Runner who loves the off road

Last night did the Blyth Running Club 2.5 mile handicap and i planned on using this as a good midweek speed session as ive been neglecting speedwork through doing lots of hills and cycling.I ended up the quickest on the night clocking 13.20 (5.20 mile pace) but felt as if i had a lot more as i wasnt pushed.I now look forward to the Good Friday relays at Newburn but i dont fancy Blyths Chances as the other lads are injured or not 100%.

This weekend (After recovering from sore quads and thighs from the previous weeks exploits)i done the Really Wild Boar Fell race 5/1400ft near Sedbergh on Saturday and on Sunday i ran the Sedbergh Hills fell race route 16/6000ft.Saturdays race was the 1st counter in the NFR Championship and conditions seemed ok as we made our way up the gradual bridal path but at the top of Wild Boar Fell the peas soup came down and the race turned into a bit of a calmity as myself and 5 other lads (4th-9th places) took a terrible route and ended up doing an extra half-1 mile but eventually found the manned checkpoint only to find loads of runners ahead of us.The descent was great running with Gary Devine and after the results were worked out i ended up 10th and 1st NFR counter.On sunday morning having had a great St patricks Guiness session i ran the long run solo navigating quite well and gained more fell experience which was pleasing.

Yesterday done a great 21 mile Training run in the Lake District with some other of the Northumberland fell runners Dave Atkinson,Chris Little and Louise Wilkinson.Took in the peaks of Great Gable,Green Gable/Brandreth,Grey Knotts,Dalehead,Hindscarth,Robinson, then back around Maiden Moor and Highy Spy.Really beneficial Ascents and Descents in preparation for the Lakeland Classics.

Today i got some more valuable fell experience at Greys Pike Fell Race at Kielder,Northumberland.Although i was tired off yesterdays run i feel its always important to support local races.The quality of the field was good and the winner Ian Nixon of Pudsey and Bramley ran the 3rd quickest time ever in this race.I managed 4th and was over 1 minute quicker than last year and on tired legs was kind of happy with.The new protein/Carbohydrate shake im using seems to be working as on my 2nd(recovery run) i felt good.I now look forward to the next 2 sundays 6+hrs runs in the Lake District with The NFR guys.

Today i done the Noon Stone fell rce near Todmorden in Lancashire.This race is 2300ft and 9 miles of tough often trackless terrain and a 2 time English Championship Course.I managed to finish 14th of 213 runners and was really pleased with my climbing and also the way i tacckled the really boggy moor stretch between the unmarked route between the checkpoints.Havent found out my road clubs results in the North East Harrier League where a bad result could see them relegated but on a very good note my good friend from Blyth Running club Dave Kitching is out of hospital.