Sunday 27 May 2012

Winter to Summer running in 2 weeks

Miles to date: 425
Races to date: 14


I have really enjoyed running through the winter. The cold, wind, rain and snow all make for an invigorating trot. As we've moved into spring and the rain has flooded down on us the landscapes have burst forth into flashes of vibrant greens, vivid yellow rape and gorse, deep purples and blues of the bells all contributing to fabulous views to take your mind elsewhere whilst pounding across the moors. 


Last weekend was the Calderdale Way Relay. Our club had managed, by some major feat of cajoling and encouragement, to put together 3 women's teams - a total of 36 women donning vests akin to the Italian flag to run 6 legs round the boundaries of Calderdale. Last minute changes to teams due to accident, injury, illness and buckets of others reasons meant the team Captains had all sorts of additional pressures to cope with. Bev and I had been and recced leg  one and so were fairly OK that we knew the route - especially as there would be a hundred or so other runners setting off at the same time so we wouldn't get lost on the way out of Stainland!! At the last minute Bev was changed to cover someone else's leg and Diane (who I would have run the Penine Bridleway Relay with had it not been cancelled due to the snow and ice) kindly agreed to step in to Bev's shoes and suffer the early start for leg one. 


With no time to recce the leg Diane was entirely reliant on me to not get her lost. Obviously this would not be a problem as I had the map, compass (which I do know how to use oddly enough) and very detailed route description. There is also the added advantage for those of us running at the back of the field of following the hundreds of fell and trail shoe stud marks leaving their distinctive tracks over the peat and mud. 


An 8am start and needing to register the team and us meant a 5am alarm call on a Sunday morning - not good! After a small amount of stress with the registration desk claiming to never having seen the Keighley team sheets, they were soon located under a clipboard, we had our numbers, a baton to hand over should we by some strange twist of fate and new discovery of winged feet manage to make the 1hour 45minute cut off and the commemorative pack of slate coasters to give to all our team mates (I still have some spare if anyone reading needs theirs!). 
Four of the six Keighley and Craven Women at the start

The start - 8am and off we go
Someone said go and off we set - fast - across the park and off, uphill, into the woods. I'm not sure anyone had told Diane that the first 2 or 3 miles were continuous uphill. With fantastic spirit and determination we plugged away, not quite last but slowly the gap before us stretched out and by Butterworth Old Lane (yes it really is called that in the land of my forefathers) we had lost sight of the other teams. Undeterred my navigational skills were holding good and we wended our way over hill and across field - a beautiful, clear and crisp morning, views across to Stoodley Pike and beyond. We passed the gate with no field and were soon turning right on to the moor and the last ascent before the long downhill to the changeover at Crag Vale. It was this right turn where my superb route finding senses had an aberration - trotting along I knew all was not right, the stud marks had gone and the farm we were approaching should be on our right but by some weird magic it was on our left - now how had it moved itself? Oopsadaisy I had managed to take us up a parallel track - right direction, wrong path! Rather than run back and then up the right track I thought it would be far quicker to divert across a field (OK Diane it was a bog not a field), over a locked gate, through an enclosed farmyard, over the gate at the other side, find the farmer, be very polite and apologetic, check location and set off reunited with the right path once again. We'd probably added an extra 1.5 miles and at least 20 minutes to our time, not to mention the claggy mud on our feet! 


Reaching the summit and knowing that it was all downhill in front of us was a fabulous feeling. We finally staggered in at 2:28:33 - the 33 seconds might have been recovered if the Keighley men's team had stopped to let us cross the road rather than drive past shouting encouragement!!! A great run with a lovely lady who I hope will forgive my unfortunate navigational issues and run with me again!!! The happy ending (for us) came when we had walked up to the car about half a mile away and were getting changed when two Bingley runners came down the road towards us asking where the finish was - we weren't last and we weren't the only ones to get lost! 


Hutton Roof Crags - 7miles, 1300ft - BM 
Over the last week we seem to have moved from Winter, or at least a very cold and wet spring type season, to mid-Summer and Mediterranean style hot sunshine. I do love the sun - it makes people happy and smiley - but the prospect of setting off in 25c heat on to open moorland with little or no shade wasn't on my list of ten things I really want to achieve in life. However, Saturday arrived and dumped by my family who were all off doing other (more interesting) stuff, I set off alone to Hutton Roof in North Yorkshire, bag of running kit in the boot, sunglasses on, CD on - wonderful. Even better when I get there to find for the first time Keighley and Craven women outnumbering the men 6 to 2! 



It was also good to see a Fell Pony turning out - I'd have someone I knew at the back trotting along with me! As we all assembled at the start sharing news of injuries and illness to get the excuses for being slow out of the way (compulsory behaviour at the back of every start line) it was blindingly obvious that this wasn't going to be easy. Not even a wisp of cloud in sight the sun was glorious - for sunbathing or swimming. 

