Pontesbury Fell Race 27/6/12

AS. I last did this race in 2010 when the race route was reversed. So, it's difficult to work out, again, if I'm any faster, or, much slower. It looks like everyone was generally faster in 2010 so I'm not too worried about being a couple of minutes slower this year. I was faster than in 2009 when the course was in the same direction as last night.
My weight is slowly coming down and I feel like I'm on track to conquor Borrowdale in a few weeks. I have a way to go and a few more races to complete, but, I'm feeling positive.                                                   

Thanks to Alastair of Fell Running Pictures link for the photos and support at the race.

Rodneys Pillar 20/6/12

AS. Reversed route from last time I did this race, so I don't know whether I was any faster, or, much slower. Felt ok.

Thanks as always to Alastair of Fell Running Pictures for his photos. And the encouragement.

Morning After Fell Race 1/1/12

BS 5 miles 900 feet.

New years day run.

Trying to get the year off to a good start

Just got to work on the belly now.

Pictures from Fell Running Pictures

Cardington Cracker 4/12/11

9 miles 2600 feet.

After several months not running. This I hope is the slow road back to normality. Not surprisingly, I found it really hard going. It took me a lot longer to get round than last time I did this race. Walking was difficult for several days afterwards.

Photo from Fell Running Pictures

Getting fatter and slower

I've been a bit quiet since my last post.
We'd been busy working towards the adoption and looking after the pigs as well as the normal 9 to 5s. This didn't leave much time for training and racing. On top of that, we'd been making the most of any spare time having meals out and generally living an unhealthy lifestyle. Hence, as the tittle suggests, I have put on a fair bit of weight.
Oh well, I did at least get out and do some races. Although, in my current state they became more like training runs:
Llantysillio Mountain Race 9/4/11, AM 6.2 miles 2100 feet. A shock to the system.
Market Drayton 10k road race. Local race with Mrs and neighbour. Note to self: I hate road running.
Cader Idris 28/5/11 AM 10.5 miles 3000 feet. By now definitely too fat to run up mountains. As well as seeing the usual Shropshire and Welsh runners, Steve (sbrt) and fellow blogger run forest run came over and said hello. Nice to see him again. Mrs Lightning commented on how nice he was. I agree, nice chap ;-)
Shutlingsloe 30/5/11 AS 2 miles 900 feet. Friends round the night before and for some reason I didn't think drinking whisky until 2 am would have any effect on performance. I was wrong.
Batch Bash 1/6/11 AS 3 miles 1000 feet. Number 3 of the Shropshire summer series, but, the first one I've been able to attend. Absolutely terrible performance, but, good to get into the hills.



The pigs are very happy free ranging in the field digging huge holes everywhere and completely oblivious to what the future will bring for them. Their transport to the great sty in the sky is booked for 4 weeks time. That will be a hard day for us.

Hopefully see you in the hills soon.

Where has all the time gone? Update.

(having problems editing this post, all the text at once) It's been a while since I last blogged. I've still been doing a bit but have slowed down a lot since last year. The main reason is Mrs Lightning and I have been going through the adoption process. It's been about a year, so far, of courses, CRB checks, interviews, form filling in, more interviews, more forms,,,,,,,but it seems as if we are getting towards the end of a rather long tunnel. And, because of this we have been spending spare time readying everything for "their" arrival and generally making the most of our spare time enjoying ourselves before we start having to be the grown ups. We also became pig farmers a couple of months ago. Um, yes, strange for a veggi. But, now we live in the country and have the space, we think we can do it ethically and rear happy, healthy, organic, free range pigs that will produce good quality meat for our family. We'll see how that one goes. I've not been completely idle though, Carding Mill Valley Race 5th Feb. 4 miles and 1800 feet. Classic Shropshire AS. Several short sharp shocks. Hell in the Middle. 12th Feb. Part of the Hell runner races. In one word. CRAP!! In a few more words, all the worst things associated with road races. Large entry fee £20, goodie bags full of crap. Too many people throwing plastic bottles everywhere and a crap route. Long Mynd Valleys Weekend 5/6th March: Titterstones clee race 2.5 miles 750 feet. Long Mynd Valleys Race 11.5 miles 4500 feet. Championship counter, so lots of big names. I chose the early start option and had the pleasure of spectating whilst competing. Amazing watching the speed of the big names. Also got a tshirt from Mercia for entering both races. Wrekin Fell Race 27th March. 5.5 miles 1700 feet. My local hill, and even though we had friends round the night before (slight hang over) I felt obliged to run it. I've also squeezed in a few kickboxing, weights and training sessions. I've mostly been very slow in the races but am glad to have taken part. I think it will be difficult to do as many races this year as last but am hopeful to at least get the local Shropshire races done

