Angus's first Rugby match

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Originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth

Last Sunday morning Angus played his first game of rugby for Okehampton under 7s at Sidmouth. Predictably he looked and seemed very much at home, planty of tackles and commitment, despite him being nearly a whole school year behind most of the team. Pictures here....

8th Three Peaks bike race .....

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Originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth

Last Sunday I completed my 8th 3 peaks bike race and on balance I am pretty pleased with how I did. It was a glorious sunny day and this year for this first time ever I managed not to over eat the previous 24 hours, and started out from Helwith Bridge on a bowl of Shreddies and an energy gel! Friends Trev and Leanne had impressed on me the importance of not starting too fast and I used a wrist pulse meter to make sure I kept my maximum below 165 – if I go beyond this I tend to build up lactic acid and pay for it later in the race. Basically it worked, I did not panic on the starting road section and was happy to let others race away. When the steep side of Simon’s Fell kicked in I seemed to claw back places, enjoying clambering up the steep slope whilst others queued by the fence. At the top I lost about 5 minutes waiting for the large race field to cross the style, briefly saying hello to Leanne, who seemed somewhat shaken and upset about her partner’s misfortune at the start (follow the links above for their stories). I got to the top of Ingleborough in 1 hour 10 and to Cold Coates in 1.25, to grab a bottle off my stalwart support Mum. Onward, past Ingleton (photographed here by colleague and track-side resident Harry Pinkerton – thanks Harry) to Whernside, when a bouncing and enthusiastic Tigger Trev caught and passed me, having recovered from his injury on the start line. I made the summit in 2.33 and descended, somewhat frustrated by how many riders seem to be carrying their bikes downhill and blocking an otherwise eminently rideable route. There did seem to be a lot of ‘traffic’ this year. At Ribblehead I grabbed a welcome bottle of carb drink and gel again from Mum, briefly stopping to pick it up again after dropping it at the cattle grid, onward down the road, passing mate Andrew Talbot to climb Pen-y-Ghent. I definitely slowed here, nothing dramatic but the fight seemed to go from my legs. Interestingly, I could still get my pulse up to 165, but the power output was way down. I recall the unpleasant sticky fingers from the leaking gel as I slogged up the track. I hate those gels and I really dislike the after affects of the stickiness, but they do seem to work. Reaching the top in 4.13 (it took me 1 hour 40 from the top of Wherneside and this was quite poor in relation to the rest of the ride, and others). Descending without incident, the last couple of miles along the road I hooked up with a guy who was super strong and we took it in turns to dig hard, my pulse nearing 170 as I rested the final rise (when he dropped me). Great to get to the finish, I recovered easily this year, no cramp at all, probably as a result of all the ‘astronaut drinks’ that are so good nowadays. It took me 4 hours and 41 minutes, my 3rd fastest time and 15 minutes slower than my personal best of 1999. I cannot complain although I would like to improve on my PB of 4.25 one day and I have a dream of doing less than 4 hours, which will probably be only achieved if I lose another 2 stone. In the words of my friend Roger Ebner “Pretty good, only 5 minutes lost for each child you have brought up since 1999”. A good perspective from a fellow father of three! Thanks to my Mum for her support on the day and to Anne, Matthew, Angus and Helen for supporting me whilst I indulged in the training this summer. Will be back!

Here are the results and split times.

Summary of my event times over the years:
2008 - 4:41:29
2006 - 4.48.09
2005 - 4.31.14
2004 - 5.17.07
2000 - 4.46.32
1999 - 4.25.45
1998 - 5.09.31
1996 DNF injury
1995 DNF mechanical
1994 - 4.54.46 (major mechanical delays)

Late September sunshine

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Originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth

I came back from Lancaster on Thursday and enjoyed a day off yesterday in the Sun. Helen helped Anne and Heather prepare a dragon's head for the Beaver parade, whilst this image shows Helen Angus and I squeezed in the Wendy House (more here). It is the the 3 peaks tommorow so I am up north again today....

Angus unleashed....

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Originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth

Last week Angus started playing rugby for Okehampton under 7s and 2 years watching and learning his older brother on the touch line paid off..... it was like unleashing a torrent of talent and pent up passion. He scored a try in his inaugural match and did the same in his second session today - caught on camera. Here are the images taken in the Indian summer sun today and some shots of the try. Well done Angus - I feel the future looks good for you in this sport you seemed very natural....(although I am a little biased!). Dad

Helen starts pre-school

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Originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth

This September our lovely daughter started pre school and was jolly chuffed to do so! Here are some pictures of Helen taken recently including an image with the brothers as they entered years 4 and 1. Well done Helen!

Bike races for all......

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Originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth

On Sunday the 3 Haygarth males - me, Angus and Matt - all did the South West Cyclo Cross Race at Bodmin. Angus and Matt were first timers. Angus put in a brave performance as 5 year old in the U 12s race and Matthew won the under tens. The picture shows Matthew receiving his gold medal and other pictures - in fact loads of pictures - can be seen here. Grandma also came along to shout support from here deck chair! Milestones!