Off we set and I felt great. Out and up the first ascent a narrow path meant the pace slowed helping me to find my breathing and not be tempted to push too hard or fast. I was going well and as the land levelled my only concern was whether I'd put enough sun cream on to avoid the lobster effect. Going well didn't last long as a really painful stitch slowed me to a walk, hands on my head and trying to breath through it. Loads of runners passed me and I realised how far up the field I had managed to be - a first for me! Then a friendly voice of concern and advice came along side. It's always good to have a friend behind you who's prepared to use you as an excuse to walk!! As we were walking along a Wharfedale runner suddenly dropped to his knees beside us - checking he was OK, he said he just came over a bit dizzy, I gave him a squirt of my juice and a trusty jelly baby and he was off again! My stitch persisted a bit longer. Off we went again, nice and steady until the scree slope unfolded infront of us. Up we went and I was just about OK, except for the inevitable roasted chicken feeling as the heat belted out. I must have passed 6 or 7 people going up only for them to pass me as soon as we levelled out at the top! 

We ran out across the fell with limestone boulders and rocks strewing the path. It felt as if we were on the roof of the world, with no protection from that blazing orb, hotter and hotter and hotter. The last 3 miles or so were pure torture. Having had the kindness of Steve walking with me I then had the audacity to leave him behind (I did apologise afterwards) and so found myself in that familiar place of running alone. With no one around to pace myself against I lapsed into a run a bit walk a bit slog. No matter how hard I tried I couldn't get myself into a rhythm. Eventually the final descent to the finish and I spied the kite flying above the village gala - nearly there. Staggering to the end I was pipped by another Fell Pony out on his virgin fell run - cheeky monkey I shall have revenge! My Keighley team mates were all back and lolling around in melting heaps - good to see so many friendly and encouraging faces at the finish - thanks all. 

Running in the sun - wouldn't recommend it!! I'm off to Burnley this evening to relieve the lovely Tim Moon of some of his gear - he's walking and busking the 150 miles from Blackpool to Filey raising money for Yorkshire Air Ambulance! Day two done, only 7 to go, give him a cheer and some pennies if you happen to see him on the way. 

I'll run later this evening when that blazing golden orb has subsided a little. Next weekend we have a club attempt at the Billy Bland Relay on the Bob Graham Round  - Camille, Lorna and I having the pleasure of the last leg with no pressure to make sure we bring the team home in less than the required 24hours!!! 

An extra challenge has been added to my 1000 miles! Simon seems to think that 40 fell races in my 40th year i.e. this year, would be a good thing to do! 14 done, 26 to go. 

Thanks to everyone who has given such great and supportive feedback to me - I'm just about on track but could do with a few more in the bank so need to try and up my mileage a bit! Just in case you've forgotten the just giving page is here - http://www.justgiving.com/teams/1000miles - and has a few less hits than my blog!!! 

Monday 7 May 2012

Illness to Lakeland Wonders

Miles to date - 375 
Weeks of feeling poorly and sorry for self - 2 
Races missed since last blog - 1
Races run since last blog - 2

Bunny run madness
The wonderful Dave and Eileen organise a series of runs around Easter time every year - the Bunny Runs, short, sharp and great fun - have a look at their website - WoodenTops - to find out all about them. Many years ago in a previous attempt to run (lasted a few months and then the fags came back) I had a go at one of these. It snowed, I froze and mostly hated it! This year there was only one I could manage as Tuesday nights tend to find me down in London. My boy and the Husband always try and do all of them. At 3 miles and 300ft they are really too short and fast for me but in for a penny in for a pound. This time I completely loved it! I know the route and the moor well so was happy to try and push myself a bit more than I would usually and managed finish in 29 minutes. Very happy with myself. 



So, I felt I was running really strongly (for me), feeling great, had upped the weekly mileage to around 30 or so miles and then the lurgy struck. I got home from the usual two days in London and went to bed on the Wednesday night. Got up on Friday. Felt shocking. I really can't remember feeling that poorly in a long time. This was of course the days running up to the Anniversary Waltz which I have bleated on and on about running I was very excited having been up there the week before and seen the sheer beauty and scale. Needless to say, in spite of naive bravery on the Friday night - stocking up on medication, getting all my kit sorted and convincing myself I would be fine with sleep, ibuprofen, paramol and some sinus relief - I woke with tonsils like razor covered golf balls and a temperature a roast chicken would be proud of. A few tears shed, duvet on the sofa and the day was spent watching the London Marathon and dozing away. 


This spell of poorliness has meant I've had nearly two weeks with no running. Awful. Hated it. Managed to convince myself that I'd never get out and run again. Very tentatively I stepped out on the following Sunday for an attempt round Blue's moor loops (Blue had been very patient during this self pity period but was starting to look at me as if I were his gaoler). Still snotty and coughing it felt absolutely fantastic to be out again. I followed this up on Monday in London managing 5.6miles in 47minutes - a PB for me as my fastest ever run! Perhaps a couple of weeks being a wuss had a refreshing effect on me? 

