Mid Winter Derwent Watershed (attempt)

Between Xmas and New Year I always try and get a 8-12 hour run in to kick start next years training and to help shed a few mince pies and Xmas cake from the waistline.  This years plan A was to help Saul reccie legs 1 & 2 of the Bob Graham. However with both Karl being poorly and my mum being under the weather, it was not to be so plan B was always to be a long peak district jolly.

To get around childcare issues, it was best if we ran from Midnight to midday which is the classic time that the Derwent Watershed race is held anyway so it felt 'right'.

Conditions had been very, very wet over the xmas break but it hadn't rained for at least a day or so so rather foolishly we thought conditions may not be as bad as they had been. It was to be a pretty important test for Saul too as he needed to nail his nutrition for stuff over 8 hours.

We set off just before midnight on a still warm evening making good progress from Edale YHA as far as Stanage. It was plastered in thick hillfog up over High Neb area and Saul's stomping ground may as well have been the surface of the moon with the visibility we had. Progress slowed, but we got to Moscar without getting too cold.

Predictably, once up on Derwent edges conditions deteriorated again in the fog with anything that wasn't flagstones being very tricky to follow. Nevertheless, we got to the Foul Clough control with spirits and energy levels still high. With hindsight this is where things turned. We chose a different route to that of the race by heading more 'west' of Featherbed Moss. The route was a slow walk but was ok, however the race route which is a direct climb from the clough reaches better ground quickly.

On our approach to Margery hill we found the small trod, but although we were moving sufficiently well, the wind had now turned to a strong wind and driving rain. We soon came across Cutgate and I was starting to feel chilled. I knew how bad the sections ahead would be, so I pointed out to Saul that if we did want to cut the route short that this would be the point to do it. Saul dismissed any option of cutting it short so we pressed straight on without another word.

The next section is some of the worst terrain I've ever had the pleasure of running in. Strong winds and rain at just above zero are enough to chill you to the bone quickly. And that's if you're doing a slow run / shuffle. We weren't even managing that. The hillfog was still as bad as before so all our headtorches seemed to do was illuminate the fog. All this was bad in the depths of a winter peak district night, but what really stopped us dead in our tracks was the house size bogs. We were literally back tracking as much we were moving forward and all the time cooling down further and further to the point where I knew things were getting desperate. This is clearly where all the water from the wettest year on record was sitting, just waiting for unsuspecting fell runners in the dead of night. Those bogs were the worst I've ever been in and - on a windy wet cold night with thick fog were just too much for Saul and me.

In an instant we decided enough was enough so we headed due south off the boggy hillside. Impenetrable peat groughs stopped us dead in our tracks though so it was ages until we actually warmed up at Slippery Stones.

There's not been many times where I've had to back out of a situation on the fell with fear for how cold I was, but I suspected that there'd only be one outcome if we battled on especially with the miles and miles of bog we had ahead of us before dawn.

Nevertheless, we managed 31 miles over 8ish hours and got some good running in during the run back over Alport Castles.  Back early, so lots of time to spend making meccano / lego / scalextric traks with Lewis.

Yorkshire Dales Top 10

Came across this long distance challenge run last night on the FRA Forum.

It's not one I remember reading about before, as I've read a few of the GoFar Yorkshire rounds before with lots of them taking my fancy.

80odd miles and 7,000m of climbing.  Lets hope this or something similar comes to fruition in 2013!

gpx file here

The Yorkshire Dales Top 10

Roaches Fell Race, 18 miles

Well, like many people who've done a Bob Graham, the period following it is a bit of an unknown. Well, that's not strictly true as I knew I was doing the 3 Peaks Cyclocross, but that's all I knew.

And to be honest, apart from regular as clockwork leg beatings on Tuesdays (Road Bike Chaingang) and Thursdays (14 mile headtorch runs), I've not really been arsed to do anything that looked remotely like racing

River crossing was fun (Photo edited on iPhone !)

