by Day 1
Better than expected weather today in Cumbria. My 248th parkrun location was Cockermouth Greenway, followed by a 57-minute run/walk up Skiddaw including 710m of ascent, about a third of the ascent I have to do in September so quite encouraging. Bitter in the wind on the top (about minus 12), but mostly feeling pretty fair for March.
Day 2
I spent a wet morning fixing an IT problem I created yesterday, while watching the rainfall radar. A predicted gap in the rain did emerge after lunch and I had a pleasant 10km run to Grizedale Tarn, getting back to the car one minute before a heavy hail shower.
Day 3
A brisk ascent of Walna Scar (29 minutes to the 621m summit) and return to the car, and then immediately up again to Seathwaite Tarn
Day 4
A run up The Knott followed by a more sedate exploration of the Romano-British settlement on The Haw.
Across four days that’s a marathon distance run with about 1900m height gain, the same ascent as the Jungfrau Marathon, in 5 hours 20 minutes. Rather easier spread over four days, of course, but quite encouraging.
Day 5
A brisk walk/run up to Helvellyn and five other summits on the ridge. Just 46 minutes to the top which I was pleased with as a final assessment for now of my current ascent capabilities. A little cloudy while on the tops but in general a lovely day to be on the fells.
