Chalkland Way Ultra

 Summer seems a long time ago. Since my last blog I have orienteered locally, travelled to a mini mountain marathon and nearly lost all my points by being very late back, have 'hashed', run a winter Street O and done rather a lot of climbing. We also had a mini break in the Lakes with a wonderful mountain run. The Yorkshire Trod was great and it is just such a shame it did not get more entries- the route is superb as was the food. This was followed swiftly by the OMM... the weather was far better than forecast but sadly for me it has suffered since they changed the linear courses and this year our course was ridiculously short.

November has started with a new race for me, the Chalklands Ultra.  It was the last of the Runfurther 12 races this year and attracted a big entry from our members. I had chatted with the RO by phone and was keen to meet the team in person. Much of the route would be new to me but I thought I would recognise some bits from when I ran the Hardmoors 200 and H80 along the Wolds Way. I remember liking the steep sided grassy dales. One tough decision was shoe choice. I knew the mud would be tricky but there would also be a fair bit of tarmac and track. A need for grip and cushioning. 

We arrived in the dark just in time to find Grant the RO and to park the van up for the night.  Jenny and Ken had kindly arrived much earlier to put up flags, banners and display boards with the prizes.  Up bright and early as usual there was plenty of time for breakfast, registration and meeting up with friends. It was dry- a bonus as far as I was concerned. (sadly it had rained a great deal recently, as we were about to find out). 

I walked up to the start with Grant with a trail of 120 runners following. With just a minute to go my watch went blank as I pushed the button 'Do Course'. Bugger. I tried turning it off and on. No luck. I think I should have just left it and hoped. Grant was busy telling us about markers and flags so perhaps all would be well, plus I did have paper maps and OS on my phone.

Somehow I managed to start fairly near the front. Perhaps too near the front. There were limited options for passing in the first few kilometres and a very skiddy muddy path next to a barbed wire fence meant single file only. 

I stayed upright over all this and was pleased to be keeping up with Ant TC. I should have perhaps realised the pace was a bit fast, especially when I passed him! Just before the first village I skidded in mud. I stayed upright but in doing so wrenched my groin and my knee. It was sore. From Bishop Wilton there were more lanes than I like but it did make for easier running. 

Odd- leading Darren and TC

After a short section off road it was back to lanes for a while around Bugthorpe (what wonderful names). There followed a nicer section of Wolds dales towards Thixendale and an indoor CP. I was grumpy about my lag and so grabbed a banana and left. I tried to ignore the discomfort but must have slowed as Charles and group of runners caught me. The paths in the dales were beautiful but the ones around enormous muddy fields less so.  Mud on the flat was fine, steep sticky mud on slopes or narrow field edges more tricky.

Francis enjoying some mud and puddles

A 5km road section led us to the next CP in Fimber. I hadn't eaten much so declined my tiny drop bag of food and just got my number registered and left. It was raining and I stopped to safeguard my phone. I was suffering. This was definitely a race for those who can run and run, whereas I am better at stomping up big hills. From Fimber there were more very muddy field paths to the gloriously named Wetwang. I had perked up a little and was trying to convince myself that if my groin and hip hurt walking then I might as well run. I overtook a few people and was further boosted. 

After more muddy fields we dropped into a series of linked dales near Huggate and these were beautiful. I skidded on a muddy section and upset my groin/hip again. Stopping now was pointless so on I pushed. My mood was lifting as others were starting to suffer. I had passed Darren, not seen Ian who had earlier caught me up but then dropped back and was now back with and then ahead of Charles. Things now seemed less muddy and there were some short sharp drops and climbs. 

Despite this a female runner came flying past me. I had been second since about mile10 and was now 3rd, oh well. At CP4 it was lovely to see Hardmmors friends Jon and Shirley- just a shame not to stop and chat. I refilled water but had no need for food.

Selective memory- I don't remember it being that wet

I left the CP and dropped into the woods and then Tun Dale and Frendal Dale. I could see the other runner ahead but there was no way I was going to catch her even though I kept her in sight for the big drop into and climb out of Nettle Dale and a similar drop and climb at Sylvan Dale. She powered ahead and out of sight as we climbed the field edges above Millington. From here it was soon downhill, first on a big track by woods and then on lanes to Kilnwick Percy. I had been struggling to work out distances properly without my watch but now knew there was only 2-3km and it was all on tarmac. I am not usually a fan but I told myself it was better than more skidding on mud. I knew there was a guy close behind me and I used this to make a final effort to finish without being caught. I made it and was welcomed at the end of the finish flags by Grant, the photographer and Bob. It had pretty much stayed dry all day with just odd spells of drizzle and light rain. We had also seen hill mist and sunshine. 

My reward was a piece of recycled Wolds finger post reworked into a beautiful trophy. 3rd woman and 1st V. (less then 5 mins behind second female- I should have tried harder). Another nice touch was being able to decide when I entered that I did not need an other T shirt and the choice of a wild flower seed medal.

Multiple cups of tea and a few snacks revived me. Bob kindly went back to the van to put the heater on and to boil a kettle so that I could wash. Everything from knees down was caked in mud although my shoes had been partly washed clean in puddles.

I spent the later part of the afternoon cheering in runners. It was good to see Sarah finish not far behind me plus Steve, Charlotte, Francis, Darren, Charles and Claire. Ken had sadly retired. I missed Jenny finishing as once it was dark we took down the flags in the rain and then decided we needed to go in search of food.

A good end to the Runfurther series and a great race set up. I need to look at their other races earlier in the year.