Riber Run

"Fell Racing Doesn't Get Much Better Than That"

First time I've tackled this race - always been on my radar, but I think it's always been the same week as Blackamoor. I've done Blackamoor the last 2 years now so this year it was time for a change.

There's not many fell races which start this close to my house - about 8 miles away, so with such a great evening, I thought I'd cycle there getting in a couple of climbs on the way.

Andy "Hand on Heart a Harrier" showing true allegiance!

Nice to see Dave Horton down to a fell race - Dave seems to have "done" the local fell race scene, but in a previous - pre kids - life. Lets hope we see a bit more of him after this teaser at how good local races are. Dave and me registered then a very quick leg loosener (where I bumped into Teresa and Lewis parking up to spectate on the course) a few more hello's and we were away.

It's a downhill start and pretty soon everyone was at the first stile and it was gridlock. People appeared from all angles trying to jump it and once over it, it was single file through mud down to the stream. Soon we were on to the first climb. I'd done this climb as a descent a few Sunday mornings ago with Karl and Marcus and we commented then how good that path would be on a race.

Starting Lea - Up High Leas, down to Cromford Station, Up Through Riber Woods,
 along Hearthstone, Down High Leas

It's a long gradual climb through about 4 fields. Unrelenting stuff all the way to Hearthstone Lane where Teresa and Lewis were cheering me on.  Nice fast descent to Starkholmes road from where it was another longish steepish climb to Riber Castle area.

I'd been running behind Rachel Chambers all the way up the climb and her partner Rob D took me on that last descent. Both these guys are strong runners (Rachel often wins Peaks fell races for women) so when I took them near the top of the next climb I told them "I think I'm gonna regret this!" as I thought I was past maxed out already!!!

Thankfully the flat run along Hearthstone Lane and then up and over the high point felt easy, so I was able to keep pushing all the way. It could have gone either way as I've done some races this year where the second half has been a struggle for survival - not this one thankfully! Not sure what to put it down to - three possible options

• I had energy drink on the way there
• I'd been MTBing the weekend (cycling's always better for my races than running)
• I'd not run for 10 days

Perhaps a combination of all 3 ! I was just closing in on positions 19 and 20 as I crossed the line, but there wasn't quite enough time to take them.

All in all an absolutely fantastic evening. Classic fell racing with hard climbs and fast descents, perfect weather, lots of harriers and Teresa and Lewis to cheer me on. Plus a lovely cycle home too along the Cromford Canal with Andy W.

As I said to Chris afterwards "fell racing doesn't get much better than that".

Note the two Big Climbs ! (and two great descents)

Results here 21st out of 140, Top 15%
Strava Flyby here
Strava here

Buttermere Horseshoe (aka Darren Holloway memorial race), 23 miles & 8,500ft

Well, lets be upfront about this. That race was ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC. I'd go as far as to say it's my favourite race I've ever run. {Post Script : Joint Best with Fellsman}

Clockwise from Top Left. Route choice was generally easy but my route at the end off Ling Comb should have gone to the left of Scale Force. Think I lost 10 mins there

I've always liked long Lake District horseshoes. Anything from my 2nd ever fellrace - Fairfield Horseshoe, up to longer ones I've completed like Duddon and Borrowdale and then onto the Super Longs which I'd not done yet - Wasdale, Ennerdale and this one Buttermere. I ranked Borrowdale and Duddon as two of my favourite races. They're just long, hard and stunning. So, surely a super long would just be more of the above?

THE Buttermere cheesey shot

I'd not entered anything of note really this year yet, but thoughts were turning to something longer later in the year perhaps with the 3x3 Ultra in October? I had unfinished business there after last year. I'd also pledged to myself that I'd try and get one Lakes Long under my belt each year. Teresa's work schedule seemed to coincide with most lakes longs - apart from this one. Perfect - a quick text and my entry was in the post.

This race appealed more than many others for a couple of reasons - it looked really hard and was in an area of the lakes I love - we often stop at The Kirkstile Inn normally on their winter break deal. It was the place I proposed to Teresa 13 or so years back. Also, it looked like it was more grassy than a lot of the other lakes super longs - suiting me as descending on rocks is my big weakness. Tick!

