Gordon's Pyrenees GR10 Challenge

Tour de France

2011-07-16T07:59:00.002+01:00

Coverage of this year's Tour de France includes a couple of stages which go close to the GR10. Thursday's stage went through Bareges and Luz St. Saveur on the road which you can see while on the route. Today's stage of the Tour de France finishes at the Plateau de Beille - this was one of locations to die for on last year's walk - almost exactly a year ago when I was there (July 18th to be precise). Some photos below. The first one was the view from outside the bar/cafe. It had been a fairly early finish, about 3pm so just a wonderful place to relax in the sunshine. The place looks quite empty - it's normally a Nordic Ski centre so it's peak time will be January to April but I suspect it will be rather crowded tomorrow afternoon. ITV4 has live coverage from 2pm day (correction - it starts at 11am for this stage) and I guess the winner will finish at around 4.30 BST. If you miss it live, ITV4 has a highlights programme which goes out at 7pm BST andis available to watch anytime on ITV Player.

Adventures on the GR10 e-book now available

2010-12-23T10:28:00.007Z

The book is finally complete - but no doubt I will pick up the occasional errors and correct them over the coming months.

The book is 167 pages (A4 size) and contains over 300 photographs. The file has a size of 82MB so please be patient when downloading. I can create a version with more compression of the photos if requested.

If you would like a copy, the link is gr10story.pdf

The best way is to right-click and download the file.
It is password protected. If you have already made a donation to one of the two charities, please email me and I shall provide you with the password.

If you've yet to make a donation, the links are below.

Guide Dogs For The Blind
British Heart Foundation

Ebook now complete

2010-12-05T17:15:00.002Z

I've just finished correcting the typos (that I've seen - no doubt there will be some that I've missed) and emailed Parts 3 and 4 to a limited distribution. If they've not spotted any errors in a week, I shall make it available to a wider audience.

At 167 pages with 318 photos, it's not exactly small.

Part 1 of ebook now out for feedback

2010-11-07T08:22:00.002Z

I've now completed putting together part 1 (Pays Basque) and part 2 (Pyrenees Central - Arrens-Marsous to Bagnères de Luchon).
I've sent Part 1 to a few selected people for a bit of feedback and will send out part 2 later today.
With a bit of luck I may finish lining up all the photos and proofreading part 3 (Ariège) today and Part 4 (Pyrenees Orientales) during the week.

If you want me to send you a copy, please post up a comment.

Missing email addresses

2010-11-04T21:56:00.002Z

Thanks to Jean Guy for spotting that I'd missed a letter from my email address in the previous post. I've now corrected it.

First part of e-book now ready for review

2010-11-04T21:40:00.003Z

I've now added over 300 photos (from the 900 I took) into an ebook of the walk. To reduce the filesize (but still keeping a reasonable quality level for the photos), I divided it into four parts, matching the four regions (Pays Basque, Pyrenees Centrale, Ariège amd Pyrenees Orientales) traversed by the GR10. I've proof-read and captioned the photos in the first part (Pays Basque) and sent it out to a few of my fellow walkers for feedback. I'll make it more widely available once I've incorporated any feedback.
Meanwhile, I'll work through the rest over the next few days.

First draft now finished

2010-10-27T13:01:00.002+01:00

It's taken longer than the actual walk but today I finish writing my first draft of my story of my adventure on the GR10 At over 25,000 words, it will take a while to review and to choose photos to include. Even if I include only two per day that's 100.

Missing email addresses

2010-08-26T21:00:00.003+01:00

I have either mislaid or mistakenly disposed of notes of some email addresses.

I have some photos of them that I would like to forward to fellow walkers from my GR10.

So if you happen to look at my blog and wonder where are the photos that I promised please let my have your email address again (email to gordon at(@) soulfulhorwich.org.uk

From the first two weeks :
Alexandre, Sophie & Sylvain (any one of you)
Gerard and Jacques (should be in my mail client but isn't)
Yannik and Josephine from Toulouse
Jeangüe & Brad (from Perth, WA)
Ryan & Fabrice, from the US (don't think I have a photo but if you want to get in touch)

from Germ : Marc

From Bouillouse Refuge :
Katrina from Lyon/Paris (if you've now moved)
George from near Prague/Praha

Anyone else that I've missed

* * * * Targets Reached * * * *

2010-08-26T20:45:00.004+01:00

Even though there still some donations to come in through sponsor forms and I am sure there are some people who would love donate the price of a pint or a packet of fags but just haven't got "round tuit" yet, my targets of £500 for both Guide Dogs and British Heart Foundation has now been reached. But don't stop donating - if it could get towards £1000 for each that would be even more wonderful.
I want to thank each and everyone of you who has made donations.
A big thank you must go to Brian who covered the cost of the satellite phone rental and has donated the balance to be divided between the two charities. Luckily I didn't need to use the satellite phone (at about £1.50 per minute!) so this was a major boost to achieving the targets.
I'll filter a few photos through but the bulk of them are being saved for the e-book which I need to get on with sharpish.

Where I've paid the money in on behalf of cash donations (Bev and Richard I need to send your cheques direct), if the amount is not showing and you want it to show, let me know. Conversely if it is showing and you want it hidden, let me know, and I go in and amend.

Not forgotten about the blog

2010-08-21T10:13:00.003+01:00

Currently very busy preparing for my PGCE course but I am also writing up the whole adventure from my notes - now up to start of Day 13 and already over 5000 words!
I'll be asking those who met along the way to have a read of relevant bits and give me some feedback - but probably well into September before I reach that stage.

A couple of photos

2010-08-11T10:06:00.004+01:00

Currently quite busy writing up the walk and also studying for my course which starts in a couple of weeks.

Meanwhile here's a couple of photos.

The first with friends at St Engrace. The second on the following day at Col de Pierre-St-Martin.
Click on the image to enlarge.

A collage of videos from the GR10

2010-08-09T13:30:00.003+01:00

In addition to the 900 photos I took, I also captured a few videos which I've put into a 4 minute collage. They are mainly 360° shoots from cols.

The writing begins

2010-08-09T09:08:00.002+01:00

Apart from all the usual jobs on returning home, I've spent the the past some time looking through the photos. I intend to include them as part of an e-book that I'm writing but I'm only up to Day 2 so far!

I've posted up some photos on a group running blog that I contribute to. If I maintain full quality, it takes quite a time uploading so I'm going to make a quick compilation of videos I took to post up here and they'll be online later this morning.

Here's the link for the photos if posted on the wfdbwgua blog

Now in Perpignan

2010-08-03T10:37:00.002+01:00

Finished the GR10 on Saturday at Banyuls. The hotel I stayed in was very jaded so headed up to Argeles Sur Mer but could only get one night at the hotel I found. Had a magnificent meal with ten others who I'd kept company with for the last four days at another hotel in Banyuls. As the weather was not beach weather yesterday I came up to Perpignan to spend the day shopping (and dodging the thunderstorms). Now in the mediatheque (don't call them libraries-bibliotheques anymore) before a nice lunch and then 13:30 TGV to Paris.
Back home tomorrow tea-time alll being well. Then a lot of writing up and 900 photos to sort.

One Day To Go

2010-07-30T15:27:00.001+01:00

From being one day behind after two nights at Gary and Debbie's near Ax-les-Thermes, I have since done five days in three so will now arrive in Banyuls tomorrow. The final part is so much easier especially if you have five kilos less on your back. Weather has been quite favourable at times with a cool wind although this afternoon and Wednesday had hot climbs to the gite d'etapes.
Also more opportunity to eat food with lunchtime stops on Wednesday and today at Arles Sur Tech and Le Perthus.
So it's all systems go for the final descent tomorrow to Banyuls and see you all sometime after Wednesday.

Day 38 - Out of The Ariege

2010-07-21T14:26:00.008+01:00

After two weeks, I've completed the hardest section of the walk, the two weeks that takes me from Bagneres de Luchon to Merens-les-Vals. It is the hardest because of the paucity of accomodation and shops to buy food so you need to carry up to four days provisions at a time. I've now completed 75% of the walk - probably more as the remaining stages have much shorter projected times, typically 4 to 6 hours plus stops. The camping equipment is also going back home which will mean 5 or 6 kilos less to carry.
Until yesterday it was going really well. I'd been on the same schedule as a couple from Brittany (Danielle and Jean-Noël) so we aimed to stay at the same refuge, gite d'etape or cabane. From being a day behind after Fos, I had caught up and by turning what would be a 4 hour day from Goulier to Siguer into a 7 hour day to a cabane 5 hours on (the 4hr bit was done in 3:10) and the weather was cool and misty - ideal for walking although very challenging for navigation. However the cabane was only a little one and was filled by a Belgian couple so the tent had come out in the mist. By the morning there was a brilliant sunrise coming through the mist - one of 700 photos I've taken so far.
Yesterday should have been a nice 5 hour walk from the Refuge de Ruhle (about 7200ft above sea level) to Merens-les-Vals but I had my worst navigation problem of the five weeks so far. In some areas the way marking is very good, in others not. The worst case is when the GR way marks are there but you are no longer on the GR10. This is what happened yesterday. I followed the markers, failing to see any turn or any additional information. I became suspicious, looked at the maps, thought something was wrong, then turned round to see a very clear GR way mark. This was 30 minutes beyond where I should have turned I continued along the path to come to a quite new refuge. They spoke Spanish. I was in Spain. I had gone an hour too far. One problem with the maps in the France Randonnee book is they only cover the route so if you veer too far, you are off the map.
That and other lack of marking turned the day into an 11 hour walk with me not arriving in Merens but at L'Hospitalet near Andorra as I found out I was no longer on the GR10 but the variant the GR10C.
Hopefully no more nightmare days.
Today I'm having my first full rest day at Gary & Debbie Devine's brilliant Gite/Chambre d'Hote 4 miles north of Ax-Le Thermes which is few miles north of Merens where I shall restart tomorrow.
Last night we had runners here from Holmfirth Harriers, Lothian Harriers and Baildon Runners. By the way Gary is a member of Pudsy & Bramley and still wins races.
It's well worth a holiday down here with lots of acivities and is also close to Andorra the Med and Barcelona. It's called Pyrenees Haven

A minor setback

2010-07-07T15:43:00.008+01:00

According to Paul Lucia's book, yesterday was expected to be the hardest day of the GR10. But he'd not taken into account a diversion due to fallen trees that added at least 40 minutes and his route didn't follow the ridge route unlike the actual markers on the ground. Some superfluous markers caused about 20 mins of investigation then finally on the very long descent to Fos, a diversion had been but in place, presumably because there were so many fallen trees. I'd already had to find my way under two with the second necessitating removing my pack which weighs currently probably over 18KG.
After 7.40am start and by lunchtime being 30 minutes up on Lucia's schedule, I eventually arrived in Fos at 7.20pm, very tired, thirsty and very hungry.
Then the problem. Once I'd stopped, I realised my right ankle was now screaming at me. So today has been a rest day. I've actually walked to the next village so done 70 minutes of the 6hrs40 schedule. Last night I dined with a party of four Yorkshiremen served by a lady from Stockton on Tees; Home from home. Bet the one Frenchman in the restuarant thought he was abroad.
So big thanks to the owners of Le Gentillhommiere in Fos for helping me out with icebags.

