Anglezarke Amble

 Not an ultra but I had an entry and the event was full so it seemed rude not to use it. Plus the weather forecast was good, the best day for ages. Having managed PWiaD I was sure I could do this even though I knew I would be slower than usual. The mud and some icy patches had me running even more cautiously and so even slower but it was a grand day to be out.

I over estimated the travel time and parked easily and fairly close to the hall. It meant I had ages to chat with people before the start. I missed Nick as he was just heading out to set off with the walkers. Jenny was able to update me with knee woes, Mark to tell me I should be resting and Lawrence to check the route. I also had a long chat with Chris C who has been injured and I have not seen for ages. Claire and Phil arrived and I was pleased to see he was also contemplating how many layers to wear!

Before 9am we were gathered outside for a very quiet briefing and then off.  I tried to go steady and knew that even if I ran to the top barn I would struggle on the steeper bit into the terraced gardens.  Albert and Jordan had somehow raced ahead without me even seeing them but I could see Tony up ahead until we got to the Italian Lake and then he pulled further ahead and out of sight. The climb up the Pike was tough and my lungs could not get enough oxygen. I was cautious on the descent but it was fine and the big track to Pike Cottage had icy bits but they were all avoidable. Having the CP down there is much better for the marshalls and as we climbed up towards the mast it was wonderful sunshine but chilly. The diversion due to mast works took us off onto icy flag-stones and already there was a walker wrapped in a space blanket having slipped and damaged their wrist.

The main sloping rake down to Bolton Road was much less icy than I had feared and I concentrated on overtaking bobble hat lady.  I knew that Claire would be well ahead and that there was one other younger female. I can't help it..... yes I was being cautious but I did also want to do my best!

At the next stile there was another runner sat nursing their wrist but the path was muddy not icy as I crossed the fields and dropped to the stream. The minor road was much more icy and I jumped the gate to gain the fields as soon as I could even if it is not the legal right of way.  Despite all the icy bits the path through the reed beds and bogs to the A666 was wet, muddy and boggy. I caught more walkers and moved ahead. Somewhere here I slipped on a stile and bashed my knee but no serious damage was done. The path below Turton Heights was better than expected and I was soon running downhill to the CP at the reservoir. I stopped for food and then stomped across the dam and up the lane munching as I went. Running on a reasonably level surface and not up a big hill felt a bit better but I knew it was unlikely to last. The Witton Weavers Way back to Cadshaw and A666 was easy running and I overtook some more walkers/slow runners. I knew the climb up to the back of Darwen Moor was about 3km but was determined to run when I could. I picked off people in front and gradually gained the height. Turning right at the green sign the path was semi frozen but still boggy in places and this continued pretty much to the Tower. 

I could now see runners ahead and this boosted me a bit.  I couldn't quite catch them but was gaining. The sun had now disappeared and it was a bit chilly. Leaving the moor I caught two runners and then worked out it was 2nd F (but she had taken her jacket off confusing me for a minute). We chatted and then as we dropped to Slipper Lowe we caught Nick. No time for more than a brief chat as I wanted to stick with the couple if I could. Stopping at the CP for sausage, tea and pain killers meant I lost contact with them but they were not far ahead. They kept looking back so perhaps they were struggling a bit. I pushed on and even though climbing Great Hill lost me a few minutes I then closed the gap dropping down to Drinkwaters. By White Coppice we were together. It is good that the CP here is now out on the main path and so there is no need to divert into the Cricket Ground.  It's only a few miles back and so no need for more food. I passed Albert who was walking and concentrated on staying with the couple past Bullough and along the tarmac below Anglezarke. It was here that I realised I had more in reserve than the other woman who had a sore knee, and I could now smell the finish. We were together until the last field when I made a big effort to finish a minute or so ahead. 

LDWA would say it is an event not a race but as certificates show a time this seems a vague distinction. Exactly 5hours and 2nd F. It maybe a PW I am not sure but it was a good day out. I joined Claire who was less then 30 mins ahead and also Tony and Josie who had run some bits with him. Soup, cake and several brews saw me recovered. I volunteered to help in the kitchen but was assured there was no need. Ribs are still very sore, it won't let me breathe deeply so I run out of breath on climbs and then get back ache from holding myself rigid but hopefully they will mend soon and this way I will keep some fitness.

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.