Bowland Top 6 at last

 I have had my eye on the route for some time. After plenty of snow I was hoping in January that the bogs would be frozen and the snow crust would be great running. They had been great on the 1st and 4th for two other runs up there. Not on 9th Jan 2021, how wrong can you be. I arranged a lift to Jubilee Tower and within minutes knew that it was not going to be easy. There was plenty of snow but it was deep and not frozen. I plodded on trying to make the most of it. 

At least the weather wasn't bad (yet). Before I reached Grit Fell I had been passed by a skier and he was making much better progress. My feet were already soaked along with most of my lower legs.  Onwards and upwards, don't be a wimp. Before Wards Stone I had met three skiers and all were doing OK. My progress was slower than I would have liked but not dreadful and I was still warm enough. From Wards Stone onwards the snow became a real chore. For much I was in deep drifts that hid deep icy pools. At some points I was in thigh deep and even waist deep drifts. I was getting slower and colder. By now it was the zero vis of low cloud. I was stumbling around like a drunk as the ground suddenly rushed up to meet me or dropped away unexpectedly. The wind got up with yet more blown snow. Falling so much meant my gloves were soaked and I was shivering and wearing all my layers. Then I started to feel sea sick. I almost made it to Wolf Crag but knew it was getting unsafe for me to continue, plus it wasn't much fun. I decided I should bail and headed down to Marshaw and the valley floor. By the time I met the tarmac conditions were so different and I felt almost daft for having bottled out. After a fair bit of road running I was warm again and included a short loop of Grizedale Head and Nicky Nook. I phoned to rearrange my lift and to stay warm kept jogging towards Garstang until Bob and the van arrived to rescue me. A 35km training run and some SMJ. No harm done, just a bit of disappointment.

Fast forward to May and I spotted another window of opportunity. Doing The Accumulator in January had left me injured with no running for weeks but I was now on the mend. The dry weather had ended but I hoped the tops would not be a total bog fest yet. It was not ideal with the forecast mentioning rain later in the day but I reckoned I had time to squeeze it in given that I should be able to do 40km in under five and a half hours. 

Again I got Bob to drop me at Jubilee Tower early on. Within minutes I had wet feet but hey this is Bowland so what did I expect.  I made good time up the fence line despite this and really it was just standing water not bog. Once on Grit Fell the swooping path down past the Christmas Tree was fun and I was soon on Wards Stone.

 By now I was warm enough to shed my cag and race on to Ward Stone east.  It got a little more boggy on the path to Wolf Crag but the sun came out and the views were wonderful. Looking right I could see Totridge in the far distance, it looked a long way and big. 

For now though my mind was focused on White Hill. If there is a good way to this trig I have never found it. I did have a trod up the fence line but as I turned to move to wards the siting tower and trig it disappeared. 

Descending was a bit better with a larger path by the fence line dropping me to the old fell road only a short was from the footpath that would take me to Whitendale. Once at the farm I made a silly error and took the road option- albeit running on the verge. The path on the other side of the river would have been nicer and had less climb. Oh well, an excuse to do it all again some time. I was now meeting my first people of the day and made good time to the edge of Dunsop Bridge. I wasn't really racing so had taken time to admire the views, take some photos and even stop and eat. The fields across the the Trough road were full of lambs and the road full of cyclists. 

Once I reached Harden I was alone again. Totridge summit came quicker than I had hoped and I paid my respects to Bill Smith as usual. Only one more top to go now and it started well along the wall. It was ankle deep in places but just standing water. Then things got much worse. The bogs and cloughs of peat made it very slow going. 

A fence was being replaced and machinery had made the line even worse than usual. At one point I got stuck and almost lost a shoe. More time lost. As always it ended and I was very pleased to reach the top of Saddle Fell, drop a little and pick up the good path all the way to the cairns just east of Fairsnape. No more nasty fence line.  I sploshed my may across to Paddy's Pole and the final trig point. The black clouds were building up and I hoped I could make it down to Fell Foot before the rain. Nope- it started so I stopped to bury my phone and dig out my cag. I had phoned for a lift and hoped it would also be there before the rain got too heavy. 

I skipped Parlick in my rush to beat the rain and arrived at Fell Foot gate with my watch showing 39.5km, 1079m of climb and 5hrs 27 moving or 5hrs 45 total. Not the fastest but a great little day out.

