tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20980037522777202092024-03-14T01:49:53.880-07:00Challenge StuA blog about running quite a long way.Stuart Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030293946147955184noreply@blogger.comBlogger198125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2098003752277720209.post-76071272503437444102023-05-03T14:57:00.003-07:002023-05-03T15:07:19.300-07:00The irony of trees<p><u><b>Friday:</b> Running on Dartmoor.<br /></u>Risks: Stuff to fall off, fall over, get stuck in, get lost in, get bitten by, lose my shoes in, or be arrested for being too close to.</p><p><u><b>Monday:</b> Trimming a couple of overhanging trees in the garden.<br /></u>Risks: A few spiky bits of branch.</p><p>So if one of them was going to cause an infection and make me totally useless for 48 hours (and counting), obviously it'd be the bloody trees. The reason I am writing this at all is that I must keep my left foot above my hips, which makes life very boring. So thanks for reading this, writing it has kept me sane for a few hours at least.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZq_Io5noX4IKmdms5FkLDouW_bxqy16xgbzgD5qPjbkeEMpcqtSFHJIdexNM127GK31FIIcLQa-0mclcuLqyuoFf0YCcNoUsWHSSLxE0qek6UrVNO30zS-5I6IY2ClHZBhVDuhKKZHVOPZq6C22Me9WzZ4jOgd7pl2cYd7y7cXDdjqH_40lQE1vP/s4160/20230503_185034.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZq_Io5noX4IKmdms5FkLDouW_bxqy16xgbzgD5qPjbkeEMpcqtSFHJIdexNM127GK31FIIcLQa-0mclcuLqyuoFf0YCcNoUsWHSSLxE0qek6UrVNO30zS-5I6IY2ClHZBhVDuhKKZHVOPZq6C22Me9WzZ4jOgd7pl2cYd7y7cXDdjqH_40lQE1vP/s320/20230503_185034.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Right, enough whinging: Dartmoor! I'm starting to love it. I had a totally fantastic day up there during the cold weather in December and would've broken the unsupported record, but I missed one tiny Tor. Still a <a href="https://challengestu.blogspot.com/2022/12/dartmoor-in-winter-part-deux.html" target="_blank">wonderful day </a>though - and a lot more photogenic than this time.</p><p>The 500s is a challenge which involves visiting all the Tors over 500m, as per the list in Ken Ringwood's Dartmoor's Tors and Rocks book, from the Warren House Inn. After running 15:13 last time, I knew that even with adding the missing Tor (a couple of minutes at the most) I should be trying for the 15:10 record set by Jack Edwards in 2021.</p><p>I left home at 5 and left the Warren House a bit after 7:30. The forecast was foggy to start, then dry but not particularly sunny, which was correct. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsXYSVoTtNk0VXwU25h86IhOAdrXrT_dVTqTBMAcUA5PrbPh9hFxpCYawXYjH00ieeA6svD-lJ7oCAmtBqebQ72Oqv978_w1uErCCzdV_xNLmVXMwU_u4nKn_tTY8iwqjNN_Yr_qnF-il81PftfZEjFTXLWNWXTD04OsANiN8ZTyecPp9CSV9heZjs/s4160/20230428_072114.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsXYSVoTtNk0VXwU25h86IhOAdrXrT_dVTqTBMAcUA5PrbPh9hFxpCYawXYjH00ieeA6svD-lJ7oCAmtBqebQ72Oqv978_w1uErCCzdV_xNLmVXMwU_u4nKn_tTY8iwqjNN_Yr_qnF-il81PftfZEjFTXLWNWXTD04OsANiN8ZTyecPp9CSV9heZjs/s320/20230428_072114.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>I forgot to check the ranges the night before, but quickly checked them before leaving home and was relieved to see no firing on any. This was clearly explained once I got going and saw Army chaps on every big Tor and helicopters coptering around all day - turns out it was Ten Tors the day after. Disaster narrowly averted!</p><p>I only had two timechecks, about 4 hours at Cosdon Beacon and about 10 hours at Princetown. This time I was sticking to the official route, so no detours off to Whitehorse Hill. I hoped I would be well under 4 hours by Codson. It didn't start well.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYBRXmr9-7Ewx7qnx9klR4cuefGJs7wUuvNxllRNKERDGFcXtYpov-IflMMtu4hHMUhBd8JBmZX6cd5AfGgzszCnXBLAFvP-sa9fh_YGMuaba62k_14ef5MvDevosgLma3ZMelkEH7B3IgWbnsLe6PYhuk2LlqwlXZJI67XDfhaldpP81TxJrBLzV/s4160/20230429_095423.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYBRXmr9-7Ewx7qnx9klR4cuefGJs7wUuvNxllRNKERDGFcXtYpov-IflMMtu4hHMUhBd8JBmZX6cd5AfGgzszCnXBLAFvP-sa9fh_YGMuaba62k_14ef5MvDevosgLma3ZMelkEH7B3IgWbnsLe6PYhuk2LlqwlXZJI67XDfhaldpP81TxJrBLzV/s320/20230429_095423.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>I should've taken longer to get myself sorted out before leaving the Warren House, but I wanted to give myself as much daylight as possible later. Anyway, it took me a few miles to get myself sorted and get my bearings!</p><p>After I got into the navigation things started to go a little better, but I lost a lot of time on the way to Cosdon. In the end I made it there for 4:02. Not glorious but it was still possible, if I got on with it. I won't drone on about every last tussock, particularly as I don't have any photos, but I had a tasty lunch of cheese and lettuce wrap going up Yes Tor, which was nice. Next comes one of the twisty bits over Steng-a-tor, Kitty Tor, Hunt, Gren, Little Links, the Dunna Goats and Green Tor. There's some pretty shoddy terrain in these sections. Charlie has explained a little about the Molinia grass problems on the moor to me in the days since, but at this point all I knew was that there are a heck of a lot of massive tussocks. Proper leg-swallowers in places.</p><p>After the long drag down to Lynch Tor things improve slightly, then after Great and Little Mis you are treated to a delightful track. This time I avoided the disastrous wrong line that saw me floundering near Rundlestone (surely that's a folk song somewhere), and decided to avoid the hard track up to the mast and used the footpath, which I would recommned. I remember checking my watch as I crossed the road and realising it was exactly the busiest time of day, so that was just before 5pm, 9:09 from the start. This meant I made it to Princetown before 9:30, which was pretty exciting! It was OOOOOOOOOOONN! But only just, and I'd need to not mess up that final run in like last time.</p><p>Out of Princetown there's a couple of miles of road to Two Bridges, from where we turn up towards the Beardown Tors. At the top of the farm track I encountered the cows that are often there, but they were in a good mood and before too long I was on the Beardowns. Another twisty bit to take in Lydford, Conies Down, Rough Tor, Devil's Tor and Crow Tor. The down and up between Conies Down and Devil's Tors is tough at this point but went well this time. Then the missing one from last time (Little Whiten), a few others and a loop round some more rough ground to join the track to Postbridge.</p><p>At Postbridge I felt positive about the record. I passed through at 12:19 and hoped I could get back within a couple of hours. I reckoned 1 hour to the bottom, 30 mins up and 30 mins down... The run in to the bottom of the Hameldowns was a long drag. At the end this time I cut the corner. I'm not sure it's worth it. Finally, the lovely Hameldowns! Beacon was reached in 13:48, then the Tor took ages to arrive as usual but eventually I was descending. I slowed right down towards the end to avoid the quarry disaster of last time. I still found the paths really confusing and nearly went wrong a few times, but by keeping a bearing for the pub I survived. Back to the Warren House in 14:32:29. Woohoo!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO5q23JLc6FXaUwv2YzrH0X_NtVj25lQvA0cZJG8xOrogmBzYdSSNIaerR0jBxjfiEzD72R5_J3Q4F8d_CSBU7I6gFckgPdw18uvYC_2RB6YqX-miQWrmfdXbctddK-5lAiUrDwZcUQepN9Gc-zyWa_iT0fseeIH58czMVMO0o9R3KoGssjZYlD_B_/s2560/20230428_222719.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="2560" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO5q23JLc6FXaUwv2YzrH0X_NtVj25lQvA0cZJG8xOrogmBzYdSSNIaerR0jBxjfiEzD72R5_J3Q4F8d_CSBU7I6gFckgPdw18uvYC_2RB6YqX-miQWrmfdXbctddK-5lAiUrDwZcUQepN9Gc-zyWa_iT0fseeIH58czMVMO0o9R3KoGssjZYlD_B_/s320/20230428_222719.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I do think with better lines there's probably a chunk to take off that, but I'd probably need to be supported by people who know where there's a trod and where you just have to take a bearing across the tussocks. At the end I was quickly freezing, but warmed up in the car and after a nap I headed home.</p><p>I was sad not to be at the Fellsman this year (Congratulations Oli on another great win!) but this was a worthy alternative. It's a really tough route but I do enjoy it and would encourage you to give it a go. Be careful if it's really wet, some of the river crossings can get a little dodgy.</p><p>Right, time for my antibiotics...</p>Stuart Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030293946147955184noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2098003752277720209.post-10644649252315112132023-03-13T14:39:00.026-07:002023-03-13T14:58:51.414-07:00The full MordorCornwall's north coast is generally more rugged and spiky than it's south coast, and way out west there's a section so remote and spectacular that my friend Tom calls it Mordor.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilNC1aSlyCBVHLreDUXgByZT1YTwwXW7OafDHSSjWN3pMSXPODZoywzuXNfC1QRKSTXGFO4AqmFMgltlI0lsZfaRrbvJvmLmihWG37klVdqRYmrinZzaqfJq1qJa1aAsjJgAYE0HUqJIy31uzU5mBVLpkAx5Fz7_9bIpqc-pdi_bVN53JChNn4F_vR/s1970/mordor.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="623" data-original-width="1970" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilNC1aSlyCBVHLreDUXgByZT1YTwwXW7OafDHSSjWN3pMSXPODZoywzuXNfC1QRKSTXGFO4AqmFMgltlI0lsZfaRrbvJvmLmihWG37klVdqRYmrinZzaqfJq1qJa1aAsjJgAYE0HUqJIy31uzU5mBVLpkAx5Fz7_9bIpqc-pdi_bVN53JChNn4F_vR/w400-h126/mordor.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>This section of spectacular beauty, despair and impending doom is the location for the Cousin Jack race. There are two races: The Classic race (St Just to St Ives) and the Ultra (St Ives to Cape Cornwall and back). Both races took place last Saturday and I was entered in the Ultra, thanks to a very kind lady called Karen who won the entry in a raffle but didn't fancy the race (whaaaaaaat?!). Greg and Phil who I'd recce'd with were in for the Classic (sadly Phil didn't start due to a hand injury) along with Ed and Connor from Falmouth.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMOwKXWUv3apG5o4Kyx-Of3mTMhQDiD_JiLmFB7d0TcHRsM8qApSUDd-g-mWpg-WTuv8vhA-ivDd0XWgCdnscbPwrhUfRDA_imbIVl8AiUh20HjKXYpo6EafRhNTcAnz2URDnenG4cBIaX6UTZGgBt3nrM06yhayS-QPZnGFHjHcKzWif9QoBdOUT/s4160/DSC_0282.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMOwKXWUv3apG5o4Kyx-Of3mTMhQDiD_JiLmFB7d0TcHRsM8qApSUDd-g-mWpg-WTuv8vhA-ivDd0XWgCdnscbPwrhUfRDA_imbIVl8AiUh20HjKXYpo6EafRhNTcAnz2URDnenG4cBIaX6UTZGgBt3nrM06yhayS-QPZnGFHjHcKzWif9QoBdOUT/s320/DSC_0282.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greg and Phil on a recce</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>I had three songs stuck in my head all day, which is an improvement on the usual one line!</div><div><br /></div><div>The first was the Arctic Monkeys - <i>I'm going back to 505, if it's a 7 hour flight or a 45 minute drive... </i>I don't know what 505 means, but I drove 45 minutes to get there and I hoped for a 7 hour flight.</div><div>I'd left home at an ungodly hour to drive arrive on the startline fed, watered and registered ready for 5:30. It was chilly but I stuck to my (unimpressive) guns and went for short sleeves. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGeTSBocE2rG6LFtG2D98iE40x6QuO3Mwa0iEVqnTT4cMUHaMET8NB-fi0VD9N9-BZ8NBA9NrYbxWhNnTVQcaIDzwXJiDVoHjycbmYV8b69nOJT8M3OVYS7XhvF2lYTQD1Iedvcy6HEXb8BxyGK1QqQei3emkkgAcmJxwyDSrO3WKoctAyy09vRNXm/s2048/leader.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGeTSBocE2rG6LFtG2D98iE40x6QuO3Mwa0iEVqnTT4cMUHaMET8NB-fi0VD9N9-BZ8NBA9NrYbxWhNnTVQcaIDzwXJiDVoHjycbmYV8b69nOJT8M3OVYS7XhvF2lYTQD1Iedvcy6HEXb8BxyGK1QqQei3emkkgAcmJxwyDSrO3WKoctAyy09vRNXm/s320/leader.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to be led off the startline (photo: Bys Vyken Facebook)</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>We set off from the Surfhouse start location, down some steps and straight onto the beach. For this first section we had a lead runner with a high visibility vest to lead us out, which he did admirably. Myself and another bloke stuck close to him across the beach and up onto the coast path proper.</div><div><br /></div><div>I assume this other bloke was Daniel Jones. We chatted briefly as we tried to stick to the main path west towards Zennor. In places this was easier said than done. After a little while I had a small lead, then I inevitably cocked up the route and went the long way around a headland. I was disappointed to see Daniel ahead and someone else close behind me, but tried not to rush catching up. After about 40 minutes I did catch him, and I was slightly ahead by the time we reached Zennor.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMLUTBsdVCJQvINDU-a-1pDNK7QNf3Zb1vATcnmhtyKnBfIKkCL_fR8CDQKMayUhvjDQHmFQxMyeiMRvG_iGZ7YZtpDXhfJ7MDosF7LnAqYyMX3NuDCoEz4NOy_ooixGw9IOr-c9WTdCBlJfx89yX65-PtMPKVYruid0m1aQ13OUrpF2JeIiY0jbI5/s2048/dave.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMLUTBsdVCJQvINDU-a-1pDNK7QNf3Zb1vATcnmhtyKnBfIKkCL_fR8CDQKMayUhvjDQHmFQxMyeiMRvG_iGZ7YZtpDXhfJ7MDosF7LnAqYyMX3NuDCoEz4NOy_ooixGw9IOr-c9WTdCBlJfx89yX65-PtMPKVYruid0m1aQ13OUrpF2JeIiY0jbI5/s320/dave.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David Andrewartha of Bys Vyken events<br />(photo: Alice Ward via Bys Vyken Facebook)</td></tr></tbody></table> <br /><div>Runners in the Classic race get what sounds like an incredible talk about the origin of "Cousin Jack" (the Cornish miner in foreign lands) from the inimitable organiser Dave Andrewartha. This was actually the last race David and Sally would put on, so took on an extra poignancy.</div><div><br /></div><div>As David delivered his final sermon and he the runners got ready to leave St Just, we had already reached the turnaround point at Cape Cornwall and were well on our way back. I turned at a few seconds after 3 hours, which felt pleasingly and worryingly fast in equal measure. There was orange at the checkpoint which was niiiiiice.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjrxWbPD1QdP9nlpW0g5o1f8TQdNOwk2PboKr8TJ4dn5-ySE4Ff9071YjKUmXmOIBZTvOZDZsLtDr2vbzi7I9Y2QpEptMT6BDGzAniDZRTiCIpRBBZxHNe27DN_l-gPW8G2_viKEIb9XMrt0DHUc2KRwPIJ6bWr1GTQXWxh01gmMcw46X0JnlIgkUG/s4160/DSC_0279.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjrxWbPD1QdP9nlpW0g5o1f8TQdNOwk2PboKr8TJ4dn5-ySE4Ff9071YjKUmXmOIBZTvOZDZsLtDr2vbzi7I9Y2QpEptMT6BDGzAniDZRTiCIpRBBZxHNe27DN_l-gPW8G2_viKEIb9XMrt0DHUc2KRwPIJ6bWr1GTQXWxh01gmMcw46X0JnlIgkUG/s320/DSC_0279.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>I tried to enjoy the spectacular views on the way back and keep myself moving at a reasonable speed. My legs didn't feel great for another 18 miles of tough running, but I tried to stay floaty, as Ginelle Monett might say... <i>I don’t step, I don’t dance, I don’t walk, I just float... </i>I certainly wasn't dancing.</div><div><br /></div><div>Eventually, I made it back through the final Pendeen checkpoint and to Zennor. Just before here I noticed two people on the horizon and as I got closer realised it was Robin and Bob from FRR. It was great to see them and gave me a really nice boost (even if I did nearly fall over in all the excitement!). Past Zennor I started to feel good. I didn't know what the gap was like and having been so close for the first half of the race I was a bit obsessed with checking over my shoulder, but Robin promised me the gap was good so I started to believe. A bit, anyway.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzAiZyyL-4jgKygKkS1si2qcw6cU8t1YkfOU8Kesjc-F9H7N8LKrQthr8JzMTxu80vz4sAu0Y7_RSYZTyRnJWIo-3dP-9o6YIQmXfdVTZFOs0sBi86yUU1ikAbPavs3tHLRoP0kozi2-xZU0Nou0jnBI1Ybwm6GHXWvW4PQ12yPIz9GAvJdtVA-Lm/s3456/morvah.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2241" data-original-width="3456" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzAiZyyL-4jgKygKkS1si2qcw6cU8t1YkfOU8Kesjc-F9H7N8LKrQthr8JzMTxu80vz4sAu0Y7_RSYZTyRnJWIo-3dP-9o6YIQmXfdVTZFOs0sBi86yUU1ikAbPavs3tHLRoP0kozi2-xZU0Nou0jnBI1Ybwm6GHXWvW4PQ12yPIz9GAvJdtVA-Lm/s320/morvah.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gap looks OK and great encouragement from Bob<br />(photo: Robin Watson)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>The next section is arguably the toughest, but the end wasn't far away now and I enjoyed the varied running / scrambling / scrabbling through gorse. Some blood came out of my finger when I whacked it on a metal gate but otherwise I was relatively unscathed (unlike Daniel who came in with most of the inside of his legs on the outside. He'd had a fight with a bush).</div><div><br /></div><div>About 3 miles from the end I saw more Falmouth royalty - Tom Carthey, Amy, and their spaniel. I ran up a hill I might not have run all the way up normally.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18izkcWTeUbUATQl0uRPNe6hNJYuLnXa2rDJCsi13YsXZmfgtzSXRAG9GgQXNO4Af9jsRU9tc8J4LMPrMMiNRkorxxPEqxm9wuVBLlSNZ_kOGyWd5S0UrTqHUGzbkcPay057E6b-4qObqzu0P35DNO3cPiFM0PbfYFcFgVrIM8yjC_xVa4thFro6U/s4032/81c68aa32793894cf0cbfa5d9e6acbf0.0.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18izkcWTeUbUATQl0uRPNe6hNJYuLnXa2rDJCsi13YsXZmfgtzSXRAG9GgQXNO4Af9jsRU9tc8J4LMPrMMiNRkorxxPEqxm9wuVBLlSNZ_kOGyWd5S0UrTqHUGzbkcPay057E6b-4qObqzu0P35DNO3cPiFM0PbfYFcFgVrIM8yjC_xVa4thFro6U/s320/81c68aa32793894cf0cbfa5d9e6acbf0.0.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hill Tom made me run up (photo: Tom)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>A couple of miles from the end, just after seeing Tom and Amy, I finally remembered the music I'd listened to in the car on my way over. I'm sure you know the fantastic punk band Chumbawumba. I used to run a little with Boff from the band, and we did a Bob Graham Round together in the early 2000s. He and Daniel Bye recently released a wonderful little album and book called <i>These Hills are Ours</i>. The first song on the album is called <i>Run to the Horizon</i>, and it's actually about Roseberry Topping, a little hill in North Yorkshire I grew up in sight of. So, thanks to Boff and Daniel, I had this great song in my head for the last few miles...</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I never ran in the Olympics,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I never learned to drive a train,</i></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>But I can run to the Horizon,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>And back again</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So that was that. I eventually made it back again, across the horrible beach at a snail's pace, and up the steps to the finish. Bob and Robin were back there again, as were Pez and Steve. It was great to see everyone at the finish. Daniel came in soon after, followed by Joshua White. Jodie Gauld was first lady, followed by Melissa King and Claire Grubb.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_LtcK_CfEuv0dDhvpuowDcO8Qh_K38V6a6iAHiG_vPCs9p7msp59gCtYoZm0UGgIT2T-WE15KTQT0MV9zGmen9Xs53T-VuP4l_ORUz-WcSxLAam7LATWyYg9bPA8owI1No4xxzfLnJ4ozy57zIltidx1mrDB94XDxs_IMf66Wup8-kVkjXyZLbr1G/s4281/Picture2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2235" data-original-width="4281" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_LtcK_CfEuv0dDhvpuowDcO8Qh_K38V6a6iAHiG_vPCs9p7msp59gCtYoZm0UGgIT2T-WE15KTQT0MV9zGmen9Xs53T-VuP4l_ORUz-WcSxLAam7LATWyYg9bPA8owI1No4xxzfLnJ4ozy57zIltidx1mrDB94XDxs_IMf66Wup8-kVkjXyZLbr1G/w400-h209/Picture2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Up the steps , finish with David and Sally, Daniel at the finish<br />(photos: Bob, Bys Vyken)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>It was amazing to be part of the last Cousin Jack race under David and Sally. BysVyken sounds like it's in great hands, but for those who have been involved for years it's clearly the end of an era. I feel a bit of a fraud winning the last one but still, thanks David and Sally for your years of amazing work! Thanks everyone for the support, as well as Andrew Gibbons (who finished 18th).</div><div><br /></div><div>In the Classic race, Jonny Dry and Hannah Mason won, Ed was 18th, Greg was 20th, and Connor was 34th. Great running everyone! There's some really tough ground down Mordor way, but it's absolutely stunning. Can't wait to get back out west.</div>Stuart Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030293946147955184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2098003752277720209.post-7116619346436397982022-12-17T01:24:00.001-08:002022-12-17T01:24:50.463-08:00Dartmoor in winter: Part deux<p>Last week I had another go at the Dartmoor 500s. It went a lot better than <a href="https://challengestu.blogspot.com/2022/01/take-moor-care.html" target="_blank">last time</a>!</p><p>Last time there was lots of rain and lots of wind, I got cold crossing rivers, going slowly and getting soaked over the tops. It was a fun but tough day out.</p><p>Charlie and I supported Robin Upton on his 500s last year, I ended up running about 65km of it and really enjoyed the route. The route is simple, linking all the Tors over 500m on Dartmoor in one wiggly day out. This includes the 5 over 600m (though some people seem to miss Whitehorse Hill, perhaps because it's not called a Tor or because it's pretty close to Hangingstone Hill, but I went there too). The whole route is somewhere between 95 and 105 km, with about 3500m of ascent.<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPjObMQCpjDlwWNnzgAjI5vswzfJi6KtT9PW5Kqn0Z3SA8C-yd0tQZxbDK3pvO_c8CtnqLZCg0eHvw1k1ne7yChTCfFn6SCvqUl-2k_bTmtYRJFZY6W9osgck55Xf_f6ceT9kUNuxLwyO3En-yukM-L8OBmTRS6LSAtgD2e8phPU564Hnj9OP0UlbL/s4160/DSC_0044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPjObMQCpjDlwWNnzgAjI5vswzfJi6KtT9PW5Kqn0Z3SA8C-yd0tQZxbDK3pvO_c8CtnqLZCg0eHvw1k1ne7yChTCfFn6SCvqUl-2k_bTmtYRJFZY6W9osgck55Xf_f6ceT9kUNuxLwyO3En-yukM-L8OBmTRS6LSAtgD2e8phPU564Hnj9OP0UlbL/s320/DSC_0044.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dartmoor 500s route<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>I left Cornwall at 4:30 and drove up to the Warren House Inn. Driving the car to the end of the lane before defrosting the windscreen (to avoid waking everyone up) was about the most tense moment of the whole day!<br /></p><p>Being from the north it is etched on my brain that anywhere south of The Roaches is bathed in perpetual soft southern warmth and excluded from any meteorological extremes, but it was actually pretty cold at the start. I still don't like tights so I put waterproof trousers on over my shorts.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTnbVS3W1pwjh4S5AXRSX413b1AqdvB_0m8LUBRj5N4UXHSBySQ5kU8iedck-5TxlQQsIyErFgAVIvGhqsnSUfb8x_tDu2qSwt-BZW_RYmk2SGfujWCx9omCxwyLmCYC9CBAel8C5njc4aNJ14hmFb6CwDC19ejeT6UnWQ_g_44YciYGevu8YF2tyU/s4160/DSC_0000_BURST20221209080615008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTnbVS3W1pwjh4S5AXRSX413b1AqdvB_0m8LUBRj5N4UXHSBySQ5kU8iedck-5TxlQQsIyErFgAVIvGhqsnSUfb8x_tDu2qSwt-BZW_RYmk2SGfujWCx9omCxwyLmCYC9CBAel8C5njc4aNJ14hmFb6CwDC19ejeT6UnWQ_g_44YciYGevu8YF2tyU/s320/DSC_0000_BURST20221209080615008.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise after about half an hour<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>This proved to be an excellent wardrobe decision. I ran all day in this mode, with a buff and gloves, three thin top layers before and after the sunshine, and two during the sunshine (more about the sunshine later..). For the first couple of hours the forecast glorious sunny wonderland was more a glorious foggy frozen wonderland. It was fun though. Based on Robin's timings I had hoped to get the section up to Cosdon Hill done in about 5 hours. The nav went reasonably well, despite small meanderings between Hangingstone and Whitehorse Hill, where I actually saw the first two of about 10 people: Two members of the University of Exeter Centre for Resilience, Environment Waste and Water taking readings of some frozen wet bits up on the plateau.</p><p>I enjoyed some nice food on this section, including an apple and a Mars bar. My plan was to drink water from streams and use puritabs to avoid taking in too much cow wee, which worked fine until the bottle froze. With much shaking and squeezing it worked eventually until the last couple of hours when I finally gave up.</p><p>Anyway, Cosdon was reached just before midday, so about 4:07. Not sunny.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx17gwBd52BvFErTrypbsvu8zdo7IYs-JwkP7l6gkiBB9NbYfHmKRHNqwNn5LmQrrOaMI3McZQ9RhROxzRBGxIpfn5wGYCFYk7P8rP2cG5urf1s6Bd8HUd-MNLDrIWULBndL7Iv0fB-z3RpihPrXHlSXPb0F00kyu-KYYxwkJSLa3B-hWl3wa5WsuF/s4160/DSC_0022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx17gwBd52BvFErTrypbsvu8zdo7IYs-JwkP7l6gkiBB9NbYfHmKRHNqwNn5LmQrrOaMI3McZQ9RhROxzRBGxIpfn5wGYCFYk7P8rP2cG5urf1s6Bd8HUd-MNLDrIWULBndL7Iv0fB-z3RpihPrXHlSXPb0F00kyu-KYYxwkJSLa3B-hWl3wa5WsuF/s320/DSC_0022.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cosdon. Atmospheric? Yes. Sunny? No<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>I plodded on, ate some more food and drank some more slush as I headed round the top of the route and began the long southerly section to Princetown. I'd originally hoped this would be a sub-7 hour leg, making Princetown under 12 in total. Revised target was to get here as close to 10 hours as possible. I had a vague recollection that the record was just over 15 hours, but being solo in winter I didn't expect to be troubling that.</p><p>The way south was initially much like the way north: cold, a little bit slippery, grey, but pretty solid going. But then, joy of joys, at about 1:30 THE SUN CAME OUT!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3xuJv2dnCuNrv99RrhHfssoG34CXLjne7iN-hilsNrLUO0j5S96_jgOo3ZhCqln40ozLK48HexpIpxe0SJrV_krHzmVV-Bp2oDRuhY0ceJPL5GMnhgb455Sg5mDkpxq7n4wl6zC4c9hYvRSujblmFwvTbXnuUfOAdVs0zfA4UXRuQDor3sulP0As/s3264/DSC_0026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3xuJv2dnCuNrv99RrhHfssoG34CXLjne7iN-hilsNrLUO0j5S96_jgOo3ZhCqln40ozLK48HexpIpxe0SJrV_krHzmVV-Bp2oDRuhY0ceJPL5GMnhgb455Sg5mDkpxq7n4wl6zC4c9hYvRSujblmFwvTbXnuUfOAdVs0zfA4UXRuQDor3sulP0As/s320/DSC_0026.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Halle-flippin-lujah! I celebrated by de-gloving and taking off my middle layer. Most excitingly of all I ate my cheese and Marmite sandwich as I climbed up from the West Okement river to Branscombe's Loaf. In contrast to last year the river crossing had been achieved without much excitement and I'd recently ticked off another two 600s (Yes Tor and High Whillays), so spirits were high. Let's have another sunny picture.</p><p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhve7GJd4ORA_LAv4T3iBQl85OQxJqG3CV3B_S6GBJOMCrPOZXPuJwiae6jU0dezOMpTq8R6CLqNlgo5dtajiVLVlyRWZOxdtsqaR37yxP0-pvhG0KjfZ_MKuIyUPMWz5T524vmxIDL30hJ83kUGANoQZBLILUJ-2M9SIbxUUccwxDvCTglTCai8xpJ/s4160/DSC_0030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhve7GJd4ORA_LAv4T3iBQl85OQxJqG3CV3B_S6GBJOMCrPOZXPuJwiae6jU0dezOMpTq8R6CLqNlgo5dtajiVLVlyRWZOxdtsqaR37yxP0-pvhG0KjfZ_MKuIyUPMWz5T524vmxIDL30hJ83kUGANoQZBLILUJ-2M9SIbxUUccwxDvCTglTCai8xpJ/s320/DSC_0030.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Possibly Hare Tor<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>The sun lasted till it started to get dark, and I had a wonderful few hours. The southerly leg has some tough sections, particularly later on between Lynch and Cocks Tors for example. It's just solid tussock hopping all the way (there's probably a trod, but I didn't find it), so it really worked perfectly to have these in the nice uplifting sunshine rather than dark or fog. Similarly it was great to have the River Tavy crossing in the light and by crossing the three sections individually this was no problem. I managed till the descent off Great Mis Tor before I put my headtorch on, then promptly made one of the biggest cockups of the round. I descended the wrong track from Little Mis torwards Ruddlestone. It's not a big deal, I could've cut straight across at the top but left it a little late and tried to be clever by cutting diagonally, so I ended up in the tussocky wet shitty bit at the bottom, then got fenced in and floundered about for 10 minutes or so before crossing the road to climb to the mast.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPaf6LVlY6Crmt3i-YZLXe3PeBms5rNuaUAMKQo2QUeo2il1qVpzxTiZLr6WGjchP7bl4FoB9-5jp_ot9CUNfiZkcwp2Ddz9ws9toCu_vt1Gch0zUPLOZf63iqJpaNUU97vtqNWmaKR_DiT8LHnXm0HidX0vq2SYEcZQFpdcPTgIqtt-HNn8xe1-Vz/s4160/DSC_0039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPaf6LVlY6Crmt3i-YZLXe3PeBms5rNuaUAMKQo2QUeo2il1qVpzxTiZLr6WGjchP7bl4FoB9-5jp_ot9CUNfiZkcwp2Ddz9ws9toCu_vt1Gch0zUPLOZf63iqJpaNUU97vtqNWmaKR_DiT8LHnXm0HidX0vq2SYEcZQFpdcPTgIqtt-HNn8xe1-Vz/s320/DSC_0039.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset over Princetown<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>Nevermind, I was on course for 10 hours at Princetown and feeling good. From Pricetown I'd need to run up the road to Two Bridges, then off into the Beardowns and a few other Tors, then down and through Postbridge with only the Hameldowns left to do.</p><p>I stopped in Princetown to put the mid layer back on and make some delicious food more accessible. I really should stop taking Tunnocks teacakes on these things with me; they do not travel well. The road jog went well and I felt better than I had thought I might. The road wasn't slippery which was nice, and before I knew it I was heading up through the farm towards the Beardown Tors. With these done and the remaining 8 on this leg mopped up via more tussock hopping I dropped into Postbridge. I wondered if I could get the last leg done in two hours. Leaving Postbridge I was on 12:55, but the road out to the Hameldowns is loooong.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN4ed09JyftOLtiQSZOUzP1BfB-z_TVkkTsyNHZn4pm9S4Fb3FUZDrUI1jNRzW_exRxSlGgl4xlLqxuD1_Kib4X-2-WZSIFibwq57O0RHh1eijgQNkqi9QS8F8PWmxagbQ_a50OhJixYQ2OgIKtdh3lEsrJbNjGb-awYRguE6y06Okn6ZxmGw2WOuE/s1390/hameldowns.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="994" data-original-width="1390" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN4ed09JyftOLtiQSZOUzP1BfB-z_TVkkTsyNHZn4pm9S4Fb3FUZDrUI1jNRzW_exRxSlGgl4xlLqxuD1_Kib4X-2-WZSIFibwq57O0RHh1eijgQNkqi9QS8F8PWmxagbQ_a50OhJixYQ2OgIKtdh3lEsrJbNjGb-awYRguE6y06Okn6ZxmGw2WOuE/s320/hameldowns.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>It seemed to take hours to reach even Pizwell, and it was getting properly cold again now. The lanes were quite icy in places and I considered how embarrassing it would be to deck myself here rather than on an actual hill... Finally at 9:45pm (14 hours dead) I missed, then turned back for, the left turn up to Hameldown Beacon. It was rally cold but a beautiful moonlit night and I turned my torch off to jog slowly upwards under the full moon. I started to wonder whether I could do 15 hours. I reckoned if I made the final summit with 30 minutes to spare I'd be in with a shout.</p><p>Hameldown Tor was reached after 14:25, but then who knows what happened! I remember from running with Robin that the run back in the the pub isn't great, but I think I missed every single trod. I ended up in an old quarry, ran back on myself, and after scrambling up banks to try to find a route I decided to just head for the lights of the pub. This wasn't pretty but it worked. The 15 hours dream ended with about 1km to go, and as I finally dragged myself up the last field to the pub, they turned the lights off. </p><p>Lights out, 11pm. 15:13 after I started. Pretty happy with that, even if it now seems it's just two and a bit minutes off Jack Edwards' outright record. I guess it's a winter record and an unsupported record though, so that's nice.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj03h0kgBEOSVTAB_r3WArbbhWRqnVFkyCOZJbEe0kQisK_Vse8YmGGBC357k7oaHv_7u2ymSQi92sRNB3SepDCMjHeAmHGrvWAsyztBbMZwWZv8hclx-5W-QBaNgKmkmAaTQ1ffZ3DX6z5hvG9ZLQwxrv9MirNx2QSZbnYaw7OG4zrdDLzKcn42b5k/s3264/DSC_0041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj03h0kgBEOSVTAB_r3WArbbhWRqnVFkyCOZJbEe0kQisK_Vse8YmGGBC357k7oaHv_7u2ymSQi92sRNB3SepDCMjHeAmHGrvWAsyztBbMZwWZv8hclx-5W-QBaNgKmkmAaTQ1ffZ3DX6z5hvG9ZLQwxrv9MirNx2QSZbnYaw7OG4zrdDLzKcn42b5k/s320/DSC_0041.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bastards closed the pub!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>I wandered back down the road to the car, wrestled the frozen door open and embarked on an hour-long mission to get changed, get in to sleeping bag and eat food. After shivering for a couple of hours I gave up and set off home.<br /></p><p></p><p>That was a lovely proper winter day out on Dartmoor, I really enjoyed that. One of my toenails has paid the ultimate price and will be given a runners burial, but all things considered the damage is minimal. I'd love to have a crack at a fast one in the summer if anyone wants to do a bit of support?<br /></p>Stuart Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030293946147955184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2098003752277720209.post-31967344926291740722022-05-16T02:18:00.002-07:002022-05-16T05:44:32.230-07:00Well I tried!<p class="MsoNormal">I <a href="https://challengestu.blogspot.com/2019/05/the-axe.html" target="_blank">might've mentioned</a>... The Fellsman is pretty much my favourite race in the world.
It’s long, tough, low key, (relatively) cheap and has a long and fascinating
history. And after a couple of years off, it was great to see the race back
this year. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After winning the last race in 2019 I would have the honour
of wearing race number 1, so though it’s now a long way from home there was no
way I wasn’t going to be there! In the weeks leading up to the race I finally
got the trophies engraved and tried to brush up on the route. Recces weren’t
possible so I’d have to rely on my memory and mapreading, neither of which are
renowned.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXN4h7FFpAMJKe8xaopvMksxkPmqwJEoZZgf8_hOoJLL6WAJyM6utjtLgOlTuL6AZ-BLreI7BpLUsgrKFOcS1bzqwn6qah8cs_-brgCkdmrcgsK7MuHEQCa1KLDXNM8nFz15DVnaKaWDTG2Hl3aFs_eDhGmW85tnJfJo3Fsm8J_0WUnW9X8FtKxk2/s4128/20220429_224446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXN4h7FFpAMJKe8xaopvMksxkPmqwJEoZZgf8_hOoJLL6WAJyM6utjtLgOlTuL6AZ-BLreI7BpLUsgrKFOcS1bzqwn6qah8cs_-brgCkdmrcgsK7MuHEQCa1KLDXNM8nFz15DVnaKaWDTG2Hl3aFs_eDhGmW85tnJfJo3Fsm8J_0WUnW9X8FtKxk2/s320/20220429_224446.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last minute revision <br /></td></tr></tbody></table> </p><p class="MsoNormal">After the trip up on Friday, I got my kit signed off then
retired to the car faff with it, eat some dinner and sleep. A week or so before
the race my pile of food suffered when Buddy got into the room and ate a quite
incredible amount of stuff in a very short period of time. 3 Yorkies, 3
Snickers bars, at least one flapjack and a good pile of others all disappeared.
Clearly no-one has told him that dogs shouldn’t eat chocolate but having eaten
about 9000 calories in one go had absolutely no effect on him.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU7fdPkgu2d2UiLywA9Y9Z1tIeUKepnoLA1CjuZkEwdWwFX_yV08pvp1eGDUO72maVpTlb1fGfVZ8IuhhFlVssHfv6B1_4spo-8841H2knZe9PNruXR89lJvGYe3psnIzaBkIKBKlXg2AgcdFAbwMI51p1FUt3XqOpSzWwss5RDT6j9yujzi96txek/s4000/P1060600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU7fdPkgu2d2UiLywA9Y9Z1tIeUKepnoLA1CjuZkEwdWwFX_yV08pvp1eGDUO72maVpTlb1fGfVZ8IuhhFlVssHfv6B1_4spo-8841H2knZe9PNruXR89lJvGYe3psnIzaBkIKBKlXg2AgcdFAbwMI51p1FUt3XqOpSzWwss5RDT6j9yujzi96txek/s320/P1060600.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Pass us that Yorkie will ya?"<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My training had been shorter and faster than the Fellsman,
and I hadn’t run on tussocks since I was last on Dartmoor, but I’d done some
great races with my new mates from Falmouth Road Runners, including the
excellent Freedom Racing KVK and Res an Hellys. My last run before pre-race
plodding was a 5 mile tarmac time trial with the club, so though I was running
OK I knew I was lacking in distance and terrain. I knew that I was unlikely to
defend the title, but on race day I decided the only thing to do was go out
hard and see what happened.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB4g_1l3TsjXqf-4o_KbCGXVqIKdZSlowHLVf26q6Zv6QBUkSPkh-dlYIj1j9SiKYTrj8WGHQtwRNzqvc0IgKrUIygDwOKwsKWDFaPThb-9xaN64ORUQ-sAjeio5mctULzIzy0inUXvJYhnhtCZLi1atWMjgadEqnidFi30q3PGsOTgbmGQu5Ytcq7/s4128/20220430_213232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB4g_1l3TsjXqf-4o_KbCGXVqIKdZSlowHLVf26q6Zv6QBUkSPkh-dlYIj1j9SiKYTrj8WGHQtwRNzqvc0IgKrUIygDwOKwsKWDFaPThb-9xaN64ORUQ-sAjeio5mctULzIzy0inUXvJYhnhtCZLi1atWMjgadEqnidFi30q3PGsOTgbmGQu5Ytcq7/s320/20220430_213232.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">001. License to go out too fast.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The short version is that what happened is exactly what you
could’ve predicted.... I went out fast with the fast guys, hung on for a while,
then went backwards as I gradually dragged myself to the finish.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It was great to see my friend Oli Johnson from Dark Peak
Fell Runners at the start. Oli is a fantastic runner (he won the Monte Rosa
ultra last year as well as many other things, not least an international
orienteering career) and it was nice to be able to run for team Dark Peak
again, with Laurence Piercy as our third member. The other fast guy was Damian
Hall. You have probably heard of him; he’s really quite good at running and is
a nice man too (and a fellow member of <a href="https://thegreenrunners.com/">The Green Runners</a>). As we gathered for the start there were many other fast-looking
people and the usual race nerves returned.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">At 8 the race organiser Shona gave us a quick welcome talk
then we were off. I never get the right route out of the field so as usual
about 20 people popped out in front of us when the options converged. By the
time we left the village and started to climb Inglebrough there were about 6 of
us at the front – A few people I didn’t know, Oli, Damian, Laurence, Tim Martin, and
Adam Worallo I think. The run up to Inglebrough was lovely. The sun was shining
and everyone was lovely and friendly. We chatted about running, races and
rounds. By the top of Inglebrough we had spread out a little. I was with Oli
and Damian. Oli cut off earlier than I have done in the past to miss the rocky
steps from the summit. I turned later but the three of us were together by the
Hill Inn checkpoint. Chatting to Damian about Runners against Rubbish had put me
in a litterpicking frame of mind and I picked up a bag of dog poo on the
descent, which I quickly regretted and was pleased to get rid of at the checkpoint.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLmPZY0PMS1xbWGf9hXuZeXvETixhC6y_u9lJ6_1zrAcgogKc_btFWEeZXXmeeu4ZEW06oDPAr5RynwrFU1hfzSY1oHCFAV01CONl3wOsz8Mek401T8QeN9JqoZYfE-OF9O4PqfnjKOpjZcGhArz4TLo4kTaE95e4eRYb1uwhvR2WMNUTYFEguaSN/s943/IMG-20220503-WA0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="943" data-original-width="929" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLmPZY0PMS1xbWGf9hXuZeXvETixhC6y_u9lJ6_1zrAcgogKc_btFWEeZXXmeeu4ZEW06oDPAr5RynwrFU1hfzSY1oHCFAV01CONl3wOsz8Mek401T8QeN9JqoZYfE-OF9O4PqfnjKOpjZcGhArz4TLo4kTaE95e4eRYb1uwhvR2WMNUTYFEguaSN/s320/IMG-20220503-WA0005.jpg" width="315" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two of these people are comfortable.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We left Hill Inn, confused the Three Peaks Race marshals
setting up their checkpoint, and set off up Whernside. On the way up we saw the
amazing Beth Pascall (cheering Damo and supporting her sister and husband).
Next are the climbs of Gragareth and Great Coum. The first was steep and
horrible as ever, but notable this year as there were people climbing Gregareth
but not as part of the Fellsman, i.e. by their own volition. I can only assume
they thought it was one of the three peaks.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">An hour or so later we were nearing Dent. Damian and Oli
were a little in front of me and I wondered if the elastic was stretching.
There was no-one in sight behind now, and the time suggested we were going
pretty quickly. Looking at 2019 times I think we were actually a little slower,
but it felt like we were working a lot harder. It was hot!</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBSxjqTzc_Ll79k-oYMAvAsT2ThUmOcQZLEVwYLpvaIydXbTQ-fJ97-A0rr9axDGlmFrwVZcXZge3g_if2V8BMQE7ZGEIMpJ6hgVXr7YG2SvtF14JRVIPTcSfTGVEfNgVGHTyd19vCDxMvVWWoCLwlYSRaQOqQ4URDZX78WzEhFnPK4Mb_fd44aDkA/s6000/DSC_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBSxjqTzc_Ll79k-oYMAvAsT2ThUmOcQZLEVwYLpvaIydXbTQ-fJ97-A0rr9axDGlmFrwVZcXZge3g_if2V8BMQE7ZGEIMpJ6hgVXr7YG2SvtF14JRVIPTcSfTGVEfNgVGHTyd19vCDxMvVWWoCLwlYSRaQOqQ4URDZX78WzEhFnPK4Mb_fd44aDkA/s320/DSC_0011.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Refueling with Melon at Dent<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p class="MsoNormal">I rejoined them as we left the checkpoint with bottles full
of juice and faces full of melon. The road section from Dent passed quickly but
it was now really warming up and I felt myself slipping off their pace. As we
hit the climb up to Boot of the Wold they gradually eased away. I probably knew
my chances of winning again were gone but it seemed rude not to keep trying.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For the next few hours I just kept trying to keep moving at
a decent pace, get the lines right and enjoy myself. It was a lovely day, quite
hot but manageable. The fields were full of lambs and my parents were out to
support me again, which was lovely. A guy called Sam a few places behind me
also had support from his incredibly enthusiastic partner and family, who gave
me a great boost every time too!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One of my favourite sections of the race is down to the
Stonehouse checkpoint then up, under the viaduct and the out-and-back on Great
Knoutberry. This is also a great place to measure your gaps. Damian and Oli
were about 15-20 minutes ahead of me here, and there was a similar gap behind
to a worryingly large group, slightly spread out over a few minutes. This
included Sam, Fiona Pascall, and James White.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Rightly or wrongly, I knew the front of the race had gone
this time. Maybe if I’d had my 2019 fitness I could’ve chased a bit, but even
so Oli and Damian had run a sensible race and broken me early on, so it didn’t feel
possible. I really enjoy running on my own and it was great to be back in North
Yorkshire and have the support of my parents every couple of hours – the rest
of the race was great. The next major checkpoint was Redshaw where Carmine de Grandis offered encouragement and after seeing my salty mess of a face told me I really needed to drink more! Thanks Carmine.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX0HCcxkp3UvdBrS6zH65SRx55xZCyLMbsPtYqBqUoVVxOdcAeHzroWyvTz_YjrwAxfPWkruzHUruJjdA7CAi7_XklBrOeuaIDzpTUjlh0rlRApKyqULY0G2ExmveR573vop3MM9hc5LzVZ7FC0QUavhNQUEz1_38aUOAOq5K_OFRU3rEaRHyixny5/s6000/DSC_0025%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX0HCcxkp3UvdBrS6zH65SRx55xZCyLMbsPtYqBqUoVVxOdcAeHzroWyvTz_YjrwAxfPWkruzHUruJjdA7CAi7_XklBrOeuaIDzpTUjlh0rlRApKyqULY0G2ExmveR573vop3MM9hc5LzVZ7FC0QUavhNQUEz1_38aUOAOq5K_OFRU3rEaRHyixny5/s320/DSC_0025%20(2).JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">The loooooong road section to Yockenthwaite (which it
sadly, though unavoidably, seems will now be a permanent part of the race) was
a bit tough going and was not helped by the fact I’d put fruit cocktail in my water bottle
at a checkpoint and now had cherries stuck in my nozzle, but it was getting a bit cooler now and starting to rain.<br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As I climbed the last bit to the self-clip checkpoint I
spotted Fiona behind me, and over the next half hour or so her, Sam and James
gradually got closer. We ran together on-and-off, with James a little behind. I
think it was on the Buckden Pike climb that Fiona and Sam finally put the
hammer down and dropped me, but I was pleased to be on my own again and
concentrating on the nav rather than following someone following a GPX (no
disrespect, I am just trying to improve my mapreading!). I thought I recognised
the face in a tent at the Buckden checkpoint but it took me till the descent to
remember it was Joe Faulkner – sorry Joe!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpTC4-4pLoPA2ftnANWkLRbg4IddChP2ehZubveTq18qMBn-_BKD_ZbT7HycG23VY43Mwwr6_IRviylmViCEZEnbVINnZU_qyltei4UGcfSyAPlgQr3TuAAlNrVt4xqtvItS79pipRRmlwXK1e_Om-y1QGy_4KyFO3TbtNwmIdt6-zlLkIhkXD0FRs/s6000/DSC_0036%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpTC4-4pLoPA2ftnANWkLRbg4IddChP2ehZubveTq18qMBn-_BKD_ZbT7HycG23VY43Mwwr6_IRviylmViCEZEnbVINnZU_qyltei4UGcfSyAPlgQr3TuAAlNrVt4xqtvItS79pipRRmlwXK1e_Om-y1QGy_4KyFO3TbtNwmIdt6-zlLkIhkXD0FRs/s320/DSC_0036%20(2).JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving Cray for Buckden with Sam and Fiona<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> </p><p class="MsoNormal">Fiona and Sam were running really well and soon disappeared.