Today I'm writing this from a lovely little hotel up the road in Melles - 31440 - the Auberge de Crabere. Tel +33 (0) 5 61 79 40 49.

Tomorrow I shall complete the day and hopefully will be just be one day behind. Luckily I have a day to spare and as long as I can manage my ankle may even recover that day, especially once I've sent home up to 6 kilos of cqmping gear after the Ariege in a couple of weeks.

Nearly half way across

2010-07-05T14:46:00.003+01:00

Just landed in Bagneres de Luchon after an overnight stay in the remotest of all refuges - the Refuge d'Espingo. The last part of getting ther via Lac D'Oo was in two parts - the first was like Malham to Malham Cove on a Sunday afternoon the second less busy - nevertheless a near 3000ft climb in the heat in two and half hours with 15 kilos on my back.
This morning set off at 7.20 with sunshine and clouds below. By 9.30 I was in the clouds and a bit cooler then they cleared when I got to Superbagneres which is 1150m above Bagneres de Luchon and arrived for 2pm. Well satisfied. Again more scenic photos to post up when I get back.
Tomorrow begins the hard bit - the Ariege where ther are not much facilities and may need to make use of my tent. Off to go shopping for supplies.

Day 20 Veille-Aure

2010-07-02T17:55:00.002+01:00

Just had first easy day in a long while although it was very hot on the descent to manage to arrive in a village before the restuarant stopped serving (brilliant 10euro menu)- but only just. Previous day was a 10.5 hour heat slog with the highest point of the trek included at 2509m. Brilliant views though. Couple of short days then a big one to Bagneres de Luchon and then the Ariége (very remote - need to carry food).
Thunderstorm now and I'm about 800m away in a cybecafe. Think it's stopped
Bye.

Mobile phone not working

2010-07-01T06:55:00.002+01:00

I cannot get my mobile to fully start up so if you need to contact me, please do so through Julie on my home number. If you do not have this, the Harriers Club Secretary can provide it if you can't find it on bt.com.

Next few days should be a bit easier although today is fairly long. Before yesterday I had five very hard days averaging nearly 8 hours per day but this set of five should be lees than six per day on average.

I'm now in the Hotel Central in Bareges which is excellent. After 3 days of Hotels it's back to Gite D'Etapes tonight up in the wild country. Go up to 8500 ft again today but no snow (over 1k on Hourquette d'Arre last week). Better get going.

Day 16 - Cauterets

2010-06-29T07:28:00.002+01:00

Arrived here after the four hardest days of the trek so far and probably of all of it. Managed to do a bit of shopping last night in between the thunderstorms and now about to head off to Luz St Saveur - scheduled to be a 7 hour (+ stops) day. Weather dor the next few days stormy !!!!!!!!!
Got some photos of magnificent mountqins to post up when I get back. If there's access at the hotel at Luz tonight will post more;

Friday - it's still raining

2010-06-18T09:33:00.006+01:00

So the very nice couple who run the hotel where I'm staying have let me use their netbook for awhile as I only have a short walk today to Esterencuby.
Here is their hotel at St Michel, about 2 miles from St Jean Pied-de-Port.
After 5 days of very tough walking, it's good to have an easy day. Yesterday's section would have been very pleasant had the conditions been decent rather than like a wild October/November day on Winter Hill.

Rain has stopped so time to go.

If you would like to donate to either Guide Dogs or British Heart Foundation it would make the hard bits easier.

St Jean Pied De Port, Thursday Day 5

2010-06-17T13:36:00.004+01:00

Just arrived after a good walk over from St Etienne de Baigorry.
Quick update from office de tourisme as they only allow 10 mins at a time.
Weather has been horrendous. Hadly seen the sun. Worn thermals for past 2 days. Despite this, times are now quicker than schedule. Did today in 5hrs against book schedule of 6:20 probably because it was too cold to stop on the tops in 90mph wind.

Just been shopping for a few essentials and decided to throw my trustworthy Merrell walking sandls which have started to come apart. Onlyt had teh, for 14 years and only a few thousand miles. Should I ask for a refund? Anyway replaced with a new much cheaper model whuich would not last very long on decent walk but will be fine for inside the gite d'etapes and hotels which is where I'm off now. Tomorrow is an easy short day in readiness for the longest one yet on Saturday. If anyone wants to contact me, easiest way is to text on 07787 948671

Looks like weather is still poor for a few more days. In a hotel tonight so will catch the meteo. Hear it's crackin t'flags back home.

Paris, Saturday Morning

2010-06-12T07:31:00.002+01:00

An hour to spare and free internet access in the hotel so may as well add a short post. Arriving in Paris yesterday evening it was very hot and the metro was extremely busy. This morning it is raining with storms forecasted. Hopefully by the time I get off the train in Hendaye the worst will have gone past - I am camping tonight.
I will also need to buy a new gas canister as they don't allow them on Eurostar so it got confiscated - or rather they dont allow them, going out of UK - told by the officials I'll have no problem bringing one back in! Madness!

Many thanks to Terry for sorting out my last minute problem yesterday morning.

If anyone is going to come out and walk part with me, send a text to 07787 948671.

I'm on my way

2010-06-11T08:58:00.002+01:00

In about ten minutes I shall be heading for the train. Tomorrow night in Hendaye (watching England v USA) then the walk starts on Sunday morning.
The pack is currently much heavier than I would like at 15.9Kg but I shall be eating my way through some of that today.

This ain't no fun run

So please if you've any affinity to the help that either Guide Dogs or British Heat Foundation do, please make a small donation to one of the charities. The target will be reached - both are well on the way and I'm know there is additional to come in.

Guide Dogs For the Blind
Britsih Heart Foundation

One week to go

2010-06-04T09:59:00.002+01:00

It's now a case of going through the checklist.
Training - all done and happy with it. I'll finish off with Duddon Fell Race tomorrow, but just the short one of nine miles. I'll then amp overnight to test out of the tent and stove and may walk the route of the full Duddon Fell Race on Sunday with my full pack. This will give me about 30 miles and 9000 foot of ascent in two days - the biggest consecutive two days in the GR10 schedule give 28 miles and 10050ft of ascent (7500 ft descent) or 23 miles and 10800ft ascent (but only 6000ft descent).
Tickets- all trains and Paris hotels booked; also a booked five nights accommodation on the GR10 route.
Equipment - all done - will test out this weekend.
Fundraising - coming along nicely - now at about 50% of target - hopefully the target will be reached whilst on the walk. I aim to update the blog where possible, e.g. St Jean Pied-de-Port, Luchon, Cauterets. Merens, Arles-sur-Tech.

May targets not acheived

2010-06-04T09:52:00.003+01:00

Due to the third week being so short on mileage and almost non-existent on ascent, I didn't make my target in May but as I'd exceeded my ascent target in April by 5000 feet, I feel that I'm ready for the Pyrenees.

Week 30 - big mileage, big climbs

2010-06-04T09:35:00.002+01:00

As the previous week had been so massively short on both mileage and ascent, I had to make a strong effort to get back on target. I knew reaching the target of 210 miles and 30,000 feet ascent for May is likely to be unobtainable but I'd try my best to get near.

The easiest way to start would be my oft-used route over Winter Hill to Belmont and back so that was Monday's run followed by a seven mile walk on Winter Hill on Tuesday. Back to the Belmont Run on Wednesday then a walk to Bolton to get my new camera on Thursday. The walk is mainly along the Middlebrook Trail, not the most scenic of walks but least it meant most of the route is traffic free. Another run on Winter Hill on Friday followed by the Saturday morning run with the wfdbwgua group.

Normally I would rest the day before a race but the mileage was important so following Saturday's fairly leisurely run of nearly three hours, on Sunday my warm up for the 5 mile Smithills Serpent trail race was to run the five miles to the start and followed the race by running home to give me 15 miles on the day.

Overall this gave me a total of 75 miles for the week of which 58 were run. I don't think I've ever run that many miles in a week before, even when training for a marathon - probably the most I've done is 52 miles, twice both at race pace as part of the Tour of Tameside.

Week 29 - slight setback

2010-05-28T10:26:00.003+01:00

After the long walk on Sunday, rested on Monday then went out Tuesday morning for a 4 mile run and could feel a tickle in my throat, this developed so that I couldn't do the Jubilee race on Wednesday night and by Friday morning considered cancelling my appearance at the North Lancs Soul Festival that evening. Recovered sufficiently for that but not for much running and a full weekend meant I would get little mileage in walking. Watched my daughter finish in the Keswick triathlon on Sunday but the week was very short on both mileage (18 against 47 scheduled) and ascent (700 against 6700). At least I walked into Bolton and back on Wednesday.

However, I now feel I'm ready for the challenge - it's just a case of maintaining the fitness level with not long to go.

