Wet feet and blisters

I like nothing better than a good moan about some of the expensive crappy products out there, over priced shite that does more harm than good.

Running shoes with out sufficient cushioning, they tell us the shoes are fine like this, what we have to do is change the way we run, change how we land each foot placement. Do it this way not that way, wear our products not our competitors.

For many runners like me, long distance running causes some issues with the feet, i have learnt what works for me and have ways to cope with the results of high mileage and wet feet.

My choice of shoes for fell running is Salomon Speedcross 3, they have plenty of cushioning in the heal to absorb the impact of so many heal strikes and a reasonable amount of grip to stop me falling on my arse every time the ground gets a little moist.

Socks have been a different matter and over the years i have tried many things to stop the blisters on my heals and toes. Soaking my feet in surgical spirits to harden the skin, wearing 2 pairs of socks to stop the rubbing, waterproof socks, which are ok until the water gets in but retain the water when it has gotten in. Blisters still affected me unless i taped up the affected area's before hand.

Until recently, in a moment of weakness i paid £10.00 for a pair of Injinji Toe Socks. Expensive Gimmick i thought, but i'll give them a try. I'm glad i did because they changed the way i prepare my feet for running. I no longer need to tape up 4 toes and both heals before i run any distance, with these socks i still have to tape up my heals but for the first time in months my toes are blister free.

Last week a friend recommended Alpaca wool running socks, these are a little expensive and obviously i thought nothing was going to compete with my new Injinji toe socks but i was wrong, i now have two cures for my blisters. I'm not saying they will work for everyone but the do work for me, i used the Alpaca wool sock for my recent Freeman Round (50 miles and 15,000 feet of ascent) and had no issues with blisters.

I used the Injinji toe socks for the Fellsman (62 miles and 10,000 feet of ascent) and again had no issues with blisters. Each event lasted around 15 hours and on each occasion my feet were wet almost from the start.

It is still early days with both pairs of socks so watch this space, i will update my blog as i get more use from them. But if you suffer with blisters or just want some comfortable running socks you could do worse than give these a go.

http://www.h18orr.com/collections/accessories/products/h18-orr-sock

http://www.injinji.com/

The Freeman Round

The Freeman Round - 50 miles and 15,000 of ascent

Whilst searching http://www.gofar.org.uk/freemanround.html i found the Freeman round, which looked interesting. It includes a couple of sections from the Bob Graham round and a few summits that were new to me.

Picture courtesy of www.gofar.org.uk/

Having decided this would be my weekend training I contacted the creator or the round, Steve Freeman who kindly supplied further information. A couple of evening looking over tsome OS maps and a plan was hatched.

The weekend arrived but my week long tummy bug had gotten worse, running was totally out of the question, I was sure I had picked up the bug drinking from streams on the Old County Tops race the weekend previously. Luckily it was a bank holiday weekend so Saturday night I decided to starve myself for 24 hours, this would allow me one good meal the evening before attempting the round on the coming Monday.

Have you ever tried abstaining from all food for 24 hours? Bloody hell it not easy, everything thing I did, all TV programs, the internet, they all reminded me of food.

5am Monday 26^th May 2014.

I woke to the sound of my alarm, but its only 5am, what am I doing to myself? it’s the middle of the night almost. I woke up Debbie and told her it’s time to get a move on, half expecting abuse but hoping she does not protest, there is no way I can do this one alone. By 5.45am we are on the road heading for Ambleside in the Lake District, luckily it’s only an hour and a half away so by 7.30 I am ready to run.

The route starts at http://www.goldenrule-ambleside.co.uk/ from where the hills beckon and the rain started. Navigation is not my strong point so I had created a GPX file for the mapping software on my phone, following a big red arrow is much easier than trying to read a map.

The first top is Loughrigg Fell, estimated time 35 minutes actual time, closer to an hour but that’s the trouble with unfamiliar routes and low cloud. The first 4 tops took more than a hour longer than I had planned but it’s been a while since I have run solo in the lakes and I was enjoying myself.

Rossett Pike was summit number 6, from here I am on familiar territory and could finally get a move on, the cloud was also lifting so route finding became much easier. Finally, after hours of rain and fog the sun was out and temperatures began to rise. Happy days.

Great Gable was the first proper ascent of the day, followed by the usual suspects as you head down into Honister. Debbie was waiting here for my first pit stop; hot soup and tea were on the menu and did a great job of re-energising me.

Unfortunately I under estimated the heat and after traversing High Spy and Cat Bells I ran on into Keswick dehydrated and not feel very well. Finding Debbie’s car in the main car park was pure luck so I was able to top up with water and head off again, only to do the same and arrive in Threlkeld just as badly dehydrated and ready to throw in the towel.

At Threlkeld I took a 25 minute break, my legs were feeling very tired and I had a dehydration head ache, however quitting was not really an option. Recent attempts at these rounds had ended in disappointment and these failures are not good for my confidence, it drives you into a hole of self-pity and negativity. I am getting closer to the level of fitness I need if I am to attempt the Charlie Ramsey round this year and only a couple of months training left.