And it's been great not racing for once. Just enjoying what came along really, family stuff, a weekend in Coniston drinking (with some running!) and other non serious stuff.

Now, I don't know what came over me Friday afternoon at work - I suppose it was the thought that I'd got another weekend of "not a lot on", just a few training bits probably so I thought I'd just check to see if anything was kicking off locally and there it was - shining out like a beacon of muddy pain - The Roaches Fell Race. 18 miles of out and back torture. Perfect !

I'd done this race back in 2008 and remembered it being surprisingly hard. It starts at Tittesworth Res (north of Leek) and runs north along the Roaches before descent, river crossing, climb, descent, climb, descent, climb (you get the picture) all the way to Shutlingsloe, a true proper mini mountain and most of it through very very boggy fields. Then it's a small matter of retracing the route finishing through some of the wettest muddiest fields I've ever encountered anywhere. About 4 of them!

First race since about July, so I thought I'd take it steady on the 'out' and attack on the 'back'.

Well after a substantial amount of 'steadiness' I didn't know whether to be worried or pleased when I found myself in about 20th place approaching Shutlingsloe. Adopting the classic felllrunners fast walk up it's steep sides, I found myself passing then overtaking 2 guys just before it's summit. Very surprising as I'd taken it quite steady. The summit marshall gave me the good news that I was in 14th place. Great I thought.

Starting at Merebrook (bottom) it's 18miles up to Shutlingsloe and back.

Turning south and heading off for the headlong grassy descent, I just took it steady and waited for the runners I'd just passed to come gliding past me on the way down. They didn't and even more surprising I actually overtook 2 runners on the way down ! Now that never happens!

"Right" I thought "time to go fast but not redlining it". The plan worked and I pulled away from most of the guys behind apart from one who kept with me until the climb after the river crossing. Clearly, not a climber (or someone who had underestimated this hard race) he backed off and wished me well. You don't get that in many sports now do you ?

I kept it hard but within limits for the next 3 mile climb and was very surprised to see 1 then 2 then 3 more runners come into view - this never happens either! Again, it just goes to show how easy it is to underestimate this race as I'm sure they'd all overcooked the first half and were just clinging on now.

Route Profile with the very pointy Shutlingsloe visible in the middle

Just a run over the summit rocks then now but soon I heard Ross Litherland come up then pass me at a very convincing speed. I'd not seen him at all in the race, so I guess he went off slow like me and speeded up. Fine running Ross.

The fields at the end really are horrific. Nature couldn't seem to decide whether to put a stream or a field there, so it decided to put both in one place. Very very tiring and hard work, but I knew about them, so saved a little back for them and with no one behind it was a leisurely cruise to the line.

Very pleased with 10th on such a beautiful Autumn day. Staffordshire looked absolutely stunning. I must say, I really did enjoy every metre of that race.

10th out of 134 finishers
Results here
Results 2008 here (2:26:57)

Three Peaks Cyclo Cross, 50th Anniversary race

Well, despite this being an absolute epic 1st race for me last year, my Bob Graham 3 weeks ago really overshadowed this and with all the best will in the world since then, it has played second fiddle in the grand scheme of things this year - not what I'd have chosen given a free choice!

Nevertheless, I've managed to get out for 2x4hr rides over the last two weekends including this great offroad one from Rowsley. Loved it and made me realise I need to ride the cross bike on proper rocky stuff more (instead of muddy playing fields).

Glad that Dave got an entry this year so we made a weekend of it with Teresa, Graham, Gary and Martin taking a long 2 day cycle tour up to Stainforth campsite via an overnighter in Holmfirth. Think they had a great time - not so sure Gary's ar*e would agree after two long gritty days in the saddle.

Weather forecast was bad and the morning dawned - bad ! It's always good to be mentally prepared for dire weather - plus it ensures you pack the right gear too - in this case my Icebreaker Mondo Zip Merino top plus windproof gillet. A perfect combo that sees me through most winters running and riding.