Music to take with me

2010-05-25T12:28:00.003+01:00

As people who know me may be aware, I'm slightly obsessed with music. Well obsessed may be a bit strong but given a choice between watching telly and listening to good music, I know what I go for.

On my walk I'll be filling up a few micro SD cards with tunes to listen to.
The first to go on will be the recently released (a week ago) compilation "Get Down With The Philly Sound" a superb set of originals and remix of Philly Classics. Accompanying it there is also an excellent documentary featuring some of the legendary musicians who made the music. Have a watch of it if you appreciate good music.

Dimitri from Paris presents "Get Down With The Philly Sound" from BBE Music on Vimeo.

Last weekend was spent at the North Lancs Soul Weekend at Morecambe and one of the popular tunes was this remix of an early Aretha Franklin song called One Step Ahead. The remix version is very good but I slightly prefer the original. Here's both for you to enjoy, first the Featurecast remix which also samples a small part of a Marvin Gaye vocal.

And here is the beautiful original which was recorded a couple of years before she became a world-wide star.

I may come back and update this post in the next few days.

A very long walk in the Lake District

2010-05-17T12:04:00.006+01:00

Due to a late night on Saturday, I'd arranged to meet up with this East Lancs LDWA walk two hours into it.

The walk is named the High Street Stroll. If the name conjures up a gentle afternoon stroll, think again!

The walk started in Ambleside at 8am, then headed over to Kentmere where I met up with the rest of the six strong group on the path from Garburn Pass shortly after 10am.

The route after Kentmere: Nan Bield Pass - Harter Fell - Branstree - Mosedale - Selside Pike - Mardale Head (bottom of Haweswater) - Kidsty Pike - High Street - Thornthwaite Crag - Stony Cove Pike - Kirkstone Pass and then back to Ambleside.

The estimated time for reaching the cars at Ambleside was 8pm for this 30 mile walk. However, GPS showed it to be 31·5 miles and we finally returned at 9.15pm. And we are not talking about slow walkers : these are hardened experienced walkers who go at a fast pace. Many will be completing in the forthcoming "Hundred" in Scotland.

There will be a more detailed report soon on the East Lancashire LDWA Website

All photos were taken with a cheap phone camera on which the lcd is little use in bright sunshine so it's point and hope!
The first couple of photos were taken on the top of Branstree, the second of the unusual trig point.

The next is the view eastwards towards Shap and the final from the col between Kidsty Pike and High Street.

As usual with me, I was slow on the tricky descents but making up on the climbs where, even late in the day, I was happy with my stamina, being able to push strongly up the final major climb up Stony Cove Pike. By joining them late, I was only out for 11hrs 15 minutes but this is the longest walk or run I have ever done by over a couple of hours. The longest day on my GR10 schedule is nine and a half hours according to the book, so I should hopefully be able to cope, providing I get early enough starts to avoid the worst of the heat.

Week 28 - only four weeks to go before lift off!

2010-05-17T11:38:00.005+01:00

A busy week but not much running.
I did get my regular Winter Hill - Belmont - Winter Hill run in on Tuesday.
Wednesday and Thursday were spent on a Wilderness First Aid Course in the Peak District. My personal first aim was to increase knowledge which could reduce risk should I have a mishap on the walk. Although this was not the course's main objective, it was very useful to meet up with a group of people with much mountain experience. Many on the course were renewing their certification so already had a good base knowledge. The bonus was getting myself trained up should I need such skills whilst out walking or running or marshalling. I now possess certification which covers me for three years. I would heartily recommend the course if you have any involvement with the outdoors. It is very good value. Below is a photo from their facebook.

Rather than staying overnight I drove each day (googlemaps showed the journey as 75 minutes, because of the time of day I allowed 105 minutes). My plan was to do the Haigh Hall Road Race on Wednesday night but by 7 o'clock I was going nowhere on the M60. My drive home eventually took about two and quarter hours - no chance of getting to the registration which I knew was a good ten minutes from the race start, and even if I did I would not be very fresh for the race.

I managed to get a 4 mile hilly road run on busy Saturday schedule prior to a very long walk on Sunday (see separate post) which gave me 42 miles and 9600ft ascent for the week.

Week 27 - Wray Caton Fell Race

2010-05-17T11:06:00.002+01:00

I'd not really planned to do so much mileage on the Sunday - at least it was a variable pace, some hard running to get quickly to certain points on the route followed by rests and slower paced running.
I had planned to run the fell race that coincides with the Wray Scarecrow Festival on Bank Holiday Monday as I have done many times over the years.
Last year I completed it in 67:30 and about a minute quicker the previous year so I hoped for some improvement.

We arrived at Wray in good time (it can take an age to get into the village as the Scarecrow festival is very popular) and safely - just - a pigeon had decided to have an argument with the car on the way up the M6. It won't be arguing again.
Hovering round the institute were names from the past : Neil Wrigley, Allan Blinkhorn and Trevor Dibben. It seems the weather is bringing people out to run.

Seemed to have quite a decent run. Was only overtaken by seven on the descent (10 actually but got three back after the bridge), to finish in under the hour, 59:30 according to the results although my watch said 59:54! As last year's time was 67:30, I can't complain about that. Neil was well in front but did manage to beat Trevor and Allan.

So that's 18 miles and 3100ft towards my May target - but I am looking for 30,000ft of ascent this month so need a few long days.

Wednesday's run was my regular run over Winter Hill to Belmont and back again over Winter Hill. I sort of did the same on Saturday but planned to walk over and run back. In between there would be a little matter of competing in the Belmont Winter Hill Race, only four and a half miles but as it climbs Winter Hill twice manages 1000 ft of ascent. There is a flattish middle section which although runnable is also called The Swamp. No matter how dry the weather has been, it is always wet and muddy. You will always see at least one runner getting very muddy having lost their balance in the bog.
I found myself gaining about 20 places on the first climb, followed by my usual losing of them and more though the swamp and on the descents.
After collecting my backpack from the pub, I then headed back up Winter Hill again and home to give me 16 miles and 2800 ft of climb for the day and 35 miles and 6600 ft ascent for the week. I seem to be getting behind with the mileage.

Week 26

2010-05-17T10:56:00.001+01:00

During the week I managed a couple of runs on Winter Hill followed by Sunday morning which consisted of trying to follow my daughter and her fiancé who were competing in the Horwich triathlon. Amazingly, just from trying to catch them on the cycling stages and the run stage which included Rivington Pike on the route, I managed 11 miles with 2000 feet of climb, helped by running home after Diane had finished. Targets were a bit short for the week, especially for mileage (30 against 45 target).

April targets achieved

2010-05-03T20:39:00.003+01:00

Targets achieved for April. Just need to keep it going through May and now itching to get to the Pyrenees and get started.
Would be nice to see a few more donations to Guide Dogs or British Heart Foundation - it's a slightly bigger challenge than a fun run :-)
Justgiving - Guide Dogs
Justgiving - British Heart Foundation

Week 25 - long runs and long walks

2010-05-03T20:12:00.004+01:00

Fourteen mile walk with West Lancs LDWA on Tuesday and 20 mile walk (Spanners Round) with East Lancs LDWA on Sunday. Currently updating the walk instruction in readiness for publication on the net - the original booklet is about 13 years old.
A quick run up Winter Hill and down towards the Wrights Arms on Thursday preceded the main run of the week where I accompanied 5 of the Saturday morning group for a nice little saunter up Wetherlam, Swirl How and Coniston Old Man along with other assorted peaks on the Coniston Massif. The main purpose was to give John a run out for route choice for the following week's English Championship fell race. Only 12 miles but nearly 5000 ft of ascent altogether and 5 hours out on the Lakeland Fells. Rather than repeat what is on the group's blog here is the link to all the reports and pics -

NLN's report and loads of photos
More Photos - from me
the route log
Even More

And for more views of the scenery and how the faster runners deal with the terrain, there is an excellent video of the following week's race posted up on youtube.

Overall for the week I accumulated 57 miles and 9600ft of ascent - considerably above schedule for and almost completing mileage target for the month whilst the ascent target was surpassed by nearly 20% - very happy.

Boots or shoes?

2010-04-21T13:08:00.001+01:00

One debate that I've had going on for awhile is whether to wear boots or shoes.

I'm getting different opinions on this depending on the background where people come from.

Boots - suggest by MRT member that they reduce the risk of injury and if I did do over on my ankle, more likely that I would have less problems continuing.

Shoes - because of my background in fellrunning and relative lack of ankle injuries over the years (in 25 years, two sustained whilst running and one while not), I should have natural strength in my ankles which boots would reduce, therefore causing more problems than they solve.

I currently walk in either Columbia Pinas which I bought in the States a few years ago as an emergency purchase (ok for the odd walk) or Karrimoor Pyramid Wethertite shoes which I bought for winter walking when I didn't want to wear boots. I'm not convinced that they are suitable for 50 days walking of up to 10 hours a day. I also have a pair of cheapish (£40) Hi-Tec Knysna Mid boots which were fine for my 20 mile fast walk over Helvellyn and Thornthwaite Crag at Easter.
I'd obviously welcome any comments gained from experience. I'll also post in relevant forums. Some people have even suggested that I wear trail running shoes such as some of the Inov8 range (I usually wear mudclaw 330s for fellracing).

