13 Valleys Ultra

 A newish race and certainly new for me. Not a Runfurther race either! When I entered I had not really factored in my Runfurther Grand Slam wishes. It ended up meaning 3 big races in September and a stressful orienteering race on the other weekend that month. I tried to tell myself that all I had to do at Bullock Smithy was get round.. yeh, OK.  Told myself the same for High Peak 40. No need to stress, no need for Runfurther points just safely get round and enjoy.  Once these were done and dusted I just had to hope that I was not too tired. Oh, and nearly forgot that I became involved in a Turf Team event which runs from Sept 6th to Oct 5th! Lots of hours on bike.

Thanks for driving and taking care of me

The forecast kept changing and I gave up worrying and just expected that I would get wet and some point- hopefully not until later on and hopefully not too wet. At least it was localish and mostly on ground that I know pretty well. We drove up with plenty of time to spare and I went to register and leave my drop bag. At least once it was gone I could stop faffing. Registration was efficient and I was soon back at the van. 

After a quick stop at Booths we headed up to Castle Rigg to while away some time. I got changed and took a very short walk. Then sat around I stressed about how chilly I felt. I lazed on the bed but did not sleep.

By 5.15 I was back at the theatre by the lake and ready to start. I bumped into both Stuart and Joe and amused them by stating how chilly I felt. I sat in the cafe and chatted to runners before deciding I had to move outside. 

I got a nice photo and then spotted Paul N, Mark C and others to talk to.  Now we were in the funnel I was less nervous - we were all claiming we would be slow!

Despite being determined to set off slowly I got pulled along by the crowd and the fact that compared to the steep start at L100 it was easy running. I should have been worried that I was keeping up with Paul and that Mark was somewhere behind me. We were cheered through town and Portinscale before heading onto the terrace path that contours below Cat Bells. This was a joy to run on despite one boggy section. A big track led towards the Honister road and it was starting to get dark. I had put my torch in a side pocket so that it was easy to access. Good planning I thought.... except at some point in the previous 48 hrs it must have been on. As I plonked it on my head and pressed the button nothing happened. I took the battery out and tried again. No. I took the battery out and flipped it. Still no. I tried not to cry. I dug in my sack and found the tiny torch I planned to use for such eventualities. I located the spare battery and popped it in. Thank God. I had light. I trotted on towards the road and up to Honister. The CP was in a tent in the mines car park and there were plenty of supporters cheering us on. I felt good as I took food and a drink, until they said I was first woman. Oh dear; too fast too soon?

I left following torch lights up the stone step path and then along the old tramway. From Dubs quarry to Warnscale bottom was awful. A really technical path that in the dark was for me really tricky and slow.  At least it was not as bad as when Rowena and I jogged down it on the fateful Borrowdale OMM! I was overtaken by faster men but was not the slowest. It was a relief to reach the wider flatter path to Gatesgarth Farm but then my stomach started cramping. What the heck? I am almost never sick. It got worse and I made an emergency toilet stop behind a wall. I think it was there that Elaine and Rachel passed me. Climbing up to Scarth Gap felt hard work and my stomach kept complaining. I made another stop. Fortunately this section of the route was just the reverse of L100 and so the nav was very easy.  I made reasonable time down to Black Sail Hut but then struggled on the climb to the pass. The descent to Wasdale took longer than I expected and I arrived desperate for the toilet. I was anxious about eating but knew I had to try if I was to have enough energy to keep going. 

The path from the Inn to the road was waterlogged and the road to Brackenclose had big puddles. All the paths after this and especially around Burnmoor Tarn we waterlogged and muddy. There was no hope of keeping our feet dry. Amy and another female runner ran past together and seemed to have so much energy. I was on my own and really suffering with my stomach. I reached Boot and headed along the road to the CP at Dalegarth station. I had planned on some rice and a tiny amount of curry but what was on offer was pot noodle style and I didn't think it was wise. I had cheese, a cup of tea, mini donuts and as it was sweltering hot inside set off up the lane again.

At some point here I ended up in a loose group of runners including Elizabeth and Amy. The climb up out of the valley; again L100 in reverse ,was muddy and the section around Harter Fell never seems to dry out. We deviated from L100 onto a big forest road that was easy running and then lanes to turn back towards Walna Scar road. The lanes seemed to go on a bit but at least there were no trip hazards. Once on the old track it was just head down and keep going. I kept Elizabeth in sight and although she got ahead at one point I caught her again near the car park and we ran down through Coniston and on to the lakeside and the next CP in the Boat House. I knew I needed to eat more and so had hot chocolate and rice pudding. Paul arrived but was feeling sick and worried he would have to pull out. I left with Elizabeth but soon needed another emergency toilet stop and so ended up alone for a couple of km.