First race since Covid lockdowns- The Spire Ultra

 

After missing out on the Pendle Way in a Day through injury this was my first opportunity to pin a number on and to race. Thanks to Jamie McKilvenny and Jamie Glazebrook for their determination in making these two races happen. We had been away most of the week but after two days of slow runs in the Dales I was careful and restrained on Friday and just went for a walk despite the lovely weather on the edge of Derbyshire. The forecast for Saturday was poor and did not change, what a shame. It was raining when I woke at 6am and did not stop all day although I have to admit it was not ‘heavy’ as they had predicted.

                              Our fabulous sponsors- plus banners at the farm for tent meals and Romneys

Luckily we had put up the Runfurther flags and banners the evening before so all I had to do on Saturday was wander up the lane to the car park field, hand over mint cake and prizes to Jamie and collect my race number from Clare. I then retreated to the van for over an hour. We were set off in waves of 8 to be Covid safe. It meant I didn’t see everybody but I did start with Sarah C and Charles C.  At this stage I had no idea whether my groin would allow me to run this race and knew that with about 18 miles being the most I had run since late January it would not be easy. Worried that I might be forced to walk and get chilly I set off in tights and full waterproofs. I timed my arrival up at the start perfectly... just in time to see wave 4 go and a couple of minutes to chat with friends.  I had some doubts about my ability to remember the way even though I had done this race 2 years ago. Recently I have started to rely on OS maps with the route downloaded on my phone but today fearful of the wet I had buried it deep in my sack thinking I would only get it out in an emergency. As a consequence I was pulled along as I tried to catch people from the earlier waves and then keep up with some for a short time in the faster waves behind.  There were a few bits I did remember but I would have sworn never to have ever seen other sections!  For me it was a new start venue as being in Tier 3 prevented me going last October for the rescheduled 2020 race.  Once off and running the rain really didn’t seem so bad and with the first landmark being Belland (Bellend?) Road I was already smiling. All was going well and I even recognised the woods and bits near Holymoorside and the Chatsworth Rd.  

                                                   I had no memory at all of this bridge!

I made it through Commonside and into the woods beyond. Then I lost the faster male runners from waves behind me. I stopped to get food and also for a wee. Just as I was debating if my memory was correct about an unmarked turning to reach the A61 crossing some more runners arrived. Sarah and Charles were in the group but first to arrive was Christine and I quickly hooked in with her and Frank. Mostly I remembered this section but it was good to have Frank and his GPS making sure and also almost non-stop chat with Chris. I do most of my running solo and was amazed how fast the miles flew by as we were chatting.  I felt she was setting the pace (apparently she thought I was) so we cracked on. So far I had only had a twix, a MF jelly and some MF in my drink. At the pub at Hundall a nice marshall opened a packet of crisps for me and I managed not to choke as I ate and ran.

Why do I look like I am battling the weather while Chris looks so nonchalant?

We made a tiny nav error in New Whittington but it only cost us a couple of hundred metres. Near Longcourse Farm I told tales of eating strawberries and melon on the hot day two years ago and also realised I knew the way for the next few miles to Heath and beyond. I had spotted Sarah and Charles not far behind at this point and was keen to push on. Chris and I pulled ahead of Frank and all was well until the 5 Pits Trail. Famous last words of “it’s easy this bit”. As we sped down hill chatting I suddenly felt it wasn’t right. We trudged back uphill and sure enough there was Charles waving and putting us on the correct route. By North Wingfield we were off and alone again. Once again on a downhill we flew along chatting and missed a small turn off the main track. Chris said she sort of knew this bit and I stopped concentrating. She did know it- well enough to get us back on route and we only added about a mile. We popped out new the new houses and retail-park just behind Charles and Sarah. Bugger, now we would have to run hard all over again. Some earlier sections had been ankle deep in water or on very slippery mud but the next woods were a delight and full of blue bells. I could remember this section and gradually pulled ahead knowing that once we were on Bole Hill we were almost home. It looked likely that Chris and I would both beat my old record and perhaps Sarah too. In the last woods I could smell home and as always this gave me just the boost I needed to plod on with renewed effort.  I did pull away from Chris but knew that she had started in the wave behind me and so had at least a 2 minute advantage. As we left the last lane I turned to check she was still on route and raced in the last 800m or so. I arrived at the finish soggy from rain and sweat. There had been no opportunity to remove waterproof over trousers or the extra base layer I was wearing.

