Advent Blog 10th December: Andy Ford

Sticking with the theme of fellrunning again for another late posting. I wouldn't have done a Bob Graham Round if it hadn't been for Andy.  I first met him at the Long Duddon race, I think actually  on the way up the terribly named 'Little Stand ' climb. He knew some of my other running friends and we chattered away during and after the race. I continued to see him at races and I learned he was preparing for a BGR.
In spring 2015 we met at the start of the Teenager With Altitude race.  He was well into his BG prep and looking for an easy day out, so I suggested he pootle round with me. I had come to the race a bit unprepared,  I'd been offered someone's spare number.  I also wanted to take advantage of Andy's route knowledge ;) We had a really enjoyable day out and despite a lot of complaining and cursing, i surprised myself by getting round the tough course without major incident.
Andy completed his Bob Graham Round on 9th May 2015.
We chatted on messenger  and at some point he started suggesting I should do my own Round.  I say suggesting, it was more like heavy persuading and cajoling. I'd had it in mind since the beginning of the year but had sort of decided to wait. After Andy's encouragement, I thought seriously again, given that I was uninjured and as fit as I could hope to be. He gave me confidence in my abilities and helped me to think about the logistics of the day. He was a constant source of encouragement whenever I expressed worries. On the day , Andy supported me on legs 3 and 4, which was where I knew I would need the most help. He didn't disappoint - keeping my spirits up when I knew I was behind my schedule and always looking out for me. He was so committed , he ran the final leg with me too.
Here's to you Andy; Bob Graham enthusiast, excellent supporter and a fine athlete. I'm looking forward to hearing what you get up to next. 

Advent Blog 11 December : James Rebanks, the Herdy Shepherd

Another character from Twitter. My favourite breed of sheep has always been the Herdwick, which is what first made me follow him @herdyshepherd1. I loved tweets about the working days, months and year of a shepherd in the Lakes, reading them usually on the train or at the start or end of another day on the hamster wheel of office life. He also spoke eloquently about the need for greater understanding of the contribution people like himself make to the landscape, history, economy and culture of the Lake District.

Follow him on Twitter if you want to learn fascinating details about sheep farming, see some lovely pictures and be charmed by his simple, self deprecating yet proud writing. If you , like me, are hooked, buy his book and learn the life story of the man behind the @.
He has made me stop and think more deeply about the landscape which is often my playground, and given me a greater understanding of the livelihoods and struggles which shape it.

Advent Blog 9th December: Matt Dawson

Matt is the reason I am a fellrunner. I met him when I lived in South Manchester, through his partner Lou who I knew through the WI. He invited me to come on a training run with him. When I met him to start our run on the roads round Glossop, he'd already been out for two or three hours on the hills; I was gobsmacked that he had such stamina. After a couple of runs on roads and trails together, he encouraged me to try a fell run. He went out of his way to arrange to meet me from the station at Edale, and off we went. I was hooked after this one run. Not just because I enjoyed the feeling of being out in the hills and moors I loved to hike in, but because I felt supported and encouraged by him. It was after this that I decided to begin running regularly on the fells with Glossopdale Harriers, with whom I now train and compete.

I knew Matt had been further pursuing his passion for the outdoors and gaining experience as a Mountain Leader and I was pleased to see him developing a small business providing his services to the public. It was on a trip to the Highlands of Scotland further developing his skills, that he had a terrible accident which left him facing a long rehabilitation in hospital. His recovery and return to the outdoors is an inspiration in itself, but I will always think of him as a proper funny bloke from Leek, the spark who lit the flame, spurring me onto my great adventures in the hills and fells. 

