Last Bob Graham expedition of the season

So on Saturday I offered to help Dave Spencer on leg 3 of his Bob Graham attempt, along with Simon and Kev as co support runners and, having seen from his on-line tracker that Dave was whizzing along when I got up at 4:45 am on Saturday morning, I crammed down some porridge and a cup of tea, grabbed my stuff (and Harry) and swiftly drove over to Dunmail Raise. I think I got there just before 7 am with Dave then soon appearing over the crest of Seat Sandal and, before I could say Jack Robinson, we were hacking our way up Steel Fell and on our way. To be honest I wasn't absolutely sure how I'd feel doing 16 pretty tough miles over leg 3 just a week after my successful BG but as it turned out I felt okay (whereas tonight on a 3.5 mile run I felt completely crap!).

Dave also was going along well although I did suspect he'd over cooked things on his first leg, doing it in an extremely fast time of 3 hours 36 minutes or thereabouts. That said everybody has their own strengths and weaknesses and Dave seemed to be going along strong, at least to begin with. Later on in the leg though his right knee began seizing up and, as time went on, things went from bad to worse and although Dave pushed on to visit all the peaks on the leg and get down to Wasdale he knew it was all over and called it a day. Still a Fantastic effort and a good run out for me and Harry too. And Simon and Kev obviously with some top notch navigation from Simon all the way round. The weather was foggy and damp though so a bit rubbish for photos:

Leg 3 in all its glory - Dunmail far right and Wasdale far left with 15 peaks in between

Dave (on the right) taking on water and pain killers after Harrison Stickle with Simon (left)

Kev and Harry er..... somewhere (just before Pike O'Stickle)

Bob Grahaming has been completely brilliant this year and, flicking back through my blog, on top of Saturday's outing, I've put in some great Bobajobbing:

Leg 1 in a blizzard 13th January

Leg 3 as far as Bowfell and an ice wall climb 2nd February

Leg 2 as far as Stybarrow Dodd and back in Arctic conditions 31st March

3 days of BG recce's in May - leg 3, 2 and 1 all in high winds and freezing torrential rain

Leg 4 supporting Stef's successful BGR in beautiful sunshine 8th June

Failed anti-clockwise attempt with Gav in atrocious weather 22nd June

Leg 4 supporting Adnan's successful BGR in beautiful sunshine 10th August

Leg 1 in the pissing rain with Carol 17th August

Bob Graham nailed 13th/14th September

Roll on next year with lots of Bob Graham running in good and bad weather and, of course, mine and Gav's next attempt at an anti-clockwise BGR in June!