LAW75 a lesson in humility

 LAW75 by Nav4 was the second race in the 2025 Runfurther series and I was looking forward to it. I have done the LAW100 twice- once solo as my birthday run and the LDWA virtual 100 in Covid and once as a race in storm Malik. This route would be slightly different in a couple of places but I tried to estimate my finish time based on those other runs and hoped for 18 hours/2am finish. What I had not taken into consideration was toes still sore from chillblain damage plus a serious lack of hill running training. Bowland Ultra was a month ago and the snow had been too deep for much running, then we had been skiing for a fortnight.

Yes I need a hair cut.

A dodgy clutch on the van changed my transport plans so I drove across to Skipton on Saturday morning. I was keen to meet up with Mark again and perhaps run with him as I had in Storm Malik and on the Yorkshire Trod. It was not to be, or not for long anyway.

Registration was short and smooth with my drop bag and finish bag soon loaded into the van. There was plenty of time to chat to Joe, Stu, Phil and others. The forecast had improved and the weather looked to be dry but chilly it might be windy but we would be fairly sheltered on our route.

Solo start some years ago

Before 8 we were assembled in front of Skipton Castle and ready for the off. It was low key and somehow I found myself right at the front for a few minutes. I felt OK but it was perhaps too fast. I stuck with Mark until beyond the first villages and the ice cream vans but then he pulled ahead as we headed up onto the moor. I know the way on all this first section and so was quite happy to be on my own. I passed the vehicle CP at Barden and pushed on along the Dales Way to Burnsall and another vehicle CP where we joked about not needing to climb to Hebden this time. Then it was on on along the nice river side paths to Grassington. My feet felt a bit tender but I could still see Mark up ahead. By Grassington I had lost him though. There were a few people about and a couple of other runners around me as I headed up onto the moors and Bare House and Kelber. Just that short climb saw conditions change with the odd patch of old snow and a dusting of new snow too. There were a few other runners about now and I made a new friend in Anthony who lives near me. I was able to call him back on track a couple of times. I also took him on a very tiny detour as I wanted to visit the trig point at Capplestone Gate. So many Fellsman memories up here. Soon it was either flat or downhill and on lovely grassy paths. 

So many of these nasty ankle biters

My running felt OK- until I reached a stile and then found my quads would just not work. Not great with so many more miles left. The gnarly bit on the final drop to Kettlewell meant that I arrived at the CP with sore feet and useless quads. Not in a good mental state really.  As I sat trying to decide whether the dry socks were making my shoes too tight. I had tea, soup and snacks but forgot to replenish food from my drop bag.  Ah well. On on to Starbotton and Buckden. I still knew the way here but knew I was struggling to run when Paul overtook me and it took me ages to catch Anthony who had missed the CP even though the Dales Way is pretty flat here. Leaving Buckden and heading up to the road above Cray I did catch him up and then headed off alone up the old lane. 

Happy times- solo in the heatwave

A group of off road vehicles came down and had broken the icy puddles. It felt hard work stomping up hill and the top was lumpier than I remembered and I was struggling to run as much as I had hoped.

Cray in storm Malik

 Eventually I was heading down to Carpley Green and the next vehicle CP. Here I discovered that I was being chased down by Ali Bailey. Oh no, but there was nothing I could do about the speed of other runners. I caught Anthony again and we pretty much ran together past Cubeck, Worton and Nappa Mill. I pointed out the farm Lady Anne visited and showed him to easy to miss path off the top road and then it was just a short stretch to Askrigg and the next real CP.

I was in a sorry state. Frustrated at not being able to run much, sore feet from the chillblains but now also the 'not a neuroma'. I was waited on and brought soup and pizza which helped. I took my shoe off but that just made it worse so after a quick visit to the kitchen for more food and a chat with Matt N who was volunteering and Jim T who was moving drop bags.  At least they knew me and recognised that I would not be bailing. Ali appeared as I was getting ready to leave. I set off heading west towards Hawes now and wondered how far I would get before dark. One section here near a farm was ridiculously muddy and my mood dipped again. After Sedbusk it was better and I jogged to Hardraw where it was time to turn my torch on. I managed a mix of jog and walk along the road to near Appersett.I lost the path near the River Ure but not for long and soon emerged onto the road and the next vehicle CP. Angela topped up my water and tried to give me encouragement as I was still first female at this point. 

The climb up Cotter Rigg was longer but less steep than I remembered.There were a few boggy bits but it was not too bad. looking behind me I could not see any torches and that cheered me up. I was alone at the top and as I carried on with the pleasant grassy paths.I was not running quite as much as I had hoped but it was at least forward progress.It was chilly up here and I had to put my hat and gloves back on. Somewhere on the track to Hell Gill Bridge I passed a guy plodding along with one pole.I told myself to jog more and was so pleased I had opted to carry the poles as by now I was very reliant on them to take some of the load off my quads. I reached the valley road just seconds before Ali and we headed off towards Pendragon together. She pulled ahead after a bit and I just could not keep up. 