Week 24 - Finally bought a tent

2010-04-21T08:26:00.009+01:00

After returning from the Lakes I fancied testing my pace out in a race. I was a bit too busy on Saturday, so on Sunday found the Gin Pit 5 over at Tyldesley. Although the the twice-yearly race has been going a few years and is only a 25 minute drive away, this was the first time I'd entered this 5 mile park trail race. On an undulating course, I'd set my usual targets as mssrs Bland and Murray from the club and at 3 miles was getting quite close to catching Paul but the final two miles revealed the lack of speed in my legs. Nevertheless, very happy with a time of 36:10 which I would have got nowhere near 12 months ago.
A couple of runs over Winter Hill on Tuesday sandwiched a solo walk from Abbey Village through Tockholes Woods and up to to Darwen Tower on Wednesday. This was after I'd finally purchased a suitable tent and cooking equipment.
I'd just about decided that I'd go with the Vango Ultralite 100 after reading various reviews and comments (some favourable some not too happy), decided that at £70/£90, I would take the risk rather than spending £250-£300 on a Terra Nova which also has issues because of their lightness. I realised that Outdoor Action was the outdoor shop in Blackburn that I've used quite frequently over the years, so I contacted them, initially to find out if there were any significant differences between the 2008 and 2009 models. The guy at the shop who responded was extemely helpful and as it was midweek arranged to get one from the warehouse for me so it could be erected in the shop as there wasn't one currently on display. When I got there, not only had he got the Ultralite but also a couple of alternatives they'd acquired as exhibition models from the manufacturer. He was very happy with the Ultralite which he owned and used regularly and described how to ensure the airflow was effective (the main source of negative comments on the web) but he reckoned that the Force Ten Vitesse would be be even better for the trip provided I was happy with its design that uses two vertical poles in a ridge tent. The main reason was that the slight increase in weight offered considerable extra durability, especially on the groundshee. At 1·3Kg, I felt it is sufficiently light. I've had a few goes and setting it up on the lawn and packing it away and both can be done (even by me) in less than 5 minutes.
I also took the opportunity to sort out cooking equipment and chose a Gelert PZ micro - at 88g this nicely fits along with a 220g gas canister into the Optimus Terra Weekend Cookset. I had been considering the Jetboil or Pocket Rocket stoves but decided their limitations outweighed their strong points.

The week was completed by a four mile road run on Saturday followed by the Radcliffe 10k Trail Race on Sunday. Again I tired after about 3 miles but if the course is accurately measured, my time is better than I've done for many years, taking into account the pot-holes and generally rough tracks of the route.

Totals for the week was slightly short on mileage and slightly up on ascent but well ahead for the month so far.

A Solid Week in the Lakes

2010-04-11T20:05:00.017+01:00

A week based in a cottage a mile north of Staveley gave me opportunity for some good walking and running on the Lake District mountains. It also gave opportunity for some good drinking and eating as Staveley is the home to Hawkshead Brewery.
After crawling through the traffic to pick up the keys from the offices in Windermere (not very eco-friendly to expect you to drive into Windermere on a Bank Holiday when you've specifically picked a cottage that avoids the most crowded areas), Julie and I reached our meeting point with our eldest daughter and her fiancé at the Eagle and Child where we had an excellent value lunch.
Once we'd settled into the cottage, Diane, Neal and I went for a run up the road to Kentmere of just over six miles.
A nice walk with Julie and Josh (the dog) on Saturday morning was followed by lunchtime at the Brewery Beer Hall and a late afternoon 6 mile fell run.
The weather was fine on Sunday for a long run up to Kentmere and then the Horseshoe route although I did shorten it by coming back along the valley route from the shelter at the col - still that brought in 17 miles and 2900ft of climb.

Monday was a bit of a rest day and Tuesday just a short road run up the other side of the valley which did offer a good climb. A fair bit of rain had come down as can be seen by the state of the River Kent.

On Wednesday I had planned a long run over to Longsleddale, up to the corner of Haweswater then back via the col at the top of the Kentmere Valley. However, a last minute change of plan was to take up the offer of a lift from Diane and Neal who were driving over to Derwentwater to recce the cycle leg of the Keswick Triathlon on their bikes. So I looked at the maps and decided to get dropped off at Wythburn and then walk back via Helvellyn, down to Glenridding, make my way down the valley to Hartsop and then head home via the High Street Ridge. I knew it would be a good long walk. I also intended doing it with a fullish pack - no exact weight but I estimate about 11kg.
The ascent to Helvellyn was straightforward. I set off about 11am and the pack initially felt heavy but as soon as it was on, posed no problems whatsoever and in no time I was overtaking everyone on the ascent. Tried out my yaktrax on the snow and they were great and only took a couple of minutes to fit (being on the cusp between sizes makes them a tight fit!) Lunch at the top at 12.30 in glorious sunshine with stunning views in every direction - Windermere, Lagdales/Scafell Pike, Thirlmere, Skiddaw/Blencathra, Ullswater - as you can see below.

I had planned to descend via Swirral Edge but when I got there the group in front of me had decided not to risk it and as I saw the difficulty that those ascending were having, made the same decision. two choices head bak and come back via Grisedale Tarn or north over Lower Man and White Side following the old pony route. I chose the latter but instead of diligently calculating my route, followed them and we all overshot the path, heading down past Brownstone Crags. I reckon I lost an hour so it was soon heading for half past two descending from Lower Man. The route back to Glenridding is easy but long so it was four o'clock by the time I reached the village. People must have wondered why I was descending at such a pace rather than enjoying the views more. A quick stock up with bananas and kitkat from the village store and then down the road to head for Hartsop.
Luckily you can come off the main road just to the south of the White Lion and head over to Rooking and a footpath that takes you down to Hartsop. It was still over an hour's walk including a break for coffee and kit-kat. Walked through the almost deserted car-park at 5.20 to head up along Pasture Beck with a target to reach Thornthwaite Crag by 6.30. This I achieved but it is fair old climb over the later sections, especially when there is no-one in sight.
It was still worth a minute or so to use my phone camera for the view over towards Windermere.

Of course when you get to the top of Thornthwaite Crag it is still a fair few miles along the ridge before you can head down to Kentmere. Luckily my improving fitness meant that I was able to jog along much of the ridge and remembered the route down through Buck Crag from Sunday.
I just made it to the latter end of Garburn Pass with dusk drawing in as I hit the tarmac road. Luckily I was fortunate enough to chat to a couple of walkers heading back to the car after a short walk up the valley who were kind enough to offer me a lift down the road and home for family awaiting me for tea,
After mapping the route, I find I'd walked 20 miles with 6400ft of ascent (and 6600ft descent) in nine and a half hours. As this is considerable longer than my planned longest day in the Pyrenees, I feel very satisfied with it. I know I shall have the altitude to contend with, but hope my pack is no heavier, and although the occasional wrong turnings are bound to happen (I know from experience that GR10 signposts are not always as clear as you would like), did find I coped with the length and pace of the walk. The walk experienced both snow and heat and had a much later starting time than my long days in the Pyrenees.

Thursday saw a short morning walk before Diane and Neal had to return followed by a good three hour run over to Longsleddale and back via Kentmere in late afternoon. More pics to follow.
Altogether the week provided a total of 79 miles walking/running with 13550 feet of ascent and a platform to further build on.

March complete - on target

2010-04-01T11:26:00.009+01:00

With some big walks and runs, I knew that only injury or illness could blight my schedule for March (or lethargy but I'm not going to allow that). Mileage target was completed with 4 days to spare whilst climbing was achieved with the completion of Two Crosses on the 21st.

Other aspects of the planning are now moving forward. I've bought my first train tickets - for the train to London and the TGV from Paris to Hendaye. I had hoped to sort out my Eurostar London to Paris leg and Paris hotel using an airmiles voucher and airmiles but was tharted by the fact that the return train booking is not available yet - will have to wait until the last week in April and will do all the return legs then.
Just bought a pair of yaktrax which arrived today
- these may pull me out of sticky patch if or more likely when I encounter snow and ice. My wife has had a pair all winter for walking the trainee guide dog in the snow and ice and found them brilliant. Yes I know I'm going in June but you can still get significant lying snow on the higher passes such as the Hourquette d'Arre as can be seen by these photos taken on June 22nd.

The two photos have led me to discover what looks to be a good account of a GR10 crossing which I shall read after posting today's entry.
I also had very helpful conversations with one of the Bolton MRT who works at Go Outdoors in Wigan.
This opened up the boots v shoes question again. As a MRT volunteer he sees many ankle injuries which would have been prevented or at least had less effect were a good boot worn. He did make a recommendation - not cheap - but I may go for it as they are very lightweight yet extremely firm. The other advice that he gave was regarding cookers. I've been doing a bit of web research and think I've narrowed it down to either the Jetboil or MSR Pocket Rocket. The Pocket Rocket would also require some cooking pan (MSR Alpine Stowaway seems best - can also store the rocket inside it). The other one we discussed was the MSR Reactor which is extremely fast but at over £100, very expensive.
There's a couple of useful video reviews - comparison and this.
Would still be good to see the odd small donation coming through for either Guide Dogs or British Heart Foundation - click the links for the justgiving sites.

Week 21 - a lighter week

2010-04-01T08:40:00.001+01:00

I've been a bit busy sorting out my course so no walks, just a couple of runs - my usual circuit over Winter Hill to Belmont and back. I was little bit slower, probably due to strong winds on the top but still happy enough.
On Saturday I enjoyed 13 miles with the wfdbwgua group - a good turnout - seven of us and a flat coat retriever. This folowed the previous evenings Quarterly Dooo where we celebrated JtE's 75th. He's quite amazing - most of you reading this, unless you are seasoned runners, would not be able to outsprint him after a couple of hours on the fells - I can't. Mind you he was Northern V60 400 metres champion 15 years ago. More pics and write-up at wfdbwgua .

So total for the week was only 25 miles and 3200 ft of ascent but as I'd almost reached my monthly target before the week started, happy enough with that.

A few more Pyrenean photos

2010-03-28T12:53:00.007+01:00

As promised here's a few photos from when we spent Easter 2001 touring the Pyrenees.

The first one is St. Jean-Pied-de-Port, an excellent little town which is the junction of the GR10 and the main route of the Camino de Santiago Compastela.
I think the second is also St Jean but may need to recheck the original photo.

The third one is of the hills nearby to St. Jean.

More from a bit further on.