so grateful for these little flags on the last section

Leaving the Lakeside and climbing up towards Grisedale Forest the GPX trace didn't seem quite right. I stopped and tried it on my phone. Just as I had decided it must just be slightly off and that there was only really one path David arrived. He agreed and we climbed together. From this point we actually ran pretty much all of the race together with just a short separation near Grasmere. He was running his first 100 and was very good company. Mostly the conversation flowed although later there was also some companiable silence too. We chatted all things running, ultras etc and the time passed more quickly. My stomach was still grumbling but at least I didn't need to stop. Eventually the question was asked.. How old are you? Turns out he is younger than both my sons and I am the same age as his mum. We reached Hawkshead and it's pretty cobbled street and then it was up and up over Claiffe Heights. They look small compared to most Lake District hills but seemed steep today. A short run along the side of Windermere brought us to Wray Castle. David's family had arrived to cheer him on and I dashed off to the loo. I ate porridge and soup and more  but was still anxious about how it would settle.

We set off together for Skelwith Fold and then easier running along to Elterwater and Chapel Stile. The Cumbria Way was nice and flat so I was a bit cross that I was not running as well as I had hoped. Still we were making progress and no longer needed the torches. I was even getting warm. The next CP as at the New Dungeon Ghyll. Friends welcomed me and I felt guilty at not really wanting much food. My stomach was feeling slightly more settled and I did not want to tempt fate. David's family were staying at a club hut in the valley and so had walked out to meet him and I set off a little ahead.

The next climb would be a beast all the way to the top of Rossett Gill and then on to Angle Tarn.  In the daylight I was able to spot other runners and members of the public up ahead and I just concentrated on closing gaps and not letting any gaps get bigger. David caught me up and then around Styhead Tarn overtook for a while but we were together again as we headed to Seathwaite. It was a lovely day and we were ticking of the miles. By now there were also 7V runners on the route and so more company. At Rosthwaite my stomach finallt seemd to be improving and I risked soup and more food.

We set off together up Stonethwaite and towards Lining Crag and Greenup Edge. Another tough climb although it passed more quickly than we had predicted. At the top we were welcomed by Melanie one of the Nav4 hill safety marshalls. The drop into Easedale was fine- some muddy bits, some wet rocks, some huge puddles but we were soon at Lancrigg. Here I met Matt N who had run out to meet runners. David pushed on and as Matt and I were talking we missed the footpath turn and had to back track. I was then alone heading into Grasmere. I picked up the nice path just the other side of the hedge on Easedale Road but this then meant I stayed on paths on a little detour into the village. Unsure exactly where the CP was I checked my phone map and lost another minute or so. I arrived at the CP just after David. Simon F was injured and so volunteering here and Paul who had pulled out turned up too. I managed soup, banana and cheese. It was a joy to stop and faff with my drop bag. My socks were almost dry- the VJ Ultras are not only good on almost all surfaces but they also seem to dry out fast too. My foot tape had shifted slightly but was still attached so I left it alone. I discovered that I had lost a glove at Wray and so put my waterproof over mitts in my sack and swapped my torch battery ready for the second night. 

David at the start

We left together again and having eaten more we struggled to run initially. A mix of stomp the ups and run the flat and downs led us past Grasmere and Rydal Water and then the lane from Pelter Bridge to Ambleside. I don't think I have ever walked it before and the lane seemed to take forever to reach Rothay park and the little hump back bridge. The route then followed a bizarre way along the main road almost to the Watershead jetties before climbing up into Skelghyll woods. We made decent time along the lane and were soon at the Troutbeck CP, actually before the main village. More friends, more food and more water.

We jogged down to Church Bridge and were happy to be overtaking 7V runners.  As we headed up Garburn Pass and turned behind Limefitt Park the rain started, and then stopped. And then started again. We left our cags on and jogged up the valley. We knew the further north we got up this valley the steeper the climb would be. AS we passed beside Troutbeck Tongue the weather got significantly worse. In retrospect it is here that I should have stopped and put on another layer and perhaps my over trousers. But I didn't and within minutes it became difficult or impossible to do so. Taking off my cag to add a layer would have meant a drenching. Sitting to put on over trousers was not appealing. We marched upwards into the thick mist. Apparently I struck the pace here with David  full of admiration. In reality I just wanted to get up and then down out of the weather. 

We couldn't actually see Thornthwaite Beacon but I knew it was there. We checked carefully for the correct path to High Street. The paths were now like rivers, you could see perhaps 5m and it blowing fiercely. I have walked and run on those paths so many times but it was really disorientating. We couldn't see the marker flags that had been put out for the last part of the race and kept losing the path. Descending to The Knott David skidded on mud, did a wonderful pirouette but then went splat. He landed on and broke a pole. The descent to the Filter House was tricky and there seemed to be headtorches scattered all over the hillside. The CP was glowing in a weird red light thanks to the sponsor Altra.  It was a very very welcome sight. We had both acknowledged that we very very very cold and David did a great job keeping us on the GPX route. Once inside we added layers- I now had everything on except my spare gloves. The shell over-mitts were doing a good job. I was worried that I was shaking so much that a medic might try to stop me but I must have seemed fairly lucid as I admitted I was cold, said I was adding all my layers and drank two cups of hot tea.