                                              Leading women all fuelled by Mountain Fuel!

Chris arrived less than two minutes later and so was the female winner- delighted with her trophy and Icebug shoe voucher (thanks to our sponsors at Beta). It was only then talking to Jamie that I realised I actually knew Chris from fell races about 15-20 years ago- more as a name than somebody I ran with as I was never that fast.  Sarah arrived shortly afterwards and we managed a group photo before deciding we needed to shed wet clothes and get warm again.

3 Record breakers- 2nd,1st and 3rd

 The route needs a few more markers in places for those of us who are not local and have a poor memory. I have suggested an option to donate medal ( I have plenty of medals) preference to fund more signs instead. The route is lovely and very varied with a much more rural feel than say Round Rotherham.

Not that we actually saw the crooked Spire in the rain

 It was a great day out and so wonderful to pin on a number again, see friends, actually race and to make sure Runfurther keeps going. Thanks to the RO, team of marshalls and those who kept me company on the run. Bob drove home, although by the time we got to Glossop we were starving and so stopped for Fish and Chips which disappeared very very fast... another good reason to like ultra running. 

Frozen Accumulator- another Cockbain trial and the Turfing

 After doing the Accumulator last May I do now in hindsight wonder what possessed me to do this again. It was tough and I finished the last one but with an injury. I guess we knew there would be no races, our ski trip was cancelled and the likelihood of climbing in Spain getting dim. Maybe this time would be easier?

Fantastic conditions on Bowland at the start

The weather was certainly very different with some grim days during January. I did not have as much snow or ice as some in other parts of the country had to contend with but I would much rather be too hot than cold and wet.

No ultra runner goes out to run 1 mile and so on the 1st Jan I set out to enjoy a Calder Vale Round of my own invention. It gave me a lovely loop of 28km and a few hills plus some bits I didn't know very well at all which is always fun.  We were really being asked to 'Stay Local' what ever that might mean so for the next two days I did run from home. Local paths and roads are a bit boring so I discovered Turfing. It is a game on an app- you go to places called zones and get points. Initially I was sceptical and my old I phone seemed to struggle for GPS, and for a link to their server and with battery life. I persevered and it became quite addictive. Three days done and 36 miles rather than 6 done but all was good. 

To celebrate I ran The Wyresdale Skyline on the 4th. This goes from the old PO in Quernmore to the PO in Scorton. An early start and an amazing sun rise.

There are some great route suggestions on the Bowland Fellrunners website.  A beautiful 37km and not a soul on the hills until the predictably crowded Nicky Nook. I was loving being out on the hills and the weather was OK. The next day was a recovery with just the minimum distance but the following day I was back out on the hills I love but exploring new trods and so a rather slow 22km. Two more days of turfing followed as I used it to explore places close by that I rarely visit. Then came the snow. I was hoping that compacted snow and frozen bogs would make a long trip on Bowland a great idea. How wrong can you be! 

My attempt at the Bowland top 6 peaks failed due to deep drifts of unconsolidated snow. I knew in my heart even before Clougha and Grit Fell that it might be too tough  as three people on skis were making considerably better progress than me. After Wards Stone I was in waist deep snow at times and struggling to move enough to keep warm.  Zero visibility made me feel sea sick as the ground came up to meet me or suddenly dropped away.  It was not safe for me up there. I abandoned and escaped to the valley where it was hard to believe what conditions had been like and had me wondering if I had been a wuss and bailed too quickly. Still 35km done. 

I mostly turfed after this- often doing one big run for the Accumulator but then going back out again in search of more zones. 

Hard to believe there is a 3m wide cycle track here

Much of it was wet, so wet that our local stream that is canalised flooded badly; by far the worst we have ever seen it. High tides (yes, this canal is affected by tides), heavy rain and melting snow...

The path has gone

There was another trip to Bowland but it was shorter and on decent paths. I think the average total miles on most days was about 18 in the early/middle of the month. By the 25th it was getting tougher to find interesting local routes and to make my body move. Suddenly on the 27th after 8 miles something deep in my glutes and groin objected violently and I walked the remainder of my miles.

What to do? Could I walk it off? Should I stop? I had invested well over 400 miles in the challenge by now and only had 4 days left. In hindsight being pig headed and competitive has cost me dear but at the time it seemed that pushing on and avoiding another dnf was the right thing to do. I walked and hobbled the last 4 days, mostly in discomfort or pain and yes I even took a few pain killers.

