Time Vortex

So...

That was almost a year ago....

Better get my finger out and update this thingy

My Bob Graham Round Attempt Sept 2006

(new photos added - see below)

If you don't know what the Bob Graham Round is - have a look here first:

http://www.aqvi55.dsl.pipex.com/run/bgr_history.htm

Taking advantage of the high pressure weather that eventually found it's way through the depressions sweeping the island, Jenny (my girlfriend visiting from the US) and I made haste for the Lake District, in the north of England on Thursday 7th September in the evening.

After the 5 hour drive south from Inverschnecky, I showed Jenny what Threlkeld, the first road crossing would look like at 2am and how to find Dunmail Raise (stop 2) in the dark too. We spent Friday 8th visiting the other stopping points, getting Jenny used to driving on the left hand side with a manual gearstick in her left hand on the tiny little roads that criss-cross the Lake District; and purchasing food, resting and eating lots.

After a two hour nap, I set off from Moot Hall (275 feet asl) on a clear, cool, moonlit night in an optimistic mood just before 11pm. My final hope for a pacer had dropped out with a leg injury on the Wednesday, so solo it was going to have to be (I guess most folks can't take leave out with the weekend - or else September is just too late in the season). Although my reccy of Leg1 had been in November last year, I found the going very familiar and was on a windy Skiddaw summit (Peak No.1, 3050 feet) in about 1h20. I found the fence corner and dropped into the valley via a barely visible trod, headed for Hare Crag. To my surprise I ran straight onto the tiny path through the bogs and heather where many previous BGR attempts have floundered. I was running without a headtorch - preferring to use the natural moonlight, which my eyes had become accustomed to fairly quickly once I'd left the artificial lights of Keswick behind. Visibility was superb.

Up Great Calva (Peak No.2, 2264ft) and down through the heather to the River Caldew (1200 ft). I lost a little bit of time here, trying to find a good place to cross through the wetlands around the river - I don't remember there being one, so trudged through the knee deep marsh and the freezing cold river. Climbing Blencathra (Peak No.3, 2848 ft) was the first time I was aware of voices and headtorches flashing about. As I neared the summit someone was standing on the marker with his head torch flashing. Turned out he was a supporter who had been separated from his "contender". I took some strength from the knowledge there were other loons about tonight. I took Halls Fell Ridge (the supporter was off down Doddick Fell - with his walking sticks!!) fairly easy in the dark, reaching Jenny in Threlkeld (470ft) in 33 minutes, about quarter to three In the morning.

It was great to talk to somebody - I suppose I must have been pretty excited. I was not paying any attention to schedules, simply recording the time at each peak by pushing the lap button on my pulse monitor. After a quick strong coffee, 400mg of ibuprofen to try and minimise swelling ankles and a large bowl of weetabix I set off across the A66 for Clough Head, my backpack replenished with fluids and snacks.

I didn't know leg 2 at all, apart from the area immediately around Helvellyn, which I'd run during the Helvellyn Tri last year. The clear conditions prevailed, however, and the ridge path was moonlit up in front of me once up the initial 1900 ft climb to Clough Head (Peak No.4). I found the going easy enough on the ridge and was soon ticking off peaks 5 through 7.

Unfortunately the clear conditions were disappearing as I climbed Raise (Peak No.8) with clouds blowing in from the south west. Coming off White Side (Peak No.9) I had to slow to a walk, just to see where my feet were going and stay on the path. My headtorch was no good - much like full beams on a car, the light just bounced off the mist (cloud). This was no big deal on the climbs, but was costing me time on the descents. I found Lower Man and Helvellyn (Peaks No. 10 and 11, 3117 ft) in the thick mist with several map and compass checks. Nethermost Pike and Dollywaggon (Peaks 12 and 13) were much harder as I had no idea what they looked like and just ran on compass bearings and written descriptions. After a few false summits I eventually found these two and was looking for my cue (some old gatepost) to descend to Grisedale Tarn. I couldn't really see the old foundation of a fence line that is supposed to guide you back down to 1800 feet, but figured the Tarn (lake) was 500meters long - so surely I couldn't miss that. When I popped out of the cloud at about 2000 feet, the tarn was visible to my left. I'd come a little far West, but don't think it made that much difference. The dawn had broken and now out of the cloud, I could enjoy it's light everywhere.