James was behind me and the positions looked settled at Capplestone Gate. Then
I messed up, followed a wall for a little too long and drifted off left. Once
back on track I could see James in front. I did try to catch him but he caught
a second wind and was running really well. I got to Yarnbury just after 8:30
pm, about an hour and 10 minutes down on last year. Just the trot down into
Grassington then round to Threshfield to go. I think I could still see James on
the first road section but the gap wasn’t changing.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I got all reflective on the last run in – my run this year
had been unspectacular and absolutely predictable, but I was pleased I had
tried. If I had run a sensible race maybe I could’ve been a bit quicker? But I
would’ve always wondered what could have been. This way I knew I had tried and
the best runners had won, and I actually feel more pleased about my run in 2019
now.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV528LrGdX6vnuEjLVcopYQmnKZ6JfXL4ZUzBPlff0ObPj9ocmtQT4gssA4_hBA2WqpsBQ5VWhrl6u2EewNr1R1Bhi4yEmrm8WxPa_WptGQKq81daSWu3-wFxRcPYV-Z0pRRnOhQp7LiPC0ggjMaAojoH2z-iwA_qyirj77u83pmLUuW0H8Pp2DUhD/s4775/20192022.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2229" data-original-width="4775" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV528LrGdX6vnuEjLVcopYQmnKZ6JfXL4ZUzBPlff0ObPj9ocmtQT4gssA4_hBA2WqpsBQ5VWhrl6u2EewNr1R1Bhi4yEmrm8WxPa_WptGQKq81daSWu3-wFxRcPYV-Z0pRRnOhQp7LiPC0ggjMaAojoH2z-iwA_qyirj77u83pmLUuW0H8Pp2DUhD/s320/20192022.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ooooh look how steely and focussed I was. 2019 (l) and 2022 (r)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So there we go. Damian and Oli finished joint first in
11:23. Sam finished third in 12:07. Fiona Pascall was first woman and 4<sup>th</sup>
overall in 12:08, James was 5<sup>th</sup> in 12:26 and I was 6<sup>th</sup> a
minute later. Our original Ingleborough fun bus group were spread over the next
three hours or so, including Laurence in 15<sup>th</sup> place, meaning we won
the team prize for Dark Peak.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzJnkdWdn6SrANdQt7gpE9EpOGxi83O3NSMdYxsHBU5aIM8Sj294edERNBt23chsOdvXsPhd_qWeerBL-lpWBnAbAM2UK3RU-DXYRuzF8rjdDmQkyCWIeHBm0qjAvzR8OMEPIOwGyuEa5t1x_b6puSewvCcyXj8Gq1eTxEBQQTz5i22pvZjqX8ieKW/s6000/DSC_0043%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzJnkdWdn6SrANdQt7gpE9EpOGxi83O3NSMdYxsHBU5aIM8Sj294edERNBt23chsOdvXsPhd_qWeerBL-lpWBnAbAM2UK3RU-DXYRuzF8rjdDmQkyCWIeHBm0qjAvzR8OMEPIOwGyuEa5t1x_b6puSewvCcyXj8Gq1eTxEBQQTz5i22pvZjqX8ieKW/s320/DSC_0043%20(2).JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">James and I at the finish<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Fellsman is STILL my favourite race, the organisers are
STILL fantastic and lovely, it still retains its mad balance between a proper serious
fell race and a big Scout hike, and I absolutely love it.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thanks as ever to Mum and Dad for coming out to support (and for most of the photos),
everyone else who cheered or cared, and to Scott who gave me so much gear I’m
still working through it. Congratulations to the nicest men in running, and
cheers for letting me join you for a bit. Next time I’ll try to be there at the
end.</p>
<br />Stuart Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030293946147955184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2098003752277720209.post-22823944348319588482022-01-05T04:44:00.001-08:002022-01-05T04:50:11.938-08:00Take Moor Care!<p><i>Ignoring the weird numerical editing, who doesn't love a good pun. This one is often seen on Dartmoor, and will now remind me that I need to show the place a bit moor care...</i></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg3DIiCktEmTVznrjIlE-cNCYWzxgESCUSSqYTfb5-8Skg0KpsHyJpKRrvQbvPcThJBkcGz-x8aEbC_Psv5CbMdZCuvcyvElpHa7BpJBBPoABgFVREgX5-WZunHX-3NfW64EQ9VVOkhvMZpcuGkv6zTcb2SZvrY1e1cnUR7G8gPI7Lg5w_vOgvbnxMq=s278"><img border="0" data-original-height="274" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg3DIiCktEmTVznrjIlE-cNCYWzxgESCUSSqYTfb5-8Skg0KpsHyJpKRrvQbvPcThJBkcGz-x8aEbC_Psv5CbMdZCuvcyvElpHa7BpJBBPoABgFVREgX5-WZunHX-3NfW64EQ9VVOkhvMZpcuGkv6zTcb2SZvrY1e1cnUR7G8gPI7Lg5w_vOgvbnxMq=s16000" /></a></div> <p></p><p>Happy new year! This year after Christmas at acceptably small family gatherings, Lorna and I had new year with the dogs in a shed (converted for Air B&B purposes) near Horrabridge, on the south western corner of Dartmoor. While we were there I decided I'd fit in a long run.<br /></p><p>Living as we currently do in Cornwall we don't really see much cold weather. I haven't run in long legs since we moved here and short sleeves had been the best choice for most of December. Not like the good old multi-layer days in the frozen north!</p><p>Having not done a proper long run for months and having a bit of a cold, my initial plan to try to full Dartmoor 500s (100km, 3400m ascent) seemed a bit foolish so I decided on a revised plan: I'd run in from our accomodation to the south west corner of the 500s, then run via its Tors up the northern end of the moor, back south, but then miss off the section to the east and head back across to Horrabridge. It should be about 85km. I also decided to stick in the five Dartmoor 600s, some of which for reasons unknown to me are not included in the 500s (?!).</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQj7HlcZni5_20WX0Oxa4tt1kL81VPjUFWzke0DWw8Ru_v3F4HqpwZgzHw0Fs1bB2P6k5IsFeQNtToceG6dhXNItjGz3nWsquA7gS3s_7UXgIm7SbiPlZ7HLy8zZr7bl9mFwTT75kpcX5CCfFfR_mWOHE9diRiSeE8Ym9ZFG7TCoIcN0nG48bq_zv3=s546" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="414" data-original-width="546" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQj7HlcZni5_20WX0Oxa4tt1kL81VPjUFWzke0DWw8Ru_v3F4HqpwZgzHw0Fs1bB2P6k5IsFeQNtToceG6dhXNItjGz3nWsquA7gS3s_7UXgIm7SbiPlZ7HLy8zZr7bl9mFwTT75kpcX5CCfFfR_mWOHE9diRiSeE8Ym9ZFG7TCoIcN0nG48bq_zv3=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">500s in red, my plan in blue<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The weather forecast looked a bit grim but going on Sunday was my only option, so I packed my stuff and set the alarm for 5. A decent long day out would do me good! My food was a fine-looking collection of leftover Christmas cake, chocolates, sandwiches made with incredibly dense Rye bread, and two pots of rice pudding.</p><p>I plodded out through Sampford Spiney and up to join the 500s route at North Hessary Tor. It was a bit foggy but I was concerned I couldn't see the light on the mast, then suddenly it appeared very close in front of me - it was obviously foggier than I had realised! The route up the west of the 500s route (the opposite direction to most 500s runners, I think) was fairly straightforward navigationally, but tough going underfoot with long sections of following bearings over tussocks over Great Mis, Little Mis, Cocks, Lynch, Chat, Great Links, Gren, Hunt, Kitty and Steng-a-Tor. It was grey and drizzly, and the wind was building, but I didn't feel cold and enjoyed the brief outbreaks of sunshine. I sent Lorna a text on the short track section before the climb up to High Whillays and Yes Tor (the first two 600s) telling her I thought the sun had made a decisive move...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihISNVF33g663LJgODlzy5-VYsd-X_yeBuXu7srd2e-Llwm6vhhgh3D9YPI7lvlzQbf0zHbZ2YxVKt3s7V4XgbI64aI8GTJnrrTbZflioeLdpJ46zEI4dZpKcukmfMzLInxXEMnjHUKZR6TyTKQWTKpnE8RW33QS10di1YDYnkQ3BlxtXb6FqPurVd=s4128" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihISNVF33g663LJgODlzy5-VYsd-X_yeBuXu7srd2e-Llwm6vhhgh3D9YPI7lvlzQbf0zHbZ2YxVKt3s7V4XgbI64aI8GTJnrrTbZflioeLdpJ46zEI4dZpKcukmfMzLInxXEMnjHUKZR6TyTKQWTKpnE8RW33QS10di1YDYnkQ3BlxtXb6FqPurVd=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><p>I got to the top of Yes Tor at pretty much bang on 6 hours and 40km. So far I had been to all the tops on the 500s route, but I now wondered about dropping Cosdon Beacon, which would've been the most northerly point. I felt bad as I always think of this as Charlie's hill (he lived at the bottom of it) but from the south it looked like a faff to get to, so I did West Mill Tor, East Mill Tor, Oke Tor and headed south.</p><p>7 and a half hours in I was at the top of Hangingstone hill (third 600). My prediction of the victory of sun over rain had been optimistic. Up here it was getting a bit grim. The wind had picked up and I was now soaked in driving rain. With slow going over tussocks I was getting cold. I now had gloves on for the first time in a long while, but my fingers were too stiff to get them fully on, which was a bit of a concern as it meant I was struggling to open food. It all felt a bit too close to the limit, so I decided it was time for decisive action. I checked the map and saw the vague possibility of an escape route via lower ground to the east and Postbridge, then maybe the road to Princetown and home.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGyhLJwGbrApTTH8O4h8_NF-fYNxz-ldT56uYOe_aKlOoYedDiPqaOdvmWOvqkWCmtEv3PwUqnHlhB6bEuOPq_MknMzjSz5iITT0pv2Sr6bM_ywR9N4pHlcCvq2GRYTNgnIvMaCVBbpZ3VkRSpwMYN34kCiXLH5b4uJK9Xit79FPmuXS3IyRI_to7X=s4128" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGyhLJwGbrApTTH8O4h8_NF-fYNxz-ldT56uYOe_aKlOoYedDiPqaOdvmWOvqkWCmtEv3PwUqnHlhB6bEuOPq_MknMzjSz5iITT0pv2Sr6bM_ywR9N4pHlcCvq2GRYTNgnIvMaCVBbpZ3VkRSpwMYN34kCiXLH5b4uJK9Xit79FPmuXS3IyRI_to7X=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div> <p></p><p>Stream and river crossings had been hard work all day. It took me ages to find a place to cross the Tavy earlier in the day, and even the smallest streams on the map were now torrents requiring wading with water up to my winkie. The North Teign river below Fernworthy forest was just impossible to cross. It had risen outside its normal channel meaning that after wading through a knee-deep section I would then reach the proper channel and go in to my waist. After a couple of these I realised this way was not sensible. I was out of the wind and slightly less uncomfortable, but the only way home was going to be back up on the tops.</p><p>I went back up via Quintins Man then followed the range posts down to Flat Tor, Rough Tor and eventually the Beardown Tors and finally into Two Bridges. I was still chilly on the road to Princetown but I was slowly warming up. From Princetown I followed a track around an old quarry then back over towards Horrabridge. By now the fog had cleared and the rain had stopped down here, so it was actually quite pleasant. I tried a bit harder towards the end to see if I could scrape a sub-12 hour finish and was rewarded with 12:03. But nevermind, there was cheese and beer at home.<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcEADRqpicK64OV3vu6GnjMojcGE42a1mSIZNu0LWQLRKQW9B_06yhk-plpYbmfJdCKWePlo8lQplP9nGwUOZwyrgkDin8PV2BP_iL-DKlYwgh_jYfJlM28BuNKElTzAtid2i2vtELRrb0omMKbWNOGVrfjt4wte_qQSt896lmLMSOXfGcvQW439X8=s4128" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcEADRqpicK64OV3vu6GnjMojcGE42a1mSIZNu0LWQLRKQW9B_06yhk-plpYbmfJdCKWePlo8lQplP9nGwUOZwyrgkDin8PV2BP_iL-DKlYwgh_jYfJlM28BuNKElTzAtid2i2vtELRrb0omMKbWNOGVrfjt4wte_qQSt896lmLMSOXfGcvQW439X8=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">North Hessery from the way back in<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>This wouldn't normally be a run worthy of a blog, but I'm writing this as a reminder to myself that Dartmoor, although in the soft and warm south, does deserve some respect. I need to remember to put on gloves a bit earlier, and to pay a bit more attention to those wiggle blue lines across the map.</p><p>Strava - https://www.strava.com/activities/6463061308<br /></p><p><br /></p>Stuart Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030293946147955184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2098003752277720209.post-13573752805019893762021-07-13T14:21:00.014-07:002021-07-13T14:40:31.248-07:00Three Peaks Yacht Race<p>Let's be clear from the start - the Three Peaks Yacht Race is a bizarre event. Many aspects of it just would be very different if you designed the race today, but then you probably wouldn't do that anyway. It's a wonderful event, run by a group of really dedicated and hardworking organisers, but it's a serious undertaking: It's a long way, there isn't much sleep to be had, and if you're not standing on the walls and hanging on while using the toilet, you're going slowly. And if you're going slowly, you're about to be rowing.<br /></p><p>That all makes it sound like it's not fun, but that isn't true: It's amazing fun! This year I was racing with skipper Paul Jackson (father in law), navigator Nick Ridgeway, sailor Craig Williamson, and running with Dave Robinette. This was the team assembled for the 2020 race which finally took place last week. We were racing as many times before on Wild Spirit. WS is a very solid and pretty heavy boat and really does well in heavy weather.</p><p>The forecast didn't look good for us - very light winds were forecast. It looked for a long time like we'd be rowing off the start line. Not ideal.</p><p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjN_IXev-AtHul_jpwNH6APTCYO4T0S691ZSDeBqOsYdePTCeobrCOOoffC6vCFSKxhDd0jP8p6rYJk_75V7Er9EHL0kMryWyTpjOAUQX5PJDvLp96xtZiHKLTFaPeNK4Xgn5rJbkmYUQ/s2048/20210619_085430.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjN_IXev-AtHul_jpwNH6APTCYO4T0S691ZSDeBqOsYdePTCeobrCOOoffC6vCFSKxhDd0jP8p6rYJk_75V7Er9EHL0kMryWyTpjOAUQX5PJDvLp96xtZiHKLTFaPeNK4Xgn5rJbkmYUQ/s320/20210619_085430.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from Wild Spirit in Barmouth harbour before the start<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <p></p><p>Let's rewind a little. The race starts in Barmouth, from where we sail to Caernarfon. The runners jump off, run in, up, down, and out of Snowdon, then we sail on to Whitehaven. Here we again jump off, grab our bikes from the support crew and ride to Black Sail Pass YHA, run to the summit of Scafell and back, then ride home to Whitehaven. Once we get out of the lock gate we embark on the biggest sailing leg up to Corpach, then we jump off one last time and run up and down Ben Nevis to cross the finish line. Here's a helpful map:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6SD7zhQA_LFN_rAwxw6JtmCJvyEGoCwFxt8Rozqqd8iBaIA8_fXDSx_ejGVwL-tpvrpf65sbcOjNB-pwNUH-zAIj23qCQ2NUKedWUoSYBLADY1Ts7NesGkQGvLwXXbjAUF88qdMFAcA/s425/61032d_9280f9e2cb6b458c861eecead6c51afd.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="210" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6SD7zhQA_LFN_rAwxw6JtmCJvyEGoCwFxt8Rozqqd8iBaIA8_fXDSx_ejGVwL-tpvrpf65sbcOjNB-pwNUH-zAIj23qCQ2NUKedWUoSYBLADY1Ts7NesGkQGvLwXXbjAUF88qdMFAcA/s320/61032d_9280f9e2cb6b458c861eecead6c51afd.gif" /></a></div><p></p><p><u><b>Before the start: Barmouth</b></u><br /></p><p></p><p></p><p>After a weird year it was great to be back in Barmouth. Sadly the yacht club couldn't host us for food as usual but familiar faces were around and we got stuck into the familiar chaos of getting stuff to and from a boat moored a couple of hundred metres out in the harbour. The two water taxi drivers are busy from early in the morning till 11 at night ferrying sailors and kit, and helping get provisions onto the boat and unecessary stuff off. Paul, Nick and Craig had sailed up from Plymouth over the previous week so there was plenty to sort out. My main job was to get the rowing gear on and in a reasonable position.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgij1DyKqn3gXlJZMFiiqDzWmaW9dbTD_-LorfboD2s_msJe-WYr56jAEGnlyWd0rSDpdVCHymdtTR8fbR3SsqDIYKbPwwbD0CD6uzBkSBg99kOj2-m05m9-2ScWlL6WmEGfTfml-O-Cr0/s2048/20210619_115412.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgij1DyKqn3gXlJZMFiiqDzWmaW9dbTD_-LorfboD2s_msJe-WYr56jAEGnlyWd0rSDpdVCHymdtTR8fbR3SsqDIYKbPwwbD0CD6uzBkSBg99kOj2-m05m9-2ScWlL6WmEGfTfml-O-Cr0/s320/20210619_115412.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to Row!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>Having had 3 years to perfect the design of the sliding seats and rowlock mounts, I'd finished varnishing the wood the night before I left Cornwall, but by Saturday lunchtime they were on and in position. Now we just had to hope we didn't need them!<br /></p><p><u><b>Leg 1: Barmouth to Caernarfon</b></u></p><p>The lifeboat led us out from our line of moorings (as in first picture) towards the start line. The start of a sailing race seems to involve sailing as close as possible to other boats without hitting them, and getting as close to the start line as possible without crossing it, while some people on a motorboat blow a horn at random intervals. There's often quite a lot of swearing, some emergency direction changes and some very intense clock watching.</p><p>Then you start. HOPEFULLY the wind fills the sails as you turn to cross the line, we frantically winch to pull the sails into position to generate some power, and we hurtle off towards Caernarfon... We didn't hurtle, but at least we weren't rowing...</p><p>I suspect tea was probably made next (sailors like tea) and for a while everything settled down. The next challenge was Bardsey Sound (Swnt Enlli). We went through in about 6th place, behind Team Joy, White Clouds, That's Not My Dog (a team of Olympic dinghy sailors on board Geoff West's Lightning Reflex), Bare Necessities (with Chris Near running, but it's a fast catamaran, which basically means it doesn't count in the sailing race), and The Forty Somethings (with the famous Max Wainwright as a runner!)</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizi7a491A6kJfdj-4rqOM6vjJaySJIMfa_EwKMfmy3bTH164z_JIG8h49Se-IWTUkBdzBogcKVxeOSF8bSBaWXVT0svVMaqwZDYpFpW6Kpo7JGyfHsKQyov3NQlAeWNmg32c3EpMvGq_s/s1322/bardseysound.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="830" data-original-width="1322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizi7a491A6kJfdj-4rqOM6vjJaySJIMfa_EwKMfmy3bTH164z_JIG8h49Se-IWTUkBdzBogcKVxeOSF8bSBaWXVT0svVMaqwZDYpFpW6Kpo7JGyfHsKQyov3NQlAeWNmg32c3EpMvGq_s/s320/bardseysound.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bardsey Sound<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Having navigated Bardsey Sound by about 9pm on Saturday, we continued (presumably with more tea) up the north coast of the <span class="js-about-item-abstr">Llŷn</span> peninsula. The next challenge was Caernarfon Bar, a sandbank somewhere near the entrance to Caernarfon harbour. The first teams (Joy and TNMD) arrived in Caernarfon at about 4am. We arrived at about 5:30 and set off running in 6th position. The first five were on the hill, including Team Aurora who unfortunately set off up the wrong way...<br /></p><p><u><b>Snowdon Run:</b></u></p><p>Here we go then, time to run! The Snowdon run is a tough mixture. 13 km fast road in, steep up, steep unforgiving down, and 14 km fast road out again. We were lucky to start as early in the morning as we did, meaning that the road was quiet. Later in the day running along the A4086 can get a bit hairy!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmIZBLwaeEggNhidUBrgEbHgVHuPhKnqHQq6gWe54S-XxP2Fzve6vNAgJgboXKixIAYC3LKMIcHnjcDPRcTQEg9IyNZ6HNcPMXmAqXxvft3WNGOPaw95qmISBF-pdDTpfCg9nWo2BwmqE/s1069/A4086.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="751" data-original-width="1069" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmIZBLwaeEggNhidUBrgEbHgVHuPhKnqHQq6gWe54S-XxP2Fzve6vNAgJgboXKixIAYC3LKMIcHnjcDPRcTQEg9IyNZ6HNcPMXmAqXxvft3WNGOPaw95qmISBF-pdDTpfCg9nWo2BwmqE/s320/A4086.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The A4086<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>4:20 kilometers are fast for me, but it was coolish and the sailing had been relatively good to our weedy landlubber stomachs, so we ran well. We hit the climb after 57 minutes and immediately took the opportunity to eat! We ran the shallow bits and walked the steep bits, and after pretty much exactly another hour we were at the summit. The organisers had requested that we press the magic button on the tracker and take a selfie at each summit. Unfortunately the selfie camera on my phone doesn't work, so we ended up with this:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglVtzDy2savxUoWQSszVo8dQ4uqhtzYViKXscqoOhq5IRZVMdTLcZS2aYh37pMUthfpnBpe7dw_8bBSl8sOXS5smd34SpIBlzlAOzAFkMK6nztoZAqq_0i9wQeMgU3NO6GxF4Ip82I4bA/s1958/snowdon.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="722" data-original-width="1958" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglVtzDy2savxUoWQSszVo8dQ4uqhtzYViKXscqoOhq5IRZVMdTLcZS2aYh37pMUthfpnBpe7dw_8bBSl8sOXS5smd34SpIBlzlAOzAFkMK6nztoZAqq_0i9wQeMgU3NO6GxF4Ip82I4bA/s320/snowdon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>After Snowdon we swapped. Dave did the photos and I did the tracker.</p><p>Anyway, time to descend! My primary objective here was to remain upright, because the Llanberis track is very much not bouncy. There were a few more people about now, mostly unhappy looking three-peakers. We had passed the runners from Aurora just before the summit and hoped we might catch another team or two. We both survived the descent - at one point Dave landed an incredible double-footed trip very much in the style of a gymnast dismounting a pommel horse, which was pretty spectacular. We picked up a couple of beer cans on the descent because some people are too important to carry their own rubbish.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOH-lejPbPq8ZKR2B0IjKfKdS0v1luMW3NnX-ND7U1rkk-zxmKy0Sekk9IqUxUzwRqw38mb8lBDqbPEW0GA6EwStokYgCuEQ7joSb7G6lF5h1qmsxVHIbjtCiVzBupYWvxd7QvvbpdnQQ/s2048/20210620_074212.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOH-lejPbPq8ZKR2B0IjKfKdS0v1luMW3NnX-ND7U1rkk-zxmKy0Sekk9IqUxUzwRqw38mb8lBDqbPEW0GA6EwStokYgCuEQ7joSb7G6lF5h1qmsxVHIbjtCiVzBupYWvxd7QvvbpdnQQ/s320/20210620_074212.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Distant descending Dave<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>It was hot by we got into Llanberis. Now 26km in and having taken 2:30, I was thinking we were on for a pretty good time. The run back in isn't quite 10 miles but it's a bit of a slog. We managed to maintain 4:20 - 4:30s until the confusing outskirts of Caernarfon. I've done this race enough times to know the way in, but apparently I don't, so we lost a couple of minutes with some fine nav through the town centre. We eventually made it back to the fuel pontoon in 3:39. I think that's the fastest I've ever done that leg, and it was enough to win it for us.</p><p><u><b>Leg 2: Caernarfon to Whitehaven:</b></u></p><p>Finishing the first run leg feels good. You feel slightly less useless on the boat because you proved you can do the bit you said you could do, and if you run well the sailors are generally pleased and nice to you for a while. That said, the sailors have to concentrate on the next bit, because it's time for...</p><p><b>The 👹</b></p><p><b>Menai 👿</b></p><p><b>Straits</b> 😱<br /></p><p>AAAARGH! It's narrow, there's lots of stuff to hit, the tide never goes the right way, there's too much or not enough wind, and there are other boats everywhere. I think Craig counted 83 tacks as we made our way through the straits. We were now either 4th or 5th, because Bare Necessities (the fancy catamaran) had opted for the route around the outside of Anglesey rather than the straits, so their position would become clear later. We had a cracking race with Aurora all the way through, tacking side by side and changing places a couple of times. As a runner you really need to trust your sailors as you head towards another boat, a rock or the bank, then tack at the last possible second before heading towards a new rock, the other bank, or the same boat again!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhde14lUJnsdX2z58EIr9GydnFyo6EYzchwCOCf2U92vKZQulXl6UwsqFbhz7CGPaSHafsPlCsH75L5DonGbKYnapekZvXXgyqmA_M9HLTMcZwQ7WUZ9Ris-8OJ_wahtaJ8yzCGBkUpZPc/s1409/menai.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="826" data-original-width="1409" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhde14lUJnsdX2z58EIr9GydnFyo6EYzchwCOCf2U92vKZQulXl6UwsqFbhz7CGPaSHafsPlCsH75L5DonGbKYnapekZvXXgyqmA_M9HLTMcZwQ7WUZ9Ris-8OJ_wahtaJ8yzCGBkUpZPc/s320/menai.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>The crew on Aurora have produced a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkJ6pJH_mIc" target="_blank">video</a> of the "Battle of the Swellies", as the area is also known, showing just how close we were racing.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkJ6pJH_mIc" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="657" data-original-width="1267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_V4MC5vkZ13cjDmlFpDhTgFTDjDM1mMxkUKsEieYE-C9M1Y4unSBcnvCfM3JQtukaftLryosdLwTpE7_cXRQlz2AhENNDb_Ggb14rT4s_y2BVj4p1hx73eqEdWlJw5nNphjrp7EGfX1k/s320/menai_aurora_close2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boatially distancing with Aurora<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>Eventually we emerged from the Swellies, slightly behnd Aurora after some brilliant sailing from them, but ready for the next long leg up to Whitehaven. Things briefly settled down again for Dave and I. We made tea and probably all had some food as we raced north. By the time we passed the Isle of Man at 9pm on Sunday night we had sneaked past Aurora again and were 5th behind TNMD, Bare Necessities (having returned from going round the outside), Team Joy and White Clouds.</p><p>As we closed in on Whitehaven Bare Necessities and TNMD were neck-and-neck. They arrived at about 3am. We were a couple of hours behind. So many times, the race has restarted at Whitehaven. This is because of the lock gate. The water outside the lock gate is very shallow so only passable at certain times of tide. Often a boat can make it in and drop off their runners, but once the runners return they won't be able to get out for a few hours or more, allowing others to catch up. In theory, if you arrive just as the harbour is accessible and run/ride really fast, you can get out again on the same tide. Doing this is likely to win you the race!</p><p>This is what we'd hoped to try this year. Bare Necessities were able to get in at about 4am (due to their shallow draft). White Clouds, TNMD and Joy got in at about 5, and we were half an hour or so behind. This gave us about 6 and a half hours to ride from Whitehaven to Black Sail YHA, run over to Wasdale then up and down Scafell, then reverse the journey. It would be tight but perhaps possible...</p><p><u><b>Scafell Run</b></u> <br /></p><p>The ride in was good.The cycle path out of Whitehaven is enjoyable in the early morning while it's quiet and we pressed on nicely up to the side of Ennerdale water. Here we there was a route change - due to forestry work the race would now go up the southern side of the valley instead of the normal northern side. Not a big change, but a rougher route. The rocky rooty route was a bit tough on skinny tyres. Dave had brought 42mm tyres which were about perfect. I had 28s which were a bit narrow. Perfect for the road section and I reckon they would've been OK on the normal route through Ennerdale, but on this side I struggled a bit. I had one puncture but we quickly sorted it and were grateful to leave our bikes at Black Sail and head off up the pass.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjuCgBlNTWcy_4zZZ3nE3SLpjL_san5yYkVVkNnTEdmiJ5jhgBsUBD8H-x4ZYWNzMjGEJ2fzVmpTRF1bV2-T7wIRxhrIEodiNcqBLWZXb1ej1Mnc49VIk0BzSZcPtPYzqkdFr0aSuTLv8/s2048/20210621_111128.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjuCgBlNTWcy_4zZZ3nE3SLpjL_san5yYkVVkNnTEdmiJ5jhgBsUBD8H-x4ZYWNzMjGEJ2fzVmpTRF1bV2-T7wIRxhrIEodiNcqBLWZXb1ej1Mnc49VIk0BzSZcPtPYzqkdFr0aSuTLv8/s320/20210621_111128.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back down Ennerdale<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>We climbed well and got to Wasdale head in just under 45 minutes. Here we had a compulsary 5 minute stop with the lovely marshals, and were delighted to accept their flapjack and juice. The Three Peaks marshals are some of the loveliest I have ever met. We gave them our estimated time for the summit and back (an ambitious 1:30) and set off up. Dave set a great pace and climbed really well. I did my best to keep up and secretly hoped his prediction that I'd be quicker on the descent would come true!</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJNu4aCSapxwRjYZi0qvI9mU_Hju5RkHQTb5hHoBdpeHUB0cx4ajPF8KNkqfOX13tfPMy6xbiaz3hx0SynGJM7khvtTTAPg7GLwMfyMPbZ8zgx_JcDbFZ7jh2Jz_rMmyiiZQS7Z2pHpI0/s1600/scafell.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1376" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJNu4aCSapxwRjYZi0qvI9mU_Hju5RkHQTb5hHoBdpeHUB0cx4ajPF8KNkqfOX13tfPMy6xbiaz3hx0SynGJM7khvtTTAPg7GLwMfyMPbZ8zgx_JcDbFZ7jh2Jz_rMmyiiZQS7Z2pHpI0/s320/scafell.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Significantly better summit Selfie (by Dave)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>We hit the top in just under an hour, then turned to descend. Thank goodness Dave was right - only very slightly, but I could run at 99% rather than 100% for a little while and had a tiny bit of recovery. We cruised into Wasdale after about 1:28, feeling pretty pleased with ourselves. Another quick helping of Flapjack and we set off back up Black Sail.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRnHejAXRIyqwO6O8c5mNeJm7ko4qLksi1Bn77PeuNUEbuL7VgDjSf_13EPEm8bJdufaAVKbLMwTff5BRuAFHBnT5YiGiKzSeBXu8e8hrQVfjdHyrivFzy5gEvdN-swk2Bpv98KBmoVI/s2048/20210621_111207.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRnHejAXRIyqwO6O8c5mNeJm7ko4qLksi1Bn77PeuNUEbuL7VgDjSf_13EPEm8bJdufaAVKbLMwTff5BRuAFHBnT5YiGiKzSeBXu8e8hrQVfjdHyrivFzy5gEvdN-swk2Bpv98KBmoVI/s320/20210621_111207.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nearly back at the bikes<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />At the top we saw Ricky Lightfoot run across towards Pillar. I shouted at him like a fanboy and was definately not cool.<p></p><p>3 hours and 7 minutes after leaving, we were back at Black Sail Hut. All that remained now was to ride back well, and we might just make it on that tide...</p><p>Then it aaaaaaaaaaall went a bit pear-shaped! Not long into the ride I got my first puncture. We stopped, patched it (having used my spare tube on the way out), put it back in and pressed on. The midges were annoying when we stopped but all was sorted in a couple of minutes and we were back on the road.</p><p>Then it happened again, this time the front wheel. We patched it again and I vowed to ride a bit more slowly in order to preserve the last patch. After about 15 minutes being midge-fodder we didn't really want to stop again.</p><p>Aaaand then it happened AGAIN! Now things were getting a bit desperate. We fixed it with the final patch and put the wheel back on. Just as I put the front wheel back on, there was a loud hissing from the back wheel - one of the previous repairs had blown again. We were now getting eaten alive, very annoyed, hemorrhaging time, and had no tubes or patches left. Dave tried in vain to get his wide tube to fit but it wasn't happening. I changed back from bike shoes to run shoes in anticipation of a bike-carrying run. We'd now lost half an hour in stops and more in slowness, but it looked like getting a lot worse.</p><p>Dave's suggestion saved the day. It wasn't perfect, but stuffing all the (punctured) tubes we had into the inner tube bulked it up enough to give it some shape and hold the tyre on the rim. Gingerly I rode on along the track. If this didn't work I was carrying!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_UGji76Rs24zrrrrzCiFMqIPLkX1v8kK3ATOqNCeHCtETyIMoZtxSy109AiKuuWB8l8Ws1HRCYb2A9RjYnU_LbE6_s4SIe6ngLx1_65Xn5VpA_JA2YuMKJ9f8GYeg8apK8GNE_Tznd0/s1051/backfromBlackSail.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="513" data-original-width="1051" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_UGji76Rs24zrrrrzCiFMqIPLkX1v8kK3ATOqNCeHCtETyIMoZtxSy109AiKuuWB8l8Ws1HRCYb2A9RjYnU_LbE6_s4SIe6ngLx1_65Xn5VpA_JA2YuMKJ9f8GYeg8apK8GNE_Tznd0/s320/backfromBlackSail.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downhill but not enjoyable this time!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>It was incredibly bumpy on account of having three valves stuffed in my tyre, but it did just about work. The ride back took us nearly 2 and a quarter hours (about an hour slower than we had hoped), so we made it back well after the cut-off for escaping Whitehaven on one tide. Bare Necessities had done so, but the only thing that made me feel slightly better was that almost everyone else had the same problem, so we were actually only 3rd in on the leg. However, it would lose of the overall King of the Mountains title.<br /></p><p><u><b>Leg 3: Whitehav</b><b>en to Corpach</b></u></p><p>We now had a few hours at Whitehaven waiting for the tide to rise so we could get out. TNMD, White Clouds, Joy and Aurora were in the same position. The sailors slept, Dave and I ate quite a lot and chatted to support crew Judith, then Craig, Dave and I ventured to Whitehaven Tesco. I bought toothpaste (a welcome upgrade from the soap I had been using).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv108cOHtsb1It4amhFHs_0Cetln6EAbWPp8l7HLw9dTyHfkH50ivnDZe9jYe3MXXwhTQfp72VcP1XKc8dLiRt7T9QxBJNbNTS3sDXB4tOdxWH2mRV-oIHcP63h_7YNhm6p_JsgcsZk0Q/s2048/20210622_121434.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv108cOHtsb1It4amhFHs_0Cetln6EAbWPp8l7HLw9dTyHfkH50ivnDZe9jYe3MXXwhTQfp72VcP1XKc8dLiRt7T9QxBJNbNTS3sDXB4tOdxWH2mRV-oIHcP63h_7YNhm6p_JsgcsZk0Q/s320/20210622_121434.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>At the time he didn't find it funny, but the skipper now fondly remembers what happened next. As the clock ticked down to the first locking out we got ready to leave our berth and head for the lock. So did TNMD, White Clouds, etc. etc. We radio'd the lock keeper to check when he'd let us in. He told us he couldn't let us in because we hadn't paid. We protested that of course we had. He said I can't let you in till I have an email from the office confirming you've paid. We phoned the office. The office was closed so the phone was redirected. To the lock keeper. We explained that an email didn't look likely unless he was going to send it to himself, and could he please let us in, which he did.</p><p>Once we were all in, the water was raised and the doors finally opened, all hell broke loose in a sort of slow way. TNMD shot off out of the lock, and ran aground. Joy did pretty much the same thing. White Clouds tried to go round them, and ran aground. We waited slightly then did some sort of cunning route around them. The was some chat amongst the sea dogs that TNMD had been a bit reckless and caused a blockage, but to me it looked like everyone was doing exactly the same.<br /></p><p>We headed off into the Irish Sea to the sound of a very irate commercial skipper on the radio... I can't help thinking that the Whitehaven lock keeper must dread the day we arrive!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0Bom99rA0G_jkSmX-e4hRhUSxEwJhEzSkBne5-rzu1Gv0_nBdzynjy2BcM8q0aoYuLAoY1mm_nGwkaxXVqAksvvhfiuRT29pHA30btruD8Lnd5PEFWFufHnhn20s9nsasYuIIHWPZKM/s1314/mullofgalloway.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="785" data-original-width="1314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0Bom99rA0G_jkSmX-e4hRhUSxEwJhEzSkBne5-rzu1Gv0_nBdzynjy2BcM8q0aoYuLAoY1mm_nGwkaxXVqAksvvhfiuRT29pHA30btruD8Lnd5PEFWFufHnhn20s9nsasYuIIHWPZKM/s320/mullofgalloway.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Around the Mull of Galloway<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>By 1:30 on Tuesday morning we were close to the usual four, and a little behind Bare Necessities as we rounded the Mull of Galloway. It had been a straight run from Whitehaven, but after turning at the bottom of the Mull it was time to tack again. Here we had a navigational decision to make: Do we follow the others and most likely hold onto 5th, or do we try to do something different. We went for the second option and headed over almost to Ireland!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzarz-EUY_RaDR4Uk-8r6tMkV3USTP-6ULlRtaA8oIQDau7zyYMoSzm_IblhVKt37eDEw6kx75KqQTrKFP0DgjrSa4-zHpP7tE5UF2CumyV8cDSTvHMIFMHinP2ZXnt3zYO1nZyMcpHKc/s1337/ireland.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="815" data-original-width="1337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzarz-EUY_RaDR4Uk-8r6tMkV3USTP-6ULlRtaA8oIQDau7zyYMoSzm_IblhVKt37eDEw6kx75KqQTrKFP0DgjrSa4-zHpP7tE5UF2CumyV8cDSTvHMIFMHinP2ZXnt3zYO1nZyMcpHKc/s320/ireland.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Irish day trip<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>For the next 12 hours we tacked up the Irish coast, then finally headed back across around 3pm on Tuesday. We ended up, predictably, very close to Aurora. TNMD, Joy and White Clouds had pulled away from us. The gamble hadn't quite paid off this time.</p><p>There was some sloooow sailing up the Mull of Kintyre. We had the oars out for a few hours of on-and-off rowing, and the sort of tense sailing where you don't dare move to go for a wee until you REALLY need a wee. It was tense, but we fared better than Aurora, who were further in to the mull and hit even worse conditions (they did a little pirouette at one point). Once they got going again we took a few great shots of them as the sun set. It was a beautiful evening to be on a boat.<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5oGu9A0xV6Mdc1uG-G5CHvQJyPY7AaKrnTDmg2XmZHhx0OeoSnJ5QQjvu0BdAs4O3Y34kxG62fczriB0ePYYhF5-gmkXcjJEDmQNyIF7aIbvUhpFEEK1MTUbbbKXLMQEcscmvjF217c/s4000/P1070039.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5oGu9A0xV6Mdc1uG-G5CHvQJyPY7AaKrnTDmg2XmZHhx0OeoSnJ5QQjvu0BdAs4O3Y34kxG62fczriB0ePYYhF5-gmkXcjJEDmQNyIF7aIbvUhpFEEK1MTUbbbKXLMQEcscmvjF217c/s320/P1070039.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amazing Tuesday sunset<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p> Next, we decided to take another unusual route. Instead of the normal route up the east side of Jura and Islay, we decided to sail through the Sound of Islay, the narrow channel between the two. This was in search of better tide (or perhaps better wind. One of the two always seems to be trying to take you in the wrong direction).</p><p>By about 4am on Wednesday we were back on the conventional route. Aurora were a long way back after some tough sailing in light conditions, Bare Necessities were a few miles from Corpach, TNMD and Joy were still locked in battle, now in Loch Linhe, and White Clouds were somewhere between us and them. It turned out that TNMD had lost their electrics overnight and had to follow Joy all night! Sadly for Team Joy, once daylight came the youngsters apparenty nipped past them.</p><p>By the early morning we sailed past Mull, and decided (AGAIN!) to take an unusual route, one I've only just spotted while writing this. We went east of Lismore island:</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJ32AJoR0XkQWat3zI_pqbNbLUR8DqDAFcLIRHWY9608xlPYBbPI_mTHQ5N8NNnNP9XGcMaI9l4IrRBcSxjJwrZEVpWOoqpU-VxDrcsTNlxdw_ZNieFwkCTH-J1NmbMwv9CM05wrKu5Q/s955/lismore.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="614" data-original-width="955" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJ32AJoR0XkQWat3zI_pqbNbLUR8DqDAFcLIRHWY9608xlPYBbPI_mTHQ5N8NNnNP9XGcMaI9l4IrRBcSxjJwrZEVpWOoqpU-VxDrcsTNlxdw_ZNieFwkCTH-J1NmbMwv9CM05wrKu5Q/s320/lismore.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild Spirit goes unusual again<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The route wasn't that unconventional compared to the whole race, with quite a few going the same way over the following days, but we were the only of the top 6 teams to do so. The gap to White Clouds remained fairly steady so perhaps it was the right choice.</p><p>As we popped out and entered Loch Linhe, everyone in front had begun the climb up Ben Nevis. It would be five hours of frustrating sailing before we got there. Dave and I had plenty of time to prepare for our final run. We knew now that we had won Snowdon but lost a huge amount of time on Scafell. To stand a chance of winning the overall King of the Mountains we would need an amazing run on Ben Nevis. It was probably not possible but we were going to give it a go!<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIjnAhtMUO2yhgrdu3fyzHEWxlG-w_z8l74mqJ9dc_xTkXg4wwaCj5BFmMXVBPSOWH4Qgk9eUBIAMmJL0RJ4tnRrT106NzPgM0o_b8XcEpUf-9q_zInenMPZiQpIbykwrxV8rQUlNM1k/s2048/20210623_133535.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIjnAhtMUO2yhgrdu3fyzHEWxlG-w_z8l74mqJ9dc_xTkXg4wwaCj5BFmMXVBPSOWH4Qgk9eUBIAMmJL0RJ4tnRrT106NzPgM0o_b8XcEpUf-9q_zInenMPZiQpIbykwrxV8rQUlNM1k/s320/20210623_133535.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>By midday we were through the Corran Narrows. After some more tense slow sailing and light wind spinnaker stuff we'd made it through before the tide turned so the sailors were delighted. I think we probably had tea to celebrate. It was lovely to see Judith and my Mum and Dad waving from the ferry jetty as we passed by. Another job for the runners' list: "Wave to well-wishers".<br /></p><p>Around 2pm we made it to Corpach. The four ahead had been up and down. We hoped we could beat them on the hill, but it was the team "Bee and the Bros" somewhere behind us that we were really worried about.</p><p><u><b>Ben Nevis Run</b></u></p><p>We jumped off the boat, completed our final 5 minute kit check with lovely marshals, then gave them an ambitious estimate for our up and down time. I think we said 3 hours...</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_4M-c8dFZ1t-3gRllukpIKZVMR9AEnFqQiTr2pT45YNnpkD5kEBlXk-8LFhEhCc6uRW-Q8hWQEk_kfhwbPPgbSAPFVHHrN5rl5wn94cW7_OvCmt9viLSzo_QrD0QlhFChtxZ9kjm_bI/s1502/ben+start.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1502" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_4M-c8dFZ1t-3gRllukpIKZVMR9AEnFqQiTr2pT45YNnpkD5kEBlXk-8LFhEhCc6uRW-Q8hWQEk_kfhwbPPgbSAPFVHHrN5rl5wn94cW7_OvCmt9viLSzo_QrD0QlhFChtxZ9kjm_bI/s320/ben+start.jpg" /></a></div>The plan was 30 mins to the bottom of hill, 1:15 to the top, 45 minutes down, 30 mins back.<p></p><p>We set off at a pace comensurate with achieving this, and it quickly became apparent that I was likely to be the limiting factor.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPXCp9v-DCPreM-NOk0q9lDS0xpoHkAFW_lFJbEky8AQi1PrKCI3XAlinJDxhzrx4aOWZ2idfmYJDrxlSzAurbVzqWd47EugTUqukpr8_6JlpAm5JSvYkGeEYntoqExN_yk6VzYtZZTA/s1000/ben+go.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPXCp9v-DCPreM-NOk0q9lDS0xpoHkAFW_lFJbEky8AQi1PrKCI3XAlinJDxhzrx4aOWZ2idfmYJDrxlSzAurbVzqWd47EugTUqukpr8_6JlpAm5JSvYkGeEYntoqExN_yk6VzYtZZTA/s320/ben+go.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <p></p><p>The run out to the bottom was OK, we found our way, got our running legs back and ran a decent pace. I think Dave could've been quicker but he was at least trying. The run in only includes about 30m of elevation gain (to the Achintee house bothy) but is 7km. It took us 29 minutes. At the bottom we saw Dad again, and soon after saw Rob Howard of Sleepmonsters, who as ever was doing an awesome job of covering the race. I honestly don't know how Rob and his colleague (sorry I don't know your name!) managed to get everywhere they did - they probably worked harder than we did!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu6xtPILxK6GKMwR41UffZmpLTURBzZoVNJ8j_o7AsXMftVCtBch7D5dRu6O5DNQ3L4b76g2x74tPoSOYtPb9mUY0mcQ4kTwLMX0P5UEQHVsS6kfds50XHXgGFDkE111lKDxSH6FPoQ6I/s1000/ben+up.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu6xtPILxK6GKMwR41UffZmpLTURBzZoVNJ8j_o7AsXMftVCtBch7D5dRu6O5DNQ3L4b76g2x74tPoSOYtPb9mUY0mcQ4kTwLMX0P5UEQHVsS6kfds50XHXgGFDkE111lKDxSH6FPoQ6I/s320/ben+up.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <p></p><p>The Ben Nevis climb isn't really that technical, it's just a lot of climbing. We summited after 1:49. Slightly behind schedule but loads quicker than I've ever done it before. We took the requisite selfie and turned to descend. I secretly hoped that I would be slightly stronger on the descent after being the weaker on the climb.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7lCvspgW_aR-pd11lVoZ55LzSffdOgjSWUvZkf7zkQj0TPl8l_k_mk22NJ_jVoTmgBzkoSvJwT67DwMuwJJw2z-TBipTdkUX8GTcCo47PIE0AlN3CguGxBFCta_C52lZgNWTmzPCGA4k/s1602/ben.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1602" data-original-width="1134" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7lCvspgW_aR-pd11lVoZ55LzSffdOgjSWUvZkf7zkQj0TPl8l_k_mk22NJ_jVoTmgBzkoSvJwT67DwMuwJJw2z-TBipTdkUX8GTcCo47PIE0AlN3CguGxBFCta_C52lZgNWTmzPCGA4k/s320/ben.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nearby pedestrian insisted on taking our "selfie" for us<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> If I was, it was hardly noticable. In fact, Dave and I were about the closest matched pair I have been part of for a long time. He was slightly stronger than me overall throughout the race, but there wasn't much in it and we set some times I'm pretty proud of. He can cook too, which the sailors liked.<p></p><p>The descent went well. No-one crashed, though we both had moments, and we were back through the bothy car park pretty much bang on 2:30. I had a sneaking suspicion that the run in was going to hurt...</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2tnt2twDS7s_WJk9sGbEEvIyFdlFeLWKs5OWJAqXfSF9ulPq03tnAFl4KmEhqAke47m_8-WdistWMRl_veJ7SBvpbtbUHUSZ5BqmfYEcOic-QlgscgnIuyUkwlGGFoQjed_RCd4jXnOc/s1000/ben+down.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2tnt2twDS7s_WJk9sGbEEvIyFdlFeLWKs5OWJAqXfSF9ulPq03tnAFl4KmEhqAke47m_8-WdistWMRl_veJ7SBvpbtbUHUSZ5BqmfYEcOic-QlgscgnIuyUkwlGGFoQjed_RCd4jXnOc/s320/ben+down.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave: Man of Steel.<br />Stu: Pale-legged flailing man<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>It did! It took us slightly over 30 minutes, giving us a final time of 3:04 (33 mins quicker than the next team). I spent most of the time in a very dark little bubble trying to keep my legs turning over as fast as I could and looking forward to not running. But eventually, as always, the end arrived.</p><p>We had finished! Not just the run but the whole race. Thank flip for that.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjluJikNoxrlGM711kqjF-iL5WYMcIJe2g5569t_HQf4wK46157Y5vgTyzPDeJI3NfqX-Aw1DyREulLZeTv2UF0MCo3VVfbadncnx-9GCIR4GIfAY5GKOqtcqKf_UIzJp4jyMcNCAEsjWw/s1502/ben+end+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1502" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjluJikNoxrlGM711kqjF-iL5WYMcIJe2g5569t_HQf4wK46157Y5vgTyzPDeJI3NfqX-Aw1DyREulLZeTv2UF0MCo3VVfbadncnx-9GCIR4GIfAY5GKOqtcqKf_UIzJp4jyMcNCAEsjWw/s320/ben+end+2.jpg" /></a></div> <p></p><p><b><u>How did we do?</u></b></p><p>In this race more than any other, it can actually be quite difficult to work out where you finished! Having dissected the spreadsheets made available, here are our results:</p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Barmouth - Caernarfon: 5th<br /></li><li>Snowdon run: 1st (3:38)<br /></li><li>Caernarfon - Whitehaven: 3rd<br /></li><li>Scafell run/ride: 3rd (7:49)</li><li>Whitehaven - Corpach: 4th<br /></li><li>Ben Nevis run: 1st (3:04)<br /></li></ul>And overall... <ul style="text-align: left;"><li>4th (Joy, White Clouds, TNMD)<br /></li><li>King of the Mountains: 2nd (Bee and the Bros)</li></ul><p>So that's that, another epic Three Peaks Yacht Race completed! It wasn't the clean sweep of 2018 but I ran much much better than that year, and any previous year. Massive thanks to Dave for being a bit quicker than me and being willing to really go for it to set some quick times this year! If I'd brought the right tyres we would've been the Kings of the Mountains, but I bet we would've run the Ben in 3:04.</p><p>Congratulations to everyone who took part, and to Team Joy for the overall win, and Bee and the Bros for King of the Mountains. <br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhceI_6rN_-fBHEeWV5IzS2ZUmnJRhZsG45EKzWahJPqc-87cxtq-GnAOGc6RGR7DxdpMlcfWoBX5_u6uSITSyZpVh6R1fnX3OK_Dye6PEIXaen6fcuS3yqJccYfw9ilUpl1Kf88h2daSs/s1000/team1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhceI_6rN_-fBHEeWV5IzS2ZUmnJRhZsG45EKzWahJPqc-87cxtq-GnAOGc6RGR7DxdpMlcfWoBX5_u6uSITSyZpVh6R1fnX3OK_Dye6PEIXaen6fcuS3yqJccYfw9ilUpl1Kf88h2daSs/s320/team1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Classic warm beer finishline photo<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> <p></p><p>Paul, Nick and Craig were a mega sailing team - so much to do and so little sleep! Congratulations on a great race in mostly unsuitable conditions for Wild Spirit and thanks for getting us to the bottom of the hills. Look forward to sailing with you again.</p><p>Huge thanks are of course also due to Judith for being a fantastic support