Taken hours before we got there in the dark and rain

In a way it was a case of bolting stable doors because as we dropped lower to Hartsop we were much more sheltered and of course the rain started to ease too. It had come at just the very worst time for us. It still took half an hour or so to get warm even with jogging. Patterdale and Glenridding were easy and then it was a steeper pull up to the CP in Bury House above the YHA. We stuffed ourselves with pizza here and prepared for the big climb to Sticks Pass. It was wet underfoot but the rain was no longer an issue and the wind was less fierce. We started chatting again and realised how silent and focused we had been on the last tops. We both admitted we had thought it might mean a dnf, not so much because we were fed up but more for safety. Now though we were both determined to finish and felt that it was game on. 

Another Nav4 hill safety tent was at the pass but I did not see who it was. The descent is steep and slippery at the best of times. After the heavy rain it was treacherous and I really felt for David trying to cope with just one pole. 

One pole

Having made it safely to Legburthwaite there was some verge running before the path around High Rigg and then over Low Rigg. Everywhere now seemed incredibly muddy and it was almost a relief to meet the lanes and to run on tarmac for a few km. David's family appeared briefly in the car and then we found my van parked just where we turned off into the woods for Threlkeld. Bob was awake and now knew he had a bit of time before driving to the finish line. I felt I was moving slowly now and the lanes up to the Blencathra Centre seemed so much longer and steeper than I remembered. I tried to encourage David to push on but he was having none of it and insisted that our pace was good and that we stuck together. We ate a bit at the CP and I had more soup but really now we just wanted to get the job done. I tend to go a bit quiet once I am super tired and although I remember a conversation about hallucinations I feel I could perhaps have been more encouraging here. Again this section was L100 in reverse which helped lots. David was a bit dispirited looking across the valley at the head torch lights on the Cumbria Way but he pushed the pace and we negotiated the short rocky stretch and were rounding Lonscale Fell sooner than I expected. I knew I was tired but did not feel sleepy , just aware that my brain was not really working well.

We agreed that we would try to run/jog where we could ie. the downs and maybe the flats. I said I could not run any ups and it would not be an efficient use of energy. We ran on the good track down round Latrigg and down the track to Brundholme Lane. We actually overtook people. A mixture of jog and walk took us into Keswick , through the town and into the underpass. The final bit seemed really cruel. As we passed the event centre gantry the volunteers waved and we di a lap of the Heads out towards Booths and then eventually back to Crow park. Looking at a map now it doesn't seem a big deal but on the night it felt a long way round and mean. We pledged to run up the path over the knoll of Crow Park and all the way to the finish gantry and we did. we crossed the line together. Success. 

We were presented with medals and then I received an incredibly heavy trophy and an flash pair of sunglasses. Bob appeared and escorted me inside for a cup of tea. The only food on offer was CP food and I did not need more of that so it was back to the van, a short drive, a quick wash and bed.

David completed his first 100+, a tough one. When I entered it said 180km, then later 183. We ran 187km and had 7216m of climb. I was delighted to be 3rd female in our time of 35hrs36mins. 

My watch died- hence David's Strava

Only 10 women finished. We were 19th and 20th overall. We had both been keen to finish inside 36hrs. A tough race and two full nights with no sleep. Bad guts for 18 hours had made it even tougher.   The finish rate was just 41% if any further proof of toughness was needed.

Lessons. Be more prepared to put on , take off layers. Add all the waterproofs as soon as you think you might have to. Carry imodium even if your constitution is usually sound. Recharge your watch at the bigger CPs or find a way to get the battery to last longer. Take the battery out of the torch when packing and only add it back just before the start.

Comparisons with L100 were inevitable. I like both and they are different.  is tougher- longer, at least one much bigger climb and some more technical descents like to Gatesgarth. For this race there was not the same event centre where the vast majority were based and camping. I guess for those with accommodation in the town this was no big deal. There was limited campervan parking and at an additional premium price! This sort of changed the atmosphere. There was not the same crazy briefing either but we can't all be showmen like Marc and Uncle Terry. Not having a decent meal at the finish was poor I felt although there was apparently a brunch of free coffee and cake from 10am the next day. There was no finale prize giving. Instead you were given medals at the finish and then drifted away without the big fan fare that you get as you enter the tent at the end of L100. No T shirts unless you bought one but that is fine as I have too many already. A road book was provided but no map, but then how many of us actually use a hard copy map when racing now? No age categories in the results at all- is this because it is a newish race only in it's third year and the numbers are still lower than L100? Even if they do not give awards I know many runners would like to see how they did compared to others in their age group. Would I go back? Maybe.