Monday 14 February 2011

Don't fear the sweeper

Me and Stef had a good weekend of training with a combination of getting round the Wadsworth Trog on Saturday (21miles / 4000ft climb) in under five hours, and then having a run out yesterday in Upper Wharfedale for a further 10miles / 3800ft

Wadsworth Trog is a tough old race with a lot of boggy wet ground to cover and although there are no real big 'set piece' climbs, there is a constant procession of ups and downs. The organisation from Calder Valley fell Runners was superb and we were relatively happy with our result after being last (and just in front of the sweepers) at one stage! I think the Trog's reputation goes before it and this, combined with a cut-off, puts off some slower runners, meaning that folk like us who might normally have 20% of the field behind them, are right at the back

Yesterday we parked in Starbotton before traversing the high ground between Wharfedale and Littondale four times (Starbotton-Arncliffe-Kettlewell-Arncliffe-Startbotton). We were out around three and a half hours, which is better than BGR pace, and we were happy with that considering our efforts the day before, plus the fact it never stopped raining the whole time we were out so were both in full waterproofs

I totted up around 38miles and 9500ft of climb between Wednesday and Sunday and am happy with that at this early stage of the year. Next weekend I'm in Devon with Stef's family, but the following one we'll be up in Lakeland, and the serious hard work will begin!

It was great to hear the first Skylark of the year at the Trog and yesterday we spotted three Oystercatchers near Kettlewell. Positive signs that even if spring isn't just round the corner yet, it's not a million miles away

2 comments:

  1. Snowdrops out in Sheffield & the Peaks, Spring is definitely just around the corner! Some great solid mileage and fantastic climb there DT!

    Simon (simgreen78 on FRA forum)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Good to catch up with you at the Wadsworth, and glad you had a good outing.

    Andy

    ReplyDelete