The New Finish.

Perhaps we should do it again.......

....sometime!

Fly through...

Part 2..Balmaha to Crianlarich

Part 4... Altnafeadh to Fort William

Part 3...Crianlarich to Altnafeadh

Fly through...

Part 1...Milngavie to Balmaha

MILES SHMILES!!!!!

Well, that's us done then!
The new finish is so new it's not even finished yet. It's just a building site.

Ah well, better stop running now!

Thanks to the boys for meeting us at the finish...sorry about the smell!!

Paula at the old finish.... 95 miles down, 1 more mile to Phil and Glenn at the new finish.

The old finish...

Jenny at the 'old' finish sign...just 1 more mile to go!

Nearly there...

Our first glimpse of Fort William... about 3 miles to go.

Wait for me, Jenny!

Looking back...

Fort William here we come!

....and so our final day is here. We've been really lucky with the weather this week. It's been short sleeved tops all the way and it looks like the jackets will remain firmly in the bottom of our packs today.
The lack of progress reports have been a combination of no signal and a need to snooze! We will fill in the missing details soon.
We now need to force feed our breakfasts and then we'll be ready to run the last 14 miles.... sorry, 15 miles....forgot about the extra mile that's been added on!
All being well, we should finish about 1.30pm.

The Ben

Ben Nevis

The slog up the Devil's Staircase was rewarded with this view of Ben Nevis in the distance.

King's House Hotel

Crossing Rannock Moor...

Spot tonight's accommodation...

Apologies for the lack of info on the last 2 days..... we've got poor reception and no computer access.

The 20.5miles yesterday was long and tiring but it brought a smile to our faces when the landlord said we were the earliest guests to arrive from Rowardennan....EVER!

Today's 16 miles have been easier.
I'll get Jenny to send a more detailed report.... when I can get her out of bed...and find a computer!

Rannock moor and the Devil's Staircase tomorrow!

Signal problems...

We will update the blog as soon as we get a good signal.

So long loch lomond...

Happy as happy can be...

Day 2. Drymen to Rowardennan

Well, I sit and write this in the absolute luxury of Anchorage Cottage on the shores of Loch Lomond.  I'm in the lounge and the window next to the computer has an amazing view up the Loch with the sun on the water making it breathtaking....

Today has been a day of two halves... in fact, it feels like we have been on two runs today - one this morning and another this afternoon.

We left Elmbank at around 9.15am and after a short detour back up the road of Drymen we were back where we left the WHW yesterday afternoon.  By around 10am we had overtaken 90% of the crowds and had the route to ourselves.  A good track headed up through the forest and we were soon at the junction to head up Conic Hill.  Here, our jammy luck continues as it only reopened up over Conic Hill on Friday having been closed for access for four weeks for lambing.  We were happy as happy could be making our way across the open moorland and slowly picking our way up Conic Hill.  We briefly left the WHW for a scramble up to the summit at 361m.  Here we had a short rest to soak in the surroundings before retracing our steps to rejoin the WHW.  Well worth the detour as the views were just incredible.

After a short and gnarly descent we were in Balmaha to top up water and take a break at the shores of Loch Lomond.  We wolfed down a couple of Eccles cakes and reapplied suncream.  In fact, Paula did it that way round which was much wiser.  I applied suncream and THEN ate Eccles cake resulting in bits of puff pastry sticking to me.  In fact, I've just found a bit now!

As we set off for the 7.5 miles from Balmaha to Rowardennan, the run felt very different.  We were next to the Loch and meandering up and down, but it was nothing like the fell-feel to the morning.  By now it was getting pretty warm, and some of the undulations (descibed in the guide book at 'becoming wearysome by the end of the day') were becoming wearysome.  By 2pm we eventually made it to the Rowardennan Hotel and after a half hour of lying by the lake on the grass we headed into the pub for

- 1 packet of salted nuts
- 1 garlic mushroom starter
- 1 jacket spud
- Half a lager
- Obligatory pint of tapwater

Each!

The only drawback was a very poor jacket spud, but hey ho, the sun was still shining and the skies were still blue :-)

By 5pm were were happily established here at Anchorage Cottage, and well in need of showers.  We also did our washing for tomorrow and despite temporarily loosing my running bra, and then finding it, but walking down the road thinking it was my handbag, things are good.

Anchorage cottage has an amazing terrace area - where the photo below was taken.  There we were, lying on the sunloungers when the B&B owner asked us if we would like a glass of wine.  Well, we had to accept an offer like that.  Sadly, we only managed a glass each and he looked most suprised when we returned half a bottle of wine just now.  I've now got a cup of tea on the go.....Paula, the show off, has ventured as far as a Hot Chocolate!