The next vehicle CP assured me that the coming section was a nice track- and it was mostly. I lost the path briefly near the River Eden but I do not think it cost me much time. I then spent a short while with Jonaton and Ryan.It was good to have company although again we lost the path a couple of times. At Nateby they pulled ahead and I struggled to run on the gnarly little path that is like stream bed. Near Hartley I realised I had taken a left turn too early. I could not face retracing my steps and was keen to get some painkillers in town and perhaps a sit down toilet (my quads were well past squatting!). After Kirkby Stephen I got back on route but it was slow progress and I could not even manage a jog down the old lane into Winton. This was pathetic and perhaps a sign that I should have eaten more?

The indoor CP did not come too soon. Siobhan and the other staff were wonderfully caring. I ate plenty and massaged my quads lots which did seem to help a bit. A few other runners arrived, Yvonne amongst them. Anthony and I set off towards Kaber together but then ended up the wrong side of a ditch and hedge line before missing another stile.By Belah Scar the others had caught us and I found enough energy to stick with them. I felt a bit bad about leaving Anthony but I was now in survival mode and relished the company and help with nav as we  jog walked to Brough Sowerby and beyond. FRom here Joe had modified the route and I knew I had to take care as it would be new to me. The best bits were definitely over now- perhaps a LAW100km ending in Winton would be popular. We were on the Pennine Journey route but some of the paths barely seemed to exist on the ground and there was so much mud. It was a bit dispiriting but we started counting down the miles and km. Warcop came and went until there was just one village left and I started to recognise where we were again.All the walking and food made me want to attempt some jogging but the others seemed content to plod and I stuck with them. It was perhaps the correct decision as Mike pushed on but went wrong and then had to catch us up again. It was a comfort to find the others were now also struggling with stiles and sore quads.

The path by the river was almost dry and much less dodgy than I had feared. Also on the steepest section descending to here there were new steps! I had hoped to run now but I stopped for a wee meaning that the three of us reached the tarmac together. It seemed rude to run off, or try to and as my target time was long gone it did not seem to matter much whether we scraped under the 20hours or were just over. We agreed to cross the line together at the Moot Hall. Yvonne was delighted to be joint 2nd F and pleased with her time so it seemed churlish to show my disappointment. 

From the Moot Hall we were shepherded through an alley and into The Hub. I was reunited with my drop bag and finish bag plus given soup and chilli. Jonaton had not been finished long but soon headed off to sleep. I was preparing to join him when Bob rang to say he was awake and would come and get me.Rather than disturb the others I settled down on the floor for an hour or so. Andy Collier had a blasting run to finish first in 14hrs13 and Phil had a great run in second place  despite his chilly night camping in Skipton Park. Mark had managed to beat my hoped for time and will be pleased with his run. Ali was first F in 18.24 and Yvonne and I next in 20.03. 76 miles and 2559m was done.I was still 1stFV50 and infact the only V60 to beat me was Mike who finished less than a minute ahead. So in the end I guess it was not so bad but I am still not happy about how I did and need to keep that in mind and learn a lesson. Fail to prepare = prepare to fail. Perhaps I need to enter next year and try to do better (or just accept that I am getting a bit rubbish)

Bob appeared and carried all my stuff to the car once we had said bye and thank you to a tired looking Joe and other volunteers. Nav4 do put on great events.I  did not take a single photo during the event but fortunately others did and I have some from previous journeys along the route.

First race of the new year Bowland Ultra

 11 Jan, 40 miles and around 2000m of ascent around the beautiful Bowland Fells and valleys. First in the Runfurther series, billed as a winter ultra and it certainly was! These are my local hills so I was keen and the route had some significant improvements from last year with less road and going up from Langden beck rather than down to it. I know and run on the tops often but do not really know the lowland field paths at all. 

A reccee run in October saw me fall and break my hand, I hoped this was not an omen. The lead up to race day saw lots of snow plus icy roads. The RO was inundated with questions but can be proud that he stuck to us doing the full route with a big kit list and great care at the CPs. 

The new route is tougher than last year's but with the addition of thigh deep snow, sheet ice and yet still bogs still present it was a really tough day out with most people taking over 2 hours extra.

On the drive over the roads were clear of ice and I parked easily. The parking meter was frozen up but with the help of friends we got it working and headed to the comfort of Slaidburn village hall. Registration and kit check were thorough but slick and the mountain of goodies for the Food Bank was growing nicely. 

Tracker attached I went in search of friends and a cup of tea. Lots of debate re shoes, studs, microspikes and layers followed before we were given a short briefing and herded outside. Luckily Nick had travelled up on Friday evening and so he dealt with all the flags, banners and boards for Runfurther. 