Total of 620 miles for January and my worst injury yet. I could not walk up or down stairs, had to manually lift my right leg to get into bed etc and had to hold furniture to move around the house. Not good at all. It did ease very slightly and after a week of rest I could limp about. 

I mentioned Turfing. Well you can Turf on foot or on a bike. I was still struggling to walk never mind run but I found that I could cycle OK. Getting on and off the bike was a bit of a comedy sketch and I only really had power in one leg but I could be outside and active. 

Green are yours! Record for me pph of 666

A local orienteering club had challenged us to this 'Round' of Turf and so from 7th Feb for a month my competitive head was back on. At first that's all it was- a low key attempt to beat PFO and win for SROC. Then I realised I was winning the North West turf points. Getting on and off the bike became slightly easier and I cycled a bit more. Suddenly winning the UK points looked likely and so we hatched a plan. We found loops that gained maximum points for least effort and also loops that others did not do so we did not have to worry about being blocked and with the bonus that we kept the zones and so gained points per hour even though we did nothing.  Fearglas in Scotland was cycling late each evening and taking zones giving her up to 1600pph over night. This was very frustrating as waking up to find the effects of this was a bit demoralising. In the end I came to realise that she was likely frustrated that her zones were only worth a few points by comparison whereas mine were often worth the full 185. We became addicts. Mid way through the month we had beaten PFO but our competitive heads were well and truly on. I started working my way up through the world rankings and getting a podium position looked very possible. Bob sacrificed his rides and we had a system where I followed him  round as he cleared zones so we both got good points but I kept all the pph. We messaged other local turfers to check who was riding where and make sure we didn't block each other. By doing 3 big rides a day in this manner we stacked up points. 

We started to love the dark rides each evening and the lack of people and dogs did make it more pleasurable. There was also less traffic. Knowing where all the zones are made it faster and getting an android phone solved the tech issues. It didn't all go smoothly. I had a very heavy fall on Blackpool Prom when a dog shot under my front wheel and another fall closer to home in the dark when I overcooked a complex kerb area.  There was also a slightly disturbing few days of Trolling and stalking from some odd ball. Long story but nothing bad happened in the end. 

Nearing the end of the month I was in 3rd place and just needed to make sure a guy in Berlin did not turf madly through the nights and catch me. He didn't. So 3rd rank in World and another good month of activity. This ended on Sunday 11am 7th March.

Sadly although I had kept a residual fitness I had done nothing about repairing the injury. Time for some serious rehab exercises and some physio. These worked up to a point but it was very very slow progress. Almost a month on and I can now do a decent walk although if it is very tough I am still sore and limping a little by the end. I still cannot really run and nothing much seems to be helping. I have started just doing long hard walks and trying to run a few hundred metres more each time and with days off with easy walks and cycle as recovery. Yesterday should have been our return to racing with the first race in the Runfurther series. I spent the day marshalling and running a CP instead. It is nice to volunteer and give back but I was madly jealous of the runners and to make matters worse they had great conditions underfoot and beautiful blue skies. I should perhaps avoid all Cockbain challenges in future?

The Hill Local- another DNF from Mark

 With races cancelled many ROs were coming up with challenges. This one was relatively simple in idea: instead of The Hill as a race just do your own close to home. Last year's Hill on the back of the Cheviots had been a bit grim. The weather was pretty foul and the quad bike track very quickly became a boggy soup with the high ridge boggy peat and snow. The rain seemed relentless and the wind was blowing me all over. People started dropping out at an alarming rate. I was trying to balance wanting the comfort and warmth of indoors with the need to push on. I wasn't eating enough. One way of relieving the tedium of laps was to constantly do the maths... how many minutes per lap, how many hours left etc etc. It soon became clear that even if I kept going I could not do it in the 48 hours- I wasn't suddenly going to get faster even in the daylight. Towards the end I think there were only 5 of us running and I decided I would try to do a half hill in 24 hours- it kept me moving and gave me a goal. There was no way Mark was recognising a half hill though!  When I stopped at 80 miles it was with mixed emotions. It had looked so possible on paper, I had kept going longer than most (3rd left standing out of about 26), I had done my half hill BUT it was DNF and I had stopped before I was actually timed out. As I fell asleep I thought the two last men were still battling it out. They were but not for long. One guy kept lying down to sleep and luckily realised how dangerous this was, he returned and retired. That left Paul Nelson. He is incredibly tough and was hours ahead of me on the Northern Traverse. I woke in the morning to find that he too had stopped- like me he had done the maths and realised he couldn't do it.