Its 7.40pm now, so time for more kit fettling and off to bed...

So, what next?  Day 3 is looming over us like a bad smell (oh no - thats my running trainers!)  I think we'll have a hard day tomorrow.  Its 20 miles and more up and down-ing and the terrain is going to be tough.  The forecast is set to still be good but could be really warm... so look out Crianlarich!

...just chilling

Question...After a hard day's running, what could be better than chilling out by the loch?
Answer... a very nice man asking us if we would like red or white!

A brew with a view!

Beer.... not tea!

Day 2....done!

Loch Lomond from Conic Hill

View from conic hill

Day 1... done!

Day 1...Milngavie to Drymen. 12 miles.

...and so, 2 years after Jenny first propositioned  Paula about the prospect of running the west highland way, the day had finally arrived!
It was very busy around the obelisk marking the official start of the Way with lots of walkers, a bunch of cyclists and 2 slightly mad runners all milling around taking photo's and enjoying the perfect weather.
Photo's taken, sunscreen and vaseline applied, a little smile to each other......and the adventure began!
The town was soon left behind and the Way followed dismantled railways, through woodland, passing a couple of small lochs, open spaces giving glimpses of mountains and our first sighting of Loch Lomond.
All in all, an easy first day promising greater, harder, hillier things to come...

The start....

Better be off then.... got a quarter of a million steps to run!

Going the extra mile....

NEWSFLASH.... The West Highland Way has been extended to 96 miles!!

Must dash.....We've got a train to catch!

Emergency blanket!

Amy insisted on trying out nanny's emergency blanket.....
...but refused to refold it!!

The trainers can now be packed...

Paula, Jenny and Amanda had a very careful, steady trot on Humphrey Head.

This completes the training.

The run passed without incident or injury...apart from being chased by frisky cows and doing something illegal!

It's the final countdown...

3...DAYS TO GO

2...GREAT FRIENDS

1...LONG DISTANCE FOOTPATH

Bigland Tarn

Bigland Tarn...Scotland is thatta way!

Penultimate run around Bigland...a run of lakes, fab mountain views, coastal views, bluebell woods, deer and tarns.


One more short run to go ...and then the trainers can be packed!

YIPPEE!

Planning meeting

Half a chocolate cake aided the thinking process during the final planning meeting! Yum Yum!!

WELL DONE BOYS!

With only a week to go until Scotland, Paula and Jenny had to sit this one out and support the boys in their effort to run the 40 miles between Keswick and Barrow via Thirlmere, Grasmere, Elterwater, Coniston Water, Lowick, Kirkby Moor and Dalton.

Bill...6hr 54min... 124th

Glenn...7hr 29min... 196th

Cary...7hr 35min... 210th

Phil...9hr 10min... 475th

Last year, Paula and Jenny completed the 40 mile route in 7hr 53min finishing 140th overall and equal 14th female!

Lucky Ladies

Morecambe Bay fron Hampsfell

How lucky are we to be able to run amidst scenery like this whenever we want??

The virgin Jenny!

The Pudding Stone

After spending a 'laid' back half hour along the shore of coniston... Jenny 'went all the way' to the pudding stone without stopping and she is a coniston trail route virgin no more! ;-)

Scottish Theme Night...

Paula is thinking ''How can I eat Haggis when I can't even bear to touch it....?''

Luckily she bought some emergency sausages.......

Whitbarrow Scar...

Fof and Bof were joined by Phil and Carolyn for a trip up Whitbarrow Scar. They decided not to run the hard way up.......they went the bloody hard way up instead!

...and now they are going to take it easy for the next 2 weeks!

The Dynamic Duo....FOF and BOF!!

Barbondale Round

Bags packed, pasta eaten and the dynamic duo are all set for another LDWA outing. This time its the Barbondale Round from Barbon, near Kirby Lonsdale......

It was a leisurely 9am start, with a select few on the start line - probably about ten of us in total. Walkers left at 8am, so were ahead of us. The organiser said 'off you go then' and we were off. We opted for the 14 mile route, as Jenny felt it was just too close to the WHW for 24 miles, and too similar in timings to 'the event which shall not be named' which contributed to her back problems causing the WHW to be postponed in September. But we were more than happy setting off uphill in the sunshine. Then we ran uphill a bit more, then a bit more. The only respite being a small bit of M&S finest fruitcake (yum) and a water top-up at the checkpoint part way up. In fact, it was seven miles uphill to the top of Great Coum at 686m. The weather was perfect and we managed to run most of the way up, chatting away. From the top we had a perfect decent down to the road. It was not too steep (except a short section at the very top), not too bumpy, not too many tuffocks and we were in heaven skipping our way down to the checkpoint. Here, Paula gave her toes a wiggle and Jenny ate a rather crusty jam sandwich, and we were off again, down the road to pick up a most beautiful bridleway through some woods for three miles back to Barbon. This last section was just stunning, running through the woods with bluebells about to open up next to the beck. There was only one problem - where were Glenn and Alfie?

