Making History

 For one reason or another I had never run the Old County Tops even though I knew all about it.  May is often busy but I think it was also very much a fear of letting a partner down and so feeling I had bitten off more than I could chew. Just a few weeks before the race I ended up in a partnership with Brian Melia. We had 'run' together for miles on the TOR and he had been very kind and supportive when he realised I really wanted to get an age category win. Run is perhaps not quite the correct word but we spent miles together when we were both well past our best! I thought on a good day we would be fairly well evenly matched, and if anything I might be just a little faster.

The van threw a spanner in the works and it meant and early get up for the drive to Langdale in the car but it was fine really and we were there before 7am. I left Bob in the NT car park, used the toilets and then wandered across to the race field. It wasn't long before Brain appeared along with many other friends. I chatted to Phil, Claire, Rory and Lawrence amongst many. It was warm and going to be hot later but that didn't really trouble me. Shorts and T shirt would be fine although I packed two long sleeves for later just in case. Registration and kit check were soon done.

We started nearer to the front than I was comfortable with and the pace along the first lane was as awfully fast as I had expected. By the time we left the road to head over the fells to Grasmere things were more steady and I was happy. Nav at this stage was not a problem with so many people to follow. Brian stopped to pee as I continued on the roads through the village and then as I slowed after crossing the A road he caught me. Other runners were coming past at a steady rate now (proof we had started too fast) but it was good to chat to Maria, Josie and Kat and others as we began the climb to Grisedale tarn. I was already feeling strong and this is a double edge sword- good to feel bouncy but at times slightly frustrating because you feel you could go faster. (the reality of course is that without the rests you can not go much faster in the end).

From the tarn we ignored the tourist path and went straight up the old fence line. It was steep but I felt strong and kept pulling ahead and then waiting. Once up on the main ridge we both jogged on but I was still pulling ahead and had to wait at the CP on Helvellyn. The pathless descent is steep and we ran down together. It was mercifully dry and I hate to think what it would be like in the wet or worse.

The CP at Wythburn was a welcome break and chance to refuel. I realised I had not yet drunk much and made amends. Even better were the egg sandwiches and bananas (when else do I eat pulpy white processed bread without complaint?). A short section on a concessionary path kept us off the road and then we crossed to Gavin Blands farm. I remember the next bit of our route today from the old Lakes 10 Peaks. It was initially drier today but the bit on the OS maps marked The Bog lived up to it's name.

Brian was really struggling here- it was a steady but not steep climb and it was rather hot and airless in the valley. He is bigger than me and was suffering in the heat with cramping in his legs and just heavy sweating.  A MF jelly I gave him helped a little. People were settling into a more steady pace now and those we were with we would see most of the rest of the day. 

We were not the only pair that were a little 'unmatched' on the day and it provided a chance to chat more than once as we climbed towards Stake Pass and then headed off on small trods towards Angle Tarn.

I was still feeling bouncy and had a lovely chat with Ian Charters who was marshalling there. I kept a look out for Bob but had no real idea of his route or timings. I munched Haribo as Brian filled his water and stopped to drink loads.  

Easy nav led us closer and closer to Scafell Pike. It was busier here but not awful. From the summit there seem to be two main  choices of route and Brian had already declared that we were going down the buttresses. Today was dry ad visibility was excellent. I found the perfect line the whole way but I feel it would be a rather different undertaking in the clag, Part was down I could hear what sounded like screams and prayed there had not been an accident. On a wide grassy ledge we found a female team stuck and in pain. One runner had really awful cramp in both thighs. A pair of runners had stopped but apparently others had just trotted on! We stretched and massaged the girls legs and checked they had water, food and electrolytes. It was warm and sunny at least. We had no RO number and I didn't feel it was a mountain rescue issue. 

We hoped they could rest 20 mins or so and then walk slowly down. We promised to let the CP and Cockley Beck know. I loved this descent and again suddenly found I was some way ahead. BY the bottom I really wanted to RUN. The boggy bits were dry ad the terrain was lumpy but not hilly. Plus I was determined that we would not be timed out at this CP. Poor Brian got some harsh words.

