Short race, short blog

 UTYD 50km is definitely at the lower end of ultras and I knew what to expect.... shorter, faster, flatter (in places) so much more runnable than any of my more recent races. ie I would be under-prepared and I would suffer. It's a shame that the 100km was not more popular and more viable but I understand why the RO has axed it, for now at least.

The forecast was good. No rain all day, chilly start but not really cold and a cold wind but not gales. It was going to be a good day out in the beautiful Dales. Bob is injured so his plan to join me and do his own thing did not materialise. I did not sleep well and so was up even earlier than I had intended. Quiet roads meant I was parked in Grassington with plenty of time to spare.

A short walk and I was registered and had tracker fitted. It was good to chat to Colin and others. Soon after this Simon, my brother, arrived and we managed a short catch up.  Then other friends appeared. Unlike some races this RO keeps the Si entries list private and so I had no idea who to expect. I had not seen Tony Harris for a long time nor Jim and Zoe. Albert and Jordan appeared but few others that I knew even just by face. Many people congratulated me on 13V and I tried to explain that this race would be very different and so not to expect too much. I had already told Simon that he would likely beat me as this distance/ time seems to be his forte. It would have been nice to race together but I was not going to ask him to slow down to accommodate me.

Before 8am there was a short briefing. Mel seemed concerned that people might venture up Buckden Pike as the 100km used to but I think a bigger issue is the CP in Arncliffe being slightly 'hidden' and off the obvious route. The GPX showed it clearly but even so more than one runner headed straight along the river.

By 8 the sun was up, the sky was blue and it was getting warmer. I started off with too much clothing but was pleased to have a thin pair of gloves on.  The start as expected was speedy along tarmac and initially downhill to the river. Simon was already 100m ahead at this point and one female runner shot by me too. We were quite strung out by the time we had passed the rugby fields and crossed the main road into Skirethorns Lane. Those ahead were running strongly and extended their lead plus a few others caught me up. 

Mastiles Lane

I slowed to remove my light-weight cag and then ran on into wonderful sunshine over the moors. I don't consider myself speedy on gnarly descents but female 1 was even more timid and I caught another runner when they almost went the wrong way. The climb from the river up to Weets was never steep but fairly relentless and there was no way I was running it all. Simon was now about 500m ahead. 

No floods this year

Fast running (from others, not me) along the lane and then up to Mastiles Lane meant I dropped a little further behind. I tried hard once on Mastiles Lane but the others were though the car park and off on the short grassy paths by the tarn. 

Peaceful Malham tarn

Climbing onto the moor I could see them up ahead and worked on trying to close the gap as much as I could. By Middle House Farm I had closed with some and perhaps they were slower through the huge herd of belted Galloway cows and calves. I love this section high above the road that links Arncliffe and Malham. I soon caught female1 as she confessed to being hopeless on rocky and muddy descents. I skipped off but could not catch the guys and ran into the village alone. It feels odd turning right but I knew where the CP was. I didn't stop long this year- no cup of tea but I did leave eating several small blocks of cheese, pizza and a banana. Doing so I moved up one place in the field. At the edge of the village I spotted another female runner just ahead. How come? I realised she had missed the CP and tried to shout her back but did not know her name. After a few 100m I caught her hesitating and realising her mistake. She reluctantly turned back and I wondered how long it would be before she caught me.

Arncliffe- turn RIGHT

The next section is flat running almost all the way to Litton with just the small obstacle of the stepping stones and then a gnarly old track. 

Even less water this year

The river was virtually dry this year so no need for a diversion.

Litton, then the big climb

It was getting warm now and I needed to take a layer off. In doing so I almost took a wrong turn at an open gate.  Fortunately I was called back. Next came the big climb over Birks Moor/Firth Fell. I pushed on trying not to be caught by the guy I had overtaken at the CP. Colin marshalling at the top was a welcome sight. 

Then comes the wonderful descent to Buckden. It's a bit boggy and skiddy in places but I like it and I think this lengthened my lead on those just behind me and I was alone when I got to the farm and then the lane heading towards the village and Dales Way river path. 

From here on I was dreading being caught. I had not expected to be in the lead but now that I was it seemed important to keep that position. I could not see any runners up ahead  but the path was busy with family and DoE groups. I pushed on as hard as I could knowing that it was perhaps 12km to the finish now.  Fast flattish running is not my forte and it hurt. I passed the bridge and path to Starbotton and knew I was half way to Kettlewell. Keep pushing- come on, keep trying they must be gaining on you.

NO PHOTOS ARE MINE THIS YEAR- busy running!

I didn't stop for water in Kettlewell which was perhaps a mistake but I made what I had last , just about. I ran all of the lane to Scargill House and then stomped up the hill on the big track. Easy running now on wonderful wide grassy paths led pretty much all the way to Conistone Pie. I made one small error, which I have made before and had to climb out of the sheep pen and back up to the path but it only took a couple of minutes. Another hill marshall was there to greet us at the top of  Scot Gate Lane. I am sure there have never been that many marshalls out on the hill before. More wide and grassy paths would now lead towards the ice-cream farm and the edge of Grassington. All these long grassy paths allowed good views back along the course and I could not see any other runners. Couldn't see any ahead either but I had given up all hope of catching Simon etc.

At last I allowed myself to believe that I might keep my lead, less than 2km to go now. I didn't stop but did ease my pace a little, especially on the very crowded main street where there were so many tourists. From the old race HQ in the Institute it is all downhill so apart from the hazard of dog leads, prams, people wandering aimlessly and in random directions it was easy running.

Mel greeted me at the finish line with  my medal and people seemed surprised that I had done so well so soon after the 13V. This felt much harder and I knew already that my quads would be trashed for days longer. Simon had waited to see me finish, about 20+ minutes behind him. He had a superb race to finish in 4th overall. I was slower than last year but happy with 1st F and 6th overall.

Simon shot off home for a shower and I wandered inside for food, lots of tea and to chat. Joe's chilli on yorkshire puds was good but the sticky toffee pud and custard really hit the spot. The primary school chairs and benches had seemed fine at registration but were not so easy to lower onto with tired legs! Staying to eat meant I was able to congratulate others as they finished. 

2nd F was 10 mins behind me so I was glad I had pushed hard. It would have been head to head racing if she had not missed the CP in Arncliffe. The other female that I ran with near the start had gone awol on Birks Moor. A good day out. More should enter.