I headed up Friday after work and parked up in Gatesgarth for the night. Second plan for the weekend was to get some nice early morning shots of Buttermere or Crummock. I was up about 6ish, but sadly the cloud was just a big grey blanket so lighting couldn't have been much worse. Nevertheless, I got some nice shots including the reflection above and my breakfast (iphone shot) left.

Race started at 11am so several leisurely photo stops by the two lakes before parking up just down from Loweswater Village Hall. Unpacking the car - everyone was in running vests and I had to borrow some suncream from a fellow runner. Things couldn't be looking any better! Talk at the start was of two fell running records which were being tackled this weekend - Jez Bragg having broken the Ramsay Round in Scotland (circuit of Ben Nevis, Aonach's, Grey Corries, Outliers plus the whole of the Mamores) and Adam Perry tackling the lakeland 24hour record - currently at 77 peaks. He was aiming for 78 peaks. To honour Adam's record attempt - the previous record holder and fell legend - Mark Hartell headed back from California to run the Buttermere Horseshoe and go on and support Adam's attempt later in the day. Nice to see him on the start line! Simon Booth (UK Fell champ and course record holder) was also out but I didn't expect to see much of him !

Inspirational Stuff - We ran everything you can see - and quite a few in the back that you can't!

I took this shot above on the start line - it always fills me with awe that I'm about to run over everything I can see - and then some. Just after 11am Darren's dad sent us on our way and there was some friendly chat and banter on the way to the first climb. Even the first climb up Whiteside was relatively social - meeting Kieran from Erewash RC (who knows Andy W). Taking care to not approach anything like the red zone, I was cautious to keep things 'under control'.

After Whiteside was Gasgale Crags (shot at bottom) - fast ridge running on the way to Hopegill Head (I'd forgotten there was a control here so was gobsmacked to see marshalls. MUST CONCENTRATE!

First climb up Whiteside (707m)

From Hopegill Head things started to go off path. Contouring round Sand Hill then down through nice fast shale to Coledale Hause and off up the long climb to Grassmoor. Some folks took a northerly route along the edge more. Me and a few others in front took a more direct(?) line south of the ridgeline. Splits show I was slightly down here (30secs) so may try the ridge (and trod) next time.

After Grassmoor it was all really good running to Whiteless Pike. It's hard to picture sizes of peaks from a map, but I expected Whiteless Pike to be a nobble at the end of a ridge. In reality there was fantastic ridge running including a descent / reascent to a really impressive peak that at first was way way in the distance. "That can't be my peak way over there" I though. Check map. "Bugger, it is"! The views here were sensational with the top drifting in and out of cloud.

After Whiteless the fun really began. We took the south east descent line (which apparently this race shares with the Teenager with Altitude fellrace) which is an absolute classic. First very steep, then steep, then fast all the way down to Sail Beck before the pull up to Newlands. What a classic descent !!!! My phone was in my waterproof case by now and I regret not taking shots of Whiteless Pike and that view of the descent. Absolutely fantastic stuff.

Nice ridge running on Gasgale Crags from Whiteside to Hopegill Head (770m)

From Newlands it was a very steep climb up to the right of the stream around Buttermere Moss. An area I'd never been to before. Proper middle of nowhere stuff, great. Reminded me of the Fellsman. Hard bog as far as the eye could see! Compass out, it was a bearing to pick the least painful route I could to Littledale Edge (which actually turned out to be pretty painful with a stiff climb at the end and becoming quite rough underfoot).

Littledale Edge to Dale Head was lovely ridge running. The Bob Graham route now in reverse. Great memories. I remember the view down to Buttermere from Bob Graham reccies and had to keep looking right just to see how good it really was.  I was enjoying this properly now. Legs felt good. Views were great. I was maybe just inside the top 10 (I was probably about 6th here but I didn't know it) and I had a lovely descent from Dale Head to Honister ahead of me. What's not to like! Well, there was something I was a little worried about - water. I'd carried half a small bottle of water inside my pack for emergency use only - only to be used if my main bottle was empty and I was on deaths door. I think I used it around Butteremere Moss! I was now getting twinges of cramp, but it wasn't getting worse and I knew / hoped that the streams dropping to Honister I remember from my Bob Graham would have plenty of water in. They did and what a relief. After topping up and necking a whole bottle, I must have had smiles from ear to ear.

