Time for an update

 I have been busy; lots of orienteering and hiking holidays in the Canaries- a trip to La Palma and another to Tenerife and La Gomera. Both allowed me to do some running but not a great deal as it was not the main aim. Between them I have been out for some decent runs including ,my beloved Bowland and across in the Dales with my brother.

I love Nav4 events and so entered Lakes Mountain 40 (was 42 but we no longer drop all the way over to Thirlmere). What seemed like a good idea turned into "Oh my God, what have I done" when first we had to move our holiday dates and then I also realised that The Fellsman was only a week later.

Arriving after a fortnight of no real running but with tired legs from lots of hiking was probably not wise. Add in a 20hr day on Thursday and going to bed at 5.30Friday am before then getting up at 3.30 to drive to Askham at 3.45am was beginning to feel very silly. My mind seemed to say OK but despite a cup of tea at registration I was feeling sleepy. I chatted with Joe and other friends as the 6am start approached.

I felt a bit chilly after Tenerife but it wasn't really cold even at that time of the morning. My watch froze as I tried to load Do Course, much to Joe's amusement. Louise G was on the start line which surprised me as she had been on facebook saying how injured she was with a hamstring problem. Other than that I knew almost none of the runners.

I tried to take it steady heading up through the village and out onto the common. That was easy to do as I felt lacking in energy. I didn't want to exhaust myself before the Fellsman or risk a tumble and injury. There was a group of guys up ahead but nobody close behind. That was fine. I knew the way and was happy alone,; just so so sleepy. On a warm sunny day I would have been very tempted to curl up behind a wall and have a quick snooze!

I knew there were two young women up ahead somewhere and as we approached High Street another woman joined me. It was a bit claggy and chilly up near the summit but soon improved as we dropped back towards Angle Tarn. We ran together for a while and she was good company, faster than me but I knew the better lines- especially coming off Knott. By Boredale Hause she had pulled some distance ahead and that was the last I saw of her really.  I never really like the descent down the rock path to Side Farm and on tired legs I made slow work of it. The marshalls based near the Starkey Hut were as welcoming as always and I stopped for a brief chat and to grab some food. 

Thanks to Jenny for the photo

The road up into Grisedale seemed steep. I could see others behind me in the distance and one guy caught me up and passed me. The views were superb and there was a lovely rainbow across the valley. I was starting to wake up a bit now and remember being pleased with how my shoes were gripping on the wet rock. At the tarn I caught the guy as he had been looking for the Brothers Parting Stone. I assured him we could just continue and didn't have to find and touch it. He pushed on and I plodded up behind looking out for John B who I knew would be sat on the cold windy hillside taking photos and relaying info back to Joe in Askham. He was cheerful as ever despite the damp and clag. 

Heading up Dollywagon etc was the only time I felt cold. I almost caught the runner ahead but then he descended faster on Swirral Edge. I was cautious and could not believe how badly eroded it had become. 

We have free route choice but I would always use Swirral and then up to the Hole in the Wall- unless the edge was really iced up. Phil was still in sight (I later learned his name) as we crossed the ground below Red Tarn but then he seemed to disappear. I crossed the wall and began the descent back to Grisedale. Just as I reached the end of the path Phil appeared. He had not crossed the wall until much later. We jogged together back to the Starkey Hut and that is when I not only learnt his name but also found that he only lives about 6 doors away from me! It would have been nice to chat for longer but at the CP he dug out sandwiches and although I stopped for more food and a chat I didn't want to hang about.

I pushed on up towards Boredale Hause alone. As I turned and took the short cut up to Place Fell I could see him not that far behind. I expected him to catch me but it never happened. Feeling I was now on the home strait boosted me and I really enjoyed my run off  Place Fell and all the way to Martindale. It was heaving near the church and I counted almost 40 cars! I opted to stick on the zig zags and taking the short cuts rather then the contouring path. There were a few walkers about and I used them to draw me along. 

Ta Jenny

By the time I had done all the climbing and reached the common I could see some runners in the distance. They were not moving fast so I worked hard to draw closer. I was checking my watch and wondering if I could scrape in under the 9hrs. We had another light shower on the common but not enough to make me put my cag back on. I caught the two guys as we left the track and crossed the cattle grid. I was still hoping I might beat the hour and so tried for a sprint finish. I felt a bit guilty blasting past them and it was pointless in the end as my time was 9.01.47

A good day out. I did not feel totally trashed and so had probably not pushed hard but that was fine. 4th F and 1st FV40+ will do. It was a PW by about 11 minutes but I was not upset. After several cups of tea, lots of chats, soup and cake I knew I needed to start driving back before I became too tired.