Nav4 Lakes Mountain 40

 Not a Runfurther race- just for me! and I guess because I cannot do P39 this year it was a sort of consolation prize.  I last did this route in post covid August. It was hot and we ate post race out on the lawn. Before that I had done two LM42s when we dropped to Thirlmere. It often clashes with the Calderdale Hike which is usually in the Runfurther series. It was nice just to turn up, with no flags etc to worry about. We arrived via climbing at Kendal wall. I am sure that almost four hours there on the long routes and big overhang was slightly foolish but we had not been for a while and I loved it even if I did leave tired and with very sore hands. We also dropped off the old Romneys mint cake banner as we were in Kendal- things are coming to an end.

What a sky!

By late afternoon we were parked up by Askham Hall and relaxing. Knowing that once I ventured up to the race HQ I would inevitably get talking we opted to eat first. A big carbonara plus some wine and I was full. It was still raining as it had been all day so I wandered up with a brolly but alone. The entry this year seemed very small and unfairly so for such a good route and an event with good food. Registration was very fast and as the trackers could not be turned on until the morning there was little to do. It was good to have time to chat to Joe- two 'grumpy old gits' who  feel not all change is for the better. I wandered back to the van before dark and we topped up with heavily discounted Baileys from Aldi. It was still raining.

I collected my kit and clothes together and prayed that the rain would stop as the forecast said- I had not brought my big cag nor my over mitts (what was I thinking, they weigh nothing!). As I got ready for bed it became obvious the wedding party was in full swing but fortunately at a very low volume. It didn't keep me awake and I fell asleep to the sound of heavy rain.

At about 4am I realised that the rain had stopped. My alarm was set for 4.50 but a need for the toilet got me up earlier- sorry Bob. I made coffee for us both, at and got dressed. It was decidedly chilly in the van and Bob wisely stayed in bed.

By 5.20am I was back at the hall, had my tracker attached and was chatting to friends.  A few loo stops and then it was time to gather outside by the big tree/bus stop. I had two base layers and my light cag plus gloves. I wasn't too warm. Pyramid intervals in the week and then a long sunny run on Darwen Moor soon found me out. I felt I was struggling as we climbed towards Loadpot Hill. Bonnie was well out of sight and Louise was a bit ahead. 

Toosie- good company

I ran with Toosie a lovely South African and aiming to stick with her pulled me along all the way to Patterdale where she cut her race short and returned to Askham. Once over Loadpot the wind became stronger and it was really cold as we climbed towards High Street. The visibility diminished and it was good to have others around to confirm that I was on track. I was shocked at how wet the ground was in places- the moors at home are still bone dry. I was also very shocked at how cold my hands were and very annoyed with myself for only bringing the one pair of thin gloves- lesson ready for the Fellsman I guess. 

The High Street trig appeared and it was a joy to turn and head downwards hoping to get warm. Others coming up were also looking very cold. I got a great line off The Knott on a nice grassy slope and so avoiding the nasty stone path. I then messed it up a bit by taking too direct a line at Angle Tarn and so was back with Toosie again.  It was warmer now and we made decent time to Boredale Hause. I am getting slower and slower on the rock steps down to Side Farm- it infuriates me but a combination of worsening eyes, less elastic legs, slow reactions and the 'what if' scenario just cannot be changed. Plus I needed to stop for a pee.

Help- I look so old

The CP just before the main road was a welcome sight and Stuart, Angela, Louise etc were all very encouraging. I grabbed cheese and banana and pushed straight on- lots of time can be wasted at CPs.

I was alone all the way along and up the road and also on the big track to the bridge. I thought I could see Louise up ahead as I started on the path to Grisedale Tarn. I was nice and warm now- partly it was gone 10am and also it was sheltered in the valley. I hoped it wouldn't be too bad on the tops. Ruthwaite Lodge was set up for the cancer charity cake sale and I recognised those manning it as orienteers. I had no cash and no time to stop though. From here I soon reached the Brothers Parting Stone at the tarn. What a chilly spot to marshall from. I contemplated a direct ascent but decided I would keep better pace on the steps and I am glad I did as I soon spotted John Bamber with his camera. Dollywagon Pike soon came into sight and it was windy. Fortunately it was blowing from the east and so not dangerous, plus we did not need to follow the edge path over every lump. By Nethermost Pike the clag was down again and the sky looked very ominous to the north. 