With this playing out in my head I told Debbie it may be dark by the time I finish but I was going to press on and complete todays challenge, in reality the challenge was about spending a day in the mountains in my own company, something which I feel I have not done for some time.  I am comfortable in my own company and find solace in my thoughts, although I often think I’m not playing with a full deck. I may not be the sharpest stick in the pile but I’m not so daft that I don’t know this.

I refilled my water bladder and added 3 bottles of water to my bag, 3 litres in total, which added 3 kilo’s and just in time for the biggest climb of the round, Clough Head. The run over the Dodds to Helvellyn is an uninteresting slog but the beauty of the destination more than makes up for it. From Helvellyn I could see the last 5 summits and finally feel like making it to the end was a real possibility, only the ascent of Fairfield stood in my way.

After Fairfield the last 4 summits are all new to me but easy enough to do and mostly downhill all the way into Ambleside. I arrived at 10.09pm, just in time for darkness.

The round had taken 14 and a half hours, about an hour and a half longer than I had hoped, it had been a long day, however I had completed a great days training and not given in to my demons.

If you enjoy running in the English Lake District the Freeman round is ideal, 50 miles and 15,000 of ascent is great training if you are planning to attempt one of the big three rounds. There are no dangerous ascents or descents and navigation is relatively easy.

The Old County Tops 2014

The Old County Tops Fell race May 17, 2014

The Old County Tops fell race is a circuit of the highest summit in each of the old counties of the English Lake District. The race starts outside the new Dungeon Ghyll Hotel in the Langdale Vally and takes in the summit of Helvellyn, Scafell Pike and Coniston Old man before finishing back in the Langdale Valley after 37 miles and 10,000 ft of ascent.

Dave and I at the start

I decided I wanted to take part in this race just a couple of weeks before it was due to be run, luckily I was invited by a friend to join him as we had similar results from previous years. The race is run in pairs so finding someone of a similar pace is quite important for a good result, I had met Dave 2 weeks earlier on the Fellsman race and we ran together for about 10 hours.

Dave and I set off in blistering heat with the rest of the runners at 8 am looking for a steady start, as usual I struggled for the first couple of hours and was almost dragged up Helvellyn by Dave but started to feel better as we neared the summit. I was concerned about staying hydrated after my incident a couple of weeks previously when an ambulance journey to A & E revealed hydration was apparently quite important for the heart.

Resting Heart rate 50, not bad for an old bloke apparently

On the descent of Helvellyn I discovered that Dave’s strong area was descending, bloody hell he was fast and it was all I could do just to keep him in sight. The first chance to eat and refill water bottles is at the foot of Helvellyn and I was ready for a drink.

Wythburn

From here we crossed the road and followed Wyth Burn up to Green head, this is a long hard slog, climbing steadily all the way through bog and over slippery crags. The route continues its way towards Scafell Pike passing some old favourite from the Bob Graham Round, Sergeant Man, High raise, Angle Tarn, Great End, Broad Crag and Ill Crag before arriving at the highest point in England, Scafell Pike.

Although Dave and I were going really well it was very hot and I was doing my best to take on enough fluids. Refilling my water bottles in any streams and trying to cool down a little.

From Scafell Pike summit we take the direct route off the back avoiding as many crags as possible, Dave had a cracking route winding its way through the crags and staying on good ground most of the way, he was also very fast again. From here is the slog over Mosedale and down to Cockley Beck for the last feed station.

Setting off from Cockley Beck we were approximately 18^th but the early pace was starting to show and the climb up Grey Friar was a slog. 6 teams passed us on this climb as we both struggled to keep going, it was not fun being passed by Jim Mann and Helen Skelton who were moving really well and making us look like we were running in the opposite direction.

The drag along the top to Coniston went well and we managed not to lose any further places, it hard to tell but we may have made up a place or two with good route selection on the Climb up Grey Friar.

So after Coniston its virtually all downhill and we made another couple of places by taking a direct route and hammering the descent down to the Three Shire Stone. A road descent follows and neither Dave nor I are any good on road so we were re-passed by 2 teams.

The final couple of miles are a steady jog on good track and we finished in 8 hours and 50 minutes, 24^th overall, second in our class (Vet100). It was also a personal best for me and only the second time I have won a prize, it’s a pleasure to have another Old County Tops mug.

  

Dave and I at the finish

Old County Tops Mugs

The Spring Spine Challenge - Part 2

Day 6

Greenhead to Byrness, approx 38 miles. 8.00am start.

8 am and Chris Armour arrived for his second day of adventure, I had woken feeling fresh and ready to go. Both Chris R and I get on very well with Chris A and we were both happy to see him again, somehow he always seems to have a smile on his face and a pleasant mood about him, which can be quite infectious.

Today we were to spend the first part of the day running along Hadrians wall, I had done a little research and new we were in for a cracking day with some pretty spectacular views in an area steeped in history.  Unfortunately it was raining and the whole area was covered in low, heavy cloud, which reduced the view to less than 100 yards. To make matters worse, the path followed the wall and consisted of short sharp ascents followed by….. short sharp descents. Just what you need with 200 miles already in your legs. OMG I was struggling to keep up and was starting to feel very fed up indeed. Its times like this when you know who your friends are, Chris and Chris were great, taking the piss relentlessly and cheering me up in the end. As usual my mood got better as the day got longer.

