First Ultra of the year- PWina D (shorter version)

 Only I could fall twice in a matter of weeks and land on a solid object with the same ribs. It didn't stop the skiing but was uncomfortable. I managed a reasonable night O on Teggs Nose and then an even better Street O in Thornton where picking 60 mins instead of my usual 75 certainly seemed to be a winning choice.

Daylight when I arrived this year

I had an entry for PWinaD which is 45 miles but knew this would be a big ask and I was also meant to be at a 50th birthday party in Preston that evening. I made the sensible decision to drop to the 30 miles- yes OK, some have said the sensible decision would have been not to run. At least I hadn't entered LAW75 like last year. The forecast was awful and the 'shorter' version has a long section of tarmac where it cuts across the northern loop.  It was very strange to have a relatively late get up and drive to the race in daylight. Starting at 10am felt very odd indeed. I parked easily and was soon registered and repacking my sack. There were friends to chat with and I still had stacks of time. Shoe choice was tricky- so much tarmac but also some very very muddy and slippery sections.

Before 10 we were gathered outside with Jamie and the forecast was clearly incorrect as it was dry and even the sun was trying to shine. The easy start on good track to Whitehough soon changed to a steep climb and then some very muddy woods. Running seemed OK except when it got steep and I couldn't catch enough breath. I lost some places in the woods and on the climb but then gained some dropping down the muddy slopes to Roughlee. A few scary moments when a skid could mean a fall but escaped both times just jarring my ribs a bit. The stepping stones were clear of the water today and again I gained some time on the muddy boggy fields to Barrowford. First lady was now out of sight  but 2nd was not far ahead and I tried to make sure it stayed that way.

CP1 Laneshawbridge

A quick self clip at the Heritage Centre and a very short section of path before the long long road. It seemed to go on forever. I was annoyed that I couldn't run properly and not knowing the area there was more uphill than I had anticipated. Still, I stuck with the other female almost to Laneshaw Bridge and the weather was still pretty kind; just some drizzle. As I left the road the first runner on the 54 passed me. He was motoring. The river side path was very slippery and I slowed to make sure I stayed upright.  I could not see any other runners now but as we had rejoined the 'normal' route I knew where I was going. Through the pretty hamlet of Wycoller with it's ancient stone bridges and special barn and then up and up towards the track running W-E below Boulsworth Hill.

Into the wind here my hands got cold and a few showers made me do my cag up but it was nothing like the very wet year that saw us soaked and freezing. A couple of male runners joined me but they did not pull far ahead.  They made better progress along the road past the activity centre but heading to Catlow we were together again. The next bits are a maze of fiddly paths and one guy was pleased to be with me as I knew the way to the CP in the chapel at Southfield.  I grabbed malt loaf and cake and set off jogging down the big track to Walverden Reservoir.

The fields up to Nelson Road were as boggy as usual and I wandered when the next 54 runners would catch us. I didn't have to wander for long. As I left the path and turned to cross the golf course Kat appeared and then after a brief hello sped off. I was still leading the way for 'first time man' and he stuck with me down into Brierfield and over the canal. I was pleased to have the diversion here and avoid the broken, sunken duck boards but several people still went that way- perhaps using old GPX traces?  I was less happy with the long slow slog up Greenhead Lane but could see Kat up ahead and also 2nd F on my course. They both made better time than me to Higham  and by the time I reached the CP Kat had gone. 

Usually in this CP I am trashed so it was quite nice to arrive in a decent state and feeling able to eat. I grabbed a sausage, a donut and a shot of run before heading out to chase 2nd F. 

I closed the gap especially in the mud of Bull Hole and then actually caught her when she mistook a path and ended up the wrong side of a fence. This clearly broke her as I stayed in front from here onwards. The end was now in sight. The climb out of Newchurch was slippery and the track by the side of Fell Wood very muddy. It was a relief to enter the woods and then to be on better ground in the Ogden Valley. As we climbed higher onto Pendle we hit thick mist and suddenly I was on my own. I knew that if I reached the trig point alone I would stay ahead to the finish.

I was surprised to see the photographer at the trig- it was damp and the only place all day where the wind was strong. 

I dropped to the little path around the rim but did not escape the wind until I reached the big stone staircase. I never use this on the descent as the fell runners trod just off to the left always seems safer. It gained me further advantage as when I reached Pendle House and looked back there was nobody in sight. Easy paths and then a jog through the village saw me finish in 6hrs 2 mins. 

I guess I could have aimed for under 6 hrs but I was content to be round in one piece and with ribs that were not cursing me. 2nd F and 1st F over 45, 25 mins behind the winning female.

I had chat with Jamie and Rox, tea and dahl from Sadie and friends and a catch up chat with Kat. Then it was time to grab my beer and head home ready to shower and go to the party. The forecast rain arrived as I was driving back along the M55 en route to the party.  Hopefully not too many were still out running.