Tinkering with the layout

2010-03-25T21:57:00.003Z

Just been doing a few changes to the heading of the blog. A few days ago I added an image I found on the web of the Cirque De Gavarnie so uploaded that with some changes to the wording. Today while hunting for something else I came a across photos of our trip through the Pyrenees back in 2001, so scanned them in, one of which was this one of Gavarnie. I'll post up some more later.
So rather than pinching someone else's work, I've added my own with a bit of photoshop work to plug the charities I'm trying to raise a few bob for. There's a few out there who keep saying they will make a donation but may have had difficulty in finding the site. They are:
(for Guide Dogs) http://www.justgiving.com/GordonsGR10guidedogs
(for British Heart Foundation) http://www.justgiving.com/GordonsGR10BHF/

Continuing Week 20 - it's a big week

2010-03-23T22:21:00.002Z

Having rested on Thursday, I decided to do my Winter Hill/Belmont run on Friday followed on Saturday with a run out with the wfdbwgua group. This was initially a depleted group with just three of us setting off from Rivington Lower Barn at 8.30. As John was considering whether to do the Pike Race on Easter Saturday, we ran the Pike Race route from Rivi school then back down to repeat it. For a bit of fun, I gave John and Pauline a couple of minutes start to see if I could catch them on the climb. On this second ascent Ed joined them near Georges Lane then a Brentford supporter, who must of lost his way, found us - nice to see you Chris and well done considering you've not run for 2 years. So the effort petered out we ran as a group to the Pike then around to Noon Hill from where Ed and Chris departed whilst we carried on in the direction of Great Hill.
By our return we had completed ten and a bit miles and about 1850ft of climb.
Sunday was an early start as I was sweeping for The Two Crosses Challenge Walk. This meant setting off about 30 minutes after the mass start and gradually catching up the backmarkers just before the walkers and runners divided into 18 mile and 25 mile routes. My fellow sweeper and I then followed the 25 mile route, checking that everyone had gone through at each checkpoint. It was a long day out, made even longer by suffering from a big blister on my left heel which was diagnosed as down to old socks. Offending socks are now in the bin and I shall recover.

The accumulated mileage and climbs of the past two weeks (66m,9950ft preceded by 64m, 9750ft) means that I have just about reached my target for March with 10 days to spare, so I can now compensate for the shortage in December.

Week 20 - Yorkshire Water Way Walk - back to Top Withins

2010-03-18T08:52:00.005Z

After the 32 miles of the Haworth Hobble on Saturday, I just had a short walk to loosen up the muscles on Sunday then on Wednesday returned to Yorkshire and again to Widdop Reservoir (where I'd been at 9.30 on Saturday) for this Irregulars midweek LDWA walk. The route to Top Withins nicely varied from that used by the Hobble.

Thus started the purpose of the walk to - a section of The Yorkshire Water Way Walk to Hebden Bridge, initially back-tracking then across the seemingly endless tussocks of Middle Moor and eventually to our lunch time stop at the Hare and Hounds in Old Town. This is a really excellent pub - great value lunches for £3 and a wide range of Timothy Taylor brews.
Drop down to the Calder-Hebble Canal for a bit of flat walking before coming through Hebden Bridge and up the lovely cobbles on the way to Heptonstall (and so back to the Hobble route!) However rather than continue up the road, leader Mick had found a good path to the west of the road which to stay off road most of the time.

Through Heptonstall then across the top edge of Hebden Wood before dropping down to the river.

Walking through Hebden Vale must be one of the most pleasurable ways to pass time and brought back memories of my childhood when a group of friends would catch the bus from Brighouse to Hebden Bridge and walk up through the valley.
Finally a good strong climb up to the road for the final stretch back to Clough Foot Car Park. A good day out, 19 miles and 3000ft of ascent.
Most bizarre was that while driving home what do I hear played on the car radio - Kate Bush's Wuthering Heights!

Week 19 - Haworth Hobble

2010-03-14T21:02:00.004Z

I was five miles and 1100 ft short of target on the first week but this didn't bother me as I knew this would be a big week with the Haworth Hobble providing 80% of target on its own.
I ran my now regular training run over Winter Hill to Belmont and back on Monday and finally achieved my sub two hour clocking - by quite a margin - just over 1:52. I repeated the run on Wednesday and further reduced the time to 1:48. I could now rest until the Hobble on Saturday but did decide to make a walk to the library into 7 miles and 950ft by returning via Rivington Pike on Friday.
I'd arranged to travel with one of my training partners over the years so after a 5am alarm picked John up at 6.15 to drive over to Haworth to register by 7.20 for the 8am start. The journey was into blinding sunshine as I drove eastward into Yorkshire.
8am and we are off. I was running solo but John this year paired up with Pauline, making her debut on the Hobble. The weather forecast meant that I chose to run lightly clad with just one thermal below my club vest and in shorts (carrying full wind/waterproof body cover of course in my rucsac - and a over a litre of lucozade sport). As we headed up onto Haworth Moor, the sun had gone and we were in a cool mist and I wondered whether I'd made the correct decision re shorts. I planned to stay with John and Pauline, probably to checkpoint 3 at 13 miles : I wanted to ensure I didn't repeat the my too fast start of two years ago which turned into a hard slog over the second half of the race. They were looking at 12 minute miles which I did think was possibly optimistic but would give a good completion time of around 6 hrs 25 - an hour and a half faster than I did last time - I'd be very happy with that.
As we headed for CP3, I could see we were somewhat behind a 12 minute per mile schedule but I was happy to stay with them and start to work harder from that checkpoint. CP3 (13 miles arrived at about 2hrs50 and I bade my farewell and start to work up the hill.
Got to CP4 and opted for doughnut rather than my usual hotdog then really enjoyed the cruise along the Calderdale Way and caught up a pair of clubmates of my daughter who with others were glad of my direction at one of the two main points for navigation errors. More good climbs to Mankinholes which I reached in just over 4 hours (possibly slowest time since the wild weather of 1992) and then Stoodley Pike and over to Hebden Bridge where for a change my knee wasn't in agony on the steep descent.
By now it was warming up and I was enjoying hauling in runner after runner - it's so much more enjoyable to set off steady and be able to do that rather than the other way round (as was the case two years ago). As we got to the final four miles I was not quite as fresh but still managed to finish in 6:47 (officially - results have just been published), an hour slower than my fastest time, but that was when I was 15 years younger but half an hour faster than my debut 24 years ago and over an hour quicker than two years ago. I suspect my split from Mankinholes to the finish (about 2hrs42) may be my quickest ever. Looking at the results, those who I passed around the half way mark finished nearly an hour behind me : but I couldn't have run an hour faster though as the conservative early pace is what paid dividends in the second half. Hopefully there will be some piccies to link to soon.

Now for a couple of days rest before upping the level again.

Week 18

2010-03-14T20:46:00.002Z

Getting a bit behind with the blog but at least I keep my log up to date so can use that to refer back. This was a good week as the the snow was starting to clear in most places. Tuesday saw a good day's walking with West Lancs LDWA Rivington Ramble led by ex-Harrier John Crook - mostly familiar places but new (to me) territory on the route bak from Healey Nab to Rivington village (and a very muddy route. Did my usual run over Winter Hill to Belmont and back on Thursday and almost got the time down to sub two hours, being just a minute or so over. The snow lying on the north face of the Winter Hill and the top end of the mast road still slowed the speed a little.
It was a long drive up to Barrow on Saturday for the final cross-country of the season and for once the club turned out in (reasonable) numbers. My training over recent months paid dividends as I swapped my usual place of last or next-to-last Horwich runner to beat two club-mates that have generally (or always) been in front of me for the last ten years as well as being far higher up the finishing order than usual. The firm conditions certainly helped me.
A good week although slightly down on mileage and ascent targets.

Bears and snakes

2010-03-04T16:02:00.004Z

Now I don't want to get anyone worried, least of all myself(!) but watching the recent couple of programmes on BBC covering a year in Yellowstone Park (why do I always want to call it Jellystone? - I don't know ask Boo Boo), reminds me that over the past decade there has been an ongoing debate about the re-introduction of bears into the Pyrenees. Has there been any incidents? I shall have to ask on the forums.
Here's a couple of links:
www.ariege.com
Mountainbug - also has a GR10 diary
There seem to be a healthy supply of Seoane's Viper, Lataste's Viper and Asp Vipers in some parts of the Pyrenees. Although poisonous (the Asp in particular), they appear to be generally timid - as long as I don't go poking my fingers into crevices which might be their home.

Week 17 - February Complete

2010-03-04T14:44:00.003Z

I realised that the first half of February was well ahead of schedule but the continuing Winter weather meant it was an extra challenge to complete my targets. I also wanted to increase my studying.
A quick run mainly on the flat on Monday followed by table tennis league match in the evening had left my left leg complaining. Luckily I didn't mention this to my opponents in the match until after otherwise they may have been able to adjust their game!
Just a five miler on Winter Hill on Tuesday followed by a short walk on Wednesday before I felt fit enough to get a long run in over Winter Hill on Thursday.
This left me needing to complete 22 miles and 1700ft of climb on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I built a 6 mile walk around a trip to the dentist on Friday, heading up towards Two Lads on the side of Winter Hill after Horwich.
Saturday was the National Cross Country Championships at Leeds. Having lived in Leeds for over 8 years, I was quite familiar with Roundhay Park and knew that "Hill 60" would give me some climbing. An excellent run in which I was nine minutes quicker than the last time I ran the Nationals there, six years ago. It was also good to meet up with friends from previous running club, Abbey Runners and my old boss who started me running 25 years ago.
The weather forecast for Sunday was not good- gale force winds. If the weather was decent I would do the Lostock 6 Road Race : if not I would find an alternative means of completing my target. Sunday morning came and no gales, so a jog down to the registration (less than a mile from home) and started off near but not very near the back of the field (the race seems to attract many slower runners - unlike the previous day's XC where I set off quite near the back of 1450 runners, but gradually overtook 200 of them). Quite happy to finish with a slight improvement on the last time I ran it, despite being quite weary for the final two miles. A bit extra on the warm down meant that I had exceeded my target for the month.

More mileage to do in March, more climbing but of course I'd not taken into account that there are three extra days to do it in - so in fact my daily average target is slightly less. I shall just have to ensure I shall exceed it.
With the 32 mile Haworth Hobble (somehow they've lost a mile this year!) and the 25 mile Two Crosses Challenge coming up, that should be a good basis. I also now must put together some back to back walking days with a decent size pack on my back.

