A busy weekend

Ready for the Carnival
Originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth.

This weekend was consumed by parental duties, rugby training Friday night, costume making on Saturday morning, the village carnival parade on Saturday afternoon. All of ours won second prizes! On Sunday Matthew took part in his first march of tag Rugby at Sidmouth - and nearly scored a try!

Party tea

Party tea
Originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth.

On Thursday we had friends round to celebrate Angus's birthday. It was a sunny October day, reminding me of a similar day when he was brought home from the hospital 4 years ago, and also his 1st birthday at Sourton (click here). We had romps in the garden - and I got some good light for pictures (click here). Angus was delighted to absorb the attention of his friends, as you can see this so evidently in the video clip of the 'happy birthday song' (click here). A happy birthday indeed! Dad

Helen sees her first elephant

Helen sees her first Elephant
Originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth.

And click on the photo for more.....

Monkey-mess

It's half term this week and today we are off to Paignton Zoo. You can come too. It's a bit rainy but I plan to take the camera so I hope to show you how we get on. Helen seems to be a bit lively in the botty department actually, so it could get messy. Anne is off to Waitrose to get some emergency naps - we are going through them like hot cakes at the moment, pooh. Better go.

Early signs?

Dave descending whernside
Originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth.

Click on Uncle Dave’s picture in the recent 3 Peaks to see how birthday-boy Angus demonstrates early tendencies of following in his Uncle’s footsteps! Dad

Angus is 4

Angus is 4
Originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth.

Today our lovely boy Angus turned 4. Click on the photo to reveal more pictures of birthday boy with his brother and sister. Mum and Dad xx

A trip to Norway

Exploring the palace
Originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth.

Helen and Anne joined me on a 2-night trip to Oslo Monday-Wednesday, whilst Grandma stayed at home with Matthew and Angus. We had some quality one-to-one time with the one-in-pink. It was a simple but much enjoyable time; we walked around the city, enjoyed our hotel and, whilst I had a meeting at the University, Anne and Helen explored the palace. Thanks Grandma for allowing us the chance. Click on Helen to see the full set of pictures.

Posh and Becks spotted outside the shop in South Zeal

Posh and Becks spotted outside the shop in South Zeal
Originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth.

Or Mark and Sarah visit us from New Zealand on Friday! It was the first time we have seen them since March 2001 when Matthew was a baby and Angus and Helen were all-but glints in the eye. A great 20 hours - a walk around the village, picking up Matthew from school, a few pints at the Taw River Inn and a meal with an overnight stay. Until the next time! Click on Posh and Becks to view the set.

After

After
Originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth.

Well, I know that many of you have been just itching to read this blog to find out how I did. ha ha! It was not all that bad in the end, actually considering my erratic and diverted preparation strategy I was quite pleased with my time, ca 4 hours 48 minutes, almost balanced exactly between worst time and best ever times (2004, 5 hours 17 and 1999, 4 hours 25). I started for the first time as a veteran that meant I was 30 minutes up on the seniors, I felt ok on the road until the turn to Gill Garth (+ 15 minutes) where I went into the red, and paid for it for a while after. This happened almost certainly because I never got to interval training in my last couple of weeks, due to the afore-blogged virus. hey ho. I gasped and grunted up the steep fell side and (after a brief pee just over the style - I drank too much water in the morning note!) Made my way steadily over the summit of Ingleborough (+ 1 h 08) until I reached Cold Cotes (+ 1 hour 30). On the descent my tool kit burst open and I lost a minute or two fumbling around for essentials before realising it was futile task. After changing tool kits with my support team (Angus, Helen, Matthew, Grandma and Anne) I settled into a reasonably strong road section to the Hill Inn. I missed seeing Rob Jebb pass, it may have been whilst descending Ingleborough. The first big bunch with Nick Craig in my flowed passed effortlessly around White Scar Caves. I shared the effort and company with Graham Robson (Hull Thursday RC) and gulped a coke handed out by Tolly (bad move - too early in the race) before I was passed by my brother in the second group just before the pre-Whernside drinks station. At this stage Dave was around about 10th and I nearly blew a gasket seeing how well he was doing (I had hoped to make the top of the 2nd fell until I suffered the indignity of being caught by my 30 minute-brother – he danced ahead with his bike on his back). Whernside (top at + 2 h 25) seemed a longer slog this year and I rode across the top in heavy rain, followed by a reasonably flowing descent picking my way between the rocks and finding the best route generally to the left of the slabs. I seemed to make up a lot of positions here and was surprised at how often people walked when they could so easily have stayed on the bike. Someone caught a great snap of me (and others) descending Blea Moor here, in a cheeky bit of short cut that my brother had previously explained me. I always enjoy the final descent to the Ribblehead to the right of the steps. Richard Bardgett caught some good pictures at the stage. After grabbing a bottle from the crew (+ 3 h) I had a very strong road ride to Horton where I (unnecessarily) grabbed another bottle from Katie (+ 3 h 25). I seemed to slip into go slow up Pen-y-Ghent but was inspired with the emerging sunshine near the top. After laving the lane, Dave and Trev passed me descending near the bottom of the hill-proper. It took me a shameful hour to reach the top (+4.25). Pleased to descend, I settled into it and raced down, thwarted by a front puncture half way down the track Richard Bardgett caught some more good snaps here). I rode on the rim for about 10 minutes until I made the road and my trusty team of support swapped my bike for the last roll into Helwith. Anne got a good picture here too. Nutrition wise I eat a load of pasta the night before (not too much) and some shredded wheat on the day of the race, plus an energy bar and a few bites of malt loaf. I reckon I eat and drank too much before the start this year - I never ate a thing except liquid carbo at the 2 drink stations. The malt loaf I had prepared was a bad choice and I hated it, just could not get it over. Tip for next year; rely on liquid carb singly and carry one or 2 gels as back up. Do not eat too much on the morning. Other notable times were my brother c 3 h 25, Trev ca. 4 h, Leanne ca. 4. 40, Carl about a minute or 2 behind me and Simon P ca 5.15. The day is always great fun but if I want to improve my time I need to lose another stone and ride more – the question is whether or not I can afford the time with the family? But all-in-all it is still worth it and great fun. Probably see you next year! Thanks for your support everyone.

See results at http://www.ukresults.net/2006/3peaks.html
See pictures at http://www.flickr.com/photos/philhaygarth/tags/race06/