Sunday 24 March 2024

Hardmoors 55

 I love Hardmoors and had done this race twice before but not for a very long time. I guess that I knew after a decade I should expect to be slower but how much of a struggle and how slow came as a shock. I guess.... fail to prepare= prepare to fail. We have been away skiing for a fortnight and then mostly climbing in Spain. Not really any real running to speak of although I did fit in a few power hikes with a bit of running.

As usual we drove across on Friday (after almost 4 hrs climbing) and soon had the flags and banners up. I slept quite well and was up and registered before 7am when I guessed the coaches might arrive.  Nerves before the race often trouble my guts but the number of toilet trips this morning was something else. In between I caught up with so many friends that I had not seen for a while. The forecast was dry buy a strong cold wind.  I thought I prefer dry so OK... I wasn't so sure on the tops later!

By 8am we had marched up onto the old railway line and then had to wait as the loo queue had not ended. It was decidedly chilly standing about but I knew I would soon warm up on the fast flat run and then the initial climb up the High Nab. I set off fairly fast (too fast I later found) but felt OK. I should have realised that if I was ahead of TC something was wrong.

I was still going well at Rosebury Topping. It was baltic on the top and not a place to linger. The stone path is full of trip hazards and I made my way carefully down the trods to the side of the main path.

I know one is on the top but the change in posture is frightening

 Nice running led us along the moor and then down to the Captain Cook car Park. The pull up from here didn't seem too bad but by the top I was starting to struggle. Even on the tarmac drop to Kildale my legs were starting to complain. I has over-cooked it too early on and would now pay the price.
Rosebury- an iconic top

I grabbed cake in the village hall and plodded up the lane and onto the big track across the moor. I was struggling to eat and felt lacking in energy. I was super slow going up Ingelby Moor and towards Blowith. The wind was sapping what little energy I had and I was reduced to a walk. Hell, this is going to be a long day out if I am walking already! Loads of runners seemed to pass me and this deflated me even more. My head was in a bad place and I felt useless. As I struggled up to the CP and marshalls at Hasty Bank I really thought about a DNF. I had a short sit in a chair, couldn't face food as my stomach was cramping. 

The next section is beautiful over the Three Sisters. True is has some brutal ups and downs plus not many of us are fans of those rock step paths and the fear of tripping. I somehow persuaded myself to try to get to Lord Stones. I started to make better time and fewer runners passed me. It was cold in the wind but not too awful. The descents were now an issue for me and both shins were screaming. The poles helped, a bit. I tried to distract myself with memories... of Jon and Shirley's wedding run, of the 2010 H55 when I was close to hypothermic and got dragged to a car to add layers and have a hot cup of tea and of the H200 which had this as it's final section.

By Lord Stones I was still struggling but in a better frame of mind and managing to run bits. I used those around me to pull me on and gave myself a stiff silent talking to..... You wanted to do this, we drove a long way, you are being soft, stop moaning and enjoy it. My left hip, glute and groin were not happy and my stomach was awful but there was no reason to stop. Woods with easier paths and then a nice track made it easier to run/jog and reach Osmotherly.  Just as well as my right eye was suffering from wind blindness and totally clouded over and milky. Luckily my left eye with the contact lens seemed to have been protected. At least one runner had to pull out blind. Mono vision meant a lack of depth to my vision but at least I could see.

The CP here was busy but the staff were great. A cup of tea, rice pudding... anything that would slide down. I tried crisps but couldn't manage them and the slice of pizza ended up on the pavement as I left the village. Starting to run on empty now. Two young women had left the CP with me and I worked hard at not letting them get ahead on the up and up to Square Corner. They started to pull away a bit over Black Hambledon but I kept them in site all the way to Paradise Farm. Somewhere along here I met Garry and it was good to chat and push each other to run a bit. Things hurt but all the walking had allowed me some recovery from my crazy start. By now all those around me also seemed to be suffering and I didn't feel so bad.

