Hardwolds 80 (twice in two weeks)

 It had been too long since I had met up with my friends in the Hardmoors family... since the H200 in 2017 I think. Cannot believe it is that long ago but the races are now crazy popular ( for good reason) and they are not exactly on our doorstep either. I had originally entered last year and this was the deferred date. 

Open tracking - map and timing

The route was not totally new to me as I had done most of it for the start of the H200 and before that race I had recced it too. On the 9th, 10th and 11th of November I persuaded Bob that he really wanted to visit the Humber bridge and then cycle in the Wolds. 

After arriving in Hessle at lunch time I ran the first 20 miles to Arras Wold- amazingly I remembered almost all of it. It wasn't a waste as it was now fresh in my mind and I knew what the ground conditions were like. I did find the closed path in Welton- but not until I had dropped to the village, so I ran the dale anyway. So that was one bit not receed- the diversion. No worries- it looks very straight-forward.

Flood defence barriers being built

There was also a bit of chaos at the bridge itself due to the flood wall works. The tide was out and I just dropped to the beach. The paths were fairly dry and I arrived at the van very clean compared to running at home. First night was spent on the lane near Scanton just before the Arras Wold CP. 

Beech woods near South Cave- my favourite section

Day two looked fine and I set off for Settrington Beacon. This middle section is the tough bit I reckon and I wanted to do over 30 miles. Lots of grassy dales, farm tracks, field edges and some lanes. There seemed to be a fair bit of tarmac and hard surface- not my joy but I guess in November this could be better than muddy fields and would help keep the mph average up. I had not checked carefully enough- the H200 uses a slightly different route to the HW80! I ran along the old rail line, checked out a shop for supplies and carried on to Londesborough. I should have gone via Goodmanham. Why two different routes for the two races I wonder? Still- at least it ended up in the same village and I was soon back on track and heading for Millington and then Fridaythorpe. The little Dales are pretty- I am never going to get excited about the scenery here but it is nice countryside. 

A dale

Then just before Wharram Percy farmers were doing tree and hedge work and   in avoiding them I missed the signed turn down to the Abbey Ruins and ended up on an alternative route to the Abbey carpark- no big deal until I arrived at the Abbey in the race! (it was dark and this was the only bit where I couldn't find an acorn sign when I needed one). We thought it would be quiet at the Beacon but that lane must be a rat run.  Woken early gave me an early start. 

It is much steeper than this!

A lovely easy run to Wintringham before the steep climb up the wooded dale that leads to the final section along the scarp slope running towards the coast. 

Looking back down the wooded dale

Of course it doesn't just take a nice easy line. I checked out the lane south of West Heslerton for possible van support on race day and enjoyed the relatively easy running to Ganton. I was making reasonable time and the ground was still pretty dry except for a few areas near farm yards. After Ganton the route leaves the scarp edge and does a little loop south and east back up the steep hill to go past RAF Stanton and then dropping steeply before yet more climbs towards Flixton Wold. It doesn't look much on the map but the path follows a fence line on a roller coaster of downs and ups above the dale. Nice straight line- a path designed by Romans. I knew that from here the end was in site and apart from one steep descent it was easy running. After crossing the Hunmanby road it is a lovely gentle drop to the main road at Muston. A couple more fields and I emerged at the rear of Filey High School. Nearly there! Well - you would be if you stuck to the Wolds Way. We though turn away from town on a southern arc to pass the campsites, golf club and eventually to meet the Ravine and the path to the Prom. 

Filey sunshine- it will be dark in the race

It seemed a long way along the Prom and the steps at the far end were a struggle even without 78 race miles in my legs. I made it to the Wolds Stone on Filey Brigg, took the obligatory photo and turned back for town. 

Wolds way stone- the end

Dropping to the beach cut out some steps and I hope the tide is out on race day when I finish. I knew the way up into town but not to the Sea cadets- it was simple and all that remained was to find a cafe and wait for Bob. Our greasy spoon is no more so I eventually found an ice cream and arrived at the pick up point just as Bob drove in. Perfect.