Glenn & Alf were safely back at the village hall having had a good walk but Alf had had a run in with a yellow lab. Thankfully, Glenn had it all under control, for which Alf (and Jenny) are most grateful.

It was bliss to get the running shoes off and lie on the grass for a while in the sunshine at the finish. Then it was pie and peas (well, just pie for Paula and even Jenny picked out the 'marrowfats') then back home.

All in all, it was an amazing run. A steady uphill, and a fantastic downhill. No crowds, no nav problems, just 14 miles of pottering about in the fells in the sun. What could be better? The great news is that we are both feeling strong for Scotland. In fact, three weeks TODAY we'll be off on our way from Milngavie to Drymen! CAN'T WAIT!!

Posted by Jenny

Phil The Panda

Daily Comments...

• OH MY GOD!!!.....150 times
• WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?....109 times
  
• DOES IT HURT?........125 times
• HAVE YOU BEEN FIGHTING?..... 74 times
• DID PAULA HIT YOU WITH A BASEBALL BAT?..... 56 times
• I'VE NEVER SEEN BLACK EYES THAT BAD BEFORE?....72 times
• YOU LOOK LIKE A PANDA......86 times
• ZORRO!......39 times
• TOLD YOU RUNNING WAS BAD FOR YOU!.......43 times

.....HAVING TO RUN A SHOP AND FACE THE PUBLIC WITH INJURIES LIKE THIS.....

PRICELESS!!!!

ps...Paula's new pet name for Phil is now Kimosabe!

Mucky Pup Paula...

Spring Into Old Hutton

10th April 2010

 

With planning meeting done and dusted, cereal bars, flapjack and energy bars packed, it was a not-quite-so-early start as we headed off to Old Hutton, just outside Kendal, for another LDWA event.  Now the clocks have changed, it was a refreshing change to travel there in the light.  And what a morning it was!  Daffodils out, a hazy clear blue sky and the fells looking amazing.  Yippee!  It brought back happy memories of 'Spring in Lakeland'.

 

Glenn decided not to run as his shins were still sore, but he was there with his camera (plus an Alf in tow).  It was also Glenn's birthday, so after a rousing rendition of 'Happy Birthday' from all on the start line we were off!  We were all set for a 19 miler.  A loop of 10.5 miles back to base and then out for a second loop of 8.5 miles.

 

It was a steady uphill for the first 45 minutes or so - Paula providing the entertainment by falling in a muddy bog up to her knees.  This reminded us of 'Spring in Lakeland.'  Soon we were out on the open fells with amazing views across to the central fells.  It was warm going as we traversed up and over Lambrigg past the windmills you can see from the M6 and we were soon to spot Cumbria's smallest lamb in a field.  Very cute - especially its knees - which were considerably less muddy than Paula's.   It reminded us of 'Spring in Lakeland'.  After some challenging nav involving some random boggy ground, we met Glenn and Alf.  Glenn was not having a great time, despite the sunshine, having had a run in with a farmer AND being called a 'faggot' by another LDWA runner.  On his birthday too!!

 

We were soon on the return journey of the loop back to base at Old Hutton.  Here our instructions got us confused but we eventually made it back with a bit of luck and guesswork.  Similar to 'Spring in Lakeland.'  After a quick bit of refuelling, we were out for loop two. 'The Helm' - a little lump of a hill just above Oxenholme - was looking particularly inviting in the late morning sun.  However, it was not to be, as after a mile or so Paula was not firing on all cylinders and we were forced to turn back.  We still managed some lovely homemade soup, sandwiches and a particularly nice slab of lemon drizzle cake before heading home. Better homemade cake than 'Spring in Lakeland.'

 

All in all, it was a great 10.5 mile trot out, in a beautiful area so close to home.  We're planning to head back to The Helm in the not too distant future... and maybe string the two loops together at Spring Into Old Hutton 2011.  We might even add on the third loop of 5.5 miles.

 

So what next? Paula spent the weekend in recovery and Jenny & Glenn had a birthday tea at the White Hart where the steak and ale pie made up for 'Farmer and Faggot' incident for Glenn. 