Lovely running now up to the Fleetwith Bothy then across rocky paths to Innominate Tarn off Haystacks. My route from Innominate lost me a few minutes (2?) as I should have followed the fence down more but instead got nearly cragbound on big boulders. Just a bit of down scrambling then and I was on the horridly steep climbs up to Seat and High Crag. Not pleasant at this stage in the race, but I knew how bad they were so I'd got them dialled in my head.

I also knew how rocky the traverse of the High Crag / Red Pike / High Stile ridge was and yes I probably lost time on here, but I just kept on running wherever possible until I saw the marshalls at 806m. The next descent was a bad one for me - the only bad one in the whole race really. Feet were very sore by this point and I wasn't exactly sure of the best line but I went way too far east with hindsight. There was no path, then some path and it took me about 100+ metres further down than I needed to be. I got took by two guys here, so I went from 6th to 8th. Nevermind, I wasn't here for placings, just to have a great day out.

Just Mellbreak now then. JUST MELLBREAK ! Of all the climbs I've done in races, this has to be one of the steepest. It felt like Clough Head on the Bob Graham, but I don't think it was. Relentlessly steep grass. Boy, was I pleased to see the marshalls on top !

Quick drop down the gully to the W of Mellbreak then a gentle run down the path, past the Kirkstile and back to finish at the villlage hall. There was still a nice amount of people there to cheer me in. Phew! Thoughts turned to Cake, then catching up with fellow runners (yes, in that order) Which lines did we like ? Which did we blow up on ? Also nice to thank the kitchen staff who'd layed on a massive spread. They must have catered for 100-200 runners. Wow - that meant each runner could have about 5 cakes! I tried my best!

Stunning race on a stunning day. Nice informal feel to it at the start and end with good camaraderie on route. Yes, I'll definitely be back next year !

8th out of 31
Strava link here
Full Results with splits here

BDL Summer League Race, Denby

Every year Belper Harriers volunteer to host one of the local "Booths Decorators League" summer races and for the last few years it's been down at Denby. It's actually a great course as it mixes flat / climbs, road / offroad in it's 5 ish miles.

When you've done a race for the last few years, there's always a tendency to compare times to previous years - well, a slight course change to last year stopped me doing that (thank god) but I still like to compare average pace to previous years.

This year, I'd been out with Karl and Marcus last Sunday sneaking in 22 miles and 3,400ft in prep for Buttermere Horseshoe next weekend (I'd not run for over an hour for absolutely months so needed to see if my legs still worked !). Needless to say, my legs weren't fresh for this race then, but they didn't feel as bad as I feared, so Chris and me headed down on our bikes on what was a perfect summer evening. A quick leg stretch warm up and things seemed to be functioning ok!

Everything seemed ok along the first flat section - running comfortably. We then turned the corner and headed up Street Lane. I could still see Trev Wilson just in front and - with Andy Parkin taking me and him -  I thought it was time to close in on Trev too.

This is where it all went wrong !

I didn't realise it but I was maxing out already up the climb so to overtake pushed me way way WAY into the red. So much so that about 3 or 4 people overtook me on the next 1/4 mile. I think my legs must have been more tired than I realised after Sunday's efforts which is why I felt emptier than I thought I should have been.

On leaving the Denby pit tips area, I felt the runner behind me clip my heels - whooooa, hold on - you don't need to run that flipping close to me - "overtake me if you're that close" I thought ! Anyway, it was only Chris - lurking on my shoulder and trying to take me out of action !!! He claims not - I'm not convinced ! Anyway, this is where I started to get my breathing under control again so slowly pulled away from both Trev and Chris on the down / flat section to the finish.