Dave & me just before the start, Stainforth campsite

The aim this year was 4 hours and although I'd not done as much riding this year, I felt my legs were stronger on the bike, however even on the start line I realised the weather looked more like "let's just get round" type weather !  I started right at the back of the field last year so remedied that by starting about 100-200 riders from the front. 930 and we were off. Pace was as I remember from last year - pretty frantic, but I soon got to just behind the guys following the leadout car.

Apprehension was high as we took the first left offroad up towards Simons fell. It very soon turned messy with all grass being very very sodden and hence proving running just as quick as biking over most of the lower fell. Both years now Simon's fell has been shrouded in thick clag. Probably a good thing - it seemed to unveil itself to us riders in 50m chunks - each of which was steeper and more insane than the previous one. 

This year we had a very very strong side wind too to contend with. Going up the really steep bit with "the fence", my climbing legs were in neutral and so I felt quite wobbly with the wind threatening to whip the bike from my shoulder at every opportunity. Soon we reached "the stile" and I knew it was serious as mountain rescue were there to take bikes from us as we stepped over the slippery stile into a headwind. Boy was I grateful for them as no sooner than you lifted the bike over your head than the wind took it away from you. Not good on a slippery stile in SPD's !! 

From there to Ingleborough, it was way more waterlogged than last year - all the way to the summit was a lot more of a struggle. I was 5 mins slower than last year plus the legs felt tired (two hard short sessions in the week should have been out of my legs but probably weren't, oh and two pints of top beer on Saturday night probably didn't help things!). 

Again, the descent to Cold Cotes seemed twice as long as I remember with very bad side winds blowing several riders clean off their bikes. It also became clear towards the bottom of the descent that riding my brakes on the hoods was not a good plan - on the drops was the only way on this race. I nearly got jolted off the hoods just as the crowds came into view. Not as embarrasing as these two guys in the picture below - I'm sure the organisers put the checkpoint right in a bog just for the photographers benefit and to keep the crowd happy!

Cold Cotes : Cries of "Keep left"
falling on deaf ears !

The tailwind to Whernside was a welcome respite although it took a minute or so for my road legs to kick in. I soon overtook everyone in sight on the climb out of Ingleton and worked with another guy most of the way to Whernside steps. Again here I was slightly surprised to find my climbing legs in neutral with me wobbling and tottering up the steep steps - not something I normally suffer from, but probably something to do with the BGR. I eventually caught up with Pat Higgins who put stacks of time into me on the Ingleborough descent not surprisingly.

Whernside steps

I remember the Whernside descent from last year - either scary or brilliant depending on your confidence and skill. I started riding it too cautiously, but started to relax into it as soon as we got to some rockier bits, but I misjudged a drainage channel and heard the dreaded hiss of a punctured rear tyre. Conditions now were absolutely dreadful with horizontal wind and rain. From last year I remembered a wall a little further down the hill so I ran down to that to repair in a more sheltered spot. Sadly it was way way further than I remembered and so I lost absolutely masses of time getting to the wall. The repair was quick and so after that I just loved the remainder of the descent to Ribblehead with crowds being even bigger than I remember from last year. Stream crossings were now of epic proportions with most riders opting for a bridge whereas we rode through it last year.

The road section to Pen y Ghent was bad - riding into driving rain for 5 miles or so with more uphill than down it seemed ! Again, I made up places here but they were only places that I'd lost on Whernside. Now, the ascent to Pen y Ghent is climbing bliss - I love it ! Rideable all the way to just before the very steep bit at the top, including a tricky section from last year which has now been regraded as easier so no dabs this year. Good to see Teresa, Lewis, Martin, Gary and Graham on the climb up there. I needed a mental boost ahead of what was still to come...

The upper sections of Pen y Ghent were atrocious. 50mph headwinds sapped every ounce of energy left in my body. I had to have a mars bar just 100m before the summit marshalls - I was knackered!

