Lake District Training Week 30th June - 7th July

Attendees:

Andy, Leon and Martin

30th June 17:48:

It’s raining, but is a good temperature to be out running in. Following the first confrontation of the trip with the cows, number 24 has been branded as a bastard. However sudden movement has been proven to scare them off quickly. Another runner has been sighted already. Leon is proud to have got himself 10 miles of cycling under his belt already.

End of week predictions:

Leaf: 300 miles
Baptiste: 262 miles
Martin: 279 miles

20.47:

Gaunt happy with Greenleaf’s culinary offering, but concerned by the manner he breathlessly struggled around the ‘easy’ 4.5 mile opening gambit. After a drenching of Leon by Leaf through splashing in puddles, this novelty soon wore off after we were all drenched through within the first 2 minutes.

1st July 9:20

Leon and Andy complete first run of the day. Steady 4.5 miler around Grasmere – 30:30, considerably slower that last night in preparation for the race. Leon points out now that we are all now on 3 different mileages.

Martin still in bed when we get back. Although soon woken by the sounds of cows and sheep (24).

18.38:

Newly crowned Lord Greenleaf of Skiddaw relaxes with Pimms. Incredible fell running debut. Headhunted to run trials for GB team, but clashes with Lash Regatta which is priority number one for all concerned. Gaunt also impressive in eighth. Baptiste 21st. Lactic levels go through the roof on the way the England’s 3rd highest peak, clouds descend and like running through a dream with the pain of a nightmare. Descents fun but treacherous in road shoes. £100 of waterproof gear not needed. BSc Geog Gasman doesn’t know how to work compass.
Splendid array of free cake at presentation too much for V70 champion who collapses on Leon. Keswick beat Germany at cricket on bowl out. Outdoor spa lovely, steam sauna and cold drench interesting. Rumours leaf blisters may prevent hat-trick.
14AC going for victory on Tuesday after 2nd place in first ever fell outing.

‘It’s an old mans sport but a young mans game’

Today’s man of the match: His royal highness (931m) of Skiddaw without doubt.

July 2nd 11:52

First swim outing of the trip. Practically circumnavigate Lake Grasmere before finding suitable place to park with good access to lake. Worthwhile doing this exercise since we discover extremely steep road that was going to make up part of the afternoon cycle ride that even the mighty Leaf Mobile struggled to get up.

Within 2 minutes of getting into the water there is doubt over the length of time we could spend swimming, since both Leon and Leaf are suffering from severely cold heads-hats are clearly essential. However within a short time all well and good. Gaunt chats to walkers on the shore who clearly think he is a little crazy, quite possibly they’re right. Clock in 40 minutes in the water. A lap of the island still awaits us.

21.37

Relaxing in the villa post-cycle. A loop to Grange-over-Sands adds the first really significant chunk to the weekly mileage. 62 miles, or near as dammit. Without machine, technical difficulties were thankfully at a manageable level; a Leaf puncture and Baptiste gear trouble about par for the course. The course, incidentally, was hilly. Apparently one arrow on the map equates to a 25% hill. Friday’s proposed assault on the Wrynose Pass (3 arrows) is now being re-thought. Completed in 6 hours, which included time for a toasted sandwich for Gaunt, colouring in for Leon (Lakeside to Haverthwaite), and a new inner tube for Leaf.

2 (and a bit) days completed. Mileage:

Leon: 90
Andy: 81
Martin: 76.5. (It’s a marathon not a sprint boys….now where have I heard something like that before??)

July 3rd 16:22

A day that will test our ability to start a race already exhausted. 8:30 a.m. we set off on our ascent of Hellvelyn (949m) via Fairfield (873m), estimated height climbed 1250m and distance of 15 miles. Leon and Martin both try prototyping the waterproof sock through inserting plastic bags inside their trainers, Leaf on the other hand is dressed for another day at the beach, and Leon is sporting a Wimbledon rain jacket-we certainly do not look the part for scaling England’s 3rd highest mountain.

