Apex Guiding

The weather has been phenomenal recently with a great couple of days spent with a family of strong climbers.

Day 1 up and Long Scar and Black Crag (they all cruised up glass slipper E2!) then a quick blast in Chirch Beck to cool off!!

Day 2 up on Gimmer linking up loads of classic routes whilst upskilling Henry and Sephy to be able to lead their own pitch of climbing.

It’s awesome to watch young talented climbers who are psyched to progress and learn.

Well that got a bit close!

Like many I’ve got a long list of races and challenges that interest and inspire me.

A solo unsupported Bob Graham round was always high on that list so when a gap in the diary appeared it seemed like a good idea to have a crack at it.

After the insane heat of the week the best window looked like a Friday Eve start. The winds were due to be quite strong southerlies so I chose anticlockwise so I had it at my back on the Helvellyn range. My first mistake!

I’ll stick my neck out and say that anti clockwise is harder than clockwise…. The slog up Scafell from Wasdale just didn’t end!

After moving pretty slowly through the night due to thick fog the time buffer I had built up had whittled away leaving me exactly on 24hr schedule at Threlkeld.

With the sun now back out and feet in tatters the idea of grafting up the last 3 peaks was hard to comprehend but weirdly it’s those moments that make things like this what they are.

Pushing hard and running fast (relatively) down Skiddaw was cheeky to say the least but worth it to get in under time in 23:46

I’m rarely proud of what I achieve, always looking critically of how to improve or to the next thing rather than savour the experience. (I think I share this trait with many others).
This one felt a bit different, having to dig deep and push for a long time by myself mixed with some genuine doubt whether I’d make it made the finish pretty special.

Nothing short of inspiring is the only way to describe Colin’s performance yesterday.

Colin had many hurdles to overcome in recent years and to see him eventually toe the line of his Bob Graham was brilliant.

The weather was less than kind with battering winds rain and low temperatures from the outset.

We were lucky with Leg 1 to stay dry at least before hanging over to for leg 2 into the night.

Then came the long legs of 3 and 4 with who put in a phenomenal 17 hour shift with Colin keeping him happy, fed and safe through the central fell despite the incessant battering wind.

Chris Wright then finished it off with Leg 5 supporting Colin to the end in a time of 30:33.

It may not have been in the target of 24 hours but the amazing thing to witness has Colin’s unwavering smile and determination.

Our race performance is so much more than our position or time.
Colin finished still running well, having managed his nutrition and hydration consistently and without any severe pains…… not many who finish a long race or a BG can say that!

A rare and wonderful morning out with cruising around the fells kid free!

SUNSHINE ☀️ I love winter but there’s nothing quite like being able to shed all the layers and cruise around the hills in shorts and t-shirt again!

Another good long run day around the paths less trodden of the Yorkshire Dales.

An epic morning out with one of coaches athletes Colin looking at leg 1 of the Bob Graham ahead of his attempt in June.

A savage time on the tops with high winds with driving snow gave way to some sunshine and views by the time we descended off Blencathra.

It’s been great to watch Colin improve his running efficiency and speed over the last year and perform even in some brutal conditions.

Some more hard work in the next few months and I’m sure he’ll have a great day on his BG.

I’m not always a fan of reccing race routes but they can be really useful if the route is tactical and up to you.

It definitely helped conform today where I don’t want to go on a few sections!

4.5 hours out on the fell was definitely enough for the old girl.

Apres vet appointment runs always seem to make it up to the pup.

Not the outcome I’d hope for at the Arc or Attrition.

It’s always a hard choice to pull out of a race, the time and effort that goes into getting there means the right choice is sometimes hard to justify.

A dodgy stomach from 5k in and the quads just gave up after Lands End meant I was at a snails pace and the thought of taking 10+ hours to do the last 30km didn’t fill me with psych!

The route, place and people were amazing so I’m sure I’ll be back again.

A beauty of a morning out for a run around Ullswater. Last long run before the Arc ✅.