We made it to the CP in plenty of time ad there were at least four other pairs around us.  I stuffed my face with cheese and pickle sandwiches, egg ones, cake and more water. Eating can be an issue for me but it it is usually pace related and today I was able to fuel well. 

We left the CP well before the cut off and I chatted to Alice from Saddleworth as we climbed. Think I persuaded her to do the Fellsman next year. For me passing that CP meant the end was in sight and it spurred me on. Sadly the climb  sapped more energy from Brian. It is steep and nasty at this stage of the race and it was a joy to reach the col. Great views in all directions yet again and the hope of more runnable paths out to The Old Man. 

This was the only time I got chilly- I had pressed on and then suddenly realised I had dropped Brian and had to wait. We regrouped and paid our respects to his dad's ashes which are scattered there. I urged Brian on and we made reasonable time back towards 3 Shires stone. Brian stopped for water and I went for a pee knowing that the long downhill on tarmac was looming. We had caught a pair now and knew there was another pair further behind us. The M130 pair were now ahead and just out of sight. I stormed down the road until the point where the L100 has the beacon on the wall corner. We cut oof on the rough path together and I could not believe how dry the ground was. Brian could sense the end now and was running more. Blea Tarn soon came and went, then it was up to cross the road and the final paths before the drop to the road in Langdale and the finish. He refused to hold hands and be pulled but we did finish together and what a great day out it had been. 

We refuelled with sandwiches, cake and tea, Sadly the soup had all gone. Tony M was on the finish line and presented us with our T shirts plus a mug- we had made history as the first MixV120, a nice surprise. 11 hrs and 27 mins. My strava would show a rather embarrassing 2hrs of stationary time but I had really enjoyed y day in the sun and am very grateful for Brian showing me the way. It had been a long day so after a few brief chats and goodbyes I trotted back to the car and found Bob. I felt alert enough to drive home which was good as he had also had a long day and was suffering with his cold.

It's been HOT and DRY

 I'm a sucker for the sunshine and heat. It makes me stay out and do way more stuff than I should just in case the good weather doesn't last and I miss it! So it was that just a couple of days after the Fellsman we were up in the Lakes. My recovery was our usual climbing session on Preston wall for 4 hours- with a number of breaks because I was starving hungry.

By Monday evening we were parked up near Crummock Water and I had a short walk up the hill to find wifi signal (this became crucial later in the trip). We no longer walk or run together but Bob had planned a more modest anticlockwise loop and my hope was that we would meet on the top at our respective half way points. 

I got carried away and headed north further than I intended but then missed the Darren Holloway trod and did a wild and direct ascent of .. It was a stunning day and I wanted to get the worst of the climb over before it became too hot. My memory of Whiteside is from the race many years ago where I skidded on greasy rock and smashed my face- lots of blood and maybe a cracked cheek bone. I finished the race but it was a tough day out to put it mildly. Today the rock was dry and dusty and I wasn't in such a hurry anyway. 

Time to stop and take in the views at Gasgale Crags before continuing to Hopegill Head and meeting the first person of the day. I had not planned to include Grisedale Pike but it was too tempting and not really an out and back using the path that skirts Sand Hill. I spotted a direct path up Eel Crag and having never been that way decided to take it. Steep but good taking me directly to the trig on Crag Hill. There was no sign of Bob so I headed over Scar Crag and a stop for food. Still no sign so I set off for Grasmoor and then over to my left I spotted him. A short detour let us meet. I ran strongly, for me, up Grasmmor and loved the descent back down as I headed for Wandhope and Whiteless Pike. The big debate in my head ow was how much did I want an ice-cream? (the answer is always yes please).  I dropped to Buttermere and although horrified at the £6.50 price tag got my ice-cream. 

It was then a bit of a pull up the side of Rannerdale even though I skipped the summit. The bluebells were lovely and well worth the diversion.

From here it was an easy run back to Lanthwaite and the van. I was eating and sunbathing by the time Bob returned. Only 23km but lots of climb.

My legs felt Ok so the next day I set off for another sunny run. This time we moved the van to Buttermere and I set off along the lakeside to Gatesgarth, It was really odd running the L100 section in reverse and in the early not fading light. 