Week 16 - a lighter week

2010-03-04T14:11:00.008Z

Again somewhat thwarted by the weather - but 3 times up and down the road outside my home on Monday (which I've measured as exactly a mile each way) gave a good start followed by 7 miles up onto Winter Hill on Wednesday.
With no Cross Country on the Saturday, I joined a few friends for their Saturday morning run (see the the Feb 20 post on wfdbwgua blog for more). As you can see from the photos which I've blagged from the blog, plenty of snow so three and half hours out gave us only ten miles - but it was quite marvellous to be above the fog and clouds.

Anglezarke Amble, Feb 13th

2010-02-18T15:46:00.002Z

Got there in good time (by my standards). Got my tallycard, dumped my holdall, tightened my shoelaces and headed outside with the clock showing two minutes to eight. There were still a few in the hall. To my surprise everyone had already been allowed to start. So had to navigate my way through the throngs of walkers for the first half mile or so. Eventually caught up with JtE somewhere near the start of the Chinese Gardens and then YJ, NLN and NicO just before Georges Lane.
With my renowned descending ability (lack of), thought it wise to push on a little towards the mast and NiCo duly passed me on the descent. Thought NLN was also there but apparently not. We regrouped on the road although YJ had yet to arrive.
Chatted with a very experienced hallenge walk/runner down from Northumberland enjoying the event. He was looking for 5hrs 40 so wondered if my target of five hours was a bit optimistic.
YJ had not got back to us, so continued to run with NicO and NLN. A mile or so from Darwen tower, I decided to oush on but whilst at the checkpoint taking refreshments, they arrived and zoomed off. Caught them up on the way to Slipper Rowe and got in and out of the checkpoint quickly with a cup of tea as well. They had just about caught up but I then decided it was time to push hard on the way up to Great Hill, slightly hampered as I now had to pass those who were on the shorter route, sometimes on narrow paths. White Coppice checkpoint seemed to take an age both in the clippering and the refreshments but I think it was wise to take in as much as possible. NicO and NLN had slipped to the checkpoint and skipped the refreshments to overtake me. They seemed to be miles away but I eventually caught up with them approaching Anglezarke Reservoir. Suggested we should blast it to get inside 5 hours but they were wise enough to know it wasn't on (I had an extra two minutes to play with). Didn't make it but quite happy with 5:05, especially as I still felt quite tired after my high mileage earlier in the week. With a bit slicker "transitions" at the refreshment points, I might have sneaked it.
No chances of taking any photos but it was a very fine day for the event, although there was one hairy descent between Belmont and Strawbury Duck on which no grip was possible due to the ice.
Big thanks to NicO and NLN for ensuring I didn't blow up - there were points in the first half where I could have pushed on but I know I would have paid for it later.

Week 15 - big mileage

2010-02-18T15:20:00.003Z

Just two runs and a walk this week - but big ones. Tuesday saw me do what I'd intended to do the previous week, 21 miles taking in a fair chunk of the Anglezarke route. Out for 4hrs30 and fairly tired on the final return from Rivington but gave me chance to chat with Stuart of The Soul Twins (djs from Mr M's/Wigan Casino) as he walked his dog on one of the paths at Rivington. Followed this with East Lancs LDWA group walk on Wednesday, Fish Chips and Peas from the Bay Horse at Adlington, listed as 12 miles, some suggested nearer 14 but with not a great deal of climb. Nevertheless an enjoyable walk, finishing off with a pint in the Bay Horse, re-acquainting myself with a pub which we used to be semi-regulars at, many years ago. A highly recommended pub.
Saturday arrived and it was time for the Amble to give me 59 miles and 6750ft of ascent for the week.

Week 14 tidy up

2010-02-18T15:10:00.002Z

Friday saw a shortish evening walk helping out a local scout group. Saturday had the cross-country at Leigh scheduled so I was already for that and contacted a clubmate to give him a lift. Eventually I found posted on another club's website that it had been postponed until the following week. Shame as I could have got out in the morning with the wfdbwgua crew and also I was already committed to the Amble next Saturday. Anyway I wasn't going to waste what was the best day weather-wise that we'd had for a while so got my Winter Hill/Belmont circuit in.
This meant 44 miles and 5800ft of climb achieved for the week, slightly up on schedule.

A new month, getting lighter

2010-02-05T10:22:00.003Z

Now into week 14 of the training schedule and into February. If I don't get up too early, can have breakfast in the light and staying light in the afternoon until 5pm so longer walks can be considered. Oh and I'm getting lighter as well :-)
I'm still getting most of my mileage in through running at the moment but I've recently taken on creating online versions of some 20 mile walking routes. As they have not been updated for 15 years, someone will have to walk them to determine what has changed as far as car parking, bus routes, pubs/cafés or even paths themselves which occasionally get diverted. Why not me? Although it would be useful to do them accompanied - I'm sure I can find someone to help me.
Started this week on Tuesday with a long run. The plan was to do about 20 miles taking in parts of the Anglezarke Amble route. The weather was pretty atrocious. I was waiting for the rain to clear as promised so didn't set off till lunchtime. Somehow I managed a couple of wrong route choices around Belmont which added extra mileage and time so decided to adjust the route. My choice of route was limited due to the reservoir wall being rebuilt so ended up continuing to where I'd planned to get (Slipper Rowe), but 40 minutes late. Rather than come back via White Coppice, I chose to come back from Great Hill via Spittlers Edge and Georges Lane - bad choice - it may be a bit shorter but it was so waterlogged that I expect it took me as long, if not longer. So in the end I got my distance in, but in a much slower time than I had planned.
The snow came back on Wednesday evening, with the result that the roads were so dangerous that my table tennis match was called off. By Thursday morning though it looked fine to get a run in. Decided on the Belmont Route. Fine early on, then Burnt Edge posed problems - the thin layer of snow concealed glass-like ice. One I'd got past the north facing edge which sees no sun, it was okay but rather than continue down to Belmont I decided to turn round, head back down the mast road and then do another rep back up the mast road - speedier way of gaining both mileage and ascent (and with rarely any traffic).

January Complete and Looking Good

2010-02-01T10:06:00.004Z

After achieving less than 70% of target in December, it was good to claw some back in January and significantly exceed target. Hopefully February will bring good results with its small increase in mileage and ascent but also 3 days less to complete. I probably need to get more walking in as 72% of mileage and 76% of ascent were from running.

Week 13 started off with a recce of leg 4 of the Pennine Bridleway Relay. A bit of double-checking gave a mile extra for 12 miles and an estimated 1300ft of ascent. My first track session for many months doesn't do much for mileage or for ascent but as I live on hill I do get a bit by running to and from the track. On Thursday I had my first attempt at running over Winter Hill to Belmont and back without snow and ice to battle with. This meant I could go a bit quicker, now setting a target of two hours which I almost made. The top end of the mast road still has about a foot of snow, so hopefully I can be quicker next time. Looking after the dog on Friday meant three miles to add from walking him up though the fields with more on Saturday. Finally Sunday saw a very enjoyable run in the Pennine Bridleway Relay so my leg plus return to the starting point, and a bit extra that I put in, meant I exceeded my week's target by a third and ascent by 25%.
January has been very challenging from a weather viewpoint. Hopefully things will get better as we head towards Spring.

Week 12 - Back on track

2010-01-26T17:55:00.006Z

On Monday I finally completed my first Winter Hill - Belmont - Blue Lagoon - Winter Hill circuit (from home) since the heavy
snows had made the north slope of Winter Hill near enough impossible to make headway on. Even so. the final bit of the mast road still had about two foot of snow so it was easier to leave it and use the fell.
Wednesday saw me head over to Hollingworth Lake for 14 miles of Winter Wandering with the East Lancashire LDWA group. There was still quite a bit of snow as can be seen here.

The walk included a little bit of God's own county in which I had the pleasure of spending a few moments.

More photos and report at on the East Lancashire LDWA site

I knew I had to get a bit more mileage in before the Northern Cross Country Championships on Saturday so just did a couple of reps up to the Jolly Crofters and back on Friday. I'd measured the route beforehand to be exactly (well near enough) one mile each way and about 350ft of climb for ascent.
Hopefully that had not left me too tired for the Championships at Witton Park in Blackburn. The course designers had been very kind to me, ensuring that every lap had not one, but two good climbs of about 150ft and just for good measure the two "long" laps had an additional climb of over 100ft. My estimate is that the 11.5k had about 1500ft of ascent in it - good enough for a B Medium fell race! I started steady then managed to move through and generally held my place to finish strongly, only six minutes slower than the previous year's championship race. As the winner was 5 minutes slower, this was equivalent to about a 5 minute gain for me, especially when compared against last year's results for those around me.

The week totalled 37 miles and 6000ft which puts me on course to exceed the target as long as I have a reasonable final week of January, especially as this week as started with a 12 mile recce of the Pennine Bridleway leg for next Sunday and 6 miles road/track session tonight.

