Sunrise over the moors

Being Monday morning I thought I'd get out after a lazy weekend and have a run over the moors before starting a day in the office.  A very cold morning with -3 on the thermometer, so everything was frozen over but still made a cracking start to the week.  Looking at the reports last night it looks like we are in for a good week of cold but bright conditions.  Later this week I am heading up to the lakes and hoping to get a cheeky day in.

Sunrise over the moors

Future GPS and Trail cycling dates

I have posted, on the relevant pages, the GPS dates for early next year and also some Trail Cycling skills dates. So if you receive a nice new GPS unit and would like to know a little more about it and do some practical stuff feel free to drop me a line to enquire about booking onto the days.  The Trail Cycling skills are 1/2 day in length and we'll be off over the moors for a bit of fun and learning.


Also the Festive run I posted earlier is still on for the 22nd December at 0700hrs.  Again just get in contact to let me know if you would like to come along for an early trot over the moors and earn a bacon buttie and mug of tea/coffee to start the festive weekend.


I managed to get out for a trot over the moors this lunchtime, boggy and wet.  The 'peat monster' managed to pull me in at one point, now got a smelly pair of Walshes drying out in the kitchen.
Have fun out there but stay safe in the winter climate!

Festive run 22 December 2011

On 22 November I posted a route which is my standard jaunt over Darwen Moors past Jubilee Tower aka Darwen Tower.  Each year I have a bit of a routine where I try to enjoy the run early morning just before the big day itself.  Last year saw the moors covered in snow and it was a splendid early morning, can't say what it will be like this year with the weather patterns so far.  So this year I invite anyone who would like to join me to come along.  I'll be leaving the gate on Queens Rd, just up from the entrance to Whitehall park, Darwen at 0705hrs on 22 Dec 11.  You'll see from my route that it's just over 4 miles on the moors and I'm no sprinter. If you fancy it, just drop me a line or get in touch so I have a rough idea of numbers, if there are enough of us I can organise a 'festive' bacon roll and mug of tea on completion.  The only rule is you have to wear something festive.  
Last year as I was coming back home a bloke got out of his van and asked, in a cynical voice, why I would do this at such an early hour? I merely glanced at him, pointed at the sun rising over the moors on the snow and said in 15mins I would be drinking tea and eating a bacon buttie in front of the fire, 'nough said! Obviously not a fell runner!
Please note by coming along you are doing the activity at your own risk and you are medically fit enough. 


Good article by the way in the recent issue of summit magazine by the BMC on mountain running in winter. 

Winter running kit already!

Today was a day out of the office and a trip to Alderley Edge to visit Running bear a cracking little running shop down that way.  I have previously mail ordered from the shop and delivery has always been efficient, I see their advert in the fell running calendar along with the fellrunner magazine and have wanted to visit for a while, so today was the day.  After a early 4 miler over the Darwen Moors and a bacon butty it was time to indulge.  Not to be dissappointed the shop was full of stock and a wide range of sizes.  So a bit lighter in the wallet and out I came.  I like their own branded items, they're cheaper and good quality.  They do a thermal top with a windproof covering over the chest, marvellous.
Anyway enough praise, but that's me sorted for the colder months, the other day I was even thinking about getting a set Kathoola microspikes as last winter they became somewhat a rarity and couldn't get hold of a set.  Motto of the story 'Be prepared'.  But hey let's enjoy the autumn first.
Tommorrow I am leading on Scafell for a team completing the 3 peaks, then on Sunday doing some bike skills followed by the rest of the week in the Lakes.