One of my first proper runs in the lakes

What an episode!!!!

Last weekend the weather was pretty rough. Not really thinking about it, I planned to go up to Winter Hill and Albert decided to join me. Man it was rough, so rough that we re-thought our route and after a brief visit to the top of Winter Hill we headed down in to the Gardens and around Lever Park. The wind and rain was horrendous. However it did make me recall one of my first proper fell running experiences and I thought it was worth sharing with everyone.

I hadn’t been running on the hills that long and was still very green about all aspects of being in the hills. Chris decided it was time for a good trip to the Lakes for me. Looking back I wouldn’t say I was unprepared ‘but’ I had no map or compass, no whistle, no waterproof leg cover, a pair of fell shoes a size too small and absolutely no idea where I was going. I was TOTALLY dependent upon my best friend!!

We parked in Coniston and Chris had decided we would go and cover the Coniston Fell race route. The route starts in Consiton and loops up to the top of Wetherlam, then heads west and heads to Swirl How before heading south over to the Old Man of Coniston. A route of 9 miles and 3500ft. Of course I didn’t know this at the time.

We headed off and all was well, Chris said he knew where he was going so I just followed. The morning started off ok and as I recall I don’t think it was raining at that point. We headed up the first climb which was a bit of a shock as it’s quite steep. Then Chris told me that we should head up “this path” beside the quarry. This was the first of a couple of navigation errors. It wasn’t too bad it just meant we took a slightly longer route. Within about 4-5 minutes Chris had realised his error and instead of turning around we decided to continue on and go round.

Soon enough we were back on the path up towards Wetherlam but the rain was threatening us and as we climbed we eventually climbed into the mist. By the time we reached the top of Wetherlam the rain had started and there was a little wind to accompany it but things were deteriorating more and more as time passed.

Being new to all this I was just a little worried. I’ve never covered ground fast and then I was even slower than I am now. My legs were tired by now and the weather was worrying me. I like to know where I’m going and I didn’t plus not being able to see more than about 50 metres didn’t help my confidence. I think I’d already had enough. We ran down towards Swirl Hause before the climb to Swirl How, I remember hoping that Chris was going to call it off and take me on a direct route down. This path here looked like a good option, not that I knew where it took me I just wanted to go down! No such luck, Chris ploughed on and up Prison band towards Swirl How.

The climb up over Prison Band to Swirl How isn’t too long but it’s rockier than anything we’d covered so far. Before long though we’d made it up to the top of Swirl How and said hello to the first people we’d seen all day. We stopped here for a break. I don’t recall what I had brought with me but it wasn’t much and it didn’t last long. We ended up moving just to get out of the wind but the rain was still hitting us. Chris was smiling and seemed to think this was all fun, I wasn’t as impressed

Standing up there with the elements testing us I had had enough. After a quick stop we headed off, Chris leading and me following like a little lost dog. After a few minutes of running, the wind trying to blow us sideways Chris stopped and said “We’re going the wrong way!!”. “How do you know?” I said,

”The wind is blowing in the wrong direction!” ??

When we’d left the car the wind had been blowing from the south apparently and the route from Swirl How to the Old man of Coniston takes a southerly direction. Chris had determined that because the wind was blowing sideways across us that we must be travelling the wrong way. In hindsight I would have used a compass but I didn’t actually have one.

We returned to the top of Swirl How from the direction of Great Carrs and this time headed off into the wind towards the Old Man. My confidence in Chris’ abilities to navigate me safely had plummeted by this point and I just wanted to go back to the car, I mean who navigates on the wind?? On the way down two walkers were heading back up in the opposite direction to us. They stopped us to ask for help. One walker pointed in the direction up the slope we had just come down and said “Is this the way to the Old Man?”. Well that was it, no more, I trusted Chris’ directions no longer but what could I do. No map, no compass, no idea! All I could do was carry on following Chris despite my doubts.

Chris convinced me and the two walkers that they were travelling in the wrong direction and we were in fact travelling in the right direction and we headed onwards.