Before long we reached the top of Sutton Bank and were shepherded across the road and onto the path towards White Horse. This starts well but the drop off the escarpment is horrid on muddy slippy limestone. Time for some caution. The CP took a while to appear and I couldn't decide what to eat. So far I had managed a flapjack bar, a gel, a Bounty, the rice pud, a slice of cake and nothing else all day.  I told myself to ask for sausage and soup but I just couldn't do it. It would take me ages to force it down and would likely reappear again anyway. Even the tea was a struggle so I gave up and headed for the infamous steps. I had now actually overtaken a couple of runners.

I had hoped not to be too far outside my time from 2014 which was 10hrs 23.  The hours of slow walking put paid to that so I readjusted and aimed for 11hrs 30. Even that was now starting to look unlikely. I tried to push on on the easy and often downhill tracks around Cold Kirby and di make reasonable progress. Too little too late but I was determined to do what I could. I stopped to put my head torch on- I could manage without it for now but would need it in the woods. Another nasty path dropped me to the River Rye and suddenly my torch started misbehaving. The thought of it going out now was almost comical after the day I was having. I had checked it was fully charged and so could not understand it. I fussed a bit and tried to turn it onto a dimmer setting to conserve the battery. Fearing total failure did at least make me try to run the the 3 guys that were around at this point as no torch in the woods would be a real disaster. I was on my own in the woods above Duncombe Park but knew they would end soon. I was now hoping to break 12 hrs and even that was not a certainty. There was only 3km to go and it was frustrating not to run but in the gloom of my light I didn't trust not to turn an ankle until I hit the Cleveland Way statue and the tarmac. I jogged through the village and up Braxton Lane to the finish. 

Not the day I had hoped for. 12 hrs 11 . I finished in a mess. Everything hurt, my stomach was still cramping and even a cup of tea set me in urgent need of the toilets. I was in a better state at the end of the H200 than this. 

Not dead but close

Any food was out of the question. I just wanted to lie down- so I did. After a while I recovered enough to have a cup of tea and a small toasted sandwich. At the prize giving I was surprised to find I was 1st FV50 abd so 1st FV60 too.  I also now have the record for both these age classes (which just goes to show they do not get many fast older female runners). 

It was a day of humility, lessons learned and grim determination. (don't eat fridge left overs that might be dodgy... suspect this gave me mild food poisoning. Plus seem to have a throat infection.) And all this whilst Jasmin was showing what real effort and determination look like!

Bob had been a star.. moving the flags and banners from start to finish as well as fitting in his own walk having decided it was too cold and windy to cycle. He had also bought beer and food but I couldn't face these. I hoped to wait for the next Runfurther runners but just wanted my bed. Bob took down the flags etc and we were asleep before midnight having decided to stay and drive home on Sunday.

All 10 Runfurther members finished and Sarah Challans and Any Collier had great runs.

Sunday 4 February 2024

Pendle Way in a Day

 First race in the Runfurther series again and I know the route pretty well now. We have had all sorts of weather for it but that was not my main worry this year. I have barely run since the Bowland Ultra except for a couple of Night Orienteering events where nav and dark force me to slow down. I also played street O catch up a fortnight ago and now regret bothering. Short sharp runs and on tarmac don't suit me and I upset a niggle in my glute and hip on the Monday. A second run on the Wednesday was an even worse idea- I even started walking back to the pub part way through before trying to tough it out. Lots of climbing followed but no running and I could still feel it. Annoyingly, or predictably, those two runs will be discards with my worst points. At least the Night O went well and I seem to have won the FVet/ over 50 North West League.

I told myself that the forecast looked OK and that I needed to go to Pendle with the prizes, flags etc anyway. I managed to persuade Bob that he wanted a walk there and so we went on Friday evening. This allowed me to put up flags and banners, hand mint cake and prizes to Jamie the RO and to set up the display boards. A lie in would be possible on Saturday. Despite the forecast it was crazy windy all night and I kept being woken by the wind in the trees and worrying how the flags were standing up to it. The lie in meant I missed the walkers start at 7am and so did not see Andy but shortly afterwards I went to register. Kit check was swift and I concentrated on handing out spot prizes and left overs from last years prize giving. Concerned about how cold and wet we got two years ago I had opted for thicker tights and two base layers. A quick check outside at 7.45 and I found it was still windy and raining. I changed into my heavier cag. Mistakes.. I was far too hot for most of the journey.