So move on a year and Covid meant The Hill itself wouldn't happen but we were being encouraged to find a local Hill. This in itself gave me hours of fun and running trying to find what I felt would give me the best chance. I wanted the correct distance and climb but also a route where the weather couldn't be too dire, the paths could not ice up, a path where it was not too gnarly for my poor battered feet and a place where we could put the van as a CP. Oh, and not too many people to dodge. In the end I decided Beacon Fell would be fine so long as I avoided the weekends.  Starting down at Carwags would add both distance and ascent and also give a quieter car park area. The fell itself was one of the first country parks in England and has a myriad of paths. I was keen to include the trig point each lap too and avoid both the water-logged 'lawn' area near the visitor centre and the boggiest of the paths. I spent hours messing with combinations of paths on OS maps and actually running them for real. Even more hours were spent doing the maths and working out what pace I needed to keep and then building in breaks (max 30 mins allowed). 

Marc knows how to break people and so determined that we would start at 8pm in the evening, ensuring we would have maximum running in the dark. It also meant sitting around for a day in anticipation and starting just when bed was calling. Cruel man. In retrospect I probably started a little too fast, keen to build in some buffer against slowing down and having food stops later. The first night was lovely in many ways. I had the paths to myself, saw deer and owls more than once. The forecast wasn't great but neither was it dire. I did have some rain but not masses. Worst was the mist... I know this fell like the back of my hand but on one section kept veering off the path and into the edge of the forest. It really slowed me down. Daylight arriving is always a pick me up and today was no exception. I was on target and had made it through the first night.  Being a Wednesday the park never got too busy and having a few people around was quite good for morale. I used the van repeatedly and tried to be good about eating regularly. What I wasn't so good about was changing my socks there seemed little point as they would soon be wet and muddy again. Perhaps I should have bought new dry socks but I seem to make holes in them after almost the first run and so was reluctant to shell out money. By the end of the day I was flagging a bit. Still on target but the rain, miles and repetitive nature was taking it's toll. That afternoon a runner friend and member of Bowland Mnt Rescue appeared. I had decided if I was going to run The Hill then I might as well raise some money for them. it was good to see Graham even if I didn't want to stop long and it did motivate me, for a while. During the evening various Bowland Fell runners appeared as they train on the area on a Wednesday. This was even better for morale as it was dark by now and although no one thing was really wrong I was tired and taking frequent stops. Ian slowed down to run walk with me and chat. Ann and others chatted and told me how well I was doing. And then the fell was quiet again and I had it to myself. I needed energy but did not know what I wanted to eat. I didn't want to stop too long and get comfortable. The rain was miserable but my waterproof was fine. The weather got worse- heavier rain, more mist and stronger wind on the top. I huddled in the van and put on more layers and over trousers.  I forced myself out and did some more laps. I even varied the paths slightly to reduce the boredom. Before long I was back in the van for a cup of tea and to get dry gloves and bigger over trousers. I got all togged up and suddenly just did not want to do it any more.

There was no really good reason, was still on target and it was my decision. Bob did not try to persuade me one way of the other. A harsher buddy might have said some strong words- shift your arse, I haven't sat here for 36 hours for you to stop now etc. The wind was howling, the rain getting heavier and heavier and I had just had enough. I guess in the 'race' you see others and have the motivation of staying out because they have. I pulled all my layers off and fell into bed- maybe it was just too easy to do that. I struggled to sleep as both my hips suddenly locked up and were screaming. I felt embarrassed and a real fraud by morning- all those who had wished me luck, sponsored me etc had been let down. 101 miles done and no more. Fewer than 60 miles to go and the whole of  the day to have finished it. Oh well- writing this a few months later the memories have faded and the edge been taken off. I have moved on. I did run over 100 miles of boring laps. I did raise over £500 if you include Gift Aid for Bowland Pennine Mnt Rescue and I tried. I thought I had already written this up but found the draft of it half finished on a dreadfully wet day in March. There is so much that I cannot remember- which is perhaps why we enter these things time and time again!

MaprunF- what happens when they cancel your races

It started whilst we were still on holiday in France. MaprunF is a way to orienteer or run to certain checkpoints and have this verified electronically even if there is no physical control there on the ground. It works from the GPS on your phone. I am not a great fan of technology and I was sceptical. 