 

Since then our duo have also spent an evening at Kendal A&E with Phil after he tripped and hit his head on a tree on his way down.  Thankfully Phil is OK, although his black eyes will take a while to go.   Jenny & Paula had an amazing Friday night run over Whitbarrow via a loooonnnnnnnng climb uphill to the Pepperpot. 

 

And next on the horizon is another LDWA event. Barbondale on Sat 24th April.  A 14 miler near Kirby Lonsdale.  If Jenny gets her food right, and Paula gets her liquids right we should be OK?!  Watch this space!

 

...and the tickets have arrived!!!

HURRAH!

THE TRAIN TICKETS ARE BOOKED!!!!!!!

Good Friday Run

Paula and Jenny took the boys for a trot up the Kentmere Valley.
An 11 mile hilly route...and surprisingly dry...for a change!
.....And then on to the pub for feeding and watering!

ps... who's the little bloke in the middle???

Muddy Bottoms

Phil, looking a bit toooo pleased with his number....

Can't imagine why!

Muddy Bottoms...

A 17 mile, off road event starting at Bamber Bridge, just off the M6 south of Preston.

With a name like Muddy Bottoms, you'd expect plenty of mud...there was mud in abundance

Running buddy David splashed round the 9 mile route in 2hrs 24(he lost an hour somewhere, something to do with the clocks going forwards, he said) whilst Phil, Paula and Cary squished and slipped and slid the full 17 miles in 3hr 49mins

Their efforts were well rewarded with pie and peas!

Jenny had a 'vigorous' walk along the prom prom prom with a checkpoint stop at the cafe for coffee and scone.

Sweeping up...

Today was the second running of the Cartmel Ultimate Trail Race...18k of slippy, slidy, sticky MUD, MUD, MUD!!!

Paula and Jenny were taking it easy at the back, collecting signs and flags as they ran.

The great thing about this course is.... they can run it any time they wish!

Trollers Trot Report

The day started with registration in a smelly, overcrowded school hall full of runners and walkers of all ages. An 8 am start saw us heading out with a steady climb onto Threshfield Moor, almost missing the first unmanned checkpoint(a clip on a post)....we were looking out for the pile of cakes.

The route continued across the moor, passing Winterburn reservoir and on to checkpoint 2..a man with a clipboard...we were beginning to wonder if we would ever find any cakes!
After passing Rylestone church we came across a sight for empty bellies...a checkpoint with cakes and chocolate. Hurrah!

After re-fuelling, we were off again with a climb up on to Bardon Moor, passing Upper Bardon Reservoir and then a long hard descent to Bardon Scale and the next feeding station...sorry, checkpoint.(delicious jam sarnies!) At almost 13 miles, we were now past the half way point.
Crossing Bardon Bridge, we then had a leisurely trot alongside the River Wharfe(The Dales Way) to Howgill and Skyreholme. A quick stop at the next checkpoint and we were off again, the route taking us through a lovely valley and up through Trollers Trot and the next checkpoint at 18 miles. We declined the hot dogs in favour of energy gels...yum!

A steady descent to Hartlington and we were at the final checkpoint where we were told ''it's just a trot along the river back to the finish''..........a long, long trot back on the Dales Way through Burnsall, over a suspension bridge and finally the welcome sight of the school we had left 5hrs and 59 mins earlier.

An even more welcome sight was the chilli and wedges... and it wouldn't be a LDWA event without the rice pudding and peaches.

We were told that this year will be the last time this event will be run......let's hope not!

A wonderful route with great support...

Posted by Paula

Trollers Trot route...

Copy and paste to browser...

http://www.goodrunguide.co.uk/RouteViewer.asp?RouteType=S&RouteID=77031

Trollers Trot

Trollers Trot eve...

A belly full of pasta... toe nail clippings on the bedroom floor...alarm set for 5am...inov8's by the back door....it can only mean one thing!
Another LDWA challenge event tomorrow morning...The Trollers Trot.

...and now it's time to trot off to bed.

Note to self: Take night vision goggles next time.....

Well - another one to add to the collection...another FAB RUN OUT :-)

 

We managed to get a lift out to Bigland (Thanks Glenn!) and then ran home via a new bit of unexplored (well, not much, anyway) territory.  This was a great run - although with hindsight, we probably set off a bit late in the day.  Then we had to do a bit of nav.  Then it got a bit dark.  Then the map disintegrated as it was a bit damp.  But that's OK as it was to dark to see it properly anyway. Then we still had five and a half miles to get home.  All of which 'off road'.  Most of it 'in bog'.