We gathered outside for the briefing and at 8am prompt we were off. I knew I would not beat Kat or Claire and so tried not to race off too fast even though the first kilometer or so is flat.  The woods at Whitehough were as boggy as usual and I was cautious on the drop to Roughlee having promised I would not injury myself and upset our holiday plans. By Barrowford and the original start venue I was a bit alarmed to see Claire just ahead but assumed I would drop back once we started climbing a bit. A few guys overtook me in the next few miles as I walked some short sections to try to ease my glute/hip. This included Glen- the oldest racer by about a year. Before Weets we caught up with the first walkers and the day now had blue skies and great views. Martin danced by- he always looks so light and nimble and then I caught Claire. She was suffering and likely to pull out at the marshall check in Barnoldswick. Much of the next section was run with three guys and trying to keep with them helped my speed but not my bum. 


Barnoldswick to Earby is fairly quick running and includes my least favourite canal section. My three friends pulled ahead a bit but coming off Kelbrook Moor we were back together again and we had been joined by man with poles (Jonathon?) and Tod man Gaz. Knowing the route on these sections of multiple paths and farm tracks really helps and pole man was very grateful. At the CP in Kelbrook I grabbed a cake and some sweets but still had plenty of my own food left too.  The path through to Wycoller was less muddy than usual and I managed to run fairly well but then opted to eat crisps and power walk with the odd jog up the big track and onto the route shared by Pendle Way, Bronte Way and Pennine Bridleway. 

I was now picking off walkers and those on the shorter route which helped keep me motivated to run and stomp. Pole man and Tod man were slightly ahead but we had dropped the three guys. A good track led to Coldwell but the farm track before Catlow was as bad as always with deep mud. At the ford the river was quite high and leaving the last stepping stone for the cobbles of the ford I slipped. No harm done except the weird muscle pop out thing near my ribs. I prayed that a fast walk up the very steep lane would allow it to settle and it did. The CP had moved to a tiny church room in Southfield. I topped up water and grabbed a little to eat before jogging down the track to the reservoir.  Another predictably muddy section led up to the main road and then more pleasant paths leading to Reedly. Downhill roads here let me run again before the broken and submerged duckboards by Pendle Water. A broken bridge meant a diversion next- it wasn't exciting being on a pavement but was certainly easier  than the usual path.  Up and up to the main road at Fence and then along to Higham - it felt longer than 4km. In the CP I grabbed a donut and cup of tea. I was tired and my glute was sore but the end was in sight. Up the boggy fields to the lane and then a short pleasant section before the very boggy track to Bull Hole.

Walkers ahead pulled me into Newchurch and another group was caught as we climbed to Fell Wood. Poleman was still with me and Tod man too, although he ran harder to Pendle trig point. Knowing the trod around the rim saved me a little time and knowing the runners trod near the awful stone steps save me trip hazards and fear of falling. I was hoping to beat 9hrs 10 but decided it wasn't worth risking all at this stage so ran with caution until the tarmac of the village. 

9hrs 12 was not so bad even if it was almost an hour behind Kat who was first F. I was 2nd F, 1st FV and 3V.  About 15 mins slower than last year but quicker than the other two and back without needing a head torch.

Bob came to meet me and I recovered with lentil dahl, beef stew and cups of tea. All the Runfurther stuff was collected together (thanks Bob) and it was a joy to do it in the dry this time. We saved the beer until we got home. Not a bad day out and a good start to the Runfurther series.