Fairfield (Peak 14, 2864ft) was incredibly steep with lots of loose scree. I think this was probably the first time I felt some fatigue and discomfort. The other contender (wearing Blue Breeks) who's support guy I'd talked to on Blencathra was descending as I was climbing. We stopped to compare start times. Turn's out he'd started about 20 mins before me. I was keeping up anyway - but felt it important to stress (to myself) I wasn't racing anybody. Seat Sandal (Peak 15, 2415ft) was another little steep one - but much grassier. I thought it prudent to make a toilet stop halfway up before I was exposed to all the Saturday fal-de-ree walkers out on the more popular fells along Leg 3. There is nothing quite like squatting in nature to put a smile on your face !! Descending Seat Sandal wasn't the first time I'd turned my right ankle in the previous 8 hours, but it must've gone over pretty far this time as the residual pain was far more acute than usual. I reached for the pocket first aid in my bag and took 800mg ibuprofen and carried on down to Dunmail Raise (765ft) to meet Jenny.


Dunmail Raise in the Dawn

Jenny had been chatting to Blue Breek's wife at stop 2. I could see him part way up the next climb - that didn't matter - I wasn't racing. I changed into shorts, a cooler top and swapped my studded hill shoes for more cushioned trail shoes for the rocky section to come as the sun was starting to burn off the clouds. Jenny changed the fluid bladder and the snacks in my backpack. I crammed a sandwich down me, 400mg more ibuprofen (just in case) and drank a little coffee before setting off towards Steel Fell at about 7:45 am

Towards the top of this climb I realised I'd forgotten to pick up the map and notes for this section, leg 3. This didn't disturb me too much, as I had run this section only 2 weeks previously and was confident I knew it. The clouds were rolling in again as I left Steel Fell (Peak 16, 1814ft) and if I lost too much visibility, without a map I would have no compass bearings to navigate from. A bigger problem was considerable discomfort in my stomach. I had been eating as much as I could manage to try and "get ahead" in the calorie game and with hindsight I think I possibly overdid it. The carbohydrate mix in my water (SIS GO) was not too strong, but I think in conjunction with the solids I was eating had overloaded my stomach with more carbs than it could comfortably deal with in motion. I was surprised to need to make another (serious!) toilet stop, only 45 mins after the first one!!

Trying to ignore my sore stomach I carried on towards Calf Crag (Peak 17) as the clouds closed in. I found the trail to Sergeant Man (Peak 18, 2392ft) easy to follow in the mist as it has lots of landmarks, but the next section is pretty featureless. With no bearing to work off I struck off towards High Raise (Peak 19, 2500ft) in the general direction I thought it was. I found the path ok, but must have strayed off it to the North, as I came across some little tarns I didn't recognise. I turned west, dead reckoning with the compass, and found the summit, probably only losing about 10 minutes in the fog. The path to Harrison Stickle (Peak 21) is much more straight forward and I made the detour to Thuncarr Raise (Peak 20) en route without difficulty. On the descent towards Pike o Stickle (Peak 22, 2326ft) I turned my right ankle again in a little rabbit hole. The pain was not crippling - but I took another 400mg ibuprofen to try and keep it at bay. I love the view from this little Lakeland summit, but there wasn't much to see today in the low cloud. I was happy to descend below the clouds towards Martcrag Moor at about 2000 feet. I was even happier to find the tiny trail across the centre of the Moor that I'd missed on my reccy run. I made good time across the moor, down across the stream at about 1350 feet and up the sloping shelf to Rossett Pike (Peak 23, 2116 ft)

I hadn't been eating any solids, just drinking GO, hoping the bloating would subside. It didn't. Climbing Bowfell (Peak 24, 2960 ft) I got really dizzy and had to sit down for what felt like ages. I forced myself to eat chocolate - assuming I had "the bonk". This seemed really unfair, considering the amount of calories I thought I'd been taking in. I couldn't understand why the elephants on Bowfell didn’t want chocolate either… Hang on ?? Elephants ??!! The sun started to split the low cloud at this point physically and metaphorically illuminating my understanding that I must have been hallucinating. With hindsight my daily total of ibuprofen was now at 2400 mg, which was probably more than my system was comfortable with, particularly for a drug I don't use often at all. The "elephants" were of course large grey rocks. I cursed myself for wasting time, got back on my feet and headed up to summit my 24th peak, now resplendent in sunshine.