Lunch was after 23 miles outside the Rose and Crown Pub in Bellingham. The landlord was very friendly and accommodating allowing us to use the tables outside the pub even though we weren't customers. The rain had stopped and the cloud lifted.

After a good feed we were on our way again, only 15 miles left for the day and our mood reflected this, we waved goodbye to Debbie, all smiles and full tummies, refueled and ready for action.

The afternoon was fairly straight forward, gentle rolling hills, which turned into boggy fields and a slippery mess but we made reasonable progress and stumbled on towards Kielder Forest for the final couple of miles.

Kielder forest is beautiful and at 250 square miles the scale of it is enough to take your breath away, it is England’s largest forest. 

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/kielderforestpark

By the time we arrived here it was getting quite late in the day and starting to get dark, luckily the trails are well mapped and easy to follow so we settled into a fast walk and got on with it. Wide easy to follow trails soon lead you into a false sense of security and one wrong turn leads to another. So with only 2 miles left to go we were heading uphill fast, 4.2 mph according to Chris A’s GPS,but the compass doesn't lie and I was pretty sure we should be heading north and not west. Unfortunately we had covered at least 2 miles buy the time we managed to agree on this and began trying to navigate our way back on track. 

At this point I have to say, a compass can be really handy for navigation and an ideal companion to your map. I would highly recommend carrying one on days out where route finding is important. It was turning out to be the longest day so far and I was struggling to contain my irritation, the cracks were beginning to appear and quietness settled over us.

Eventually we found our way back to the main path and decided our best option was to head out of the forest and onto the A68, it had been a very long day.We found Debbie waiting for us by Byrness service station, although long since closed down it provided a good meeting point and after nearly 15 hours on the move I was ready for my bed. Total miles for the day – 43.

http://www.demesnefarmcampsite.co.uk/bunkhouse.php

Our accommodation for the night was Demesne Farm Bunkhouse, which i can highly recommend. Take a look at the web site, it does not even begin to reflect the extremely high standard of accommodation.

As usual Debbie really came through with the food, feeding us massive portions of pasta to refuel us for the final day.

I had 6 Ibuprofen during the day, 2 at night plus 2 paracetamol. My knees and ankles were still swollen but the drugs were keeping it all manageable. I suppose this is one of the problems with putting so many miles into 49 year old legs. The Hoka’s were doing their stuff and although blistered a little my feet felt surprisingly ok.

Day 7

Byrness to Kirk Yetholm, approx 26miles. 8.00am start.

The final day was upon us, as you can imagine Chris R and I were really quite excited and taking the piss out of Chris A was definitely the way to show this. The weather had staying good, although there was a little low cloud it did not affect navigation (fortunately).

The Cheviot Hills are beautiful, situated in the north of the National Park less than an hour from Newcastle, the Cheviot Hills mark the border with Scotland; a wild, romantic landscape of rounded hills and valleys (Apparently), and it was morning so my mood needed a lift. The absolute beauty of the location did just this and perhaps setting out on the last day may have also had something to do with it. The Pennine Way follows the border for some time before eventually dropping into Kirk Yetholm and the end of our 7 day adventure.

264 miles and approx, 36,000 of ascent.

Strangely, when it’s over it is just that.

The Spring Spine Challenge - Part 1

March 29th 2014

The Pennine Way is a National Trail in England, with a small section in Scotland. The trail runs 268 miles fro Edale in the northern Derbyshire Peak District, north through the Yorkshire Dales and the Northumberland National Park and ends at Kirk Yetholm, just inside the Scottish border. The path runs along the Pennine hills, some times described as the "backbone of England". Although not the United Kindoms longest national trail it is one of Britains best known and toughest.

Summer 2013 and Chris Armour and I are out for a training run somewhere or another when he says he would like to have a go at the Spine Race. This is a none stop race of The Pennine way, 268 miles over some of the most beautiful and rugged terrain that England has to offer. In my head I’m thinking, it looks like a great challenge but no way would I pay 500 pounds to run one of England’s national trails, especially in January. However he had planted the seed and unknown to me it was starting to grow in my head and form an idea.

It was a good challenge, so how could someone on a low income afford to do it? After much thought I decided to run the route over 7 days, stopping in YHA’s at night and with my partner Debbie offering road support along the way.

As is usual for me, I invited friends to join me along the way and share some of the majesty of our country and perhaps listen to me ramble on constantly about nothing in particular. Somehow I managed to entice Chris Rainbow into attempting the complete challenge, little would he know what he was letting himself in for. Ha ha ha ha ha.

After very little planning and most of my friends dropping out during the weeks leading up to the big day, it finally arrived. Saturday 29^th March 2014, its 8.30am, Chris R and I are stood outside the Plough Public house in Edale with our partners, Tammy and Debbie.