Introducing a friend to orienteering on Beacon Fell

My first attempt did not start well as I could not get GPS signal on Beacon Fell. Fortunately It wasn't far from home and so would not have been the end of the world. A frantic phone call for help and I did later get GPS. I guess it is no worse than my running watch which sometimes picks up the signal quickly and other times seems to take forever. For it to work well the map needs to be georeferenced- so it is tied in to the GPS accurately, and the planner needs to set the range of each virtual beacon accurately so that your phone bleeps correctly at the control. Now I had GPS I went out to run the Permanent course. A bit of a cheat really as we as a family put in the posts and used to maintain it. I know the area like the back of my hand despite a few logging changes in recent years.  It was slightly disconcerting to get some controls beeping before I had even left the path and yet others refusing to beep for what seemed ages as I stood or walked impatiently in circles. So much for control flow! At least on the this course there was a physical control- the POC posts, without these it is actually harder than traditional orienteering where you can at least run the the kite.

wonderful running, empty and great views

After my 'practice' here I set off for what I really wanted to do on the Howgills. The SLMM was held on the Howgills in 2019 and they had used the map to set up a 6 hour long O after having to cancel the real SLMM this year. I love those hills, despite the really steep valley sides. I chose a good weather day and with good visibility- important where ending up in the wrong valley is easy and a costly mistake. I was early and although two guys turned up as I was leaving it was beautifully quiet. Marking up the map had given me a rough plan of climb, head for the calf and then do a big anti-clockwise loop.

Love these quiet hills

I usually do a linear course so was very unsure if I could complete my plan in 6 hours but there were options to cut it shorter if need be. All was going well and the beeps were working. I think MaprunF is really suited to big areas like this rather than fine navigating as even if the GPS is slightly off it matters less. Also they didn't have to put out or collect in controls over a massive area or risk them going missing while the event was open for weeks. Coming off the Calf I stayed on my nice path slightly too long but soon realised that I needed to drop steeply east to hit the sheepfold. Here was my only disaster of the day. As I reached to trod at the bottom and was about to turn to the control a mountain biker appeared. It was an old boy friend that I have not seen or had any contact with for about 30 years. We were both a bit stunned, chatted but were both under pressure of time. He shot off down the valley and I watched him go before following. I totally forgot that I had not been to the blinkin sheepfold! It was only about 50m away and was worth 80 points. BY the time I realised it would have been daft to go back. The rest of the day was uneventful with some good route choices, sensible nav and reasonable running. I made full use of my allotted time and finished along the fellside road with under a minute to spare! Knackered, hungry, thirsty but happy- despite the 80 missing points. To to it all off some fell runner friends from Preston Harriers were at the cars and I hadn't seen any of them for months. Once home I uploaded my results and was amazed to find I was first lady. I have since been firmly beaten by Karen P but she is a faster runner and also planned the 2019 event on the area.

Our orienteering club set up an autumn series based on Maprun courses. We missed the one in Worden as we were in quarantine after our return from France but although it wouldn't count for points the course was still live so we went and ran it. It gave a reason to navigate and run fast. Here I was very frustrated when I could not get some controls to beep. One was a large boulder and as we have used it before I knew I was in the correct place. I stood on it, walked round it but only got the beep about 5m beyond it. Most others did beep roughly where I expected them to but one on a hedge end refused to. The 'rule' apparently is run to the control point and hope that your GPS trace will show a visit even if you do not get a beep. My trace for the boulder and the hedge end were way off. I was certainly in the right place so I don't know if the problem is tree cover, a poorly georeferenced map, an old phone or speed. If my phone is only set to use GPS every so many seconds then it is possible in park areas to be in and out of a control before it has registered? 

The course in Astley Park was similar. Mostly OK, some beeps before I got to a control and others struggling to beep at all. It was a great course on a very varied area with some tricky and physical terrain by the river, some suburban streets and some very confusing social housing. Fortunately you can review results and set a wider margin for picking it up and so move from mis-punch to OK. I am not entirely comfortable doing that , especially when my trace can be so far off. There was then another different course on Beacon Fell- easy for me even though I left my compass at home.  I did get all the beeps in the end but my trace shows me running through two fenced areas of dense trees rather than on the path next to them- it is impossible to do that and nobody would try. I really enjoyed my run despite the beep issue.

