Out in all weathers
December 2, 2007The show must go on, we won’t let howling winds and torrential rain stand in our way.
Runners have to run what ever the weather, Mr Uhdd is out on a big race today, it finishes in the Derbyshire village of Edale, this is what the weather was like the last time he ran that area, you can see a video of that race, ‘The Edale Skyline’ here if you need confirmation fell runners are barking mad
You can tell from the runners postures, just how unpleasant the conditions were, when he eventually got home his eyes were blood shot, and he couldn’t bend down to undo his running shoes, this is how I can tell he had a good time.
The weather here has been horrid for days,it has been raining stair rods, lashing and lashings of driving rain, most unpleasant, but the show must go on, a raft of Christmas fairs and charity fund raising events were scheduled for the magic date of ‘the first weekend in December’ (and I didn’t see a police person at any of them)
When Father Christmas arrived in the village he gave up on the sleigh and floated in, (well whatever the weather, he would have done any way, he always arrives by canal barge, it is a tradition in theses parts) the kids that had been waiting patiently, queuing in the rain, to see him; a long snake of a drenched and bedraggled children and parents that disappeared past the Co-op and round the corner as far as the paper shop, It may not be in the true spirit of Christmas, but I could see the need for two Santa’s to speed thing up a bit. The brass band did its best to lift the spirits a bit, and I was kicking myself for not having the camera with me, I missed a corker of a shot when the tuba player was tipping rain water out of his instrument.
So it is only December the second and I do not want to see another mince pie hear another carol till the 24th of December, OK, I am not the only one who feels like this.
Can you imagine being stuck on a cordon up there watching those nutters running around…? especially with the awfully designed uniform we get!
You have my sympathy, although if there are any marshals on fell races they are usually mountain rescue types or other runners, all folk that think cold and wet is fun, most fell races start in a field behind a pub, the runners run off into the hill mist and re-emerge at pub a few hours later, with out bothering many folk or sheep.
I once offered my lime green and fuchsia pink ski hat ( with extra large bobble) to a police women who had for three hours been trying to sort out the traffic chaos caused by a (still raging) blizzard, she declined, she was obviously cold but not that cold!!!
Shortly afterwards our local force started wearing ‘Russian’ style hats with warm furry ear flaps, but they probably only have one hat between three.
I have a lot of respect for Mr UHDD we went to the peak district in October, stayed in Buxton and spent the day walking in Edale (note not fell walking!! just 2 waymarked walks!) it was stunning, bleak but wonderful, but can only imagine the area this time of year!!
Hope he did ok and enjoyed (is that the right word?), I dont like flying so enjoy our beautiful country from the Highlands to cornwall,
all the best
joan
I have to say “that does look like fun”! But then I used to indulge in orienteering and much preferred winter to summer, especially in Australia.
We get a lot of weather like that up here and it’s always quite invigorating to be working out in swirl of gale and blast of sleet. In fact, it’s been like that this evening. Makes my cuppa and slice of chocolate cake even better…
Mad! Mad! Mad!
PS. I’m a wimp!
Mr Uhdd reports that on yesterdays race the biggest problem was keeping your balance, in the very strong winds, and not getting swept off your feet in the river crossings, (yes you read correctly, to add to the misery, you wade across rivers and you can imagine how much water there is in them at the momment) he was also very chuffed to have seen a white mountain hare on Kinder Scout
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A593309
Joan, it is just even bleaker and more dramatic at this time of year!!
That is a picture of sheer bliss!
When I was running alot more than I do now, I always enjoyed pitting myself against the elements.
In a perverse sort of way I saw it as a distraction technique, taking my mind off the boredom of running a set distance.
I also ran with a breeze block and two house bricks wrapped up in an old duvet in my bergan. Many thought I was mad but when it came to proper race training it really helped with stamina and strength.
I will have a sift through the old kingmagic photos and try and find some pics of my running forays into the wilderness.
Marvellous….
There is mad and there is madder still,
KM, try the video, skip the first thirty seconds, the rest will make your heart sing!
We look forward to some photos
I had a doctor’s appointment today (and finally got some antibiotics!) but had to walk in and back. That’s 2.5 miles each way, bucketing down rain, 20-25mph winds and I’ve a chest infection so I was wheezing like a steam loco with pistons that need repacking. But there’s nothing to cheer me up like a challenge.
So, I set my mental cadence to 5mph and set off, tromp tromp tromp.
I left the house at 0955, arrived at the surgery at 1025 for the 1030 appointment. Spot on. I was a bit short of breath and dizzy when I stopped though!
After a long wait, I saw the doctor, collected my prescription, nipped around to the pharmacy for the medication and a chocolate bar, then it was time to set the mental cadence and head into the wind and rain for the tab home.
I’d covered about two-thirds of the distance when there was a beep and the Wee ‘Un’s taxi pulled up to give me a lift. (As I can’t ride or cycle at the moment, the school has an escorted taxi collect and deliver him for nursery.)
Okay, I am physically trashed this evening but mentally I feel a lot better for having done it. The doctor thought I was mad, BTW!
The vid brings back memories of lungs bursting, quads straining, eye balls bleeding, arms white and numb through the cold, feet sodden and tingly due to constant jarring on sharp edged rocks, heart pumping like a steam train on crack….what more can I say?
A perfect day out….
….and then the slow release of warm blood back into the extremities of the fingers and toes after the swelling starts to subside, the pain reminding you that its so good to be alive…!!!
Absolutely damned marvellous!