Great scenery all day

We have free route choice between CPs and I had already pretty much decided that I was going down Swirral Edge. Striding Edge would be too slow and likely crowded and the zig zags and then Glenridding was much too far. I avoided most of the rock but was shocked at how muddy and eroded to path to the side was. At least it wasn't long before I was on grass and heading to the outlet of Red Tarn and the path up to the Hole in the Wall. I could not see that I was gaining on a guy and also Louise!

Louise

It was now warm but I didn't want to waste time stopping so just shoved my sleeves up and tucked my open cag around behind my race vest. I was pleased with my speed up to the stile but then slower than hoped as they had done 'work' on the path down into Grisedale. The work was rocks and large lumps of gravel. Before the tarmac I overtook the guy and this fired me up to chase Louise. It's not often that I start slow enough to then be able to pick people off later but today was going well and I had been eating quite well too.

Not today but same route

At Patterdale I grabbed more food and topped up my water before the easy run to Side Farm. Louise was now only a few minutes ahead and as I climbed to Boredale Hause I was happily reeling her in. I think we were both feeling it a bit on the long climb to Place Fell and it was windy on the top. We left the trig together which was good but in trying to stay ahead I forgot to look for the grassy trod off to the right and ended up on the ain path which is slower at the outset. By the big sheep fold I was definitely pulling away and this spurred me on further. I love the grassy paths that drop into Boredale and today they were pretty dry and runnable. I am less a fan of the tarmac which followed but was also determined to keep running to Martindale church and not to waste my lead. A quick check over my shoulder on the final climb to the church suggested all was well. 

I was now very warm and trying to count down the final km. Again we had route choice and I decided it would be best to stay by the road and take all the grassy short cuts which would be drier than usual. I was upset that when I did the race in Aug 2021 I had finished by now- time of 7.52 but it couldn't be helped. Surely being a few years older had not made such a difference? Once past the outdoor centre there seemed to be quite a few more tourists on the paths but I used them and others heading back to pull me on. 

Pleased with this- I was strong in the last third

I think I overtook 4-6 runners here.  Before the main track and the cockpit I could see Mark ahead in his distinctive shorts and white cag. I tried hard to catch him but although I got closer I could not quite do it. Once we hit the lane he made a very determined effort and despite us both running hard he beat me by less than a minute. 

8.49 was not the time I had hoped for but I was happy. Bonnie was first F in 7.37 so my 7.52 was overly optimistic especially when I found Matt N had only completed in 7.23.

I was 2ndF, 1st FV50/60 and pleased to find I had beaten the MV60s. The next FV60 was 2 hours behind and Louise was 10 minutes behind me. The hall seemed strangely empty and quiet compared to TDH before Christmas but it made for easy relaxation and lots of Nav4 food. Two bowls of soup, proper bread, cake and endless cups of tea quickly had me feeling good again. Bob came in a bit later- he had been out on his bike. I had a quick shower to remove some mud and sweat as we were staying up in the van rather than heading home. 

Celebrating a 40th Anniversary with 40 miles

We waited to see Albert and Michelle finish and then it was off to Shap for a chippy tea. We couldn't get to Oddendale and so went instead to the quarry above Orton and had splendid views of the eastern Lakes and Howgills for the evening. Not a bad day out and the forecast had been accurate.

Aug 2020 - I love the sun

Dry feet in Calderdale

 I knew I was woefully underprepared but hey ho. We had skied in Jan/Feb, then had a short trip to Morocco, then a longer trip to Iceland. Both were great but involved very little running and not really a great deal of walking. A last minute ski trip in March meant another spell of no running and I know from past experience that although I 'hope' it will maintain fitness it does not seem to. I had of course managed Bowland Ultra and LAW75 but they were weeks ago. To compound matters were returned to glorious weather and so having got the van back from some work set off for the Lakes. It was too nice not to run and so I spent Wednesday and Thursday running over big hills. Not ideal prep but it was too nice not to be out there!

We drove over after tea on Friday evening and intended to put up the flags and banners. It was still light and there were lots of kids playing out so we decided it was best to wait til morning. In previous years we were disturbed very early if we parked at the cricket ground and still quite early in the school car park. This year we were almost on our own- so much so that I checked the web to make sure we had the correct date!

The forecast was great with more dry, sunny, warm weather promised although the cold wind would continue. It was a shock to wake to a very cold van and grey skies. The forecast was still sticking to the story so we hoped it would improve. By 7.20 the flags were up and we were back in the van for breakfast. By 8 we wandered across to registration and to chat. The sky was getting blue and by 9 it was warmer.