We’d started now on the incline towards the Old Man but I had no idea how far it was and little confidence and low energy by this point. The wind and the rain were battering us and I had a major low. At one point I crouched down behind a cairn to get out of the wind and told Chris I was just going to stay there for a bit. “I know it’s awful” he said “but the quickest way off this mountain right now is to carry on, it can’t be that far”. Pulling my self up from behind that tiny pile of stones I carried on. I warned Chris that if we got back to the car I was going to punch him!!

As we carried on I noticed another walker on a parallel path, always good to know you’re not alone, and about 400m-500m later we came upon the summit of the Old Man. 3 fools up here in this gale, I thought, until of course I walked around the back of a large boulder that sits at the top. As I rounded the boulder I saw what I think was about 15-20 people hiding out of the wind chatting away and smiling drinking tea and coffee.

Surely there must be a cable car somewhere???

After a moment to catch a breather we headed off on the final descent back to Coniston. The path drops down through the old copper mines and past Low Water. The wet stone and the Adidas swoops didn’t get on very well and I lost a lot of confidence in these shoes that day (in fact I don’t think I wore them again after that).

It’s amazing how quickly your situation can change in the lakes. One minute I was huddling down behind a cairn wanting to die and the next we were out of the mist, wind and rain heading down towards Coniston and feeling much happier.

On returning to the car I needed food. I punched Chris first although not as hard as I should have, then went for the apple. When your tired and zapped of energy your body must make food taste nicer. That apple was the tastiest apple I have ever, ever had. Chris admitted at that point that he had (at that time) never been out in weather as awful as that before.

I’m not sure why this experience didn’t turn me off running in the mountains but I’m glad it didn’t!!

Catch Up

Mark's recent updates reminded me that I hadn't updated this blog myself for quite a while, so here's a few pictures taken in the period since we did Three Shires last September.

We were back in Cumbria for a friend's wedding at the end of September and it just so happened to be on the same day as the Scafell Pike Race. Many thanks to Andy Holden for taking this shot.

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This was taken at the finish (I converted to B&W due to messing up the exposure!). Just my type of race this one; very low key.

October half term we headed up to Kettlewell in Yorkshire for the Great Whernside Fell Race. Another of my favourite short races and again quite low key.

Before the start; just gather at the base of a big hill then run straight to the top and back down again.

The runners heading up the hill.

Thanks to Dave and Eileen Woodhead for taking pictures.

The day after Boxing Day we headed back up North for a week, this was taken on Winter Hill where I went for a run before we drove up to Wasdale. Conditions weren't really suitable for good pictures with the mist and rain.

This was a long exposure photo I took at dusk.

Sunset on New Year's Day looking from near Lank Rigg by Ennerdale. It was a lovely afternoon with the mist coming in over the trees.

Before leaving for home I went with my eldest lad up towards Scafell to take some more pictures. This is looking over to Wasdale Head and the Mosedale Valley.

Back to where I usually train, the day before going back to work after New Year. I got caught in the rain you can see approaching. Notice the lack of hills in Hertfordshire!

This was taken just last weekend while I was on my long run, the snow has all gone now.

Another one from last weekend, fantastic running in the snow.

Apart from entering Ben Nevis again I haven't made any other plans for this year yet. I'd like to do something special for my 40th year but so far I haven't decided what that will be.

Beacon Bash – 5th Feb 2012

Well another weekend and another run out. This time it was the Beacon Bash from Newburgh near Parbold. I was worried I wouldn’t get an entry to this one as I’d heard it was full, but with a race number of 203 I suspect the entry limit of 150 wasn’t being strictly applied (thankfully).

I did this run last year and it’s a nice little route. But this years conditions were the complete opposite. On the Saturday it had ‘tried’ to snow but had only managed to snow those tiny icy balls (much smaller than hail). Then it had rained and then it frozen overnight.