Another great MaprunF  was on Formby sand dunes. It's years since I have orienteered on there and so it would be a good challenge. After a quick warm up I set off full of enthusiasm. First control beep- great. Then I showed just why my orienteering results are so inconsistent. I stormed off in what I was sure was the correct direction but not really using my compass as carefully as I should. I was also running far faster than my brain can navigate. Having briefly run off the map I soon worked out my error and relocated before getting a beep at CP2. It made me a little more careful, particularly as once further into the dunes relocation might not be so easy. Without the few fences areas and the one massive pole/beacon it would be a very much harder area. I had to work hard running on the steep sand but loved it. The day was beautiful with blue sky and little wind, plus most of the people were walking along the beach so it wasn't even very crowded. Thanks to DEE orienteers for letting us run. The course was only 3.5km straight line so even after adding a bit for path running I was soon back. I decided to go out and run a score event on the same control just for fun and then after that did a lap up towards the Red Squirrel area and along the beach. What a fab day and interesting to be back on technical orienteering again.

Cowpe in the sunshine

I have also been across to the moors above Rawtenstall. 

The MaprunFs there used OS 1:25000 maps which was a whole new challenge but I loved my day out running at Clowbridge first (about 7km and under an hour), 

Clowbridge reservoir

the one at Cowpe (about 10km and under 80 minutes) and finally a little one above Marl Pits.  Both allowed me to explore areas I did not know well- I think I last orienteered at Clowbridge at The Harvester in the dark!

Some big climbs and tough terrain

I have been back for a run to link  a load of trig pillars in the area. I also did the Rawtenstall urban - but short, steep and fast is not my forte. 

I did enjoy my first ever Street O Maprunf in Ramsbottam thanks to Matt Driver. A real joy not to have to stop and write with a pencil.

Never spotted this before

Tier 3 challenge

 Almost no races and in the end the two I did have hopes for were cancelled or I wasn't allowed to travel to them so time for a rethink. Even in Tier 3 we were able to go to climbing walls but I wanted to run too.  An article about the Witches 400 had caught my eye. For the 400th anniversary a new route was established which says it follows the believed route they took from Barrowford to their trial and eventual death in Lancaster. I say "it says" it follows the route as I guess we cannot be sure and in some places I suspect some artistic licence has been used to take todays explorers on quiet paths rather than road or lanes. I had spotted some of the Tercet markers when out running but had thought they were all in Pendle Witch country until a more recent run led me to one above Slaidburn. 

The route looked a bit fiddly for the first 12 miles or so which meant it was a good idea for a reccee run. I am so glad I did as it was easy to miss paths and so waste lots of time faffing with the map or back tracking. It also showed me just how wet and muddy it would be at least until I reached Clitheroe!

After Clitheroe the route is much more straight forward, or so I thought when looking at a map. From Slaidburn it is simple once on the Hornby/Salter fell road. Plus once at the Caton wind turbines it was would also be easy lanes and then the cycle track, so just a short section after the fell road which might be tricky. I hoped I could wing it on the day for these bits. Turns out I couldn't but more of that later.

Trying out my prize OMM cag for the first time

Being a linear route I asked for a lift to the start and a pick up from the finish. To maximise my daylight we opted to stay overnight in the van and so avoid a crazy early start. I was duly dropped in Barrowford as it was getting light. 

A quick walk through the park and I was at the historic visitor centre and the first Tercet. No time to read the poems today though. Steady drizzle so I set off in waterproof trousers too- it was going to be a long day.

Less than 15 mins and the path turns uphill past a ruined farm. This bit is on the Pendle Way and I knew it would be wet and muddy. After the recent rain that was an understatement! Several wet fields, some lane and a pleasant path and I was on the outskirts of Barley. I deviated slightly from the 'official' route here as my reccee showed the path ended in a nasty section of brambles etc. I stuck to the big bridleway instead. In the car park here I removed my over trousers and they stayed off all day. The paths below Pendle were wet but not too bad. Dropping towards Ogden Reservoir I knew to avoid a sort section in an enclosure of trees. The path there is steep and muddy and the bottom is a swamp-  up to my knees.  Second Tercet marker passed.