Oh my god, what am I thinking, 268 miles ahead of me and my training has consisted of no more than 40 miles a week, all the time nursing a knee and ankle injury. I am almost overcome with panic and struggle to hold it together, Chris R looks calm and relaxed as usual and the women look on all smiles, breath Dave, slowly…. focus on the morning ahead, 1 day at a time. And then we are off, a gentle jog along the Pennine way.

Chris and i at the start in Edale.

Day 1

Edale to Blackstone edge approx. 35 miles. 8.45am start.

The run starts pleasantly enough but soon lets you know what’s coming over the next 7 days, Jacobs Ladder and up over Kinder scout, its relatively early but there are plenty of walkers and even some other runners out playing on the route. Chris and I exchange pleasantries with them and peacefully jog along, the panic has begun to ease and my thoughts are now on the present. We continue over the summit and on to the stone flags which the route is known for. Crossing the Snake Pass we continue up over Bleaklow talking about our experience on the High Pak Marathon just a few weeks previously when we had become lost in the fog on this very route. The path is a little tricky under foot and my feet are soon soaked and starting to feel sore, this morning’s choice of running shoe had been Saucony Jazz trail, sturdy and usually comfortable but unfortunately getting very worn.

The Woodhead pass was our first meeting place with Debbie for lunch, so the run down from Bleaklow brightened my mood and my thoughts return to enjoying what we have ahead of us. Debbie greeted us with smiles, food and hot coffee, heaven really is a place on earth.

Lunch time day 1 - Relaxed and enjoying the day.

The afternoons jog lead us up to Black hill, back onto good stone paths and steady progress, this section of the PW (Pennine Way) is fairly well known to me and we soak up the easy trails whilst listening out for the sounds of the M62 motorway ahead of us. Crossing the foot bridge with the motorway traffic shooting past below is a strange experience which is difficult to explain. I almost felt like I was being sucked off the bridge to the traffic below.

The White House Pub on Blackstone Edge was closed, so we sat outside and waited for Debbie to arrive. 20 years ago, in a different life, the A58 over Blackstone Edge served as my very own race track, motorcycles, alcohol and drugs. How we change.

About 8 hours and day 1 in the bag, night one was spent at home as the PW passes fairly close to our house, an ice bath and pasta awaited.

Day 2

Blackstone edge to Malham, approx. 42 miles. 8am start.

Day 2 and the start on Blackstone edge.

After day one my feet were very sore so today I chose to wear my Hoka Stinson trail shoes in the hope that they would save my feet a little. An odd shoe that reminds me of the platform shoes the middle class children used to wear in the 1980’s with their high waisted disco pants. Of course, as a soldiers child we were far too poor for such clothing and I knew not to even dream of asking.

Stoodley pike is the first place of note on day 2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoodley_Pike

After Stoodley we descend down into Hebden Bridge to face the first ascent of the day. I’m never at my best in the morning and I was starting to suffer a little, finding it hard to keep motivated while Chris was his usual cheery self, to add to my misery I was beginning to realise I didn’t know this section of the PW as well as I though and it was not very well signed. On day one I had decided to keep focused on each section and not look to far ahead, thinking about the coming days is not a good idea when you are already having a tough time. The run over Wadsworth moor to Withens Height was a drag but we were getting towards lunch time which is always good. Unfortunately I had made a mistake in the mileage and instead of the morning being 16 miles it was 24. Ooops.

Apparently these are shooting huts on Ickornshaw Moor

After more smiles, food and black coffee from Debbie, we were back on our way, the afternoon was a pleasant change. Instead of open moorland, stone flags and the feeling of isolation we had rolling hills, green fields and farms. As usual the afternoon brings a lift in my mood and I start to feel much stronger, Chris and I jog on through the day chatting away and enjoying the experience. Before you know it the day is almost at an end and we were jogging by the river into Malham. Knowing that the YHA does not have a bath I used the stream and had a soak for 10 minutes to help repair the days damage to my muscles.

A much needed soak in the stream at Malham

The Hoak's had done well and my feet felt much fresher than the previous day, although they were taking quite a bit of getting used to, they felt almost like clown shoes. Day 2 I had 4 Ibuprofen during the day and 2 at night to allow me to sleep.

Malham YHA looks recently upgraded, the staff were friendly and the rooms spotless, highly recommended.
http://www.yha.org.uk/hostel/malham

Day 3

Malham to Keld, approx. 41 miles. 8.30am start.

Malham YHA, highly recommended.

I had heard good things about Malham cove and was disappointed to find it was just a rock face, Malham tarn just a ….. tarn. Did I mention that mornings are not a good time of day for me? We continued on to fountain fell and Pen-y-ghent, it was nice to get some ascent in our legs and I could feel my mood improve with the height gain. After Pen-y-gent came the jog in for lunch at Pen-y-gent café, which was closed……. By now Chris R and I were getting used to Debbie meeting us for lunch, marking a turning point in the day. Pork pies and a sandwich, yummy. who needs a blinkin cafe when you have Debbie.

