
Conditions were perfect, massive blue skies stretching for miles, clear crisp air and most importantly frozen ground...essential for not sinking past your knees at every step at this time of year.
Distance: 13.08 km
Height: 300m
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![]() Looking North from Fur Tor Headed deep into the North Moor this morning, east along Tavy Cleave to Fur Tor, the remotest part of Dartmoor, the point fur thest from a road in the whole of southern England, truely wild and remote! Conditions were perfect, massive blue skies stretching for miles, clear crisp air and most importantly frozen ground...essential for not sinking past your knees at every step at this time of year. Distance: 13.08 km Height: 300m
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Headed out to Hangingstone Hill today, the furthest foray I have made into the North Moor on my runs. Nice conditions, light winds, thick mist on the tops that cleared every now and then to limit the claustrophobia! Its all part of my plan to run/ski/bike across the moor, this is the first leg, next leg down to Postbridge then South to Ivybridge...one day!
Distance: 13km Height gained: 360m ![]() Have you seen this man?? I did on my run today! Went for a quick blast down to Father Ford, 4.5km loop. Just over 2km high speed slip side down hill to the river where I came across a long haired beardy guy sporting a cloak/cape obviously on his way to see a hobbit or fight crime or something. Anyway, after my descent into middle earth came the ascent to my hill top, just over 2km up, some of it steep, all of it muddy but being chased by orcs helped me keep my cadence high! Distance: 4.4km Height: 130m If winter miles mean summer smiles then I reckon I'll be grinning like an idiot if we actually get a summer next year. 4km in the pool on friday then 16km running over the moor on Sunday morning, felt well righteous out in the wilds, battling the wind, getting in the miles. Pretty knackered now though, even the dogs are sleeping after their shower in the newly installed dog shower.
Route: Went from South Zeal, south round the east side of Cosdon Hill past the stone row to Little Hound Tor, then on to Hound Tor past the stone circle above. returned via the Cosdon Beacon and back down to the truck. Distance: 16km Total height gained: 400m Well wet n windy today so headed down in to the valley running for cover, slid all the way down to Father Ford then turned up the East Okement Valley for the long slog back up to Cullever Steps, west to Rowtor and finally down the hill to home.
East Okement Valley has the most amazing waterfalls that momentarily distract you from the 3km of uphill knee deep mud, followed by the sting in the tail: Rowtor. Coming down of there although down hill felt like running up hill as the wind was so strong. Harsh/invigorating Distance: 9km Height gained: 260 m Live firing on the moor today so that means no running on the ranges unless you want to provide the military with a moving target!
Splashed out a run, up the range road to Halstock Hill turned into the bitter North wind and headed round to Cullever Steps where we met about 30 army types playing soldiers, only just manged to stop the dogs pissing up their 'bivvis'. Not for the first time thought thank god I dont do that anymore. Surfed down the valley on a wave of mud and cow/sheep shit all the way to Father Ford which is under the A30. Then the slog home started - 160 vertical metres in a mile of mud. Total distance - 7.5 km Total height gained - 200 m Swim training tonight...in a pool, weak I know but I like to keep my immune system boosted by constantly exposing it to new viruses! ![]() Night running, I've been putting it off but have now had to face up to the reality of running with a head torch bouncing up and down on my head threatening to slowly saw through my ears. To avoid this I had the bright idea of putting the torch on my dog, this did little for my vision but meant I could at least keep track of the dog as we ran over the moor. As things got darker and I tripped over my third sheep I knew I had to get the torch back from the dog to see the final miles home, but when I took it from around his neck I realised it was covered in what felt like mud but was in fact confirmed to me by my nose as fox shit! So, I spent the last couple of miles home stumbling around in the dark smelling like a foxes arse, I knew I had been putting it off for a reason! ![]() After a day in the smoky treadmill that is london it was great to wake up back on Dartmoor to no wind and blue skies. Ran out to east mill tor and back, 200m of ascent over 5km, then back down again,10km total. I think I need another pair of trainers though as my one pair arent drying between runs and they got well soggy today. However, I would rather have soggy feet than have to do intervals on the escalator on the underground anyday!
![]() Woke up this morning with a beautiful blue sky day, took the dogs running across to Black Tor, then up to Fordsland Ledge and High Willhays and back via Yes Tor, West Mill and Rough Tors. Grass on the slopes of Yes Tor were frozen which meant the bog hopping was freezing on the feet! The views were stunning as you can see looking down towards Princetown with the little lump of Lints Tor down in the valley. Didn't see a soul! |
Race EasySwimming, biking and running in wild places Archives
February 2013
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