End of year round up

 Not a great deal of running towards the end of the year- few races, poor weather (wimp!) and some niggles meant I did more on the bike and this included lots of Turfing.

Mid November saw the last Kong mini MM from the current organisers. We must be getting old because Rowena and I decided to drive down the night before and book into an AirBnB. The weather was pretty foul throughout and had been in the lead up too. Heavy rain had swollen streams causing them and lakes to overflow. The forecast was for gales on the summit ridges of Cader Idris. It was not planned in advance but before long we made a pact to run together and were both later so pleased we had. Initially we still had thoughts of the ridge as it shame to come all this way and not visit. The wind and rain had other ideas. We stopped to put more layers on and were now running in full waterproofs too. Crossing one stream I misjudged the depth of the central channel and went in armpit deep. Another CP required great care as the lake had spread and almost washed the kite away. Then we were faced with a deep fast flowing stream. We tracked upstream for what seemed ages and in the end decided the only option was to jump towards the far bank, grab the grass and pray. We both made it - wet but safe and glad to be together. The finish was a welcome site and the hall with soup, hot drinks and cake even more so. Fortunately  a new RO has been found so it will not be the last Kong mini MM.

Dreadful weather encouraged us to book a last minute trip to Cyprus. We had never been and missed the opportunity when my parents were working there. Lots of walks, loads of historic sites, far too many good meals out and even one evening run. Mostly it was hot and sunny but there was a dusting of snow on our day in the Trodos Mnts.

Dark nights mean the annual Street Orienteering season is in full swing. Running on tarmac is not really my thing and sprinting for 60-75mins is something I find tough but it gets me out, is very competitive and is usually good fun. It is also the season for full on Night O on the hills. This season kicked off with a day event on the relatively local Hamledon Hill. The day event went well and I really enjoyed the open terrain and technical rocky quarry areas.  The night event was very very cold but I had quite a good run for me with the only downside being a tumble in the beech woods towards the end. One hole in tights and a sore knee and arm. No real harm done.

Most of the rest of the time has been dominated by Turf. If you have never met this it is an app on your phone and you get points for visiting places and also for keeping the zone if nobody else visits. It is quite addictive and gets me out on a daily basis when it would be easy to cuddle up inside.  The one short spell of icy weather led to a dramatic tumble from the bike but although I slid a long way little harm was done. Our Runfurther AGM used a Turf Event as our pre prize giving run and it went well despite the rain. Before mid Dec I realised I could win the North West crown and so that will keep me busy until the round ends on the first weekend in January. On top of this a friend shared a link to some festive Turf fun- Advent Turf. Every day a new challenge pops up and it is as much fun planning how to meet the requirements as it is to run or cycle the zones. Friendly rivalry had me out on the bike early this morning to complete the challenge before the rain and gales swept in.

The only race has been the Tour de Helvellyn- a favorite and a way I often end the Ultra year. A visit from my grandson gave me a dreadful cold and this morphed into some sort of chest infection and persistent cough. Still, I had paid, arranged an overnight stay and the forecast was mostly dry and mild but very windy. I knew I would struggle but loved seeing so many friends and hoped to have a pleasant day out with good views.  Up over Askham Common, Boredale Hause and on to Patterdale I was slow but managing OK. What should have been faster flatter running and then the climb through Glenridding certainly changed that. I was struggling to breathe, coughing like mad and even though I was walking my heart rate was alarmingly high.  

Albert, Toney and Carmine

It was great to see Carmine playing carols and Christmas songs with his accordion.  He suggested I stop and even offered me a lift back to base. I arrived at Swarth Beck Bridge rather shaken at feeling so grim. 

Despite Stu's efforts to persuade me to stop it seemed sunny and a shame to turn back. From the top of Sticks Pass I even managed to run the flat and downhill. 

This was possibly a mistake as I arrived at Stannah in an even worse state. At Swirls CP I stopped, ate and rested. Normally from here I make good time on the easy forest tracks but today felt very slow. Passing some runners gave me a boost. The race allows you to start any time so the slower runners can still arrive back at a sensible hour. 

It is odd not knowing how you are doing compared to others but today that was the least of my worries. The climb up Raise Beck to Grisedale Tarn was easier than I dared to hope. Father Christmas (John B) was guarding the one sketchy section and I caught up with Francis. 

The only poor weather was up near the tarn where strong winds and missle out of low clouds was unpleasant. I dislike the rocky tourist path and so now always take the grassy intermittent trods. It is slightly more direct and for me so much more runnable. 

I met more friends on this last section and so made better than hoped for time back to Side Farm. More food here allowed me a brief rest and then to catch Albert and Toney (who was suffering with a damaged knee). Picking off other runners helped me the rest of the way- I might be ill and slower than usual but I was still feeling competitive. On the outward route I stayed high to arrive behind Martindale church but on the return leg I used the road- it was faster too as I got ahead of a group of three who if anything had been moving slightly faster than me. Approaching the common it was clear I would need my head torch at some point. It seemed daft to trip or blunder into wet holes at this point.  A trail of lights lit up the grassy paths and again it was good to have company to spur me on. Job done. 9hr10mins was about 1hr20 slower than last time but was far better than I dared hope earlier in the day. I think I was still first FV60. Staggering into the hall I suddenly felt a little wobbly so Joe gave up his seat and cup of tea for me. Before long I was in the main hall and refuelling with soup, tea and cake. A great way as always to end the Ultra year.

Strava stats are interesting (and will go up over last 10 days or so of the year)

7647km of distance now with 165330m of climb. 495 PRs, lots of local legends (including the interestingly named My Back Passage) and in the top 1% of most active on Strava at 1216 hrs. 

August was not surprisingly the big month with 870km a longest run and 65000m of climb.  Running was 33% of all I logged on Strava with climbing, hiking, Bike all pretty equal.

So a bit more Turf and some climbing before the year end. All I need to do now is plan my big adventures for 2024.