2026 a strange start

 Without Runfurther I feel both liberated but also a bit unfocused. Usually by now I have a whole series of races lined up whereas this year I planto continue my denial od getting old to mix it up a bit with ultras, orienteering and just some long challenges. This has meant some clashes so no Bowland Ultra for me this year which is a shame. I have entered The Fellsman and am excited to be doing it with one of my brothers. Before that I have the Anglezarke Amble, Pendle Way in a Day and Craggrunners 15 Reservoirs. I have entered Hardmoors 200 just before my 65th birthday. I last did that race in 2017! I have a free entry to Lakeland100 and I am sure I will find more to enter.

I started the year with some orienteering- SROCs New Year Cracker. It was chill but not really cold and the ground was soft but not too muddy. It is a mass start and then an odds and evens score event. Once it had been suggested some of us could get all the controls then that was my aim. Clearly others had that target too and once you were with another runner it was hard not to stick together. I was lucky and ended up with Ciel. I did try to overtake and lead to do more nav but every time we reached rougher ground she pulled ahead again. We pushed each other and did well.

The weather then turned but was bright and sunny. After a day on Pendle I decided I wanted to have a go at the Dunsop Dash. Montane/Voom etc have 2 challenges and although the longer Dunsop Dawdle interested me more I knew that with 25km in my legs from the previous day and a cold that I cannot shift then the shorter version was the sensible one. Plus it meant Bob would not have to wait hours for me to finish.

We arrived in Dunsop Bridge early and the roads were fine even when I mistakenly took the higher lanes. It was chilly but fairly still down in the village. I decided to carry micro-spikes and loads of extra gear just in case. I knew the way most of the time as I headed up the track and then road past the water works. It should have been so runnable but my legs felt very heavy and I was struggling to breathe. Not a great start. 

There were a few icy patches but nothing that was unavoidable. Soon after the water works I turned over the river and onto a nicer path It started well but I was anxious about the last bit just before Whitendale Farm. I knew this would either be boggy or icy. It was a bit icy but although it slowed me down it was all visible and I got through without a slip.

From Whitendale there is an initially steep climb up onto the moor which tested my lungs a bit even though I was walking. The moor top was a mix of frozen turf, boggy bits and some surface ice. As a consequence I felt I was being cautious and slower than I would have liked. The drop to Brennand farm was good and the tracks clear of ice, especially compared to last years Bowland race. From behind the farm it was up and up and up on the Ouster Rake path. This was dry, ice free and nicely frozen. The paths down to the Trough road were a joy. I checked my watch and decided that I might be able to meet my goal.

The road was clear with just a few small patches of ice- certainly no need for the spikes I was carrying. After a kilometre or so on the road I turned onto the permissive path at Langden Intake. Again the ground was frozen but not icy. From Hareden I started on what is my usual descent from Totridge. There were some large icy patches just above the farm where it is usually boggy but then the higher field was dry. The paths around Mellor Knoll were dry but from here I was much less certain of the way. I made one small error not knowing which side of a fence and wall I needed to be. Not many folk walk some of these paths and the way was not clear. After a short section of marsh grass I was soon on the better path and into the woods at Whitemore. I was surprised to hit tarmac as I had thought from a glance at the map that I would be on a farm track. All good though as I would be faster. Sadly I got carried away and did not hear my watch beep in warning. Heading downhill on tarmac I missed a turn and had to retrace my steps back uphill. It was only 800m-1km it total but annoying. A new fence looked like it might block my way but as I got closer I could see a large open gateway and was soon down on the lane which I then followed for about 1km to Burholme Bridge. I was now checking my watch carefully for directions and also my time. Louise had gained the fastest female so far with 2hrs 51 and I wanted to beat this. My detour had not helped my plan.

Fast running after crossing the Dunsop led me to Burholme farm. The field path after this was easy to see thanks to many walkers wearing a path. The ground was firm but less frozen. The footbridge just east of Langden road bridge was closed and this gave me a quandary. Should I cross it or stay by the river and find a new route. The new route actually looked more direct. In the end I decided the footbridge looked fine to me. I had to climb to gain access but the way off the other end was easy and many footprints suggested many others had done the same. A short section of track led me behind the farm at Root and onto the road in the village. A very short section downhill and I was back at Puddle Ducks and my car. 

Total time 2hrs 45 which considering my cold and the extra km I was happy with. I am not sure whether the freeze helped or hindered. It was nice not having bogs but I did have to slow down on some icy patches.

Not a bad start to the year with a new female fastest time- until some younger faster runners discover the challenge. EDIT- Nickey Russell has just posted her time- 4 mins faster than me. I will have to go back! Plus the bonus of clean dry shoes and time for a hot chocolate in the cafe before Bob appeared.