crew. Often undervalued but hard work. Thanks to everyone who cheered us on via the tracker, my
Mum and Dad for coming to cheer in person, and to Scott and Accelerate
for supplying my short shorts. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy2WW7CcCCzNV23Dozr_VIKwtfPi-Ql2-7D8whYFA6Pg1cGQAtJed8ShUcF7uMIn4Q2LAmJDx3d-wHeOAVjjNHJmhyt1mTtANa7sQwamOPj_U5Hh4pTZGe4zOjIVZth8_s1EMheFWwlVU/s1000/team2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy2WW7CcCCzNV23Dozr_VIKwtfPi-Ql2-7D8whYFA6Pg1cGQAtJed8ShUcF7uMIn4Q2LAmJDx3d-wHeOAVjjNHJmhyt1mTtANa7sQwamOPj_U5Hh4pTZGe4zOjIVZth8_s1EMheFWwlVU/s320/team2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skipper, runners, support crew (that's not our dog)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> <p></p><p>Finally, thanks to the organisers, sponsors, marshals and Rob and team for managing to put on a great race this year despite all the blah blah. I'm not sure, but perhaps I'll see you again for one more Three Peaks adventure...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKR2oQPWzu78rNTk_uXZsUMXJZaIaENAo0tO_39ulsncGegvjvBg4NYa8dbSfbHGljvmhyphenhyphenUsSiRQjh8Ec4n4CGavxCXzjZu3aU7rVOs7E-TfOGDUuckyfkcnX2n1IAFlGNdHUN9TbAskQ/s2048/20210625_223009.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKR2oQPWzu78rNTk_uXZsUMXJZaIaENAo0tO_39ulsncGegvjvBg4NYa8dbSfbHGljvmhyphenhyphenUsSiRQjh8Ec4n4CGavxCXzjZu3aU7rVOs7E-TfOGDUuckyfkcnX2n1IAFlGNdHUN9TbAskQ/s320/20210625_223009.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The end<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Stuart Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030293946147955184noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2098003752277720209.post-18833779336561338802020-10-09T11:16:00.001-07:002020-10-09T11:16:39.004-07:00A race against time<p>It's been over a year since the <a href="https://challengestu.blogspot.com/2019/09/the-double-bob-glorious-failure.html" target="_blank">Double BG</a>, and the world looks unimaginably different in many ways! Not only for the obvious reason, but because I've <a href="https://runnersagainstrubbish.wordpress.com/2020/02/05/africa/" target="_blank">visited Africa</a> (Charlie said it would change me) and moved to Cornwall. Anyway, after recovering from the double it was soon time to start thinking about the Fellsman again. In about February I realised I really needed to ramp up my long runs and get back out there! I recall one particularly lovely long run out to Stanage and the Peak, including a chance meeting with Dan Shrimpton (and his new puppy) who I'd not seen for years, but after not very many long runs, the Fellsman was cancelled and it was time for a rethink.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgHMdIrtmh7YRkuh2zdsxQNa91_AXqRot4C3DPkA27xD5v5XoIHoevyq3r752PMHlXVbCgdYe3THiCHMctawLcAgxehoKqpq5A7MludfPVfZ5VwJ5jyw8bajzKnoHGKbK2xCaciBb1WRY/s1600/IMG-20190827-WA0006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgHMdIrtmh7YRkuh2zdsxQNa91_AXqRot4C3DPkA27xD5v5XoIHoevyq3r752PMHlXVbCgdYe3THiCHMctawLcAgxehoKqpq5A7MludfPVfZ5VwJ5jyw8bajzKnoHGKbK2xCaciBb1WRY/s320/IMG-20190827-WA0006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One last shot from the glorious double weekend <br /></div><p></p><p>As tough as it would've been, I was really sad to miss the chance to defend my Fellsman title. I took part in the online event put on by the organisers but my heart wasn't in it, I didn't really understand and I'm pretty sure I finished last. It turns out my navigational ability on Facebook is even more limited than my navigational ability in the Yorkshire Dales! Shortly after that we moved to Cornwall.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT33nn4JhJ5aJSHrC8sndiZ0W-Rkb8zC_wdjd7iVZpEDSdzIxgM5zEyzN-3Bnk4S82XsLtDpoV8ozMx1gd6rN1cqZYQ0P9eikThjOPWhipTfCsSlkBRovxrMSNXReWcT3E7jV0Jbc9zQA/s2048/20200828_115806.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT33nn4JhJ5aJSHrC8sndiZ0W-Rkb8zC_wdjd7iVZpEDSdzIxgM5zEyzN-3Bnk4S82XsLtDpoV8ozMx1gd6rN1cqZYQ0P9eikThjOPWhipTfCsSlkBRovxrMSNXReWcT3E7jV0Jbc9zQA/s320/20200828_115806.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The joys of coast path running! <br /></div><p></p><p>I do miss running out of Sheffield and up the Porter Brook towards the Ox Stones on the long way home, and long weekend runs out onto Kinder, but the South West Coast Path is a wonderful thing. The Cornish coast is spectacular, particularly now summer is over and the weather is starting to get interesting. Inland things are low (rarely over 100m) but quiet and there are some cracking singletrack trails through beautiful woodland.</p><p>Through lockdown and all of that I became a bit undecided about running... It was undoubtedly good to get out of the house and plod about, but I couldn't decide if I actually enjoyed training, rather than just running. I allowed myself a few weeks of low intensity, after which I got a bit bored and started training again. The love/hate relationship continues, but recently I started to think I did enjoy training, and perhaps I should even consider...</p><p>Surely not...</p><p> <span style="color: #660000;"><span> </span>Maybe...</span></p><p> <span style="color: #cc0000;"><span> <span> </span></span>A...</span></p><p> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span> <span style="color: red;"><b>RACE!</b></span></p><p>I entered one. It was in Devon, which I was confident was just down the road (but more on that later). The race was the PureTrail Race the Tide marathon. In previous years it's been a long marathon of about 28.5 miles, which I thought might suit me, but this year there were some changes. The race was shortened to just marathon distance, and we would set off in waves, in a sort of reverse handicap system with the fastest starting first and the slowest last to minimise overtaking.</p><p>The course looked great - we'd start on the beach at the Flete Estate, and though this year we wouldn't actually get to race the tide, we would certainly get plenty wet early on as we ran through the estuary and off along the coast path towards Burgh Island. We'd then go around the island, inland for the middle section of the race, then back across to the coast path to head back towards the Flete Estate to finish.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBe0ENYH2sKdG33VAPGNdRfg2CTdeKJ6qSQe_TkKMsWqPec_9gARfispjo8LQVSC0b0AOmNZILltZWi6gYdksAnSUeWcYN3oza0CZIvbTYzL_j2eOGDQ6ctjyIi5PSkRdHZkV7hu5gjcw/s953/map.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="761" data-original-width="953" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBe0ENYH2sKdG33VAPGNdRfg2CTdeKJ6qSQe_TkKMsWqPec_9gARfispjo8LQVSC0b0AOmNZILltZWi6gYdksAnSUeWcYN3oza0CZIvbTYzL_j2eOGDQ6ctjyIi5PSkRdHZkV7hu5gjcw/s320/map.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />It looked like about 1200m of ascent and at least a few kilometres of beach or estuary running, so I put my estimated time down as between 3:30 and 4 hours. This put me in the first group, meaning I would start at 12:45. My number arrived in the post a few days before the race and I packed my usual kit (Scott Supertrac RC Ultra shoes, Injinji socks, old Accelerate-Scott shorts, Dark Peak vest).<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQliHBwFqgz9rCXNpHjlZPZ3-I5IjRd60HGU_CqUQx8WDaSTmoJIi_BXUH_1puokFZdkbHYjKTXc-SI7dvOQGhi0Hpng45R8K1dgCwOUVSMKgl2QuyAtnk6VJu5sZrYnGdscTMqTFneY/s2048/mkgy7d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1678" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQliHBwFqgz9rCXNpHjlZPZ3-I5IjRd60HGU_CqUQx8WDaSTmoJIi_BXUH_1puokFZdkbHYjKTXc-SI7dvOQGhi0Hpng45R8K1dgCwOUVSMKgl2QuyAtnk6VJu5sZrYnGdscTMqTFneY/s320/mkgy7d.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not seen one of these for a while! <br /></div><p></p><p>Then things started to go wrong... We left with plenty of time to spare according to Captain Google, but something slow happened in Truro and our ETA gradually ticked towards 12:40... Still, I had most of my kit on, surely I could tie my laces and get down to the start in five minutes!</p><p>I knew it would be tight, but I hadn't expected to miss the start completely! I'm not sure how it happened, I guess I was a few minutes later than I thought and the organisers started a few minutes early, but by the time I left the parking field they had stopped calling anyone to the marathon start. I sprinted down the hill to the start (pausing only to turn off the navigation on my phone as it started asking me to turn around - it cost me a few seconds but had to be worth it not to have Google warbling away about U-turns all the way) and was told I was the last person to start. Oops. I didn't want to upset anyone by overtaking them so I asked the marshals if I should give it a miss for today, but they suggested I shouldn't worry too much.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4yYqFTi_gYq0dTh8DEzHjuIRi8Ps7TlDD1cL4I88X96wdkI7p1d_E_p1DIg3mvjEIekD8kg4MbDUI3u_SIa73MEDmxfsUAMjx31TyuP-zCwL3hZdLQ9iS5d15T4oOnoxLoPfunWGl7RM/s960/Pure-Trail-Crossing-the-Estuary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4yYqFTi_gYq0dTh8DEzHjuIRi8Ps7TlDD1cL4I88X96wdkI7p1d_E_p1DIg3mvjEIekD8kg4MbDUI3u_SIa73MEDmxfsUAMjx31TyuP-zCwL3hZdLQ9iS5d15T4oOnoxLoPfunWGl7RM/s320/Pure-Trail-Crossing-the-Estuary.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Runners coming out of the estuary at the start of the race <br /></div><p></p><p>Anyway, after all that, at 12:45 (by my watch anyway) I started... Not an ideal start but once I was running there was less to stress about. I had a mask in my pocket so I put this on and waited for gaps to pass big groups of runners. I soon caught up with my friends Andrew and Steve (who I met supporting Leah Atherton's sadly-aborted attempt at the SWCP record) who laughed at / encouraged me. It was a beautiful day, and for the first time in over a year I was racing!</p><p>Burgh island was lovely. By this point the overtaking was taking longer, and people were more spread out. I worried that I'd overcooked it in the panic early on, but fortunately I wasn't wearing my heart rate monitor so in the absence of data I chose to assume not.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Li9S1Gt5DH9Yw3gaR_I4xZjLZ-mpCWWiF7e8idhmzN0R2XPV5HfylkMLDLXtoTI-XyioEG94PUlPt9ritt6qNZqPAKBs9hpTqmTEhSjbgNVW0NgQ890Bo3Ql0hkAvSMCs0aIzlg3EOU/s1200/burgh_island_devon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="837" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Li9S1Gt5DH9Yw3gaR_I4xZjLZ-mpCWWiF7e8idhmzN0R2XPV5HfylkMLDLXtoTI-XyioEG94PUlPt9ritt6qNZqPAKBs9hpTqmTEhSjbgNVW0NgQ890Bo3Ql0hkAvSMCs0aIzlg3EOU/s320/burgh_island_devon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Burgh Island.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I look forward to visiting in a more relaxed fashion.<br /></div><div><p></p><p>As things started to thin out a bit I had my only navigational hiccup of the race, when I and three others became confused by a road section. I don't think we actually went wrong, we just slowed down while I tried to find us on the map, then sped up again when we started to see markers again. It probably only cost us a few seconds... By about halfway I was passing people slowly enough to have a quick chat, and managed to ascertain from a lovely guy in an Okehampton vest that there were 4 or 5 in front, and that the first wave had set off about 9 minutes ahead of me. This gave me a nice advantage in that as soon as I could see someone in the distance, I was pretty much already past them. They didn't know this, but I did!</p><p></p><p>Nearer the end I was flagging, particularly on a long section around the end of an estuary. The stony track was straight and slightly uphill, absolutely no excuse for not running it at a good pace but it was hard work to keep going! I hadn't seen anyone for a while and I was ready for the next checkpoint (3 of 4) to refill my water. Finally the map told me it was just around the corner, and as I approached it I saw another runner! I refilled my water, grabbed a Mr Kipling energy object and headed out in front of him. Now I was up into third and feeling refreshed and rejuvinated ready for the final section!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsqANISC-DidOh0TL7ilf3ktx1Y5kz3Qlmr0fz4B5vcZyc0XOQYHfx15jHdA_C4QnVfW2UJzIK7g_Epdn6AlEzNbppEgau8Mt-3iWeUcY7N8wrGvI2PYTxOV158ZztXONNFK-aBnhio-w/s1600/IMG-20200919-WA0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsqANISC-DidOh0TL7ilf3ktx1Y5kz3Qlmr0fz4B5vcZyc0XOQYHfx15jHdA_C4QnVfW2UJzIK7g_Epdn6AlEzNbppEgau8Mt-3iWeUcY7N8wrGvI2PYTxOV158ZztXONNFK-aBnhio-w/s320/IMG-20200919-WA0003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">This is as close as I get to a sprint! A rare sight these days... <br /></p><p>I was knackered now, I had definitely burned too many matches early on and was paying the price now. But there wasn't far to go, and at the final checkpoint I was told that the leader was "five or ten" minutes ahead, and second place even nearer (obviously). I didn't have time to explain why I was so excited by what probably felt like a huge gap, but I was off again and tried to keep going as hard as I could. Soon I caught a glimpse of second place, and as he gradually came closer I realised he had seen me too. He would look behind then speed up for a few minutes, and I started to feel guilty about forcing him to race when really I was already in front! Once I was near enough I took the risk of sounding like a total tit and shouted something like "I started after you so I don't think we're racing"... Talking to him afterwards he was a lovely guy and said "I'm glad you broke my heart when you did rather than at the finishline", so I guess it was the right thing to do.</p><p></p><p>Anyway, I was now in second, or maybe even first... I tried my hardest to keep pushing to reduce the gap that may or may not exist, to keep running up every hill and to keep striding out on the flat rather than just lolloping along. Soon enough I was on the beach again, then running back up the hill I'd sprinted down to the start where I received some lovely encouragement from a child in a dinosaur outfit, then finally into the finish field. I sprinted against no-one and crossed the line in 3:51:55.</p><p>Slower than I'd hoped, but a tough route with plenty of hard going and a fair bit of climb. At the finish no-one knew exactly what time the first finisher had done, though the partner of the nice man I'd passed for second thought it would be very tight...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgenaVKYrowo1ydA0U11VftXoXOhKJtcewHOMAPNdpRJMy1u1IN47LitWMx-5fVOF4aX0SYq5wpDhSW9xfsjtx1OIJao29szN5HtIM19pyocxz3CKQivDLNuh_bw2-0I9Fqd2Wxu-JKOdU/s707/IMG-20200919-WA0016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="659" data-original-width="707" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgenaVKYrowo1ydA0U11VftXoXOhKJtcewHOMAPNdpRJMy1u1IN47LitWMx-5fVOF4aX0SYq5wpDhSW9xfsjtx1OIJao29szN5HtIM19pyocxz3CKQivDLNuh_bw2-0I9Fqd2Wxu-JKOdU/s320/IMG-20200919-WA0016.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>She was right! I lost by eight seconds. The winner, Matt Hart, ran 3:51:47. He ran hard despite not thinking he was actually racing anyone, so congratulations Matt, and hopefully one day we can race properly.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj8bM8HHrlu08kH5q5Iay0yzylC7vOJAtfaHWoLivo8Cqmhuf_nJ8r3TY4N9z2HZFWT2XT_XohodLBsYCVe3DmKB21GmA27ogUWk1yDbUekSPJ2sZ2t0FHU-pzs53O42QoLEvCC37aECI/s1600/IMG-20200919-WA0009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj8bM8HHrlu08kH5q5Iay0yzylC7vOJAtfaHWoLivo8Cqmhuf_nJ8r3TY4N9z2HZFWT2XT_XohodLBsYCVe3DmKB21GmA27ogUWk1yDbUekSPJ2sZ2t0FHU-pzs53O42QoLEvCC37aECI/s320/IMG-20200919-WA0009.jpg" /></a></div><p>So that's that. It was nice to be racing again, so thanks very much to everyone at Pure Trail (I promise I'll set off earlier next time), and thanks as always to Accelerate and Scott who despite me moving hundreds of miles away and asking them to give my kit to someone younger and more promising, are still very kind to me :-) My team-mates have had some cracking race results recently and it's still great to see everyone doing so well and running so damn fast!<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirpW4C_2BjLcSKHbhmX65gRaigd4VZ7Zg_4_D-l2Fs2-JBvBXrfyrEjBJAQRsMHEalE07cLgR4PzpI9fdSOrSjBaTPz5mFOKK5PEo4R5EQBsd4u8PbDmsmqGJTQDI9Pe1bl-3ZnwGsS_g/s1024/i482bl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1023" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirpW4C_2BjLcSKHbhmX65gRaigd4VZ7Zg_4_D-l2Fs2-JBvBXrfyrEjBJAQRsMHEalE07cLgR4PzpI9fdSOrSjBaTPz5mFOKK5PEo4R5EQBsd4u8PbDmsmqGJTQDI9Pe1bl-3ZnwGsS_g/s320/i482bl.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p></div>Stuart Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030293946147955184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2098003752277720209.post-391160217066239152019-09-28T14:40:00.001-07:002019-09-28T14:53:52.759-07:00The Double Bob: A Glorious Failure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
This is a blog about my Double Bob Graham Round.<br />
<br />
Many people will have heard of Nicky Spinks’ amazing double round in 2016, and perhaps of Roger Baumeister’s previous round.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIBnfu4W4VGoXhgY69180opEvB480ksZHe2oYDUeYjLB95x4I2t0TPemPuH4EopFB-A8mirTjEQoopQ24CWrykKTYxJ3FjGwWd4oJKjSIeYSz80S33bDweY0TboYQCMHgAJMegcuhxylw/s1600/WeRunFar-Nicky-Spinks-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIBnfu4W4VGoXhgY69180opEvB480ksZHe2oYDUeYjLB95x4I2t0TPemPuH4EopFB-A8mirTjEQoopQ24CWrykKTYxJ3FjGwWd4oJKjSIeYSz80S33bDweY0TboYQCMHgAJMegcuhxylw/s320/WeRunFar-Nicky-Spinks-13.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roger (l) and Nicky (r) with Jasmin Paris (Photo: WeRunFar)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
There are a few other lesser-known completions too, by Boyd Millen in 1977, and more recently Tom Hollins. There are some amazing stories in these - I am writing an article for the Fellrunner magazine looking at the people, their approach to the double, and how each one was different, but for now this is blog is about my experience.<br />
<br />
As we know, the BG is a round of 42 Lakeland peaks, to be completed in 24 hours. A double is therefore a round of 84 peaks, to be completed in 48 hours. That’s what I’d hoped for, but spoiler alert - I finished the peaks but missed out on the time. I am told that the BG club does not specify a time limit for a double round, so mine apparently still “counts”, but either way Nicky and Roger remain the only people to have completed a double BG in less than 48 hours. Anyway…<br />
<br />
<br />
<u><b>THE PLAN</b></u><br />
<br />
Roger and Nicky both ran the double as four half rounds, from Keswick to the top of Yewbarrow and back, then the other way round from Keswick to Yewbarrow again, and back to Keswick. This had been partly out of kindness to their supporters and in the interests of making the logistics simpler. What I wanted to do was slightly different. I wanted to run two consecutive clockwise rounds, apparently I didn’t feel like being kind to my supporters, so I made them go to Wasdale twice!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-oAgmmVqfAzklIhFJuILd7zrzyTS-0rZtAKWOg0HyzRmPiKM1tEXxJXG-L-15UuQnZ_Egr-KRrmYM2TIM-oAp_IgW0uDvaZygyTXWeqOF8QY2tNKdweEydqq_w2NJXDRDhNJ9ij1vDFo/s1600/IMG_20190821_193221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-oAgmmVqfAzklIhFJuILd7zrzyTS-0rZtAKWOg0HyzRmPiKM1tEXxJXG-L-15UuQnZ_Egr-KRrmYM2TIM-oAp_IgW0uDvaZygyTXWeqOF8QY2tNKdweEydqq_w2NJXDRDhNJ9ij1vDFo/s320/IMG_20190821_193221.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I had an amazing little support crew for my attempt. I had been pondering a double for a long time, but without Jamie Rutherford’s persuasion I would never have actually attempted it. Jamie was on holiday on the day, but without him it would not have happened.<br />
<br />
On road support I had Lorna and Charlie, each ably supported by canine helpers, and Lucy for the first night. On the fells I had just enough support. I wasn’t sure until two days before the attempt whether I’d quite have enough, but Tim Rutter heroically stepped in at the last minute to do legs 3 and 4. I also had Tom Partington and Rachel Findlay-Robinson, Wil and Lucy Spain, Tom Saville, Dave Taylor, Steve Franklin, Sabrina Vergee and Helen Elmore.<br />
<br />
Charlie in particular had travelled a long way to help out, and I am very grateful to everyone for giving up so much of their time to help me.<br />
<br />
<u><b>TO KESWICK</b></u><br />
<br />
As with long scary things, a few days beforehand I started wondering if there was an excuse to call it off… Unfortunately by Thursday morning the weather looked good, everyone was ready to help, and once Tim agreed to step in I had no more excuses.<br />
It being bank holiday, we left Sheffield and sat in traffic most of the way to Keswick. We eventually arrived, paid about £400 to pitch a couple of tents and ate a picnic. I had an hours sleep, then it was time to head to Keswick.<br />
<br />
<u><b>LAP ONE</b></u><br />
<br />
I was chuffed to have made it this far. I’d done all the planning I was going to do, now all I had to do was run. It would either work or it wouldn’t.<br />
I set off with Tom Partington, who skilfully guided me around leg 1. It was a nice warm night as we climbed Skiddaw and it was good to catch up with Tom who I hadn’t seen since the failed Winter BG attempt. I hoped we’d get a bit further than Helvellyn this time!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggAv-BiQ5pUQs8SCpTVijbhuUeXwvN3bqz9SBam4E99XFpagIB0DbUTkVvcz3zEIrp2L-BsJ0nkx8W57N9KULA0mdNTjFfulCJiMnPXUihcd8jIhGxzqqobYgwCXt_KVjHk8xINjGQ8FI/s1600/IMG-1806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggAv-BiQ5pUQs8SCpTVijbhuUeXwvN3bqz9SBam4E99XFpagIB0DbUTkVvcz3zEIrp2L-BsJ0nkx8W57N9KULA0mdNTjFfulCJiMnPXUihcd8jIhGxzqqobYgwCXt_KVjHk8xINjGQ8FI/s320/IMG-1806.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom (S) and I before the failed Winter BG. Photo by Tom (P)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Skiddaw and Calva went well. We were slowed a bit by the forest of bracken on the way down to the river crossing before Blencathra, but got to the summit in about 3:30 to meet Rachel, our expert guide for the Hall’s Fell descent. Rachel’s route was perfect and we dropped into Threlkeld bang on four hours. I swapped Tom and Rachel for Wil and we jogged out towards Clough head. Here we noticed the first of many wild campers in weird places. This time someone had pitched their tent in the bog at the bottom of the climb, barely out of shouting distance from the farm. Maybe they had a reason… Anyway, it’s not a nice climb, but after an hour or so we were on the top and looking forward to daylight, which wasn’t far away now.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3nmJX4W6U4Z3twAoB4PlEKNGk5NhShin0r3BYZc4HSdbzgX9sY1wTb3AmABskgNJ1oySsZNpz7sxF7rsuen1zbiS2RUXnuULS6XrKoTqUJbzzx69Shruo57OncNY2d6us21UMKvRRpaE/s1600/IMG_20190824_061559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3nmJX4W6U4Z3twAoB4PlEKNGk5NhShin0r3BYZc4HSdbzgX9sY1wTb3AmABskgNJ1oySsZNpz7sxF7rsuen1zbiS2RUXnuULS6XrKoTqUJbzzx69Shruo57OncNY2d6us21UMKvRRpaE/s320/IMG_20190824_061559.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wil on leg 2</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The rest of the leg passed pretty easily, having people to do the
nav for you is great! I was eating well and enjoying catching up with my
mates. I remember feeling good as I headed up Fairfield on my own (Wil
was having problems with a rare combined knee and stomach injury so I
was lucky to have him at all!), but imagined I might not feel so good
next time!<br />
<br />
We arrived into Dunmail at 8:20am and were baffled by the amount of traffic. Bloody bank holiday weekenders… Lucy
was there in her and Wil’s lovely new van, with a box of kit and my
hill support for the next two legs - Tim Rippon. I think I might’ve had a
cup of coffee, and I would assume I ate some Pizza. My complex support
crew equipment allocation system consisted of three cardboard boxes –
one each for Lorna, Charlie, and Lucy. Each contained a mixture of
sweets, food like Pizza, Siropwaffles, Vimto bars and Malt loaf, a
couple of cans of coke, and some spares like Vaseline and socks. The
system worked well, though the team did very kindly supplement the boxes
with some really nice stuff they knew I would want.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98timAVKm05ZBxDD3ErvQeCpRIXORY_F9fgMbWVCCYvc6WMEcWRvtU4OXDZagwD6FPeo6385KUkSr8ktIw-8HFS9l7SdvCPq7PjhsGY9sncF0v4kCqraX9kYr4LCy9vRYQt6XovZxTtc/s1600/IMG-20190826-WA0014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="953" data-original-width="799" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98timAVKm05ZBxDD3ErvQeCpRIXORY_F9fgMbWVCCYvc6WMEcWRvtU4OXDZagwD6FPeo6385KUkSr8ktIw-8HFS9l7SdvCPq7PjhsGY9sncF0v4kCqraX9kYr4LCy9vRYQt6XovZxTtc/s320/IMG-20190826-WA0014.jpg" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Example of support crew being awesome. Location unknown!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Leaving Dunmail I felt good. Tim and I said thanks to Wil and Lucy and set off up Steel Fell. On a single BG this is the crux leg, once you’re at Wasdale you can start to believe. The bonus of being on a double is that you don’t think of it like that, so somehow there’s less pressure and you can just enjoy the experience. Leg 3 is a stunner, particularly on a day like we had. This time round we climbed High Raise first (next time we did Sargeant Man first – supporter’s preference!). Tim said he knew leg 3 reasonably well and leg 4 very well, but as far as I could tell he knew both incredibly well. It was only a month or so after his own BG so I was really grateful to him for stepping in.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqwwPfJ7b55uL_mpH2OCdxadg1mvpR8Ce_rYmCmvNfWRpzKY-KMRA8L9Br2mJgZ8mlKp0Lr-NsB4pnPM7plklJAt4HaHC7HT814QoUxgaEDmgn8UKkhC4CAV7vkfNqYpgTvS5b0EvtFcw/s1600/IMG-20190826-WA0032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqwwPfJ7b55uL_mpH2OCdxadg1mvpR8Ce_rYmCmvNfWRpzKY-KMRA8L9Br2mJgZ8mlKp0Lr-NsB4pnPM7plklJAt4HaHC7HT814QoUxgaEDmgn8UKkhC4CAV7vkfNqYpgTvS5b0EvtFcw/s320/IMG-20190826-WA0032.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Posing somewhere. Possibly on the legs with Tim..?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We made good progress towards Wasdale, getting to Bowfell just before 12 hours, and Scafell Pike in just under 14. We took the Lords Rake / West Wall route and were in Wasdale at about 14:40. My schedule, foolishly, allowed only 5 minutes stop at each road crossing. I knew we’d need more than this, but I knew I had to run the first round based on how I felt, rather than try to stick to the schedule, so I hadn’t bothered to correct it. According to the schedule (which was for a 22:30 first lap), I was about 20 minutes down as we left Wasdale, but we’d had a great refuel with Lorna, who had battled a car parking nightmare to be in position. I think I changed my socks, and I definitely had some great food, coffee, and generally a bit of a picnic. Perhaps I was trying to avoid Yewbarrow!<br />
<br />
Wasdale is at less than 100m altitude, and Yewbarrow is at 650m or so, making it probably the biggest gain of the whole round apart from Skiddaw. But where Skiddaw is a nice gradual climb, Yewbarrow is a horrible relentless steep bugger of a thing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1HHYTEhy-iE85rIctl_Lc3fGoNZV3g7lG6VehrsE3frpONd7AYYjJGAb64ULAOWVmi-oS6lqcdFUTI0SPw4EvTVfKVnPD-qgDUizLGK3HRW7nvlY42x8cIE7-wPs8cbVZowa01Yt3O0o/s1600/IMG-20190826-WA0000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1599" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1HHYTEhy-iE85rIctl_Lc3fGoNZV3g7lG6VehrsE3frpONd7AYYjJGAb64ULAOWVmi-oS6lqcdFUTI0SPw4EvTVfKVnPD-qgDUizLGK3HRW7nvlY42x8cIE7-wPs8cbVZowa01Yt3O0o/s320/IMG-20190826-WA0000.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
However, I was refreshed, enjoying my new socks (though they were wet immediately as I put them straight into wet shoes), and pleased to be not far off schedule after three legs. With Tim’s expert nav we pulled a few minutes back on each summit, and by Brandreth were back on schedule. Dropping into Honister I felt good - we had got through the crux of the first lap without any disasters, and it felt like without expending too much energy. It had been hot and I’d been quite thirsty, but I had eaten well and felt like I had some energy left. I was really grateful to Tim for his help. He had done over 10 hours of solid running and navigating without a single mistake, all while carrying a decent amount of kit – an amazing effort!<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ClAPu0jwNjbZuOGbRV67seQTa7XT244K6gg3V6rjqTnI60gQuURqR7aZORQw7ih0D7-9E7edkch2KoZLYQ7ErIQ_IIQSb4hoZmY9p8qS24h0Xy8B6L36mnouFo_ubAtfuVmFkKAIaM8/s1600/IMG-20190827-WA0009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ClAPu0jwNjbZuOGbRV67seQTa7XT244K6gg3V6rjqTnI60gQuURqR7aZORQw7ih0D7-9E7edkch2KoZLYQ7ErIQ_IIQSb4hoZmY9p8qS24h0Xy8B6L36mnouFo_ubAtfuVmFkKAIaM8/s320/IMG-20190827-WA0009.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rachel leading the way on leg 5</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Jogging into Honister I saw an unexpected sight – it was a Saville! Tom had said he might come and help out on the second lap but I hadn’t expected to see him here. After a refuel with Charlie and Cocoa (dog not drink) I set off up Dale Head with Tom and Rachel. Leg 5 was lovely. The sun was setting as we reached Robinson and everything felt nice and under control. With two supporters I didn’t even have to carry a little bag, and I had deployed the walking sticks to take some of the load off my legs on the climbs. They were also useful on the long descent from Robinson, where Rachel led us on a great traversing line down towards Little Town. After the first bit of road we met Charlie at a car park and I changed to road shoes. Wil and Lucy arrived on bikes to take over support duties. I was a bit confused as to who was doing what, but someone took my kit and told me it was time to get going, so I did!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSGr6BzQtDSBBShCeoUvkUKGfQnb4mCKz4EVoJjr2ZKYLV-JBNFXcsPiNwypvaRPiVtjgRkWNyWyU8W5s9J2g1e_aflfIWfanKCDoQZWkCgfYhbZv1rOHzfAT5nXPzr-CSvTaHji670go/s1600/IMG-20190827-WA0015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSGr6BzQtDSBBShCeoUvkUKGfQnb4mCKz4EVoJjr2ZKYLV-JBNFXcsPiNwypvaRPiVtjgRkWNyWyU8W5s9J2g1e_aflfIWfanKCDoQZWkCgfYhbZv1rOHzfAT5nXPzr-CSvTaHji670go/s320/IMG-20190827-WA0015.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dropping off Robinson at the end of leg 5</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The run into Keswick with Wil and Lucy was great. They took the piss a bit, encouraged me to keep eating and drinking (I remember the rice pudding particularly fondly), and it felt like things were going well. This was probably the section I had worried about most, knowing that it could be the most damaging for the legs, so I tried to stay relaxed and not risk pushing too hard. I was feeling tired by now, but also excited to get through Keswick and keep going… I was ready to get lap 1 out of the way and head out into the unknown!<br />
<br />
<u><b>LAP TWO</b></u><br />
<br />
We arrived in Keswick bang on 22:30, I touched the Moot Hall without stopping and set off again down the other side of the High Street. Tom P was back for leg 6, and was joined by another unexpected guest – Sabs!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzRuJHDh0koFevF5xMifQo9ls89WyFdiskdpgOV_YTOOAxAkZx1GtC0BY7_xNQRpU2IycWL1UYs2LvL22GU_g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
The video makes me chuckle every time. As you can see, Sabs had only just arrived and was not quite ready! Once we got onto the slopes of Skiddaw she was sorted and it was nice to catch up about her awesome outright win at the summer Spine Race.<br />
<br />
It felt great to be onto lap two. The first one had felt a bit like disaster avoidance, just surviving to get back to Keswick so I could start what I really came to do. Very early in the planning I decided I wouldn’t stop in Keswick, but I did need to stop soon after to change the road shoes (Palani I think?) back to the proper shoes (Supertrac RC Ultra – I honestly do love these shoes!). We’d planned to meet Charlie at the car park under Skiddaw and this worked perfectly. I changed shoes, topped up some food and water, and the three of us headed up Skiddaw. Near to top Sabs realised she would have to turn back in order to get home from Keswick rather than being stuck in Threlkeld!<br />
<br />
At the summit she waved us off and turned around. Tom was quiet for most of the rest, and later said he really had to concentrate to navigate, smash through the bracken (we never did quite find our path from the night before!), monitor the pace and check I was eating and drinking. Thanks to Tom’s great efforts we were on schedule at the top of Blencathra, where we again met Rachel. This time she’d been singing along to ABBA while waiting for us on the summit, causing serious bafflement to some nearby wild campers! Agnetha again expertly led us down Halls Fell and we arrived into Threlkeld on schedule. I had my first sleep here. 10 minutes in the car did me a world of good and I left feeling great. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzpzwiuMW-Kr-RS6mfv6UjuthPYf0F6NnrYJO6qvt21CFu0IhexxsBv-9dCp5Dx8OpMUzLvn6VMr0qY3xM6Ie8qkoFk14GbOtuuevnIozePhyxGBZB_Z4z9Bv1D2_YGq_7gP6ntL8uH48/s1600/IMG_20190824_061552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzpzwiuMW-Kr-RS6mfv6UjuthPYf0F6NnrYJO6qvt21CFu0IhexxsBv-9dCp5Dx8OpMUzLvn6VMr0qY3xM6Ie8qkoFk14GbOtuuevnIozePhyxGBZB_Z4z9Bv1D2_YGq_7gP6ntL8uH48/s320/IMG_20190824_061552.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wide awake and ready for action!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This time round I had Steve Franklin and Tom Saville on leg 2. Steve had generously taken time out of preparing for his wedding to come out, and both did a cracking job of leading me round leg 2. I didn’t carry any kit at all on this leg, and I remember eating pretty much constantly. It was a luxurious experience, particularly on the climbs where I was going OK, but I was starting to struggle on the descents with a tightness behind my knee. This lost me more and more time over the leg and by the last summit I was behind schedule. The descent to Dunmail was slow and painful, and here came my first thought of quitting. Plan A (stands for Ambitious!) had always been to beat Nicky’s time, plan B was to complete the double clockwise rounds in under 48 hours, and plan C was to just complete the double. I knew plan A would always be a stretch and would require a perfect run and a lot of luck, but I had really clung on to plan B as my main goal. At Dunmail I knew this had gone. I lay on the floor and Steve and Dave Taylor did stuff to my left hamstring. It hurt but it did feel better afterwards. Like the top notch road supporters they are, Lorna and Charlie refused to acknowledge that the 48 hour target was now unachievable, but Charlie looked concerned.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgantI8Bp4yFkf1dLpCv0Udwj4xaLYd96_7QjhgWg5e45bntXVRYSaGNPyPsiLTyOvbm2mggbM5HDXcimnwiwhyPItfqIzYuOJXpKJKkVwK41emkSeZ0JRvrbSBS6_CWqwBDZDuTFiRjeI/s1600/IMG-20190826-WA0053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgantI8Bp4yFkf1dLpCv0Udwj4xaLYd96_7QjhgWg5e45bntXVRYSaGNPyPsiLTyOvbm2mggbM5HDXcimnwiwhyPItfqIzYuOJXpKJKkVwK41emkSeZ0JRvrbSBS6_CWqwBDZDuTFiRjeI/s320/IMG-20190826-WA0053.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me looking static as Charlie looks concerned</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Dave had come a long way to support the next two legs, so I decided I should at least set off and see what happened. Tom decided to stay on for another leg (despite the fact he was still recovering from becoming the youngest person to complete all three big rounds in one season!). Going up Steel Fell I felt great, I would dare say I almost enjoyed it. Just like last time, it felt like the start of the crux – if I could survive to Wasdale I could get round! Inevitably, at the top of the climb, the hamstring made itself known again and I hobbled on. Steve’s magic hands had worked wonders and I was ten times better than before Dunmail, but I was still dropping time on every section with a downhill element. Uphill I would pull some back, but I was fighting a losing battle with 48 hours.<br />
<br />
Leg 3 was again absolutely stunning. We were treated to views of the Lakes better than I’ve ever seen, and I was amazed at how much I was enjoying this. Our joy was occasionally interrupted by summits overwhelmed by flying ants! This felt like something I was imagining, but I’m sure it really happened. By now though I was starting to lose my mental faculties a little and feel very sleepy. I had slept for only ten minutes so far and by the Stickles I was totally confused. At one point I remember thinking I didn’t know who Dave and Tom were, but that I was supporting one of them on a BG… At Rossett Pike I told the guys I didn’t know who they were so would be having a ten minute sleep. It was fantastic, the best sleep I have ever had!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdlUD8AQ6C_1z178wOgZqztY8r1xmGs53Au4StgPuErGZqmWkn5aOYmTKNjo2LWe3v0zbVEB1Kh0Ew8s5RVbO9Gt8dOHZh0fXStUC76fa-S88mRseJYVDNrBPoPPM-iCbBQ3kRnAxzWSA/s1600/IMG-20190827-WA0027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdlUD8AQ6C_1z178wOgZqztY8r1xmGs53Au4StgPuErGZqmWkn5aOYmTKNjo2LWe3v0zbVEB1Kh0Ew8s5RVbO9Gt8dOHZh0fXStUC76fa-S88mRseJYVDNrBPoPPM-iCbBQ3kRnAxzWSA/s320/IMG-20190827-WA0027.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave giving me a verbal kick up the arse. I'm wondering who he is.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Ten minutes later they woke me up, I remembered who they were and we plodded on. We again did Lord’s Rake / West Wall Traverse, and eventually dropped into Wasdale. The leg had taken 7 hours 32 minutes.<br />
<br />
In Wasdale for the second time I felt mixed emotions – the 48 hour target was clearly (to me) gone, but given where I was and what was behind me I felt good. Tom retired here after three super strong support legs. Charlie was again brilliant, I ate some pasta but I was now starting to feel the effects of 40-odd hours of continuous eating. My mouth and throat were swollen and sore, so we took a good portion of gels and squishy things with us up Yewbarrow.<br />
<br />
Getting to the top for the second time felt great. The climb had gone well, in fact under 23 hour schedule, but the run round to Red Pike was less successful and again I dropped time. But, if anything, leg 4 was even more stunning than leg 3! Dave and I were joined again by Wil and Steve at various points in this leg, but I am not entirely sure where! I remember we saw Steve in the distance, I think he was on top of Steeple or Pillar. I’m sure he was doing yoga when I first saw him…<br />
<br />
Steve took my pack and ran with us for a long while. Together we witnessed the cloud rising up the Wasdale valley as we approached. As we crossed Black Sail pass Wasdale was full of cloud but Ennerdale was empty, with just the pass holding it back. Looking back just a few metres later we saw the cloud cascading over the top and falling down into Ennerdale like a waterfall. An incredible sight!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29K_Yf1QXO7Cq-u6yhmLpj1UKHycZIkvXW_uIf7RMsi2r1VHxhwBiXhjLuWgpW_N8McmZfvDSdqVVOMKXBt6sjxsusjsE9fwYFzJl2PzWWXJWAzJSG5Fs-iXN-VTCs3KE4ehkrPHxsJ0/s1600/IMG-20190826-WA0013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29K_Yf1QXO7Cq-u6yhmLpj1UKHycZIkvXW_uIf7RMsi2r1VHxhwBiXhjLuWgpW_N8McmZfvDSdqVVOMKXBt6sjxsusjsE9fwYFzJl2PzWWXJWAzJSG5Fs-iXN-VTCs3KE4ehkrPHxsJ0/s320/IMG-20190826-WA0013.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve and I on (maybe) Kirkfell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I think Wil joined us at around Great Gable, and I think by this point Steve had turned back. Wil had set up a lovely spread – a big bottle of fizzy Vimto and loads of food (including a burger). The Vimto was my favourite and I drank all of it pretty quickly. It had been hot up high since the start and drinking enough had been hard work. Boosted by Wil’s supplies and presence I enjoyed the remainder of leg 4 and dropped down to Honister in 6:24. Too slow again, but now there was only one leg to go!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGjOFKa4Y0hgsTcn3Y91g3syc__xXi2yvN5g-pp73BEjqy4LmKyn4i74u23IBiFg4lksBzWgVftgs5_RSRUe8ygd-oVizRGkQmPXvKYx105_A76ZSoxA7IFq7rHqM_C706yVGwQ9rSeZw/s1600/EC9fXloWwAAYhir.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGjOFKa4Y0hgsTcn3Y91g3syc__xXi2yvN5g-pp73BEjqy4LmKyn4i74u23IBiFg4lksBzWgVftgs5_RSRUe8ygd-oVizRGkQmPXvKYx105_A76ZSoxA7IFq7rHqM_C706yVGwQ9rSeZw/s320/EC9fXloWwAAYhir.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wil was confused by my slowness here!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
It was great to arrive in Honister. I knew this would be the last stop (apart from the shoe change at Little Town), but I was so shattered I needed another ten minute sleep. I slept while the team sorted everything out, then off we went with only three tops left to tick off. This time I had Wil and Tom Partington with me, and the first few minutes of leg 10 felt like a party! I think there was Pizza? As we climbed I felt rubbish again for a while, probably due to eating so much at Honister and on the lower slopes. By the time we were over Hindscarth I felt a bit better. The hamstring was making descending painful but I was still moving, and now there was only one summit remaining! Helen Elmore appeared from nowhere (she was racing the next day and had just set up her camp then come to find us) and joined us for the last climb to the top of Robinson. I apparently decided the hill was a ship and declared myself the Admiral Robinson. It made perfect sense at the time.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmGN23AaOYAGCQwREbGrbliAdMDHPmoOoMysBGkHYsXwmjqoRAFOcX50o6d2atgS0-A3YwkEeM4GaQPLHRFYa_NV32u7GHAZmKpyddKh24sAzEKSUaZq1-Y1Kpq6F2SIqRRYLuLeh-DCM/s1600/IMG-20190826-WA0039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmGN23AaOYAGCQwREbGrbliAdMDHPmoOoMysBGkHYsXwmjqoRAFOcX50o6d2atgS0-A3YwkEeM4GaQPLHRFYa_NV32u7GHAZmKpyddKh24sAzEKSUaZq1-Y1Kpq6F2SIqRRYLuLeh-DCM/s320/IMG-20190826-WA0039.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See! Quite clearly a ship.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The descent to Little Town was my least favourite section of the whole round. It was exactly what the hamstring didn’t need, and seemed to take forever. Wil and Tom guided my down expertly but I was so slow I was frustrated and angry with myself. Eventually though, we reached the path through the trees, then the track, then a small road which joined the slightly larger road to Little Town.<br />
<br />
The final checkpoint was a very happy place. I recall someone brave taking my shoes off for me (I suspect Charlie) and I think I had a coffee, then we set off for the final road leg. Tom and Wil were very kind and kept telling me we were doing “normal” BG pace, but I just wanted it to be over with now. I was ready to stop running. The time was irrelevant but we picked a target finish time of 3:30 am.<br />
<br />
The run in to Keswick seemed to take forever, with endless twists and turns of road, track and trail before we finally joined the main road into the town. Just before the town we disturbed five locals rolling around in some sort of mass brawl. Wil told them to “pack it in” in his best authoritative voice, which seemed to help.<br />
<br />
Finally, we were running up the high street, then eventually to the door of the Moot Hall. The arbitrary target set months ago had been achieved (plan C anyway!). I was absolutely delighted to have done so, supported by a great gang of my friends. It was a proper team effort. To say I couldn’t have done it without them is so obvious I won’t say it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyunWDEnehW21jKn-_Yo8pDnq02izCP4TxtpyIg342_XFrsOsp1BdFgl2QbSB1l0lQTZpbQMFOF6BakGxHDCA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
Charlie gave me a can of Speckled Hen. I managed a couple of mouthfuls then donated it to Tom! Lorna arrived with a jacket, and after some sitting around, then a few attempts at standing without feinting, we walked slowly through the ginnel to the car.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwBxJM98JFUvTFxzJlNz389JLJU2xrcVdKDMYA6sQcHove50GNNE1wzNzKaCZ0r5753B52OHYCT4LI2qdFDVxXYbXMfjNrUEX114105HTDP5Sr0M9uHoemvy1EVS7kExo38bF3z28bGY/s1600/IMG-20190826-WA0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwBxJM98JFUvTFxzJlNz389JLJU2xrcVdKDMYA6sQcHove50GNNE1wzNzKaCZ0r5753B52OHYCT4LI2qdFDVxXYbXMfjNrUEX114105HTDP5Sr0M9uHoemvy1EVS7kExo38bF3z28bGY/s320/IMG-20190826-WA0003.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
It was done! Two consecutive clockwise rounds in 51:30 (22:30 and 29:00). It was pretty much the best weekend of my life, and I am indebted to my mates for giving up their time and energy to get me round.<br />
