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???