Coniston Old Man - Guided Fell Running
Recently we were contacted to help out with some trail running and race preparation. Naturally we were glad to be of help and hatched a plan. The route in question is the 'Lakeland Trails' Coniston 15km Trail Race. Not a route we already have experience of, but we do know the terrain well.
After telephone discussions and when meeting Lynne, it was established that some tougher and more technical terrain could be of help, so a route was quickly put together and plenty of flexibility built in for any last minute changes required.
We set off from Coniston and aimed for Levers Water, much of this section is on wide tracks and makes for easy, if sometimes steep running. The first more technical section came as we ascended by the big waterfalls of Levers Water Beck.
It was already becoming clear that Lynne would take the rocky sections in her stride. From Levers Water we ran through Boulder Valley, another tricky section, to pass by The Pudding Stone. From here we had a birds eve view of the Trail race route.
From here we continued up to Low Water before taking a break. The water in the tarn was wonderfully refreshing and the views sublime. From here we had a good view of the route up to the summit of Coniston Old Man. Lynne was keen to go for it and include the top, it only took us about 18 minutes to be standing up there and enjoying even better and more far reaching views. It was plenty busy with walkers and a couple of other runners.
We began our descent with nice and gentle terrain and did some off-path too to get on the soft grass. This took us easily down to Goat's Hause. Back on the technical and rocky slopes to gain the shores of Goat's Water, all the while admiring the impressive Dow Crag to our right. Next up is Walna Scar and a pleasant and mostly easy downhill back into Coniston.
With wide variety of terrain types covered and strategies considered for each type, Lynne was feeling pretty relaxed and prepared for her forthcoming race. We wish Lynne and all the competitors the best of luck.
It's been fantastic to be out guiding on fell runs, something Kate has done many times, but still a new area for me. I'm hoping for more of it. For more about our Guided Fell and Trail running see here
Thanks for reading
Mark