Malham Cove (not one of my pics)

Malham Tarn

The afternoon was spent mostly on runnable tracks, good tracks mean good progress and we took advantage by soaking up the miles and running most of the route across the ridge followed by a good fast descent in to Hawes. Hawes brought back more distant memories of my days as a motorcyclist. Long rides out with friends most Sundays, a completely different way of living.

Chris on Great Shunner fell

After Hawes the penultimate push of the day, Great Shunner Fell. The ascent is certainly a drag, but underfoot condition are good so progress is relatively easy, it has plenty of false summits to lure you into thinking you have reached the top only to find it keeps on going. The ground over the top is rugged and the stone path intermittent but Chris and I were going well and making good ground. When the running feels good there is truly no better feeling. It was getting late when we finally arrived in Thwaite but had already decided to push on a little to Keld, adding 3 miles today meant we could shorten day 4 which was already looking like 46 miles. That done, we retreated to our accommodation just outside Hawes.

That night we were booked in to http://www.greendragonhardraw.com/ and I can highly recommend finding somewhere else to stay. We stayed in the bunkhouse and it was poor, the room was far from clean, the showers were filthy and had paint peeling from the ceilings. Walking around the corridors did nothing to change my mind, other rooms had obviously not been touched since the previous occupiers had left, empty beer and wine bottles littered the floor. I have stayed in worse but can't remember when.

The decision was made to eat out and we had a great meal in the http://www.whitehartcountryinn.co.uk/ Hawes, friendly staff and a warm atmosphere. Day 3 was another Hoka day so my feet were in good fettle and I had 4 Ibuprofen during the day and 2 at night to allow me to sleep.

Day 4

Keld to Dufton, approx 43 miles. 8.30am start.

8 am and we were sat outside the accommodation waiting for our only support runner of the week, Chris Armour. Due to previous commitments Chris A was only joining us for the first part of the day, however Chris A is the sort of person who is a pleasure to run with and today was no different.

Tan Hill Inn - Unfortunately it was closed.

Unfortunately the 2 Chris's had not crossed paths for a good 9 months so had plenty of catching up to do, which left me to dwell in my usual morning depression. I have to say that this was perhaps the toughest part of the journey for me, I was not feeling good and was beginning to doubt if I could do this, 4 days still to go and my legs were dog tired, I had no energy left. Chris and Chris did their best to involve me in the conversation but I was having none of it, all I wanted to do was feel sorry for myself and be left alone to stew in my own misery. As the morning progressed so did my depression and finding that I had asked Debbie to meet us in Bernard Castle when I should have said Middleton in Teesdale, did not help. Fortunately Debbie found us easy enough and it was great to sit for a while and get my head together.

After lunch we jogged on and I felt much better, the afternoon was looking rosy with some good running ahead. Chris A was only coming as far as Langdon Beck before meeting his lift so I decide to make the most and push on a little. Running beside the River Tees was very scenic and made the journey so much more enjoyable. After Chris A left us, Chris R and I jogged on at a steady pace along the rocky path to the Cauldrons snout water fall. The water fall is very dramatic and has so much energy you can't help but be affected by it.

After a short break we pushed on steadily, climbing Rasp hill and re-joining the river, which had now turned into Maize beck and eventually arrived at High Cup Nick. Both Chris and I were starting to tire and getting a little concerned that we may lose the light. However High Cup Nick is a truly amazing site and perfect picture opportunity. This only left a gentle jog down in to Dufton, bringing an end to the hardest day so far, both mentally and phisically, it also brought a turning point in the journey as we had passed the half way mark.

On arrival in Dufton I had my 10 minutes in the stream and sat down to a huge plate of pasta with Debbie and Chris. The longest day was in the bag.

Soaking in the stream at Dufton

Dufton YHA - Recommended.

Day 4 I had 6 Ibuprofen during the day, 2 at night plus 2 paracetamol to allow me to sleep. By now my knees and ankle were a little swollen and a couple of toes were blistered but the Hoka’s were doing a good job and I felt reasonably good. Amazingly Chris seemed almost unaffected by the miles, so far he had not complained about the mileage at all.

Day 5

Dufton to Greenhead, approx 37 miles. 8.00am start.

Cross Fell is 893m, which made the first ascent of the day about 700m, on the way to Cross Fell you pass over, Green Fell, Knock Fell, Great Dun Fell and Little Dun Fell. To be honest it was a much tougher ascent than expected and it was very windy across the top, both Chris and I found it hard work and were happy to finally arrive at Gregs hut (Bothy) for a break from the wind. There’s not much inside but it would be very welcome if you were caught out in bad weather as were runners on the Spine Race in 2013.

Gregs Hut - inside

Gregs Hut

From the bothy is mostly downhill on rough stone tracks all the way in to Garrigill where we followed the river to Alston for our well-earned lunch break.

Risk and reward

Ok. So why do we do it, take so many risks?

There must be a reason?

During a rare moment in front of the TV watching some program about people surviving against the odds i began to recount my own close escapes and wondered what drives me to do these things.

Sure i enjoy it, running gives me an amazing high when its going well but the risks associated with failure are so very high.