I knew the pull up Fleetwith Pike would be steep and it did not disappoint. My hopes of it still being in the shade didn't pan out but the stunning views made up for it. From there across to Grey Knotts was surprisingly damp underfoot. I skipped Brandreth and headed on deserted trods to the tarns and Haystacks. My aim now was the whole ridge out to Great Bourne where I could collect another trig!(my aim this year, on top of various other aims is 128 trigs).  

The Lakes is surprisingly poor for collecting them with none on Fleetwith, Grey Knotts, Haystacks, Seat, High Crag, High Stile, Red Pike or Starling Dodd.! The climbs were steep but I was having fun and I stopped to chat to people on High Stile I spotted Bob arriving from the north- perfect. 

After a brief chat I ran on north and apart from a short rocky section off Red Pike it was fab with grassy paths and none of the usual bogs. Great Bourne was deserted so I pressed straight on for Floutern Tarn. 

I tried a swim but my body was roasting, the water was cold and it didn't get deep quickly enough for a sudden plunge. I got in on the third go but it was more of a dunk than a swim! It was still over 6km back to Buttermere so I pressed on and was amazed to find so much bog. I had no signal in Buttermere and so didn't know if I was ahead or behind Bob. 

I was thirsty having run out of water twice so I stopped at the Bridge Inn- a pint of shandy and a pint of water please. I had barely sat down in their garden when I spotted Bob and called him in for a drink.  We then walked back to the van together.

I had planned to paddle-board the next day. The van had issues (starter motor) so it was a steep carry down but not too bad. Another sunny day. I headed out across the water and once at the other shore stopped to admire views before heading to the southern end of the lake.

I explored a little way up the stream but there was no way I was going to reach Buttermere. The wind was much stronger than up at the van  and seemed to being funnelled in all directions depending which valley I was opposite. I continued my tour of the lake to below Rannerdale Knotts and then turned back north. 

The wind was now quite fierce so I sort of went with it to the western shore and then had the most exciting surf to the end of the lake. Wow. As I rested on the little beach I tried to work out my next moves. 

The wind and waves were so strong I decided I needed to wade around the rocky promontory and then would be OK into the final bay. It was hard work but worked out OK. A final rest on the last beach and then a short paddle back to where I had launched.  11km or so with lots of breaks.

Our final day was Bob's birthday and as we couldn't move the van I hatched a plan. Bus to Honister and then walk back over Dale Head, Hindscarf and Robinson, Meal in the Bridge Inn and wander back to the van. 

It all went perfectly with the fighter jets putting on a great show at the top of the pass. as we began our first climb. We remembered years ago when I joined Andy on the last leg of his BG here. 

The views in all directions were amazing and for me it was easy miles at a leisurely pace. 

Another warm sunny day and I was happy to be going a bit slower. We don't often walk together now so it made a nice change. Another 18km. 

Back at the van we were reluctant to try a bump start as if we failed we might block the whole valley and be rather unpopular so we wandered up the hill for signal and called for help. The breakdown man had just taken his son to work at a nearby pub and so was very speedy. We were soon on our way home praying all would be well so long as we didn't stall or turn the engine off!

Bank Holiday Monday meant no garages open so we climbed, shopped and I went for a local cycle ride- 33km on the rather flat Fylde. 

On the Tuesday we cycled together and had a cafe lunch- about 52km in total. That evening I went to the first of our orienteering club's summer sprint O events. Tired legs and a lack of fast decisions meant I didn't have a perfect run but it was a beautiful evening and I got to see friends. 

The next day we set off to cycle to a new pop up coffee shop run by an ex-pupil. Bob had e-bike issues but I found it and had a lovely coffee, cake and chat. Another 40km+ speedy ride.

The van now had a new starter motor so we set off for the Dales. I wanted to do the Dales Skyline again. Last time I did it E-W with a very steep climb up Barbon hill near the end. This time I would try W-E. It is a tough day out at almost 60km and with over 2900m of climb. 

