10 Peaks 2013: November 2013

Suddenly, five months had passed and Simon realised he hadn't actually justified his existence by writing down what he had been doing since the 10 Peaks run finished early one June morning.

So all aboard the Franklin Express, destination November 2013, stopping very briefly at my races and runs on the way.

July 2013

Helm Crag and Steel Fell

The day after my 10 Peaks run I thought I needed to stretch my legs a bit and did a walk that turned into a bit of a jog from Grasmere up Helm Crag and round to Steel Fell, trying not to entertain any ridiculous Bob Graham fantasies.

The Howitzer on Helm Crag. I climbed it, as you have to.

Looking up towards Helvellyn and Thirlmere

The view from Steel Fell

Wasdale Fell Race

In what seemed like a great idea at the time, I foolishly entered the Wasdale race 3 weeks after the 10 Peaks instead of the sensible option of going up to watch and support. A scorching day which saw a large number of DNF's resulted in me deciding I'd had enough at Styhead, after the cutoffs, but before what seemed to me to be an unnecessary 4th ascent of Scafell Pike in 2 months.

Smiling? It's early on. (c) Andy Holden.

Wasdale the day after it broke me.

August 2013

Turner Landscape Recce

After Wasdale I cancelled my plan of running the Borrowdale race and instead spent the weekend at Seathwaite running around the unfamiliar route of the Turner Landscape fell race.

From Seathwaite Reservoir looking down Duddon Valley

The horseshoe including Grey Friar and Swirl How.

Looking towards Little Langdale

The brilliant final section back to Seathwaite

Round Hill Fell Race

The day after this recce I was back in Yorkshire for the Round Hill fell race. I did not enjoy it. I think it shows.

Gargrave Show

Sneaked this in to the afternoon before I went on holiday. A quick trip up to Sharp Haw with river crossings, hay bale jumping and a poorly executed Mobot.

September 2013

Three Shires

Best visibility of the day (c) Cathy Bradley

On a terrible day for navigating I managed good climb up Weatherlam, and a perfect descent right onto the checkpoint at the Three Shires Stone (where many others got lost) and then ruined it all by drifting so far off course on the descent from Pike O'Blisco that I was mistaken for the first placed runner in the Langdale Marathon.

Horsforth 10K

Road race. Hated it.

October 2013

Ian Hodgson Relay

Partnered with a runner nearly 30 years younger than me on leg 3, I managed both to slow him down and to offer no help in finding the second checkpoint. We didn't lose any places, but onl because everyone else got as lost as us. Great event though.

The start of leg 1

Our team's leg 4 runners oblivious to the pain ahead for them.

All smiles once it's over.

Langdale Fell Race

Finally a good day in the Lakes, no navigation errors and this time a brilliant descent from Pike O'Blisco to get a new pb on my 4th year running it.