Hmm. Can't deny it but I was nervous. My failure at H200 had knocked my confidence and our van has had so many issues- bless the van it is old but starting to get stressful. We parked up fine in the overflow field and although the queue was long there were many friends to talk to and it was dry so who cares. Although dry it was definitely cooler than recently and this prompted my to change my clothes (yes , I regretted it later). The trackers are now much upgraded and can go in a top pocket which is great for those of us with bony collar bones. I had several wanders around the field and lazing in van, even managing a sleep.
I didn't go to the briefing as I wanted time to just get prepared. Pre start I was worried I had too much clothing on and just hoped once the evening came it would be cooler.
Bob had walked up to the Miners Bridge to see me and was then going to do his own thing. I can never decide what to do at the start- race hard to the bridge or get stuck in a queue.
In the end I was chilled on the line as the music doesn't get me in the way that some others do. So many friends- Rory, Lawrence, Jackie and so many more.
In the end I did run fairly hard on the first bridge as I couldn't face the idea of queues at the bridge and on the narrow path afterwards. I was then more steady up Walna Scar road. I am now such a wuss on rocky descents.
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| I had swapped shorts for 3/4 and a ls top! |
The initial drop was fine but the rocky section before the road was terrible. Anna and Shelli both got ahead of me here.
CP1 with the Irish was lovely and the Guiness chocolate cake was wonderful. Once in the woods I diverted for a wee stop only to find 4 lads followed me.
Once back on track I ran with Una for a while. There seemed many more runners around me than in previous years but I couldn't figure out if this was because I was slower, faster or if there was just a different field this year.
The new path near Harter Fell was a welcome bonus and the ground was much drier too. There were lots of supporters in Boot as usual and big cheers from those at the pub. The path up towards Wasdale was drier than usual which made for good progress. It was wet around the tarn and stream but I guess that is never dry. Again I was slow on the descent to Brackenclose and the light was starting to fade. I caught Elaine as she stopped to put on her torch and decided to do the same before chasing her along the road and into the CP.
The fancy dress here was awesome and I made sure I ate, drank and filled up my soft flasks. I felt OK, probably because I was a little slower this year. The trail of lights as we climbed up to Black Sail Pass is always stunning and on the zig zags there is lots of opportunity to appreciate this.
I topped up my water again at the hut. I was cautious on the descent down to Buttermere. One guy fell badly and then towards the bottom I met Dan Bye who had also fallen and hurt his knee. I ran most of the way to the CP which was good and perhaps the slightly slower early pace was worth it. Despite the dark it was still very warm and I was regretting changing my clothes options.
The CP in Buttermere is not my favourite as it is tiny, outside and always seems a bit chaotic. I now know to ask for chocolate milk and just the sausage of a hot dog. The next section is up and up and up. Never really steep but it does go on. The bracken was high but some of the grassy paths made for decent running. I focussed on staying in touch with any lights just ahead. Once off the rocky paths the last bit of descent into Braithwaite is lovely and we had the breeze on our backs.
The CP had moved next door this year and was in the school. I drank and ate a bit but should have stayed for more. I needed the loo and these were outside, should have gone on the way in and then been in less of a rush. I was alone along the main road for a while but caught a runner and there were others just behind. WE missed the path off behind the traffic barrier but I realised straight away. It seemed very overgrown this year and it was a relief to reach the road near the Pheasant Inn. I felt slow up Latrigg but just kept plodding. There are always going to be 'bad' bits and I have tried to learn to just go with it. Some over took me but I feared a trip. From the virtual CP I felt better and had company all the way to the Blencathra CP. This year in tribute to Little Dave there was lots of pink and tutus rather than School of Rock. The tables were laden with chocolate cake of many varieties- LDs mum used to make a chocolate cake for the CP. In the past I have arrived here feeling dreadful so it was nice to be able to have cake and tea. I should have stayed for toast etc too.
It was nice to have company from here to the Coach Road. Once on that track I reeled in Una and overtook two others. The wind was on our backs, the daylight had arrived and I was feeling OK. The Hardmoors CP has now moved to the pub in Dockray so we were not fending off midges. I was very hot though and this meant I sat outside and missed the piles of food that would have slowly tempted me to eat. I should have also taken a layer off!
I ran OK to Aira Force and around Gowbarrow. There were huge waves on Ullswater but luckily not a headwind for us. Nobody passed me and we were now more strung out and set into our pace. I actually overtook a couple of runners on the fields and then the lanes. Approaching Dockray I stopped for a quick wee- good to know I was drinking enough. The coaches were all arriving full of 50 mile runners but the CP was calm and well organised as usual. I changed my socks and shoes but actually my feet were OK. The soup went down well but then thinking I should have solids I tried bread and was spectacularly sick. What a waste of time and effort eating. I had my box of custard and trotted on the best I could.