Firstly there is the risk to my sanity, as a person who suffers from depression i know that failing can (and often does) lead to weeks of despair and desperation where my mental health suffers because i just can’t be arsed. Every day i go without some sort of training i feel worse than the day before, until i get to a point where I’m just no fun at all. At this point i usually become aware that i have to do something before it too late.

There is also the risk of training injuries, which for me have been many and varied. In fact i find i am usually carrying several injuries at any one time and doing my best to train around them. Why don’t i just stop and let them heal? Will some of them ever heal?

There is the risk of testing my relationship to the point of braking of course. Running and all the other forms of training that goes with it can put an amazing strain on any relationship, ask my mate Chris A, who has been close to divorce on more than one occasion. Despite my partners tolerance of my dedication to sport above almost anything else i often still feel that it is a balancing act. How far can i push it, where is the line that i must not cross? Will she get fed up with my selfishness and walk away from it all?

There are also financial risks, have you seen the price of a pair of trainers these days? Trainers are a very small part of the cost of mountain running, travelling the 6 hours each way to Fort William in Scotland and back again, food, drink, special dietary needs and then the cost of equipment on top. Do this for a few weeks in a row and the costs really mount up. By the end of the summer i am usually in a financial mess and it takes until spring the following year to catch up, when it all starts again.

Work – spending most evenings and weekends either training or taking part in some challenge or another can sure take its toll on energy levels and i know that this makes my work suffer, there are days when i feel like i can barely stay awake at my desk and I’m damn sure the quality of work I’m doing is way below par. My colleagues suffer because every Monday they know that I’ll be tired, probably walking round like I’ve been the new boy on a prison wing, where some big thugs decided to treat me to some fun. They also know it will be Wednesday before I recover enough to be fully human.

My daughters don’t live with me, however they do come round to stay every other weekend and increasingly they have been expected to come along and watch Dad race, sometimes these races or support runs can go on for 10-12-14 hours, possibly over night. As much as they love me I’m sure that they would rather spend the time shopping or having quality time with Dad.

The mountains are a dangerous place; i have absolutely no doubt about this. They have had me in a minor way quite a few times and i have lost count of the number of times i have had lucky escapes. Often it’s not until i look back on an incident that i realise I’ve had a lucky escape, i remember an incident on the Nantile ridge, it was night, a little wet and i was jogging along the ridge peacefully when i slipped, slid on my arse over some rock and landed some 15 feet lower on another path, safely on both feet with only a bruised arse to show for it.

I may recount such an incident to someone at work and realise as i speak that i sound daft, like I’m telling some kind of tall story, these things cannot possibly have happened if I’m still here to talk about them. However i can probably recount a dozen incidents over the years where, looking back, i feel like i had a lucky escape or perhaps it was good judgment. What i do know for sure is that these incidents are all part of the risk and reward game.

So why do we take such risks? Hell why not. Why not find that nice little climb at the top of Penny ole wen? Why not take the Lords rake route up Sca Fell instead of the much safer Foxes tarn. Don’t simple avoid the risk but manage it, take control and own it.

Which brings me to another point – why do i so often have to do these things alone? Yes i know others have busy schedules but i do it alone anyway just for the extra buzz, i tell myself I’m being soft if i don’t.

Hell, just get out there and do it, are you a man or a mouse, i hear myself saying this and think – it can only lead to disaster but i still go out and do it, if i didn’t i would give myself such a hard time i would not be worth living with – its these occasions which can lead to a dive in my well being – if i bottle out i feel bad and get down. My alter ego knows this and uses it against me. It calls me names. Nasty names, names that make me feel bad about myself and destroys my confidence.

My alter ego is a crafty bugger though because he often works the other way, it says – i know you are tired but you can do it, push on to the top and it will get easy again, only 3 more summits to go and you are back at the car, we will call it quits for the day then. Forget that last leg, you can do it another day. Oh yeah, i bet. I know for sure when we get back to the car and get a brew we will be looking at the next climb, thinking – it’s not so bad, an hour and all the hard work will be done, it mostly downhill after that, go on Dave, get on with it. What you gonna say when people ask if you managed the 14 hour reccie you talked about? What excuse will you come up with this time?

Oh, err, it was raining, or i was err tired, i had a blister, i scratched my knee or maybe you will say you were sweating so phuking much it made your makeup run into your eyes and it stung a little. Go on, stop being soft get on with it. Fell runners don’t just give in because something hurts or they are bloody tired. 4 more hours and you have stood by your word, no having to explain why you failed again.

So this argument goes on i my head and invariably i push on, not always though and it’ these times that i believe lead to failure. If you don’t push hard enough and take enough calculated risks you are going nowhere. For me it is all part of the game, building the confidence, little by little, not letting your body yield to fatigue. It is not just your physical body that need to be trained, you have to train your mind also and every time i think “i can’t do this” but push on harder, i know i am increasing my mental fitness.. As most runners know, you are only as good as your weakest point.

I believe i have very little natural ability and didn’t run for sport until i was 40, so running in its self was a big challenge. For me, success in mountain running is about how hard i am willing to train, i have to reccie routes relentlessly before a race or challenge, i need to know that i can complete the challenge before i even start, mental fitness is often my weak link and if i don’t do things this way it often leads to failure.