Advent Blog 8th December: Kathryn Bertine

I'm a big fan of pro cycling. I love to watch the Grand Tours on TV, and like nothing better than to dissect the tactics and the stories with friends. I'm ashamed to say it took me a while to question where the female events were, to wonder why they weren't being shown on TV. Kathryn Bertine's excellent film Half the Road opened my eyes to the world of the women's peloton and encouraged me to seek out coverage of the big events. Woefully, some of these are still not screened on TV and can only be followed on social media (see @_pigeons_) or via specialist cycling news sites. The film isn't as preachy as you'd think it might be - it has a snappy pace and is very witty. It features some excellent interviews with pro female cyclists as well as other sportswomen. What struck me is how humble the riders were, how they weren't boiling with anger (and when they were, how funny and polite they were with it)

I've always been forthcoming when standing up for equality for both genders and this film stoked my fire and made me more aware of how one of my favourite sports needed to get its act together. Since its release, some progress has been made though there is still some way to go.  La Course by le Tour, and the Womens Tour of Britain are examples which have been adopted by the mainstream media.

Thanks Kathryn for showing me the way :)

Advent Blog 7 December: Aleks Kashefi

I shivered a little before getting into bed, and then thought of Aleks. He's been sleeping outdoors in the European winter, for the majority of the time during the past few months, so I should count myself lucky.
Aleks is running the length of Europe. I shan't try to explain why, have a read of his blog if you are interested. If you are impressed, donate to his cause, or help in whatever way you can.

I spied a chap in a big woolly hat and no shoes at a fell race a while back, and stared a bit, and then stopped staring. I mean, why not? It wasn't that bad a hat. I followed his journey later that year , from Lands End to John o Groats ,via social media and his blog and realised I liked his style. I liked his honesty and his direct way of writing. Earlier this year, he mentioned he'd like to run hills near Glossop so I arranged to meet him. Along with a few club mates I enjoyed a few hours in his company running over familiar paths on Bleaklow. He's energetic, gregarious,  humble and all too human. I confirmed that I definitely like his style, and his amazing downhill running technique in sandals.

This blog post of his is one of my favourites, written as he finished his job as a teacher and prepared to set out on his greatest adventure yet. His will to inspire young minds is laudable.

Hope that you're reading this Aleks, may the wind be always at your back. 

Advent Blog 6th December: Dr Ben Goldacre

Another Guardian newspaper inspired post today. That publication has a lot to answer for.
Dr Ben Goldacre's Bad Science column was the last vestige of my scientific past to linger on into my cultural life as a twentysomething. I have a degree in Biochemistry, not that you'd believe it.
However, Dr Goldacre's writing has had an effect in me reaching much further than science. His book also titled 'Bad Science'  is a cracking, witty and thought-provoking read. His message and campaign for evidence based decision making stands as a lesson on how we should all think.
What I take from his approach is: Challenge what is put in front of you, don't be a sheep. Ask questions, find proof and you will end up better placed to argue, to believe, or to trust what you see, hear and read. In this day of fake news and social media, it's as important as ever to question and to be a critical thinker.

Footnote: His column once mentioned some research my Dad had commissioned for Boots, to investigate the No7 'Protect and Perfect' product which he was working on at the time. I was immeasurably proud. He didn't rip Dad and his team's work to shreds either.

Advent Blog 5th December: Gerda from the Snow Queen

I loved reading Hans Christian Andersen stories as a girl. I read from what I saw as an old-fashioned edition (it didn't have many pictures) of his tales. They appealed to me because they were different from other stories I read. They were,  well, dark. they weren't happy ever after and princesses with big eyes and twinkly dresses. They were visceral tales of mishap and misfortune, and people getting what they deserved.
Gerda in the Snow Queen struck me as a proper heroine. She endured any amount of peril and discomfort in a wintry world, so that she could rescue her friend Kay from the clutches of the evil Queen. I think my protective feelings for my baby brother drew me to the story.
She carried on, and she didn't give up. she did it for someone she cared about. she could be an example to us all.

Footnote : my baby brother grew up to be an actor and appeared as Kay in a lovely production of the Snow Queen in Leeds in 2008. I think I had something in my eye whilst watching, thankfully not enchanted glass.