Well done Chris for being so close! Not my best performance on the course but I still enjoyed running with 30 odd other Harriers on our home good on such a great evening.

41st out of 316

2013 pace : 6:05min / mile
2014 pace : 6:11min / mile
2015 pace : 6:17min / mile

Last years blog write up here
Results here

Calver Peak Fell Race

This was the 2nd time I've done this race and I have to admit it wasn't my favourite from last year by any means. There's a fair bit of 'big tracks' on this (first climb, then all round the quarries in the middle) and I much prefer to run on small trods / paths. Tansley was the following day this year, but I couldn't make that due to childcare issues, so it was Calver or nothing this week. Easy choice then!

On the First Climb : Courtesy of JenReg

I'd not really run or done proper training for 2 weeks as I'd been on the Isle of Mull at Calgary, so this could have gone badly. Well, in truth it went as predicted - badly ! I felt comfortable on the first climb, but as soon as it got to the second climb my legs were full of lactic (or that's how it felt). I just started going backwards from the end of the contoury fields.

Starting Top Right, it takes a clockwise route

Stunning views under perfect weather made for a lovely enjoyable run - even if a little bit out of race shape ! We had a full car again with Nathan, Lily and Rachel coming from the Harriers and Rachel and me even managed to drag Nathan and Lily into the pub for a beer after. Good choice !

Race Profile. That middle climb sure felt harder than that !

Results here

This year 30th out of 259

Last year 25th out of 230

Totley Moor Fell Race 2015, 27th out of 253

3rd year on the trot I think that I've done this classic local race from Totley on the west of Sheffield. This year, Nathan, Chris, Andy and me headed up early to get registered and loosen up. Well, I say loosen up - Chris was shaking out 30 mile from Saturday's Dukeries Ultra and Andy was juggling a concoction of painkillers for a shoulder issue (including codeine!) and not running for a week... something tells me Andy's not going to have the run of his life here...

The weather had been very changeable all day including some hail showers but things really picked up for the evening. Before the race started, I decided I was gonna run in gloves come what may - I've really struggled with cold hands this year, so if I put gloves on, that was 1 less thing to worry about.

I felt good going in to the race, biking had been going very well recently - feeling strong, and I'd started the "fellrace weekly" feeling that dominates most of the summer scene here in the peaks. We're sooooo lucky !

Lots of SHUOC guys on the start line and after their domination at Burbage, who would argue against them dominating again ? BANG - the usual lap round the cricket pitch was comfortably despatched before the very long drag up road and track to the first offroad section. I was with Mr Fishwick and the first lady - the latter soon pulling away quite convincingly. All seemed well until the trig when Darren started edging ahead. Over the stile and again about 5 guys came past me on the descent (picture above) - typical for this race to be honest.

The descent is awesome - fast and long. Sadly, it's followed by the steepest section of the race. Pretty relentless too. I passed about 3 of the guys who'd passed me on the descent but being mindful not to push it too hard as we still had a lot of running to be done on the horse field / road / cricket pitch.  I lost one place (to a great descender) and gained a place but felt great as I crossed the line to a very relieved feeling that it was all over again.

Another amazing Totley fell race. I had no idea if I was faster or slower than last year, but looking at last years results some folks were over, some were under last years' times. I was a few seconds slower. Really shouldn't be too worried about times compared to last year, but for some reason I was ? I don't normally give a monkeys about times but I was now for some reason? Looking back, I think I'd always been in 'reasonable' shape for Totley Moor, last year I raced well at Totley and this year I felt strong, so I suppose it's logical to compare the times.









Thanks to Chris for driving.

Results here

Burbage Skyline Fellrace, 33rd out of 288

This was the 3rd year in a row I'd be turning up for this early season classic and boy is it good ! This is why I love this race so much - each section has it's very own character...

* Chaotic start funnel with people charging and overtaking everywhere, then suddenly turn left and bam !

* The mad descent through boulders heather and old bracken to the stream. Made trickier by people EVERYWHERE ! Leave a 2m gap and someone's in there! People are taking every imaginable route that exists and routes that don't exist. Half way you cross the main burbage track. Time to speed up - the stream ain't far now!

