that hill fit right now, snow is hard work, this was a really good fitness session.
I don't actually think there's any negatives here. Obviously I'll need to be quicker on the day, but it's only my second fell run this season, there was lots of snow and I was navigating. None of those will be the case inJune. Added to this is the fact that I averaged 2.2 mph even with all those factors, enough to finish in about 20 hours. So work to do but a positive start.

Weight is dropping, not run much this week because I did two major hard days on site doing structural at Sam's house. 11 hour day on Tuesday, then shorter day on Wednesday. Today was recovery, but feeling up for lakes tomorrow. also, worth noting that I often feel well depressed on last week of Jan and 1st week of feb - two years running now.

Quick run into work