Race weekend saw us parked at Hessle near the rugby club in time to have lunch in the sun and go for a walk along the estuary. It was sunny but chilly in the wind. I bumped into both Jon and then later Shirley before the early darkness of November drove me back into the van. A big meal and then I retired to bed with my book.

Beautiful skies the night before

The road was noisier than I had hoped but I rarely sleep well the night before a race anyway.  Up at 6 and registered etc before the coach arrived. Collected the apple juice from Mark. Back to our van for a bit and then went to meet friends at the Rugby Club- Jenny, Ken, Sarah, Andy and more. 

Hessle Rugby Club- already Jon has added distance

It was chilly enough to wear my cag although I should have realised I would be plenty warm enough once we left the estuary and I got into my running. By 8am we were congregated outside and ready for the off. The first miles are flat, tarmac or good track and very runnable. It is easy to get carried away along the foreshore, up through Ferriby and into the Scouts wood and on to Brantingham.

CP1 Brantingham one of several pretty villages

I should have been more worried when I was close enough to Antony G to chat, he is way faster than me. Needless to say I didn't stay with him or some of the other faster men for long. I ran with Rob Letts a short time before Arras Wold.. again he is faster than me. Perhaps I should of gone off more cautiously, who knows. I was 1st woman to the Millington CP at 33 miles but only just. Kendra whizzed past whilst I was inside eating and getting stuff from my drop bag. She had support and so no need for this.  The last I saw of her was at Thixendale (44 miles) although she was not far ahead at times and only 30 mins ahead at the end when she won. Lisa also appeared and shot off but I was to see more of her. 

Acorns ark the miles every now and again

The nav was easy with many acorns on signs and even some beautiful carved ones; although the miles on these were getting hard to read as they suffered from the weather.  It is a steep climb up out of Millington to regain the Wolds Way and I was still digesting food. It made me feel slow but hopefully would be worth it in the long run. 

Another dale

You visit several dales in the next section- some you cross steeply down and then up again, others you enter and run along the bottom. No two dales are quite the same. I had been running intermittently with a road runner who was new to off road ultras but loving it. He was far too fast once we left the grass and hit the big farm road for Glebe Farm and I had to let him go- a shame as the chat was good and he appreciated my route finding.

After Fridaythorpe we ran along a more exposed section and for the first time I had to stop and put my cag back on. I was later a bit too warm in some sheltered dales but it stayed on and I just vented it the best I could knowing it would soon be dark and cooler. As I entered Thixendale I spotted Kendra and three guys just leaving. I was very tempted to run after them but knew that really I should stop for an eat and drink. I never saw them again.  I like the next section but knew I must be careful not to miss the left turn to Wharram Percy this time. 

Borrowed pic

I expected to see Lisa behind me but there was no sign of her yet. I began the drop in fading light and in the end decided it would be wise to find my head torch. Then at the ruined Abbey I lost the path.. Suddenly there were no acorns of any sort. Lisa appeared and we worked it out and then climbed to the car park together. I then stopped at the van- my first meeting with Bob all day. A quick gulp of custard and then coffee to set me up for the night. I met up with two relay guys at Wharram le Street- but one was too fast and the other too slow which meant I ran most of the way to Settrington Beacon on my own. This was fine, it was dark but I knew the way and the paths were easy. I didn't need to stop at the CP here and caught up with Lisa in the woods. She said she was tired and seemed to be feeling the miles. I was too but ultras are a head game, just keep plodding. Somewhere on the long descent to Wintringham I lost her and even when I stopped I could no longer see her torch although I doubt she was far behind. 