The early Sunday morning started with some low level mist and some hesitant driving where I chose the motorway rather than the back roads as the best route to get there without incident. Arriving 30 mins before the start (unusually early) I sat and had a drink before I started and chat with others preparing to set off. Of course by the time everyone started I was still faffing about and getting myself ready.

Starting from the back of the pack it was a nice gentle pace. The route quickly leaves the main road and joins the canal. The canal was … treacherous. People were slipping and sliding all over the place and I feared that one of a group of girls, after falling on the ice twice, might end up in the canal. Thankfully all was well and I headed on until the route left the canal and up towards the Wigin Tree Pub on top of Parbold Hill. The path up here wasn’t much better and by now the slow running with the group of girls had meant I was pretty much running alone.

Crossing the road and heading over the fields I approached Checkpoint 1 (High Moor) and both ahead of me and behind me I could hear random screams from groups of females slipping on ice, you know the sort, the shreaks that you let out when you unexpectedly lose traction, assume your gonna be on your arse in about 0.5 secs, tense up every muscle but then luckily your foot manages to grip to something, your arms swing around in all directions for balance and then relief sets in.

On leaving Checkpoint 1 the route follows (mostly) the Harrock Hill race route backwards over the fields to the top of the quarry. The track road up to the top of the quarry looked icy so I decided that I would take the long way round up through the field and it seemed that was a better choice as on arriving at Checkpoint 2 I’d caught up to the larger group of Pink Panthers (Who I assume had been making all the noise I’d previously heard).

By this point we had already caught and passed a number of walkers, one of whom commented that the runners had caught them up much sooner this year because of the conditions. A brief food stop and off towards Jacksons Lane. From Jacksons Lane the route again follows part of the Harrock Hill race route backwards before passing over Harrock Hill besides the ruin of the windmill. So far I had managed without the route description and this mist was giving me just enough visibility to see walkers/runners in front.

Heading back over the fields towards High Moor Farm then onwards over more fields towards the road crossing and into Fairy Glen Wood. The path through the wood was lethal in places and I decided I need to invest in some Kahtoolas just for this type of occasion. Eventually though Checkpoint 3 arrived and food. I topped up with a cup of tea, a few cups of juice, some butties and a cake and headed out the door. Normally I make the mistake of stopping for a break but then I start to stiffen up and after this I just can’t get going again. So with my tea in hand I headed onwards. I love a cup of tea during a race!

On leaving Checkpoint 3 I was advised that the marshall may be missing at Checkpoint 4. Now the route twists a little through various narrow strips of woodland heading for Roby Mill. Just before I reached the main road through Roby Mill I passed a couple of young lads who asked me for directions to Beacon Country Park. Unfortunately, with only the text based instructions I only knew for certain that Roby Mill was ahead of me. On looking at the map now I can see that they were in fact walking away from Beacon Park. Sorry!!

Running down one of the lanes away from Roby Mill I noticed an amusing sign,
“Danger, Children Playing”.
I couldn’t help but wonder how dangerous the children could be? Were they playing with knives or something??

Anyway, Checkpoint 4 came and went with no marshall so I pushed on for Beacon Park. Further along though I came upon Checkpoint 4. It seems one of the marshalls had been struggling with ice and blocked routes on leaving her house and she wanted to tell me about it. I do appreciate the efforts of the marshalls and organisers and always say please and thank you as much as possible but I didn’t really want a 5 minute pit stop to listen to the details of the struggle to find a clear road, not whilst the group of 3 people I had just caught up managed to escape of up the next track.

The day was starting to warm a little and the frozen ground in places had started to clear and melt away. Running through Beacon park saw a little bit of grip from the shoes and they caught in the top of the now un-frozen mud. Checkpoint 5 arrived and some nice hot soup. Now if you are a marshall and like to chat it’s best to have Tea/Coffee or soup to offer out. With the offer of Chicken Soup and a couple of slices of bread I’ll stand around and chat with you all day.

