FELL RUNNING ... ITS GOOD FOR YOUR SOUL

Sometimes myself and my great mate and NFR teammate Stevey Matthews reflect on how much fell running gets a hold of you, sorts your head out and how a simple run around Windy Gyle or Yetholm Fell race routes can leave you feeling on top of the world for the rest of the day. In 2011 I have done some brutally tough fell races in bleak conditions, but moments like coming out the clouds descending Snowdon at breakneck speed on the Peris Horsehoe, climbing the steps of Great Gable when the quads are burning badly with lactic acid or in a tough 5 man battle to win the Chevy Chase live with you forever. Every fell runner at some point or other perhaps when been 'pebble-dashed' by horizontal hail on a bleak Cumbrian mountain top has thought "Why oh Why do I put myself through this?". The answer is, you grit your teeth because it's a test of character and in a strange sort of way actually enjoy it. Some of the best moments of my life have been sitting in a pub with a well deserved pint of Guinness with my fellow Nutters ... sorry fell runners, usually very close to a radiator getting circulation back in my hands/feet reflecting on how much fun it was descending down a boggy hillside soaked to the bone freezing in a 60mph headwind.

Have a Great 2012 my NFR teammates and look forward to many more great times with you all.

Gary Jones