Saturday 25 February 2012

Murky Rib SDS

http://vimeo.com/37439709

Finally, the Brimham video!!!


Recent pics

Entwisle overflowing



Ginnster Culvert



Entwisle in the rain



Trowbarrow sign

Friday 24 February 2012

Man Flu

Dry days- 28
Days of rain- 27

Rather a mixed week weather wise, it has tended to rain all morning and then brighten up in the afternoons- not the best combo for getting out, although this luckily coincided with a rather hectic week. It has also meant that there have been some really interesting cloud formations going on this week. Yesterday, Nemo texted me to say there were excellent iridescent formations where he was in Durham. Clouds and atmospheric optics still amaze me.

This week I have been mostly feeling a bit full of the Lurgy, generally grotty and knackered. This in combination with the rain made me sack off the marathon regime until I'm feeling better, I learned the hard way last time that pushing it can make you feel more shite.

Wednesday was my day off, and it was pissing down. I really couldn't face sitting around the house, so I went for a walk around Entwisle reservoir. it was pretty grotty weather but it was good to get some fresh air. The Red Wall at Cadshaw was piss wet, and now the trees have been trimmed the rain falls directly onto the face. What this will do to the fickle conditions here I have no idea. I'm keen to get back on my projects here once there's a decent dry spell.

I also had a wander further up the stream that runs back to the A666, and found an interesting culvert. i may upload some pics once I get around to it, I just realised I haven't even edited the Murky Rib SDS film! Getting slack.

Sunday 19 February 2012

Brownstones

Dry days- 26
Days of rain- 24

On Thursday I did a 6.5 mile run again, 1 hour 8 minutes and fairly comfortable. I was supposed to do a brisk 3 miles yesterday but the Doc and I were at kids' parties so I ended up not doing it. I was chatting to a Dad at the party- he is doing various runs and cycles and he put me into the fact that being a Preston Guild year, there's a race series: a 5k, 10k, a 10 miler and a marathon/ half. If you do all four you get a t shirt and a medal! Tempted.

Today, I had an hour at Brownstones. I met Baz who was already there and had a chat. I did the usual easy circuit, managed Lancashire PotHot sans flake and did some traversing. I still feel unfit, but hopefully we'll have a new house soon and I can get a board built. We shall see.

Wednesday 15 February 2012

Brimham Again

Dry days- 24
Days of rain- 22

The Doc, myself and the Junior Docs went to Brimham. We re-joined the National Trust since our membership had lapsed. First up I had a look at the 7a+ rock over problem at the Red Tape buttress, but was quickly reminded that it's nails. BeardyBeast and I tried it years back. Aft a warm up on the two easy problems here, I had a look at the Green Roof. I managed most of the moves on this, apart from the last couple, although the foot lock ate through my right shoe and then my foot. I opted to leave this for another time.

Next up was Black Chipper ArĂȘte. Rather annoyingly I did the first two moves that I couldn't do ever before, but then failed on the next two moves that I could always do. Weird.

After soup at the cafe I had a look at Pair In A Cubicle, which I really struggled with today despite being really close last visit. As a last ditch attempt I had a look at Murky Rib SDS, which I couldn't get off the ground on last time. After a while I managed all the moves, using a tenuous right heel on a pebble to slap through into the stand up. Second try I managed to link it. Then with sore skin and feeling rather weak, it was time for home.

Tuesday 14 February 2012

More running

Dry days- 23
Days of rain- 22

This morning I went running again. 3x10 minutes of fast running, with 3 minutes of swift walking between. It felt hard, but I noticed my recovery time is getting better.

We cooked the Hairy Biker's gyoza tonight, fabulous! I think it's a Yarkshar day tomorrow. May get back on the Keel.

Sunday 12 February 2012

Running!

Dry days- 21
Days of rain- 22

This morning we went to watch Doc Jnrs do the Crazy Pups one mile race at Southport. It was cold, but they performed admirably. Doc Jnr 1 managed a decent 9:30 whilst Doc Jnr 2 streaked away with an eight minute mile. Good effort to both.

This afternoon I felt guilty so went for a run. I managed 12.3 miles in 2 hours and 8 minutes, although some of the hills felt more tricky. Still, 9 weeks to go until the Manchester race. Fab.

Saturday 11 February 2012

Lazy Day

Dry days- 21
Days of rain- 21

The Doc and I went for a wander up Rivington Pike and Winter Hill today, followed by pub lunch. Lovely frozen conditions with exciting ice formations, frozen grass etc. Tonight we went to see The Woman In Black, which I enjoyed- suspenseful and well made.

Wednesday 8 February 2012

BirthdayBeast

Dry days- 20
Days of rain- 19

This morning was cold. The Doc was out earlyish so I took the opportunity to head out too. It was minus two when I set off to Brimham for a look at the outlying areas. BeardyBirthdayBeast and I had previously looked for crimpy roof but failed to find it. Today I parked up in the layby along the road and had a wander. I managed to stumble across Harvey after wandering around in the snow. This gave me a bearing and I then manged to find crimpy roof. This looked neat but, erm, crimpy. After this was Dolphin Nose. This had a couple of easier things to do and was the obvious warm up spot.

After going back to the car to get the mats, I headed to Dolphin Nose. I did Dolphin Nose after a couple of goes, then did the low start fairly easily. This is labelled as the Big Green in the Total Climbing guide, and given 7a. It felt more like 6c today, and after looking at YG.com The Big Green seems to be a direct line right of Dolphin Nose. This involved one big move to the pocket which I found very hard to catch. I only held this twice. The first time was from a high start where I got three fingers in. The next time was for a low start (I am a little confused as to exactly what's in and out on this problem) I latched the pocket with two fingers to the first pad. Determined not to fuck up, I managed to "style" to victory.

After this I flashed the low traverse- I have to agree with Moose about ths being a Dwarf's revenge. Ouch.

Video to follow............



Monday 6 February 2012

Positivity

Dry days- 18
Days of rain- 19

Last night I went to Wet Pooh, and had quite a good session. I finally managed a V6, one I've not tried before. I did the moves quickly, then managed it first link, quite pleasing. I did a couple of hours getting sore skin, then headed home.

Tonight I went for a run. It's been a funny day of mist and fog, mixed in with glorious blue skies and sun. I went around the local 2 mile loop, going at rest pace. I held a steady ten minute mile pace, feeling good. I would have carried on but after 6 1/2 miles it was dark and foggy and I skept falling in potholes, so I came home. Reassuring though, since I've just realised its not long until the marathon.

Friday 3 February 2012

Siberian Cold Snap

Dry days- 16
Days of rain- 18

Apparently the cold air from Siberia is why it is so damned cold here this week. Cold, but dry. On Wednesday I had a couple of hours in Silverdale. I went to WoR initially, which was a mistake as most of it was seeping and it was in the shade. ie cold. I was desperately trying to get warmed up on Deal In Pain, when Weak Sam pottered along having seen my car parked up. We had a chat and I failed to do much more, then opted to move over to Trowbarrow.

The Shelterstone was in the sun but everything felt very hard in my current state of weakness. I had a look at Mojo, getting close but losing skin, then went to Red Wall. This was also in the shade and very cold. I did most of the easier stuff, then wandered home. R-man texted me asking if I was out in the quarries, sounds like he managed to tick a few more projects.