Over the stream and up into the woods. This path always makes me smile as I remember my son coming to an abrupt halt when orienteering- he was scared there might be bears in the dark forest. No bears today, just a steep climb up to a very very boggy hill before the drop down into Newchurch in Pendle. The official route is blocked by a family claiming to self isolate and wanting nobody on their land. I used the Pendle way instead and was soon at Bull Hole. The path here follows a stream up to Tynedale farm so more wet feet. A short climb onto the next ridge took me past a messy farm and mud churned up from cattle to the Rigg of England (what a great name) before dropping to the edge of Fence village. 

Farm house as old as the Witches

A few fiddly bits near Higham led to better running near the Huntroyd estate and Read. Approaching Whalley I was now on new ground and hoped I would find the paths OK. I was disappointed that the official route didn't actually take me past the Tercet in Spring Wood but never mind.

Somewhere between Wiswell and the A59 I made a small error but I soon picked up paths to lead me back on route and into the Little Moor area of Clitheroe. The 4th Tercet is just inside the entrance path to Clitheroe castle.

Sun now out and I had to remove my cag

Some easy pavement running took me through the town and over the Ribble before I switched to tracks and paths to take me uphill near Waddington. An even bigger uphill followed on the aptly named Moor Lane .. an old track which is now a bridleway. Despite some huge puddles it was fairly runnable. From the top the path heads west towards Newton fell before the big drop to Slaidburn.

 The views from here were great. My descent started well but in my enthusiasm and speed I missed a small footpath turning. It added a bit of time and a couple of km or so as I tried to figure out what had gone wrong and then to find a route to get back on track. I arrived in Slaidburn thirsty. The cafe was quick with a cup of tea but the savoury pie I craved was going to take some time. I opted for cake instead. The piece of cheesecake was enormous and far too rich, I regretted it for several miles. Tercet 5 is in the car park next to the cafe.

Uphill for the next section and some lanes that are now so eroded it won't be long before they are impassable for normal traffic. The official line goes across some fields here but after all the heavy rain I was unsure about a stream crossing as no bridge was marked. I stuck with the lanes, slightly longer and more undulating. As the tarmac ended the old fell track road began, round the edge of Dunsop Fell and Low Fell, over Croasdale Fell and all the way up to the watershed. 

The next Tercet is on the hillside here. I met a few mountain bikers but very few people compared to the crowds down in Slaidburn. In my mind the track after the watershed was all down hill until the next tarmac. It isn't. 

There are no huge hills but when your mind was set on down then any up was bad. I should have stopped in Slaidburn for a more substantial meal. I was carrying plenty but it was all sweet and I didn't fancy it. Also it was a chilly day so I wasn't drinking enough. This was to be my downfall.

The path through Higher Salter farm did not seem obvious so I added a bit doing two small sides of a triangle. Then the path at Mallowdale got a bit rubbish- steep gorge like valley and mud (again) and trees down. It meant I planned an escape to track and lane. Sadly I got so excited when I saw a car heading downhill that I followed at pace, then got chatting at cattle grid gates and before I knew it I was on real tarmac BUT not the right bit. At Roeburndale chapel I should have stopped, eaten and turned round. retracing your steps is never great but what followed was worse, much worse.  In my tired and hungry state my brain decided I could head up over Claughton Moor and so get to Caton Moor and Terect 7. 

Borrowed as I was so stressed at my errors by now

It was now late afternoon so the sun (what there was of it) was west not south and none of the paths or trods headed where I needed to go. Eventually I realised I needed to change compass direction and had a few kilometres of nasty boggy tussocky ground. I reckon I lost about 45 mins all in all. The lane to Caton seemed to go on for ever but I was able to treat myself to a pint of milk in the Spar ( no choc milk available). The cycle way was nicely runnable although my tired legs were not now moving as fast as I would have liked. Tercet 8 is at the Crook of Lune. I was now trying hard to beat 11 hours so no photo stop.

I found the exit and track up past the prison with no issues and emerged on the outskirts of Lancaster as it was getting dark. I bottled the first entrance into Williamson Park as it was unlit and I did not want to stop to find my head torch for such a short section but was braver near the allotments. Not sure why it is only lit from the Ashton memorial and south but I found Terect 9.  too dark for photos so I pinched one.

Now too dark for photos

From here it was all downhill and through town until the final little climb to Lancaster castle and the final Tercet.  

It was dark so a borrowed picture

52 miles done and I just scraped inside 11 hours. I am sure without the errors I can do 10 hours so I will have to have another go! 

Bob had parked the van down on the quayside so my final km or so was also downhill.