 

BUT, we were quite happy once we were back on home turf on the Sticky Toffee Pudding route, apart from when we heard a loud bark nearby and Jenny thought a prickle bush was an enormous wild hound.  As it happened, the dog was thankfully on a lead.  And it was much smaller than said prickle bush.  By the time we made it to Walton Hill farm, it was on with the headtorches.  And another half hour we were home. 

 

It'll certainly be the type of run that we'll look back on in later years and say 'Do you remember when....'.  

 

Bloomin marvellous!

 

Posted by jenny

 

...best laid plans

Plan 1...Go to Keswick, run up Walla Crag, Ashness Bridge, around bottom of lake, Cat Bells, back to Keswick. CANCELLED DUE TO TIMING PROBLEMS.
Plan 2...Go to Hawkshead, run Claiffe Heights, Latterbarrow. CANCELLED DUE TO PIGGING SNOW!!!

...Took the easy option and went for a walk in almost blizzard, white-out conditions on Hampsfell. Took shelter in the Hospice to allow for Alfie's 'snow boots' to melt a little...

Photo's 'borrowed' from 'A year through the lens' blog. (Thanks Glenda!)

Admiring the view...on Loughrigg

Jenny needed a day of R&R so Paula and Phil went up to the lakes for a run around Amleside-Rydal-Coffin Route-Grasmere-Red Bank(1 in 4 hill)-Loughrigg Tarn-and then on to the many undulating paths on Loughrigg....about 9 miles...great!

Mud, mud, glorious mud...

Sneaky 12 miler :-)

Well - its a cold bright Monday lunchtime and the Lovely Phil gives Paula the go ahead to run the Sticky Toffee Pudding route with Jenny.  What a bonus!  Crispy cold at first then a bit of sleet mixed in to a rain shower later on and just about back in time for shower and food before the shop shut.  Things are all looking good for May...  Hurrah!

 

Cloud inversion

Paula ran the Cartmel skyline route...11 and 1/2 miles and 1,100 ascent. It was a run of 2 different ridges. The Hampsfell ridge was in glorious sunshine with a fabulous cloud inversion in the Cartmel Valley. The Howbarrow ridge was cold and very foggy.
At the end of the run, Paula bumped into Jenny who was on her way up to Hampsfell.

The big question is.....Jenny, was it sunny or foggy???

That's Lyth Route

http://www.worksmartlabs.com/cardiotrainer/tracks.php?trackId=810421&sig=049246d114e81ed160db7451eebfe1b3f623027c

Copy and paste to browser.

Thanks to Glenn's sooper dooper phone! The satellite view even shows where he went behind a bush to have a wee!

23.5 miles...3,000ft ascent.... That's Lyth!!!

Paula and Jenny were joined by Glenn, Phil and Cary. It was a freezing cold day, minus 6 degrees in the car enroute to the event. This is a popular event with around 300 taking part..some running the whole route, some running/walking and some sensible souls walk the whole way.........

A climb up onto Cunswick Scar soon warmed everybody up and looking back as the sun rose over Kendal was magical.

The group soon split with Phil and Cary edging in front, and Glenn running between the 2 groups. Paula and Jenny just tootled along in their own tootling way.

There was a brief reunion at the first checkpoint at 7 miles before the boys were off again. Of course they would never admit it, but they were trying to beat the girls!
The next climb was up onto Whitbarrow Scar, familiar running territory for the group.
Paula and Jenny knew they wouldn't see Glenn until the finish but saw the boys briefly at the second checkpoint at 14 miles...Running along a lovely woodland track, Jenny twisted her ankle....The air was blue with swearwords Paula had never heard before!!! Jenny limped on like a brave soldier and they eventually caught and overtook Phil and Cary at 17 miles. Phil was struggling with cramp and was reduced to a walk.
At the last checkpoint (in someone's garage), it was Paula and Jenny who left first, knowing only Scout Scar lay between them and the finish in Kendal.

Glenn finished in 5:15
Paula and Jenny finished in 5:54
Phil and Cary finished in 6:15

Many thanks to Ann and Art for meeting us at the second checkpoint and surprising us at the finish, and David and Jane for joining us enroute on their bikes. Their support is greatly appreciated. Again, many thanks!

A GREAT DAY WITH WONDERFUL FRIENDS AND FANTASTIC SCENERY.

PS.... NOTE THE ICICLE IN PAULA'S HAIR......

Bags n Boots

Gooseberry Glenn...

Today's run (Allithwaite/Hampsfell/Cartmel/Howbarrow/Allithwaite)...9 miles and 1,100ft of ascent.
Paula and Jenny were joined by Gooseberry Glenn!