Hawkshead 10k and 17k Ambleside, Cumbria, Lake District

On 18th April I travelled up to the Lake District to run the Lakeland Trails Hawkshead 10k and 17k. The plan was to race the 10k then use the 17k one hour later as a training run. Both involved negotiating the Coffin Trail, a mile long rough paved hill half way through each race ..

This went well for the first race but slowed to a run walk strategy on the 17k ..

The 10k went really well with a good time, the 17k was definately a training run only maybe I shouldn't have done that Body Pump class 2 days previously .. Ideal weather, lots of extra climbing in the 17k and some technical descents ..

There was a great atmosphere after the race with entertainment by Pete Lashley

Rehydrated with a pint of Coniston Bluebird Bitter and some excellent pub food at the Wilson Arms, Torver (recommended) and spent the night at a newly refurbished Caravan Club Site next to Coniston Water with excellent showers and pitches hidden in the trees. Sunday morning explored Coniston Fell - not many walkers but found one to take my picture..

Views of Coniston Water on the way down ..

Training is progressing well, no injuries, slowly upping the miles from 35 per week and including more hill climbs as well as parkruns, Intervals, Pilates and Body Pump and plenty of rest (? work permitting) looking forward to The Ox trail marathon on the Rushmore Estate in Wiltshire with 'rolling big hills' http://www.whitestarrunning.co.uk/eventBase.php?eid= this month.

The Endurancelife Classic Quarter 44 mile Ultra in Cornwall in June http://www.endurancelife.com/event-new.asp?series=86  followed by a week in the Alps near Lake Annessy, France at the Liz Yelling 'Running in the Alps' running camp  http://yellingperformance.com/workshop/liz-yelling-2013-june-running-camp (including a picture of me attending last year!)

Finalising arrangements to join the training camp in Grachen, Switzerland where a small group of 4 -10 of us will be running the 150k full course of the Ultra Trail Monte Rosa over 4 days.

Also finalising the logistics for the race itself in August  -http://www.ultratourmonterosa.com/race-information-stage/ . Watch this space .......

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Endurancelife Exmoor Coastal Trail Series Marathon

Travelled down to Hunters Inn, Combe Martin to run the Trail Marathon on 11th April staying Friday night on the Event Campsite in Murvi. This is probably the most demanding of the CTS events with 5,251 feet of Ascent (and Descent) over the 27.1 mile course starting with a 7 mile loop west along the Coastal Path, returning to the Hunters Inn then a loop East though the Valley of the Rocks, Lynton, Hillsford Bridge, Countisbury Hill then back along the Coastal Path through Lynmouth, Hollerday Hill, Lee Abbey, Woody Bay, Higher Point and the Heddon Valley to the Hunters Inn finish. A beautiful course with some brutal hills but really good training for UTMR.

Top of the first climb on the Coastal Path

Back to Hunters Inn - less one layer!

Woody Bay

Valley of the Rocks

Finished in 5:37:33 with only one short cramp attack, burning 4682 Calories!