Hill Reps on the Pike

I made an effort again tonight to get along to the club's hill session as I really need to improve my climbing capabilities. I always enjoy the session... after it's finished... but find it really hard to motivate myself to get to it in the first place but I'm really trying to make the effort at the minute.


The hardest part of it is getting to the meeting point at Wilderswood car park from my house. That short climb to George's Lane is horrible. I was already exhausted before the actual session had even begun.


We ran along to Pike Cottage and Steve said that the session would be the same as last week, i.e. sets of three reps down through my favoirite field. The field was really wet today and the fast lads at the front were sliding around all over the place. They must have been wearing inappropriate shoes as I was fine. I know I don't run as fast as them but, going downhill, I'm certainly not slow. I had good studded shoes on though. After going down and back up again, Steve suggested we abandon the session and go over to do reps on the Pike instead where it was less slippery underfoot.


And here's me thinking we were supposed to be fell runners! Aren't we supposed to run in mud?


We went along to the gate at the bottom of the Pike and the session was to go up the Pike Race route, down the steps, along onto George's Lane (with the option of cutting the corner down the slippery muddy bit if you had good shoes on), running back along to the gate on George's Lane (race route) but then turning around and doing it in reverse.


For me, not being as fast as the other guys, I decided not to go all the way back to the gate between sets as I knew that if I did, I wouldn't get enough climbs in.


I went up the steep side and down the steps, then turned off onto the muddy bit and onto George's Lane. I ran half way back to the gate then turned around and went back up the steps side then down the steep side.


At the bottom, I turned around and went back up the steep side. I was absolutely knackered. My legs were burning but I carried on 'running' as I really didn't want to give in and walk. Once at the top, I bumped into Josie which was great as it gave me a chance for a little rest before going back down the steps.


I ran down the steps and, realising that it was now coming to the end of the session, I decided to just run along to the gate by the toilet block, turn around and then run back up the steps. Once back on top, I just ran down the steep way and made my way home.


Really pleased with the session and that I managed to keep running with no walking. It was really hard work though but can only get easier. Right???

Total distance - 5.6 miles