Another borrowed pic- could not resist that sky

It is a tough climb out of the village but I told myself it is also where you turn east for the sea! The sunset had not been so spectacular but the moon was full and bright with the clouds giving it added interest. I upset no end of birds in Knapton plantation and tripped on a tree route that led to me wind-milling to stay upright for a while. A couple more field edges and I was at the van again on the lane from Heslerton. It was a quick detour and Lisa caught me up. She had a friend running with her now. I set off determined to put some distance between us if I could and knew that this section was straight forward with even a road section as you drop towards Sherburn and then climb back up again. Before the road I had lost them. My mind was now playing tricks and I couldn't remember what came next- until I got to it. I kept waiting for the gradual drop by a golf field but that s much later. Somehwhere in this bit there are a couple of stretches on nasty path on a real camber that twists your feet and I think this may have been where I pulled ahead. I did remember the sandy lane and knew I would soon be in Ganton. David and the others were doing a great job at this CP and I cannot believe I refused pizza! I wanted food but it had to be stuff that would slide down now. There was no point in loitering so it was back off into the night. I felt slow climbing back up the the escarpment but soon enough the road and then lane to RAF Staxton appeared. This lane should be very runnable but I had to really make myself keep going even at the turn towards the farm. I knew the descent was followed by the short but steepest climb of the whole route. Luckily there is a fence to use as a handrail. Then it is just a couple of field edges before the roller-coaster field paths to the road CP at Flixton Wold.

Flixton werewolves

 This was lit up like a beacon with a tent. stoves and the works. Oh, and werewolves. They must have been able to see my torch for ages but welcomed me with cheers. Sadly all I wanted to do was keep going- in retrospect I should have taken a sausage with me! Then it is back into the Dales with one very steep and painful drop. My quads were now shot and my big toe was sore. The looping path along Camp Dale and Stocking Dale seemed to take a while and loads of pheasants screeched at me. Then finally I reached and crossed the road for my drop past the golf field and to the pigs. It was a lovely gradual drop and the gap into the ploughed field was easy to spot. Luckily the mud in the one ploughed field had been bashed flat and then there was just the grassy fields down to the road at Muston. It is a good km through the village but the end is in sight. Up the steps, over two fields, across another road and then past the stables before a short section to the outskirts of Filey. I had hoped to meet my gold taregt of 16 hours but knew back at Flixton that this was very unlikely.  I made myself run past the school and towards the Ravine. The steps into the Ravine were torture but the Prom was easy and lit. I was in luck- the tide was out. I dropped down the jetty and headed across the sand to the Sailing Club. A short sharp climb and I was on the grassy tops heading for the Brigg. 

Mark on the Brigg

Mark was there at the Wolds Way stone in a tiny tent. He claimed to be warm enough out of the wind. There was no time to chat as I turned and retraced my steps to town. Cargate Hill was too much for me to run up until I hit the summit and could run to the finish. 16 hrs and 13 minutes. I was done- literally. Suddenly huge tiredness hit and I felt sick. I did managed a couple of cups of tea and some fruit salad but could not face the chilli beans or more. 

I sat with Bob and just slumped. My neuroma/ metatarsalgia hurt like mad and then the muscle in my ribs cramped and popped out repeatedly. I was alert enough to be able to congratulate Kendra and to cheer Lisa when she arrived but really I just wanted my bed. 

Almost 45 minutes of rest had seen no improvement so Jon did his presentations and we slowly walked back to the van. It was a shame to miss Ken and Jenny who had run it as a relay and only finished about 20 minutes later. 

Jon- the boss 

I  had missed my gold target but was happy to only be 13 minutes over and to be 2nd F overall and so also 1st FV50 and 1st FV60 (infact 1st V60 M or F). 

It is a tough route with few excuses to slow down and not to be running. Too much for me is road, track and runnable- give me a big hill to stomp up any day. I was woken at 4am by heavy rain squalls and a very strong wind. I said a quick prayer for Mark and any late finishers before going back to sleep. He had taken his tent down at 5am in fear of being blown into the bay. Some challenging weather for those last finishers. How lucky we had been with the day and the dry ground. I must come back and do another Hardmoors soon. My first 50, 100 and 200 milers were all Hardmoor races. In fact I must check how many more Hardmoor miles I need to reach my 1000 certificate.