<br />
I wish I had remembered to take a team photo... Next time! If there IS a next time (and there may well be) I can only hope it is as much fun, but a bit quicker.<br />
<br />
For this time all that remains is thank you. To the team as mentioned above, to Jamie, Accelerate for support whilst letting me get on with it, and Scott for the kit that got me round :)Stuart Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030293946147955184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2098003752277720209.post-73773513149499847662019-08-21T11:43:00.002-07:002019-08-21T11:43:34.089-07:00Oh shittity shit!I am great at having ideas. I have them all the time - great fantastic ideas about huge long runs and how wonderful finishing them would feel. Often I get distracted and forget them, sometimes I shorten them, and occasionally I see sense, but sometimes I actually get round to committing to a date and saying I'll give them a try.<br />
<br />
That's when I wonder whether they were actually good ideas at all. They suddenly take on a life of their own and become quite scary. Suddenly there's loads to do and I don't feel anywhere near as strong as when I had the idea.<br />
<br />
Alternative easy options creep in... "Maybe I need a weekend off?", "I need to repair those windows, paint the kitchen, and the car will never get done if I spend all my time running.". On the path from idea to startline, this hump is the biggest challenge. Once you're over it and you realise it's all just for fun, your mates are ready to come and help regardless of the outcome, and there are thousands more weekends on the way, a calm takes over.<br />
<br />
I'm not quite there yet, I'm still scaling the hump, but I'm near the top. On Monday I was looking at weather forecasts hoping they would say bad things and give me a legitimate reason to cancel, yesterday I was pleased they don't, and today I'm delighted. Boxes of food and kit are starting to build up in corners of the house, and the thing that really made it feel real was booking a tracker. That arrived today. Cost me 30 quid so I'll be damned if I'm cancelling now.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitUxAQw_95wtEWXvwMRnhMJ4JQpFcws7kI_iDVjp11D4-0wNiI0LvD1pVrNtbZbuXexluSVdJOpUPakrMpdzMkNjWj9aPGKygBRS5f2AI5a5Z3yTJHPjmLkZs0r3Xo9sCdMJ6QLFBcoRk/s1600/IMG_20190821_193221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitUxAQw_95wtEWXvwMRnhMJ4JQpFcws7kI_iDVjp11D4-0wNiI0LvD1pVrNtbZbuXexluSVdJOpUPakrMpdzMkNjWj9aPGKygBRS5f2AI5a5Z3yTJHPjmLkZs0r3Xo9sCdMJ6QLFBcoRk/s320/IMG_20190821_193221.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I obviously have no idea whether I can do it or not. I have massive respect for the two people who already have, but I want to try. If you want to see how it does, here's the link -http://live.opentracking.co.uk/dbgsw19/<br />
<br />Stuart Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030293946147955184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2098003752277720209.post-49465039005592464032019-07-29T06:58:00.000-07:002019-07-29T07:28:47.850-07:00Whose round is it anyway?If you just want to see the hills and schedule, scroll down to the bottom! For my ramblings, get a cup of brown water and a Vimto bar and read on....<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<u><b>The Peak District Round</b></u></h2>
Over the years lots of us have wondered whether there should be a 24 hour round in the Peak District, or at least why there isn't one. I've had a couple of goes at finding one: The first became a 28-hour death march and ended with imaginary green bunnies (<a href="http://challengestu.blogspot.com/2014/05/what-do-you-want-for-your-birthday.html" target="_blank">here</a> for more details). The second was an attempt to combine the classic Dark Peak 15 trigs with the lesser-known 11 trigs in the White Peak. Pete Simpson combined the two in 1991, but made a mistake and added Flask Edge too (hopefully winning him the Pertex Trophy?!). I hoped to retain Pete's folly and add another trig, but on the day only managed to add Ox Stones (words about this one <a href="http://challengestu.blogspot.com/2016/06/trigs.html" target="_blank">here</a>). This took 23:42 and was slightly over 100 miles, giving us a viable 27 trig "Peak BG", but the White Peak 11 don't make for a nice route - there's too much road and too much trespass. Dark Peak runners don't like road...<br />
<br />
What we really need is an extended 15 trigs with more hills and proper Peak terrain. And hallelujah, that is exactly what James Lowe came up with! James made a rough map of the route and posted on Facebook, so after a few weeks of looking and wondering I decided to have a crack at it on Friday.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Z4iiXfbkxjVv27AAA_fYF3qy0N3FfD4paXuIPiIpS4Eei2_d7uQJsOMpVB190W81fTXd_Q88NlT1o0O61exMurp1M-OtQ4aQM-qUCYZTODDhWWgdpHrT1dHOWFr_iLW_oEr5JLAhAIY/s1600/IMG_20190726_000436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Z4iiXfbkxjVv27AAA_fYF3qy0N3FfD4paXuIPiIpS4Eei2_d7uQJsOMpVB190W81fTXd_Q88NlT1o0O61exMurp1M-OtQ4aQM-qUCYZTODDhWWgdpHrT1dHOWFr_iLW_oEr5JLAhAIY/s320/IMG_20190726_000436.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The startline: A wall gap next to the club hut.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I left the Sportsman at midnight and after an initial false start (wrong direction... let's call it a warm up) I set of on the familiar route to Rod Moor. Heading over towards Emlin I took a detour to try to avoid waking a farmer (via waking his cows), but the detour was a disaster and as I clambered through Royd's Clough I wished I'd not bothered! Eventually I rejoined my route and started to climb to trig 2. It was a sticky humid night, it didn't drop below about 26'C till well into the morning.<br />
<br />
With all the built-up heat I was treated to a spectacular and occasionally terrifying lightning storm overnight. From one side the whole sky would light up in a huge flash, quickly followed by forks of lightning reaching down to the ground from the other side, then another flash from behind. I tried to keep track of the time between lightning and thunder as I was now on the exposed ground of Emlin, Cartledge Ridge and Back Tor, but with so many different sources it was hard to match the right sound to the right light! I wondered if I was being a total idiot and considered turning around, but each time the storm subsided just before I saw sense, so I kept going and survived till it faded into the morning.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5FVa1PQll4tOx1gE_wG2aRCiWsO8sd4u74xPy2sRPfDFGHyQt9XOEi_wL_t1Z6kEs9GfMR-OAScRjtEKc6gThBv40LijgBg9vBWkoAVCf_ToWNrWVxzCveCioSHFCc252sqBG1cZXCnY/s1600/Martin-Casey-Manchester-Lightning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="810" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5FVa1PQll4tOx1gE_wG2aRCiWsO8sd4u74xPy2sRPfDFGHyQt9XOEi_wL_t1Z6kEs9GfMR-OAScRjtEKc6gThBv40LijgBg9vBWkoAVCf_ToWNrWVxzCveCioSHFCc252sqBG1cZXCnY/s320/Martin-Casey-Manchester-Lightning.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lightning over Manchester (Photo: Martin Casey / M.E.N.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
By the time I reached the first road crossing after about 4:35 it was starting to get light. I did not feel as sprightly as I'd hoped. With the heat and humidity I hadn't eaten much so I shoved half a bag of sweets into my face. Part of the problem was water - I would be drinking stream water all day and after the hot weather I knew it would be a bit dodgy, so I took a stash of water purification tablets with me. The problem is that they take half an hour to work properly, so by the time the water was clean I was gasping, meaning I drank most of it straight away and was back to searching for streams.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzza6q2zkiOJpx4KR2mFXv8Y9a4NkWjiO9gNF3ZpEdwjB7qR_diU47NZwNSGX1lvMt5Ri8RNSxeLwUmkcaROBYdFLEzJR9nQauqeKfBZgrPcy5hG57O6MPBOmx723sn0yKgnUCBgdzQA/s1600/crayfishlols.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="431" data-original-width="630" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzza6q2zkiOJpx4KR2mFXv8Y9a4NkWjiO9gNF3ZpEdwjB7qR_diU47NZwNSGX1lvMt5Ri8RNSxeLwUmkcaROBYdFLEzJR9nQauqeKfBZgrPcy5hG57O6MPBOmx723sn0yKgnUCBgdzQA/s320/crayfishlols.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mmmm water.<br />
(NB: Poetic license applied in the use of this photo)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Anyway, after eating a bit better and consuming more chlorine than the first time I went swimming, I felt a bit better. I've not visited South Nab since the first Peak District 24 hour thing (the one with the bunnies), so it was nice to be there again. From here to Dead Edge End, Snailsden Pike End and ultimately the next road crossing, it's all about tussocks. If you're not familiar, here is a diagram:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTJlZgmJpLBtFiVxvebEPhxNDixP03vZwi9gmVGrleg1ornh7SzFW2OMw-RbrbPdnXSYRb7tncfG3WJbSSHU_L1zUQn42JM-iTTFFDlmH5D-KPNOKf0Dwzhz70_H_rZiU5puSpucyzos/s1600/IMG_20190729_120654+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1077" data-original-width="1600" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTJlZgmJpLBtFiVxvebEPhxNDixP03vZwi9gmVGrleg1ornh7SzFW2OMw-RbrbPdnXSYRb7tncfG3WJbSSHU_L1zUQn42JM-iTTFFDlmH5D-KPNOKf0Dwzhz70_H_rZiU5puSpucyzos/s320/IMG_20190729_120654+-+Copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Tussocks". Walker, 2019. Pencil on book.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
They are certainly not unique to the Peak District, but we do have some good ones, and I found them really hard work this time. There is a brief section of respite between the Trans-Pennine Trail and Woodhead Tunnels, but after that it's full on tussock-bashing over the wonderfully named Twizle Head Moss till you end up at Holme Moss. To here took me about 6 and a half hours, it's about 42km and mercifully it had cooled down a bit.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Next comes the ascent of Black Hill, which will cause you no problems, then a lovely section of Pennine Way over to Featherbed Moss. Here I realised I should take the opportunity and managed a couple of mega speedy (6 minute) kilometres! I really enjoyed this section, and the next part up to Alphin Pike. Memories of joining my friend Chris Webb for one of his <a href="https://saddind.co.uk/runner-tackles-24-hour-epic-challenge-for-charity/" target="_blank">25 ascents of the hill for charity</a> returned as I reached the top. Check the link for a spelling masterclass.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmbti0MRChimfZVrf5shmf6VcHP3w8c1R-cvQi8DYIjlRVZAcca6Po6qnOc7HpBqxUCM3BWaRb_d_B4UUTH6FFDy5gXxyUsNT3Y92sBwqN8aMzyLBPnAaqaPdc-xoKlFH-0gTw7raVWA/s1600/chris.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="713" data-original-width="532" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmbti0MRChimfZVrf5shmf6VcHP3w8c1R-cvQi8DYIjlRVZAcca6Po6qnOc7HpBqxUCM3BWaRb_d_B4UUTH6FFDy5gXxyUsNT3Y92sBwqN8aMzyLBPnAaqaPdc-xoKlFH-0gTw7raVWA/s320/chris.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris in 2015. He had gone by I got there.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
After Alphin it's time to turn around, sort of. The descent takes you through a quarry and around the edge of Mossley, then just when you think you're about to head east there's the surprisingly steep and tough climb up Wild Bank. The direct line I'd planned was impossible, so I contoured round to the west then climbed up the fence line. It was hot again and I didn't fancy any of my food. What I wanted was Coke. Lots and lots of Coke.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Fortunately, the final bit of this leg (though you could call Mossley the end of the leg if you wanted) takes you through Moorside Farm, around Arnfield Reservoir and into Tintwhistle. There's an alternative route via Hardtimes Farm, but I was whinging enough already...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Tintwhistle Post Office. If you need a 3 litre bottle of Strongbow at 10am on a Friday, it's the shop for you! The man in front of me did, so he was pleased. But not as pleased as I was with two bottles of Coke, a Double Decker multipack and three Vimto bars. Yes, Vimto bars:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPx0lNGN-hT0d3SNK021LMv2_uPkF85g7NVIjx04QX5JM7K4rhHc2apcAHahS3Pq10Q8SlAvJBs0STObH2v0j2RCQ4eH_hqWghJdqi6KWk58OYeWCdl-ih02yupimVEDtB8RdvSycRpo/s1600/vimto.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="347" data-original-width="1007" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPx0lNGN-hT0d3SNK021LMv2_uPkF85g7NVIjx04QX5JM7K4rhHc2apcAHahS3Pq10Q8SlAvJBs0STObH2v0j2RCQ4eH_hqWghJdqi6KWk58OYeWCdl-ih02yupimVEDtB8RdvSycRpo/s400/vimto.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who needs gels? 10p and all the sugar.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Feeling refreshed, with clean water thanks to the lady in the shop and a pat on the back from cider man (unfortunate for him) I set off with renewed vigour. Well, I walked for about a kilometre while a litre of Coke had an argument with my stomach, THEN I set off with renewed vigour.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As I completed the longest road section of the whole round I realised this probably has less total tarmac than the Bob Graham. Next comes Cock Hill (stop it). Here I had to take an extended route around some Ostriches, which means you'd actually be best to turn right onto the footpath before Swineshaw Res, like this:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCb-XY9qsIbJJrJZSNiYrANdKlRjw4VE4O9HWL3Wu76bIcgV7soCh13rlhcy6Fvz-ExWaVuQeQDSzanpxS-owQQ_8lTrAv00Cbx95CY7UCPk57usLZQozazimXoQALVSTSpprr5XtjVec/s1600/IMG_20190729_125459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCb-XY9qsIbJJrJZSNiYrANdKlRjw4VE4O9HWL3Wu76bIcgV7soCh13rlhcy6Fvz-ExWaVuQeQDSzanpxS-owQQ_8lTrAv00Cbx95CY7UCPk57usLZQozazimXoQALVSTSpprr5XtjVec/s320/IMG_20190729_125459.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Possibly better route to Cock (stop it) Hill.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
I reached the top after about 11 hours 40 mins. With 13 trigs done in just under 12 hours completion was by no means certain, so I pressed on to Higher Shelf Stones, then via another round of tussocks around the top of the Alport river to head down the north-eastern side of this amazing valley to trig 15. There were a few people about as I headed down to Alport Castles, amazingly the first I'd seen on the hill since starting! I filled up on yummy brown water again as I crossed the river at Alport Farm then jogged down the track to the road crossing.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_sKe5vi4SibMkeTGuKDDPbvVFtWHRR66RZPYUOfw55u1GY9BPannFLfJ6FTHh403hbrVr74850geX7JwhUDr5bIJvXBCn6kykJ_aijsbwCZyswHTO5EU-4oXuRGT9fA1CMhbij8Y3Oc/s1600/IMG_20190726_142847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_sKe5vi4SibMkeTGuKDDPbvVFtWHRR66RZPYUOfw55u1GY9BPannFLfJ6FTHh403hbrVr74850geX7JwhUDr5bIJvXBCn6kykJ_aijsbwCZyswHTO5EU-4oXuRGT9fA1CMhbij8Y3Oc/s320/IMG_20190726_142847.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Somewhere near Alport Bridge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Now I was getting back into home ground, or at least hills I'd heard of! From Upper Ashop Farm I initially took the Kinder Dozen line, but it's horrible however you do it. A lot of the climb in this route comes in the later stages, but at least there is some slightly easier ground later on. From Blackden you're on the Kinder section, which means it's spectacular, beautiful, and very easy to trip over with tired shuffly feet. Fairbrook Naze can be seen from miles away and it seemed to take forever to get there, but I was enjoying this. Only the spectre of Harry Hut hung over me. Apart from the little one to Back Tor, this is the only out-and-back on the route, but it's also and down-up-down,up-down-up.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
At Sandy Heys I ate some more food, decided not to leave my pack and set off to see Harry. I was actually feeling good uphill so I jogged to the top of Mill Hill, then made my way down to the turnaround. I walked the uphill on the way back and sent Lorna a text to say I'd be close to 24 hours. I really had no idea if it was possible or not - I got to Kinder Downfall after 18:20 (110km ish) with 7 trigs to go...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSLPyQmshewSAMdp0p-ezwCfuIbvMxWbWJQmEOu_CxQQZ3apQ-423jhtoXMwZ5I338FNQDEiw7aS7Eo6IhgTIVUxo5_eAuL7QjBKXD6yeGJZxI8aGErZebCboIVQf-1IJOwyPa2CbP3us/s1600/IMG_20190726_173918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSLPyQmshewSAMdp0p-ezwCfuIbvMxWbWJQmEOu_CxQQZ3apQ-423jhtoXMwZ5I338FNQDEiw7aS7Eo6IhgTIVUxo5_eAuL7QjBKXD6yeGJZxI8aGErZebCboIVQf-1IJOwyPa2CbP3us/s320/IMG_20190726_173918.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harry Hut: Tuurn aroound briight eeyes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Now it feels like you're on the way home (unless you're going clockwise of course). After the downfall, Kinderlow and Brown Knoll are easily ticked off, then as you come off Brown Knoll onto the interminable flagstones you'll feel like you're doing the High Peak Marathon again. Heaven forbid.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi6L9xXx8miTJGDLa6T1-qdzzKCVZY99lSmfP51mDQ4GGPbkeGMQjSADGXN6rgupg89rmQ7ZsNBNKeUChEU797BQFzRbp6IjP2wgkAsprvc8OhTCRtRNNE9DlMs2oSpTXQA4VDXJ65Zq4/s1600/featured-image-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="400" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi6L9xXx8miTJGDLa6T1-qdzzKCVZY99lSmfP51mDQ4GGPbkeGMQjSADGXN6rgupg89rmQ7ZsNBNKeUChEU797BQFzRbp6IjP2wgkAsprvc8OhTCRtRNNE9DlMs2oSpTXQA4VDXJ65Zq4/s320/featured-image-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorry.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
Here I really tried to keep moving at a decent pace. Looking at the number of trigs done, I thought I was on pace to scrape under 24 hours, but the distance said otherwise. Basically I needed to speed up!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I nearly made a stupid mistake by trying to cut the corner onto Rushup Edge, but just in time realised I'd be much better off adding 200m than bashing across more tussocks for 500. I forced a jog up to Lord's Seat, then down the other side to the road crossing just before Mam Tor. Just under 20 hours had gone as I passed through the last road crossing. If you've got road support you could add another in Hope but I'd suggest you just crack on.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I was now in full "get me home" mode: There was a short but very wet shower as I set off up Mam Tor which was lovely which revived me a bit, and after Hollins Cross and skirting Lose Hill I refilled one of my bottles in Hope and prepared for Twitchill Farm.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPqx6cw_mNB0W-AIlrnlPzeJG0wjsfD8HYu9gWa6vMbDvzYoJj3my2afUM5mQzKj0i2x4u8snnljEQ11yHBSJTj023PRo0klosOJTcK5r-M1LRk-akEGdWzXDHifstoEPMsZIlcsIIbig/s1600/40927116381_2c6feb017c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="499" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPqx6cw_mNB0W-AIlrnlPzeJG0wjsfD8HYu9gWa6vMbDvzYoJj3my2afUM5mQzKj0i2x4u8snnljEQ11yHBSJTj023PRo0klosOJTcK5r-M1LRk-akEGdWzXDHifstoEPMsZIlcsIIbig/s320/40927116381_2c6feb017c.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Urgh.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
The tarmac road up to the farm is probably my least favourite part of the Peak District. It's steep but really should be runnable, which means you either hurt because you're running or feel guilty because you're not. This time it was half of each. Once you're through the farm though, it's too steep to do anything other than a good solid powerwalk. My legs felt OK but I was starting to go a bit loopy. I remember seeing a couple leaning on the fence taking photos just below Win Hill. As I got closer I said Hello and explained I was glad to see some real people, as for the last hour or so I'd kept thinking I had seen people, but they'd turned out to be fenceposts! How we laughed.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On closer inspection, they were also fenceposts.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQPHZt7sY-MqO03S9dl7JhdB4865Z78K5PoIJGKfjKFpezBlM3k1mY1pFD9CaS2oe4xn2jBMbAT03NPclNZ_V-_Aqs99vQB14gM4H3AtdScQsfg2ofxXBRVzo8N5YR9l8LBCsjGKORm4/s1600/easily+done.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1105" data-original-width="1600" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQPHZt7sY-MqO03S9dl7JhdB4865Z78K5PoIJGKfjKFpezBlM3k1mY1pFD9CaS2oe4xn2jBMbAT03NPclNZ_V-_Aqs99vQB14gM4H3AtdScQsfg2ofxXBRVzo8N5YR9l8LBCsjGKORm4/s320/easily+done.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evenin'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
After a slow descent of Parkin Clough, and a final top-up at the bottom I started the next possibly runnable climb up. I hope you don't need to run it, but I did need to. I just about kept going to the stile off towards High Neb, then fought through the bracken and scrambled up to pop out a few metres from the trig after 22:22.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
An hour and a half to get to the Sportsman from here should be easy, but our route doesn't go straight there. After dropping off the top we don't take the left to Stanage Pole, but go right and along Stanage via the Crowper Stone to Burbage. To stop me drifting off I decided to have a sensible conversation with myself - I explained my PhD, discussed the Tour de France and described each of the trig points I'd been to. Sensibility took me to Burbage Bridge, where I'd been wondering which way to go. I've never really found a good trod from there to the Ox Stones, but rather than run along the road (very anti DP ethos) I tried once more.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJe94LZLGgZ1np1_l9AiOUErzo5IJpudt1QNdAKs0qM6bXAQYtXkq7fRPbVl8xDWclwbPOapPYUmHVvP9bb_8Ox-QsvhCnHeG-N2fvqqBWNiZWdzW5eoe9rYrf0R18c-PxnCib7Yt2pY/s1600/trod.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="876" data-original-width="1507" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJe94LZLGgZ1np1_l9AiOUErzo5IJpudt1QNdAKs0qM6bXAQYtXkq7fRPbVl8xDWclwbPOapPYUmHVvP9bb_8Ox-QsvhCnHeG-N2fvqqBWNiZWdzW5eoe9rYrf0R18c-PxnCib7Yt2pY/s320/trod.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's on the internet so it must be true.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
To my delight it worked, there was a trod and by 23:30 I was at the stones. 25 trigs done. The run in from here is simple provided it's light, and you're awake and concentrating. I went too far left before Brown Edge Farm and started heading across to White Stones, but eventually found my way back and through the farm. NOW I knew I couldn't get lost: Left at the road (23:42), down Roper Hill (23:46), right then left (23:51) on the footpath and across the field back to the pub. Look out for those picnic benches.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Phew! 23:55.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
What a route. I'm dead chuffed to have finished it, no doubt with lines that will make many of you giggle, so I look forward to seeing others do it and take hours off my time. I might even have another go once you've all worked out the best route and put some trods down...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQkWalyqi-oJuuii3RWYBhqkqNsyDflAVisyC-aqZSwQXg5vCAVaa6HrKAkhyToRY8yHJMAaZRUSufmq_QUg0ZXWkyzn0pqr2gTXAMTwHG8G4P4TuZrzoft59QL8F62cnNN7Nd04RA4Ao/s1600/charles1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="192" data-original-width="372" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQkWalyqi-oJuuii3RWYBhqkqNsyDflAVisyC-aqZSwQXg5vCAVaa6HrKAkhyToRY8yHJMAaZRUSufmq_QUg0ZXWkyzn0pqr2gTXAMTwHG8G4P4TuZrzoft59QL8F62cnNN7Nd04RA4Ao/s320/charles1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whose round is it anyway?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Mega thanks to James Lowe for coming up with a really great route. I think it should be called the James Lowe Round and James thinks it should be called my name, but anyway, the important thing is that it is a Peak alternative to the BG, and I hope lots of people will give it a go, starting with my Dark Peak clubmates. I'd be delighted to help anyone if I can. It's great, you should do it.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I couldn't have tried without the help of Lorna (who was there when I finished, having pretty much hid in the car while some dodgy things went on in the car park - sorry and thank you!), Stu Hale, the Flamingos, everyone at Accelerate and Scott. Thank you all.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKigefTEuzso0VxJfu5m5c-unIpMAfp7Mw258WL01QOBOjIBO6Shoe71nXtW8xZp3NiE4gnTfFR-rKeOxKewplTGTkJZTJqtiOlqva-Cr85yjokC7s1_QNfmZgyif3U_jMdxmiE7wNN8Y/s1600/fullmap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1600" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKigefTEuzso0VxJfu5m5c-unIpMAfp7Mw258WL01QOBOjIBO6Shoe71nXtW8xZp3NiE4gnTfFR-rKeOxKewplTGTkJZTJqtiOlqva-Cr85yjokC7s1_QNfmZgyif3U_jMdxmiE7wNN8Y/s320/fullmap.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<u><b>Serious factual numbers and lists of stuff.</b></u></h2>
<div>
<b>James' rough route:</b> <a href="https://osmaps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/route/3536189/24-Trigs?fbclid=IwAR1HsT0aRNhfMmqp1zJf3ErJiGdHuUxHA2K6FL3SOp_Je-9XRKbX0RHK_Bg" target="_blank">OS</a></div>
<div>
<b>My route:</b> <a href="http://www.movescount.com/moves/move299013791" target="_blank">Movescount</a> or <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/2566418660" target="_blank">Strava</a></div>
<div>
(Some GPS glitches due to 10 second setting but the distances below are corrected for these)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
<b>Legs and schedule for 23:45 round.</b></div>
<div>
Approximate times and no allowance for actually stopping!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Leg 1: 31km (~4:30)</b></div>
<div>
Start: Sportsman Inn, Lodge Moor</div>
<div>
1 Rod Moor</div>
<div>
2 Emlin</div>
<div>
3 Back Tor</div>
<div>
4 Margery Hill</div>
<div>
5 Outer Edge</div>
<div>
End: A628 (156003)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Leg 2: 13km (~2:00)</b></div>
<div>
Start: A628</div>
<div>
6 South Nab</div>
<div>
7 Dead Edge End</div>
<div>
8 Snailsden Pike End</div>
<div>
End: A6024 (Holme Moss)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Leg 3: 23km (~3:45)</b></div>
<div>
Start: Holme Moss</div>
<div>
9 Black Hill</div>
<div>
10 Featherbed Moss</div>
<div>
11 Alphin Pike</div>
<div>
12 Wild Bank</div>
<div>
End: Tintwistle PO</div>
<div>
<br />
<b>Leg 4: 23km (~4:00)</b><br />
Start: Tintwistle PO<br />
13 Cock Hill<br />
14 Higher Shelf Stones<br />
15 Alport<br />
End: A57 Alport Bridge<br />
<br />
<b>Leg 5: 30km (~5:30)</b><br />
Start: A57 Alport Bridge<br />
16 Blackden<br />
17 Sandy Heys<br />
18 Harry Hut<br />
19 Kinderlow<br />
20 Brown Knoll<br />
End: Mam Tor CP<br />
<br />
<b>Leg 5: 30km (~4:00)</b><br />
Start: Mam Tor CP<br />
21 Mam Tor<br />
22 Win Hill<br />
23 High Neb<br />
24 Crowper Stone<br />
25 Ox Stones<br />
Finish: Sportsman Inn<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Stuart Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030293946147955184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2098003752277720209.post-62715104750699158802019-05-02T17:21:00.002-07:002019-05-05T06:53:36.125-07:00The Axe<i>Right, here we go then. Apologies if this all gets a bit deep and meaningful. What do you write about winning a race you've dreamed of winning since you started running?</i><br />
<br />
The first time I finished the Fellsman was in 2008. It took over 18 hours. I'd retired the year before - my only memory of that is four of us sitting around a Camping Gaz lantern in a stinking wet tent and whining pathetically as we tried to get warm, then eventually being taken to the finish in a Land Rover. My first completion was with Wil Spain in completely different weather and was more successful, but still felt pretty tough. It broke me for weeks and was the hardest thing I'd done.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBIgfLJpv3ztxjauARLKac1iOxJByTMa5Wtl4-s5nnJZI9WUG32c8cg8TLllUh_PPSGbsovzYDirfLmPsyT36ZnHcD5_f0919XFAb53ckS-npDQ1zIUVnUVt-vyF0D9wQ0qhlRo3lV4hw/s1600/wil.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="1078" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBIgfLJpv3ztxjauARLKac1iOxJByTMa5Wtl4-s5nnJZI9WUG32c8cg8TLllUh_PPSGbsovzYDirfLmPsyT36ZnHcD5_f0919XFAb53ckS-npDQ1zIUVnUVt-vyF0D9wQ0qhlRo3lV4hw/s320/wil.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wil chasing a sheep. Screenshot from a video (that I'm not giving you a link to).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After finishing in the middle of the night we slept in a little tent in the car park till about lunchtime, then nearly pulled it down when we tried to stand up and get out.<br />
<br />
2008 was actually a notable year in Fellsman history, being the last time that Mark Hartell won. That year I did the race as part of the "Grand Slam" of the Runfurther championships. I travelled all over the country, spent a lot of nights sleeping in cars, met some lovely people and (eventually) completed all 12 races. I attempted the Grand Slam because I wanted to be involved in the championships but I could not imagine being anywhere near the winners - at every race I was amazed how fast they could run. For that year and for the few years previous, the winner was very often Mark Hartell.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisF10oryzjZ8IdHc4-K9dnlDMA4uiHj-J9vqb52CDkxecKoVsm5dLM1wIfNImgjh6jYetquEHCScml9OkHdXemCaAnn5YZvw26NtI8qEMgPHskqH_2y8PdjUF9ie1PtLRNuFAPJvcdL_Q/s1600/hartell2008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="450" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisF10oryzjZ8IdHc4-K9dnlDMA4uiHj-J9vqb52CDkxecKoVsm5dLM1wIfNImgjh6jYetquEHCScml9OkHdXemCaAnn5YZvw26NtI8qEMgPHskqH_2y8PdjUF9ie1PtLRNuFAPJvcdL_Q/s320/hartell2008.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Mark won the Fellsman 11 times between 1994 and 2008. At the time I could not imagine how you ran the race in well under 11 hours, with no grouping, no darkness, and was a bit in awe (I still can't <i>do</i> it, but I can now at least <i>imagine</i> it). The history is one of the things I love about this race. Others are that it's a proper endurance event, over proper terrain and up proper hills; that it's run by Scouts who are more interested in their Flapjack than the races you've done before, and the fact that it's in Yorkshire and is completely beautiful.<br />
<br />
Back to that history, just look at some of the names on the list of previous winners: Ted Dance, Alan Heaton, Stan Bradshaw, Mike Hartley to name just four. Alongside the more recent winners, these are the people whose amazing exploits I read about when I first got into running. Some are now sadly departed (<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2010/may/10/stanley-bradshaw-obituary" target="_blank">Stan Bradshaw</a> in 2010, Ted Dance in 2013, and <a href="https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/alan-heaton-obituary-xjwvqlbtv" target="_blank">Alan Heaton</a> just a few weeks ago), but it's awesome to even be in the same race as these names. To win the same race as they did would be a dream come true.<br />
<br />
<i>So, to the race!</i><br />
<br />
After an uneventful kit check on Friday night I set my alarm for 5:30 and fell asleep in the back of the new car (RIP Noddy Van). Everything was ready so by 6 I was on the bus from Threshfield back to Ingleton for the start of the race.<br />
<br />
I sat next to Lee Walker, who was running his first Fellsman but has done so much other stuff it was always going to be a walk in the park for him. After a little bit of queuing to collect our tallies, and a lot of queuing for the loo, we made our way onto the field outside Ingleton Community Centre.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJyCpPdEPAQe0DSjRctmB5l3_Z1S0bgsjYurqsv0MmN10aQ7cBfn0w9-eV9joFuE8kUridrSCWFh6hcHGhW7CVRjxRWwyaJSAG7YFXZqB_ygcI7jecVJGoxECycYvwSTggDDSvlrc908/s1600/fb_lizziestenson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="549" data-original-width="720" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJyCpPdEPAQe0DSjRctmB5l3_Z1S0bgsjYurqsv0MmN10aQ7cBfn0w9-eV9joFuE8kUridrSCWFh6hcHGhW7CVRjxRWwyaJSAG7YFXZqB_ygcI7jecVJGoxECycYvwSTggDDSvlrc908/s320/fb_lizziestenson.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The start (Photo: Lizzie Stenson / Facebook)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
At 8:30 the organiser gave us a quick briefing - it was going to rain - then we were off. As I'd expected, Lawrence Eccles shot off and took an early lead on the road up out of the village. I gradually worked my way through the field and slotted in behind him, trying to feel comfortable. We ran at a decent pace up the track towards Inglebrough, and eventually I decided to try something I wouldn't normally do. I caught Lawrence, then moved past him and pressed on up the climb. The gap slowly increased, and looking back I saw that Rory Harris was now with Lawrence. At the top of Inglebrough I had a gap of a minute, if that, but the three of us had a good gap on the rest of the field. The weather was wet and the limestone descent off Inglebrough was horrible and slippy. Lawrence had a better line than me off to the left, but I stayed just in front and at Hill Inn had 1 minute on him and 2 minutes on Rory.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7PfuaRagrEPViC0MAw_Zc3PG5XPkUUy8OVFLFEVa3gtssa2SP1zj1EVg874-kvX4jBRXBPk588NKh8aYwWldfhlFfivkjis5vFwxgTA4KUhwKCb48o4s6YkbQp8d70cFRvzy5pYXV0zI/s1600/Chris_Hughes_photo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="640" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7PfuaRagrEPViC0MAw_Zc3PG5XPkUUy8OVFLFEVa3gtssa2SP1zj1EVg874-kvX4jBRXBPk588NKh8aYwWldfhlFfivkjis5vFwxgTA4KUhwKCb48o4s6YkbQp8d70cFRvzy5pYXV0zI/s320/Chris_Hughes_photo2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starting to climb Ingleborough with Lawrence</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
At the top of Whernside the gap was 2 minutes, and despite managing to trip and bash my knee and leg on the descent by Kingsdale it was 3 minutes. From here on I couldn't really see anyone so had no idea whether I had a good gap or not. I took a different line up Gregareth this time, staying to the left of the wall, but I'm not convinced it was any better and it certainly didn't gain me much (if any) time. The climb didn't feel as bad as it previously had though, and it was good to be making progress. Pleased to have the biggest climbs done, I reached Dent in 3:12 and saw my Mum and Dad for the first time. It was great to see them and as always the Dent checkpoint was a great, slightly mad, place to arrive.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2YxOJ7dKwkIHfXogdUdElmpnZ3sdKGEaOP2JsUGIHfKxPjOKelMYHl_zqA4nHg3IFToVWqoQUzYNqorYAdLvtGnSHgJ-wWSFDTV2_Wl-wwJfTgB8i_7J_WPSjAfk5-JU7yjwF_pJxds4/s1600/P1060032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2YxOJ7dKwkIHfXogdUdElmpnZ3sdKGEaOP2JsUGIHfKxPjOKelMYHl_zqA4nHg3IFToVWqoQUzYNqorYAdLvtGnSHgJ-wWSFDTV2_Wl-wwJfTgB8i_7J_WPSjAfk5-JU7yjwF_pJxds4/s320/P1060032.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rory arriving into Dent</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Remembering how good they were last year I grabbed a couple of pieces of melon from the dude in the Hawaiian shirt, filled my bottle and trotted off up the road. The sun came out for a bit and I saw a little deer, both of which were very nice.<br />
<br />
Leaving Dent I was worried I'd gone off too fast but felt OK as I climbed up to Boot of the Wold, then on up to Blea Moor (a nasty never-ending climb) before descending to run along the road to Stonehouse. There are some beautiful places by the river along here and the sun showed its face. My shorts had been so wet and sticking to my legs on Blea Moor I almost took them off completely, so it's probably best that the sun came out for a while...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4cOpv01kITquWmI7mPauTP6eluF9zW2Tu19LY3RR_iaBtWwHAaA7XlnhkKuHq54A0nODigXTP2Rx7x5H7QTOuuf4XpsLO-RNlBYLXVOl-jR0dGY-KZ6Rq-MR-7VBlS9ldRQTjJnkARgo/s1600/stonehouse.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="1600" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4cOpv01kITquWmI7mPauTP6eluF9zW2Tu19LY3RR_iaBtWwHAaA7XlnhkKuHq54A0nODigXTP2Rx7x5H7QTOuuf4XpsLO-RNlBYLXVOl-jR0dGY-KZ6Rq-MR-7VBlS9ldRQTjJnkARgo/s400/stonehouse.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clowns at Stonehouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The out-and-back on Great Knoutberry would be a good measure of my gap. I was worried it would be smaller than I hoped, so ran hard up the track before the final climb. I thought it was about 13-15 minutes to Rory, and I couldn't see anyone else so that was at least 20.<br />
<br />
That was it. I knew I could win now and I would be disappointed with anything else. From here on the race felt like a battle against myself to make sure I concentrated and ran as well as I could. Every time I thought of being caught I forced myself to run a bit quicker to make sure it didn't happen, but at Top Mere I came so close to cocking the whole thing up... More on that later!<br />
<br />
After Stonehouse and another refill at Redshaw came the climb up Dodd Fell. I was happy with my bearing this time, and once I'd climbed here and descended to Fleet Moss I had 18 minutes. Here the route was different this year. Sadly we would not be crossing Middle Tongue, instead we would drop down the lovely (but horrible on the knees!) Langstrothdale to a new checkpoint at Yockenthwaite, then climb back up to the original checkpoint. I felt determined on this section, and not knowing whether I still had a decent gap or not I had a good look up the road when I reached the bottom and saw no-one, which gave me a bit of confidence.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOlbDRSP7yC4wCnid-LWDWA0bX4hWDncngCsayLObj-dH_aHe-k6ujNkjmiQAdHeMjOTstTKtTjMxTnu628nNtpp_0slkGPlo-WTxxvAaSAMNiunrWK57c6jIqW8QTm5gpudPzPUdvYKk/s1600/P1060066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOlbDRSP7yC4wCnid-LWDWA0bX4hWDncngCsayLObj-dH_aHe-k6ujNkjmiQAdHeMjOTstTKtTjMxTnu628nNtpp_0slkGPlo-WTxxvAaSAMNiunrWK57c6jIqW8QTm5gpudPzPUdvYKk/s320/P1060066.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new Yockenthwaite checkpoint</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I was nervous about the section to Hell Gap and decided just to follow a bearing. On the way up from the checkpoint I couldn't understand why the ground didn't fit my map and eventually convinced myself I needed to head much further east to get across. After a few metres I had a sudden realisation: I hadn't counted the new checkpoint, so I was 350m below where I thought I was and heading 90 degrees in the wrong direction. I corrected, shouted at myself and made sure I climbed as fast as I could do make up for the lost minutes.<br />
<br />
Eventually Hell Gap arrived, I checked in with the lonely man in the Land Rover, then headed down the somewhat uncomfortable track to Cray. Mum and Willow (dog) were half way down and it was great to see them, Dad was at the bottom and had made friends with Joe Faulkner, both of whom it was also lovely to see! I had spotted Joe on the start line but unfortunately it seems he retired early on.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOnXsIVwVQyhko2IVwEEfbEYvu42NM9gkqh5q9tHBy62gQd8ncdpahkJPucl0R3fAgEIGoxS5DaGdRWMOEofkAFgSJDTnz17h3YxFnKuM1PAlkm2tortBwjTSySPDGok8TAbqheWfH3E/s1600/P1060070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOnXsIVwVQyhko2IVwEEfbEYvu42NM9gkqh5q9tHBy62gQd8ncdpahkJPucl0R3fAgEIGoxS5DaGdRWMOEofkAFgSJDTnz17h3YxFnKuM1PAlkm2tortBwjTSySPDGok8TAbqheWfH3E/s320/P1060070.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nearly at Cray. Working hard now!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Through Cray in 8:17 and with a 14 minute lead I set off up Buckden Pike. I enjoyed the climb and pulled back another couple of minutes, only to nearly lose the whole race between there and Top Mere. I passed the memorial in thick fog, then followed the wall to the south as intended, but after that I somehow drifted east and ended up following the wrong wall. I realised I was wrong, panicked and spotted the Park Rash checkpoint in the valley to my left. I set off towards it and had dropped a fair bit before I realised this could not be right, then finally re-checked the map and spotted Top Mere checkpoint (duuuuh!). I told myself off again and pushed hard back up the hill. The checkpoint had a slightly chaotic feel to it, but once the clipper had been found ("It's in the box", "which box?", "THAT box", "this box?", "NO THAT BOX!", etc...) I confirmed no-one else had been through yet and pressed on to Park Rash.<br />
<br />
I don't think I stopped, I wanted to get Great Whernside out of the way then get down the horrible ground between it, Capplestone Gate and Yarnbury. Great Whernside is a lovely hill though :-)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGQo0XycqFTkMhhNZWSt6bMA8qTWUepNz47qBJStgJCKo9p8ImB7URJR-yffJ3ftb55HQoLutEKcBuTMrhalIfoODvfPTEMQRCk0cPdKqOwYEV5Lpdwdjx1yoY0uZWZNdK8zQvTDIZkJc/s1600/P1060082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGQo0XycqFTkMhhNZWSt6bMA8qTWUepNz47qBJStgJCKo9p8ImB7URJR-yffJ3ftb55HQoLutEKcBuTMrhalIfoODvfPTEMQRCk0cPdKqOwYEV5Lpdwdjx1yoY0uZWZNdK8zQvTDIZkJc/s320/P1060082.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One more up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The ground over these last few sections has really flumoxed me in the past, it's theoretically downhill but it's bloody hard work - it's wet, tussocky and boggy, with groughs thrown in for fun too. This year I guess the anticipation helped and it certainly wasn't as bad an experience as last year. I eventually reached Yarnbury after bang on 11 hours.<br />
<br />
The final leg is a couple of kilometres of road into Grassington, then another couple up through the village, into Threshfield and up to the school. I had listened to a couple of songs on my iPod on the earlier road section, and put it on again for one last tune as I tried to run a decent pace down the road. "Everest" by Public Service Broadcasting came on, and somehow seemed very appropriate.<br />
<br />
Rory took a minute out of me on this short last leg, but despite being slow I had enough of a gap to hold on and I won in 11:18. Rory arrived 9 minutes later, followed by Robin Carter in 11:59.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHPx2So7vDenbxOgCIlRcy0ZB6BKWryPWjAAG7NufmjZBDdTnV97C68zRig4WL6nykgsfKs_9Q0BKrADAaQ3fqMuV-osYEDh_2ZW8-LFD3cwD0VaAhKFoKi0C160d6XETOxu4i42Hs8Pg/s1600/IMG_2554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHPx2So7vDenbxOgCIlRcy0ZB6BKWryPWjAAG7NufmjZBDdTnV97C68zRig4WL6nykgsfKs_9Q0BKrADAaQ3fqMuV-osYEDh_2ZW8-LFD3cwD0VaAhKFoKi0C160d6XETOxu4i42Hs8Pg/s320/IMG_2554.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Mum and Dad, Terry Butterworth and all the lovely organisers were around when I finished, and I was given a Buff and a fantastic cup of coffee. Later, after a shower and cheering a few people in, I had the best Jacket Potato I have ever eaten, topped with the best cheese and the best beans. I chatted to Rory, Lawrence, David Chetta, Kevin Perry, Simon Bourne and Sabrina Vergee (fastest woman in 12:23 - well done Sabs!) until nearly midnight then headed back to the car.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYHZSUvjg3BmwlqSjpkNo9Ps_cow5SWyfsDTUYsWoX02Yd90TirUrJOQi0J5Y4NJYoSn_dQqMrX3hYsSSiD3ZpxvXfBXHo6uZL4u3AHQ6Sp6WA7GrotRlqG_vrdylEM-23vcocWfHwepI/s1600/P1060108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYHZSUvjg3BmwlqSjpkNo9Ps_cow5SWyfsDTUYsWoX02Yd90TirUrJOQi0J5Y4NJYoSn_dQqMrX3hYsSSiD3ZpxvXfBXHo6uZL4u3AHQ6Sp6WA7GrotRlqG_vrdylEM-23vcocWfHwepI/s320/P1060108.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Mum.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After another blissful night in the Roomster I staggered back from the car park to the school and received the Axe. People clapped a bit then we all went home again. I tried to express my thanks to the organisers and particularly to the lovely lady who spent the weekend cooking, but if I didn't manage to then there it is! Thank you also Mum and Dad for coming out and supporting on a grim day, and thanks for most of the photos here! And, as ever, Scott and Accelerate, for putting shoes on my feet and belief in my head, and to Lorna, Charlie, Jim and everyone else who encouraged me.<br />
<br />
I'm chuffed to finally be part of the history of this race. I hope it will still exist in 40 or 50 years from now, and if it does someone who probably hasn't been born yet will look at the axe and read the legendary names Hartell, Bragg, Collison and Perry in the same way I read Dance, Heaton, Bradshaw and Hartley. They won't know who I was, but they will know the same hills, bogs and trails, and the same highs and lows we have all felt on Fellsman day.<br />
<br />
See you next year.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhESEhle4ISVZQRg_Hoy5a1sSIK-muHFmEvdwclbfYlnW0h5LEK6bCzuk5HhBLQxs381Dfv-V9uVm9AfiO2Kn4Jcd6pKe2fjpK2J07TqrKn5eY0vF67lMW6yvd5mlG9dm_gXqm4ixW8YMU/s1600/IMG-2528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhESEhle4ISVZQRg_Hoy5a1sSIK-muHFmEvdwclbfYlnW0h5LEK6bCzuk5HhBLQxs381Dfv-V9uVm9AfiO2Kn4Jcd6pKe2fjpK2J07TqrKn5eY0vF67lMW6yvd5mlG9dm_gXqm4ixW8YMU/s320/IMG-2528.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Axe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Stuart Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030293946147955184noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2098003752277720209.post-159445429041963912019-03-29T09:53:00.001-07:002019-03-29T10:03:46.177-07:00The BIG Running WeekendLast weekend was a busy one - there was training to do, litterpicking, running with poles, running without poles, talking to people at the Sheffield Adventure Film Festival, watching films, watching people ride bikes down hills, watching people ride bikes up hills, and talking about rubbish, introducing other people to talk about other things, some cycling, and more litterpicking!<br />
<br />
In a world first (for me), I'm going to try a two-part blog: Part of it will be on this blog, and part will be over on the Runners Against Rubbish blog. It may or may not work so bear with me, but it's a good way to fit everything in! Here we'll focus on the BIG Running Weekend, whereas over there it's all about ShAFF.<br />
<br />