Carding Mill Canter

Titterstone Clee

Long Mynd Valleys

Long Mynd Velleys Presentation

Wrekin Fell Race

All photos provided with the kind permission of Fell Running Pictures

Long Mynd Valleys Recce 9/2/11

Not 100% sure I will have an entry for this race as, being a championship race that sold out very quickly, I didn't get onto the start list. But, I'm on a reserves list and I've agreed to turn up on the day. If there's a place I will run. If not, I will offer to help out.

So, just in case I get in, I thought it may be a good idea to remind my body how much climbing will be required of it in a few weeks.

I was out for four hours in the end. Some jogging, some walking and a couple of water stops. It was hard going but an enjoyable few hours in the hills.

Carding Mill Canter Fell Race

AS 5 miles 2000ft.
Methuselah came to mine and we popped over to Church Stretton for this enjoyable tough little race. It has a good mix of terrain and gradient to suit all runners.

The first race of the year, and having not made much of an effort to shed the Christmas pounds, I wasn't expecting a great performance. So, I decided just to plod round and make sure I enjoyed the race. Which I did.
Courtesy of Al Tye Fell Running Pictures

I came in just over 5 minutes slower than two years ago, which was the last time I did this race.

Next race next weekend. Hell Runner.

Kick up the backside and RUN 12/1/11

After all last years runs I thought I'd earned a week or two rest. This in reality had turned into a couple of months +.
Although I'd been "doing a bit", I hadn't really been taking it too seriously(apart from my beer and ale drinking which I've been taking very seriously) and I'd been deliberately avoiding the scales. I think the scales had been avoiding me as well, I saw them cowering in the corner of the bathroom a couple of times but I didn't have the hart to inflict myself on them. So I knew I'd been putting weight on.
This morning I decided I would see how bad it really was. Couldn't be that bad, could it?
OMG! How much? No it can't be? It seems as though I have put on nearly a stone in the last six months. Really not happy.
Oh well, I think, early March is the Long Mynd Valleys race weekend. Plenty of time to sort myself out.
Then I receive an email telling me my race information pack and number will be sent to me in the next few days. What? Seems I had agreed to run Hell Runner on the 12th of Feb. So not much time to sort myself out after all.

Afternoon off work. So I popped down to Stretton for a run on my way home. A bit of a struggle and I found myself walking the steeper bits but I managed to plod round. At least I got a few miles and a bit of climbing in.
link to workout page
Hopefully this has kick started my training again.

Now, off t'pub. Doh! No.....

Wrekin Wrecker Fell Race 21/11/10

AM 2400 feet 8.1 miles.
Due to some back problems and a holiday I haven't done much in the way of exercise for a few weeks. But, despite a hangover, I was determined to to get this one in as it's my local hill and organised by the very generous Newport Running Club . Everyone gets a prize regardless of position or time. This year I was handed a Wrekin Wrecker Buff as I crossed the finish line. Excellent!
Buff
I started ok but as I made my way up the first climb I knew it was going to be a struggle. My only saving grace was I still had some speed going down hill. So, as usual I got over taken lots going up and over took lots going down and almost held onto my position on the flat.
Alastair's Fell Running Pictures
It was hard going and I was slower than last year, but, I'm glad I did it and hope it kicks me into action again, before, the start of my annual Christmas binge.

New torch !

Quick run up the Wrekin to try the new torch.