Week 11 - The Snow Goes On .. then finally starts to thaw

2010-01-18T21:16:00.005Z

First run of the week was on Tuesday and do I could get the height gain I decided to have a go at my Belmont Loop. Burnt Edge was very challenging but at least a few more had trampled through the snow. The mast road was the better option rather than off road and even that was no longer used by vehicles from half way up. A bitter easterly wind had arrived which made it very cold on the top. down the ramp heading for the Wrights Arms, I had realised that an ascent of the north slope would be out of the question so turned right when the Bolton-Belmont Road was reached and returned via Scout Road. Very challenging but at least I'd got my 11 miles but with less climb - 1300ft.
Next attempt was Thursday. Again same outward route. The wind of Tuesday had gone but the visibility was poor. I'm used to having to avoid being run over by cyclists on Winter Hill (shame that they cant read the no cycling signs) but this time I'd stopped on Burnt Edge in an attempt to take some piccies, turned round and there was a skier hurtling down at me.
When I say attempted, for some reason my phone camera was in video mode - a bit difficult to tell in such an envronment. anyway i've edited what was filmed into something which will give you an idea over a few seconds:

Reached the mast, down to Belmont and up the Rivington Road before tuning onto the fell to climb back up to Winter Hill masts (the outward run on the Belmont Winter Hill Race route for those who know). About half way up, realised that it was no fun trying to clamber through the two foot deep snow - it really slows you down - and thought what if I fell and broke my leg - what's he chance of getting medical help quickly in such a desolate expanse. So decided to turn back down at return using the route I'd descended on (checkpoint 2 to 3 on the Full Winter Hill Race route). Just before I got back to the road, flying down the hillside comes my GP with his two dogs on a quick lunchbreak run! Well, I think he still holds the club marathon record so he's not a bad runner! Nice to have company back into Belmont, thanks Ian. Eventually home in well over three hours but at least I got an extra couple of miles and an extra 500ft of climb.
Friday - thaw at last.
Saturday - over to Blackpool for the Mid Lancs Cross Country. The thaw had meant it was now a muddy course with negligible climb.
Sunday had originally been planned to be the two Crosses Circuit which would have given me 25 miles, but the decision was made on Tuesday night to postpone until March on the grounds of Safety.
So, instead, a walk with Julie and the dog around Rivington before lunch in the Barn, and then walked back home via Georges Lane - still very icy in parts - to finish the week on 37 miles and 4100ft of ascent, near enough on target.

Week 10 - the weekend

2010-01-16T09:05:00.004Z

Friday comprised of a couple local walks more for the distance, than height gain, followed by a short run on Saturday.
Sunday was to be the big one as far as mileage but was in doubt until the last minute. On Saturday afternoon it looked like I would give it a miss, getting to Tottington for 8.30 (and home later in the afternoon looked a challenge, never mind the walk. By the evening the forecast was showing +1 for 6am the following morning so decided it was on. At 8.30 I joined eight other intrepid walkers who were marshals or organisers for the Two Crosses Circuit, scheduled for the following Sunday.
The full walk is 25 miles, but because of the weather conditions, the decision was made to do the shorter variant of 18 miles. Apart from a bit of blizzard conditions at Affetside where the wind was picking up the snow, the first three hours went okay. Where the two routes diverge at about 7 miles, a discussion was made that we would have to impose a cut-off time to prevent anyone attempting the 25 miles who would be incapable of completing before dark. A nice lunchstop at Entwhistle Reservoir then on towards Bull Hill. This is where it got interesting. White Moss was fun, if enjoy your legs being two foot into the snow. The going was very tough, so a good speed was far from possible. Around Bull Hill and onto a very exposed Peel Tower before heading back to Tottington. The excursion had taken 7 hours with nobody causing the pace to drop - where it was possible the pace was brisk. It would normally (even at this time of year) take 5 hours.
A very exhilarating but demanding day, adding some 18 miles and 1700ft of ascent to give a week's total of 36 miles (exactly on target) and 3600ft of ascent (slightly below target but I'm on target for the month).

Here are some photos thanks to East Lancs LDWA.

Week 10 - A very snowy week

2010-01-06T20:23:00.003Z

Rested on Monday after a decent run on Sunday then on Tuesday when had a foot of snowfall which didn't exactly make you want to get out. Wednesday morning and clear skies so I thought I do my Belmont route again. The first mile was much quicker as the new snow had made it much easier to run than the slippery ice that had formed by Sunday. Good grip for the studs. Went off up past Montcliffe Quarries GR SD660120 and onto the footpath where the going got a bit tougher as no-one had been there since the main snowfall and it was about 18 inches deep but still okay. On to the junction near Burnt Edge and the fun had begun. Drifting had cause 3 foot hurdles to be run through but still not bad as the weather was bright. Onto the path which is parallel-ish to the mast road, virgin snow, greyed over and driving sleet into your face so that visibility was rapidly reducing - a good job I'd run the route so many times before. Made it to the mast road : a snowplough had just gone down, so it was a good surface with just enough snow for grip. Onto the mast road with a few walkers going past. At the end I could see that nobody had been on the track to the Wrights Arms (San Marco?) so decided it would be wise to turn round once I'd looked at my watch to see I was 20 minutes slower than Sunday despite being 2 minutes quicker on the first mile. I suspect the climb up from Blue Lagoon would be very slow. So a nice quick blast back down the mast road along George's Lane and towards Austin's Farm where I decided I would get a bit extra in by doing some reps up the fields.
Below are a few shots from Tuesday morning 6 hours before the snow stopped coming down.

Week 9

2009-12-31T15:13:00.003Z

Week 9 takes in the final few days of one decade ad the first few days of a new one. With no chance of completing my December schedule it is just a case of doing what I can. I had planned a road run on Monday but once I was off the bus route, the road surface was too treacherous so I returned home, changed shoes and set off for Winter Hill via the off-road route. The mast road turned out to be better gritted than anywhere else. On Wednesday I planned to go further, so followed a similar route initially but on reaching the mast continued down to the Wrights Arms and Belmont returning via the Blue Lagoon and the trig point. The slight drizzle experienced when setting off to turned into driving snow as height was gained with strong easterly wind making progress hard work in parts. The circuit of just under 11 miles took two hours 30 - no doubt on a more clement day, I shall repeat the route in less than two hours. No chance of stopping for photos - it was a day to keep moving.
January will start with a deficit of 43 miles and 5250 feet : I'll not try to recover it all during the month but aim to be back on track be the end of March.

Week 8 - Christmas Week

2009-12-30T17:14:00.007Z

The week up to Christmas is always busy and combined with the snowy weather made planning somewhat hit and miss. At least I managed to get some mileage in almost everyday. Walking to the Bob Smithy and back on Christmas Day helped.

On Boxing Day, My daughter and I competed in the Whinberry Naze Fell Race. I enjoyed the climb but the conditions hmapered my descent even more than usual. My fancy dress also needed a bit of adjustment every now and then. There's pics hereand here but no video uploaded as yet.

With no big walks I was still 5 miles and 900ft short of the weekly target as some of the walks involved very little climb.
However, I received some very useful Christmas presents - a Snugpak Chrysalis Micro lightweight sleeping bag and books on Mountain Weather, Steve Cracknell's account of his expedition and the new LDWA UK Trailwalkers Guide.

Week 7 - another almost blank week

2009-12-30T17:04:00.001Z

Well the flu continued and it wasn't until the cross-country at the weekend that I risked getting out. With snowfall on Friday and a blizzard in Horwich at lunchtime meant that it was in doubt but a phone call to one of my dj mates in Burnley revealed that conditions were much better there. The major difficulty was the road that led into Townley Park which had not been gritted. When the council expect you to pay for the privilege of parking, you would hope they would use some of that income to grit the road! With no running for nearly a fortnight, I made sure I ran cautiously at the start but seemed to be running well resulting in as good a result as I had all winter.
A five mile loop on the side of Winter Hill on Sunday gave me 12 miles and 900ft for the week - well off target but at least back on track.

Week 6 - an almost empty week

2009-12-14T19:30:00.003Z

The flu bug has finally hit me - not Swine Flu according to the symptoms checker on nhsdirect but nevertheless some bug that has played havoc with my schedule. The plan was to go up to the Lakes and do the Kentmere Horseshoe on Friday followed by the LDWA Christmas Cracker walk on Sunday.
I did get a few miles in on Tuesday taking the dog with me onto Winter Hill and decided I was well enough (big mistake) to have a walk up Winter Hill on Friday - that totally blew my away for the weekend so I shall not attempt anything further until Wednesday. So last week's total was a meagre 13 miles and 1800ft against a target of 32 and 4000 which would have achieved easily.

Howgills, Dec 4th

2009-12-05T09:55:00.008Z

Friday looked to be the only day which would combine a free day and a reasonable weather forecast. No problems on the M6 so I arrived and parked up in Sedbergh at 10am. The temperature showing was -1°C. Usually my hands lose circulation in the cold so I needed to get going pretty quickly. Halfway up the slopes I had to remove my gloves: it was a glorious day and a steep uphill climb is the best way of generating heat. A few photos taken in the excellent light and a elevenses on the top of Arant Haw.

Continuing the path to Brant Fell and the Calf, the cloud came in and all of a sudden the sun was gone - gloves back on. The upper slopes had garnered a light covering of snow but walking was still extremely pleasant with none of the recent gale force winds to battle against. A view was lacking however. I descended then cut across to Crook before finding a path back down towards Sedbergh. However as it was still early afternoon, I decided I had time to get some more climbing in so headed back up the valley of Settlebeck Gill and then a steep climb back up to the main path towards Arant Haw and a cut back to the top of Winder before returning to Sedbergh. Route calculated at about 10 miles with 3200ft of ascent. Next photos are on the way up to The Calf with the final one from there.

Thanks to my first sponsor

2009-12-02T20:41:00.005Z

At my daughter's engagement party, my oldest friend (no, not as in JtE but in the fact that we've been mates since the age of 3), expressed concern that I am contemplating doing the majority of the walk solo and without a GPS.

Now I'm not sure whether there is a GPS which will answer all needs, e.g. not much access to power sources so will it run off my freeloader solar charger for example but Brian is determined to make sure I am equipped with such a safety item. I know that Mark S has suggested GPS equipped mobile phones. I'll do some more investigations but the first one that I looked at that would fit the bill is the Nokia N97 - a snip at around 400 notes and then may have power sourcing issues!

There is an article in the latest edition of the LDWA magazine "Strider" but it doen't really provide a solution. I shall have to do some hunting via the French amazon site for example, the Garmin Etrex H or the Garmin eTrex Summit HC. Maybe I should write to them.

So Brian now has a certificate to display on his office wall!

Also thanks must go out to GW for her donation.

Week 4 and November Review

2009-12-02T20:28:00.002Z

A short run on Friday followed by cross-country on Saturday completed the week well above schedule and back on track for the month. A lazy Sunday and nothing on Monday night meant I completed the month just 7 miles short on target with the ascent just about achieved. Hopefully December will not provide too many hindrances from climate or otherwise. I shall have to see.