Before reaching Grasmere, 5 out of 6 feet are soaked through. Baptiste accelerates up towards Fairfield at a rapid pace clocking a heart rate of 140+. Reach summit at approximately 10:30 a.m. before negotiating the des cent down to Grisedale Tarn. Leaf and Gaunt perfect scree surfing, while Leon masters the art of sliding down wet grass on his backside.

Attack the second climb of the day up Dollywaggon Pike which leaves only 2 Winchester Kilometres to the summit. Gaunt and Baptiste loose confidence in Leaf’s measurements and just grin and bear the final ascent to the top. Kick out a family of 4 sheep sitting in the cross shelter, who promptly intend to share lunch with us-no chance there.

The wind and rain batters us on the ridge so a rapid descent is executed. Arrive back at cottage some 5 hours later. Gaunt and Leaf express concerns about their quads while Baptiste has an issue with his calves.

Gaunt rapidly hits the sack to lock in 2 hours of sleep in preparation for the looming race, Baptiste follows shortly. Leaf watches tennis, updates blog and generally bimbles around.

July 4th, 11.46

2nd race down last night and a 2nd place achieved by Greenleaf. 14AC squad were feeling a little jaded at the start of the 5 mile, multi terrain, “20 barriers” race. Foster held off Gaunt to claim ** place, customarily celebrated with a chunder on the finish line. More of that later.

Dawn breaks and little has changed. Leaf is running (standard 4.5 mile Grasmere loop), Gaunt is sleeping, Leon is err…chundering. Andy and Martin go for morning swim in Grasmere. Leon is a picture of under-the-weather introspection.

18.51
Leaf is currently rustling up another culinary delight. Long cycle trip to Keswick under the belt, 31 miles return. There were some very nasty hills, though almost worth it for the down hills that followed. Leon crawls from death bed to take part, but misses the simultaneous departure of Andy and Martin into and away from the hills respectively. Running of course. There is much tennis watching now that the rain is holding off at Wimbledon. Dale Head Cottage receives its first sustained sunny spell of the week. Die Hard 4.0 beckons.

July 5th, 22:20

Andy’s ideas of climbing Scafell Pike are rapidly quashed by Leon and Martin, so another plan for the day is hatched. Martin and Andy walk to the Langdale Pikes and back again. Once again we both get strange looks from other walkers for not looking suitably kitted out for being on the fells. We both conclude that practically every other walker is massively over dressed (especially those wearing hard hats) and so ignore strange looks. Clock up 12 miles before lunch. Leon meanwhile has been mopping floors in the villa and has a blister on his thumb as a result. Leon is still not feeling 100%.

Martin locks in 40 minutes of sleep before being told we going off to the Eskdale Railway and Flan Hill Race. Martin’s not happy that his afternoon nap is prematurely terminated. After some faffing by Martin, we get out the door and drive to the Eskdale Railway via the Wrynose Pass and Hardknot Pass. Originally cited as a potential cycle route, this plan is cancelled when we realise the road is as steep as 1:3 in places.

Arrive at Boot and start leisurely run down to Ravensglass. Gaunt takes lead and bangs out some quick miles, 7-8 miles in total. We arrive in Ravensglass with race concerns, Leaf’s blisters and Leon’s energy levels. Still, we take train back up to Boot which allows Leon to highlight more lines in his book.

Drive to Ulverston. Weather is deteriating and location of start is unknown. While driving around trying to locate race car park, we stumble upon Flan Hill and decide it is considerably higher than race details outline. Get lost trying to find start and as a result Leaf has to reverse 1 km down a narrow track.[Leaf angry!! –ed] Stress levels are escalating, race appeal plummeting. Gaunt decides not to race, quickly followed by Greenleaf. Foster returns to the car having located the registration and last years results - 16 runners (5 under 13 years old). Following the realisation that the completion is likely to be shocking, the weather is not getting better and the possibility that all pubs being closed if we decide to compete, the race is sacked off and we return to Ambleside for tea.