Despite all the advice on which torch to buy (thanks guys) I ignored it all ( sorry guys) and bought a less power full Petzle.
Suits me just fine. I usually start off with a light but find the light is too bright once my eyes have acclimatised. The light I've got has a red light which is good for this scenario.
I ran halfway up with the light on full, then turned it to half strength until the top. Once there I turned it off all together and jogged halfway down just using ambient light. Once in the darker woods I used the red light and only used the normal light at the bottom to save scaring the crap out of some walkers just starting up the hill.
Great to be night running again.

I think the torch will also be usefull at work teaching pilots to fly at night.

Wrekin Training Run 21/10/10

Just got to the foot of the Wrekin in time to leg it up and down before it went dark. 30 mins.

I must get myself a new head torch. I didn't do much night running last year and tonight I remembered how much I enjoyed it two years ago.

Breidon Hill Fell Race 10/10/10

AM 7 miles 2300 feet.

I missed out on this race last year due to being committed to running the Birmingham Half Marathon. This year, despite running the Langdale Horse shoe the day before, I was determined to run this race again.
So, with stiff legs and back I set off at a slow pace with the intention of jogging round. It was a bit of an effort to start with, but, halfway round I started to feel more energetic and picked the pace up a bit.
I finished within 30 seconds of my previous time 2 years earlier.
Glad I did the race. It was a good chance to catch up with the Shropshire lot.


Great photos from Alastairs excellent fell running pictures site

Next year I won't be doing Langdale so should be able to give it a better go .

Hinstock 5k Race (road)

After some light jogging up and around the Wrekin on Thursday night, 90 minutes, I knew my back still wasn't able to cope with too much abuse.

So I had my excuses ready when the Panther and I hobbled down to the village hall to register. It was there I saw a Chris, fellow villager, in a Newport Running Club vest. I had no idea he was a runner (well road runner if that counts). And, a road runner of some note. Bugger ! first local was now even more unlikely. Oh well.....
90 runners gathered outside the Falcon Inn for the organiser to warn us about some slippy parts of the course (maybe the road runner will take a fall)? and inform us the course is actually "a bit" further than 5k. Then Lord Morris counts us down and blows the horn that starts the race. I start off tentatively to see what the back feels like. I still hurts, even after taking MattR's advice of brufen brufen brufen, but it's only for 20 minutes or so, so, I plod on. Ahead I can see the lead pack pulling away. And, with it, villager Chris. After them were a second group which I try to keep up with. I pass the supportive marshals and some relatives that popped over to see us. Now in about 25th position I seem to be getting used to the back pain so decide to pick up the pace and try and reel in some runners. It takes some time but slowly I bring them in. Still a good way behind the lead pack and no chance of catching them I somehow manage to start pulling away from the rest of the runners behind with only the occasional challenge from another local (young lad). With about a mile to go I reach the "slippy bit" and there is no sign of any fallen local runners. With no chance of local winner there is now only pride to fight for. With 800 meters left I look round to see a group of five club runners bearing down on me. YOU WILL NOT PASS I think to myself and put on a bit more speed. Last 100 meters and there's now only one challenger on my shoulder. We both put on a sprint finish as we round the corner towards the village hall car park and the finish line. I hold him off.
In the end I came in 12th overall and second local. I'm pleased with 12th out of 90. Much better than I usually do at fell races. Maybe I should start doing more road runs ?.........Naa
The good news is, I found out talking to him afterwards, Chris is moving out of the village in a few weeks. He will be sorely missed. But not by me next year ;-) I just have to make sure I can stay ahead of young lad. Unless something were to happen to him leading up to next years race ?
Wohahahaha ! Wohahahahah ! Wohahahahahahahah

Ragleth Inn Fell Race 25/8/10

AS 4 miles 1600 feet.
Wet, windy and a little bit slippy.
Callow hill viewed on a much nicer day
Great race and really pleased I managed to make it on time coming back from my Peris recce in Wales. This was the last in the series and I had done all the others. It was also the last race at all in Shropshire for quite some time. Good to catch up with the usual crowd before and after the race as well.
Photo from a rather wet Alastair
Starts by crossing a ford followed by a gradual climb up a track. Then leaving the track and going straight up Callow hill. Over the other side and back onto the track for another gradual climb. Next is a left turn and a very steep descent into Callow hollow, a good portion of which I spent sliding down on my backside(unintentionally), and follow the stream down the valley back to the base of Callow on the opposite side to where we started. All the way up the steep relentless climb back to the top. Retrace our earlier steps back to the finish.
Looks like I was a bit slower than last year but I'll put that down to heavy legs and the terrible weather conditions ;-)

Hill Sprints and Jog 22/7/10

10 min warm up jog up and over little hill (wrekin). Then 6 x sprint up, walk down and start the next one straight away. First one 20 secs but by the last one I was covering the same distance in 25 secs. Finished off with a slow jog back to the truck.

