Running

Turning round 200 vertical meters from the summit. Last 400 meters has been brutal because of knee to waist deep snow
. Whiteout on the glacier we need to cross too.

The good news is that we're 1.5 hours ahead of our PB :)

Photo by glacier just before weather came in. So nice to see deep snow in the Alps in August.

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I've never seen it so messy up there, so much education of visitors needed. Sounds like a worldwide issue.

London expected to be cancelled apart from an elite race today.

This looks incredible. Glad you're feeling the effects of training, enjoy

Ah mate, looks epic! Hope you're having a blast.

Started running this week after weekend off - performance has taken a big step up after July volume which is nice to see!

Another slow hill day yesterday. 1150m in 15km up Ben Vorlich and Stuc a'Chroin. Legs can definitely manage the amount of ascent, but just don't have any speed going up. Was also a bit disappointed to not be able to run the descent as it was so boggy/slippy. Trying to contour on angled waterlogged grass with no tread left on your shoes isn't particularly optimal.

I've read a couple bits about potential lasting effects of Covid, and after a suspected case earlier in the year, part of me is concerned about damage that might have occurred. In reality there's probably not much I can do about it, and I'm probably just feeling unfit because of lockdown inactivity (and worrying about it for the same reasons too). I don't think my already mediocre performance levels could take any further degradation!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/53661336

2021 in October too. Will really mess with folks' winter xc for strength, 12 wk build to April plan.

Thanks chaps. Its definitely paying off. We managed 1500m up at just under 400 meters per hour today. My dream is the 650 meters per hour for 1500 that we need for the Matterhorn. Starting to feel like it might just be possible one day rather than totally unreachable. Just need to keep at it.

Jesus. I get all wobbly just looking at the Matterhorn. There's a very small part of me that would like to climb it. There's a larger part of me that would like to hurl myself off the north face and go 'Weeeeee!!!!' all the way down. They're overruled by the rest, which wants nothing to do with it, other than as a backdrop to a good lunch at Vis-a-Vis at Gornergrat.

It's basically a 1300m grade 2 scramble that you need to get up and down before the sun gets on it. Technically it's a piece of piss. It's being fit enough to beat the sun and not put a foot wrong when tired that's the problem. Weirdly, route finding is tough too. So easy to go a few meters either side of the route and find yourself in trouble...that's the main reason a guide is critical even for the most experienced climbers.

We did some cool stuff on the glacier under the East face in Janaury. There wasn't much snow and we could see dozens of bits of clikbing gear including packs and crampons that had fallen down from the ridge. Sobering.

Deep down I'm pretty scared of it too but every time we stand on a summit in that valley it just sorts of draws me in.

Postman has been...

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Planning an attempt?

No, meaning yeah, but not soon. I'll be near Llanberis in a few weeks so going to check out a bit of the route if it's nice conditions.

Your photo is a well placed reminder of how far I've got to go and how I need to dream less and do more :D

You look to be doing pretty amazing stuff already: https://www.lfgss.com/comments/15447711/

I can't stop staring at this picture. What is the map sitting on??!

What is the map sitting on??!

Useful for storing surplus mini eggs too at Easter.

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Good post!

My concern with these grand round maps is that they don't give enough of the surrounding area to work out where you are if you get lost. I definitely won't recce the BGR with only the BGR map.

That therma rest reminds me that I need a new mat before the OMM in October. We've entered the A course, which will be a real test of our abilities and fitness.

Garmin 645 music on sale for £200 at Argos - https://www.argos.co.uk/product/1513936

My concern with these grand round maps is that they don't give enough of the surrounding area to work out where you are if you get lost. I definitely won't recce the BGR with only the BGR map.

OS Explorer ftw, although the OS Locate App is particularly useful, and free.

the OMM in October. We've entered the A course, which will be a real test of our abilities and fitness.

I'm calling the win now. ;)

"Surplus" mini eggs is not a problem I've ever had to deal with...

It takes years of dedicated training!

When do you think you might have had it?

I kind of feel the same.. really struggling to get decent fitness back despite running pretty regularly and doing decent mileage. Lungs feel they're having to work too hard etc. I was feeling covidy rough in feb/march.. dunno - maybe it's just psychosomatic?!

Fwiw I had bad chesty symptoms in January, the after effects lasted well into lockdown and killed my run mojo entirely as it became so hard and recovery from activity was days.

Did some bike in May/June that felt more manageable and am only now feeling like running is getting back towards normal... so 7-8 months interrupted here.