So, here goes... BIG Running Weekend. What a fantastic event. Accelerate are so much more than a running shop - there's Accelerate Trail Runners, WoodRun, Running Past 50, Accelerate Events, and some others I've forgotten. Once a year they all come together for a weekend all about running. There are runs, talks, films, cakes, Pizzas, and maybe even a beer or two. This is the BIG Running Weekend! It takes place at the amazing Woodland Discovery Centre in Ecclesall Woods on the edge of Sheffield.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeIfWecEUDyUuOdOfiKUSkyR7L0KN7Fs3z4l1Rr-X1IQHmTMKk2uFjJLZ6e6Hq9y2m6uFV8q1c7mexdMLeL_2ldrFD7O-j58Ab374xl1Zv5qFNguV7aArMm8DrChwYBiAHkyZyNe0ZdBA/s1600/BIGRW-Venue.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeIfWecEUDyUuOdOfiKUSkyR7L0KN7Fs3z4l1Rr-X1IQHmTMKk2uFjJLZ6e6Hq9y2m6uFV8q1c7mexdMLeL_2ldrFD7O-j58Ab374xl1Zv5qFNguV7aArMm8DrChwYBiAHkyZyNe0ZdBA/s320/BIGRW-Venue.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woodland Discovery Centre. A great place for a BIG Running Weekend!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The whole thing kicked off on Friday morning. At 7am Jon, Holly, Laura and I were in the Rivelin Valley for a lovely few kilometres of early morning running. This was a recipe for confusion as we normally do this on a Thursday, but this time we had a purpose: Plogging!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We found loads. Some bits more repulsive than other bits, but we collected and binned it all. Job done, good work team.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZjgffZCXZ3_5nfD48lbMVzyYYvqa1jNBIGQmu1YveiAe-_QKv45j2vc4U6-PLfTfBjggO-BMk4WZNgwZHJcOcPp9PUWkkGVFEUcy8hsGDfJLrXmJTvdpC_DSt_HMiR6d13WRJXbYwPQ/s1600/plog1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="883" data-original-width="1600" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZjgffZCXZ3_5nfD48lbMVzyYYvqa1jNBIGQmu1YveiAe-_QKv45j2vc4U6-PLfTfBjggO-BMk4WZNgwZHJcOcPp9PUWkkGVFEUcy8hsGDfJLrXmJTvdpC_DSt_HMiR6d13WRJXbYwPQ/s320/plog1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jon, Holly, Laura and the fruits of our early-morning labours</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This year the weekend was supporting Runners against Rubbish, and we're mega grateful to everyone at BRW for this. During Friday another three plogging runs took place. First, Stu H and Sarah led the Running Past 50 group on a cleanup of the canal near Accelerate...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwtgSsmXQ4jRBd1gP9zuLQ4srWUIGPzgs7KP3GXEY4jkzzKet8nLwMvs5sBIAqwwkuwXBVM947nTZPleM2teRDHkGXwDoNeD2JPz0O4faCuOUJ45_b6Q8bJ6vy8RcSdLCrSnEZ2IrHF3w/s1600/54524558_2534952443242320_9001378989939359744_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwtgSsmXQ4jRBd1gP9zuLQ4srWUIGPzgs7KP3GXEY4jkzzKet8nLwMvs5sBIAqwwkuwXBVM947nTZPleM2teRDHkGXwDoNeD2JPz0O4faCuOUJ45_b6Q8bJ6vy8RcSdLCrSnEZ2IrHF3w/s320/54524558_2534952443242320_9001378989939359744_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friday afternoon plogging</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
...then on Friday evening, once we'd all arrived at the Discovery Centre, we joined runners on the blue route for another litterpicking session. This time we were joined by David Bocking from the Sheffield Telegraph, who wrote a <a href="https://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/news/running-is-now-a-normal-thing-in-parks-and-woods-1-9677213?fbclid=IwAR1-MEf0q8PoxZInkkJK1tw0Gtm8SFMsuQ9NJ2Up5KdXWHNsfAWim5WRrHM" target="_blank">great article</a> on the whole weekend.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOygdaapOIYZOB2fdzCGUvehWduhKNHbGlr7iOA4zKv1k1m2JyCLXb6C_vKEK9jJi8GVCG2VNMLFk3qht6zeDkQl1h1tC78m8iNYUK8d0WjRAA0mHeP-8_qKPD0FikzmqmZml0jfuF7EQ/s1600/normalthing2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="870" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOygdaapOIYZOB2fdzCGUvehWduhKNHbGlr7iOA4zKv1k1m2JyCLXb6C_vKEK9jJi8GVCG2VNMLFk3qht6zeDkQl1h1tC78m8iNYUK8d0WjRAA0mHeP-8_qKPD0FikzmqmZml0jfuF7EQ/s320/normalthing2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks Anna - great to see you back running too :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Running and litterpicking done, I headed home, but the night just got better - next up was Rob Jebb. Rob doesn't know who I am, but we are basically colleagues since he's also supported by Scott! Sadly I had to miss his talk to go and set up my stand at ShAFF, so let's head over to the RAR blog and hear about that...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://runnersagainstrubbish.wordpress.com/2019/03/29/shaff/" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="800" height="102" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioiziKNXQpCNXeUv8qYj9ExAfCczR2xgT81AmO9eYWT3JpKkJRAlJa1FpgDAaBFGhQqakR3AK1yS27RTexEf0R8zDtTA9MRvhC-sPTL5p2W8kRAgUoNLA-Lt1n2qzezgUD9kwx6wnICcQ/s200/one-direction-arrow-sign-x-w1-6r.png" width="200" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://runnersagainstrubbish.wordpress.com/2019/03/29/shaff/" target="_blank">To ShAFF!</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Welcome back. With the stand set up and ready waiting for the inevitable stampede of interest, I headed home and got ready for the next day's shenanigans.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My first task on Saturday was leading the Outdoor City "Black" route. This is the longest of all the routes (which are graded like Ski runs, from green, through blue and red, to black). Nearly 20 of us set off on the 24km route out of the city, then up and over open moorland and across Stanage and Burbage edges before descending back down via the Limb Valley. It's a beautiful route and I absolutely loved it!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh298jAoA79XHntKJCXP0_k4Ch6pQ9XvE6s4htxB1w5X5p3ja_RLk50ssc2K4l2klFSrZZGjODKyIf_ohAO3Iozpj3Yq8Qp6o4TzKGvjyzCZuB34ltIy8XH3uL9WoPnKcR4rWMPbE4I6ic/s1600/IMG-2302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh298jAoA79XHntKJCXP0_k4Ch6pQ9XvE6s4htxB1w5X5p3ja_RLk50ssc2K4l2klFSrZZGjODKyIf_ohAO3Iozpj3Yq8Qp6o4TzKGvjyzCZuB34ltIy8XH3uL9WoPnKcR4rWMPbE4I6ic/s320/IMG-2302.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black route team at Stanage Pole</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Thanks to everyone who came out, and to my fellow leaders Kieran, Alex, Matt and Chris. Great to see you all (except Kieran - I see you all the time). We rolled back into the Discovery Centre with some tired legs but lots of smiles. A quick refuel for me then onto the bike, it was ShAFF o'clock again!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://runnersagainstrubbish.wordpress.com/2019/03/29/shaff/" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="800" height="102" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioiziKNXQpCNXeUv8qYj9ExAfCczR2xgT81AmO9eYWT3JpKkJRAlJa1FpgDAaBFGhQqakR3AK1yS27RTexEf0R8zDtTA9MRvhC-sPTL5p2W8kRAgUoNLA-Lt1n2qzezgUD9kwx6wnICcQ/s200/one-direction-arrow-sign-x-w1-6r.png" width="200" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><a href="https://runnersagainstrubbish.wordpress.com/2019/03/29/shaff/" target="_blank">To ShAFF!</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Phew! Back in time for the first of my talks on Saturday night. Stu Hale had organised a great evening called "Take Nothing But Photos, Leave Nothing But Footprints". I would be speaking at part of the introduction, followed by Rob Cole from Sheffield Sustainable Kitchens, and a volunteer (I'm really sorry, I've forgotten your name) from Africa's Gift. I prattled on for 15 minutes about what we try to do as RAR, how we do it, and tried to get a few people to come and join us.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKf2kmtzjzJYBHX5CjrAW24KdME1pyHMNmC9_YxWFpOhOWFqMa3o8BeqICriTrYngMO3vBpDjsB_FiHj-YPUsnKN0e7kUG7JxFvg3xNjPP81V0g1tlVrUsortshjadgC6cL8LA-cfG9A/s1600/IMG-2313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKf2kmtzjzJYBHX5CjrAW24KdME1pyHMNmC9_YxWFpOhOWFqMa3o8BeqICriTrYngMO3vBpDjsB_FiHj-YPUsnKN0e7kUG7JxFvg3xNjPP81V0g1tlVrUsortshjadgC6cL8LA-cfG9A/s320/IMG-2313.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rob Cole telling us about how to keep the microplastics from our clothes out of the water. Great stuff - thanks Rob!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Over the BRW weekend I had a great response, so thanks to everyone who picked up a badge or sticker, but most importantly to everyone who picked up some rubbish! I saw so many people do so, I was really pleased.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sadly I didn't have time to stay to hear Chloe Lanther from Patagonia give her talk, or to watch the film Takayna, since I had to... can you guess?!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://runnersagainstrubbish.wordpress.com/2019/03/29/shaff/" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="800" height="102" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioiziKNXQpCNXeUv8qYj9ExAfCczR2xgT81AmO9eYWT3JpKkJRAlJa1FpgDAaBFGhQqakR3AK1yS27RTexEf0R8zDtTA9MRvhC-sPTL5p2W8kRAgUoNLA-Lt1n2qzezgUD9kwx6wnICcQ/s200/one-direction-arrow-sign-x-w1-6r.png" width="200" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><a href="https://runnersagainstrubbish.wordpress.com/2019/03/29/shaff/" target="_blank">Back on your bike!</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We're back! Sunday is upon us. After a quick trip out to watch the Magnificent Seven bike race pass close to our house, I headed back to the woods. The weekend was in full swing with some great sessions taking place as part of "Trail School". Just look at this:</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmtoS2kI4KG8rtSxqgfQQgK5HFGcaz3v48fO56eT7ULnfY_fEIpbDU8Cafk6jBoJ9skWeFjP5l9oaPky3lsvIRO-onvsGnn3k4WIL70ELZyo3_wt5zz068DrZzrKtb9e3M_r5xT-cObpQ/s1600/54730173_2537130466357851_7859881578648829952_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmtoS2kI4KG8rtSxqgfQQgK5HFGcaz3v48fO56eT7ULnfY_fEIpbDU8Cafk6jBoJ9skWeFjP5l9oaPky3lsvIRO-onvsGnn3k4WIL70ELZyo3_wt5zz068DrZzrKtb9e3M_r5xT-cObpQ/s320/54730173_2537130466357851_7859881578648829952_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Margo and Jon showing Trail School pupils how it's done!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My next job was a date with some Poles. Along with podiatrist to the stars Colin Papworth I was leading a session called "Running with Poles". I've managed to resist a terrible joke about Running with Czechs being held the day before so far, so I'll be as quick as I can. It went well. We demo-ed various types of poles from long rigid ones to flexible collapsible ones, even including traditional wooden ones. Everyone had a good go at running up and down the hills of Ecclesall woods with them, and I think we all learned something.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Things were now starting to wind down at BRW, there were still loads of sessions going on but I had now finished all those I was involved in. What a fantastic weekend. The woods are such a lovely place, particularly in the evening, and I loved every minute of BRW. I can't wait for next year, so thanks to Stu, Debs, Laura, and everyone else who organised and contributed much more than me for involving RAR in your great event. Thanks as ever to Chris Dunn and Scott who keep supporting me when I seem more interested in rubbish than winning races, and thanks to the great runners who turned up to take part - you were all brilliant!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Till next year :)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjg9M8oNI1z4ZATWHDou1Zh5YysYM52cTwV8kyvdLJ3Rtw7T-hELJw6B4sWVg1NhgwWAaGGlpHcBtk74gjXL5IeUZd1kJImhsSPrTaPqL6fnTqofrIRP4wuUc60mlkY0NOpNFEFGbGc0U/s1600/54436432_2533079333429631_7371149978657357824_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1080" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjg9M8oNI1z4ZATWHDou1Zh5YysYM52cTwV8kyvdLJ3Rtw7T-hELJw6B4sWVg1NhgwWAaGGlpHcBtk74gjXL5IeUZd1kJImhsSPrTaPqL6fnTqofrIRP4wuUc60mlkY0NOpNFEFGbGc0U/s320/54436432_2533079333429631_7371149978657357824_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Stuart Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030293946147955184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2098003752277720209.post-15644373224922695472019-01-29T08:02:00.001-08:002019-01-29T08:03:05.333-08:00Winter BG: Take twoAfter <a href="https://challengestu.blogspot.com/2018/01/tried-winter-bob-graham.html" target="_blank">last year's attempt</a>, it seemed inevitable that I would have another go at a winter BG. I'd rectify all the mistakes I made last year: I'd take a spare torch rather than just more batteries, I'd do some recceing to make sure I knew the way, and I'd wait for the weather to be good. Yeah?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiNzxdUoHbjQwq3NABKqY-Yp4fNzDlE-Ci2PgmKOXb5LoTzJh21Q13ith1-W3mmoZmMWA_8PE9Y1K4g_gOF-hfZz5ctow0bOhW0Pgzw4rUEqgkmmt_IK6ekeX9QmQv86Zr6caOZIVcbds/s1600/UK-weather-UK-weather-warning-UK-weather-Met-Office-UK-weather-Atlantic-UK-weather-snow-UK-weather-forecast-UK-weather-927676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="390" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiNzxdUoHbjQwq3NABKqY-Yp4fNzDlE-Ci2PgmKOXb5LoTzJh21Q13ith1-W3mmoZmMWA_8PE9Y1K4g_gOF-hfZz5ctow0bOhW0Pgzw4rUEqgkmmt_IK6ekeX9QmQv86Zr6caOZIVcbds/s320/UK-weather-UK-weather-warning-UK-weather-Met-Office-UK-weather-Atlantic-UK-weather-snow-UK-weather-forecast-UK-weather-927676.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Well at least I did the spare torch one.<br />
<br />
The weather looked a bit grim, and I definitely hadn't recced other than <a href="https://challengestu.blogspot.com/2018/07/100km-review-scott-supertrac-ultra-rc.html" target="_blank">supporting the Dark Peak</a> attempt in the summer, but this time I wouldn't be alone... I'd recruited the ridiculously young and ridiculously speedy Tom Saville to join me.<br />
<br />
After lots of thinking, planning, shopping, and having taken a couple of days off work, we debated calling it off any doing something else, but on Thursday morning we finally decided to go and have a look. We'd call it a recce and see how far we got... Besides, we had far too much food not to go.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqrVA6k9vnAqVsIpfN0SG7MQ1LkJGg4qHUQj0RLhDCeHy3pMlJzybrXcqEYDUql4BhrNS3lYykM0YoOpB1u7hLOzLdejXHGpWjYgYbgmkAkWWitE51lnbo8ChPwlCDU0nB0NGeqCCqZ80/s1600/IMG-1775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqrVA6k9vnAqVsIpfN0SG7MQ1LkJGg4qHUQj0RLhDCeHy3pMlJzybrXcqEYDUql4BhrNS3lYykM0YoOpB1u7hLOzLdejXHGpWjYgYbgmkAkWWitE51lnbo8ChPwlCDU0nB0NGeqCCqZ80/s320/IMG-1775.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Far too much food to postpone it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We were to be generously accomodated by Tom Partington and arrived just in time to dump all our kit in his living room before he got back from work. We wrote a few bearings on the map, faffed with some kit, drank tea and generally prepared ourselves. Oh and Tom did most of a Rubiks cube.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFez0ehsKYKcTVBi_gKwpjs9tCWMr9R2B-Jr22OBEgEUJqZQlvvM9DQ3yMdvp0S-3-7QmFtKR2uP_nPBZAJt4xu5EAu8_t0BckThb6evRCYTW9ZlzRxBmpWg2Y5b0p9EhTRYLy7LFE_KI/s1600/IMG-1785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFez0ehsKYKcTVBi_gKwpjs9tCWMr9R2B-Jr22OBEgEUJqZQlvvM9DQ3yMdvp0S-3-7QmFtKR2uP_nPBZAJt4xu5EAu8_t0BckThb6evRCYTW9ZlzRxBmpWg2Y5b0p9EhTRYLy7LFE_KI/s320/IMG-1785.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom does things with maps, while I save my energy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Just before 8 we left Tom's house and headed to the Moot Hall for the off. The weather was drizzly and on the assumption it wasn't going to improve as we climbed Skiddaw we decided to put waterproofs on before starting - best to do the faff before starting the clock. I wasn't really sure what to think. The glorious return to the BG after a year of improvement looked unlikely, and part of me wondered what the point in starting was, but over the afternoon my enthusiasm had gradually grown and I was optimistic. We really would just have to see what happened, but you never know...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6TyO-MvqWW5gHsJzPrwWw2S28jb3t7X3ceRm-krDxe6nHLoEeE48TB0aELDa_GrYdsXvemYL08u3pzRsaod8hBjRIPh-d6cdF3702HJImr0XnLJ1hQ0IprUdPTXNtyuAN1bjkRQVZx0/s1600/IMG-1806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6TyO-MvqWW5gHsJzPrwWw2S28jb3t7X3ceRm-krDxe6nHLoEeE48TB0aELDa_GrYdsXvemYL08u3pzRsaod8hBjRIPh-d6cdF3702HJImr0XnLJ1hQ0IprUdPTXNtyuAN1bjkRQVZx0/s320/IMG-1806.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A brand new pair of Supertrac Ultra RC - enough to make you wave your axe about!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Tom P was with us for the run out of Keswick and up to the bottom of the main climb up Skiddaw and it was nice to have his company as we jogged out of town. Tom S was enthusiastic and we ran at a decent BG pace. When the climb steepened Tom P left us and continued on his evening run, and Tom and I headed on up into the darkness.<br />
<br />
I'd written on the map where we should roughly be each hour, but I deliberately hadn't brought a full schedule or written summit times for each hill. I knew the schedule was 1:29 for the summit of Skiddaw though, and we arrived with about 5 minutes to spare. The next section was one we knew might be rough and slow going. In places it was, but in some places it actually felt quite nice to run through the snow. I think I probably used more energy than I would've in the dry, but perhaps it was kinder on the body. Anyway, down and up to Great Calva in about 2:10, then down again and across the Caldew to climb Blencathra. This year I decided just to cross one river, rather than the full set I managed last year.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlgsjCsvHdSgHI9VwlVJAkHNwIleo1bvoTTFcoLCbqxraa7tkmhmp5b5n4OhHp4ENQu0PiUJZiJqXctWqw1j9P7xljNbFD417x4oofyiCTrDT95JgQgObZEHfRaozHx-jVA0JeRAptiI/s1600/calva.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="424" data-original-width="1600" height="105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlgsjCsvHdSgHI9VwlVJAkHNwIleo1bvoTTFcoLCbqxraa7tkmhmp5b5n4OhHp4ENQu0PiUJZiJqXctWqw1j9P7xljNbFD417x4oofyiCTrDT95JgQgObZEHfRaozHx-jVA0JeRAptiI/s400/calva.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Less river time this year</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Blencathra arrived and we were still relatively unscathed, then came the descent. We'd been advised to look at Doddick Fell instead of Halls Fell Ridge, but neither of us had done Doddick before we we were a little dubious whether it would be safer. After taking a moment to find the summit we considered our options - the snow was not icy or hard, it was quite soft and almost slushy, and Halls Fell didn't look bad, so we went for it. 45 minutes later we were in Threlkeld. Tom had flown down the ridge like a little goat. I followed feeling like an old man... I was perfectly comfortable, just slow compared to Tom! In fact it took us a couple of minutes less this year than it took me last year...<br />
<br />
So, while we're comparing to last year, let's have a look. Yes, it's time for a table:<br />
<br />
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 189.7pt;" valign="top" width="253"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 148.85pt;" valign="top" width="198"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>2nd Jan 2018</b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 123.55pt;" valign="top" width="165"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>24th Jan 2019</b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 189.7pt;" valign="top" width="253"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Skiddaw</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 148.85pt;" valign="top" width="198"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
1:22</div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 123.55pt;" valign="top" width="165">1:20</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 189.7pt;" valign="top" width="253"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
valley</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 148.85pt;" valign="top" width="198"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
1:46</div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 123.55pt;" valign="top" width="165">1:42</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 189.7pt;" valign="top" width="253"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Calva</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 148.85pt;" valign="top" width="198"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
2:05</div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 123.55pt;" valign="top" width="165">2:10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 189.7pt;" valign="top" width="253"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
valley</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 148.85pt;" valign="top" width="198"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
2:22</div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 123.55pt;" valign="top" width="165">2:24</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid windowtext; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 189.7pt;" valign="top" width="253">Blencathra<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 148.85pt;" valign="top" width="198"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
3:07</div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 123.55pt;" valign="top" width="165">3:31</td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid windowtext; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 189.7pt;" valign="top" width="253"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Threlkeld arr</div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 148.85pt;" valign="top" width="198"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
3:48</div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 123.55pt;" valign="top" width="165">4:16</td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid windowtext; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 189.7pt;" valign="top" width="253"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Threlkeld dep</div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 148.85pt;" valign="top" width="198">3:51</td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 123.55pt;" valign="top" width="165">4:31</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Lovely.<br />
<br />
The Threlkeld departure time this year is because we hid in the bus stop to sort out some clothes, food and torch batteries, but as the table clearly indicates (can you tell I'm at work?), we had already lost time climbing Calva and mostly climbing Blencathra.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpPUEWLKVpuBXI9_a8N8bFziN5zxb_S7yazWkKiufOTDxJvAYGr9OUC-ovz2b0iSfod-tTqS3jbWDWusYlP4z9YjSXEBDVHvazt66vc3iwy6yVAAn5_U1GiMNdaEryCbzBwDkrmLho5oA/s1600/slice_PT_margherita.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="290" data-original-width="532" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpPUEWLKVpuBXI9_a8N8bFziN5zxb_S7yazWkKiufOTDxJvAYGr9OUC-ovz2b0iSfod-tTqS3jbWDWusYlP4z9YjSXEBDVHvazt66vc3iwy6yVAAn5_U1GiMNdaEryCbzBwDkrmLho5oA/s320/slice_PT_margherita.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
As we left Threlkeld Tom put in an epic performance, eating about four slices of frozen pizza as we plodded up the road and then onto the Clough Head climb. We weren't looking forward to this too much, we were now pretty soaked through and we realised that once we got onto the top of Clough Head the conditions would be relentless for most of leg 2. The joy of ridges...<br />
<br />
We hit the summit after 5 and a half hours or so (pretty much exactly an hour down on last year), immediately felt the blast of an unforecasted wind, and resigned ourselves to living in our respective hoods for the next few hours.<br />
<br />
The wind continued to pick up as we made our way along the Dodds, and the tough underfoot conditions meant we continued to slip very slightly further back on schedule. We were fighting the wind, but a quick discussion in a tiny patch of shelter revealed that neither of us were having very much fun, nor did we have many more clothes to put on, nor did the conditions look like they would improve. It was probably time to knock it on the head.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxNd1QJ8Tm8Nma3dlvaHsYAb6_M70S7p_Jizry7KaY5GrjOXAkAQDLSoBWspduDnt6UAiBaselJFS3EYg12EqjaSBxgN-pcHdbDXj6-6BL88z92yWC1DnQGU0CgazRh0w731tspn4eYk4/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="208" data-original-width="500" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxNd1QJ8Tm8Nma3dlvaHsYAb6_M70S7p_Jizry7KaY5GrjOXAkAQDLSoBWspduDnt6UAiBaselJFS3EYg12EqjaSBxgN-pcHdbDXj6-6BL88z92yWC1DnQGU0CgazRh0w731tspn4eYk4/s320/download.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
After Stybarrow Dodd we dropped off down Sticks pass, ran around the top of Thirlmere and eventually up the road into Keswick. We'd expected to feel much warmer once we got off the wind and down into the valley, but we were both still freezing by we got back to Tom's house, where we realised that every layer of clothing we both had on was soaked. I think it was probably a sensible option to call it a day when we did, perhaps we could've forced ourselves over to Dunmail but why? We were never going to get round in 24 hours and by stopping when we did there has been no break in training - I didn't run for the rest of Friday and took it easy over the weekend, but I haven't needed the planned week or more off.<br />
<br />
It's always disappointing to fail, but we did set off with the plan to see what happened, and now we know. The BG will always be there!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzId0JdC2Zo4dr1vuojkSLL8VL0phbmZTbSC4A0IJ78_egXjKD5-Nf3WeH6QfYYwg5h0m-T1wwga87f9arwAW4D0L45CGbRP_ewiGfLZTsH8rL8Hkn3zM3eaKH7qZbBXy4Ns8F3TQO2IY/s1600/bgfail.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="657" data-original-width="1302" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzId0JdC2Zo4dr1vuojkSLL8VL0phbmZTbSC4A0IJ78_egXjKD5-Nf3WeH6QfYYwg5h0m-T1wwga87f9arwAW4D0L45CGbRP_ewiGfLZTsH8rL8Hkn3zM3eaKH7qZbBXy4Ns8F3TQO2IY/s400/bgfail.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
On the plus side, we had a couple of hours sleep, Tom sorted the rest of the Rubiks cube, and we were back home with weekend to spare!<br />
<br />
BG 2, SW nil<br />
<br />
This year - <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/2103818039">https://www.strava.com/activities/2103818039</a><br />
Last year - <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/1339457783">https://www.strava.com/activities/1339457783</a><br />
Last year - <a href="https://challengestu.blogspot.com/2018/01/tried-winter-bob-graham.html">https://challengestu.blogspot.com/2018/01/tried-winter-bob-graham.html</a><br />
<br />
<br />Stuart Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030293946147955184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2098003752277720209.post-88403959038203475072018-12-21T01:06:00.001-08:002018-12-21T01:06:22.630-08:00Not a review of the yearApparently last year I wrote a long rambling "review of the year" type thing... I'm a bit disappointed in myself for doing that, so massive soz to any of you who may have read it. I feel I should close the year with some sort of blog though, so I am going to write something. It's called "Lots of hills and no hills at all", and it's about two bits of running I did recently.<br />
<br />
Before I start, I would like to point out a couple of blogs vastly more worthy of your time. The first is <a href="http://www.runnersagainstrubbish.org/" target="_blank">Runners against Rubbish</a>, a wonderful little charity aiming to... OK it's me again. <a href="https://runnersagainstrubbish.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">But the posts are shorter.</a><br />
<br />
The second is a genuine recommendation - Callum Rowlinson. I don't really know Callum, I beat him once and he has subsequently beaten me many more times, but his blog is great. It's mostly about dogs and slightly about running (which he mostly does fast). I enjoy it a lot: <a href="https://callumrowlinson.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">https://callumrowlinson.wordpress.com/</a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50K_eL_w-lDAZlM-svvEsnfNaqq-tboYYayIxQX2iwCA8Rwt1catVeBb7MTiME4c2vFw36U6W1uj6Wa7e2JOKV2cEmQ9Nh2VGTdZawdmeGqrhS9bNBFcFyP5bf9B5PwH09Sj_ProFpSM/s1600/DSC_0143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50K_eL_w-lDAZlM-svvEsnfNaqq-tboYYayIxQX2iwCA8Rwt1catVeBb7MTiME4c2vFw36U6W1uj6Wa7e2JOKV2cEmQ9Nh2VGTdZawdmeGqrhS9bNBFcFyP5bf9B5PwH09Sj_ProFpSM/s320/DSC_0143.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Callum and I, apparently deep in prayer, and a man called Sam</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So, lots of hills and no hills at all...<br />
<br />
<b>Lots of Hills - A Winter('s) Kinder Dozen (tale)</b><br />
<br />
Last Friday I had a day off, so decided I would have another go at the Kinder Dozen. At the DPFR end of year doo I spoke to Willy about this plan and he generously offered to let me buy him a pint in exchange for some advice on which of my lines needed the most improvement. My own unique take on organisation meant that I never got round to actioning this, so when I set off on Friday it was with optimism rather than information.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-YDYrm49BqZcXXULrBh6j77GcizSiTpwtpjJ9Hsxw9hpwexbPrKyvk6lXiyinD1nLw-iZjNVQ0qmyG8yI8aubImQm7aerrfwGFS5HAAKKnXtDOwYXKRXMDlWVr7BoEkLmu_wcRlip2w/s1600/doz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="1090" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-YDYrm49BqZcXXULrBh6j77GcizSiTpwtpjJ9Hsxw9hpwexbPrKyvk6lXiyinD1nLw-iZjNVQ0qmyG8yI8aubImQm7aerrfwGFS5HAAKKnXtDOwYXKRXMDlWVr7BoEkLmu_wcRlip2w/s400/doz.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He knows the way? Doz' 'e 'eck!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
But I'm sure you know about the Kinder Dozen by now... A loop from Edale with 12 ascents to the Kinder plateau, generally from about 300ish to 600ish metres. It's about 36km and 3500m of climb in total. Being lazy I set of at about 11. In contrast to previous attempts this time things mostly went well. I seemed to be able to climb OK, and despite a few wibbly lines (particularly off the first two tops - Grindslow and Crowden) I had finished six of the climbs in less than 3 hours. My fastest dozen is about 5 and a quarter hours, so 6 hours seemed a decent winter target. At half way it was on!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFj-W-0I8dmEuouVQ0my6HKTcyZCEMyFRaYJLDxsD5HZiGqZHPr501mg2n08AOj4-C98kl1zIXmG2Y8xUl4Vu4YJ87HFr7PP-F_8AMdGN45UXE9J2EZwHYD31dJzbOdFfEnOJ8p1gknGg/s1600/IMG-1279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFj-W-0I8dmEuouVQ0my6HKTcyZCEMyFRaYJLDxsD5HZiGqZHPr501mg2n08AOj4-C98kl1zIXmG2Y8xUl4Vu4YJ87HFr7PP-F_8AMdGN45UXE9J2EZwHYD31dJzbOdFfEnOJ8p1gknGg/s320/IMG-1279.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely empty wintery Peak District</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Fittingly for a winter dozen, the sixth climb to Fairbrook Naze saw the wind and rain which had been on and off give way to some proper facepain hail. I would've taken a photo, but have learned the hard way that it's best just to enjoy such conditions rather than getting your phone out. Until then I had been debating whether I could really get away with calling this a winter attempt, but at this point decided it probably was. By the ninth ascent I was pretty tired but still going OK. The descent between Kinder East and Crookstone Knoll is always hard work as the bottom part of the descent and climb are the same way, which poses obvious "why the hell am I doing this?"type questions. At top 9 I was still on schedule and there are a couple of easier ones after this, particularly stumpy little Nether Moor which is only 442m! After ticking this off and visiting the Druid Stone, I only had to find my way to the very TOP of Ringing Roger (I have been known to miss it) via a sloppy climb up the brook (cheers Mr. Supertrac), then descend to Edale. It actually all went pretty smoothly and I was soon skipping down the zigzags into Edale to finish in just under 5:49.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkEEDaOXKXeWYw6RRAu8cO6GbPvqLrT732jJh03qwrf5L2QK_BlrC4mnEOtrE_d6k6C1YxyrMqJWOjkDOXg9ndRV89NI8gbMFhWwrhON3eSdU_-xieSNbF1rbicGyHG0wjrwb3j943huw/s1600/IMG-1280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkEEDaOXKXeWYw6RRAu8cO6GbPvqLrT732jJh03qwrf5L2QK_BlrC4mnEOtrE_d6k6C1YxyrMqJWOjkDOXg9ndRV89NI8gbMFhWwrhON3eSdU_-xieSNbF1rbicGyHG0wjrwb3j943huw/s320/IMG-1280.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
A major benefit of winter running is that you can leave dairy products in vehicles all day, so I enjoyed my milkshake and headed home. Maybe that sub-5 summer round is possible one day!<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>No hills - An accidental Florentine marathon</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
I sometimes wonder if I should run a proper marathon. I think probably not, but I do enjoy following people who decide to commit to it and target a time (<a href="http://robbiebritton.co.uk/" target="_blank">such as Robbie Britton's great sub-2:30 story and run</a>). None of this was in my mind when I set off on my tempo run on Sunday morning. I'm lucky to be out in Florence for another week, working at the fluid dynamics lab in the University, so my run was along the River Arno.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-uIVLEHlYbGgbO2BfQpsTMyJpfidYP7Vgw7KxptB0jxHkVGowUeXxawKiImgsBD2LmaSH7CLyZwsaWlUoAwCZ-BH0O4LfvKy4rnmFnihvGFd7CJ8nvODlc0KClMzEULIpzAf1h0VwkcM/s1600/IMG-1426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-uIVLEHlYbGgbO2BfQpsTMyJpfidYP7Vgw7KxptB0jxHkVGowUeXxawKiImgsBD2LmaSH7CLyZwsaWlUoAwCZ-BH0O4LfvKy4rnmFnihvGFd7CJ8nvODlc0KClMzEULIpzAf1h0VwkcM/s320/IMG-1426.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Florentine morning</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I set off a bit grumpy at this, because basically I'd forgotten the map which would have allowed me a lovely run in the hills instead... But maybe the flat would do me some good. In the hills on a long easy run I normally reckon 10 or 11km/hr is OK, but on the flat I realised after half an hour I'd done 7km. 7x2=14km... =3 hour marathon! So I decided I'd give it a go.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuWpKtZXdqnzkZWgjTmOKreKDocCLKCM4gkwbf7u6N0l2QvMOE50DZXx7nDTUh-OJCzVcSniRO3xmjlf2YRH3M-Ac0rhjojXTwkepyf7BrN7tDHhYCy2CTIdEwPizB0aSvn5ALmMVgcQ4/s1600/IMG-1397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuWpKtZXdqnzkZWgjTmOKreKDocCLKCM4gkwbf7u6N0l2QvMOE50DZXx7nDTUh-OJCzVcSniRO3xmjlf2YRH3M-Ac0rhjojXTwkepyf7BrN7tDHhYCy2CTIdEwPizB0aSvn5ALmMVgcQ4/s320/IMG-1397.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Arno from a distance</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
To cut a long story short, it didn't quite work. I was at 14km in an hour, 28km in two hours, but the pace slipped in the final hour and at 3:00 I had done 41km (42km came in about 3:06 as I fumbled around the city looking for the right Piazza!). My route was flat and riverine, following the Arno in one direction for about 5km, then turning around and returning to, and through (error) the city, before following Arnie the Arno in the other direction for 14km, ending up in a little Gypsy camp, slipping over and getting a muddy bum, then running back for not quite far enough, and back through the city (error) to make up the distance.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8RXGZk4PxIMZ0QCqkaC4tAkSAvDRamOY9zf4ds0H_Nshc1sTTO5Kif23rJsqL20K2Ty8iNHiKysmEfwIkGDyufC1GK8cx18pjjPe0tvT0URHIM7cgjU5vLplq3oUj4uFP3waqlgLb8yM/s1600/crowds_pontevecchio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8RXGZk4PxIMZ0QCqkaC4tAkSAvDRamOY9zf4ds0H_Nshc1sTTO5Kif23rJsqL20K2Ty8iNHiKysmEfwIkGDyufC1GK8cx18pjjPe0tvT0URHIM7cgjU5vLplq3oUj4uFP3waqlgLb8yM/s320/crowds_pontevecchio.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ottimo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Still, it was a lovely run and I am pretty happy with a 3:06 marathon given I didn't know it was a marathon when I started, or have any food or drink. If I do ever do a proper one I will make sure I have three crossiants and two coffees before I start, which is a good lesson.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWFQYBXSd2tWJpk2JPvoBAGKawFiEHo04l5gEtlX8EK2mwSpBH_Vf99RCiBfb9oW7JGntp33s7Siu9kW1CQQFiwnpXffWeCYDCDrR14HMiaKZc1CxBut0tRlJmkgsjtoiS28chZa3SL9o/s1600/IMG-1404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1594" data-original-width="1600" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWFQYBXSd2tWJpk2JPvoBAGKawFiEHo04l5gEtlX8EK2mwSpBH_Vf99RCiBfb9oW7JGntp33s7Siu9kW1CQQFiwnpXffWeCYDCDrR14HMiaKZc1CxBut0tRlJmkgsjtoiS28chZa3SL9o/s320/IMG-1404.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>The End.</b><br />
Well, that was better than a round-up of 2018 wasn't it! I will round up the not-a-round-up by saying thanks as ever to the people who keep me running... Stu Hale, Accelerate, and Scott. I still have no idea why you do it but I'm eternally grateful that you do.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYEeiJBLV0dRXB-VubkSOyIwDD60bw6vL5w1_0VQmUh384ugqRgClkedyNgxecQBNEnaepVy7Wu6rm2aBrtki7HM7ZVRRk_0DTBsJq-Z04lfsehs7r8TYRknEsihCd0umy33HU2-OQYUw/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="429" data-original-width="640" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYEeiJBLV0dRXB-VubkSOyIwDD60bw6vL5w1_0VQmUh384ugqRgClkedyNgxecQBNEnaepVy7Wu6rm2aBrtki7HM7ZVRRk_0DTBsJq-Z04lfsehs7r8TYRknEsihCd0umy33HU2-OQYUw/s320/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
To my fellow Flamingoes, Team Accelerate-Scott, all my Accelerate running mates, RAR crew, and everyone else, Boun Natale!</div>
Stuart Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030293946147955184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2098003752277720209.post-55737264368464342912018-10-19T04:32:00.002-07:002018-10-19T04:32:20.438-07:00Do not argue with coach!<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Peakrunners Dark Peaks 30</u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Before I start... This is an awesome race! It wasn't really very well attended this year, but I'd urge anyone who wants to have a go at a well-organised, good value, tough, enjoyable and beautiful race to get over to the <a href="http://www.peakrunners.co.uk/" target="_blank">Peakrunners website</a> and enter.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPC09YX_d78V-l__MxvaKCxq5ppdn7s3jG0c6uk0qUsSeNmOi2DW7lNxsTf-PdZN3omCINTSXuDN2H9zuX_yJ4PynrvPf1LLCtYVeWyG-x1OTuCEIuUsUecPP0yhLBmDIML8Ifx3cIJw/s1600/peakrunner-logo-new-2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPC09YX_d78V-l__MxvaKCxq5ppdn7s3jG0c6uk0qUsSeNmOi2DW7lNxsTf-PdZN3omCINTSXuDN2H9zuX_yJ4PynrvPf1LLCtYVeWyG-x1OTuCEIuUsUecPP0yhLBmDIML8Ifx3cIJw/s1600/peakrunner-logo-new-2017.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wasn’t going to do the Dark Peaks 30 this year. In the
week leading up to the race I had a cold and very twangy Achilles’, but it had
always been there in the back of my mind. Despite telling lots of people I
wasn’t going to do it, I couldn’t quite put it out of my mind, and on Thursday
before the race I finally decided to go for it. If I didn’t race I’d sit at
home and whinge about how I should’ve raced and would end up going for a long
run anyway, so it seemed the best option. After all it is one of the finest
long run routes in the Peak. I asked Dave Riley of Peakrunners if he would
accept a late entry and he kindly did, so that was that.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYR8Odibv5-wtNdzKvU5HVHalxfHMEojJicyNec4zzlNSTDWdQrPguk_ZA7Zr9mpnhod2kHcdxte48sSV0Ze792uTcIR00cphfDNA08M1u2rOqFuNWFjZDJbjuZAa_DJuTnJn8I9LoIOg/s1600/route.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="367" data-original-width="1157" height="101" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYR8Odibv5-wtNdzKvU5HVHalxfHMEojJicyNec4zzlNSTDWdQrPguk_ZA7Zr9mpnhod2kHcdxte48sSV0Ze792uTcIR00cphfDNA08M1u2rOqFuNWFjZDJbjuZAa_DJuTnJn8I9LoIOg/s320/route.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2018 was the third edition of the race, and I’ve done both
of the previous two. The route has changed slightly, though it has kept most of
the same features (a sort of figure-of-eight taking in Win hill, Stanage,
Kinder, Mam Tor and Lose Hill. In 2016 we started in Edale, but in 2017 moved
to Hope and added a flatter section around the edge of Ladybower in place of
the second ascent of Win Hill. I was pleased to see that this year’s edition
was the return of the Win Hill double.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In 2016 this was my first race back from a year in the Alps,
and I felt like I could go uphill pretty well. Coach wasn’t so sure though, he
said my form was wrong and that I was running without using my hamstrings. At
first I was a bit disappointed to hear this: I had spent months loving being in
the mountains, getting out for a few hours most days and regularly climbing 2
or 3000 metres on a long run, so I felt I was the fittest I’d ever been. Anyway,
that year the DP30 took me about 4:40.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_FU-g8xozp3yzBGjZO8en70t5ce7aoj7JZCSaTPuNRwaBh88kf2mdCMoWRWx0yfRPo2ZHP50jCKVfSSA3wLf9gecU4F5D36cpUbR7luFpnHlVLQCR21-Tlr0am5d3UjVpaR1zk7WsLqk/s1600/_20160718_233933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_FU-g8xozp3yzBGjZO8en70t5ce7aoj7JZCSaTPuNRwaBh88kf2mdCMoWRWx0yfRPo2ZHP50jCKVfSSA3wLf9gecU4F5D36cpUbR7luFpnHlVLQCR21-Tlr0am5d3UjVpaR1zk7WsLqk/s320/_20160718_233933.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alpenme</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At the 2017 race, that Scotney chap turned up and I was
committed to second at best before we even started. He shot off at the start
and I never kept up. I reasoned that the flatter section around Ladybower had
quickened the course by 5 minutes or so, and I reckoned my 4:35 was equivalent
to around the same time as the previous year. I put this down to less mountain
time but did concede perhaps that coach had a point on the benefits of
hamstrings, though I still valued my mountain fitness and felt much less fit
than the previous year.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZnV4qpaw1d6R6eJIbQ8Plaopf8g-hhyphenhyphenTwM2Xbm9TByIq-EeoibPu8oJZN5mD_uYRxUHYg2-Uh6OFNZLq44GtvUpW7_cM-ByumU1ZBPAFRtzJGT9KG_1rJlOzkeFZgIvciOqF_59H-ng/s1600/IMAG6487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="903" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZnV4qpaw1d6R6eJIbQ8Plaopf8g-hhyphenhyphenTwM2Xbm9TByIq-EeoibPu8oJZN5mD_uYRxUHYg2-Uh6OFNZLq44GtvUpW7_cM-ByumU1ZBPAFRtzJGT9KG_1rJlOzkeFZgIvciOqF_59H-ng/s320/IMAG6487.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2016. Jen is thinking "Marcus will smash you next year..."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This year I completely messed up my argument by running the
original course (albeit with a different start and finish point) in just over
4:30. The start of the race in Hope Village Hall was a jolly affair, with
runners arriving from all over the UK and lots of faces I didn’t recognise. It
was nice to see some friends from Accelerate Trail Runners too.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbC3C-hnqG1RGMWGix9bpkaM1zbwtH6AOnHHfs8M_zJZIYu5zuPYeBgk7FdXzA3bFAyoGgpp_u_RgCxQkG0n-4IiR6wj06F4LuDeFIxdCg6HxG0UEFo7NAhZHaLkX0CsJMmxWTrypDC0/s1600/43289666_735111456824649_4595774813863149568_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1300" data-original-width="1600" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbC3C-hnqG1RGMWGix9bpkaM1zbwtH6AOnHHfs8M_zJZIYu5zuPYeBgk7FdXzA3bFAyoGgpp_u_RgCxQkG0n-4IiR6wj06F4LuDeFIxdCg6HxG0UEFo7NAhZHaLkX0CsJMmxWTrypDC0/s320/43289666_735111456824649_4595774813863149568_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atmospheric startline photo (Lee seems to be missing)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After a casual briefing from Dave and a few photos we were
off! Dave’s races are well organised but have a good low-key feeling to them.
This time there would be three checkpoints with food and water, a bit of taping
on the way back into the village at the end (more on that soon), but that was
it. Lovely.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
----------------</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We set off and there were soon two of us at the front – Lee Parker
and I. I don’t really know Lee but I’d spotted him before the start and thought
he looked fast. We ran together out of the village, then took a wrong turn and
ended up running down the drive of a B&B. I think we both knew it wasn’t
right, but the friendly owner confirmed that this was the case and we turned
around back to the road. It was nice to see all our friends from the start
again, but eventually we were back towards the front. I think Lee stopped to
take his jacket off so dropped back slightly, so I passed the leader on the
lower slopes of Win Hill.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4q9hqYSq1207Al9LPO-ncJp8bpxPaqWxrvOMXB_RsD4bJCxHwqeehMwOm6io7mScQgA1_qxw9lk7S9S_ZLQELwynbD_BXhTK3L9yeOxIjRU05x1gFBqi7r2RXSWrM7RbrkkXtg2LO240/s1600/LeeParker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4q9hqYSq1207Al9LPO-ncJp8bpxPaqWxrvOMXB_RsD4bJCxHwqeehMwOm6io7mScQgA1_qxw9lk7S9S_ZLQELwynbD_BXhTK3L9yeOxIjRU05x1gFBqi7r2RXSWrM7RbrkkXtg2LO240/s320/LeeParker.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lee Parker</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was great to see Dr Simon on the top, he was as cheerful
as ever despite what can’t have been a particularly warm marshal spot! I was
careful on the descent of Parkin Clough, then saw Lorna and Buddy at the bottom
before crossing Yorkshire Bridge where I saw Dave and some other marshals.
After all that socialising I was ready for some solo running, which is what I
got for most of the rest of the race – from Yorkshire Bridge I climbed up Bamford
Edge, onto Stanage (where Vicky from ATR was marshalling), then turned left to
Moscar. I looked back on the descent and didn’t think I could see anyone, but it’s
always a balance (literally!) to have a satisfactory look while keeping your feet
on the ground and your face off it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway. Moscar, through the farm with the noisy gates, up
the long climb towards Whinstone Lee Tor and my marshal point from the Lost Lad
race the previous week, then down and along the edge of the reservoir for about
the only flat section of the race this year! At the end of this section (near
Ashopton) I saw Lorna and Buddy again which was lovely. I grabbed a piece of
cake from Amanda’s checkpoint on the main road and set off on the road section.
