Hardly AC - Dodd

summit of Dodd

Last week's Hardly AC run was on favourite training ground of Dodd Wood.  It started with a continuous climb for a mile up to the area called Long Doors.  Stephen lead the way and I just managed to hang on his shoulder for the mile before walking the very last bit.  Everyone made it up, it's great to see some of the new fell/trail runners getting into the hill climbs.  From here we turned off towards Dodd summit.  I thought about trying to run to the top but I think I had burnt my matches on the initial climb so was reduced to a walk on the final steep bit.  After the usual dorking around on top, we took the path back down to Long Doors, turning to the right at the end coming around the south side of the fell.  We picked up the St Bega Ultra track through the woods (although we did miss out a bit of it further on) down the road.  We ran along the road back towards the start, picking up a forest track (not the one I thought it was but turned out ok) which took us up and around The Calvert Trust and on to the car park.  One last tiny bit of trail and back to the car.  A great little route, 5.5 miles.  Some good speed work and hill training on different terrain than our usual runs.

Jonathan on the long climb up to Long Doors.  Bassenthwaite Lake behind