* After leaping the stream (photo at bottom) there's a crazy hard climb to make up places you thought you lost cos you weren't fast enough on that stupid descent (or is that just how I always see it!)

* Flat out descent through very very narrow and twisty heathery trod. The guy in front of me is always threatening to pull away on this section but every year I keep him in check but sadly every year I max out on this section and regret it when I get to the next section which is the...

 Steep pull up to Over Owler Tor / Mother Cap. I always dread this as I hit the bottom of it maxed out from that bloody twisty heathery trod. It's all pretty steep and every section just cries out to me "please please please walk these few steps", but as ever in these fell races it's very hard to slow down with the guys behind seemingly closing in all the time. Lots of big boulder hopping and steps up on this section which had an angle that thankfully gradually eases until the marshalled summit 

* "Flat" section over to Higgar Tor. Well, I say flat but it's the rockiest section of the race. The guy in front of me went straight over into the heather and Andy Watson went over on his ankle here pretty badly too on the night. It's a very "uppy downy" flat section punctuated with rocks on the first half followed by some bogs then the steep hand on thigh climb to Higgar summit. All the time guys behind you breathing down your neck. Amazing views to die for to the left though at this point ! Sadly, each year I remember the winds here being really really bad - from rain that felt like sleet one year to winds that this year felt like they were going to blow my race number off the front of my vest!

* This is then followed by the (boggy this year) traverse of Higgar to the "fast descent to the stream". It's perfect descending territory in theory. Most people just either run fast and sensible (like me) or just plain stupid - running down rutted paths faster than I'd run down tarmac'd roads! Nice n fast tho normally with no incidents apart from 5 lost places normally then it's onto the

* Stream crossings plus climb to Upper Burbage Bridge. I normally do ok on this section overtaking about 5 people (normally the 5 who came past me on the last descent!). Two leaps over the stream (no, don't ask why we cross it twice when we could stay on the original side - god only knows, I've never had the chance to look) and then it's the long steady boggy gradual climb to the bridge. Nice n non technical really and a good chance to get your breath back before ...

Crossing the Stream just after the Start. People everywhere ! (courtesy of Front Runner)

* Crossing the brook (twice - how'd that happen?) and climbing over Burbage North before the super fast descent to the finish line. I always love this section as I normally make up lots of places here. It's a very gradual climb through rocks n easy paths but most people really are tiring by this spot in the race. Always good to hold something back for this bit as it goes on for ages. After the long climb, it's a short sharp twisty narrow descent to the main track and then it's really just 10k pace to the finish line. Thankfully it's a gradual descent until about 200m before the line, so just make sure you hold something back for that final 200m cos someone will be waiting to pounce, that's for sure.

Loved it again this year. It really is the best local summer race. It's got everything as you can gleam from above. I ran well despite not running much (not run in 8 days) I'd biked hard about twice a week and that got me through. For me it's "Biking well = Running well".

Good to have a few Belper Harriers out - Nathan, Ed, Andy W, Andy M, Chris and Helen. Andy Basey made a guest appearance too with Hannah.

Well done to Nathan for 22nd I think on the night - our top finisher on the night. Also thanks to Chris for driving and Andy Basey for actually turning up to something for once !

Results From Previous Years...
2015 33rd out of 288 (Top 11%) in 45:53
2014 43rd out of 310 (Top 14%) in 46:42
2013 51st out of 358 (Top  14%) in 45:38

 (2015 results link here)

Coiners Fell Race, 15th out of 112 ("Short" Route)

Nice little jaunt up to Calder Valley the weekend just gone. Always great to have an excuse to get up to that part of the world - I love it up there but it's even better when the sun is shining and there's a fell race to go to !
The Coiners race was 7-8 mile and around 400m of ascent so nothing earth shattering but as it fell on BH Monday it was easier for me to get to than my local race (Tigers Todger) on Wednesday night when Teresa is on nights. Dave fancies a cycle up a few big hills there too and of course there was Hebden Bridge cafe's at the end. What's not to like ?!?


