Training Log Archive: OJ

Bob Graham, at long last! Ran as a duet with Tom S with support from my folks on the roads. The solstice was the only window I could find to fit it in and we had visions of Everest-style queues of BG contenders on all the summits. We did encounter a lot of other attempts going on, but it added to the fun and made for a nice buzz in Keswick at the end.

Leg 1: 2.49
We arrived in Keswick for a 2am start, where the revellers were out in force and another two parties of BG'ers were limbering up. Rather than hang around we opted for a swift 1.56am start to beat the crowds. One group told us that they would give us ten minutes and see us later on. Not much chance of that, particularly given the pace that Tom set off at. This was an uneventful leg, except for some unexpected fireworks as we were approaching the summit of Great Calva - maybe they had mistaken us for someone else, but it was flattering nonetheless. Sunrise at the summit of Blencathra was a highlight, as was the technical descent down Halls Fell. About 11 minutes up on our vague 17.30 schedule.

Leg 2: 3.13
We were both overheating on the hills, so faffed a bit more than planned at the road (7 mins). I stripped off and then got quite cold as a temperature inversion made it feel very chilly in the valleys. But Tom set a really fast pace up Clough Head into the sunshine that soon warmed me up. He was shovelling pizza, avocado croissants and all sorts in the whole time, which made me feel quite inadequate with my flapjack and eccles cakes, but at least we were both eating plenty. The Helvellyn range seemed to pass pretty swiftly and without too much effort with a couple of other BG groups to work on. Tom insisted we visit about three cairns on Nethermost Pike and I added in a couple of extra summits along the way for good measure. We took the out 'n back to Fairfield so that we could dump our packs for a while. Still feeling good for the nice descent into Dunmail. So far so good and now about 27 mins up on schedule.

Leg 3: 4.36
More kit faff ensued (11 mins) followed by another fast paced climb up Steel Fell. Saw Ant out supporting on this section, fingers crossed for a good day for his attempt in a couple of weeks! Took the maverick High Raise --> Sergeant Mann --> Thurnacar Knott route, which seemed to puzzle a couple of other groups around us, but I quite liked it as a line, particularly as there is extra water to be had en route. We got some good lines through the Rosset Pike, Bow Fell section and enjoyed the chance to see what we had run through last weekend. It was starting to get very warm now and Tom was struggling with his breathing, so we slowed up a bit over Great End, Ill Crag and Scafell Pike, but still moving with plenty of purpose. Also still visiting every summit cairn available (at Harrison Stickle, Esk Pike and Great End). Scafell Pike was rammed with three peakers and generally unpleasant and we both welcomed escaping from the crowds up Lords Rake. My R ITB was hurting in a vaguely worrying way on all the downhills, which was a cause for concern with the biggest descent of the whole round approaching, but it started to feel a bit better over this scrambly section and was fine down into Wasdale. Now down to 16 mins up on schedule.

Leg 4: 4.02
After an 11 minute kit faff, we were still about 16 mins up on schedule and both feeling pretty good. Yewbarrow was steep, hot and long, but we expected that and passed the time chatting and moving well, shaving a few minutes off the schedule. Red Pike and Steeple saw Tom have another bad patch with his breathing and energy levels, although he was still stuffing the food in. We slowed a bit here but kept moving OK. We were both getting low on water and feeling the heat, when all of a sudden Ba-Ba popped up at Black Sail Pass and treated us to a drink and a refill. This really lifted our spirits and we picked up the pace up Kirk Fell and Gable and managed a decent trot over into Honister while he regaled us with tales of BGs gone wrong. Now only five minutes up on schedule.

Leg 5: 2.09
Rhesus put in a celebrity appearance here, which made for another nice surprise, particularly as Alex had been poorly so Jenny had had to bail on meeting us. Tom was on a mission here, so while I faffed, he was off after just 7 mins. I grabbed what I could and we slogged up Dale Head while Nic and Rhys kept up a comedy double-act to distract us. Tom had rallied and we were both going OK here, the end now in sight. Robinson was bigger than I wanted it to be, but it came and went and while Nic peeled off, Rhys took us down a nice line into the valley. All the hills done, but Keswick still seemed like an impossible distance away and for some completely arbitrary reason I sort of wanted to break 17.30, which meant we would have to hammer it along the road for five miles. Quick shoe change and off we went, Rhys setting the pace and lying to us about how much further it was. In the end we could relax and enjoy the last few hundred metres into town to be greeted by most of Dark Peak out celebrating Loxley's close finish. 17.25 for the lot.

This was a very enjoyable day out and Tom was great company to run with. The only times he ever stops talking are when he is having a bad patch! It was great to see Nic and Rhys to snap us out of our slump towards the end and we had excellent road support from my folks. I love the fact that it is all so pointless and self-inflicted - the perfect antidote to a European ultra race.


Some better GPS data here: https://www.strava.com/activities/2475214447

C • Nice!! 21

Dentist 'n back.

Slow plod after a fun day of fossil hunting at Castleton.