Training Log Archive: ba-ba

Would have loved to use the mountains in Snowdonia but got lines to learn and Jasmin to beat so headed back for a run from Snake on to Bleaklow. However Snake was closed - I went up to have a look before realising it was closed for a reason and beating a retreat! Headed back to Sheffield (also tuned around at Winnats as people were mucking about) so settled for a trundle around Eccy woods. Was feeling good so headed up to Woodseats and Graves Park - where they have tarmaced the only interesting bit of the ParkRun route.

Jim's winter Paddy Buckley legs 2 and 3.

Leg 2

5:50 scheduled start from Aberglaslyn. So of course as we drove up at 5:30 Jim and Andy were waiting for us about to head out on leg 2. Dived out of the car and joined Jim, the other 2 supporters (Carol and Dave) never caught us as Jim was moving well. However I didn't have any of Jim's food or gear, and knowing this he hit a bit of a low patch up the first hill, until I listed off the tuck-shop I had in my rucksack.

Was aware of the windy weather forecast and it hit on Moel Hebog, peak 2. I was not looking forward to the next 6h or so in this! Slow and steady off Hebog accounting for the iced-up ground. After this it got light pretty quickly - good job as Jim's head torch was now in power-saving mode. The expected walk-in support wasn't there which was a bit of a downer, but we plugged on up to the Nantlle ridge into increasingly wintery conditions, the wind evident but not as bad as expected. Good bit of scrambling, dry snow on rock proving fairly grippy, before meeting Carol and Dave on Y Garn for the descent to the road crossing.

Lost 10mins to schedule on this leg which was pretty good considering it was just 2 of us. Never got the map out once and only had one slightly dubious line moment at the bottom of Hebog climb - Jim knows this leg well!

Leg 3.
Just about had time to grab a butty before Jim was off again, now with Liz and Jasmin for support. The schedule for this leg were very favourable (based on this being the last, not 3rd leg), and we took 20mins off the split to the first summit, Craig Wen. More and more wintery up to Y Aran and we picked up Forest Bethell at the bwlch before plugging on to Snowdon, ice steps and drifting snow on the ridge, but not as windy as expected. The cafe popped up suddenly and we saw other people for the first time! Watched Jas and Forest find the ice patches coming off Crib y Ddysgl and once onto the ranger path it was just a case of following someone else's footprints over Cynghorion, the Foels and Elio before leaving the snow and mist behind into Llanberis, taking a nice hour off the schedule on this leg alone.

Cracking day out. Had good fun conditions on my legs, but they got a bit more entertaining over the Glyderau and Carnedds on the next 2 legs. Time was lost on these 2 'optimistic' schedules so Jim finished ~2h down on his schedule, but 21:37 was still 1h10 inside the previous winter record.

Still not entirely sure of the sanity of people who take on solo unsupported rounds in winter conditions though!

Morning from Dennis Knoll.
'warm up' down to Yorkshire bridge, tempo up Win Hill, then tempo back up to Dennis Knoll. Then easy out and back to Moscar beneath/on top of Stanage.

Uphills were tempo according to Hr, but felt very sluggish (and a bit too much walking up Parkin Clough). However perks of uphill tempo is at least I got some climb out of it if nothing else.

First time in these new shoes (rrp: £110. picked up in TKMaxx for £30). Would be ideal for a dry PPP.

Rivelin then ITW.
Bumped into Colin Best in Rivelin. Why to pensioners always wake up so early?!

itw.
left quad/hip niggle from yesterday felt much better. left ankle niggle a bit better bit still noticeable.

10min T.
6x3(60/75)
Looping around quite a bit to give myself targets.
Tempo felt good.
Trying to work hard in the 3 mins and feel I managed it OK for the first 3 but was struggling to move through the group a bit. The last 3 when I was on my own were a bit of a struggle.

Back to track next week (weekend dependant!)

Trot home in the pissing rain with Han