It was a very chilly start, perhaps -8C but we soon warmed up as we headed out up the thankfully ice free lanes. 

After about 2km the lane got icy and then packed snow led up to the fell. 

The sunrise was stunning and the views west towards Totridge and Parlick were superb. 

The Salter Fell road is a huge 4x4 track but today it was covered in deep snow with only a narrow path bashed by the front runners. It was difficult to run in such conditions. 

Nearing the col we left the track and turned sharp left down a small path. The steep snow was a joy and despite a soft tumble it was fun. 

Getting closer to Whitendale river the ground turned icy and boggy. The path here is not good at the best of times. I slipped where a snow covering hid sheet ice. A heavy fall with my knee hitting a rock winded me and was not what I needed after only 11km. I picked myself up and continued more cautiously. At least the chillblains that I had reactivated last Wednesday were not causing me any issues yet. It had meant I could not use my shoes with metal dobs as they were too tight. Instead I opted to carry microspikes although given the intermittent nature of the icy bits I never actually wore them. 

At Whitendale Farm CP my knee was very stiff and swollen, i just hoped that if I kept moving it would not seize up. A chunk of fell path led over the top and down to Brennand Farm where the ice was even worse and certainly sowed me down. The slope up Ouster Rake was a joy with frozen snow that mostly bore my weight. Initially the descent to the Trough road was OK but towards the bottom there was more ice and it was a relief to reach the tarmac and be able to run again.. The track up Langden was better but I was tired from the snowy sections now.

I chatted to Charlotte and tried not to let her get ahead. The lovely safety marshalls had put in some great stepping stones and with the aid of my poles I kept dry feet as I crossed. It was a hard plod up to Fiensdale Head but these are my hills so I felt good. I had been worried about ice on the flagstones at the top but they were buried under plenty of snow and posed no problem. We were soon on the lovely descent to Hazlehurst and then the less lovely field paths to Bleasdale. Here supporters were out with cow bells and the CP was inside the hall. I stopped for tea, soup and some food. Using my poles had meant not eating much on the route. I left with Charlotte as we headed for Blindhurst Farm and then up Parlick. 

Parlick is always busy and today it was crowded with walkers and families sledging and enjoying the snow. The trudge up Parlick was steep but short and then we were on the more gentle climb to Fairsnape trig and more safety marshalls. The sky over towards the coast looked ominous but it was nice on this short out and back to say hi and to encourage other runners. Dropping off Parlick we used a path I rarely use as the bottom is a bog fest, it was today! Bogs and some snow continued past Wolfen Hall and all the way to Saddle End farm and down to Chipping. 

Another lovely village hall with great marshalls and food. More tea and soup plus a sandwich and then a small pie as I set off through the village chasing Charlotte. Knowing the way allowed me to keep with Charlotte and soon a group of four of us were making our way towards Mellor Knoll. The stiles on these lower paths were causing my knee problems and the others pulled ahead as we dropped to Hareden Farm.  In the Chipping area I had been beating myself up about my slow progress and despaired about finishing time for us to drive to the Alps the next day. I had even considered giving up. 

Now on the road to Dunsop Bridge and the last indoor CP my spirits lifted and I started to believe I might finish in a reasonable time.  I refuelled briefly at the cheerful CP, put on my torch (it had been dark for my jog along the road) and set off on the roads towards the water works knowing that the flat section should allow me to up my pace a little. There were a few icy patches but they were avoidable. I was now alone but could see lights ahead and also two someway behind me. After the water works and bridge the track stayed good for a while but the little contouring path heading north was awful- narrow, boggy, icy in places. It was a relief to reach the shooting track near Whitendale. True it was full of deep snow but I was gaining on the lights ahead of me and losing the ones behind me. The soft snow was hard work and the foot prints in places were thigh deep. The top section had been waymarked and I think a quad bike had tried to bash a way for us. Lifted by gaining on the lights ahead I made good progress and pretty much caught them as we left the fell. 

Once on the farm tracks the others pulled ahead with better running. Even on the ice free road I was struggling and did a mixture of walk and jog. My aim now was to finish inside eleven and a half hours. I did and was 5th woman and 1st FV60. I still thought I had been rubbish, my chillblained feet were now sore and my knee impressively large.

 Finding that others, including front runners, had also taken about two hours longer than expected cheered me up as I enjoyed my hot chocolate by the brazier. Being tired from effort but not in the the same way as a usual running race meant I enjoyed my post race meal. After a short prize ceremony I knew I had to leave before I seized up. 

My winnings

Well done to Seth and his team. A true winter Ultra that should become a classic.

First man was home in 9hrs 10, Phil was 5th in 9.45. Magda was 1st F in 10.46 and my time was 11.21 Full results are on Opentracking. 78 finished and 15 retired either timed out or struggling in the snow. Hopefully next year will be less epic although I think I would prefer snow and ice to wind and rain.