When i first decided to have a go at the Bob Graham round i spent many hours on the FRA forum and Bob Wightmans web site. Preparing maps and schedules, making route choices and finally spending days in the lakes doing reccies.

Like most people i reccied one leg at a time, then i started to string them together and then its big days back to back. Finally i set off at midnight on a final reccie and decided to see how far i could get. It took me 14 hours to get as far as Bowfell where thick clag and heavy rain stopped me. It took me a further 2 hours to get back to the car where my partner was waiting to console me. However it gave me confidence in myself, despite feeling bad that i had to give in before i was ready, i knew deep inside that i had what it takes. I had to keep training hard and help out on some supports and i could do it.

On the big day i had a great team and never doubted that i would do it. The rewards are absolutely massive, there is truly no feeling in the world like completing a challenge that you never imagined you would be good enough for.

So what next? Well in the sport of mountain running in the UK it was an obvious path, the Paddy Buckley round.

There is no doubt about it, i am a crap navigator, but doing a reccie for the first time and navigating a leg of the Paddy for example, feels good, it’s a great sense of achievement and so it brings the high, the feeling that i can succeeded when other can’t (not many i admit). I have safely (ish) navigated myself through mountains, from point A to point B and arrived in one piece. Some times without incident but to be honest there is usually something that happened along the way that i will be keeping to myself. Sometimes sharing is not caring.

The years i spent training for and attempting the Paddy were tough but there were so many victories along the way, nailing the climb through the quarries out of Llanberis, the amazing run down the ascent next to Bristly Ridge, getting the line right coming off Tryfan, finding the final scramble at the top of Penny Ole Y Wen, small victories but in the moment they belong to me and they feel so damn good. Each time i am on top of the world, the rush can last for weeks.

Completing the Paddy Buckley round is without doubt the hardest challenge i have ever done, which of course also brings with it the highest high.

Am i an adrenaline Junkie?

An adrenaline junkie is a person addicted to the thrill of the adrenaline rush: the exciting, pleasurable effect produced when the adrenal glands dump a large dose of adrenaline into the bloodstream. The adrenaline rush usually occurs when the body senses danger, the "Fight or Flight" moment. Your heart rate increases, pleasure-giving endorphins are released by the pituitary gland and your breathing rate ramps up. The result of all this extra oxygen, energy and hormones is the adrenaline high, a euphoric feeling that can last for hours.

Sports are a natural place for adrenaline junkies. Every day, thousands of adrenaline junkies strap on a parachutes, climb into a kayak or run up and down mountains. But does this really make us adrenaline junkies. If wanting to feel good about myself gives me that label then so be it, however, i don’t consider myself an adrenaline junkie. I wish it was so simple.

To be honest i’m not sure if the rewards are greater than the risks or if the greater risks offers greater rewards but i do know i won’t stop doing it until i can’t do it anymore.

A night time reccie of the Glyders

It was after my successful Bob Graham Round that i first decided i was going to attempt the Paddy Buckley Round i was aware that route knowledge was going to be key, although there were people i new had attempted it, i also new i would have to learn the route myself and be prepared to navigate much of the route when it came down to it on the big day.

So over the following 2 and a half years and in my usual fashion i reconnoitered the route, all 60 miles and 47 mountain summits (although some of these summits are merely tiny bumps on a mountain ridge), i spent most of my free weekends either learning the route or making attempts to get around. Its during these reccies that you have to decide which section will be your “night leg” (or legs) and i decided that Aberglaslyn to PGC and on over to Llanberis were going to be my night sections. So i reccied them many times in day light, until i felt i new them well enough to reccie them solo at night, after all, who else did i know who was prepared to do this? (i don’t know anybody daft enough anyway).

Night time reccies in the Welsh mountains on your own may not seem like the most sensible thing to do but a 24hr challenge means you are going to cover some of the route in the dark and someone will have to navigate. True to form it took me many nights to get the route sorted and on the big day my knowledge certainly helped.

Recently i was asked to help out on the route over the Glyders section, obviously i was more than happy to agree and even offered to navigate.  Imagine my horror when i learned the Glyders were to be completed at night and low cloud was forecast. Shit, thats not ideal. (The Glyders are 2 mountain tops in Snowdonia national park Wales) So i reverted back to the formula that works for me, reccie the route at night in similar conditions. With only a week to do this i took the opportunity on a Wednesday evening after work to drive 2 1/2 hours down to Snowdonia and do it. The usual routine was followed, Debbie would meet me back at Ogwen in 3 hours and if i failed to arrive in a further 2 hrs she would put the flag up. (get help)

Setting off from Ogwen the plan was, walk up the Devils stair case, pick off Glyder Fawr, Glyder Fach and take the path next to Bristly Ridge, down and across to Tryfan, having done the route dozens of times in the day and a couple of times on clear nights i was happy enough to be doing this solo. I set off at 8.30 and as i walked up the Devils stair case i could see the clag starting to cover the summits, i needed to do this in poor weather so was happy to continue.