Peakrunners are an environmentally responsible organisation, so they don’t give
out plastic cups. The kit list required us to carry one, which I was, but I
found I am really not good at drinking out of it while running… After soaking
myself again I gave up, there was probably enough in my bottles anyway!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANaEo8b-zAvI6ak1jyotvOKig9g6lhEytSEQNq4viMh-AjZJdTJvGe8WgOoQLsCx0DmESdIF7YlESE_80HUCp-JtqvHSgS5ombbWqwO28nA1gknGjdanUWHkOxDnXm8cOVoU9aCBrjG4/s1600/43509412_735152266820568_1983704489030320128_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANaEo8b-zAvI6ak1jyotvOKig9g6lhEytSEQNq4viMh-AjZJdTJvGe8WgOoQLsCx0DmESdIF7YlESE_80HUCp-JtqvHSgS5ombbWqwO28nA1gknGjdanUWHkOxDnXm8cOVoU9aCBrjG4/s320/43509412_735152266820568_1983704489030320128_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top checkpointing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Apparently Lee was not far behind me at this point but I had
no idea. As I ran along the road and across the dam I couldn’t see anyone, but
that could be 2 minutes or 20 minutes! I pressed on up Parkin Clough to see
Simon again, then along the edge of the trees to Hope Cross and up onto
Crookstone. Speaking to Lee later on he said he could see me on this climb, but
I hadn’t spotted him (again probably due to concentrating on staying upright).
I ran along the edge, to Ringing Roger and down the zigzags into Edale. At this
point I remembered with slight sadness that we used to finish here, but also
realised that I was running reasonably well. I had taken about 3:35 to this point, with only the Upper Booth checkpoint, the
climb up Mam Tor and the descent from Lose Hill remaining. I wondered if 4:30
would be on and decided it should be.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2YieJnDGA-7Op0UfRP8uc5wQqYt_yvk1SHWTRTmch_FImdt9oMKrVYHewxjUZI8uvZjjtfZR9MyhTmak_QSPm9ORtjr1VbTS5op0xqkGiVhb-ZbxuiQQVemUunuC3bwr7RUrCsIaHXvI/s1600/22528736_1897735306909338_2633585157770524304_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2YieJnDGA-7Op0UfRP8uc5wQqYt_yvk1SHWTRTmch_FImdt9oMKrVYHewxjUZI8uvZjjtfZR9MyhTmak_QSPm9ORtjr1VbTS5op0xqkGiVhb-ZbxuiQQVemUunuC3bwr7RUrCsIaHXvI/s320/22528736_1897735306909338_2633585157770524304_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2017 photo, but it's a nice one</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had only eaten a bit of cake and a gel to here so decided
I should have some more. I’d brought plenty with me, so I declined the marshals
generous bootful of delicious offerings and had something out of my pack. The road
climb up to Mam Tor is strangely enjoyable, I like the way it winds up and the
gradient is just about runnable. I was pleased that I kept going and grateful
to the race medic for his support near the top. I passed a few people riding
then carrying bikes to the summit, then headed along what seems to be called “The
Great Ridge” nowadays to Back Tor (love that little climb!) and Lose Hill (less
so).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Off the top of Lose Hill it should’ve been in the bag: Just
a simple descent to Hope. However, someone had turned Dave’s sign over, so I
assumed it was for a different race and continued down the front of the hill. I
knew I could get to Hope this was and it seemed simpler than spending time trying
to work out the intended route. After a few minutes I realised I was definitely
not on Dave’s flagged route, and that I was extending my run in quite
considerably. I decided to cut right after reaching the road near the Cheshire
Cheese pub. This seemed sensible and I’ve done it before, but I managed to end
up in a field with some horses, then lots of brambles, then a railway crossing!
Finally I popped out on the track we’d run out of the hall on and rejoined the
route for the last 100 metres in to the finish.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_nyT_rq3fM0bL-lHrULPi5riISrUQaYMoZZ2TGJiWuwp6BS-hQHabcrqh98pPvd93bdMtIu8dSVu-c4UEdA_TXmWiNzzH7axKxhPXeoJG5eN-sltzJLzTfuOWzvSp5l2TkWdfFozHWgQ/s1600/43397958_735112446824550_6169518094600372224_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_nyT_rq3fM0bL-lHrULPi5riISrUQaYMoZZ2TGJiWuwp6BS-hQHabcrqh98pPvd93bdMtIu8dSVu-c4UEdA_TXmWiNzzH7axKxhPXeoJG5eN-sltzJLzTfuOWzvSp5l2TkWdfFozHWgQ/s320/43397958_735112446824550_6169518094600372224_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hoping I haven't messed it all up in the last 5 minutes!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wasn’t sure if Lee had nipped past me by going the right
way so I didn’t risk an exuberant celebration as I crossed the line, but Amanda
confirmed that I had been first, which was nice. The time was something like
4:30:20, so 4:30 would’ve definitely been possible without my detouring at the
end!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
----------------</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I learned a lot from this race… Firstly, you can’t always
tell how a race is going to go and shouldn’t give up before you’ve started.
Secondly, Stu Hale probably does know what he’s talking about, and hamstrings
are apparently worth having. And finally, the start and end of races are key to
overall navigational success!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkWJjy-pWrzO-YMmwe21Ctp5jlpC_xNWakYBF3c-v9HIpwyj_OeE_EzAwpqgNPHIEhK2gnZa9Mv9ntYnlanpnDpL5Poerim0wRdqDqVYAG3rtzq_wQ_PRXXlv3S4DxGsiuj0NpYkAa3ZI/s1600/43391939_735112426824552_6391309505686142976_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="723" data-original-width="723" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkWJjy-pWrzO-YMmwe21Ctp5jlpC_xNWakYBF3c-v9HIpwyj_OeE_EzAwpqgNPHIEhK2gnZa9Mv9ntYnlanpnDpL5Poerim0wRdqDqVYAG3rtzq_wQ_PRXXlv3S4DxGsiuj0NpYkAa3ZI/s320/43391939_735112426824552_6391309505686142976_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With the main man (and a nice hat)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As well as some Raidlight kit which I will be donating as
Runners against Rubbish prizes I won a great hat from Big Bobble Hats, some
Mountain Fuel and some Accelerate vouchers. Dave soon arrived at the finish and
it was great to be able to thank him and Amanda for organising a cracking race.
Thanks also to all the marshals (including Simon up on Win Hill), and Lorna and
Buddy, for your encouragement and for doing a great job on a bit of a cold day
for standing around!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wore my Supertrac Ultra RCs, which were perfect for the
mixed terrain and are still going strong after what must be at least 500km of
use. Apart from a bit of tread wear you’d hardly know - they are showing no
signs of being close to the end of their life!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Oh yeah, and thanks Stu :-P</span>Stuart Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030293946147955184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2098003752277720209.post-71330121964583644812018-08-25T16:58:00.000-07:002018-08-25T17:00:23.273-07:00The Long Tour of Bradwell 2018I think I have written before about how I don't have a "killer instinct" when it comes to racing. If the guy in front has a good gap I'll most likely finish second. Of course, if he has overdone it in the early stages and slows down I might pass him (assuming I haven't done the same!), but times when I have lurked behind someone then chased them down to overtake are in the minority.<br />
<br />
Alex Hinchcliffe and I were recently talking about people whose results contain a disproportionate number of wins by short margins, i.e. close or sprint finishes. This seems to be the sign of a real racer, someone who simply cannot accept losing and is able to dig deeper in the final stages to make sure they win. Sadly this is not me, so if I want to win races perhaps my best chance is to get away and hide out of sight at the front.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8CN-0daXWqHFFEyeB4SRXHGxSswdmole6R_g32SN950xx3mSN5z1ZuFELFQGGT9Phs46VQddmYs-J-4-IruU6wzaH0nvlbmj0nx6dZsL5vlbid2wBPlPS2eyRHr7UWEf-zOEiJc_ys6Y/s1600/hiding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="423" data-original-width="500" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8CN-0daXWqHFFEyeB4SRXHGxSswdmole6R_g32SN950xx3mSN5z1ZuFELFQGGT9Phs46VQddmYs-J-4-IruU6wzaH0nvlbmj0nx6dZsL5vlbid2wBPlPS2eyRHr7UWEf-zOEiJc_ys6Y/s320/hiding.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only Google image result for "hiding behind tree" that wasn't completely terrifying!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This is sort of what happened at this year's Long Tour of Bradwell. I have had mixed results at this race in the past (getting lost twice and winning once), but I do love it. It's still my favourite local long race. As you might imagine, it starts from Bradwell. The route takes in Cavedale, Castleton and Edale on its way up onto Kinder, then around to Win Hill and Hope, then Stanage, Burbage, Padley Gorge and a final climb from Hathersage up onto Bradwell Edge before descending back to the village. It's 33 miles (54km) in total with about 2100m ascent.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHEk2KisxZUO5aNKVNt7hOxQs40arVnLpQG1IEPy03z3pqR0P83oISWcceVpQUQr6S6okz8RnK0PyFlW7fgG4axl3hiYPKnhF9FHQbNFsT6AhLMHHBa3hXEZ9KLm7HZ_KXKJB54jKIT4/s1600/bradwellmap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1085" data-original-width="1094" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHEk2KisxZUO5aNKVNt7hOxQs40arVnLpQG1IEPy03z3pqR0P83oISWcceVpQUQr6S6okz8RnK0PyFlW7fgG4axl3hiYPKnhF9FHQbNFsT6AhLMHHBa3hXEZ9KLm7HZ_KXKJB54jKIT4/s320/bradwellmap.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
This year there were two changes to the previous route: The route on Kinder had been changed and would miss the climb up to the Druid Stone but to add an extra climb on Rowland Cote Moor, and the Padley Gorge route was much simpler, heading straight down the main track. I was delighted when I heard about these changes, both areas have flumoxed me in the past so the changes might suit me...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhudLS4CKIdt4epyrcs7Gu9GvxYIHfNKgvRok5C9LoRgG_pDrledFh6xIjCPRU7GtNHMpKOyksQja8pmHsBOreSM9Om1ekCApbnYWurQ7EX52MULvRLHE2O8e1IOtrhI5GBcX2HRKJ2XgE/s1600/19816108934_fe69910f70_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhudLS4CKIdt4epyrcs7Gu9GvxYIHfNKgvRok5C9LoRgG_pDrledFh6xIjCPRU7GtNHMpKOyksQja8pmHsBOreSM9Om1ekCApbnYWurQ7EX52MULvRLHE2O8e1IOtrhI5GBcX2HRKJ2XgE/s320/19816108934_fe69910f70_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My nemesis in previous editions. It moves, I'm sure it does.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After a quick briefing from Richard Patton we started at 9am. It was a pleasantly warm morning and after the disappointment of not being able to attend the Matterhorn Ultraks race and a fairly last minute decision to race Bradwell, it felt good to finally be racing something! I had recognised a few people at the start, including Lee Kemp and Matty Brenan, but it turned out these guys were running the half tour, so I was amongst unknown runners as we ran out of the start field and off down the bridleway through the cement works.<br />
<br />
<br />
After 500m or so I found myself at the front and decided I should see if I could get a bit of a gap. This worked sufficiently to be out of sight by the time we hit the climb up to Dirtlow Rake, so I continued the effort to Cavedale. I love Cavedale, whether going up or down, but I don't always run it as well as I'd like to think! It was slippery and I felt like I was going slowly, but I was enjoying myself as I dropped into Castleton for the first manned checkpoint. The marshals were great, I grabbed a Jaffa Cake and headed out of the village up Hollowford Road.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuUHlcYl83w3CJI4oz1Qt4SWvYjz74xlYB0SwQJkP5Jei7RkIPjfi3IjndLw2-OEjiO5Pi9bq3ppGYw_Yhv8O0XuBrV3mBjTEloE11Lz1N3adWNAhbtjL_P5AmxzMl9luSlyNuQ49uWBg/s1600/DSC_2287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuUHlcYl83w3CJI4oz1Qt4SWvYjz74xlYB0SwQJkP5Jei7RkIPjfi3IjndLw2-OEjiO5Pi9bq3ppGYw_Yhv8O0XuBrV3mBjTEloE11Lz1N3adWNAhbtjL_P5AmxzMl9luSlyNuQ49uWBg/s320/DSC_2287.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cloud inversion at Hollins Cross (on another day)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I ran the climb until the last few metres up to Hollins Cross, touched the cairn and dropped off the other side, down through the farm to cross the Edale road. I felt good, it was still a nice day and I was running pretty well. I also thought I had a decent gap, but looking back as I passed under the railway I realised that it wasn't actually very big at all - I could see a guy in a white top running along maybe 100 or 200 metres behind me. Shit! My mood plumeted and all the premature thoughts of victory disappeared, but I was still in front and the still legs felt OK, so I could push again and see if I could get away. Unfortunately the checkpoint dibber didn't work properly at Edale so I don't know what the gap was there, but at CP3 at Rowland Cote Moor (after 1:20ish) the gap to Rory Harris was just under 5 minutes. At the top of Lose Hill the gap was 8 minutes or so, 12 at Win Hill, and it hovered around the 10 minute mark for the rest of the race... But of course I knew none of this! On longer hills I looked back and didn't think I could see anyone, but I was never 100% sure.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJ5CdHG_mjM1-rbzm0_8IDQEXLsPH1QK4M2mpVwu7HRs2BIhuXlr63wY4PtmNrAvCh6jNFqSm2OWwCWcSDKoRBZKvuPgEiQd386X3hdGoQRusvehdNNdMCVONTnT3rCrHludX8qJICfw/s1600/IMG-0105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJ5CdHG_mjM1-rbzm0_8IDQEXLsPH1QK4M2mpVwu7HRs2BIhuXlr63wY4PtmNrAvCh6jNFqSm2OWwCWcSDKoRBZKvuPgEiQd386X3hdGoQRusvehdNNdMCVONTnT3rCrHludX8qJICfw/s320/IMG-0105.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Technical and highly-practiced gate-dodging technique on the way into Hope</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This highlights one of the major advantages of being the type of runner we mentioned at the start - writing an interesting blog is MUCH easier if you've had a close race! I basically plodded as quickly as I could around the rest of the course and ended up finishing first. The Peak District was as beautiful as ever: A few highlights for me were meeting some of the half tour runners on Back Tor and Lose Hill, including a chat about my <a href="https://challengestu.blogspot.com/2018/07/100km-review-scott-supertrac-ultra-rc.html" target="_blank">shoes</a> with the friendliest man in the world, the new (for me) route around Bamford Clough and the long climb up to Stanage which I always think feels like a perfectly runnable climb - steep enough to feel like you've achieved something, but shallow enough that you can run it in a long race.<br />
<br />
One low point was the run along the top of Stanage Edge. I normally love
the uneven rocky ground, it requires full concentration to run quickly
and smoothly, but today it felt very tough. My quads were angry! <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLtwNKNdC2cMLyzBw7hmxPdSqnvTcQnCivaS-69hv-KQ149mmJABFfYg8tQQBvfaBbE7CvOjRSJ45uhZQy4oobcuTzLA80LVaOZvfm-yFvlojKTe_qLHr1N3yLt4LTTg6v7JtacMpGRE/s1600/maxresdefault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLtwNKNdC2cMLyzBw7hmxPdSqnvTcQnCivaS-69hv-KQ149mmJABFfYg8tQQBvfaBbE7CvOjRSJ45uhZQy4oobcuTzLA80LVaOZvfm-yFvlojKTe_qLHr1N3yLt4LTTg6v7JtacMpGRE/s320/maxresdefault.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Normally fun, but hard work today!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Another low was the descent through Padley Gorge. I was pleased with the new route which meant I didn't get lost and spend hours wandering around as I have done previously, but the legs were angry again and every high step over a root or rock made my quads scream! By the time I got to the Hathersage checkpoint I was feeling good again, I ate my last gel and enjoyed the climb up the road. The paths through Abney Clough always frighten me as there seem to be so many little ones that could result in navigational disaster, but with great relief I reached the control in the bottom and was on my way to the finish. The last section was hard (as it always is, because by the time you're on the last section it's supposed to hurt, so if it doesn't, you just run faster till it does), but I knew that after the little gap in the gate on the top of Bradwell Edge it's downhill to home!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguRVEzRI6275FIwp-8hR6GF659s9MvIxea50B6Q-fiCDZ0vyNFMA12WkXg-Q2WthdXzrp6ROcbFnRn1tlUBfXzz_6ndVIthuk0E3u7ArgTa5gv1yMsRU7cNU7Ha5J7x18p7x4RmoPL9Ms/s1600/Bradwell+village+from+Bradwell+Edge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="850" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguRVEzRI6275FIwp-8hR6GF659s9MvIxea50B6Q-fiCDZ0vyNFMA12WkXg-Q2WthdXzrp6ROcbFnRn1tlUBfXzz_6ndVIthuk0E3u7ArgTa5gv1yMsRU7cNU7Ha5J7x18p7x4RmoPL9Ms/s320/Bradwell+village+from+Bradwell+Edge.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bradwell from the edge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I passed a mountain biker having an argument with her bike on the way down the steep descent and concluded I was having a better day than they were, so with renewed perspective and positivity I started to believe and even managed a grin as I dropped into the village. After all, it was a race, we'd nearly finished and I had not yet been overtaken!<br />
<br />
Fortunately this position continued to the final flat run in through the village to the finish. I saw Lorna and Buddy the (new) dog on the road, they were taking photos so I tried to run as coach has taught me....<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrB_LfwUGrni3FIrzZNe5kS_-70p3wzioLKBB9Vbh1sHiIOhUiBByUm0qffC5S40M_gB3nxJ34dBQlDJeaPXSdv5LaJNRR14w31ry22YcdhpqGjnjRALTYeHcNNqca-w_utI2hqOx2oD4/s1600/IMG-0099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrB_LfwUGrni3FIrzZNe5kS_-70p3wzioLKBB9Vbh1sHiIOhUiBByUm0qffC5S40M_gB3nxJ34dBQlDJeaPXSdv5LaJNRR14w31ry22YcdhpqGjnjRALTYeHcNNqca-w_utI2hqOx2oD4/s320/IMG-0099.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The best form I can manage after 30 miles.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Just before the finish I saw a face I recognised walking up the pavement having finished the half tour - it was Runfurther co-founder and now cycling superstar and local resident Karen McDonald! I'll try to be a minute quicker next year and catch you at the end Karen!<br />
<br />
I ran into the finish, dibbed my dibber, and collapsed to the ground like a professional footballer (without the football skills). The organisers were fantastic and brought me a drink and later some food. The organisation, marshalling and catering really is top notch at this race, and it's all nice and locally beneficial. You should <a href="http://www.tourofbradwell.co.uk/" target="_blank">do this race</a>, it's good.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTlT-t9sQ56hT5PMESno9QjogjS7HBnmHE2PC7F1nRSM-IQCn-2EJxz34gZxG-vTxxCHm7VWhN3ojYvOclZ3pYcRUJYo1_S31BDdLuH-0k3AW-q2ayI9NjPASNclCwuwGKNp2289A-TM/s1600/IMG-0084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTlT-t9sQ56hT5PMESno9QjogjS7HBnmHE2PC7F1nRSM-IQCn-2EJxz34gZxG-vTxxCHm7VWhN3ojYvOclZ3pYcRUJYo1_S31BDdLuH-0k3AW-q2ayI9NjPASNclCwuwGKNp2289A-TM/s320/IMG-0084.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A tough day out for everyone!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My time was 5:08. Well outside the record of 4:53, though the new route is a couple of km longer. Rory Harris was 2nd in 5:18, and Stephen Shanks third in 5:29 and also 1st V40. Abigail Hathaway won the womens race in 6:51, followed by Amanda Seims (6:54, 1st V40) and Amanda Heading (7:17, 1st V50)<br />
<br />
Thanks again to thee organisers and marshals, and to Scott and Accelerate for the awesome kit (I wore the Supertrac Ultra RC, I reviewed them a few weeks ago if you're interested), and Stu Hale for coaching me. I should point out that the sunglasses are not a Scott item, they came with a bottle of Ice Tea once.Stuart Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030293946147955184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2098003752277720209.post-13840639934590388862018-07-10T15:53:00.003-07:002018-07-10T15:53:36.253-07:00100km review - Scott Supertrac Ultra RCThe Supertrac Ultra RC is the newest shoe from Scott. I'm a very lucky boy and was allowed a pair to try for a month before they go on sale (from 18th July you can get a pair from <a href="http://www.accelerateuk.com/shop/product/412/Mountain--Trail-and-Fell/SCOTT-Supertrac-Ultra-RC/" target="_blank">Accelerate</a>). I promised to write a full review after 100km... I've actually run closer to 200 in them, so it's time I got typing!<br />
<br />
<br />
<u>A few highlights from one month with the Supertrac Ultra RC</u><br />
<br />
<b>16th June: Discovery </b><br />
Oooh lovely new shoes. At this stage they were very secret and had to be camouflaged. I didn't actually run in them, but they score highly on looking pretty. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8VaeyGspWZNG6o0WVhE_ajhUsJwTADvfH1d6tpg_60VcLJR20J1NnBGKk2O1ayUZmTMA53FeQ7j0OdlvKNuuyV06jD0BEKlO0Jf8_hjW8nHQr1eIN3OWs-4hfqPOEg-QaulixKUbQFjg/s1600/Screenshot_20180710-115318.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8VaeyGspWZNG6o0WVhE_ajhUsJwTADvfH1d6tpg_60VcLJR20J1NnBGKk2O1ayUZmTMA53FeQ7j0OdlvKNuuyV06jD0BEKlO0Jf8_hjW8nHQr1eIN3OWs-4hfqPOEg-QaulixKUbQFjg/s320/Screenshot_20180710-115318.png" width="284" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>17th June: First Run</b><br />
Not really long enough to fully test them, but straight out of the box they felt really comfortable, with good grip on dry rock and plenty of cushioning. And they do look nice.<br />
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>22nd June: First proper long run</b><br />
<br />
A very hot evening, beautiful weather. Bob Graham leg 1 supporting Kirk Hardwick as part of the Dark Peak machine. The shoes were great, comfy on the road and trail up out of Keswick, plenty of grip for the middle section of leg 1 and lots of confidence on the real test - Halls Fell Ridge. The original Supertrac RC got me down here when it was covered in ice on my <a href="https://challengestu.blogspot.com/2018/01/tried-winter-bob-graham.html" target="_blank">winter BG</a> attempt so you would expect no problems, and you'd be right. They inspired confidence all the way down and I had no problems running with the fastest descenders.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvA6HLnuZbV7XNMy1HaQ19UZjfh1s3zV0hyphenhypheni51x_SJ1UH9W_qNuHH9ZZbxfRhn2XlFxU0V2cz8iSRkI7NhRO5t1-H3uiZcxjuMyzKCWhAUT4YZfx1u-ybpFBbdnYmZiIR8qBVSSs8OvdQ/s1600/DSC_4008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvA6HLnuZbV7XNMy1HaQ19UZjfh1s3zV0hyphenhypheni51x_SJ1UH9W_qNuHH9ZZbxfRhn2XlFxU0V2cz8iSRkI7NhRO5t1-H3uiZcxjuMyzKCWhAUT4YZfx1u-ybpFBbdnYmZiIR8qBVSSs8OvdQ/s320/DSC_4008.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Halls Fell Ridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
One observation on BG night was that they feel taller than the Supertrac or Kinabalu RC. I don't know what the difference in drop is but I'd guess the Ultra have slightly more [Just checked - Supertrac Ultra RC: 8mm, Supertrac RC: 5mm]. On terrain, in extremis, when you're not concentrating, this can increase the likelihood of rolling an ankle. Of course, the additional drop means additional cushioning, which means more comfort for long distance, so this only becomes a minor negative if you intend on the Ultras being your only pair of shoes.<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<br />
<b>2nd July: Second long run</b><br />
40km on Bodmin Moor: Hot, dry, rocky. Sort of like the Peak District, but I was on holiday. My random zigzag route around the moor took in a little bit of tarmac, some hard trail / fireroad, and plenty of off-path action. No problems with any of that, and as a bonus they seem quite waterproof as I stood in streams to refill my water. It's also worth noting that despite the lack of the Scott lace locks I love so much on other shoes, even just with single knots the laces didn't come undone despite plenty of heather-bashing.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXg5a7e7bM3Xz6IEomnsv26gW0lz6NWP6Eo9WRb-P8jNQ6EMeNkj0O6IDtiB2UKFrA3NjrisTcPi3TRL3lGMLrlSKMC9vNwQALrKbvoSPVQiA3sw1E7An6BtArIGnmHkN14wM-tu8IkY/s1600/DSC_4058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXg5a7e7bM3Xz6IEomnsv26gW0lz6NWP6Eo9WRb-P8jNQ6EMeNkj0O6IDtiB2UKFrA3NjrisTcPi3TRL3lGMLrlSKMC9vNwQALrKbvoSPVQiA3sw1E7An6BtArIGnmHkN14wM-tu8IkY/s320/DSC_4058.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bodmin Moor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>6th - 7th July: Multi-day adventure</b><br />
Perhaps a slightly grand title for a couple of hours with a tent one evening and the same the next morning, but another different scenario for the shoes.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ713DWtp9rraaamjuHt1efu83ypwboDxrPMkgjYM-C8Y78wXKYAw1gKP0OrdrmIOYJYpEVb7-aWbYWkiPQoVWfs10yAWZF67WrZhiX9iRmHE4zXbMbgOH8JBSaBlUNXxbmsaMbXQQ8RQ/s1600/DSC_4127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ713DWtp9rraaamjuHt1efu83ypwboDxrPMkgjYM-C8Y78wXKYAw1gKP0OrdrmIOYJYpEVb7-aWbYWkiPQoVWfs10yAWZF67WrZhiX9iRmHE4zXbMbgOH8JBSaBlUNXxbmsaMbXQQ8RQ/s320/DSC_4127.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quantock Hills</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This time I was in the Somerset Quantock Hills. The trails here, particularly this year, are really hard and dry. The main difference this time to previous tests was that I had a large pack on my back with tent, stove, food and lots of water. This obviously makes me a heavier runner and can make shoes that were previously comfortable rub and cause problems, but I didn't find this.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCoFyAiX4py9h657G2udXXcMOV9DmJ1TpLn2WRfg917Z-vSXhUVilR6__kBURhyphenhyphenn3cvCo5FYZQiJ46SPD7P2OZI_Pxl20yL6weMw4ZKWORopjOd_QV9elwmfpQavYXA_s-52uYFVOULY8/s1600/DSC_4136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCoFyAiX4py9h657G2udXXcMOV9DmJ1TpLn2WRfg917Z-vSXhUVilR6__kBURhyphenhyphenn3cvCo5FYZQiJ46SPD7P2OZI_Pxl20yL6weMw4ZKWORopjOd_QV9elwmfpQavYXA_s-52uYFVOULY8/s320/DSC_4136.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RC vs. The Sea</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After an evening of heathland trails the next morning was more about farm tracks, tarmac and eventually beach. All of these were no problem for the Supertrac Ultra RC. I did take them off before I went for a swim, but I'm sure if I'd kept them on they'd be pretty good in the sea too!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Summary:</u></b><br />
For me, the important comparison is between the new Ultra and the
current Supertrac RC, which I've been wearing for ultra races like the <a href="https://challengestu.blogspot.com/2018/04/are-we-having-fun-yet.html" target="_blank">Fellsman </a>for
the last few years. The new ones weigh 90g more but seem to be a whole
lot more durable and crucially, more comfortable. Like the Supertrac RC
they were comfortable to run in straight out of the box, but with the Ultras I don't feel
like I want to take them off as soon as I get home.<br />
<br />
For a short race I
would stick with the slightly lighter Supertrac RC, but for anything
over 15km or so I'd go to the Ultra. They look set for a
good long life, the only thing showing any sign of wear after 200km are the laces.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4Yq9nF4E5JkAnGJYZ1Kw8k1BH6TyELxUQAmiXHlBsAorGvpomZVeppTv2vNXt958P3Kl6pGML9-UHvbx5Xsiakip_SYog65Ee4KBPUPA8ReTNRsnwhPwGbRSU0K1b0zt34Nr4IS-hLI/s1600/DSC_4138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4Yq9nF4E5JkAnGJYZ1Kw8k1BH6TyELxUQAmiXHlBsAorGvpomZVeppTv2vNXt958P3Kl6pGML9-UHvbx5Xsiakip_SYog65Ee4KBPUPA8ReTNRsnwhPwGbRSU0K1b0zt34Nr4IS-hLI/s320/DSC_4138.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Right here, right now.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If anyone is interested, I'll let you know how they are doing after 300km, which will of course be 400 by the time I get round to it...Stuart Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030293946147955184noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2098003752277720209.post-54031656263483981422018-06-26T12:53:00.000-07:002018-06-26T12:56:33.867-07:00The Three Peaks Yacht Race 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Last year's 3PYR was a memorable one: Particular parts that have stayed with me in the intervening months are:<br />
<ol>
<li>The time spent on sandbanks, and one particular sandbank which we shared (in close proximity!) with two other boats in the middle of the night</li>
<li>The slow progress and eventual triumph of our passage through the Menai Straits</li>
<li>Completing Ben Nevis with a sailor rather than a runner</li>
<li>Not really winning any trophies!</li>
</ol>
<br />
Those who are familiar with this race will know that 1, 2 and 3 are very regular occurrences, but point 4 is very rare...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfdO-2wwNSZ2GVL6L6ueczwcikJniMKv3EhqVHwV0ncpP2_M35WwvATOrFr95JFSpPHmIB6gAw_yRlOMPymCPcUGA4q8MuC5ewVLiQYdjsAF0pGxlAcJcT673UouD1XmZTzRg7hTGhhE/s1600/3PYR+trophies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfdO-2wwNSZ2GVL6L6ueczwcikJniMKv3EhqVHwV0ncpP2_M35WwvATOrFr95JFSpPHmIB6gAw_yRlOMPymCPcUGA4q8MuC5ewVLiQYdjsAF0pGxlAcJcT673UouD1XmZTzRg7hTGhhE/s320/3PYR+trophies.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There really are plenty of trophies available!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Well, this year everything changed: We didn't hit even one sandbank, we didn't go through the Menai Straits, we didn't go to the top of Ben Nevis, and we won loads of trophies (this pleases the skipper)! As last year I will try to tell the story primarily with photos, and I apologise if I have ordered things incorrectly as I tend to do this after multi-day events...<br />
<br />
<b></b>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -<br />
<b></b></div>
<b></b><br />
<b></b><br />
<b><br />Barmouth to Caernarfon.</b><br />
<br />
I actually arrived on Thursday, with our elite support crew Judith. We had a packed car full of bikes, oars, sails, kit, and a weird pedal-powered contraption (henceforth known as "the contraption"). The contraption was conceived by skipper Paul last year as an alternative to rowing in light winds, and was supposed to be designed and built by a University student, who I was to supervise in my day job as a researcher at the University of Sheffield. Unfortunately due to workshop limitations and other challenges I won't mention here, it became apparent with two weeks to go that there would be no officially designed and workshop manufactured contraption. So I got out my welder, scrounged an old steel bike and an outboard motor, and we ended up with something. After a last minute wooden frame added by Pete, the Skipper approved our efforts and we were allowed to leave the contraption on board for the race...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2zQ_oUksB_F1X5q-Koe_iFTerm3pyFsWw_gfO599utymJVijBSqDQP9mIEZrqou_n6lZBhZvV5Mey0-ZykdhiVKn1P3NDt0XhFQu2c2vA2dmqMC0-NJmPHTZeItEXw0XT2a5tlE6SJPo/s1600/DSC_3774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2zQ_oUksB_F1X5q-Koe_iFTerm3pyFsWw_gfO599utymJVijBSqDQP9mIEZrqou_n6lZBhZvV5Mey0-ZykdhiVKn1P3NDt0XhFQu2c2vA2dmqMC0-NJmPHTZeItEXw0XT2a5tlE6SJPo/s320/DSC_3774.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The confounding contraption</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
We hadn't completely given up on rowing, so we also had some massive carbon fibre shaft oars, posh new sliding rowing seats made from a cross-trainer, and rowlocks fixed to my old van roof bars. By the time my running partner Jon Morgan arrived on Friday afternoon, team Heath Robinson, sorry I mean Team Wild Spirit, were ready to go!<br />
<br />
Jon is a great runner, like me a proud member of Dark Peak Fell runners, and an experienced mountain guide with a good few records and impressive summits to his name. We were relatively confident of a good shot at the King of the Mountains title, but you never know who might turn up at the last minute! Our team was completed by three sailors: Paul, Pete and Nick. Paul is the skipper and owner of Wild Spirit, a massively experienced sailor with the sort of beard you would trust when it told you to row towards the Corryvreckan. Pete grew up on the south coast and sailed every type of boat available on every day of the week, now back sailing big boats after a bit of time away he was to be our expert in heroic actions at the front end of the boat. Nick has done the Three Peaks four or five times in the past, he was in charge of route planning and navigation and even before the race had spent time working out the most cunning routes.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJz_osZsgrmFD06aJfberh4_eVZwWXufGoSBDv4ud3u_R4f2UB2KZwCHqXiKdzOBLgutwbc-gDHVPuufdMF1WPzsZJn9On9cUX0QuCxeaZoz4NUP9yw3sHv1GHd9jGOIFOXXdq4wBf42o/s1600/team.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJz_osZsgrmFD06aJfberh4_eVZwWXufGoSBDv4ud3u_R4f2UB2KZwCHqXiKdzOBLgutwbc-gDHVPuufdMF1WPzsZJn9On9cUX0QuCxeaZoz4NUP9yw3sHv1GHd9jGOIFOXXdq4wBf42o/s320/team.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team Wild Spirit: Jon, me, Pete, Paul, Nick</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
High tide was late this year, but at 5pm we set off. Well, sort of.
The radio on the committee boat which should have given us the "Go"
signal wasn't working, so there was some confusion about whether we
should actually cross the line or not. We crossed it perfectly at 5pm,
but when no-one else seemed to follow we looped back round and waited.