I got there early and saw the tail end of an English Championship Counter in the junior series. Great to see so many young uns out getting muddy. A quick reccie of the first climb told me I needed to be near the front as there was a stile after 1/4 mile and then it narrowed through woods and went up. On the start line we were told that we wouldn't be disappointed with the quality of the bogs this year on the race "as good as ever" we were promised. What's this ? Bogs ??? I'd not run in mud since about September it seemed ?

The small loop far left (down and back up) was the one half the field chose to ignore !

As you can see from the map there's a steep first climb up to the high Erringdon Moors and then it's pretty much contouring plus a loop down and up at Stoodley Pike.

The start went well and I was in about 10th going over the stile. I felt great on the climb and with a bit in reserve moved up to about 7th on the high moors. I soon got overtaken by the better runners again and by Stoodley Pike I was back in about 9th. Hang on ? I'm at Stoodley Pike but I've not done the down and up loop ? I was following all the guys in front so perhaps there'd been a last minute route change I'd not heard about ? As it happens, all of the Top 30 or so missed the loop out. One way of getting a faster time I spose. Still, press on for some good contouring and maybe make up some places I thought.

I figured that 4 arms would be faster than 2. It didn't work

Oh my god - that descent took me by surprise - those bogs! Big and wet and lots of em. It wouldn't have been so bad, but I'd given everything on the climb as I thought the descent would be a nice gentle brakes off exercise. How wrong I was ! I managed to cling on, but that's all it was - clinging on. I lost about 5 places on the run in with minor tummy problems forcing me to ease up a little too.

Great race, would love to do it again when it's wet and claggy - I think it would take on epic proportions then !

Met up with Dave in The Bike Den - a great Cafe next to the Canal in Hebden Bridge. They do lovely Bacon Cobs, Cakes and Coffee as well as offering cheap "pre loved" bikes for sale. Lovely place. Full Results here

Masson Hill Fell Race, 11th out of 133

This is the thirs time I've done this race and it seems it's only been run for 4 years. It's one of my favourites due to it's short classic fell race nature - 

Still Smiling at the finish .... Lee, Chris, Andy, Helen, Me, Andy, Rachel and Nathan

* The steepest route up the biggest local hill

* A few descents thrown in on the climb - just for good measure!

* A neverending climb

* Views to die for

* Very fast and varied descent (but never technical so perfect for me!)

This years race didn't disappoint plus we had a few new faces from the club turn out to their first fell race which is always good.  

I'd not run for a week as last Tuesday's training session with the club turned into a painful limp / walk and made me say to myself "if running was always that painful, I'd have packed up years ago". Glute / hamstring problems after about 1 hour again... Since then I'd been out every day on the road bike packing in the hills - feeling very weak at first but ending up feeling confident up hills - so back to my old self on the bike which was good.

Not running loads always seems to work well for my training - it's what I did during my Bob Graham prep and what I did through the whole of last summers racing too. As long as I get in the biking, running follows.

I felt good on the night - slowly moving through the field up to the trig point and not loosing any places on the awesome fast descent. Bring on the summer race season !

Results here - note that I was 11th and not 12th! Grrrrr

2 minutes faster than last year according to Strava

Last year's blog write up here

Peak District Wild Camp, Alpkit Ordos 2

We've had a run of good weather and a month or so earlier I'd taken delivery of my bargain lightweight 2 person Tent from Alpkit - the Ultralight Ordos 2 so what better way to start last week !

On Sunday, Lewis and me had been up Birchens Edge doing some Orienteering practice for him and half way through the yellow course, we came across Gardoms edge and despite the gloom, it struck me as a fantastic wildcamp spot. Lewis and me agreed and he marked out (photo below) where we thought the tent should be pitched at some future date.

Lewis marking out the spot where we thought the tent needed to go at some future point !