It was a relief to be out of the parking fields and away from crowds. Joe B was at the road waiting for his wife who was doing the 50 and it was nice to get a hug. Then I met Elaine walking back to the CP- her race over. Lack of food inevitably meant a lack of energy so it was slow through Pooley Bridge and out onto the Common. I ran with another woman most of the way to Howtown trying to drip feed my body small bites of Baby Bel cheese and the odd Hula Hoop. By the CP I decided I needed to risk more food and managed fruit and boiled potatoes. I like Fusedale even though it is tough. Suddenly there seemed lots more runners around me again. Were they slowing? Was I speeding up? I met Dan again as his damaged knee was causing him problems. The 50 started earlier this year and the first runners had already passed us. This became a real problem on the narrow Haweswater path. The bulk of the field/main fast pack were now catching us. I stepped aside for over 100 runners and was getting well pi**ed off! It was frustrating, slowing and kept breaking my stride. It was all made worse by very tall bracken this year. When you think you can see the end of the reservoir here you really can't. Knowing this makes it a bit easier to deal with as the path goes on and on.
At some point along here I ran with Amy and Kelly which was a surprise as I had last seen them near Boot. At Mardale CP I had tea and fruit but was struggling to even consider solids. I made great time up Gatesgarth which was just as well given how slow I was on the descent the other side. It was pleasantly cool on the tops but very warm in the valley. One poor guy thought this was Kentmere and I had to explain it was only Longsleddale with some hills to climb before Kentmere. Somewhere around here I met Tom again, friend of my brother. There were cows guarding the gate again but they soon moved. On the way to the CP I passed Mike my previous MV60 friend and then at the CP saw Phil who won MV60 last year. Sadly he was setting off and I knew I needed to stop and eat. I got a lovely welcome at the CP from Jamie and his family but could not face pasta. I sat outside with two big smoothies. When I left I could see Phil up ahead on Garburn but could not catch him and I knew he would be much faster than me on the descent to Troutbeck.
I lost a little time here when a guy took a very bad fall and bashed his head. He was running with his daughter so once he was upright and insisting he was OK I left them. It was a relief to reach tarmac. In the village I saw Ken and Karen M and I topped up my water as the pub had put out bottles.
The section from here to Ambleside is much easier with no big climbs and very little gnarly track. Running into the town is always quite emotional and one of the places where Marks dream of recreating the UTMB atmosphere has really taken off. The crowds line the streets with lots of cheering. They are mostly knowledgeable too and so know that when they see a red bib we are doing the 100. Our bibs this year had our super hero names and it was odd to hear shouts for Banana Girl. At the CP I felt rough and so had no solids. I was still taking small bites of Babybel and the odd Hula Hoop but knew that really I needed more. In the park I met the Billinge Runners but Mark S had already left.
I was slow around Latrigg but a bit better by Elterwater. Here I caught Tom again. Initially I was faster but then he took paracetamol and shot off. Crossing the cattle grid at Baysbrown I lost my balance and almost fell. By the CP I felt grim and thought I might be sick. I sat outside just in case and managed to drink. The path through Langdale felt busy with runners and quite a few 'cheated' . I spotted it but it was Matt N who was cross about this when I saw him the next day. I was happy to get beyond Blea Tarn in the daylight so my overall pace must have been OK. The section to the virtual CP on the road was much easier in daylight! After the easy road section I caught Tom again but he was better organised and when I stopped to find my head torch he shot off. The midges here were dreadful.
Despite being slow on the gnarly track I was soon in Tithberthwaite. All I wanted now was to finish and get my 5 yr slate. I must not fall or get lost. I still have not stopped for a cheese toasty - one day! It was now properly dark and I concentrated on keeping with the lights ahead. The rock steps were OK and I jogged even though I was not really running. The descent was a bit grim in the dark but I knew it would be- ageing eyes, tired legs and drizzle didn't make it easy. Once off the hill I recovered and ran all the way to the Miners Bridge and down into Coniston.
I had one short stop near the petrol station before the downhill to the finish gantry. Bob was waiting and Sally was there to shepherd me into the marquee.
I was 1st FV60, 9th F and 99the overall. Time was 29.21. I think it is the first time a 5yr slate has been won with a runner also getting a Vet slate each year they have run. So I now have a 'family' of 5 little FV60 slates and a larger 5yr slate.
I was not as trashed as in some previous years so perhaps I had not pushed hard enough? Bob got me a beer and my chilli. Then it was a walk to the van for a quick strip wash and bed.
Sunday began with our traditional fried egg breakfast.
The prize giving was a wonderful atmosphere as always. I sat with Amy and Phil but there was no run to the stage holding hands as F and M went up separately this year.
So many people said I was inspirational- it's quite embarrassing. Next year? Who knows, I said no and had not expected a vet win and another free entry.