Everyone else then seemed to head for it so we joined them again,
getting a slighty less perfect start than the first one but at least we
were racing!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy6h_JNkiyAALq4u1UMPUXYbKZXchGuHgoCPVG0EQPvKMyNsTHMXMcggBRUtDG79g7Rycu-1DCFhUjGBLOK__ZwM1G2TtaCM_DqpE8_QsygqSRZmsn8x_1a0gvXVI88m3uazQP6f-p680/s1600/start.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy6h_JNkiyAALq4u1UMPUXYbKZXchGuHgoCPVG0EQPvKMyNsTHMXMcggBRUtDG79g7Rycu-1DCFhUjGBLOK__ZwM1G2TtaCM_DqpE8_QsygqSRZmsn8x_1a0gvXVI88m3uazQP6f-p680/s320/start.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With DBC and AJAX just before the start</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
The forecast for the race was very little wind for about 48 hours after
the start, then gales later in the week. I had absolute faith that our
sailors would know what to do with gales, but in very light winds Wild
Spirit (as quite a heavy boat) struggles. The obvious solution is
rowing, so once the initial wind died, we rowed. We pedalled a little
too, and found that we could row consistently at about 0.8 knots, or
pedal and row at about 1.3. Due to one late drop-out there were actually
only four boats in our class (this year also saw the first "Challenger"
class entrants, who are allowed to use their engines at certain points,
but compete in a different class): Team Baloo, AJAX (The Army), Digital
Build Consultants (The Irish), and us. By Saturday evening we were all
rowing through the Bardsey sound. The sunset was stunning, and was
followed after a few hours of gentle sailing by an equally stunning
sunrise. Through the morning we crept towards Caernarfon, powered by
bacon sandwiches, rowing and the spinnaker. We crossed Caernarfon Bar
without incident (another sandbank avoided) and soon it was time for Jon
and I to get ready to run.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Bwp4Uyu9690JLqfcB3ArWDFX-kNr-Z_nFMkKeeZjfEnbwX9ZrdOC4GyVi1DXhfCsFrk171UIw6c9aiUaTWN1F6uVwsKMHRCODVY2Xt-RKU606TygJR7sDk-6rxFE_KQJztGZ-fp4Hc4/s1600/DSC_3796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Bwp4Uyu9690JLqfcB3ArWDFX-kNr-Z_nFMkKeeZjfEnbwX9ZrdOC4GyVi1DXhfCsFrk171UIw6c9aiUaTWN1F6uVwsKMHRCODVY2Xt-RKU606TygJR7sDk-6rxFE_KQJztGZ-fp4Hc4/s320/DSC_3796.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Irish creeping through Bardsey sound as the sun sets</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We landed behind Baloo, AJAX and The Irish, but were feeling reasonably confident. The Snowdon run is the longest of the lot at 40km, about 25km of which is made up of busy road runs in and out. I've only ever done this in the middle of the night before - during the day it was a bit terrifying at times! It was nice to see Steve Franklin though - cheers for the shout Steve!<br />
<br />
After the road run up the A4056, we were glad to be on the hill. We climbed well, grateful for a bit of breeze on the hill; having passed Baloo and AJAX on the way up we hoped we might find the Irish and manage to get back to Caernarfon first. Snowdon is a lovely mountain, but there's nowhere for a discreet wee, so after reaching the top and pressing the tracker button to report to the organisers I was keen to find a little sheltered spot on the descent. I found one on the railway track (this is not as dangerous as it sounds - the Snowdon train can be heard miles away and moves at the speed of a hungover snail), then headed off after Jon. At this point we saw the runners from Baloo on their way up, and realised we had managed to make a bit of a silly mistake... Yes, not for the first time in my life, I'd started descending the wrong side of the mountain. Still, we hadn't got far and were soon on our way down the hard stony track to Llanberis. Cheers Baloo for reminding us what we'd done!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0bME2ZoP-ctexADnHExRK3CSwQfU4XVp_N6uKgRRUZ79hw_hBRoj721avXWK96V_e9SiUE38LSRLvZc1v8qeDZYUNt3nsvJZOJubfkN0l1NXZ6lb4T2UnU1y4-PajIgpvDcg9IoZGmtk/s1600/DSC_3802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0bME2ZoP-ctexADnHExRK3CSwQfU4XVp_N6uKgRRUZ79hw_hBRoj721avXWK96V_e9SiUE38LSRLvZc1v8qeDZYUNt3nsvJZOJubfkN0l1NXZ6lb4T2UnU1y4-PajIgpvDcg9IoZGmtk/s320/DSC_3802.JPG" width="320" /></a></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jon on Snowdon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We passed the Irish at the bottom of the track, with just 14km or so of tarmac to go back to the boat. This passed fairly quickly and without too much discomfort, and we managed to find a reasonable route back in to the marina. To the rapturous applause of our team we jumped joyously back on board after about 4:16 and dived below for milkshake.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b>Caernarfon to Whitehaven.</b><br />
<br />
We left Caernarfon on Sunday evening, straight back out into another stunning evening but unfortunately another largely windless one. We put up the spinnaker but by the time the wind arrived we had lost our lead and the Irish had caught up. We both (in fact all the teams in our class did) decided to go around Anglesey rather than through the Menai Straits. It's rare that this is the best route, but it was the only option this year.<br />
<br />
Our sailors worked really hard to stay with the lighter boats on the leg around Anglesey and up towards Whitehaven. Jon and I helped where we could, slept a bit when not on watch (a lot more than the sailors did!), watched the amazing scenery go by, and chatted about races we'd done. Jon told me all about the climbing on the north of Anglesey and I eulogised about the Manx Mountain Marathon as we passed the Isle of Man.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdFJEg418qAPqiqMmcvTAAVkyVT_smiwjj4aqfaqLFjlGWSGN_P_9fg_fU-vj-odlc3jF3azU0Rg_hx6wLysvc3J5yssL6Vkn2z_05LaoVAfIWMcyzZE2mPso5OXaARZlWv6pSpIPsAA/s1600/DSC_3817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdFJEg418qAPqiqMmcvTAAVkyVT_smiwjj4aqfaqLFjlGWSGN_P_9fg_fU-vj-odlc3jF3azU0Rg_hx6wLysvc3J5yssL6Vkn2z_05LaoVAfIWMcyzZE2mPso5OXaARZlWv6pSpIPsAA/s320/DSC_3817.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before it got a bit lumpy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
By Monday evening we were approaching Whitehaven, but the wind had picked up in the last few hours and Jon was feeling a little unwell. We realised that there was actually no need to jump off the boat and up the hill immediately, even if we absolutely gutted ourselves we wouldn't make it back in a single tide, so we'd be waiting for the lock gates to open before we could leave anyway. We therefore decided to wait a little while before going to allow Jon's innards to settle down.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_BUF1ls5qKAtu6RN-2EAPZjnzP7ARUdYV6QuHuAUwESlHF4uacu_6CcZ39qqcQ0gV2fosidIzT_zMwe1Nb7MHV6H_8OlFwyKk9r7mAN5HLfyjcEjeEW46MvmAM9AXaqf_7pDVuYrOGxQ/s1600/DSC_3828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_BUF1ls5qKAtu6RN-2EAPZjnzP7ARUdYV6QuHuAUwESlHF4uacu_6CcZ39qqcQ0gV2fosidIzT_zMwe1Nb7MHV6H_8OlFwyKk9r7mAN5HLfyjcEjeEW46MvmAM9AXaqf_7pDVuYrOGxQ/s320/DSC_3828.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting in Whitehaven</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Settle they did and off we went on one of the most fun bits of the whole race - the bike ride from Whitehaven to Black Sail Hut. It's a great cycle route from the middle of the town out through smaller places and eventually to Ennerdale, then up the rocky track to Black Sail. It took us about 1:40 on the way up and 1:25 later on the way down.<br />
<br />
At Black Sail we locked up the bikes (not because we deemed it
necessary, but it's in the kit list!) and headed off up and over Black
Sail Pass.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiv-42OFtCh-NDqA0EJ_rChfAYOoj1RbNHFMpYcbdov8Ap3hR2xY3ZeKQbbAj7Hc1usC70NpX2mb04hF5IiMgEZmOWFB80MrTt4fUAQ5qnOsw-MaDPO-A_2lJjfyLpINTw2ExT86iNqd8/s1600/DSC_3829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiv-42OFtCh-NDqA0EJ_rChfAYOoj1RbNHFMpYcbdov8Ap3hR2xY3ZeKQbbAj7Hc1usC70NpX2mb04hF5IiMgEZmOWFB80MrTt4fUAQ5qnOsw-MaDPO-A_2lJjfyLpINTw2ExT86iNqd8/s320/DSC_3829.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Sail Pass</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Scafell run is not the longest but has the most climb since it goes up and over Black Sail Pass, down in to Wasdale, then up to Scafell, back down to Wasdale and back up and over Black Sail again. It's a great route for fellrunner, and is the only one of the three that offers the opportunity to get your shoes muddy! We were having a great time and were in a jolly good mood when we met the marshals at Wasdale for our compulsary 5 minute break. They were lovely and gave us Oranges and cookies, then we headed off up the big one.<br />
<br />
Somewhere on the way up we put torches on, and as it got dark we could see lights in front of us... We'd passed the others on the bikes, so it was the Irish. We reached the summit within seconds of each other and had a quick chat. Unfortunately their names escape me but the Digital Build Consultants runners were top guys - we're looking forward to catching up at the race dinner in November.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh08oXWqkaJbRbqQdV2EmY4TRngKIeSWp4ubnnvj74dXIWHSLExFi4smaFCHSF72BeHlS1MBT7UEXV5vdMX7raTvikz-9JrDTsWgUj408N07dDUuXbGaQ0zGlJpZBry1uj079Wwz3Pmmus/s1600/DSC_3831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh08oXWqkaJbRbqQdV2EmY4TRngKIeSWp4ubnnvj74dXIWHSLExFi4smaFCHSF72BeHlS1MBT7UEXV5vdMX7raTvikz-9JrDTsWgUj408N07dDUuXbGaQ0zGlJpZBry1uj079Wwz3Pmmus/s320/DSC_3831.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Torches on!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
All that remained now was to descend Scafell, up and over Black Sail and drop down to our bikes. I was already looking forward to the ride back in to Whitehaven - it's even better in that direction!<br />
<br />
We got back to the boat very early on Tuesday morning, after about 7 hours of full-on athletic effort and general heroism. In contrast, here's the skippers view of the previous few hours...<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="371">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]--><i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Shelf
and Jon were off up the mountain whilst the three sailors plus Judith, our
support team, went for a steak and a couple of pints before a sleep.</span></i></blockquote>
Unbelievable. Anyway, with a clearer idea of who was actually pulling their weight in this team, Jon and I decided to have a sit down for the next couple of days while we embarked on the longest sailing leg of the race.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -</div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Whitehaven to Corpach.</b><br />
<br />
Paul made sure we left Whitehaven lock with the same recorded time as the Irish, so we were really racing to the finish. The Three Peaks Yacht Race moved to the international IRC handicap system a few years ago, meaning that the actual winner may not be the first boat to cross the line, but there's still huge pride at stake for the "Line Honours" winner. Throughout Tuesday, Tuesday night and Wednesday, we had a really close race with DBC.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC8NY-xreq0F9Mg_PJda_3lpXXHejmISs1zPf1vjUly_p3px8_tqiJmqNsYks3YFAnHx6DGc5w0WtczdTlxJKq-jzs-vdJ3DBxDJv979ZGek7ONcn0oASnr3bG0AQ8C-3HHo5F2_134Mk/s1600/top_leg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="925" data-original-width="1028" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC8NY-xreq0F9Mg_PJda_3lpXXHejmISs1zPf1vjUly_p3px8_tqiJmqNsYks3YFAnHx6DGc5w0WtczdTlxJKq-jzs-vdJ3DBxDJv979ZGek7ONcn0oASnr3bG0AQ8C-3HHo5F2_134Mk/s320/top_leg.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The sailors did an awesome job - The Irish were apparently using some posh new navigation software (and were also great sailors), so we just tried to keep up with them. As we rounded the Mull of Galloway there was a big tide against us and they pulled out a little lead, but Paul steered us inshore to a tidal eddy which was just about moving in the other direction and we caught up again.<br />
<br />
We approached the Mull of Kintyre just as it started to get light, the sailors reckoned the Irish were about 3 miles away, which after this distance is basically nothing! We went closer to Gigha than them and gained a little more, then they took a wide line out towards the Corryvreckan while we stayed in the main channel. After this and some genius navigation by Nick through the sound of Luing we were basically neck and neck as we got close to Corran Narrows... Someone radioed the ferry to warn them of the battle heading towards them and they decided to wait for us, so the sailors had clear water to have a proper race!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkoMS2P7f1xgv4wGMPKEr394C1CEXbmW2Y3KyLNEERHENpVNL8b_OuE4i8CW7QuWkNoZd1tDieBE2WsED8ixZkgvuPw00pMcSOiptuptepoZH5-d4tsKwertOG7m6oufc0lHOFtK7gSXU/s1600/DSC_3852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkoMS2P7f1xgv4wGMPKEr394C1CEXbmW2Y3KyLNEERHENpVNL8b_OuE4i8CW7QuWkNoZd1tDieBE2WsED8ixZkgvuPw00pMcSOiptuptepoZH5-d4tsKwertOG7m6oufc0lHOFtK7gSXU/s320/DSC_3852.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Irish through the kitchen window!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Jon and I stayed out of the way as the sailors were clearly having a lovely time... Both boats were sailing with spinnakers up in almost 30 knots of wind. We took ours down a little before the narrows themselves as the Irish broached three or four times, but it was soon back up when conditions allowed and we were flying again. <br />
<br />
As the wind changed in favour of our symmetric sails (they had asymmetric sails so needed to tack, whereas we could sail in a straight line) it looked like we might manage to cross the line first.<br />
<br />
With much whoopin' and a'hollarin' we did, just a few seconds before Digital Build Consultants. Not bad after 300 miles of racing!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcaf_lu5CNy1m16t1MxLHt6z17C3VDYN0Ek-sS-gUA6dAnlviYL3XUKf3sEe0x5efBq4P-O9eSwsTd_kfLV2UU5sAYoLUVqRxSxMMCfBr8DJUglTlfP_Zwb0Rs7SchZViS1waqDIlBbU/s1600/IMG-20180614-WA0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcaf_lu5CNy1m16t1MxLHt6z17C3VDYN0Ek-sS-gUA6dAnlviYL3XUKf3sEe0x5efBq4P-O9eSwsTd_kfLV2UU5sAYoLUVqRxSxMMCfBr8DJUglTlfP_Zwb0Rs7SchZViS1waqDIlBbU/s320/IMG-20180614-WA0004.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VICTORY + Close race = Happy Skipper!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
All that remained now was for Jon and I to go for a wee run up the Ben. We knew it was windy up there, and maybe a bit wet, but the conditions were forecast to only get worse and we were keen to get going up there as soon as possible!<br />
<br />
However, as we got ready to dismount (with DBC's runners on board too, due to a rope around their prop... But that's another story) we were told by the organisers that we weren't allowed to run and would have to wait till tomorrow (Thursday) at 2pm, at the earliest! Boo!<br />
<br />
Having been keen to finish off what had been a great race so far we were a bit disappointed, but the organisers had made their decision and we could see why. So we headed to the pub with everyone else to celebrate the (nearly) end of the race...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz0NQOCHjUlvsdHdZV-TnDnvIBfzMTKsgmgSNwwe3tWUIII6dChtetXmeapdljcYqFBtbruRkOxnEiirXmsnJvreSO-Dkl8xu1XimGBH7ot4QqwNPf73wxgG382-3jy9nb1IZMAE712NA/s1600/IMG_20180613_210358.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz0NQOCHjUlvsdHdZV-TnDnvIBfzMTKsgmgSNwwe3tWUIII6dChtetXmeapdljcYqFBtbruRkOxnEiirXmsnJvreSO-Dkl8xu1XimGBH7ot4QqwNPf73wxgG382-3jy9nb1IZMAE712NA/s320/IMG_20180613_210358.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
On thursday, after some discussion, it was decided that we would have a mass start race from Corpach to the first major bridge on the Ben Nevis climb. This cut out most of the hill as the bridge is at about 300m, but it crucially did mean that everyone could race. It didn't seem fair that Baloo and AJAX wouldn't get to complete the race after so much great sailing, just because they had to leave for other commitments before the weather would allow us up the Ben.<br />
<br />
So at 2pm, Jon and I found ourselves on an unexpected startline, ready for an unexpectedly short and fast road / trail race!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoixpjhO-d9eIi8gj1WVfyyW81mHOk_K86Mhu7LyXps1TkHaBJVxNUBi5lpbEViKSZnyVUSZJxP0De_cDp9xtQ9vBSSKgkSOfcmTIED-HMpZnv_DFcR94iYmbbNFj5Fto9wpiUotwprxc/s1600/IMG_1959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoixpjhO-d9eIi8gj1WVfyyW81mHOk_K86Mhu7LyXps1TkHaBJVxNUBi5lpbEViKSZnyVUSZJxP0De_cDp9xtQ9vBSSKgkSOfcmTIED-HMpZnv_DFcR94iYmbbNFj5Fto9wpiUotwprxc/s320/IMG_1959.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Mass" start race startline</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Army took an early lead for the cameras, then the Irish and us passed them, after which we passed the Irish. Soon we had a little gap on the others and pressed on through the village of Caol and the little bit of fiddly navigation before the road and track up to the Ben Nevis Inn. Here we saw Rob Howard for the last time on official duties. We reached the turnaround point, pressed the tracker and headed for home. The Irish were not far off the top when we passed them, followed by Baloo, then the Army. We also saw the guys from Smithers Purslow (one of the challenge teams) on the track to the Inn, they had all decided to climb the hill together and were having a great time!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinY58J3BEYUqfCMaGb0bITlUKg4QEBKDXhNXNRu6GnbHP5yQd6J7vy3TdwGlvbag_1eiufMsXouGK2EVWGYb_fbhKV45MvRaZCK00FsUwvKsZgM7M6ikd85oW70aMLsYJY6RLc7bCVhO4/s1600/35239720_1672788659508313_5090053261038190592_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinY58J3BEYUqfCMaGb0bITlUKg4QEBKDXhNXNRu6GnbHP5yQd6J7vy3TdwGlvbag_1eiufMsXouGK2EVWGYb_fbhKV45MvRaZCK00FsUwvKsZgM7M6ikd85oW70aMLsYJY6RLc7bCVhO4/s320/35239720_1672788659508313_5090053261038190592_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The final descent</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Soon we were back in Corpach and after the run in along the seafront we rejoined the canal and ran down to cross the finish line.<br />
<br />
The final leg ended up being 17.5km with 514m ascent, and took us 1:30. We were chuffed to finish first again and it felt great to have ticked off the final part of the race. Now we could celebrate properly! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBnPeAZSm4RgMQPYjQYIxffbtlVw9iDvhNJAkisgTN2BL2GWocqx1TL2dezIA-L4QREHdkIwUNR4QkBl20qYOGEPTsrALjGnIDZbH5YxdcexpXhXy5g_WV1BovXd4tGx0xwIruBNBn2gY/s1600/35238249_1672788806174965_6737175065890127872_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBnPeAZSm4RgMQPYjQYIxffbtlVw9iDvhNJAkisgTN2BL2GWocqx1TL2dezIA-L4QREHdkIwUNR4QkBl20qYOGEPTsrALjGnIDZbH5YxdcexpXhXy5g_WV1BovXd4tGx0xwIruBNBn2gY/s320/35238249_1672788806174965_6737175065890127872_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -</div>
<br />
<b>Well.... What a race!</b><br />
Mega thanks to Jon for being a great running partner, and to Paul, Pete and Nick for awesome sailing! Thanks to Scott Running and Team Accelerate-Scott for my shoes and kit (I wore Kinabalu for the first two runs, and Supertrac RC for the final one).<br />
<br />
Finally, thanks to <a href="http://www.sleepmonsters.com/" target="_blank">Rob Howard</a> for some of the above photos, and for being a great guy and supporting this race. The race needs more entries, if you are a runner and would like to take part, get over to the website (<a href="http://www.threepeaksyachtrace.co.uk/">www.threepeaksyachtrace.co.uk</a>) and register yourself as a runner interested in a team! Stuart Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030293946147955184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2098003752277720209.post-17849326902181865902018-04-30T15:14:00.003-07:002018-05-03T15:26:27.071-07:00Are we having fun yet?<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>There was a suggestion box at the Fellsman this year. I spotted it as I staggered towards the showers about an hour after finishing, took a little piece of paper from the pile and wrote "I BLOODY LOVE THE FELLSMAN!".</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When the organisers open the box they may well think this was written by a drunken child with a pencil loosely taped to its broken fingers, but it was actually written by a very happy person who just rediscovered what he loves about racing.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7W0dpBAmpnJhonUqZ5EmMRnb4h0WnnZSzqRvTjXOT1aNswaumlbVc68iSJ2BFWcVB3RgaIvmjWZ1uiltRuLtpZbJxNa64S9SdAUpYiJTc8Ghy_OEKKQzLvykaQIjIKJKTUEbn0fE4fg8/s1600/thankyou.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="710" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7W0dpBAmpnJhonUqZ5EmMRnb4h0WnnZSzqRvTjXOT1aNswaumlbVc68iSJ2BFWcVB3RgaIvmjWZ1uiltRuLtpZbJxNa64S9SdAUpYiJTc8Ghy_OEKKQzLvykaQIjIKJKTUEbn0fE4fg8/s320/thankyou.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Run happy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's been a while since I properly enjoyed a race, but there were numerous occasions during this race when I stuck my arms out and for a moment just ran for the love of it. There were also moments when my legs hurt, I felt sick, I didn't know where I was going, I didn't want there to be 5 hours of running left, but the overall level of enjoyment was high on Saturday.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
---</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Anyway, the race: The Fellsman is more accurately described as a very long fell race (an AVL?) than an ultra, because it allows route choice for most of it, because it's been going for ages, and because it feels more like a village-hall based event than a slick modern ultra with people in compression calf skins (nowt wrong with any of that, just saying...). It's run by an amazing and dedicated group of volunteers from the Scout organisation, and I would like to say here (at the top of the blog for once) a massive thank you to them for doing an awesome job yet again!</div>
<div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDy6LxgaWjytYDBKHpAXx3TvB863qU1Eyr3NEtkHyrm7OuPS2nj7K_9uiKAX3lPAyVL52KZ9SxW-SMc5pHoLD0Yo93_YLGpD4EUc-NZLkzCQCKLG2dOv1XPPHzWmn9GAfpNyhczfOcTIg/s1600/The-Route.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="553" data-original-width="814" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDy6LxgaWjytYDBKHpAXx3TvB863qU1Eyr3NEtkHyrm7OuPS2nj7K_9uiKAX3lPAyVL52KZ9SxW-SMc5pHoLD0Yo93_YLGpD4EUc-NZLkzCQCKLG2dOv1XPPHzWmn9GAfpNyhczfOcTIg/s320/The-Route.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I was back for the first time since 2014. Having looked back at my results it turned out I've been 6th and 4th twice in recent years, in 11:57, 11:25 and 12:18. Those years the race was won by Jez Bragg (11:02), Adam Perry (10:34), and Adam and Kim Collison holding hands (10:51).</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwASMNK0YFJ1hkRgFuIA5xeTKIE98OoeKoa_McPDmrSJbCKIiHbF9MCyfWeR5GfQhf52VvN3azcink6Qcohyq3CDJBLZwYIsD1ElxuRV-NJYV9Ol3dN0tEP6t5jV_lNGeZ4_sgIK4WoIo/s1600/fellsman2014winners.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="450" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwASMNK0YFJ1hkRgFuIA5xeTKIE98OoeKoa_McPDmrSJbCKIiHbF9MCyfWeR5GfQhf52VvN3azcink6Qcohyq3CDJBLZwYIsD1ElxuRV-NJYV9Ol3dN0tEP6t5jV_lNGeZ4_sgIK4WoIo/s320/fellsman2014winners.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awwwww</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
I like to split long races into three. This works quite nicely for The Fellsman as it seems to naturally split itself up this way, punctuated by the big checkpoints at Dent and Cray. These divide the route into the up, the along, and the down, as well as into three 20-mile(ish) sections, so that's how we're going to talk about it...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Part 1: Ingleton to Dent.</b></div>
<div>
I wake up in the van at 5, get my stuff together and get on a minibus to the finish, where I get on a bigger bus to the start. On the bus I talk to a nice man who knows Jo Meek and has previously ran marathons in brogues. Embarrassingly I have forgotten his name.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
At the start I queue up for kit check again, having failed last night (after some queuing there too) due to the lack of a whistle. Anyway, I pay £3 for a whistle which means I end up with loads of change, so I decide to buy a coffee to use it up. Coffee is 50p, so I end up with even more change. Decide to give up and just get ready to run.</div>
<div>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0iXC4Vpk5zuzCjhRDwYc29CaSTAUshVgULRMyiyTqppEMsHorC9J41dL4fbIWUdPueoGfMGwAmX3_YxqDvqH_PXIUPsUA5NuQ3t1XHYVyubzlY_yqHkmtFgjlGrPz98UVYCSdRGOzdk/s1600/d12060-smardale-viaduct.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0iXC4Vpk5zuzCjhRDwYc29CaSTAUshVgULRMyiyTqppEMsHorC9J41dL4fbIWUdPueoGfMGwAmX3_YxqDvqH_PXIUPsUA5NuQ3t1XHYVyubzlY_yqHkmtFgjlGrPz98UVYCSdRGOzdk/s320/d12060-smardale-viaduct.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How could you not be excited about a day running through the Dales?!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here I spot Tom Gibbs (hero world champion adventure racer and super-fast fell runner). He's not long back from a mega crash in a race and shows off his massive knee scar. We decide to enter a team with a mate of his called Neil Talbott. Neil is fast too. Team entries close at 8:15 so we faff for a while looking for a 4th member, then call ourselves "The 8:14 to Threshfield"</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
OK, now we actually start...</div>
<div>
Neil and a man called Lawrence (MCL) set off up Inglebrough like it's the only hill in the race. I run behind them and pretend I'm comfortable. They gradually pull away, but I'm pulling away from Tom and everyone else much quicker, which is a bad plan.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After the top I remember how much I dislike the descent off Inglebrough, it's all rocky and steep and I'm crap at it. The fact Tom doesn't catch me shows only how stupidly fast I went up the other side. I'm on my own through Hill Inn (looking splendid ready for the 3 Peaks Race), I can see Neil and MCL in the distance on the way up Whernside, and they whizz past me on the out-and-back at the top. I see loads of people after the top, which is oddly reassuring. The view is amazing and the grin is face-wide.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Gragareth. Less grinning (it's a horrible hill). I climb up it, then cross the tricky ground to Great Coum and down to the Flinter Gill checkpoint before the knee-wrecking descent to Dent...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtNiiVggypRo24xipw2-3Nwvp0li83mVWhri7x1UVdyGtQBgP1d8bWRZ2waRuucUsmDvv3cKNGm7i8VH7e4HfDSmstdS3_aR15Z0BHoVCjoWVOo9NAjlpjNVyELaA9J4qzqwRIN8RFbgk/s1600/P1050165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtNiiVggypRo24xipw2-3Nwvp0li83mVWhri7x1UVdyGtQBgP1d8bWRZ2waRuucUsmDvv3cKNGm7i8VH7e4HfDSmstdS3_aR15Z0BHoVCjoWVOo9NAjlpjNVyELaA9J4qzqwRIN8RFbgk/s320/P1050165.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking slightly unhinged upon arrival at Dent</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
EVERYONE knows you need to feel good at Dent.</div>
<div>
How do I feel at Dent?</div>
<div>
Pretty good actually, and my parents are there so I forget everything else and all is well!</div>
<div>
Despite having far too much food with me I pick up some checkpoint food and set off up the road with it. About 3:25 to this point.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Part 2: Dent to Cray.</b></div>
<div>
The checkpoint Melon is delicious, I wish I'd got more. I have a gel too. I can see MCL on the way up the long climb to Blea Moor. It's a long climb but almost runnable, so I almost run up it.</div>
<div>
After the top of Blea Moor I make my first major nav error... I go the long way round the plantation and have to come in on the main track to Mossy Bottom.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY5GlF0iVRPXyQXnUyJRP05I_WqEer0ZMo5yvVmtUS795ZwZW2oxINVNcXEy9qHDaPO6uIGiJ8S4xCGnUGisYdfK-cjvCjQfRpL3yXIZ15I9fkuzh273dF_z2sgT18bjf2wwxPCbJ2eSM/s1600/fellsman1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="1600" height="101" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY5GlF0iVRPXyQXnUyJRP05I_WqEer0ZMo5yvVmtUS795ZwZW2oxINVNcXEy9qHDaPO6uIGiJ8S4xCGnUGisYdfK-cjvCjQfRpL3yXIZ15I9fkuzh273dF_z2sgT18bjf2wwxPCbJ2eSM/s400/fellsman1.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plan (left) vs actual (right) route around Mossy Bottom.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
As I eventually get back on track I look across and can see three runners descending from the Blea Moor checkpoint, so I know Tom, probably uber-consistent Simon Bourne, and someone else, aren't far behind. Assuming they haven't already passed me... I was a little worried that I might get to Stonehouse and find I'd already been passed.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Mum and Dad were there again and I had another very quick chat with them and little dog Willow as I grabbed some food (cheese sandwich I think) and headed off on another great section of the route. Anyone who has the Harveys Lake District 1:40,000 map, this is where the picture of Mark Hartell on the back was taken. It's another one of those climbs you really need to run, so I ran as much of it as I could and it wasn't long before the second and final out-and-back of the route.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQXJguGsHwmrEzlPtK0InovbQUIfonVRVTVojLx2o0Cg15POUOvXn29s-PS7Gn1ZTZy-Y_wlzMnP3Myut-4AreqIWHrbz0e8d0PwvPqgV1vh8wzhQxtnPQzxII_lBXIfloKB8sZasU6I/s1600/P1050173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQXJguGsHwmrEzlPtK0InovbQUIfonVRVTVojLx2o0Cg15POUOvXn29s-PS7Gn1ZTZy-Y_wlzMnP3Myut-4AreqIWHrbz0e8d0PwvPqgV1vh8wzhQxtnPQzxII_lBXIfloKB8sZasU6I/s320/P1050173.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doing the Fell Track thing at Stonehouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As I set off up Great Knoutberry Neil was just reaching the bottom, which turned out to be a gap of 20 minutes. MCL had about 15, and I had nearly the full 20 on Tom, Simon Bourne and a chap with glasses (CWG).</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Next comes the famous couple of legs over the epic trackless bog and tussocks of Fleet Moss and Middle Tongue. Actually that's not quite true, before that we passed checkpoints 12 (Redshaw), 13 (Snaizeholme), and 14 (Dodd Fell). I don't remember much about the first two, but I do remember the climb to Dodd Fell as this is where I nearly caught MCL. I was feeling reasonably good and the weather was lovely, but every time I tried to move past him he had a slightly better line and would nip past me again, so we yo-yo'ed (not sure about the grammar there) all the way to Fleet Moss. Mum and Dad were here again which was great, I was the front yo-yo at this point which they seemed to like, but there was nothing in it as MCL and I set off over Fleet Moss together.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My line was OK but not great, his was better, but I was moving quicker, so by the time we reached Cray (8:45 from the start) we were still together.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Part 3: Cray to Threshfield</b></div>
<div>
After Cray there are only two climbs, then a long descent to the finish. The first climb is Buckden Pike, and like the second one it's only a couple of hundred metres. I felt good and nipped out of Cray checkpoint ahead of MCL. The fields to the bottom of the climb always seem like hard work and today was no different, but soon I was at the top with yet another fantastically-cheery checkpoint crew. After Top Mere and the last big roadside checkpoint at Park Rash I felt like it was basically all over, just a quick trot up Great Whernside then a cruise downhill to the end. Yeah right!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8atOkmiRVeYZUo72iVG-MXQS0TmDQ_uQ1mr0ytcs8NGvy3Jyk4p4P0shVMV8C65QJMM6ORwCVuuOxgr5s-gkGphIl3LnC9K8ezpnawBnRhEfSgqmXQ7JJBXutnc9luKCYQN0D07EuKk/s1600/p1080220_orig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1066" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8atOkmiRVeYZUo72iVG-MXQS0TmDQ_uQ1mr0ytcs8NGvy3Jyk4p4P0shVMV8C65QJMM6ORwCVuuOxgr5s-gkGphIl3LnC9K8ezpnawBnRhEfSgqmXQ7JJBXutnc9luKCYQN0D07EuKk/s320/p1080220_orig.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Polish war memorial on Buckden Pike</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
The climb was the least of my problems: I felt pretty good and it's only 200m anyway, and it was an absolutely stunning evening. I felt privileged to be out, and to have been out all day. As I climbed I noticed 10:06 on my watch - that's Jez's record. [Insert O.M.G. emoji here]</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After the descent I messed up the line around Langcliffe Pot, and was actually saved slightly by seeing MCL on a higher line a bit behind me, so I climbed back up and managed to stay just in front. Between checkpoints 23 and 24 I had my lowest point of the race, the terrain is much tougher than the map makes it look, and after 11 hours or so of running I struggled to keep up the pace on tussocky boggy stuff. The Fellsman wasn't done with me yet! I couldn't believe I hadn't been passed, but on finally reaching Yarnbury I discovered I was still second.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTh5uX6uaMtRj-4Z7A2oylrCJL_s0abQihaC5TvHBbN80VwvqVSYoCuin8WJXyWSfMMmBgQ1s-KCyr3c5omGoq0yALUDnDMthhITn8YSckzVD6two-h7hyIwmM_c_zEoTlX7QL0WWICA/s1600/P1050209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTh5uX6uaMtRj-4Z7A2oylrCJL_s0abQihaC5TvHBbN80VwvqVSYoCuin8WJXyWSfMMmBgQ1s-KCyr3c5omGoq0yALUDnDMthhITn8YSckzVD6two-h7hyIwmM_c_zEoTlX7QL0WWICA/s320/P1050209.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MCL not far behind on one of the last climbs (Buckden Pike I think)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now there were just a couple of tarmac kilometres left to go, and I REALLY didn't want to cock it up and lose my position now. I tried to distract myself from the leg pain by thinking back through all the checkpoints and remembering the really nice bits of the race, but I lacked the capacity so had to just focus on running. Grassington actually arrived fairly soon and I was astounded by the reception from random people all whoopin' and a'hollarin' outside the pubs, and Nick Ham taking photos. I made me a little bit emotional!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After Grassington you cross the river Wharfe and climb up the last 100m or so into Threshfield. I always hate it but always force myself to run the hill, not least because there tends to be someone with a camera! It was lovely to see Mum here again. I crossed the road for a high 5 but she had her hands full of camera and dog. A few seconds later I ran in through the school gates, saw Dad and crossed the line.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg735AumTZHduZpEWHwMmKIMe5WH90rmgxTtrCnxumvDSdzVHtO3KUDQSgUz_ShXcuXhVDL56WCGfaJtccapt8M5tl0ifTMDq3zodWtZvV6o5m9ovHKUnVRdT_NEJrjMbCFuubS7LzkOOs/s1600/Fellsman-2018-Stuart-Walker-1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg735AumTZHduZpEWHwMmKIMe5WH90rmgxTtrCnxumvDSdzVHtO3KUDQSgUz_ShXcuXhVDL56WCGfaJtccapt8M5tl0ifTMDq3zodWtZvV6o5m9ovHKUnVRdT_NEJrjMbCFuubS7LzkOOs/s320/Fellsman-2018-Stuart-Walker-1200.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Bob Smith / Grough.co.uk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
11:44. To be honest I hoped I'd be a bit quicker, even towards the end of the race I would've guessed I'd be quicker, but that section from Park Rash to Yarnbury must not be underestimated! I ended up about half an hour behind Neil, and I 20 mins or so ahead of MCL. Tom was 4th, and Simon Bourne joint 5th with CWG I think.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I had a chat with Mum and Dad which was nice after basically ignoring them all day, then a shower, a massage and some food. The massage really helped my recovery I think, it's only Monday night now and I can do stairs properly again and everything.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
---</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Congratulations Neil on a win that never looked in doubt, and thanks MCL for a great race. When I was 4th or 6th I would have loved to be second, and I am really happy with the position and my race, but I love the Fellsman and I am determined to win it!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWqmixwcz9MyP4GKS1dYPin7X5iqaLWPBNcXn1-FW0rKtrYGpCEeaPtF2-wzSdjPTDZkmoCd14IrwrrDgrOtTBR5qwrjnzNIbMvOvKSpt0DdV4gU_SpOB2MVcWCo6LIhUHd_v430YjeC4/s1600/P1050202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWqmixwcz9MyP4GKS1dYPin7X5iqaLWPBNcXn1-FW0rKtrYGpCEeaPtF2-wzSdjPTDZkmoCd14IrwrrDgrOtTBR5qwrjnzNIbMvOvKSpt0DdV4gU_SpOB2MVcWCo6LIhUHd_v430YjeC4/s320/P1050202.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Thanks as ever to Stu Hale for coaching and stopping me be an idiot, Scott for awesome kit that you can wear out of the box without worrying, LJ for encouragement and support (well done on your own distance record on Sunday!), and Mum, Dad and Willow for defying the laws of time and the roads of the Yorkshire Dales to get to as many checkpoints as you did (and taking great photos). Who said running isn't a team sport!</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_2eq9rzXItSIFE8sO9NqAjsNcntJwM0HH3JRYjyRXO1EdnRJMRtIrn1khq4UnpHicuSz7_sXoVI1N2OGBufgsXU5oSw23ZZtjRq-4BanLAS82ABl7C-B1KvUPmSwMhTYJ5YDEQX49rw/s1600/DSC_3596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_2eq9rzXItSIFE8sO9NqAjsNcntJwM0HH3JRYjyRXO1EdnRJMRtIrn1khq4UnpHicuSz7_sXoVI1N2OGBufgsXU5oSw23ZZtjRq-4BanLAS82ABl7C-B1KvUPmSwMhTYJ5YDEQX49rw/s320/DSC_3596.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
---</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
One final thing I must mention...</div>
<div>
John Vernon ran the Fellsman in 1968, and yesterday finished again in 2018. Wowzers.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
A few things I have not mentioned because this is already waaaay too long...</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Ponchos</li>
<li>5(!) long sleeved tops</li>
<li>The just-in-time arrival of the Middle Tongue checkpoint</li>
<li>Mark actual Hartell</li>
</ul>
</div>
Stuart Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030293946147955184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2098003752277720209.post-10168072707998659472018-01-07T15:37:00.000-08:002018-01-07T15:37:27.992-08:00Tried a Winter Bob Graham...So, my winter BG plan didn't quite come off as I'd hoped... but it tested my feelings about running and I can confirm I'm still in love.<br />
<br />
I've been keen to have a go at a winter BG for a long time, and this season seems to have been popular for attempts, possibly inspired by Jim Mann's completion of all three rounds last winter. This deservedly won him the FRA Long Distance award - congratulations Jim. Among others this winter has seen <a href="https://kimcollisonblog.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Kim Collison</a> complete a fast round in 20:36, and <a href="https://quickquickpotato.wordpress.com/2017/12/13/not-the-bob-graham-case-study-of-a-fuck-up/" target="_blank">Ally Beavan</a> attempting (and getting so close to completing!) a solo unsupported round a few weeks ago.<br />
<br />
It is this solo unsupported on-your-own approach that appeals to me. One of the things I like about long-distance running is the feeling of being out somewhere on your own, possibly in the dark, probably with some weather, and almost certainly lost (if you're me) but remaining in control. In a world of constant interaction with other people I like that rare moment of <i>"It's disgusting up here, something has gone a bit wrong and no-one is coming to get me, but I'm fine, here's what I'm going to do..."</i><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWk3pZZTJPb1gyxOcem1FuhD5Xh8gctto9d-x4YdAWo2Sol7RcwI9KmPpPS_soRInt2ues5O_NhaMCdRO2s_kiWGLceMvISBlhkd7qPogtjE8iCukPI1HX8KtioWRp2LLls_fLMvWcqIw/s1600/you-re-on-your-own.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWk3pZZTJPb1gyxOcem1FuhD5Xh8gctto9d-x4YdAWo2Sol7RcwI9KmPpPS_soRInt2ues5O_NhaMCdRO2s_kiWGLceMvISBlhkd7qPogtjE8iCukPI1HX8KtioWRp2LLls_fLMvWcqIw/s320/you-re-on-your-own.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On your own, on your own, on your own....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Anyway, so I decided to have a go at a solo unsupported Bob Graham round. The original plan was to go between Christmas and New Year, but I was diagnosed with the worst bout of manflu ever known and was lucky to pull through. Fortunately I did, and after a fantastic little New Year trip taper to Scotland felt ready to go.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggz4usbw83NWj-z_7jAIBDfXGgtALhVXHaQPMbzN1-rLb-cqm6yL7MS242HjsFoaMfzBPNojROOCYfuRG8GI5mrRl3rTOq7gOcQ7nepxfzIvyHsZJKyJzP-Hvxv1DDdofcbeHfjbEuGGA/s1600/scotland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="1600" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggz4usbw83NWj-z_7jAIBDfXGgtALhVXHaQPMbzN1-rLb-cqm6yL7MS242HjsFoaMfzBPNojROOCYfuRG8GI5mrRl3rTOq7gOcQ7nepxfzIvyHsZJKyJzP-Hvxv1DDdofcbeHfjbEuGGA/s400/scotland.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful relaxing Scotland</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Lorna dropped me off in Keswick on her way back home to Sheffield. I left my kit at Rhys' house, got changed, and wandered off to the Moot Hall.<br />
<br />
<b>Leg 1:</b><br />
Relative to what I'd expected, it was a beautiful evening. I'd left Rhys' in shorts and a long sleeved T-shirt but in the cool outside I soon put my waterproof trousers and top on, where they remained for 24 hours. I have yet to find a pair of running tights I get on with so shorts and waterproofs is best for me in the cold.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ1CLVU2oQjljFrkvLXkSnxQnMl1cOXkF8HQNYf-ctlQ1xg23EKQ6FBjnlzC5qo9gajKEOXYrd9pGxfeSq_A7oyELRHIzSB5GkcSpbZZT8YUDjKX1xwH8QZM7qCu4705jGN8sOXj5YeMw/s1600/IMG_20180102_023453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ1CLVU2oQjljFrkvLXkSnxQnMl1cOXkF8HQNYf-ctlQ1xg23EKQ6FBjnlzC5qo9gajKEOXYrd9pGxfeSq_A7oyELRHIzSB5GkcSpbZZT8YUDjKX1xwH8QZM7qCu4705jGN8sOXj5YeMw/s320/IMG_20180102_023453.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ey up moon!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The big moon meant that I didn't really need a torch on the slopes of Skiddaw, which I loved. I cracked out the poles (Mountain King), having got them specifically for this adventure and some others on the horizon. They are great - light, easy to erect (teehee) and sturdy enough to actually work.<br />
<br />
The descent to the foot of Calva was no problem, but the ground was absolutely sodden. I was also impressed with my waterproof socks, which I'd taken a risk and worn without my normal Injinjis underneath, but despite a dog-chewed hole they kept me little toesies warm all day long.<br />
<br />
I deliberately didn't check my watch as I climbed Calva on the trod, then messed up the descent and crossed Wiley Gill as well as the River Caldew, just to make sure I got REALLY wet feet.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8XGA2yuAVSrUdGF9lSkfwx-xW4OaqtA6jWmwb2u4EDC6tqowZqWmY89yWvXDMWVKawMRX9ozGu6wifHrophc-A08eBVfAsB8IneHqV5BgiJQQI8NWuaHodwXUPXc51DfOpXuHh3ITTyQ/s1600/river_caldew_wiley_gill.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="363" data-original-width="764" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8XGA2yuAVSrUdGF9lSkfwx-xW4OaqtA6jWmwb2u4EDC6tqowZqWmY89yWvXDMWVKawMRX9ozGu6wifHrophc-A08eBVfAsB8IneHqV5BgiJQQI8NWuaHodwXUPXc51DfOpXuHh3ITTyQ/s320/river_caldew_wiley_gill.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not really the right way (pt 1)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Blencathra was windy. Really windy. But I was feeling good and enjoying myself. The top seemed to arrive without too much effort, and I prepared myself mentally for Halls Fell Ridge. I knew this was somewhere I'd need to take care - the Parachute Drop was out of the question (especially as I don't know how to find it) so I made my way slowishly down the main ridge. It was still a decent evening. The top 200m or so were pretty sketchy with hard ice covering the rocks, but just doable without Microspikes. After that it was just slippy wet rock. I landed in Threlkeld in one piece and was pleased and surprised to see 3:45 on the watch. I dug out my phone and sent a text to Lorna, Rhys and Stu Hale as I set off up the road towards Clough Head...<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Leg 2:</b><br />
I like leg 2. It feels nice and productive once you get on the Helvellyn range and start ticking the tops off. It was still bloody windy, and I now had waterproof gloves and a hat and Buff on too. With little drop between the tops and the omnipresent wind on this leg I got pretty cold. I particularly remember Raise as the first time I was actually blown off my feet!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Despite that I was ticking off tops and still running well. Again, I didn't check my watch till the end of the leg, but once I got down to Dunmail I was chuffed to still be up - 8:20 total this time, so about 4 and a half for the leg. It was half 2 in the morning so no text messages... I ate a mini pie (AMAZING) and filled up my jacket pockets with various other foods from my bag.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGul4gUpwZGjVEYm90VmRnv-mPZneai61yTs2MT7R58Bn_VatH2rmzxzGbfLqjqG-qPjX9pYLjPX_alfckwaxi2BFahMNmzHaQuep0IdjpCS-GqQJl0-7E6R6qD5Sy14tLphLOd3tg-i4/s1600/pies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="540" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGul4gUpwZGjVEYm90VmRnv-mPZneai61yTs2MT7R58Bn_VatH2rmzxzGbfLqjqG-qPjX9pYLjPX_alfckwaxi2BFahMNmzHaQuep0IdjpCS-GqQJl0-7E6R6qD5Sy14tLphLOd3tg-i4/s200/pies.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small pies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Leg 3:</b><br />
As we all know, leg 3 is the crux of the BG. 27km or so over the central fells from Dunmail to Wasdale. Get through it in one piece within 15 or 16 hours and you're looking good for a completion. I left Dunmail feeling good and enjoyed the occasional return of the moon as I climbed Steel Fell.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr5u_itcAgY-Kt_LTqlXkrFeKlGFpkB-JqXxbU1oFJj7uhfemSYmWvmWnTgXss0D56FJ5blFNYiN-WRcJ17Pd-zIHlwNKGcM_mKtR-g4ssKs0PPjdIxDnfp3l0OazMKAW7F54L5I-PzfE/s1600/Dunmail+Raise+to+Wasdale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="301" data-original-width="743" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr5u_itcAgY-Kt_LTqlXkrFeKlGFpkB-JqXxbU1oFJj7uhfemSYmWvmWnTgXss0D56FJ5blFNYiN-WRcJ17Pd-zIHlwNKGcM_mKtR-g4ssKs0PPjdIxDnfp3l0OazMKAW7F54L5I-PzfE/s400/Dunmail+Raise+to+Wasdale.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Things were now a bit grim... It was cold, still very windy, icy on the ground, and I still had a single line from a Proclaimers song stuck in my head. But I had that feeling I mentioned earlier and was enjoying being in control. I made my way over Calf Crag, then did some lovely pirouettes around Sergeant Man and a small dance around High Raise.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWGnShL5j9vkBmQkJTW_6rYu5IUvidTW0a8l93MlEDM3w0qHA4HpUy0j4uGfO_MftBSW8R8BH9cgfn3f4h5ArEKaedzt-OdMpe4ch87_t4TXGJNrDZE5PvqDQ0webpUcak1h43GltQb5M/s1600/high_sergeant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="517" data-original-width="1600" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWGnShL5j9vkBmQkJTW_6rYu5IUvidTW0a8l93MlEDM3w0qHA4HpUy0j4uGfO_MftBSW8R8BH9cgfn3f4h5ArEKaedzt-OdMpe4ch87_t4TXGJNrDZE5PvqDQ0webpUcak1h43GltQb5M/s400/high_sergeant.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am the Sergeant of circles.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I made a better job of Thunacar Knott and Harrison Stickle, and made my way towards Rossett Pike and Bowfell. Get ready for this one, it's a goodun...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM2gDcuGZh4e8A8wX5Kg_wsLy1b4rLccmouMQLM_qxWI2Vo3-3aUh_IzhqM7KJZ822fuhb1V45sqIxDGO1MstNA4Gn4seDRM2IhRdEWjtG3NdT0C0JfXGAuSgQ82VqmVO6wYdQXMOHulc/s1600/rossett.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="609" data-original-width="1136" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM2gDcuGZh4e8A8wX5Kg_wsLy1b4rLccmouMQLM_qxWI2Vo3-3aUh_IzhqM7KJZ822fuhb1V45sqIxDGO1MstNA4Gn4seDRM2IhRdEWjtG3NdT0C0JfXGAuSgQ82VqmVO6wYdQXMOHulc/s320/rossett.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not really the right way (pt 2 & 3)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
From Pike o'Stickle I dropped down into Stake Gill rather than contouring round Martcrag Moor, then had to clamber a long way up Stake Gill and Black Crags. This was a highly sub-optimal route, and it probably cost me half an hour at least. From there things didn't improve much. I'm really not sure what I was doing on the way to Bowfell!<br />
<br />
Conditions were now getting really tough with snow and ice reducing me to a plod from Bowfell to Esk Pike, Great End, Ill Crag and Broad Crag. By the time I got to Scafell Pike I'd been going for 15:45, with Scafell still to go before the descent to Wasdale.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheVh0JBi5kzCvYBG4Cyc2EXPTG2JiDjdSIp3nighsUwyMXO7rcPUcBOhKo9L5-9ZStZDTVhJxJr703JMDAj_wAskfBrDOMpZ0kiS9_AYcRuRF4QDCL8HxKajU5Hp4sEy0q8N7V6gQ6UY0/s1600/IMG_20180102_105841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheVh0JBi5kzCvYBG4Cyc2EXPTG2JiDjdSIp3nighsUwyMXO7rcPUcBOhKo9L5-9ZStZDTVhJxJr703JMDAj_wAskfBrDOMpZ0kiS9_AYcRuRF4QDCL8HxKajU5Hp4sEy0q8N7V6gQ6UY0/s320/IMG_20180102_105841.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scafell Pike</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I opted for the Foxes Tarn route up Scafell, which given the Whiteout conditions was probably the only safe option. The weather was now probably best described as "driving hail", as this little video shows...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxTRzyh8DOoQDlMVo5Ye1DIZwZCN_IA6SrqEXLpEZ4nBECcRvTA8s_OR23uuuDSxjmBgkJL2ms2VIWhiS5EWQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
It was a relief to be descending. I got to Wasdale in about 18 hours, just over 2 hours after I really needed to be there after an epic 10 hour leg 3! Just above Wasdale I saw four people and a dog in the distance - the only people I saw all day.<br />
<br />
I considered stopping but once I was out of the weather I actually still felt pretty good. My legs felt reasonable, I had no blisters or anything, and I was still eating well. I was a bit chilly but I still had my down jacket trump card to play. I had a celebratory poo in a Wasdale portaloo, loaded up the pockets with more tastiness and send myself up Yewbarrow.<br />
<br />
<b>Leg 4:</b><br />
Yewbarrow is always a bit of a bugger, but once you accept and expect this it's sometimes not too bad. It was also a relief to be off the icy death crags of the previous leg and back on some grass. 24 hours was now not likely to happen, but I made a reasonable job of the first few climbs on leg 4, getting to Red Pike in 19:40 and Steeple in about 20 hours. It had been light for hours, but it took until Steeple for there to actually be a hint of sun as the wind blew a gap in the clouds. The ridge from Scoat Fell is very cool and I was grinning from ear to ear as I tiptoed along the edge.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3ZoPuO5ovSYnMwYqFxA5RbaRYHs6ki7KTb86zLGKrtdRsJZnYynHZn2ToR2Gfw_twgzEIONdHahpNAVVy9FvuFYDDZSTY54DkMy2mnFqw6EX5dEfqZXJ806yu2VCJq6j9mFJ0SJPOQ0/s1600/IMG_20180102_093509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3ZoPuO5ovSYnMwYqFxA5RbaRYHs6ki7KTb86zLGKrtdRsJZnYynHZn2ToR2Gfw_twgzEIONdHahpNAVVy9FvuFYDDZSTY54DkMy2mnFqw6EX5dEfqZXJ806yu2VCJq6j9mFJ0SJPOQ0/s320/IMG_20180102_093509.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Somewhere (maybe Kirk Fell)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I found my way to Pillar, and cursed my way up the never-ending climb to Kirk Fell. It was now raining, which made me cold. I decided I should swap my long sleeved top for the down jacket I'd been carrying. This would be a tricky operation... I hid behind the leeward side of a rock, took one glove off and tried to unzip my waterproof. After not very far the zip stuck, and after a few minutes of trying I gave up and managed to force it off over my head. I swapped the top for the down and then had a fight to get the waterproof back on top. This meant the down got a bit wet but it would probably still be warmer.<br />
<br />
I realise it's nothing like it really, but this little episode reminded me of the stories you hear in mountaineering books, where the simplest trivial little thing, once taking place up a mountain, can have disastrous consequences. I still felt in control, but at this point I was aware that there was not a lot of slack in my situation for many things to go wrong.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiLDYA843yheB_4-yRd1gZ5UPmsBwQvx9tWris6_b7icMihbcVez74f8ylbXSAYzedFqlIONtrbnMmbslfRD8Z3OwrOEeEqQ_cpCc0GBHt1S_-SkM-p9yHw3cidz6-wRNyL_S5O4foDXs/s1600/DSC_2784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiLDYA843yheB_4-yRd1gZ5UPmsBwQvx9tWris6_b7icMihbcVez74f8ylbXSAYzedFqlIONtrbnMmbslfRD8Z3OwrOEeEqQ_cpCc0GBHt1S_-SkM-p9yHw3cidz6-wRNyL_S5O4foDXs/s320/DSC_2784.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely Lancashire-ian engineering from Hope</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It was dark again now so I clicked the headtorch back on. I was on my second of two large batteries, the first having lasted most of legs 1 and 2. I was using a Hope R4+ generously lent to me by Tom Saville and his Dad - it had been great, I'd barely needed to use it above its minimum setting up to now. The battery packs I was using should've been enough for about 16 hours of darkness in total, but just after Great Gable (23:05), as I was looking for the line under the crags to Green Gable, the second battery decided it had had enough. The torch went into emergency low power mode (very dim with the occasional flash).<br />