One Hill Four Times, Nov 25th

2009-11-26T14:50:00.008Z

The BBC weather forecast on Tuesday evening was showers and sunny spells .... but more sunny spells than showers. The reality was somewhat different.

Setting off at 6.15, UI reached Kettlewell in good time, about 20 minutes before the 8 a.m. start. I think there was the odd bit of sunshine.

Fairly promptly 18 of us set off up onto Hawkswick Moor and over the other side, almost into Arncliffe. Supposedly the wind had died down from the gale force overnight. On the top, it was hard work against the wind. A few yards north along the lane before it was back onto the fellside and climbing back over but this time taking a more northerly direction - this time of course the wind direction was behind us. By 10.30 we were ready for our morning break overlooking Starbottom. we had the occasional shower but nothing to moan about. After our break it was about a mile or so walk up the valley before we veered left for the hardest climb of the day over to Litton with nearly 1300ft of ascent. This co-incided with a total lack of sunny periods, completely overcast and raining hard into your face. I don't know what the wind speed was - I just know that on the summit at was only just possible to move forward. It was just about keeping going forward until we got to the valley. The group included some of the most experienced walkers in the U.K., many of whom had completed "hundreds" and other multi-day events as well as containing three medical doctors - it was a good job we were sufficiently experienced and equipped. It also tested out the claims of our "waterproof" clothing. At just gone one, we reached the pub at Litton. The landlord had been primed for us and promised a blazing log fire for us - blazing may have been somewhat of an overstatement but the food, beer and welcome was appreciated.

Tthe original route was to take the riverside footpath down to Hawkswick but common sense prevailed and we chose the road as I suspect the footpath would have been waterlogged in so many places to make the schedule of a by-dusk finish (i.e 4pm) impossible. So a fast pace was maintained and the final crossing of the hill undertaken from Hawkswick for us to achieve the target of finishing with a few minutes daylight to spare. At least the afternoon walk was mainly dry - no sun but the occasional minute patch of blue sky to tease us.

A hard day out, 18 miles, 4000 feet of ascent but the conditions, both underfoot and especially battling with a force 8, I would expect is as hard as any day I expect to experience in the Pyrenees. Yes, I will have a bigger pack, yes some days on the schedule are up to 5,500 feet of climbing and there is the potential for thunderstorms especially in the west, but I think yesterday was good preparation (but no sun!).

A couple of photos but not very good as it was only from a phone camera and no doubt some wind shake. The first is overlooking Kettlewell, the second the River Skirfare, pretending to be the Wharfe.

Week 4

2009-11-24T21:43:00.006Z

By the way, the avatar photo isn't me. A mars bar for the first correct answer!

Well on target with Sunday's run and a quick run up to the mast this afternoon giving me 13 miles and 1500ft already before tomorrow's long walk. Nice and easy going up this afternoon although soon into the clag after Georges Lane then the wind hit me as I turned to return home.

Will the gales have died down before tomorrow's walk? We shall see. Anyway need an early night tonight as I shall need to set off at 6 a.m. in the morning.

Thought I'd post up a couple of simple line graphs of actual against target.

Week 3 Review

2009-11-23T21:28:00.002Z

Completed the schedule for the week by getting in a couple of hilly road runs on Friday and Saturday to take the week's total to 35 miles and 4350 feet of ascent. That means I'm only 6 miles and 700 feet behind schedule for the month. A run with my daughter and her fiancé started off week 4 well but suffering a bit with a cold but not too bad so expect to get the big walk in on Wednesday and maybe something tomorrow. It looks like it will be very blustery but at least we'll not get as much rain as the Lakes have experienced over the weekend.

Concern about me taking on the walk solo has led to an offer of sponsorship of a GPS so many thanks to Brian. Before he purchases it, I need to ensure that they actually work in the Pyrenees so will be hunting contacts on various forums for advice. I noticed from the latest Fellrunner that P&B's Gary Devine now lives in the Ariège so maybe a useful contact for local knowledge.

Week 3

2009-11-19T10:13:00.002Z

Atrocious for weather but managed to get a long walk with LDWA yesterday preceded by 6 mile run with 900ft ascent on Sunday. I'd realised the Kettlewell walk wasn't until next week which meant a bit less to travel to the meeting point to the east of Accrington. The weather had caused a fair bit of disruption on the roads so it was a slightly later start than the usual prompt 8a.m. After half an hour or so a major obstacle was encountered with an impassable stream which meant a reroute for the first couple of hours of the walk. Eventually we completed the walk just before dark logging a total of 16 miles and 2000 ft of ascent.

With more severe weather warnings it looks like a couple of hilly road runs will be the easiest way to achieve the balance of the week's schedule (11 miles, 1250ft)

Week 2 Review

2009-11-15T09:14:00.003Z

Despite poor weather, managed to exceed my target for the week with 43 miles and 5450 ft of ascent, clawing back some of the shortfall from week 1. If I can get up early enough on Wednesday may get to the Irregulars walk on Wednesday which promises over 4000 ft of climbing. Feeling fairly knackered now but may just to a shortish run or walk today as it looks quite decent weather for a change.

Week 2

2009-11-09T11:03:00.006Z

Regular run on Sunday on Winter Hill of 6 miles, 1300ft ascent as a starter. Calf a little sore but coped. Speed more hampered by gallons of water that has come down in the past week.

Repeated Tuesday in dank cold misty conditions, probably even wetter underfoot as more rain has come down. A little bit faster though so pleased with the recovery. Total so far for week 12 miles, 2600ft - on target for weekly schedule of 4200ft ascent and possibly mileage as well but still got week 1 shortfall to make up. Eleven miles tomorrow will help.

11 on the 11th turned out to be well over 12 miles which is good and I've calculated the ascent at 1650ft so weekly total now 24 miles and 4250 feet ascent. Again extremely wet underfoot but at least a rainless day with even a bit of sunshine and plenty of good company.

Thursday night run with Ed and Steve adding 9 miles and 800 ft to bring the weekly total up to 33 miles and 5050 ft.

Big thanks to those who have made contributions to the two charities.

First week review

2009-11-08T09:28:00.000Z

First seven days of month and well behind schedule. Not run due to calf injury and yesterday was the first available daytime walking since Tuesday - just managed 6 miles and 1000ft. Aim for similar, maybe a bit more later today, once other jobs are done and then there is the 11 of the 11 LDWA walk on Wednesday. At least weather looks a bit improved. Total so far is 14 miles and 2100ft when I really should have over 40 miles 4500ft each week this month.

Training Schedule

2009-11-03T14:25:00.000Z

Worked out a training schedule on Saturday which hopefully get me somewhere in shape for the walk. I've set a target of 1,200 miles with 150,000 feet ascent between now and the end of May, increasing monthly:

Nov - 140 miles and 18,000ft

Dec - 150 miles and 18,000ft

Jan - 160 miles and 19,000ft

Feb - 170 miles and 20,000ft

March - 180 miles and 22,000ft

April - 190 miles and 25,000ft

May - 210 miles and 30,000ft

This will be combination of running and walking. When walking I will aim to carry a decent size pack. I've gone through my log for October and achieved 100 miles and 8,200ft so I need to step up somewhat.

November didn't start well. I had planned to spend either today or yesterday in the Lakes getting some climbs in, but a damaged calf from Saturday's cross country meant that was out but at least I have managed 8 miles and 1100 ft today but will not be able to run till weekend and also have no time to walk till then so will have to do 37 miles and 3300ft to catch up.

My first follower

2009-10-27T21:07:00.001Z

Welcome on board, Ed.

All I need to do now is get as fit as your elder brother and I'll have no problem.

The Route

2009-10-26T15:48:00.000Z

The route starts on the Atlantic coast at Hendaye, close to the Spanish border, before meandering through the lower hills of the Pays Basque for a few days reaching the possibility of snow in June on a high pass towards the end of the second week.

Click on the map to view in reasonable detail. The route is shown as a yellow dashed line.

I'm quite likely to come back and improve these maps when I get a bit of spare time.

On a 50 day schedule Fos will be reached in about 25 days.

At the moment I'm using the schedule from Paul Lucia's book.

The GR10 Challenge

2009-10-18T21:15:00.000+01:00

In February 2007, I had some very mild chest pains on a couple of days, 4 days apart. After a phone call to my GP, I went to get myself checked out at the Royal Preston Hospital and all of a sudden I was strapped up with electrodes and then for 12 hours the doctors were telling me that they thought I'd suffered a heart attack. I was rather astonished and told them I'd had worse toothaches. Anyway the second set of results came back the following morning to reveal that I had not. Further tests (angiograms are not the most fun things if you want get back to running) confirmed that my heart was in perfectly good working order.

However, the experience made me realise that I ought to set myself a challenge whilst I was still young enough and fit enough. I've never considered myself capable of say a Bob Graham Round completion but I've always enjoyed walking in the hills. I have also loved the Pyrenees whenever we have holidayed there and have done a few walks (and the occasional race) there.

Therefore I decided my challenge would be to complete the GR10 long distance footpath which goes from Hendaye on the Atlantic to Banyuls on the Mediterranean, a distance of just over 900km (about 550 miles) with 50,000 metres of ascent (and descent!).

My original idea was to undertake the challenge last summer but I put it off, hoping that the value of the pound against the euro would recover a bit. Maybe it will, maybe it won't, but next Summer is now the ideal opportunity for me and plans are well on the way to get me into condition.

Also as a response to the wonderful care I had with my little ticker scare, I'm trying to hook it up as a means of fundraising, 50% to the British Heart Foundation and 50% to Guide Dogs For The Blind (for whom my wife does much voluntary work and as she will suffer much of my preparation, etc for the walk, I think it only fair).

I have set up two justgiving sites, one for British Heart Foundation and one for Guide Dogs for the Blind and hope to raise the modest sum of £500 for each charity, more if possible.

There is a lot more to go in this blog in line with much preparation. I'll keep you informed.