The sunshine warmed my attitude, the bloating seemed to be dissipating and I was able to eat again. Esk Pike, Great End, Ill Crag and Broad Crag (Peaks 25 through 28) passed quickly and other than a slight pain in my right Illotibial (IT) band (above knee) I was making good progress, generally running the flats and descents; and fast-walking the climbs. The number of fal-de-rees about was increasing as I approached Scafell Pike (Peak 29) at 3205 feet, the roof of England. It's amazing how many tourists want to race you if you dare to pass them!! My right IT band was aching but nothing too serious.

I obviously had no belay support for Broad Stand (a little bit of rock climbing required) and as Lord's Rake was reputed to have dangerous, easily dislodged rocks on it; I thought it prudent with all the people around to take the safest diversion via Foxes Tarn. I had not reccy'd this - so it was a nasty surprise to see how long this detour was. My right IT band continued to ache. Checking maps now indicates that this route involves losing almost 1000 feet between the last two peaks on leg 3 - twice what one would lose with Broad Stand roped up.

I reached Scafell (peak 30, 3163ft) 53 minutes after Scafell Pike and set off on the long descent towards Wasdale Head (223 feet) to end Leg 3 and meet Jenny again. Leaving the scree section at the top, my left IT band started to copy it's partner. Wasdale claims to be the most beautiful valley in England - it has the highest mountain, the deepest lake, the smallest church but is also home to the biggest liar, so go figure… The scenery was breathtaking. This 3000 foot descent has taken me 25 minutes in training. I wasn't going that fast this time. My right IT band was still aching. My left one was agony. That wasn't fair! It hadn't even hurt until five minutes previously. "Iron" Joss Naylor was from Wasdale. He ran through anything!! On one of the funnest sections of the whole round, I was reduced to a trot.

I contemplated taking more ibuprofen, but decided one English animal safari had been enough. The path turned right off Green How and got steeper. I started walking. I could see a person about half a mile away on the road beside the NT campsite that had to be Jenny. My left leg was seizing up completely. I stopped, stretched it out and tried to run again to no avail. It just got more and more painful. I felt pretty cheated. I stopped and stretched again but couldn’t free the vice like hold this damn muscle had on my leg. I fell over the stile and tried to run down the field to Jenny without success. I glanced at my watch. Over 15 hours of running, 45miles and almost 18,000 feet of ascent/descent and I knew my attempt was in jeopardy. I felt completely exposed to the whole of Wasdale as a failure.

I met Jenny and hobbled back to the car with her. The weather was beautiful. She was changing my fluid, loading snacks and stirring soup. I dug a time schedule out for the first time and had a look. Blue Breeks was making very slow progress up the 1800 foot climb to Yewbarrow (Peak 31) I had been on my feet for 15 Hours and 48 Minutes. The "just making it in 24 hours" schedule would have had me leaving Wasdale (after my feed stop) over half an hour earlier. The last pitiful descent had stolen those 30 minutes. The guy who had been running Leg 3 with Blue Breeks was trying to get me to continue. He couldn't believe it was my first attempt and I had run it all solo. It was Blue Breek's third attempt. I don’t know if he completed or not, but he must have been pretty close to running out of time.

I wanted to continue - I knew almost 2/3rds of it was over and how close Keswick and Moot Hall were but hardly able to walk, never mind run, I was never going to make it in under 24 hours. My predicted pace would put me on the final peaks of leg 5 in the dark again and I didn't really want to be up there, crippled. I laid down and had a go at stretching out my IT bands. The left one was very inflamed near my knee. My right ankle was pretty swollen too! Ice would have been useful - but there is no ice in the middle of nowhere. I got up and tried to jog. I could hardly walk. I suddenly felt very selfish watching Jenny busy around the car. Enough. I had given it a pretty good shot and had got as far as this season's recurring injury was going to let me. I had tested myself and decided I was fit enough - had I been injury free.