Reaching the top of the stair case it was fully dark and i had about 20 foot of visibility, i have been using Veiwranger mapping software on my smart phone recently and it had proved to be invaluable. The maps are Ordinance survey so very accurate, i also had a paper “back up” map in my bag of goodies. I ascended into the cloud and easily found the summit of Glyder Fawr, although the clag had gotten much worse and a fine mist was covering my glasses and making it difficult to see the screen of my phone.

I also became aware that i had perhaps chosen the wrong shoes as the rocks were very slippery and i was having trouble staying upright. (watching you would have thought i was drunk) Anyone who has been in the clag at night knows you get much better visibility if you keep you torch light below your eye line. So here i am heading towards Glyder Fach, torch in my right hand, phone with mapping software in my left, slipping and sliding over the rocks, looking over the top of my glasses at the rocky path and occasionally checking my phone to make sure i’m still on the path.

Having run/walked this route so many times before i recognised familiar clusters of rock and technical sections of path on the way over to Glyder Fach and although the mist on my glasses was becoming a problem, i knew i was heading the right direction, albeit much slower than i wanted.

The slippery rock was really challenging and slowing me down as i had to take extra care to stay vertical, aware that a fall with both hands full was not a good idea. About an hour slower that i hoped, i found the summit, taking stock of the weather and the extra time i had taken so far i decided to continue to the path near Bristley Ridge and follow it down past Tryfan and on to the road. Tryfan would have to wait for another time.

My partner would be waiting for me at Ogwen and i was already going to be an hour late. Our rule is to allow an extra 2 hours before raising the flag.

After wiping my glasses yet again and struggling to see my phone i found the route and carefully headed across the rock towards the final descent. Unfortunately, between my attempts to hold my torch, read my phone map and watch where i was heading, i managed to fall and smash the screen of my phone. So between the foggy glasses and damaged screen the phone was now almost useless.

Time to hunker down and get the map and compass out, not my best way of navigating but i usually manage to get by ok. I found shelter just off the path under a huge flat rock and grabbed a chewy bar whist i searched for the map, only to find i was still carrying a map of Fort William from the previous weeks run. Oh shit. Sitting under the rock, warm and dry i cleaned my glasses and managed to turn the phone so i could see about half of the map and decided to continue on, pretty sure in my mind that i was only 3 or 4 hundred yards from the top of the descent at Bristly Ridge.

Reading half of a phone screen with glasses covered in mist was really not working out for me, so after half an hour or so of wondering around in circles i was aware that things were getting serious. I know from previous experience in this area that there are many routes off Glyder Fach, most of them are too dangerous to even contemplate without climbing gear so after finding the top of a couple of paths and deciding it was just too dangerous to continue i found some shelter.

Shit, i was in a spot of bother and had to make my mind up what the safest course of action was, i had dry shelter and a change of clothes, full water proof body cover, a warm hat, gloves, food and a survival bag. I certainly had enough layers to stay warm and could hunker down until first light and probably find my way off quite easily. I had a double capacity battery in my phone and a spare so i could be in signal the whole time if things got worse. Or i could risk trying to find the path down.

There was a third option which is what i decided on, i would phone Debbie and tell her i had a situation and was calling Mountain Rescue for some advice, i was not in any real danger but all this could change if the weather turned. The Mountain Rescue people told me to stay put and they would discuss the best course of action and come back to me.

Happy that all would be well i hunkered down in my warm dry little hole and read a book on my phone, much easier with dry glasses even with only half a screen. I resolved to stay until first light and then take the safer miners path down to the main road. Being warm and relatively comfortable i had a short sleep and was woken by my phone ringing, it was mountain rescue, they informed me that the weather was not due to improve until late morning or early afternoon so they would be sending 2 people up to guide me off the mountain. This would take a couple of hours so i settled down for a little more sleep and wait to be “rescued”.

Obviously sleep was not happening, i was very embarrassed about having to call Mountain Rescue and felt that i was wasting their time. However i resolved that they knew their stuff and if they were sending people up for me they must feel that this was necessary. True to their word it took about 2 hours and i was greeted by 2 guys who were to guide me back to safety. It took us an hour and a half to get back to “Foggy base” (Mountain Rescue headquarters), the guys were kind and helpful and made sure i was ok. After a couple of warm cups of tea i was driven back to the bunkhouse, much to the relief of my partner Debbie.

I was well prepared for the conditions, i had plenty of clothing, full body waterproof clothing, food, drinks, a backup torch, spare phone battery and plenty of experience of the route. The mistakes i made were, wrong backup map, no GPS watch (which has the route on and big arrows to follow) and perhaps the wrong choice of foot wear. Although i’m not sure any foot wear would have helped much, the Brooks Cascadia 7’s were shite.

2 days later i was back in the Glyders at night, in the clag and was safely navigated through by the 3 other people with me, the correct map and a GPS unit really do make all the difference. 

Now i have to put up with crappy news paper stories about the idiot that went up a mountain in Wales with a map of Scotland and try to rebuild my confidence. I may also have to put up with having the piss taken by friends but thank fully the only damaged caused was to my phone and my pride. However, the lesson i learned was much bigger.