We slept well in the van on the outskirts of Barbon and I was off and out nice and early. I made good time up the first top but then seemed very slow down the rough pathless drop to the cattle grid. 

I didn't get the perfect line up Whernside but it was OK and I knew the next sections very well off the top, down to the Hill Inn, over Ingleborough and then on to Horton. 

It was hot and I stopped at the toilet with the tap and drank masses before filling by bottle again. A sheep traffic jam slowed my climb up PyG and then it was easy running before the turn up to Fountains Fell. 

At the path bend I opted for straight up and had the funniest moment of the day when using my hands on a very steep slope I almost grabbed a toad. I scared it enough that it leapt- straight up and into my face. I screamed. Thankfully there is no video. Fountains Fell and Malham Moor was lovely running but then it all turned bad. 

It was hot, I was out of water and the next sections seemed really hard work- not steep just rough and endless. After crossing the Pennine Bridleway it took for ever to reach Rye Loaf hill, although I did at least manage a small diversion for some seemingly clean water.  Thankfully the paths back NW through the limestone were lovely and I was soon on the trig near Warrendale Knotts with just the run down into Settle to complete. 

Bob was enjoying his own adventures over in Kingsdale and so I took a selfie at the market cross and tried not to be too upset that my time was almost 40 minutes slower than my other attempt. 

A litre of cold chocolate milk revived me a little as I sat waiting. A short drive took us to one of our fav camp spots near Winskill Stones. I was tired! A relaxing evening and the standard for there- a beautiful sunset.

The great weather was set to continue so I planned a recovery amble. The plan was across the limestone to the top of Malham Cove, over to Goredale Scar, round the tarn and back to the van. 

It wasn't long before I decided that I could run the flat and downs and perhaps the gentlest ups. Most of the way was empty but there were quite a few people  but not crowds at the predictable places. 

It was still quite early. After the tarn I saw nobody and took some less frequented paths. To avoid some road running I extended my route a little. 

Back at the van after 25km Bob was still out on his bike ride. We arranged to meet in Settle for an ice-cream. Jogging down was easy and the ice-cream was lovely. The walk back up was hard work although I did unexpectedly bump into Duncan Elliot- the man who dreamed up the Dales Skyline. He was pleased to hear that I had now done it in the 'correct' direction. I think I prefer E-W  but either way it is a lovely route. 

My slow time was in part due to an in-coming cold, cough and chest infection- Cheers Layton. Love my grandchild but he harbours some serious germs! Another 6km or so added to the day. 

One day left and I suggested that as it would be Sunday we should get up early and drive over the tops to Littondale which would be quieter than most Dales as was not far away. We met no big vehicles and were parked up in Arncliffe for breakfast before most people were up. Bob was not sure what he would do. A broken bike chain meant no cycling. 

Hard to believe these were submerged for the last race here

I ran to the end of the valley  with all sorts of memories of UTYD but at the steeping stones I carried on north and then at Halton Gill turned up onto the big ridge. A short out and back gained my Horse Head trig, not been there before. The rest of the ridge heading mainly SE looked great on the map. In fairness it was dry underfoot but a little 'lumpier' than I had anticipated. 

I saw nobody for miles and had amazing views back to the 3Ps and across the Fellsman land in the other direction. Most of the smaller tarns had completely dried out and there was no bog. From the second trig at Firth Fell it was a joy. 

I bumped into a Fellsman friend out walking with his wife but there were still very few people. From the final trig above Hawswick I  found a nice short cut, watched a red kite and dropped back to the valley floor. It had been a trip of wild life- hares, deer but mostly so many birds. Hawswick was pretty and I followed the river path back to Arncliffe. 

I was tempted to swim on one big river bend where swallows were nesting but pushed on back to the van.  28km done. No sign of Bob so I left a note and went to the pub.

Sat out in the sun I managed to get enough signal to text. He was up the valley at the pub in Litton. 

I jogged up to meet him and we walked back together. Another 8km or so done. I then got my swim, a real swim, in a beautiful pool only about a ten minute walk from the van. 

The weather was still glorious but it was time to go home. Love the Dales. So many wild flowers and so much bird life.