There may be another attempt. I would have to be completely injury free for the season beforehand, but if I am and happen to be in England, I'll be back, Bob!

I was trying to raise £2000 for the Lothian and Borders group of Lupus UK, an organisation supporting patients with Lupus, an immune system disease that my sister suffers from. If you have already sponsored me, thank-you so much. If you haven't I'd be grateful if you could visit
http://www.justgiving.com/swaz
..and give generously. Thanks !

BGR DAY

Well it's fixed for Friday 11pm start - for better or for worse - Thursday may have been a better day - looks a little windy on Sat - but fingers crossed for a clear morning so the moonlight will illuminate some of this stuff (that I haven't seen yet !!!)

Successful (I hope) report soon....

BGR update

So the British weather carries on true to form... Saturday and Sunday look like they've moved to Thursday and Friday.

We will head down to the Lakes tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon as soon as possible after work. 6 hour drive down there from Inverness.

I'm hoping the area of high pressure pushing into the UK will stay there through Saturday and give us some good weather. Most important is a clear night, so the moonlight can show us where we are going. If necessary (pending bad wetaher on Sat) , I could start on Thursday evening, although this wouldn't be great

Will know more once Geoff Monk posts his mountain weather forecast for Thur, Fri and Sat at 5pm tonight: http://www.mwis.org.uk/forecast.php?area=6

Fingers crossed.

Bob Graham Round

So BGR day approaches... Looking at an attempt this weekend (9/10 Sept), weather permitting. Currently both Saturday and Sunday are looking good, but every day sees a different forecast...

Jenny is getting more nervous about finding the road crossing points than I am about running it... which is probably a good sign !

Legs a bit stiff after Braemar highland games race - one I'd care to forget..

If you haven't already sponsored me, go and have a look at: www.justgiving.com/swaz

Current weather conditions available here: http://www.metcheck.com/V40/UK/FREE/7days.asp

Lomonds of Fife 06

The new course, making the race feel more 'Long' than 'Medium' saw 10 Westies take to the Lomonds of Fife on Sunday 20th August.

Don Naylor showed the field a clean pair of heels to win comfortably in 1.36.09. However the field got it's own back, showing everybody's butt a slope full of thistles on the final unique descent. Consequences of this (and new reccommended antidote) soon to be available in photo form, once Manny downloads his camera.

The "Highland Westies" staged a southern raid on the summer league points up for grabs, with Manny finishing 5th, suffering from injury (what do you mean as usual ?) and Swaz 15th. Jane Robertson finished 2nd Lady overall (and 2nd Lady vet). An off-form Cat Miller still managed 4th (2nd lady senior). Most enjoyed the new route, although the contouring off West Lomond and the long plod along vehicular roads through the forest were a little wearing... the single track and historic buildings adding another dimension to a fun race.


Well done all - results on the shr site - please pass the Sudocrem.

written by Sore-Ar$e-Swaz on 21/8/2006

Strathpeffer HR 06

Strathpeffer Games must be one of the few events on the calendar where you get to tie your number (on stiff card) on with a lovely piece of blue ribbon instead of safety pins… It must also have one of the steepest climbs on the circuit – rivalling that loopy descent off West Lomond in Fife for gradient. The technique seems to be to grab as much wet bracken / grass as you can and chuck it over your shoulders into the face of the poor sod at your heels. If you are a bit of a mid-pack perambulator like me then there isn’t much left to hold onto towards the summit of Knockfarrel.

A fun descent through the nettley bracken tunnels, slippery wooden styles and cow-pat strewn fields follows before the lap round the games field to the usual rapturous Highland applause for every last runner.