Well, that was that - until the next day's weather was fantastic, with a great forecast too. Photo's of early mornings and sunset's from top photographers were up on the web and the seed had been sown. That was it - tonight was the night !! A quick logistical check in my head to make sure I had time to finish work / pack / pick Lewis up from Tennis / drive to the area / walk to the campspot / get tent up / cook food / relax for a bit with some bouldering (mandatory on our wild camps!) / get up early and get back in time for school and work ! With a few minutes spare here and there I worked out we could fit it in - just !

Hood up - it's getting cold and we've not even had dinner yet !

This is the first time Lewis has carried some kit - made easier by the fact that it was his favourite Derby County rucsac, so not even the slightest grumble from him !

Apart from a quick assembly at home in Lewis's bedroom, I'd not had the tent out yet. It looked like the perfect tent that I'd always been after but until now you could never buy. It seemingly offered the perfect blend of ;

* Design - I loved my previous tents' central ridgeline plus a big hoop at the entrance and small hoop at the feet end. The Ordos 2 was the same, but had a slightly better hoop at the bottom end.
* Space - loads of it - height and width and length.
* Porch - enough for boots / two sml packs or one big pack.
* Affordable - under £200 with a free footprint thrown in.
* LIGHTWEIGHT - I'd always wanted a tent which met the above criteria and was light. Until now - if I could get a tent, then perhaps it wasn't affordable or it wasn't quite light enough or spacious enough. This comes in at 1.2kg, but I think I've got it down to 1.1kg without extra buys / bags etc.

This offered everything I needed. Seemingly !

Obligatory night shot

The first time you put up a new tent it's always a slight learning curve but I think it was up in perfect conditions in about 7 mins. Sub5 next time. The tent pitches inner first and attaches to the ridgeline pole via sml hooks. I think in rain, you'd need to be pretty swift to avoid getting the inner too wet. If you were creative I still think it would be quite possible.

Space was better than I'd hoped. Plenty of room at feet / width / height / porch. Then again, I have come from a solo backpacking / mountain marathon background so am perfectly used to having my nose pressed against canvas to get a night's kip in. This certainly wasn't the case here.

The night was frosty and that was I think the only downside to our trip as Lewis's hands got quite cold and he never normally suffers bless him.

I can't wait for its next trip out which is going to be even lighter weight as my equally shiny Alpkit Numo ultralight sleep mat arrived the day after which again is half the size of my previous one when packed but 3 times as padded when inflated. And very reasonable at £35 too !! Cheers Alpkit!

Mandatory mist morn shot

Dawn / sheepy / sunrisey type shot.

Middle Fell, Fell Race, Wasdale, 18th out of 78

I've often headed up to the Lakes in March. Partly as it offers the first signs of spring and secondly, that's when the smaller fell races start in earnest. I often do Black Combe, but couldn't make that last weekend, so thought I'd try this one as it fitted in. Graham could make it too from Newcastle so a great excuse to meet up.

Headed up early Saturday morning to catch some early light with my new camera (sample shots above from my Fuji XE-1 which as you can see from the link produces great shots thanks to it's completely radical X-Trans sensor) before heading over to the Strands Inn to limber up and meet Graham.  

This winter's been terrible for me in terms of running AND biking. Very achy glutes and tight hamstrings means that even walking round the office has been painful at times. I think I'm over the worst of it now but warming up felt very painful. Nevertheless as soon as we were off you forget about pain and just leg it ! 

Near Summit of Middle Fell. Wasdale Screes in Background. Photo courtesy of Granddayoutphotography.

The glorious sun made the ascent from Greendale (home of Joss) to Middlefell very hot and thoughts of cramp soon entered my head !  I reached the summit in about 10th but soon lost ground on the steep (but non technical) descent. Worse was yet to come though because as soon as it levelled off, my calves just packed up after that long descent and started to cramp up ! I could only just run, but a few hundred metres up the road and the niggles subsided meaning I could take about 4 runners on the run in finishing in 18th.

Lovely atmosphere on this spectacular spring day on this great small local fell race. Nice food too and beers in the Strands in afterwards catching up with Graham, I think we were first in and almost last out!

Race start : Two Pubs = Result!

Yes, I actually stopped to take this photo mid race !!

Results Courtesy of @fellrunninbrief Thanks guys !