Sunday 21 January 2024

The start of 2024

 It kicked off on 1stJan at my orienteering club's annual New Year Cracker.  A fairly low key event where controls are not too technical- ideal for me. There was lots of fast running terrain too so the only issue was deciding how much I could manage in the allotted time and making sure I was not late back. It went well in good weather and I had fun. Afterwards I went for a walk run out onto Helsington and Scout Scar to meet Bob. 

I have kept my promise to myself of attempting more Night Orienteering- in terrain, not just the Street O. I don't find it easy but I am sure the concentration and practice will benefit my nav and keep the skills from being lost altogether. It is so easy today to simply load up OS maps on my phone and press the little button that says You are here! The first event went quite well even though it followed a fairly tough day on the Coniston Fells.

It was cold but dry and although hesitant in the forest at times I did not get lost. I missed the next event despite my over ambitious hopes of fitting it in after an Ultra race but made the following one. Again this was on a new area to me, a big disadvantage compared to many of those running. I made a complete hash of CP1 thinking the map looked easy. In my defence I became muddled in part because the line led me to CP4 which in the dark and my haste looked like 1. By the time I had wandered about trying to make it all fit I was starting to panic. Once sorted the rest of the event went well on a lovely and so much milder evening. Two events in one day as we had our club handicap in the morning in very chilly weather and on some very icy paths. With luck I will make the event next weekend too.

Bob is celebrating a big birthday this year and so has set himself some challenges. It will mean many days in the Lakes and not wanting me to be left out he suggested if he could do 80 Wainwrights @80 I should do double my age and collect 126. Never one to refuse a challenge I have made a start. We had sort of planned a flying ski trip but when the weather looked dry and bright we binned that and took the van to the Lakes. 

First stop Coniston in some very frosty weather. The views were superb, Bob got to see a beautiful broken spectre 

and I bagged 7 Wainwrights with some running and a great deal of power walking.  

I was hoping tired legs would let me run more slowly and carefully that evening at the Night O. An easier rest day saw us exploring the Ravenglass estuary and parts of Muncaster Castle grounds before heading up to Wasdale.  Van parking is no longer easy here and given the forecast we booked onto the campsite. This allowed an early start up Lingmell. 

It got a bit sketchy from then onwards with poor visibility, strong winds, icy ground etc but I made it up Scafell Pike seeing only 3 other people in a couple of hours. No photos of these early bits! 

By the time I was lower and near Esk Hause conditions improved so I included Great End even though I saw very little. 

By Styhead things improved considerably and so I went up Great Gable. So glad that I did as the 360 views were amazing! I thought about Green Gable but was concerned there may be ice in Aaron Slack and so simply reversed my route and doubled back to find Bob. 

This gave me some extra miles and allowed us to return to Wasdale together. Another 4 added to my tally. 

We then moved to Ennerdale. I had planned a nice clockwise tour for the van. It is always a quiet valley and this trip was no exception. The dark skies made for awesome star gazing and we stayed two nights.

The pull up to Caw took less time than I expected but wow was I greeting by cold one the top. A fierce wind on the ridge as I battled towards Haycock. Then turning south to Red Pike the wind dropped and I even found somewhere to stop and eat before returning to the wind and Scoat Fell. It wasn't as bad on the exposed ridge to Steeple and the ice was no issue. 

I spotted Bob coming off Haycock and ran back to meet him. I guessed I had time to make it to Pillar and although the track after Black Sail hut would be a bit annoying it would be a safe way to end the day if the light started to fade. 

At least the descent to the hut was easier than on L100- legs much less tired and I could see where I was going! Another 7 bagged and back long before dark. 

The next days forecast was less good and an easier day was on the cards. A short drive via Cockermouth for some essential shopping and we were still in Buttermere quite early. We set off for Rannerdale Knotts together. 

Bob then headed back down the valley and I power hiked up Whiteless Pike. 

It took very little time but my legs were tired, I didn't have much gear with me and clag showed no signs of moving off the higher tops. In dobbed O shoes I had a wonderful jog downhill all the way to the van.  A short day but 2 more notched up.