The Tartan Terrors were out in force but Cambuslang’s Andrew Wright put in a record breaking performance to push their Graeme Campbell and Henry Blake onto the other podium spots. I finished 9th with 36m40 for the 4.2 miles / 900 feet about 4 minutes adrift. Sharon, Andrew’s significant other was first lady.

I also took part in the handicap 220yard race (a Westies first?), although the kilted starter put me on the scratch line at the back to my significant chagrin. This proved to be some of the best games entertainment as myself and Phil, the other hill runner who decided to have a go were left a significant distance behind, surprised by the speed of the marks-set-“bang”. The laughter seemed to get louder in direct proportion to the size of said significant distance all the way around the grass track.

The final affront was some bureaucratic kill-joy shoving a Scottish Games Association day membership form under our noses. Having grudgingly paid him £3 for a day licence, I pointed out the difference in attendance between the Hill race – almost 40 people from ages 15 through 60odd (no licence reqd) and the track events – less than 10 twentysomething ringers. Perhaps they could learn something there?

written by Scratch-line-Swaz on 14/8/2006

Fatboy Slim at Fyrish 06

Although the Rock Ness extravaganza obviously lured some of the entries away, Westies staged their own Fatboy Slim show at Fyrish on a mild and ever so slightly drizzly Saturday afternoon.

David SLIM Riach staged a surprise highland raid (en route to his Dad’s birthday celebrations in Thurso) and was rewarded with second place and 1st Vet (although he had to argue that one from the less than thorough organisers – funny, I can’t think of him as that age, either…). David covered the 7.9 miles of rocky forest track, firebreak and footpaths, in about 54 minutes Top honours went to defending champion Manuel BOY-wonder Gorman, who was first up the 1200 foot ascent to the monument on Cnoc Fyrish, leading David by about 15 seconds at the top. Manny stretched this lead to about 45 seconds by the finish line on the games field at Evanton.

Swaz FAT Fraser didn’t quite manage to catch fastest lady, Jill Irvine, but laboured in about 12 minutes down on David to finish 11th and snag the “virtual team prize” for Westies. Oh…. and Duncan (the real BOY) Gorman, finished a very credible 11th in the fun run.

Manny’s got some pix I’m sure he’ll download when he get’s a chance…

written by Fatboy Swaz on 26/6/2006

Tain Morangie Gathering

More trail race than hill race, my return to running further than the jog to the gym for more rehab provided encouraging results in the form of a fifth place on Wednesday evening.

Steve Worsley of Inverness Harriers claimed top spot, from Ross Bannerman (HHR) and an off form Franny Williams (HHR) in third.An encouraging field of thirty odd showed up despite the biting north wind and drizzle in the air to take on the 5.7 mile race up approximately 900 feet in the Mornagie Forest.

No pipe band or tug of war teams to dodge on the finishing straight - the games proper is held on the Thursday - a ruse I'm sure was developed by the Tartan Terrors to avoid other people showing up and winning !! A final crossing of the A9 adds a little spice in the last 500m of what is otherwise a bit of a tempo charge along fast forest trails.

First lady was some un-named youngster who looked like she was out for a stroll....she still finished in front of me, though...impertinent young pup...

written by Sliding-back-to-form-Swaz on 11/8/2006

Hot as Hades - Glen Rosa Horseshoe 2006

It was great to see all the usual hill running suspects again at Glen Rosa.

My first hill run since November proved a little more challenge than my rapidly adiposing tissue and atrophying muscle needed, but Manny, Luke and Chris put in excellent runs to claim 2nd team behind the C-Machine. Cat, Elsie and Ana claimed second ladies spot too on a day that proved too warm for many.

Westies did well to finish no less than 4 mens teams overall in spectacularly clear yet stifling conditions.

I suffered most on the 2 mile run into the glen, the bulk of Goat Fell hiding everybody from the wind that would provided at least some respite on the ridges later on. I decided to take the easier ascent up the path alongside Garbh Allt, following Cat who was jogging steadily away from me. Pete Baxter had passed me in the opposite direction heading for the direct ascent up Chliabhain. We would meet again briefly on the scree descent into Choire Daingean, the closest I think I've come to skiing without skis on!! Somewhere in here I must have passed Cat and Blair - but don't recall seeing them until the descent of Cir Mhor. It was sad to see Steff limping down. He must have been well up until he turned his ankle on the descent of Cir Mhor. get well soon, mate....

