Choc Noodle

Catching a few Rays

Its not all slogging up and down hills. The nice people from Dark and White , found a cracking spot for the overnight camp and even ordered in some sunshine.

Full write up and photos to follow.

Donkey Rhubarb

I have started packing for Saturdays Mountain Marathon. The  kit-list is much the same as last years. I do enjoy the planning and the whole build up but find it a bit stressy. On top of that, tomorrow Mrs sbrt returns from a work trip to the far east. Woo hoo!

 So I am feeling a bit like this tonight. 

Have a good weekend!

Wobble

To some the Rab MM may be no big deal but being a Navigationally challenged shuffler, it still puts 'the fear' into me.

Apparently this is a good thing and is normal.  A mixture of excitement and trepidation is what I am supposed to feel. Sports psychologists probably have a word for this, bricking it or shitting me sen, is  what we used to say when I were a lad.

With just one week to go, it was too late for any serious training so we just headed up to Edale  for a Sunday morning stagger. If we had headed up a day earlier, we could have bumped into seasoned mountain marathoner and top smudger Kate. Never mind maybe see you at the Rab?

This one is for Jessie.
I am guessing its the work of pacifist sheep. 

Nick nick, from the Nab

Thankfully Billy knows what the squiggly lines  on the map mean. I switched off when he started going on about aspect of contour.

Cooling off in Jaggers Clough

Jaggers clough  is named after the weathered, gritstone rock formations that  resemble the skin of ageing Rolling Stones front-man, Mick 'the cragger' Jagger. Of course the stones below are not really named after Mick Jagger. Those rocks are on Crookstone Knoll ;)

Everyone's a winner (Win Hill)

A slightly dfferent  kind ofWobble

Bonkers Bassmeister Jah Wobble and the beautiful voice of Sinead O'connor

Top shelf ( Shelf Moor Fell Race )

Is there a doctor in the house

I had not planned on any racing this weekend but something about this race caught my eye and I am glad it did.

The Shelf Moor fell race is organised by the Glossopdale Harriers and was a counter in last years English Championships.
The course is a 5.9 mile loop with 1500 ft of ascent. A typical Dark peak mix of steep grassy slopes, peat hags and gritstone. To me it has a similar feel to the Kinder Downfall another favourite race.

Things did not get off to a great start. I got to the race registration at Glossop scout hut, ten minutes before the start. The start being a ten minute jog from the scout hut. Never mind I got to the start on time and well warmed up, if a little flustered.

From the off it is a flat runnable footpath. This meant a fast start, way too fast for me. Heading out along the old Roman road of Doctors Gate, it was a pleasure to see the heather turning the valley sides purple. A similar colour to my face after the long, steep climb up to James Thorn.

Picture by  ShaunP of the FRA forum. Thanks Shaun.

Onwards and upwards to the trig point at Higher Shelf Stones, a quick glance at the classic Dark Peak moorland, before the descent back down to Glossop.

About a mile from the finish, my legs decided it was time for a lie down. This did not work out too well as I was still running downhill at the time. ' Oooh ya Bast#*d! ' Fortunately years of crashing motorbikes and general clumsiness had taught me how to fall and I only rounded a few corners off.

The rest of the race was thankfully uneventful, those in front were too far ahead to catch and there was no one close enough to push me. I finished well down the field but had agreat time all the same.

A quick paddle in Shelf Brook, then back to the scout hut where Tim and Lynne of Global Therapies,  were giving post race massages and raising funds for mountain rescue. Thanks, it was much appreciated (see Tims blog for a far better written report on this race). 

It was also a pleasure to meet Noel, another blogger and frequent top finisher of Peak District races. Noels blog takes a slightly surreal view of fell running and the Peak District, it's worth a look. 

Chillin

All in all, a very enjoyable way to spend a Sunday.

Many thanks to Glossopdale Harriers and all who made this cracking race happen.

UTMB Armchair training

I may never get to the Alps or run a 100 mile race but I can at least watch the videos. Inspiring stuff

Many congratulations to all who finished this beast of a race. Overall winner was Kilian Journet and first lady, for the 4th time was Lizzie Hawker.

Earlier this year, Kilian met up with Sandra & Miguel for a training session , how could he fail?

Mid week Mini mm.

 Monsal Head & back of Rays head

This year Dark and White had organised a series of midweek mini mountain marathons.  Ray and I missed the first two rounds but managed to get together for round three, a two hour score event starting from Monsal Head in the Peak District.

Due to its farmland location, the course stuck to footpaths and rights of way, unlike a full mountain marathon which takes competitors off piste.

In true Team Ibuprofen style, we set off in completely the wrong direction. Oops. After turning the map the right way round we managed to start picking off controls. Summer showers kept us cool and it felt like we were doing OK. Until control #15. We weren't the only ones. A confusion of footpaths had caught us and several other competitors out. Time wasting trial and error led us to the elusive checkpoint. Just leaving us time to head back, picking up a few controls on the way in.

Finishing 43rd of 61, 9th in class, we didn't disgrace ourselves and enjoyed getting out to stretch our legs and exercise our brains.
Another good one from Dark and White.

Saddle up

Blencathra, Bannerdale Crags & Sharp edge

Sharp Edge

Mrs sbrt and I had planned on getting away for a camping trip. Unfortunately most of the UK was wetter than an otters pocket. Discretion being the better part of valour, we bottled it and after a brief panic, managed to book a cracking  little cottage.

We were based just outside of Mungrisdale, ideally placed for a run up Blencathra and a scramble on Sharp Edge.

Mini waterfall. Falling from Bannerdale beck

Thats better. A Herdwick, the right sheep.

the wrong sheep

Eeck!

Also known as Saddleback. The wonderful Cumbric name, Blencathra probably means 'seat at the head of the valley'. The word 'cathra' meaning chair, as in the Welsh Gader Idris. 

The short scramble up Sharp Edge wasn't as scary as it looked from below. It turned out to be good fun, requiring  hands to be used and a little care to be taken. The reward, was a cereal bar breakfast, on the summit  and wonderful views of  clouds swirling round the fells.

Fool in the clouds

Billy had a great time too. Taking his frisbee to various lakes, meres and waters. He also made a new friend, Tia the cottage owners dog.

The hand of Dog