Something new for 2013?

Happy New Year. 2013 is bringing new challenges to look forward to.

I've been asked to join Team Krypton, so I shall be running the Runfurther races as a team member for the first time. You can rest assured that I will always give of my best even if I do end up bringing up the rear (I've seen the speed of the other team members!).

Coincidentally and somewhat annoyingly, this will be the first year in a while when I cannot take part in several of the Runfurther races because I'll be occupied with other challenges, principally a couple of Ultras in New Zealand and the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc.

Since a Runfurther Grand Slam is out of the question, an alternative Grand Slam I'd like to get my teeth into that's not affected by the foreign excursions is my local Hayfield Championship of 9 fell races. Doing that would rule out the Brecon 40, High Peak 40 and possibly the Calderdale Hike, which would leave just 6 out of 12 Runfurther races I could do. Without the Hayfield Championships I could force 9 Runfurther races, maximum.

It would be a real shame to miss the HP40 as it's one of my all-time favourite Ultras. The fell race it clashes with (Lantern Pike fell race) is not too far away from the route. I would have done both (one race within the other) if the timings hadn't been 3 hours adrift. Oh the dilemma.

Anyway, here's this year's tentative agenda:

06/01 Belle Vue Racers Hit The Trail 5mi.
13/01 Lamb's Longer Leg fell race 5k.
19/01 The Hebden 22mi.
26/01 Kinder Trial orienteering fell race >11mi.

02/02 Rombald Stride 23mi.
09/02 Anglezarke Amble 25mi.
17/02 Beacon Bash 21mi.
(Go away on business with a bit of pleasure/leisure on the side)

16/03 Tarawera Ultra 100k (New Zealand).
23/03 Te Houtaewa Challenge 63k (New Zealand).

(Return to Blighty)
13/04 Calderdale Hike 37mi.
14/04 Kinder Downfall fell race 10mi.
27/04 51st Fellsman 61mi.

04-06/05 Glossop 3-day running festival: Chunal 4mi. / Moorfield 5k / James's Thorn 5mi.
10-12/05 Race series: May Queen 3mi. / Mount Famine 5mi. / Lantern Pike Dash 1.2mi.
*DILEMMA* 11/05 Brecon 40mi.
25/05 Camel-Teign Ivor's Dream 100mi.

02/06 Northants Ultra 35mi.
08/06 Baslow Boot Bash 26mi.
23/06 Kinder Trog fell race 16mi.
29/06 Whaley Waltz fell race 5.5mi.

06/07 Osmotherley Phoenix 33mi.
13/07 White Peak Walk (as a run) 26mi.
26/07 Lakeland 100mi.

04/08 Dovedale Dipper 26mi.
07/08 Cracken Edge fell race 7mi.
10/08 Long Tour of Bradwell 33mi.
30/08 The North Face Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc 166km.

07/09 Bullock Smithy Hike (I wish but I can't).
21/09 Lantern Pike fell race 5mi.
*DILEMMA* 21/09 High Peak 40mi. Can I do both?

05/10 Wye Valley One Way 50mi.
19/10 Round Rotherham 50mi.
26/10 Snowdonia Marathon 26.2mi.

19/11 Six Dales Circuit 25mi.
24/11 Famous Grouse fell race 5.2mi.

01/12 Gravy Pud fell race 5mi.
08/12 Stockport 10mi.
21/12 Tour de Helvellyn 38mi.
29/12 Adlington Winter Warmer 10k.

Parkruns and additional fell races may be slotted in to stave off boredom and atrophy. Prior to UTMB, longer events with lots of climb may be added and substituted for essential training purposes.