I was starting to pull in runners due to reckless descending more than any real athletic ability and got the right trod round Cir Mhor, passing another two athletes who looked a bit light on water. Up the ridge to North Goatfell and I hauled in another two, putting me effectively in 50th place. Somehow I had missed the Westies pre-race briefing that the best route around Stacach was to the East. The Westerly path looked so much more inviting, I was suckered down into Dearg Choirin (sorry Drew) losing one place again. I brought at least one chap with me, who didn't look too enamoured at the finish.

On the descent off Goat Fell (full of kids, of course!) I made up another couple of places to the last check point, grateful to get rid of those damn little tags I'd had to keep fishing around for all day. It was here that I started being impeded by some serious internal plumbing problems that were shortening my stride and really slowing me down. An opportune gulley on the otherwise exposed descent offered me the privacy to clear the offending blockage (hope you've had your lunch!!) but this cost me two places. To add insult to internal injury, I ran off course with less than half a mile to go, adding an extra mile and a bit plus 200 extra feet of ascent to get back on course (sorry again, Drew). I wasn't alone. I met Martin Reid and managed to save him at least some of a similar fate, both of us getting back on course again just as Pete ran into view. It would have been comical to pass him 3 times so I put in what remaining effort I had (well you never know who's watching !!) to finish about 12 places and 15 minutes down from where I probably should've been.

Grateful to finish at all - I really must get out and do some run training!!

Back in the Highlands

It's June - must be safe to get back to the highlands... managed a few hills on the way here, but not much running.

Fat, slow and unfit. Commuting 26 miles on the bike each day will hopefully see that off...

... or see me off...

You know you're from Colorado if ............

1. You switch from "Heat" to "A/C" in one day.
2. You know what the "Peoples Republic of Boulder" means.
3. Your sense of direction is: towards the mountains and away from the mountains.
4. You're a meat-eating vegetarian.
5. The bike on your car is worth more than your car and you have your own special bike lane.
6. You're able to drive 65 miles per hour through 13 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without even flinching.
7. You take your out-of-town guests to Casa Bonita even though you would never go there otherwise.
8. You think your major food groups are granola bars, tofu and Fat Tire beer.
9. You design your kid's Halloween costumes to fit over a snowsuit.
10. You think that sexy lingerie is wool socks and flannel PJs.
11. You know all 4 seasons "almost winter, winter, still winter and spring blizzards
12. You've been tear gassed in a riot to celebrate a CU/CSU victory.
13. You can never figure out why your out-of-town guests faint from altitude sickness on a picnic to the mountains.
14. You can drive over a 12,000-foot pass in 4 feet of snow, but can't get to work if there are 4 inches of snow.
15. You know the 'correct' pronunciation of Buena Vista.
16. When you visit friends at s ea level, you can drink a case of beer and not get a buzz.
17. Your car insurance costs more than your car.
18. You have surge protectors on every outlet.
19. April showers bring May blizzards.
20. 'Timberline' is someplace you have actually been.
21. You know what a 'Chinook' is
22. You know what a 'Rocky Mountain Oyster' is.
23. You know what a "fourteener" is.
24. But you don't know what a "turn signal" is.
25. A bear on your front porch doesn't bother you nearly as much as a Democrat in Congress does.
26. Your golf bag has a 9-iron, a 3-wood and a lightning rod.
27. You know who Alfred Packer was and what he did.
28. You know who Baby Doe Tabor was.
29. SPF 90 is not out! of the question.
30. People from out of state breathe 5 times as often as you do.
31. Having a Senator named Nighthorse doesn't seem strange.
32. Thunder has set off your car alarm.
33. A full moon has never kept you awake at night.
34. You have an $800 stereo in your $300 truck.
35. A sudden loss of cabin pressure is not a big deal.
36. You think a red light means 3 more cars can go.
37. Where we're going, we don't need roads!!
38. You know where Doc Holliday's grave is.
39. You know where Buffalo Bill's grave is.
40. You know where the real "South Park" is.
41. You can recognize the license plates of all 50 states on sight.
42. Driving directions usually include 'Go over _________ Pass.'
43. You've 'checked for ticks'
44. You've dressed in shorts, sandals, and a parka with a hood.
45. You've gone snow skiing in July and.....
46. You've played golf in January and.....
47. They were in the same year!
48. You've urinated on the Continental Divide just so it could run into both oceans
49. You know what a down slope and an up slope weather pattern is .
50. And the most important: You get a certain feeling of satisfaction from knowing that California and Texas are both downstream.