Before the start I managed to find several runners that had been unable to attend the AGM and present necktubes. It was good to see Steve, Charlotte, Janet as well as the usual Kevin, Adam, Lawrence, Ian, Phil, Tim and more. The race now uses a timing chip rather than the old tallies although they were using pen and paper with watch times as a back up.

At 9am prompt we were set off to chase down the walkers who had departed one or two hours earlier. This year all but one runner left by the back gate and all stuck to the lanes too. Within minutes we came to a halt as a police car with lights and siren tried to get up one steep lane and turn onto our. Parked cars made it difficult but after a couple of minutes they were through and on our ay again- the first 8 or so made it past and were already some way down the lane. The steep, very steep descent on tarmac is not a great way to warm the legs up and I focused on trying to stay with Amy and not worry about the men.

Moving up out of the valley I remembered the way and was soon on my way up through Luddenden and Wainstalls. I was happy with my route from last year rather than the 'suggested' one. It is more on tarmac which is not great but it is certainly faster and I got ahead of about six runners by the time I reached Hough Gate Head Farm and the turning across some welcome grass and then Halifax Golf Club. I was still with Amy as she was less certain about the route. Once past Ogden Reservoir there seemed to be more of the walkers who had set off much earlier and as we headed down Hambleton Lane Amy started to pull away a little. She has borrowed the GPX file from Kevin and so she also knew to use the goyt rather than the lower track. I concentrated on not letting the distance increase as we headed to the CP at Nab Water Lane and then along the conduit to Hebden Bridge road. 

Once across this I tried to pick off walkers and recognised the posture of the person ahead. Postures are distinctive and I was quite sure it was Ian F even though I had not seen him back at the start. It was and so I slowed for a brief chat and to reprimand him for having the cheek to 'run' when he started as a walker!  Stairs Lane seemed quite short and I was soon heading down to the next CP at Grain Water Bridge.  Once on the bridleway there were a few more walkers and I caused some confusion when I announced "i'm not going that way". My way sticking to the bridleway until the barns at Nook is slightly further but much easier running and nav. Amy turned back and joined me. More grass led to Walshaw and then it was the long boring road/track all the way to the minor road. Amy was still in sight but pulling away a bit.

The next CP is slightly off route. I grabbed a banana and topped up my water before turning to trudge up and up the road to the dam of Widdop Reservoir. The ground was still unbelievably dry and firm which was making for faster progress but slightly sore feet. Gorple Gate track went on a bit but at least the wind was on my back. Again walkers were confused when I headed down the east side of Hurtswood Reservoir rather than up onto Gorple Road. Again it meant tarmac but I knew this was was all downhill and so faster.

I grabbed a sandwich at the CP before heading south to Long Causeway. The road seemed shorter this year and I didn't need anything from the CP.  Amazingly the path below Stippenden House farm was almost dry! Dry clean feet for I think the first time in over a decade on several races that take that route. Amy was now out of sight and I was running on my own; in fact I stayed alone until almost the finish. Once down at Stoodley Lane I refilled my water yet again. With route choice from here until the final finish climb it is pretty flat and I was determined to try to run all or most of it. It felt like many km on the boring canal tow path but at least it wasn't dead straight and stretching into the distance. A path closure near Hebden added more interest as did dodging tourists on the tow path and through the park. I escaped having avoided dogs, toddlers on bikes, prams etc and was now heading for Mytholmroyd. It always amuses me how Todmorden and Mytholmroyd are so 'normal' and even a bit poor whereas Hebden sandwiched between them is so obviously moneyed, a bit hippy and full of tourists.

After Mytholmroyd station it is cycle way, parallel but not on the canal. I stopped for a satsuma at the last CP and then concentrated on picking off walkers form the short and medium courses all the way along to Luddenden Foot and up the very very steep hill to Sowerby. Focus on the church and keep plodding! The finish via the back gate is only slightly shorter but every little helps.  I thought I was just over 7hrs but had started my watch early? and my official time was bang on 7hrs, the same as last year. Better than I dared hope. 2nd F behind Amy and certainly 1st FV50/60.

There was some confusion as to whether the new timing chips would record our finish time or the person sat inside doing it manually? It would also be better if the chips beeped loudly at each CP to confirm it had registered. Bob was waiting patiently for me having finished his bike ride some time earlier. The food was great and I refuelled on baked potato, chilli, cheese, yogurts and lots of drink (including a beer). It was a shame not to wait for all the others still running but we were due to meet Chris in Leeds so we quickly took down flags and banners before saying our goodbyes and Thank you.