<br />
Bugger. I stopped for a second and realised there was no other option - I was done and needed to get out of here as fast as possible, while I could still see something. The BG attempt ended there, fittingly after 23:20, the exact time I'd hoped to be back into Keswick. <br />
<br />
<b>The descent:</b><br />
From Green Gable I followed my footprints back to Great Gable, then took a bearing SE to Styhead Pass. I found the stretcher box relatively easily and before the torch had died, then turned NE to follow Styhead Gill. The path was wet, and even at the top was frequently swamped by the river. After a few hundred metres down the path the torch fully died and I was plunged into darkness. There was no helpful moon this time, but it was possible to stumble along slowly by the little light around, but after one particularly painful and wet faceplant I decided it was time to deploy the secret weapon (a.k.a. only remaining option)...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJF12FpxhYJLjMZ9r-ghl7L14J77K-OxwD_r0sc-DOo6r1wPdURpwwLnJIAgLImq0yMqb7Q484Kkuqw6Wo9I-_W70aTCWpKMUkb3zm1T-a5HSiv5KhNBGG0Uzs0Nrsd5Sv-BRRm-Xkl80/s1600/phonetorch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="416" data-original-width="740" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJF12FpxhYJLjMZ9r-ghl7L14J77K-OxwD_r0sc-DOo6r1wPdURpwwLnJIAgLImq0yMqb7Q484Kkuqw6Wo9I-_W70aTCWpKMUkb3zm1T-a5HSiv5KhNBGG0Uzs0Nrsd5Sv-BRRm-Xkl80/s320/phonetorch.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not a torch for the fells.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
To its credit, my phone torch got me down. It killed it, but it did it.<br />
<br />
As I descended, the path along the edge of Styhead Gill became more and more sketchy due to the river being a huge flooded torrent. It was now raining heavily and even with the phone in a plastic bag I knew it was getting soaked (not least because I kept falling over and it would be the first thing to hit the ground... which was made mostly of water).<br />
<b><br /></b>
The lower stretches of Styhead Gill were spectacular, I could just about make out a moving white mass of water visually, but there was no need to see it - there was no mistaking the scary thundering sound off to my right! Eventually I saw the lights of Seathwaite and after climbing a couple of deer fences (sorry) and wading through some flooded fields I popped out in the yard of Seathwaite farm. There was now a tiny bit of moon and I reckoned I could manage without a light back to Keswick, so I got the phone out to try to text my friends again. There was no signal, my fingers were too cold to operate the touch screen, and after a minute or two it gave up and shut down.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwb-IMeSGH9tuzIdwyeXOljfxZTnG4iLUP5wwcbjWIBLGR2ccPETn3NvO_NE8oVkr4YGNZ1lQPXFzOE0wVsYfqDeDfDW43B9XZBNMd-p1NhlbyFet2LNaQueoZ2zhTRQuCjWgFCj79zaQ/s1600/route.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="895" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwb-IMeSGH9tuzIdwyeXOljfxZTnG4iLUP5wwcbjWIBLGR2ccPETn3NvO_NE8oVkr4YGNZ1lQPXFzOE0wVsYfqDeDfDW43B9XZBNMd-p1NhlbyFet2LNaQueoZ2zhTRQuCjWgFCj79zaQ/s320/route.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I set off jogging back to Keswick and reflected on an eventful 24 (now 26) hours as I ate some soggy M&Ms...<br />
<ul>
<li>I'm glad I tried</li>
<li>I think I have a successful one in me</li>
<li>Respect to Jim, Kim, Ally, and Martin Stone (still the only sub-24 solo winter?)</li>
<li>I should've taken a spare torch</li>
<li>I do love long distance running after all</li>
</ul>
<b>The end:</b><br />
I stuck my thumb out the first time I heard a car approaching and was given a lift back to Keswick by a lovely lady. She was a hillwalker and her husband had done a summer BG <b>s</b>o we had a lovely chat. I appreciated the lift as it was now getting late and I had not been in touch with anyone for a while. As I walked towards Rhys' house I heard a voice - he was outside on the phone checking people would be able to to go up to Newlands and look for me if necessary. He fed me tea, phoned Lorna for me, made me hot food and we shared a beer. I'm lucky to have friends like this man!<br />
<br />
Thanks Rhys, Wil and Lucy and anyone I don't know who would've been ready to help out. Thanks Tom and Kev for the torch, Scott for the great<a href="http://www.accelerateuk.com/shop/product/302/Mountain--Trail-and-Fell-Racing/Scott-Supertrac-RC/" target="_blank"> Supertrac RC</a>, Stu Hale and the team for encouragement and support, and apologies to Lorna and my parents for worrying you...<br />
<br />
<b>5 days later...</b><br />
I ran 5km yesterday and 10 today. I still have a huge bruise on my arse from falling on my ice axe so many times, and have decided to give my phone a full viking burial.<br />
<b></b>Stuart Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030293946147955184noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2098003752277720209.post-35384997953610607592017-11-20T15:08:00.001-08:002017-11-20T15:56:45.063-08:00Lucho DillitosRight then, a food review... This blog is branching out! Well, slightly... the food in question is a new running / cycling snack called a "Lucho Dillitos".<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8Iy1UjCKgCOADMLVpXcxq5Sm7Vxv7GHeXUaSSSKyyu1RbmdrBurhSlldeQPLtTaKpIrhOv1D2kauoFatVo5EdKAIWXup57EK2Fn0qiOsgFOpHit6BHytl4ibeyPprZRSi4cZ8_AnSGM/s1600/LD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8Iy1UjCKgCOADMLVpXcxq5Sm7Vxv7GHeXUaSSSKyyu1RbmdrBurhSlldeQPLtTaKpIrhOv1D2kauoFatVo5EdKAIWXup57EK2Fn0qiOsgFOpHit6BHytl4ibeyPprZRSi4cZ8_AnSGM/s320/LD.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<i><b>Lucho whatcha?</b></i><br />
First things first, I'll save you the Google translation. Lucho Dillitos is Spanish for "I fight little boys" (<a href="https://translate.google.com/#es/en/lucho%20dillitos" target="_blank">try it!</a>) This is surely a strong start.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Ingredients</b></i><br />
As you are no doubt aware, energy food has changed over the last few years. Gloopy gels assembled in a laboratory from 57 unpronouncable ingredients have their place, but the discerning
runist or cycler now looks for the shortest ingredients list and the most
natural products. Here the little boy fighter scores well again. He contains only two things: 85% fruit and 15% sugar.<br />
<br />
Guava rating: 5/5<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiMc5oHJGvA8uJsLZoqrl1on7rItFS9pX9EAudMYjtoQ7t9ZSgtqOCHo2xbf2cGVjREbsy1g8kErHD8nnyaONZ4uZJX5RmW_EnO-q3RxQJUuXHBB9-EwIIlN11_IHtjakOvvHP7qDMshw/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="251" data-original-width="1600" height="50" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiMc5oHJGvA8uJsLZoqrl1on7rItFS9pX9EAudMYjtoQ7t9ZSgtqOCHo2xbf2cGVjREbsy1g8kErHD8nnyaONZ4uZJX5RmW_EnO-q3RxQJUuXHBB9-EwIIlN11_IHtjakOvvHP7qDMshw/s320/5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<i><b>Energy</b></i><br />
But, with all that health in him, how much energy will he give you? The Lucho contains 88kcal and 22.5g carbs. For comparison, a Nature Valley bar I found in the cupboard contains 143kcal but only 12.9g carbs (and a heck of a lot more ingredients), and a High5 Banana gel gives you 90kcal and 23g carbs. So, the Lucho Dillitos could pretty much be a straight swap for your gels.<br />
<br />
Guava rating: 4/5<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLjz42oNmlOATxRfzYwGKY97qSPIs7UN6FzLmVx_E37IJ5IRnmo7pJm-hRrda3pTf9goatBq51rig4Se52wMMc1UvrEHAIsuwhceMv7FkPLnN0lCslobTXZLqv5UCRVGmJyhLwq2JryWI/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="1600" height="49" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLjz42oNmlOATxRfzYwGKY97qSPIs7UN6FzLmVx_E37IJ5IRnmo7pJm-hRrda3pTf9goatBq51rig4Se52wMMc1UvrEHAIsuwhceMv7FkPLnN0lCslobTXZLqv5UCRVGmJyhLwq2JryWI/s320/4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<i><b>Rubbish</b></i><br />
As you might be aware, I bloody love rubbish. So much so I started a <a href="http://www.runnersagainstrubbish.org/" target="_blank">charity</a> to stop people dropping it and encourage people to pick it up. We pick up gel wrappers (and their smaller, even more frustrating tops) waaaaay too often, so anything that can reduce the amount of these left around is a winner with me. This is million dollar baby's party piece - he's wrapped in a leaf... a fully disposable, biodegradable, chuck-in-a-hedge-able, leaf! This is a great feature, though if you're planning to eat it and chuck the wrapper, be aware that they do come with two layers of non-biodegradable packaging to work through at home before you get to the leaf.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoPmLQ0RtyU-jGxqEfDS607gHhyphenhyphen8vGrP26lPQAIWfqlV94G4jtGip-C_NhP7h1TWKQMRCk3qYW3p6KVpX0Ok9_c9BkSyHyTT6xePmY8sJQVsU6YsQYYon0EUpgpu2LBiAj_NVcEe0bJcs/s1600/Picture4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="1600" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoPmLQ0RtyU-jGxqEfDS607gHhyphenhyphen8vGrP26lPQAIWfqlV94G4jtGip-C_NhP7h1TWKQMRCk3qYW3p6KVpX0Ok9_c9BkSyHyTT6xePmY8sJQVsU6YsQYYon0EUpgpu2LBiAj_NVcEe0bJcs/s320/Picture4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
For me this slightly ruins the idea. If you're going for a run/ride and you know you're going to have the Guava urge then you can get rid of the plastic and take a Lucho Dillitos out just in it's leaf, but then it's not going to keep long if you don't eat it. An alternative is just to take it out in all it's wrappers and bring 'em all home (and to be honest, if you can it's probably best to bring the leaf home and compost or bin it anyway), but doing this sort of cancels out the special feature...<br />
<br />
Guava rating: 3/5<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaycCWPjnqRAWYfQlHl8UZqa1kygTp_UlyJOBAh9sikdg3h5GtPOwahCDWfpN0P8fIx62NnrYdaapnwHrVieaR0gisiAo96quAG9Ru8Ti7K-Q31ps7H-aDUk-BLXs3h9aRuUcJknjRigU/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="1023" height="50" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaycCWPjnqRAWYfQlHl8UZqa1kygTp_UlyJOBAh9sikdg3h5GtPOwahCDWfpN0P8fIx62NnrYdaapnwHrVieaR0gisiAo96quAG9Ru8Ti7K-Q31ps7H-aDUk-BLXs3h9aRuUcJknjRigU/s320/3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<i><b>Taste</b></i><br />
However, if it tasted amazing, that wouldn't matter anyway! This is where it gets a bit personal, but I loved it. It's actually compressed Guava paste rather than a slab of fruit, so it has a dense granular texture to it. It's pretty sweet, but I enjoyed eating it. I'd definitely rather eat one of these than a gel in most situations.<br />
<br />
Guava rating: 4/5<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSlT484ge11HFaqP1nWFV74UbDEcUg6IVsU9yxW4g3bmhwigTQcJfqrox26yVsjVlgyVXP9yq5wxbjEtKliofDhWkGsFmcOC8BrOD4MZM0RAC5gETVVhMTJS9viNHDhoDMzKfc5nDpP_0/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="1600" height="49" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSlT484ge11HFaqP1nWFV74UbDEcUg6IVsU9yxW4g3bmhwigTQcJfqrox26yVsjVlgyVXP9yq5wxbjEtKliofDhWkGsFmcOC8BrOD4MZM0RAC5gETVVhMTJS9viNHDhoDMzKfc5nDpP_0/s320/4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<i> </i><br />
<b>So your honour, in conclusion:</b><br />
<i>+ Tastes great, natural ingredients, biodegradable packaging</i><br />
<i>- Lots of other packaging</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
I would heartily recommend trying one of these, if the flavour (and I understand two new flavours are on the way) is for you I think they are a great alternative to a gel. If you're very keen and want to know more, have a look at the Lucho Dillitos website. Unfortunately, it seems to suggest that they are named after a Colombian cyclist called Lucho Herrera, and have nothing to do with fighting little boys...<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<b>Overall Guavas: 4/5</b><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcF2CiDfUWjTkpOVYZiegS1X13wb7RE2W_Rjgg_z5_8e8rNMiM4qQE6s1-RgzsmYCFyC_WUxUUgtvot0xPJjHSw81VlUlCpgVWtv8QSXIxx_xdnkD_SzETmqrsW6xDDya7qtv8tTEpoQw/s1600/4s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="394" data-original-width="1600" height="97" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcF2CiDfUWjTkpOVYZiegS1X13wb7RE2W_Rjgg_z5_8e8rNMiM4qQE6s1-RgzsmYCFyC_WUxUUgtvot0xPJjHSw81VlUlCpgVWtv8QSXIxx_xdnkD_SzETmqrsW6xDDya7qtv8tTEpoQw/s400/4s.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Stuart Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030293946147955184noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2098003752277720209.post-69890679038701298752017-10-21T12:07:00.002-07:002017-10-21T12:07:13.998-07:00One year on: Peakrunner Dark Peak 30<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Last year, the Peakrunner Dark Peak 30 was my first UK race after returning from the Alps. It went well; I won in 4:41. You can read all about it <a href="http://challengestu.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/back-in-dpfr.html" target="_blank">here</a>, but here's the ending...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><i>"a fantastic event - the organisers were fantastic, the marshals were really friendly and the course marking (apart from the places it had unfortunately been moved) really good. As David says, the route is a bit of a classic!</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><i>I had a great day, it felt really good to be back racing again"</i></span></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZnV4qpaw1d6R6eJIbQ8Plaopf8g-hhyphenhyphenTwM2Xbm9TByIq-EeoibPu8oJZN5mD_uYRxUHYg2-Uh6OFNZLq44GtvUpW7_cM-ByumU1ZBPAFRtzJGT9KG_1rJlOzkeFZgIvciOqF_59H-ng/s1600/IMAG6487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="903" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZnV4qpaw1d6R6eJIbQ8Plaopf8g-hhyphenhyphenTwM2Xbm9TByIq-EeoibPu8oJZN5mD_uYRxUHYg2-Uh6OFNZLq44GtvUpW7_cM-ByumU1ZBPAFRtzJGT9KG_1rJlOzkeFZgIvciOqF_59H-ng/s320/IMAG6487.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The end of last year's race</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This year was likely to be a bit different... I hadn't really felt much like racing since the <a href="http://challengestu.blogspot.co.uk/2017/07/snowdonia-trail-marathon.html" target="_blank">Snowdonia Trail Marathon</a>, but when Dave offered me a place I thought it sounded like a nice low key re-introduction to racing. That is until it transpired that a certain Mr. Scotney would be racing too!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd-aM2kzyxFEYHs48KmxQJQc7I4su3pJ_WA-hkQmnfTdAdk-plGYpUaTq4nAXiUrMVEYEOYRcdr4wifLnrKzTih-x-ajM55J_OnMP9pFQT0Uu_rfDOcjdaQAvmv-5a44Led6prwiJhMRo/s1600/facebook.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="335" data-original-width="591" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd-aM2kzyxFEYHs48KmxQJQc7I4su3pJ_WA-hkQmnfTdAdk-plGYpUaTq4nAXiUrMVEYEOYRcdr4wifLnrKzTih-x-ajM55J_OnMP9pFQT0Uu_rfDOcjdaQAvmv-5a44Led6prwiJhMRo/s400/facebook.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
With Marcus running, as well as Matty Brennen, it was going to be a tough race! In the weeks before the race there was a lot of discussion about whether Marcus or I would win... I found this a bit scary - we weren't going to be the only people in the race and knowing my luck I could well get lost and finish way down the field! Even if it was to be between the two of us, Marcus is clearly a great runner.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFtoYPTVyLuytxwHd28SymeGBrhzYmtv6OuUP3_Ec1j0UXGIHaniew4qz7ZOIcDFdBpiwcdgj4E_ahSTQLOL0ELN_C-Vr-qppvh9G0NPccrC4_t9LaPcDGgJmfyI-YxOCmnKbW5LJ-Ugw/s1600/22519105_529321047403692_5968147361061968770_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFtoYPTVyLuytxwHd28SymeGBrhzYmtv6OuUP3_Ec1j0UXGIHaniew4qz7ZOIcDFdBpiwcdgj4E_ahSTQLOL0ELN_C-Vr-qppvh9G0NPccrC4_t9LaPcDGgJmfyI-YxOCmnKbW5LJ-Ugw/s400/22519105_529321047403692_5968147361061968770_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All smiles on the start line!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I had a good period of training leading up to the race, including a really fun 5 and a half hour recce of the full course. On the morning of the race I had the same breakfast as last year (Peanut Butter and Banana sandwich) and put on my new Scott RC kit. At the start I caught up with Dave and Amanda, and chatted to Matty and Marcus, who played down his fitness... "still recovering from the Dragon's Back"... Suuuuuure.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Anyway, off we went. The route was slightly different this year, mainly in that it started in a different place! From Hope we'd run up Win Hill, down and up Derwent Edge, over Stanage, down and around Ladybower (not back up and over Win Hill this time), up to Crookstone Knoll and along the edge of Kinder, then down to Edale, up Mam Tor and along the ridge via Hollins Cross and Lose Hill before descending into Hope to finish.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I set off with Marcus, and within a minute or two we noticed we already had quite a lead. I had imagined that we would set off quite fast and see who slowed down first, but as we started up Win Hill the pace was quicker than I was ready for...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCf8czEuhwj23sBZdGa8gnv_qFZ7y5Bewmpmg4omUYrU2Lm7mNepZUQDTt3nE-HHI3xBwYfvLIA-Kg9TuUzPQT4qAZjgRRhebTQVEoLqp8rWOpacJVLnh-Vv0oeBKukzDaN7MXMqC9eqM/s1600/DSC_2284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCf8czEuhwj23sBZdGa8gnv_qFZ7y5Bewmpmg4omUYrU2Lm7mNepZUQDTt3nE-HHI3xBwYfvLIA-Kg9TuUzPQT4qAZjgRRhebTQVEoLqp8rWOpacJVLnh-Vv0oeBKukzDaN7MXMqC9eqM/s400/DSC_2284.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Win Hill (from another day)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
By the time we reached Simon marshalling at the top Marcus had a decent lead, but on the descent of Parkin Clough I caught him up and we started the climb up New Road together. On the way up I really dropped off, and as we went through the big down and up section I measured a gap of about 3 minutes. When I got to the big open section I looked back as far as I could but couldn't see anyone. I was working hard but hadn't given up and pushed on the climb up to Stanage. I saw Lorna on the way up and she later admitted that I looked in pain!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After Moscar I made a slight route error and missed the path climbing up towards Whinstone Lee, but quickly realised my mistake and turned back for it. Dan Stowers was at the top and took some great photos:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEE-BKVWL4knwLrpH3Z4MOQNznaFukc0OspXr-_78AIb60rI6g3372NR5Tzvjx5myvV4XYzTZIYvLvW167WUhX8H-_kx4ftALhJPltHBQVpztLV06Q5uQlrzXgweYB038pn7al48T6cEY/s1600/22426321_1897736033575932_3569690778184523652_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEE-BKVWL4knwLrpH3Z4MOQNznaFukc0OspXr-_78AIb60rI6g3372NR5Tzvjx5myvV4XYzTZIYvLvW167WUhX8H-_kx4ftALhJPltHBQVpztLV06Q5uQlrzXgweYB038pn7al48T6cEY/s320/22426321_1897736033575932_3569690778184523652_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marcus (at least he was trying!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqKdx6jj69NBZ7PtLK7SdBv6JZZiAxQjkovlDHoG5s1k7tK-zLESXOML-42mCOE1abElJGdre6tsk9jAs0FIpPiR6dqW_z1wlHfv4ssZWrITAIveVkKeAO8r0tY0Ssj9VYS6Pg6Q9XlDY/s1600/22528736_1897735306909338_2633585157770524304_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqKdx6jj69NBZ7PtLK7SdBv6JZZiAxQjkovlDHoG5s1k7tK-zLESXOML-42mCOE1abElJGdre6tsk9jAs0FIpPiR6dqW_z1wlHfv4ssZWrITAIveVkKeAO8r0tY0Ssj9VYS6Pg6Q9XlDY/s320/22528736_1897735306909338_2633585157770524304_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVY4Qplw0rGSBGguUZVqUj4tPJHLO9ZIaMZf9u5VCDTtTuEa8G0JZGmd5fIYfLhVCVW_svtTcozCtDyDWVlMbNKM4nImTYQ3knAxmJnzBNYdF9PIXPG71k0JyeABn_4gGFy1edxFkNmF0/s1600/22339159_1897734206909448_3596200537320462724_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVY4Qplw0rGSBGguUZVqUj4tPJHLO9ZIaMZf9u5VCDTtTuEa8G0JZGmd5fIYfLhVCVW_svtTcozCtDyDWVlMbNKM4nImTYQ3knAxmJnzBNYdF9PIXPG71k0JyeABn_4gGFy1edxFkNmF0/s320/22339159_1897734206909448_3596200537320462724_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matty</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
In all honesty, not a lot interesting happened from this point on... I had last seen Marcus as I passed High Neb, after that I was concentrating on the wet muddy descent down to Moscar, then there were things in the way, and then he was just too far in front! I didn't see anyone behind me all the way round, though if I had been able to, it would've been Matty.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If we look at a very clever little Strava thing I've just found, we can see how the gap between Marcus and I grew over the race...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwloOAw-jjEPdPEH8BvWPrGBcf4aCjJXDnVV1ZDeVm9scjHNZuWEju-xQ31PPGWezBB8NW0t1eGD6FD61gTYOOjFsV-df-4D135JD0dXwEVPItjN2PgbtpawDuVqIkjz0bn_6Br4MIoY/s1600/gap.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="922" data-original-width="1578" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwloOAw-jjEPdPEH8BvWPrGBcf4aCjJXDnVV1ZDeVm9scjHNZuWEju-xQ31PPGWezBB8NW0t1eGD6FD61gTYOOjFsV-df-4D135JD0dXwEVPItjN2PgbtpawDuVqIkjz0bn_6Br4MIoY/s640/gap.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strava is bloody clever!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
As I was worried it might, the gap jumped up a bit along the flat section along the edge of Ladybower, but between Crookstone Knoll and the end only grew by a couple of minutes. However, the damage was done early on and despite pulling back little bits of time here and there over the Mam Tor ridge, the battle was lost!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In the end, as you might've guessed, I finished second. Marcus smashed my record from last year with a time of 4:19, I came in after 4:34, and Matty finished in 5:04. Majka Kunika won the ladies race in 5:22 (another course record), with Cass Chisholm (5:57) and Rachel Ball (6:12) in 2nd and 3rd.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsE2PJALrqomB6TPN_4wdjypi7DMSLPxLDQjVIaW1MULJ8kDl9wvRLBQ56wJ8LLsgOSSkrfs-_WbLliKnzqTIoa3mPXh-9sJboSoJwcoqXHGgsD25UkvdEYbTs0RXSNJfcFDnHoqooy08/s1600/IMG_20171014_145231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsE2PJALrqomB6TPN_4wdjypi7DMSLPxLDQjVIaW1MULJ8kDl9wvRLBQ56wJ8LLsgOSSkrfs-_WbLliKnzqTIoa3mPXh-9sJboSoJwcoqXHGgsD25UkvdEYbTs0RXSNJfcFDnHoqooy08/s400/IMG_20171014_145231.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Despite finishing one place down on last year, I'm pretty happy with my run. Marcus is a fantastic runner, and it was always going to be a tall order to beat him. 15 minutes is a big gap, but over that distance it's really just a tiny bit faster here and there (and a fair bit faster on the flat section).<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The 2017 Peakrunner Dark Peak 30 was just as good as the 2016 version, and I would heartily recommend it to anyone looking for a tough and beautiful race in the Peak! David and Amanda do a fantastic job organising these races, and they deserve your support.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So that's all for now... Congratulations Marcus and Majka, thanks again Peakrunners, and as ever thank you <a href="http://www.accelerateuk.com/" target="_blank">Accelerate </a>and Scott for your support!</div>
Stuart Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030293946147955184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2098003752277720209.post-91754837313986585922017-09-20T09:36:00.000-07:002017-09-20T09:36:15.055-07:00Mostly eating Pizza in beautiful placesIt's almost the end of September. The days are getting noticably shorter, temperatures have dropped a little, and if like me you live in a University city, the pavements have suddenly got busy again. Although I don't formally teach, working at a University means that summer is the easiest time to take holidays, and also the time when conferences and events tend to be organised. This means that August and September can be busy months!<br />
<br />
In the last couple of weeks I've been on two notable trips, the first a work trip to Cork and the second a holiday to the Ardeche region of France. I won't bore you with all the details, but I wanted to talk quickly about the major summits of each trip... Carrauntoohil and Mont Ventoux.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b>Carrauntoohil</b></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Carrauntoohil is the biggest hill in Ireland. At 1038m it's higher than Scafell Pike, not quite as tall as Snowdon, and 300m or so shorter than Ben Nevis. It is bigger than the two remaining high points in the British Isles (Slieve Donard in N. Ireland at 850m and Snaefell on the Isle of Man, 610m).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjV5SbKwQ9UOvb-OK-R79o-B_pkv2F_pHAnv-cc5WL-bb0kFhvXOlUcTNpdIFLpN7gMpLc8grrpHQVNZItrGSYXluBZvkyN0Iaq8LNuCvlD6vr9YCfqlgMHaS5gv2z7YtvLTgGtsbyMac/s1600/IMG_20170831_183624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjV5SbKwQ9UOvb-OK-R79o-B_pkv2F_pHAnv-cc5WL-bb0kFhvXOlUcTNpdIFLpN7gMpLc8grrpHQVNZItrGSYXluBZvkyN0Iaq8LNuCvlD6vr9YCfqlgMHaS5gv2z7YtvLTgGtsbyMac/s320/IMG_20170831_183624.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I had a very interesting week at the European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference, though an oversight on my part made the bike travel to and from my campsite much harder than it needed to be... Quite why I took two packed rucksacks rather than my panniers I will never know! But anyway, at the end of the week I had a spare day, so jumped on the train and headed west to Killarney. This is a lovely little place, and was about as close to the hill as I could find a campsite. I arrived quite late in the day, but pitched up quickly and jumped on my bike to ride out 20km or so to the hill.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh35nZHNRo8ZbaxDnNDHEh51IB_G1BiHnrwVmfLMUzlcV42wP1T0pmeD79yVcYepmgm1DevtDwb8js-g6YjEE6tQX8LKhQk2xA4iwWeGQc8hrZY1x9fyvhOWgNuwDL_paIaJ3CAJfvoEfQ/s1600/IMG_20170901_085629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh35nZHNRo8ZbaxDnNDHEh51IB_G1BiHnrwVmfLMUzlcV42wP1T0pmeD79yVcYepmgm1DevtDwb8js-g6YjEE6tQX8LKhQk2xA4iwWeGQc8hrZY1x9fyvhOWgNuwDL_paIaJ3CAJfvoEfQ/s320/IMG_20170901_085629.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fool travels without panniers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was a beautiful evening as I set off from Cronin's Yard. I had not been sure what to expect, but as I climbed the Hag's Glen and "Devils Ladder" route I was surprised by the size of the Macgillycuddy's Reeks range - it looks a fantastic place to run and I hope I get the chance to go back! The run up Carrantoohil was great fun, the track climbed steadily up the glen then steeply up the rocky section (the Devil's Ladder bit) to a col not far below the summit. I got to the top in just over an hour and had a quick chat with the only other person I'd seen since the bottom. He recommended nipping over to the other side of the col (up to another summit - Caher I think) then down a zigzag route to rejoin the glen. I took some photos then headed off the way he'd recommended.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQq4x8Re3XHswsy7eoAyGjZ333vmkpU3fvKTkV7EuwextJPo16CtD1M9ls9HVzHhYS2xabtUbRKBDJ0ACSp8qMu87qo4P0iUSNK4lpZCTuwF5_wB1l4CqNEezBjcFVj7IVxAWM_ZHOzdI/s1600/IMG_20170831_200536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQq4x8Re3XHswsy7eoAyGjZ333vmkpU3fvKTkV7EuwextJPo16CtD1M9ls9HVzHhYS2xabtUbRKBDJ0ACSp8qMu87qo4P0iUSNK4lpZCTuwF5_wB1l4CqNEezBjcFVj7IVxAWM_ZHOzdI/s320/IMG_20170831_200536.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The descent was great and despite the photos and faffing I was back to my bike in just under two hours. The ride home was also lovely, as was the takeaway pizza in Killarney!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEFHriBtuQsCatGG5dW-SxUbwZZP_Z_YJ0ReOi0dmmDkIdVxRLtWp_RMxLdIB_sG8k-vEgnQ-tWr_IRL_lt7Zcvg2dmvfwzvzDOju9DrHHIPK9YwTu08eUjoLyEbq2gZ5hbRHB4LK6xAY/s1600/IMG_20170831_190912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEFHriBtuQsCatGG5dW-SxUbwZZP_Z_YJ0ReOi0dmmDkIdVxRLtWp_RMxLdIB_sG8k-vEgnQ-tWr_IRL_lt7Zcvg2dmvfwzvzDOju9DrHHIPK9YwTu08eUjoLyEbq2gZ5hbRHB4LK6xAY/s320/IMG_20170831_190912.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/1163971688" target="_blank">https://www.strava.com/activities/1163971688</a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b>Mont Ventoux</b></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b><br /></b></u></div>
A couple of weeks later we had a cracking holiday in the Ardeche, including finally paddling the famous descent of the stunning Ardeche river with Lorna. Towards the end I decided Mont Ventoux was too close not to go for a ride. I had hoped there might be time for this and had, before leaving home, very quickly plotted a Google maps route from Vallon Pont d'Arc to the summit and back. I then used the excellent converter at www.gpsvisualizer.com to load it onto my GPS.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFRx8l3BoUEAYfnrWwXPSefiCI95WISCxAyBfQcx5pAZrcVCoIw2Ya812mG7x5f0JEJklUkCF3FtMhvPrwYkjGSlLI0h_6ORktw9LpzEFKbWkeixMGmX3lqQOCY1ZAZ7OnAfg7uru4Iq4/s1600/IMG_20170910_111058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFRx8l3BoUEAYfnrWwXPSefiCI95WISCxAyBfQcx5pAZrcVCoIw2Ya812mG7x5f0JEJklUkCF3FtMhvPrwYkjGSlLI0h_6ORktw9LpzEFKbWkeixMGmX3lqQOCY1ZAZ7OnAfg7uru4Iq4/s320/IMG_20170910_111058.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stunning Ardeche gorge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I was very lucky to be able to borrow a bike and helmet, and left Vallon at about 9 (I had planned to go earlier but was distracted by pastries). The route was beautiful from start to finish, as every route around here seems to be...<br />
<br />
I climbed from Vallon to Saint-Remeze, then descended to the Rhone. This section was flattish and involved some big roads around Bourg-Saint-Andeol, but I rode mostly on small quiet roads. As I cruised along eating a ham and cheese crossiant all was well in the world. Somewhere in this section I noticed the fallability of my Google route planning... or more a case of operator error. I had forgotten to select the "roads only" box, so in sections where it was shorter my route tried to take me up 4x4 tracks. On someone else's bike I thought this was a bit rude so stuck to the road. This didn't present any more of a problem until a bit later...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3t030sOrUlX_MNRwbEN91BYDkkajigN99oVYqO9cb1M3dj6FvU_MyjXXt5DmICBvlxxWCOIsXEWmZsbz88gtXXbUrVRldHAPMQVywUO8dnYhGLz5Wr6PrEa18cG-hBgjEBsgbT8aZ0jo/s1600/IMG_20170913_111950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3t030sOrUlX_MNRwbEN91BYDkkajigN99oVYqO9cb1M3dj6FvU_MyjXXt5DmICBvlxxWCOIsXEWmZsbz88gtXXbUrVRldHAPMQVywUO8dnYhGLz5Wr6PrEa18cG-hBgjEBsgbT8aZ0jo/s320/IMG_20170913_111950.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fields of Lavender</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I had started the climb and was excited - I was riding up Mont Ventoux! The road was still lovely and small, and as I climbed it was in fact getting smaller... Then it stopped. I had ridden through Les Alazards, then continued up towards Mont Serin, without realising that there is no actual road between the two! This was a bit frustrating as it meant I'd probably be late for dinner (Pizza again actually), but there was nothing for it but to turn around and head back to Malaucene and climb again.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvt5lbANRwQPe5-IU_BwPVagVcpwgnt-fDI6kyJW9q4O6G2wVRaPpXBPFoqUFK76nilFl_y6VNn2d6Nq5YnhC37XqgnmBAk_IfFoasqIGe5USQi2ObZi_AkEDmY9PbESubhh90kgCwrhM/s1600/IMG_20170913_141534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvt5lbANRwQPe5-IU_BwPVagVcpwgnt-fDI6kyJW9q4O6G2wVRaPpXBPFoqUFK76nilFl_y6VNn2d6Nq5YnhC37XqgnmBAk_IfFoasqIGe5USQi2ObZi_AkEDmY9PbESubhh90kgCwrhM/s320/IMG_20170913_141534.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The actual route up...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This time I wondered how I'd missed the main route up the hill the first time, but soon forgot this as I started calculating how long it would take me to climb 21km at between 8% and 14% gradient! About 2 hours I reckoned, which was about right. The climb felt hard work. It was hot and the 100km already in my legs made themselves known. I did enjoy it though, more and more as I ticked the kilometers off, and as I passed a few people too!<br />
<br />
With about 2km to go I was passed by a tall skinny chap who was flying - then we both came round a corner and saw the first open view of the masts at the summit. We both stopped for a photo, before he shot off again and I continued with the final few metres of grind.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhssv3LmR4Qx60-CFtLM5AlNp9nvgxgQECMksIbT5vtFHmO11qq8gcdQUXp4Fm4kj2keP5gCZlLSJruekO7Yzzztpv_C0JqYuzcPhFRfoUAhVkfTI2HJVTb4yOtiSseeTp8SKZegBnnmbI/s1600/IMG_20170913_150748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhssv3LmR4Qx60-CFtLM5AlNp9nvgxgQECMksIbT5vtFHmO11qq8gcdQUXp4Fm4kj2keP5gCZlLSJruekO7Yzzztpv_C0JqYuzcPhFRfoUAhVkfTI2HJVTb4yOtiSseeTp8SKZegBnnmbI/s320/IMG_20170913_150748.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The summit!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A lot of people ride up the Ventoux every day, so many that photographers station themselves near the top to take your photo! They then give you a card so you can look up and buy your photo online later. I was chuffed to reach the summit and treated myself to a coke, a sticker, and some overpriced Nougat to take back for everyone at home. Once I'd taken a few photos and sorted out the coke-induced stomach cramps I set off down the other side of the hill.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaT5MZ5Zxo_giTwZ9c5zGa2YyFFeRWjz9adylxZ_hRt9i5t_zpfLp63PuILdmgHD-XWiopfB8ASt3o0GLyX95Lh10UjpjiW-fcDaySsPF3axCNGk53TsZhOuKS9aMOEdqzq-Aly_Ip8lk/s1600/IMG_20170913_152552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaT5MZ5Zxo_giTwZ9c5zGa2YyFFeRWjz9adylxZ_hRt9i5t_zpfLp63PuILdmgHD-XWiopfB8ASt3o0GLyX95Lh10UjpjiW-fcDaySsPF3axCNGk53TsZhOuKS9aMOEdqzq-Aly_Ip8lk/s320/IMG_20170913_152552.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the top of Mont Vent-woooooo!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This time I was descending the famous side of Ventoux down to Bedoin village - this is the side that the Tour de France climbs most often, and the site of the Tom Simpson memorial which I had a quick stop at. The famous Ventoux moonscape is something to behold, it's hard to describe until you've seen it but it is incredibly impressive. I was really lucky to have a clear warm day and loved flying down the hill without needing a jacket or anything. I descended much better than I normally do and even passed a couple of motorbikes!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8AomBeS2YA2EG6QWKUe-uFiBjkTR42ZNcxE-ZnwcUqL2dDm9WyU7lYJQcxpm_mzELFk6MC4aHXkHGl4oIP4O-expTGQgw12ad7VftelytM0G0H1WlN4uJy_OogFG5dPiZf2LLuqTvJo/s1600/IMG_20170913_154945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8AomBeS2YA2EG6QWKUe-uFiBjkTR42ZNcxE-ZnwcUqL2dDm9WyU7lYJQcxpm_mzELFk6MC4aHXkHGl4oIP4O-expTGQgw12ad7VftelytM0G0H1WlN4uJy_OogFG5dPiZf2LLuqTvJo/s320/IMG_20170913_154945.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just before Tom Simpson's memorial</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The ride back felt like a long way. Thanks to the Google maps incident I would now be riding about 240km rather than the 200 I'd expected, but it didn't matter anymore. I had given up on the GPS and had a list of villages written on my hand, which I mentally ticked off as I passed them, and tried to work out if I'd make it back for 8 o'clock or not.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZk0U4hzPXCBXu_fFxjO1_hnZAaNGq6njgS4hoToR3oaDWvNwkjzXuIqaEc9UB_uwQBSppIWgSgq3JuzNlcaV8JGYvX4-5DVCFvz9L1tcF_XAJdAslU3PPw5J2Q48VvH3eDfy8XmU75k/s1600/IMG_20170913_193221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZk0U4hzPXCBXu_fFxjO1_hnZAaNGq6njgS4hoToR3oaDWvNwkjzXuIqaEc9UB_uwQBSppIWgSgq3JuzNlcaV8JGYvX4-5DVCFvz9L1tcF_XAJdAslU3PPw5J2Q48VvH3eDfy8XmU75k/s320/IMG_20170913_193221.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful evening ride back over</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At Bourg St Andeol it didn't look likely, I had 29km to ride and only about an hour. The route of the last section was that of the 2016 TdF time trial, and it's an amazing route! The climb out of Bourg St Andeol is relatively short and is followed by a long section of undulating riding, with hills that wouldn't feel like hills at the start of a ride! After that it's down hill for 8km into Vallon.<br />
<br />
After 240km and 3600m of climb I arrived back in Vallon stinking, sweaty, elated, and just in time for Pizza.<br />
<br />
Thanks Coz for lending me your bike :-)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/1188857302" target="_blank">https://www.strava.com/activities/1188857302</a>Stuart Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030293946147955184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2098003752277720209.post-85386645698227920132017-08-22T01:58:00.001-07:002017-08-22T02:00:47.890-07:00Inspiration? Information? Both, or neither?As part of the Dig Deep race series at Whirlow Hall Farm last weekend, I gave a talk on Friday night. I was in stellar company, speaking between Sally Fawcett and Nicky Spinks! At our weekly Friday morning strength and conditioning session at Accelerate, I was given a great piece of advice... A talk like this must aim for <i>inspiration, not information</i>... I can certainly deliver a lack of information, but the first half?! Hmm...<br />
<br />
Sally spoke first about training for and competing in the World Trail Championships in Tuscany, and then training for the Bob Graham round and the serendipitous week she spent at altitude a couple of weeks before.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLc7-fWjtIjPd0bYHL4DCCsEgxZ8Di2UueF1Pn2I5p95EYCCCDSAbTIJFH3uS59B2J8LYsLfgE9SRbJh8EVKxt9AF7Nxfj7d9Srg1QkoU0alDxzCgV4ySXfP-AYh4sRW1GajnS6bpp6Y/s1600/IMG_20170818_192101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLc7-fWjtIjPd0bYHL4DCCsEgxZ8Di2UueF1Pn2I5p95EYCCCDSAbTIJFH3uS59B2J8LYsLfgE9SRbJh8EVKxt9AF7Nxfj7d9Srg1QkoU0alDxzCgV4ySXfP-AYh4sRW1GajnS6bpp6Y/s320/IMG_20170818_192101.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sally Fawcett</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Nicky spoke later about her journey through life and running, culminating in her amazing double Bob Graham round.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvqf2-pmYLwhYRWJwcDbwJDBuX-hWhA0wy4vdTUqXB_FF3BkcAFzgNSCnnrKEpiHM1JVdbHecMYNWINT8n6192l9NBmHkUkrMHKCADOCs8B64kUeRUVxKNy1ydV1VgN-EV-g7a8xjbvBU/s1600/IMG_20170818_210400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvqf2-pmYLwhYRWJwcDbwJDBuX-hWhA0wy4vdTUqXB_FF3BkcAFzgNSCnnrKEpiHM1JVdbHecMYNWINT8n6192l9NBmHkUkrMHKCADOCs8B64kUeRUVxKNy1ydV1VgN-EV-g7a8xjbvBU/s320/IMG_20170818_210400.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nicky Spinks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was great to hear both talks and I left feeling very inspired (and informed!), as well as very proud to be part of Dark Peak Fell Runners, as both Sally and Nicky are too.<br />
<br />
My talk was titled "Adventures". I decided to step sideways from running and talk about adventure challenges and races, starting with the slightly chaotic British Isles Challenge in 2009, through World Series Adventure Races in France and Switzerland, the awesome 2013 World Championships in Costa Rica, and then to come back to the UK with the 3 Peaks Yacht Race.<br />
<br />
I really enjoyed the talk, I was as ever slightly disorganised and I felt that the first half of the talk was better than the second, which was a bit disjointed... Maybe I tried to fit too much in rather than explaining things in detail, but there we go.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9fbwyUb41RFANJ0XWX_e2PzO__Ws7FZtvpeOjLH_F5JF4tHcdlOOvqZvSYi7wHuS3VRGVqlYwpq7z1MLiGv2KddHezxU1Aj1T3s000hPNOqoE4mJTuqrMNfEAwnMilR54QipKDZpyiz4/s1600/IMG_20170818_194043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9fbwyUb41RFANJ0XWX_e2PzO__Ws7FZtvpeOjLH_F5JF4tHcdlOOvqZvSYi7wHuS3VRGVqlYwpq7z1MLiGv2KddHezxU1Aj1T3s000hPNOqoE4mJTuqrMNfEAwnMilR54QipKDZpyiz4/s320/IMG_20170818_194043.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So, did I inspire anyone? I have no idea, though I certainly didn't inform anyone. However, a few people have said since the talk that they fancy having a go at an adventure race, so maybe I gave them an idea at least!<br />
<br />
Finally, congratulations to everyone who raced in the Dig Deep races over the weekend. I headed up to Scotland straight after the talks so was not able to, but I hope everyone enjoyed them! Well done Sally on winning your race too!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
- - - - - -</div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Before I go... Videos!</b><br />
<br />
Preparing the talk reminded me of lots of videos of previous adventures which I've made and are lying around on YouTube. In case anyone wants to find out a bit about these races, here are a few links...<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Adventure Racing:</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4uErDCJvMA" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="723" data-original-width="1321" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIG53opqXH14op50KnGVTikuILx5KknjysjmFRRyGuWdAdI60MbjwA1zADA0gyE8ZlMCTUtuvaHBxv8KlKdNeeHCdJlA6pCvY5G2MKhcTdBTjBhqCRsFicr042nw452c1l0r7mgP1R3Ww/s320/video2.jpg" width="320" /></a><span id="goog_1710738917"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_1710738918"></span></div>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZmR3BA1CBA" target="_blank">APEX Adventure race (5 day expedition race in the Swiss Alps)</a><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdPmgdck2GA" target="_blank">Raid In France (5 day expedition race in the Buis les Baronnies, France)</a><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4uErDCJvMA" target="_blank">Adventure Racing World Championships (Unbelievable 8 day adventure in Costa Rica)</a><br />
<br />
<b>Running:</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://vimeo.com/57918220" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="726" data-original-width="1325" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOlpy-m1MVnjU3pBgfAYMZhZDvv8mgETpgh5Q24uDdrWuQwq0tFjUYtvjoEs9gk4CDs1n-Nny5dbsIDys6NChyoLwvB8CLBv8yNX-Zp0O4eVZAu48j5YSN6ljb6vtjan7tIH1Q71MDp0g/s320/video.jpg" width="320" /></a><span id="goog_1710738933"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_1710738934"></span></div>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24nDq7GC69k" target="_blank">Big Alps Run (34 days Vienna - Nice) - 5 min version</a><br />
<a href="https://vimeo.com/57918220" target="_blank">Big Alps Run (full video made for ShAFF) - 30 mins or so</a><br />
<br />
<b>A couple of others from last year:</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnSxVvzs7fU" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1283" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxXwUyyAa_IyAvgjtmo-OthZ0OxCzoisQyLh0quHHbCjzQqMDpQjKSgeMhgsLmcnK2VVDyoNeNO7kwQrkRSGktFxE1R1Ubw2DXupUFSIoBAiUqY009T0bGCg_8R0follFtyn6KQ3K3X3c/s320/video3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O89zjp_ojLU" target="_blank">Chatel to Haute Cime and back (running, 70kms / 4400m)</a><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnSxVvzs7fU" target="_blank">Ski touring across the whole 3 valleys in one day (45km, 4000m but a bit piste-y)</a><br />
<br />Stuart Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030293946147955184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2098003752277720209.post-50871257574220662982017-07-29T15:58:00.001-07:002017-07-29T15:59:43.611-07:00Snowdonia Trail MarathonTo borrow the words of a fine sportsman of appropriate nationality...<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"As they say, sometimes you're the hammer, sometimes you're the nail. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I was a cheapy little Ikea one today. It was terrible."</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So here, in contrast to <a href="http://challengestu.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/accelerate-invades-wales.html" target="_blank">2015</a>, is a blog about this year's Snowdonia trail marathon.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
The Scott Snowdonia Trail Marathon is a marathon (obviously, although the distance has in the past not always been exactly marathon distance!), starting from Llanberis and visiting Rhyd Ddu, Beddgelert, Nant Gwynant and Pen y Pass before climbing to nearly the top of Snowdon by the Pyg track, then descending on the Llanberis path.<br />
<br />
I ran the inaugural race in 2015 but missed the race in 2016. Both previous years have experienced very wet weather, so it was a pleasant surprise to see some sunshine on the start line this year.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA2cXprw63z4DcFJ4qIdC75tvah7hcEp2UCozQM2V2056aELNRxhddzFN_LJ0utz5C4yrDCN9D6sDYP8dhxt1eYoGYQ3z7OiJTbXH8T9hCy44SDKNDeKvYOv0Qm_cNxvdASclEC9S4R0s/s1600/DSC_1228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA2cXprw63z4DcFJ4qIdC75tvah7hcEp2UCozQM2V2056aELNRxhddzFN_LJ0utz5C4yrDCN9D6sDYP8dhxt1eYoGYQ3z7OiJTbXH8T9hCy44SDKNDeKvYOv0Qm_cNxvdASclEC9S4R0s/s320/DSC_1228.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
After a surprisingly comfortable night in the back of the Volvo I had some breakfast, registered and collected my number. then caught up with some friends. Pete Down and his gel-donkey (aka Chris Shelton) seemed to be having a lovely time and were excited to be running the half marathon. As we assembled for the start I had a quick chat with Dave Riley and Ben Bridley, then made my way towards the front. I spotted a few people I knew would be quick: Charlie Sharpe, Jo Meek, and Callum Rowlinson, who was 2nd in 2015 and 2016. Then we were off!<br />
<br />
There were a lot of spectators in Llanberis, and as we ran out from the start I tried to remember what had happened in 2015 and not to go off too fast!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/BesoSpTzmZc/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BesoSpTzmZc?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
Callum set a superfast pace as we ran out of Llanberis and up the first gradual climb. I sat in behind him and another guy for a while, then realised that even this was too fast and dropped back a little further, until I found myself running with Steve Franklin. Steve is a strong runner in the Peak district and can frequently be found at the front of short fell races. I wasn't feeling good so after a quick chat with Steve I slowed again, and even had a little walk, then hovered around 8th position or so.<br />
<br />
After the first climb came a very wet and slippery descent. The race route was marked really well by tape and flags, but this bit through the marshy stuff was slightly tricky to follow and required a good bit of concentration. Myself and another guy (who later turned out to be from a nice Frenchman from Chamonix) had a good time slipping our way through this section, but as we moved onto the flatter section afterwards he started to pull away. By the time I ran through Beddgelert at about 17km Charlie Sharpe had also passed me. We had a quick chat and I explained I was having a bit of a tough day. Charlie kindly offered me a gel, but food wasn't the problem, I just felt rubbish. Charlie said he was taking it easy today due to a big race next weekend, but even so he soon pressed on, running really smoothly on the flat trails through the forest.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpOupveA_H71uUPNR13uteRfUffCSq0RfFBJ7TQfToxqxjUXcxf8yrqUqUhAWlUTjBb7N5bDHmC0kr0wDnXqSByFApJr0ofjsNvKuxEhkCEHulPJTMjxT0TZbSutvpPd9ZD24OtHFufp4/s1600/snowdonia+TM+2017+map.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="644" data-original-width="1290" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpOupveA_H71uUPNR13uteRfUffCSq0RfFBJ7TQfToxqxjUXcxf8yrqUqUhAWlUTjBb7N5bDHmC0kr0wDnXqSByFApJr0ofjsNvKuxEhkCEHulPJTMjxT0TZbSutvpPd9ZD24OtHFufp4/s400/snowdonia+TM+2017+map.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Along the edge of Lyn Dinas I tried to forget about racing. I was having a bad day and couldn't seem to get into a nice rhythm on the flatter sections, or not at a decent pace anyway! I felt like I was just wandering along, but the sun was shining and I was beginning to remember how stunning Snowdonia is, so maybe I could forget about racing and try to just enjoy myself. The hill was coming soon anyway...<br />
<br />
At the Pen y Pass checkpoint I grabbed another quarter of Orange (a nice feature of the checkpoints on this race, along with gels and really friendly staff!) and set off up the Pyg track.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ06b7-6wuP3Eupjx1HhPaGbTtvGT9qOnXPmyteEEayFpkZdMiJHHefyJKkt0JZGBqt8EqYfn9CZNEZFCTxYuLVyo1VObyb74CVIiIT6zahkpCFgfo-lN3ZzO5B18Vd8k2dbqIOo8_baw/s1600/snowdonfrompenypass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="538" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ06b7-6wuP3Eupjx1HhPaGbTtvGT9qOnXPmyteEEayFpkZdMiJHHefyJKkt0JZGBqt8EqYfn9CZNEZFCTxYuLVyo1VObyb74CVIiIT6zahkpCFgfo-lN3ZzO5B18Vd8k2dbqIOo8_baw/s400/snowdonfrompenypass.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I felt like I climbed reasonably well (Strava seems to agree, with only Callum going faster) and passed the French guy and Charlie on the lower slopes. As I got higher up I saw occasional glimpses of someone else up in front of me, but in among all the walkers he was hard to pick out.I hit the top (36km done) in just under 3 and a half hours and turned around to head down the Llanberis path to the finish.<br />
<br />
After the brief boost of feeling OK on the climb, running down felt even more rubbish than running on the flat had earlier! I felt wooden and stiff, and the rocky track was horrible to run down. I'm aware that this is in danger of sounding like a whingy blog post so I'll point out that I did enjoy seeing and saying well done to half marathon runners on the way down the hill, and once below 800m or so the spectacular views returned, so it wasn't really that bad!<br />
<br />
Anyway, after the long painful descent I was in Llanberis village. Fortunately, the marathon runs directly to the finishline (whereas the half climbs back up through the quarries before its final run to the line). From the summit at 3:30 I had hoped I might make the finish in under four hours, or at least try to beat my 2015 time of 4:04:04. The final section seemed to make a meal of the run into Llanberis with lots of twists and turns through little bits of forest, but I eventually crossed the line in 4:05:13 for 6th place.<br />
<br />
I am pleased to say that after two years of finishing second, Callum won the race in a new record time of 3:52. Steve Franklin was an excellent second place, and Jo Meek won the ladies race in 4:10.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYnPp3ysNdYf1IQcuQCkmC7dEReqgzXp9PuYackfQSpO0Z6nW-TAaiYh5cUffwzUmbhBKfbpDQMvXTYx2ouQk8EyIhW83QyfO2TpoY-4a_Mqx7vdgeGB-2Z63z-3INjEqCQ8uPaS_Ti8/s1600/winners.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="584" data-original-width="1600" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYnPp3ysNdYf1IQcuQCkmC7dEReqgzXp9PuYackfQSpO0Z6nW-TAaiYh5cUffwzUmbhBKfbpDQMvXTYx2ouQk8EyIhW83QyfO2TpoY-4a_Mqx7vdgeGB-2Z63z-3INjEqCQ8uPaS_Ti8/s400/winners.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
So that's that. Another great Scott Snowdonia Trail Marathon, not quite as successful as 2015, but that's the way it goes sometimes. All we can do is try to find out what went wrong, try to get better, and focus on the positives! One major positive was my new Kinabalus, which contrary to my own advice I wore straight out of the box. No blisters, no problems, and enough grip to keep me upright all day!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqC3bbpfj4PsLqmonvBtLrnz2ArT633QJi7ThXD1JYgVDtL7Xr7hlVVvcPTm641Qsgs_DR2xdeG3dG4enk_S3WQ_sgpyxrds0E-KV6Yqowo0E8rNpTxgNM4Od_G1m5Bz3Rz2R46Bzryxc/s1600/20232354_1364914536925255_1039856526147081794_ob.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqC3bbpfj4PsLqmonvBtLrnz2ArT633QJi7ThXD1JYgVDtL7Xr7hlVVvcPTm641Qsgs_DR2xdeG3dG4enk_S3WQ_sgpyxrds0E-KV6Yqowo0E8rNpTxgNM4Od_G1m5Bz3Rz2R46Bzryxc/s320/20232354_1364914536925255_1039856526147081794_ob.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Next year there's an Ultra too... Since my photo appears to have been claimed by the organisers for use on all promotion I guess I'd better enter! Thanks as ever to the race organisers and checkpointers, and as always I am very grateful to Accelerate and Scott for sponsoring me, and to Stu Hale for coaching me.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/1098240310/overview" target="_blank">Strava link</a>Stuart Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15030293946147955184noreply@blogger.com1