Spring is Sprung

Weather has already hit 67 degrees (Funny) in the valley... Snow is mush. On a very long private booking with some fun clients out of Beaver Creek. 6 days left in ski boots this season.

Been out on the bike already - glad to say I can get bike shoes on despite bunions.

I fly to Charleston, SC on 19 April - looking forward to running on the beach and a little sailing...

Hope to get a little more cycling in before then.

Professional Ski Instructors of Africa!

I got selected !!

Despite some ropey low end manoeuvers, I skied and taught well enough to be selected as an ITC examiner for PSIA. The ski day was awesome! We had 7 inches of new powder on top of everything else.

I'm told I skied the best bump run and had the best indoor presentation - so I guess it wasn't as bad as I anticipated.

The only problem is I'll need a different visa for next year - as I'll have to work for PSIA and Vail Ski School. Better go figure that one out before the end of the season.

Two weeks to go.

PSIA ITC Examiner Try-outs

So tomorrow is the ski day for ITC Examiner Try-outs (probably "selections" in Scotland). Not skiing nearly as well as last year - unfit, sick and masssive bunions on each foot - think this might be the first ski "exam" I've ever failed.

Success will mean I lead exams for Level 1 ski instructors next year (equiv. to BASI 3 examiner)

Monday is the teaching day. Feel a bit more confident about that.

Roll on Monday night...

Out of date / Past the sell-by date ?

... so that was September - so much for keeping up with this thing...

The winter season is nearly over and it'll soon be time to return to God's own country.

Where did all the time go ?

Helvellyn Tri 2005

..it's never too late to start the Tri season...Saturday 10th September

A mile swim in Ullswater, a 37 mile bike ride (climbing 4250 feet), taking in Kirkstone Pass and the infamous 1in4 Struggle, followed by a 9 mile run (climbing 3150 feet) up Helvellyn, England’s 3rd tallest peak.

Although seriously un-swim-fit - I just had to tri ;) this event out. I’ve never had the pleasure of a hill run in a tri before. 400 entries – possibly 50 odd no shows..

I got a rotten dose of calf cramp in my right leg as a result of a really poor swim - (I see from the results there were less than 20 bikes left in transition when I got out the water...!!) It made itself known on that first climb away from Ullswater, then kept threatening to lock up all the way round. Scared to stand on the pedals properly for fear of being unable to continue, I stretched and drank and stretched and drank and drank and stopped and peed and stretched until eventually it loosened off before Ambleside (80% of the way round). I'd been to and froing with this elderly lady on a sit up and beg bike with mudguards... very humiliating. I was fortunate my calf didn't lock up on The Struggle, though. Managed to make up 100 or so places on the bike.

Run went well - although I paid for all the previous anti cramp drinking with 2 more pee stops! I must have made up 50 or so places on the climb and another 30 or so on the descent. It did feel a little weird to be up in the fells in a triathlon unitard, however...

What a great race - no contrived distances - no artificial trademark - just a mile in the water, a complete tour of the Helvellyn massif on the most logical (and challenging)
bike route and a trip up the mountain and back on your feet (just).

More details here: http://www.helvellyntriathlon.com

Although it was a little bit of a rush getting my buddy from Chester back to Oxenholme for a train at 19.30, we managed to get up Scafell, then scramble over to Scafell Pike on a beautiful Sunday. England's 3 highest tops in a weekend and back in Inverness before 1 am, Monday.

Have it!