Coniston Fell Race - 9 miles, 4000ft climb (AM)
Having missed out on the Anniversary Waltz I was even keener to have a go at Coniston. I'd bought the map from Pete Bland at the Three Peaks Race, the Husband ran that in 4hours 27minutes with an attentive support crew providing pork pies and other fuel at the checkpoints - maybe next year for me? The Coniston race route looked amazing and I knew Caren was planning on doing it so I was hopeful I'd have someone to follow who knew the route and give me the confidence that she does manage to instil in me! 


After many text exchanges it became a reality that Caren wasn't running it! Neither it seemed was anyone else I knew. However, not to be deterred, we set off. A beautiful day, no rain, sun shining, sharp snap of cold to the air, we arrive in Coniston and I looked up. I've never really looked at Lakeland Mountains other than as a walker. I'd happily set off with a rucksac and boots and spend the day walking up anything. Lakeland Mountains are enormous and here was I contemplating 'running' up them in shorts and trainers. What a ridiculous idea! Over the two hours I had leading up to the start I talked myself in and out of doing it at least a dozen times. I was more scared than I think I can imagine. Oddly it was the sight of a fell ponies purple running vest that gave me the final push to be on the start line. At least I knew one other person who would be toiling away at the back! 


If you zoom in I'm about 7th from the back!
Off we set, uphill, to run uphill and then a bit more uphill. This picture was only half a mile from the start and the uphill continued for quite some more miles. Actually the majority of the miles were uphill, interspersed with some shortish downhills and a single stretch of 'runnable' flat! 











Once I got into a groove the uphill grind became quite hypnotic. The pain and burn in my legs, my lungs constantly at bursting point but the rhythm and beat of maintaining a steady pace, not stopping, head down, arse up, I really dug in! Checkpoint one at Wetherlam finally appeared (thanks marshalls for being there, so positive and encouraging) and the land levelled a little before another ascent up to Swirl How. I was feeling great. I'd passed a few people and not lost sight of the back man in front of me. At Swirl How I was pointed in the right direction, encouraged hugely by two friends from Todmorden who were out supporting the race and enjoying the fells - thanks Cath and friend you gave me a massive boost. From Swirl How the route runs over to Brim Fell then curves left up the final pull to Coniston Old Man.   


I was seriously enjoying myself, pacing along, the scenery was totally awe inspiring. I could see for miles and miles across the most incredible landscape this country (the world?) has on offer. I'd dropped down and started another ascent. When the third walker asked me if there was a race on I stopped to ask if he'd not seen the other 400 runners passing him. When he replied in the negative the penny dropped that I'd managed to go a little bit wrong. Out came the map, for the first time, and we worked out that I was looking at Goats Water not Low Water. 


Obviously I wouldn't want to labour a point but, just to avoid confusion I though it worth annotating a copy of the Pete Bland race map I had thoughtfully purchased in advance of the race to show my detour. Personally I think the race overall might benefit from a route variation option (jk). I also think that the box marked 'optional route' could cause confusion for those runners who actually take the map out of their bum bag before losing lots of height and starting an additional ascent. On the bright side, the view of Goats Water was stunning and I gave a few walkers some additional entertainment they would otherwise have missed. Thanks for the picture of Dow Crag from SportSunday - a nice reminder of my detour! 


Simply to show height gained and lost with my additions!


Once I got myself back on track, back down Dow Crag and up Coniston Old Man I was very definitely last. All the work I'd put in to stay ahead and keep going was lost. Rather strangely, I felt completely fine about it! I was having such an amazing time my only concern was that I hadn't unduly worried the Marshals at CP3. When I finally arrived at the top I was warmly greeted, given a bottle of water and completely reassured. They were wonderful. Obviously getting lost / going the wrong way was entirely my own daft fault - lesson very well learned for the future - but they were all completely brilliant. So I'm now last and still have to run off down the last few miles to the finish. My bonus ball for the race was the huge privilege of being offered the company of the sweepers for the descent. Not only had I been an ass, worried everyone and made them stand around waiting but I was then rewarded for my error by having the company of two mountain goats - Mike and Hazel what fantastic people you really are - to run off with. The map marks the 'safe' race line and an alternative for those who know the fell. Off we went across a route I would never have dreamt of running on my own. It was completely brilliant. Half way down we spotted the back runner! Thanks to Mike and Hazel's pace and their intimate knowledge of the land I found myself overtaking the back two runners to arrive at the finish completely exhausted and exhilarated. I think I was about 2hours 50minutes. Without my detour I think I would have been 2:25ish - I'll see when the results are posted! 


I have no words left to describe how this race made me feel. I'll be back in the Lakes again soon! 


A final word on sponsors - an enormous thank you to Adrian not only for the very generous donation but also for the huge support and kind words.