It's been almost two years since I blogged - what with one thing or another I haven't quite managed to 'put pen to paper'. But this happened in May this year and I need to put some thoughts down to (mostly) help me to process it! I'm not sure who the audience is for my … Continue reading Cape Wrath or bust!
Category: Running
105 miles in a week or bust!
**I've not blogged much this year - what with one thing and another I've not really felt much like it... this one's a bit of a long one though - so get yourself a brew and put your feet up** So 2020 has been a bit of a wash out so far - in so … Continue reading 105 miles in a week or bust!
Kielder lap on a school night
When I'm looking for a long run with little in the way of navigation - trail but not technical, and quiet... it's tough to beat a lap of Kielder Reservoir in deepest, darkest Northumberland. I'd been looking for something to kickstart my 2020 training (immediate objective being The Highland Fling in late April) and for … Continue reading Kielder lap on a school night
Spinetime 2020
So it's just after Christmas and New Year has come and gone... this can mean only one thing it's time for the annual Montane Spine Race extravaganza. The week-long trail running/endurance event consists of two races: the Spine Challenger, started on Sat 11 Jan at 08:00, following the Pennine Way National Trail for 108 miles between Edale … Continue reading Spinetime 2020
Let the (Spine) race begin!
It's almost time for the summer editions of the Spine Race to kick off! The Montane Spine Fusion is a 268-mile, non-top, 7-day, 168 hour race following the entire Pennine Way National Trail from Edale in the Peak District National Park to Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders. It starts June 22 2019 (0800) and … Continue reading Let the (Spine) race begin!
In search of the White Horse
Back in the day I worked in the North York Moors developing walks, cycle trails and the like... Last Sunday (9 June) saw me on the start line for the White Horse Trail Marathon starting from the Sutton Bank National Park Centre - part of the Hardmoors 26.2 (ish) Series. It was good to be … Continue reading In search of the White Horse
CP3 to CP4 in the footsteps of ‘Spiners’
In January this year I volunteered in the Checkpoint Teams at Middleton (CP3) and Alston (CP4) for the Spine Race. This epic endurance challenge follows the entire length of the Pennine Way National Trail (268 miles) from Edale in the Peak District to the end at Kirk Yetholm in Scotland in Winter. It's run non-stop … Continue reading CP3 to CP4 in the footsteps of ‘Spiners’
My 1st cuckoo of the year!
I love hearing my first cuckoo of the year! For me it's a bit of a right of passage into spring/early summer. Until I've heard one it doesn't feel right. This year has been a bit frustrating as I'd heard tell of cuckoos being back but I hadn't heard my first yet... ...It finally happened … Continue reading My 1st cuckoo of the year!
Trip to the Cheviots
Last Sunday (19 May) I ventured north for the Cheviots Trail Marathon. The route followed the St Cuthbert's Way from Wooler to Kirk Yetholm and back and was organised by Cheviot Trail Events - a small outfit headed up by Glen. It was a hot, humid day with barely a breathe of wind and numerous … Continue reading Trip to the Cheviots
Running the Tea Trail!
So the weekend before last I ran the Isaac’s Tea Trail in the North Pennines AONB – I joined a group of NE trail runners (members of the ‘Trails, Ultras and other crazy running events’ Facebook Group) in Allendale early doors on Sunday morning. It was a cool, windless, dry morning – perfect running weather! … Continue reading Running the Tea Trail!
North Pennines Shane 