A cozy night below Rannerdale Knotts didn't really have the van in the correct place for the next day so we moved to the NT Buttermere car park.  I decided to start with Haystacks and not to bother with Fleetwith Pike in case it was icy. This would also allow me time to continue along to Starling Dodd and beyond if all went well. The weather was great again- cold, very cold but dry and beautiful views. 

 Haystacks took a bit of time with all the little scrambles and false tops but I made it back to the col in time to meet Bob in Scarth Gap. We parted again and I hurried off up High Crag. I had still seen no other people until a fell runner came flying towards me. The ridge to High Stile was interesting in strong winds but the going was good on frozen ground and as I reached the summit the clouds cleared giving me great views as I wondered around the several summit cairns. 

It was too cold to linger for long so I was soon on my way to Red Pike. By now I was dropping slightly and the weather was improving. I raced off over to Little Dodd on wonderful grassy paths. I found a sheltered hollow to eat and even catch the sun before moving on again to Starling Dodd. From here all the tops are wonderful rounded lumps covered in grassy paths. They suck me in and make me wish I could just run and run all the way to the coast. 

Not today though. I explored Great Bourne and then picked up the bridleway that links Ennerdale and Crummock Water. I got wet feet here but I had expected this. It seemed too early to head back so I flogged across the bog until I reached drier paths up Melbreak. It is ages since I have been up here- on the DH memorial Buttermere race with a bashed face after a fall on Whiteside edge. I wondered if I might see Bob but now had no signal to see how far he had got. After a direct line temporarily got me crag bound on Scale Knott I was soon low down by the lake on big paths.

I had very wet and muddy feet so did not loiter even though the cafe looked enticing. I was back in the van changed and with the kettle on when Bob appeared. A quiet night on Newlands Hause finished off the day. Unbeknown to us the next day had an amazing temperature inversion but we were committed to an errand in Keswick and the journey home. A pretty good week.

Saturday 13th saw my first Ultra of the year. It was the inaugural Bowland Ultra. A very early drive in the dark led me thanks to Google maps by some interesting roads to Slaidburn. Runners were struggling with the pay and display machine but it did accept my card even though the time would run out at 3pm. Ah well- who would be checking on a wintry day in January just before dark- hopefully nobody. 

I introduced myself to Seth the RO as he had asked about being in the Runfurther series. Too late for this year but you never know in future. 

Soon I was through kit check and chatting to friends.  I knew most of the route if not in detail at least well enough to not be anxious. It was cold but dry. 

A 8am start meant no need for torches as Seth on his bike led us out of the village and to the first road junction. A rollercoaster of mostly ups led to the Salter Fell road. 

This huge gravel shooting track heads north towards the Lune valley and I knew it from several runs including the Witches Way. We were soon heading into cloudier skies with mist at the junction where we turned west. I had been making good time and the gravel was less nasty than expected with a fair bit of soft ground to use. I could still see Claire up ahead and was running with Bridget. I should have realised the pace was a bit fast for me but all felt OK.

It was shame not to be off track and plodding up Wolfhole Crag but permissions had been tricky on the shooting estates so it was shooting tracks for lots of kilometers here and it seemed to take a long time to pass below Ward Stone and reach the turn for Abbeystead. Again lack of permissions sent us on a little detour of lanes before we reached the village hall. I spotted Claire and had no longer been able to keep up with Bridget- yep- too fast too soon and I was going to pay for it! This must have affected my mood as I really disliked the next section. There was some road running but nothing near as much as I felt at the time. I guess my Bowland runs are usually all off road and it was a shock. By Oakenclough I had had enough- a real low point as I dawdled along the tarmac.  At this point I knew there was no hope of me finishing in time to recover and drive to the Night O. Strong words and some food improved things and by Stang Yule I was a bit more cheery as I ran to Bleasdale village hall. I knew I needed to stop and eat here. Paul T caught me and passed me but hey ho. This was the only part of the day where we had any rain- blustery showers as I plodded up to Fiensdale Head. I was now back on familiar running routes and happier. The descent to Langden Beck is a bit gnarly and I had opted for comfort not grip and so was cautious here. Marshalls had kindly flagged the river crossing although I knew the way.

