
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 Went running in the snow yesterday and today from East Okement farm up the military track to Okement Hill. Well above the freezing level so still loads of snow here as it has almost gone from my place just above Okehampton. Great conditions, clear and not too deep (apart from the drifts) on the tracks, light winds and views for miles. Nice to have dry feet for a change!
Paul. Distance: 8.3km Height: 200m ![]() Finally some sunshine! while Maddie and Jay headed for Cornwall's highest point in the Brown Willy fell run this morning I headed up to High Willhays, Devon's highest point for my first run of 2013. Mud, water and even a little snow made the going pretty interesting but the views on top were amazing. Didn't hang around though as it was freezing in the wind, you can get an idea of how windy from the video below. Plenty of people about but no runners, where were you all? Anyway, steep hills, wild views, mud, snow, wind, what more could want! Awesome start to 2013! Distance: 11km Height gained: 400m Went for a bike n run today, rode up the track towards Yes Tor, ditched the bike near the top and ran the rest of the way. Stiff breeze on top, gale force 6 as you can see from the reading on my mobile canine olfactory anenometer (dog's ears). Got back on the bike and continued across the ridge to High Willhays then went off piste down to Dinger Tor, no knee deep powder but lots of knee deep peat bog, not great for riding.
Eventually got back on the track then headed for home...8km downhill dirt track!! that's what I'm talking bout! Distance: Bike - 12km Run - 2km Height gained: 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! ![]() 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! |
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February 2013
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