Last race of the year

 Tour de Helvellyn. One of my favourites and with a special memory of celebrations at the end of my 62in52@52 year back in 2013. I have run it 5 times- not every year as when I was still working we sometimes disappeared on a ski holiday and a couple of times we have been in Nepal or NZ.

It is planned to cope with English winters and so goes via passes not tops. It has some big tracks and although it has more road than I would usually like frequently the weather means that I am grateful in the end. It's about 60km with about 2400m of climb. After two great sunny snowy runs on the local moors I was really looking forward to this even though I might have tired legs. 

I left climbing early and we drove up ready for me to register at 6pm. Bob was happy to move the van and drop me off but it still nursing his leg and wanted to potter. Registration was not open and so I chatted to Carmine and some others. In the end I went back to the van and we ate. Returning to the hall I found that the decision had been made to move to plan B. We would be running out and back to Stu's bridge. Gutted. Paul who had been round the route showed me a few pics and some paths did look rather icy. I was disappointed and wondered about up to Sticks Pass, over the top and then down the grassy trod in Grisedale valley. That would avoid the icy drop to Thirlmere, the rocky icy contour and Raise Beck which could be a bit dangerous. It was not to be.

We left and I drowned my sorrows with wine. I then fretted about whether to wear dobs or other shoes with Kathoolas and also which clothes to wear. The forecast was for sleet showers and strong winds. I didn't sleep well and could not stop feeling I was being deprived of the snowy tops. I even considered giving my tracker back and going off on a snow route. I fell asleep to the sound of sleet hitting the van.

By morning I was calmer and more resigned to what was on offer. Bob dropped me off and the roads in Askham were like an ice rink- glad I had the dobs on. There was time to chat with Maria, Albert, Toney, Steve, Charlotte, Gary and more. I planned to start around 8.30 to be sure that Side Farm CP would be open. Still wavering slightly about what route to run I headed for the kit check and start. Tim L was considering some added interest to the route but I have no idea if this happened in the end. Before I knew it I was out the door and looking for a start marshall- there wasn't one! The tracker picked up a signal as I wandered around the road junction. Time to go.

yep- icy paths

Heading up the lane and up to the common was quite comical with people skating all over. Those with spikes on were doing better but I was sure they would suffer sore feet later. Dobs were OK once I realised they actually worked better if I ran with confidence and planted my feet hard. Hopes that all would be well once we left the tarmac were soon dashed. I could not believe how little snow there was compared to on the West Pennine Moors and also how much ice there was across the paths. 

No snow!

Once past the Cockpit I had got used to the terrain and was moving at a nice steady pace and overtaking some of the slower early starters. The descent to Howtown passed without issue and I opted to stay off the road and to take the path via Mellguards that would drop me in behind the first CP at Martindale church. From here I was worried about icy roads but they were not too bad at all and the tarmac along Boredale made for speedy (for me) running. 

Boredale climb on very firm ground

The dobs were doing fine but it was nice to get onto the track and start climbing. I stopped for a few photos and couldn't believe how lucky we were with the weather.. some sun, no rain or sleet and not much wind. Up at Boredale Hause I bumped into Andy H who I knew from the Tor and we chatted as we made progress towards Side Farm. 

At last some snow at the Hause

This rocky stepped path was actually easier than usual with the dobs, perhaps because I was not even trying to run! I got scanned at the CP and after grabbing some crisps shot off across the valley floor. 

There were a few runners ahead as I ran along Ullswater and into Glenridding. I toyed with the idea of a cross country option here but got locked in to chasing the guys just ahead and settled for the road up past the YHA and the mines. A sudden shower of sleety hail made me stop and put gloves back on but it didn't last long. I managed to over take a few people here and was soon climbing into the thin snow. This ended all too soon as I reached the footbridge across Swart Beck. I could Stu and stopped to bemoan our fate of not going up to play in the snow.

I did run really

The descent was a bit slippy and there were now lots of runners appearing. I proceeded with caution even though it did mean being overtaken by about 10 men. I re-caught some of them once we were on easier ground. Being an out and back course was interesting as I got to chat or say Hi to many people as we passed each other. My off road route didn't happen as I was busy talking and missed the turn. Down Greenside road it was. 

We should be up there.

The ice was melting now and the dobs clattering quite a bit. I chased Gary and the NE gang all the way to Side Farm. This time I did stop- the chocolate orange cake was amazing and powered me up the next climb. If it looked good at the Hause I was gong to divert up Place Fell as I had plenty of daylight left. 

Place Fell disappearing

Sadly as we approached the path junction those tops disappeared in thick cloud and di not look so inviting. It was clearly not to be today. Some faster runners came flying though and I concentrated on not losing the group of men I was with. They pulled away over the initially rocks but I had caught them again by the farm.

So much better than the forecast

By now I was roasting! I had already discarded hat, gloves and buff plus was running with my heavy weight cag unzipped and pushed behind my race vest. Two long sleeve thermals and fleecy tights was too much! Still, no time to stop. We stayed together until Martindale church. I then headed back to the fellside while they stuck to the zig zags. We were together again after Howtown and running with them certainly helped keep me going. Rory came powering past and made the hills look like nothing. Climbing back onto the common my dobs allowed me to run ahead a little and as I reached the planation below Barton Fell it motivated me for the final push. Damo shot past and I wondered what route he would take and how far he would pull away. My choice after the cockpit worked and he actually lost a little of his distance briefly. Another speedy runner egged me on and even stopped to hold the fell gate for me. Down hill now al the way, come on legs less than a mile to go. It was easier after only 25 miles and not the usual 36 or so. I prayed there was no traffic and shot across the cross roads and into the back room of the village hall. I was a sweaty mess with soaked clothing and my hair plastered to my head and face.

5hrs9 mins for about 26.5 miles and some ice skating. 6th F and first old lady and not far behind some rival who usually beat me by more. Not too bad and a better day out than expected in terms of the route and the weather. As always at a Nav4 event there was excellent soup, real bread, endless tea and more of that amazing cake. There were also so many friends to talk to.  Sophie from my NT disaster came to say Hi. Maria beat me just and we laughed at the lack of beer and prosecco. I ended up on a table of elites... Damo, Rory, Ross , Lawrence, Elaine and others. They treated me as an equal and likely have no idea how awed I was. I then had a chat with the NE guys and a quick interview with Gary. Poor phone signal meant Bob and I were having difficulty communicating and I gave up chatting to sort this out. In the end it worked out and he picked me up at the cross roads where I just had time to shout bye to Joe who was spreading salt/grit on our road crossing. As we drove home the weather worsened with fog at Shap on the M6 and then rain and very grey skies. Our day had not been so bad at all.

Thanks to Andy H for this and a couple of the photos