 I was soon passing Langden Castle (it is NOT a castle) and on my way along the river to Dunsop Bridge. Another food stop and some some cheery words from Graham who was spectating set me on my way to Whitendale. 

The shooting fraternity were out in huge numbers and I had to step aside for lines of posh 4B4 vehicles going in both directions.Then near the waterworks bridge I had to squeeze past a dozen parked along the usually gated bridleway. As I left this and took the contouring path to Whitendale Farm they were shooting non stop.  I knew that from here it would be pleasant running and paths over Dunsop Fell  and then down to the lanes leading back to Slaidburn. I had been on my own since seeing Paul at Bleasdale but that was fine. It was just getting dark as I approached the village but I had made it without needing my head torch. Personal service from the RO saw me swilling tea and tucking into food very promptly. I was surprised to find that Claire was not 1stF and that an unknown to us woman had shown Phil a clean pair of heels! 

I still got a prize- 4thF and 1st FV. Lots of chat and more tea followed as various friends also finished. I needed my torch to find the car and decided to ignore Mr Google and follow my nose to Dunsop Bridge and home. A tough day out at 8hrs 58 and almost 43 miles. After a day or so my feelings about the race changed and I might do it again. Seth cannot help the awkward land owners, it is a great set up for charity and food banks, plus he needs a route that will work in the worst weather we could get in a Lancashire January.

The weather then became even better- cold and bright. 

So a day on Darwen Moor where I kept clean dry feet thanks to frozen ground and then a trip to Langdale mid week. It was an interesting drive through the valley on Tuesday afternoon as no buses were running and the snow plough and gritter had not arrived yet. We made it and managed to blag a spot on the Langdale NT campsite. 

It was cold and icy but not quite as cold as the previous week. Early Wednesday saw me set off in microspikes along the valley floor. They were needed all day and in fact the lowest paths with compacted snow turned to sheet ice were the worst. 

I had a wonderful day from Rossett Pike, out and back to Allen Crags before heading over Esk Pike, Bow Fell and Crinkle Crags. It was tough going with a crust of snow that was firm in places but in many dropped me through to knee deep soft snow. The unpredictable nature of this made running or moving fast a bit dodgy. I took masses of photos and kept stopping to admire the views. It was very quiet until I met a few people who had come up the band. From the Crinkles I struck out for Cold Pike and then decided I just had time to take in Pike O Blisco. With some footprints to help guide me this was actually a more pleasant descent than in the dry last autumn. I was back at the van well before dark and soon cozy.

Day 2 saw a trip on the other side of the valley. I was a little anxious about the ice on the path up Stickle Beck but it was fine. Stickle Tarn and Pavey Arc looked spectacular. I toyed with the idea of Blea Rigg but the Wainwright point is quite a long way down and the deep snow was sapping my energy. I made it over Sergeant Man and headed off to High Raise. Again my stops to admire the views and take photos were many.

 From here it was a snowy wander over to Thunacar Knott, the top of Pavey Arc, Harrison Stickle and then the rocky dumpy scrambly lump that is Pike of Stickle. This last top was actually easier in the deep snow. Sadly it was not yet 1pm and other than Loft Crag I had nowhere else to go. I should have done Blea Rigg after all. 

I dawdled on the tops and visited every little cairn wanting to stay high and in the sun for as long as I could before heading gradually down to the New Dungeon Gill car park. Back at the van by 2.15pm I made a sandwich and sat in the sun until chilly I decided to venture back up the path to meet Bob. Another amazing two days with 7 more Wainwrights for me on each one. We stopped off on Helsington above Kendal for one last play in the sunshine on the way home- 

Scout Scar and Cunswick Scar.

Lowest paths were very icy but most of the fellside beautiful and great views back into the Lakes and the Howgills. Wow days that make you glad to be alive and out there- mountains snow and sun-= good for the soul.