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.
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