Pushing on it the final section with only about 3.5 miles of the 21 miles left to go. Up and over Ashurst Beacon and a wander through the fields of Dalton Lees, Rookery Farm and Woodcock Hall before finally arriving back at the sports club in Newburgh in a time of 4hrs 40mins. Considering the conditions I was very happy with this time.

With just enough time for a quick shower, a couple of cups of tea, a pint of coke, some Hot Pot with Beetroot and two slices of jam sponge cake and a chat with Albert and Tony it was time to head off home and take the kids out to McDonalds.

Thanks to all the organisers and marshall without whom these events wouldn’t happen.

The Hebden

The first of my longer events of the year as the Hebden. This is primarily an LDWA event but it has become heavily attended by runners for the challenge of the event and route has great appeal.

Being my usual, organised self (much like tonight), I didn’t prepare my things the night before and instead chose to get ready in the morning when I blatantly didn’t have enough time too. Leaving the house without an accurate postcode I made my way to Hebden Bridge. With 400 people setting off at 8AM it can’t be that hard a place to find in a small village. Well I couldn’t find the start and the picture I had stored in my mind from Google maps wasn’t falling into place. So I resorted to the smart phone to Google the details of the event.

Of course I couldn’t find any of the 400 entrants. They were all in the right village of Motholmroyd which was about 2 miles up the road from where I was. NUMPTY!

I arrived at the event at 8AM and most had just set of. I still needed to park, get my kit out, put my shoes on and collect my tallies. As a result I set off some 17 minutes behind everyone else. I thought about cutting the start short to catch up to others but I didn’t come to race with others I came for the event, so stuck to the route description sheet.

Running along the start of the route the ground was littered with footprints of the runners ahead of me. It only took about 15 – 20 mins before I came upon the back markers (walkers) and the sweeper of the 24 mile route. Walking briefly with them for a chat and then I plodded on. This seemed to happen for most of the day and I really enjoyed it, there was no pressure (from myself) to keep up with other runners. Slowly picking of people it was great not being passed all the time.

The route itself has plenty of climb (4000ft) and combined with the 22 miles it’s a good challenge. However if you add to this a fiercely cold wind on the tops it becomes a little more of a challenge. As the day progress it seemed the wind on each top gradually got stronger. On reaching Checkpoint 5 the poor lady in the white van was trying to serve butties, cakes and drinks to everyone whilst the wind kept trying to close the van doors on her. Just after this point the wind became so strong and cold on my face I even had to don the balaclava as my face was stinging.

With a small mistake on the final section I finished the route in 5hr 35mins (after the 17 min late start deduction). Considering I did far too much talking I reckon I could probably get that down to about 5hr 20min. At the finish there was plenty of food, drink and mulled wine to be had. It was a well organised event and one I hope to attend again next year.

 

Other blog of The Hebden
http://ultraploddernick.blogspot.com/2012/01/hebden-22mi-21012012.html

Dark & White Mini MM (8/1/12)

Over Christmas Tony Varley told me that I could use his place in the next Dark & White Mini Mountain Marathon at Hathersage. I’d wanted to try one of these but most of the events was clashing with something else this year. I mailed the organiser to check it was ok and I was in.

They are much like a Long orienteering event. Typically a 3 hour score event you collect your map and plan your route on the fly, with points scattered far and uphill and down dale. You have to get as many points as possible within the 3 hours and get back, failure to get back in time will cost you points. Each control being worth a different number of points.

Most of my chosen route was probably travelled by quite a few of the competitors as there was a natural route to follow. I made a mistake on one route which cost me about 10 points, but my biggest mistake of the day had to be, falling over a tree!

Yep, trotting uphill along a woodland path I somehow manage to unsuccessfully step over a large fallen tree trunk that was laying across the path. One minute I was vertical and the next I was horizontal. I jumped up and carried on knowing that others were following me but unsure if I’d been seen. The result was a nice scrape on my left shin.

I really enjoyed this event. The time on my feet and the length comprised with route choice is just right for me. I’m looking forward to trying some of the planned 4hr events at the end of 2012.