Looking forward to the Snowdon International Race on Saturday.

Stiperstones Fell Race 14/7/10

AS 3.2 miles 800ft (I think it's a bit more than 800ft).
5th race in the Shropshire summer series.

My third run of this race, but, this year it was run in the opposite direction to the last two years. I think maybe because some new steps had been put in where we usually run down. I guess it could have been dangerous legging it down those.
I started Ok but as usual I lost a few places going up the hills. And, as usual I went past a few people on the way down with an added bonus of some people going the wrong way on the last descent. They followed the path instead of cutting across though the bracken. I couldn't however keep up with RichardP. Again he seemed to be storming up the hills disappearing into the distance. He's having a fantastic year.
Photo from Alistairs Fell Running Pictures just before the cheeky short cut. It actually looks as if I'm going quite fast on this one.
I enjoyed the race. Even the torrential rain on the way round and at the end was nice.

Training run with Shropshire hill running champ

Well.......not really. I was driving past the Wrekin and had my kit in the truck with me. Decided to go for a quick blast (I thought blast) from wellington car park to the top and back again. Two thirds of the way up I heard foot steps behind me. Who could possibly be catching me up ? (well, actually, lots of people could have been catching me up). Friendly voice says "Hello, I've read your blog". Steven Cale of Shrewsbury athletic club and current local hill running champion jogs up beside me. So, I'm blasting up the Wrekin puffing and panting and Steven says he's out to stretch his legs before work. He kindly slows down to give me a chance to keep up then engages me in conversation, which, I find difficult with all the puffing and panting I'm doing. Easy to see why he leads the races and I'm somewhere way behind. He looked like he was running at 50% while I was more like 90%. Luckily we were nearly at the top and once we turned round and started running back I found conversation a little easier. Once at the bottom Steven continued his run back to work and I fell into my truck. It was nice to meet you Steven. I wish you all the luck defending your tittle this year.

Two and a half hours later I found myself driving back past the Wrekin and I still had my running stuff on. What the hell. I ran it again ! No companion this time but the temperature had dropped and the run was most pleasant.

Pontesbury Fell Race 23/6/10

AS 3 miles 1160 ft. Race 4 in the Shropshire Summer Series.
My second run of this race.

Once round the playing fields, up the road for a couple of hundred yards then down the track to the start of the steep climb through the wooded section. At the top of the woods, over a style and a right turn down another section of the hill. Then a very steep section up the flank of the hill towards the top. With jelly like legs a stumble accross the ridge and shallow climb to the summit. Then a nice fast descent back towards the woods, over the style and retrace our steps through the woods and back to the playing fields.
Alastair from Fell Running Pictures ,whilst fighting illness, climbed the hill to take this and many other great photos. Keep taking the tablets mate ;-)
This year the route at the top was reversed from last year due to some rabbit holes at the bottom of the steep hill. Better to get your foot stuck in one at slow uphill speed rather than fast downhill.

I was 2 mins faster this year, but, due to the change in route I don't know whether there was real progress. I think there was.

Nice to see everyone again and I look forward to the next run in the series. Stiperstones.

Rodney's Pillar Hill Race 16/6/10

AS 3.9 miles 950 ft.
Fell Running Pictures
Nice race for me this was. Nice steady climb to Rodney's monument, nothing too steep and a nice fast descent back to the village hall. My second run of this race and I desperately tried to keep up with RichP but he beat me to the top by about 40 secs and once he gets going down hill it's very difficult to catch him. Well done Richard, makes up for your nav error at Foel Fras ;-) At least I managed to knock more than 3 mins off last years time, so , I was pleased with my efforts.
Good to see all the usual smiley faces. Only sorry I won't be able to make next weeks Pontesbury race.