The descent started shaky as I was so tired, but as the slope eased, my speed picked up. Sadly my brakes couldn't stop me in time for a sharp hairpin in the path so I opted for a comedy over the handlebars moment into - yes, a bog.

The "puddle" on the Pen y Ghent ascent path

I was very glad to get back down to the road as my brake levers were now pulling back to my bars, so I knew I didn't have many brakes left. More headwind and driving rain before the finish came, 4h43 after setting off.

This was every bit as good as last year - it really felt like I'd been part of something epic. Every person who finished that deserved massive respect as it really was hard.

But I loved it ! And yes, I can't wait to get my entry in for next year !!

Bike Reminder for next year - ride on drops, so bars higher, not lower. Tyre pressure 55-60psi.

Results & Analysis here

2012 Splits

2011 Splits

Lake District Mountain Trial Map

Came across this on Nick Barber's blog.

It was in Stair in Newlands this year and I ran past the event centre at the end of my Bob Graham.

A classic event - certainly one to look at for next year !

The Bob Graham Round, 66 miles, 27,000ft, 42 peaks

An amazing day which I'll never forget.  This was a big deal for me, so I'll split this write up into 4 sections ;

1. Background - What it's all about and why it's been a big deal to me
2. Prep / Training - Anything but Orthodox
3. My Round - How the Belper Harriers got me round including 2 near death experiences!
4. Detailed leg split times

1. BACKGROUND

I took up fell running back in around 1998, shortly after trying local orienteering. I loved it. My first race was Black Combe in the Lakes and I was hooked. Finishing in the top third with no particular training, that race told me that fell running was what I needed to do. Over the next few years, most weekends were spent in the hills and most of those were in the Lakes, indeed I knew every corner within a year or so and I've gone on to expand that with many social trips, backpacks, Mountain Marathons, Trailquests and family weeks ever since.

Predominantly, I run when in the Lakes - it's just so good for it. Terrain is hard but not too hard and the geography just lends itself to long days on the hills with sweeping ridge lines giving option upon hard option.

The lakes also lends itself to what I and several friends consider to be the best Mountain Biking in the UK - again with many, many Trailquests and MTBO events over the years since 1998 I've come to know every single Bridleway. There's many and most just put a massive smile on my face.

I remember way back when I was first going to the Lakes around 1998 picking up a leaflet in George Fisher in Keswick (after a race, I think Causey Pike) on something called "The Bob Graham Round". I remember to this day thinking how utterly unachievable it seemed. It consisted of 5 long legs any one of which would be a big day out as a walker and hard for a fell runner. After leaving the shop though, I couldn't stop thinking about it. How the hell do people do that ? I wonder if I'll ever meet anyone who has done it ? Yes, the seed was planted and it just wouldn't go away.

I quickly managed to up the fell running mileage and by about 2003 I'd competed in 2 Saunders Klets classes in the Lakes - routes which are very very demanding both in terms of length and the terrain they take you over. A couple of years later, I was lucky enough to be partnered with Simon Richardson (a great Orienteer) and won the KIMM A Class in 2005. I think that was the turning point, where I had confidence that perhaps one day the Bob Graham Round would be within my reach.

A few weeks later Lewis came along and subsequently I had a patchy 6 year period dogged with ever increasing tummy problems which became so bad that by 2011 I'd completely ditched running in favour of Mountain Biking (less irritating on the tummy). All through this 6 year period I often thought how the Bob Graham now seemed like something I could have achieved before, but not anymore - the time had probably passed. So instead I set my goals last year on an interim stop gap - The Pennine Bridleway Double in 24 hours. 

I actually did this simply to see what going hard for 24 hours felt like and to see how my body would cope with no sleep in the hope that perhaps if my tummy problems cleared up that I could train for the Bob Graham next. I was pleased with the result and knew off the back that the Bob Graham was now achievable but only if I sorted my tummy out.  A change in diet including hospital "probings" gave me a transformation in my running around November 2011. Finally, I was able to run without having to look for bushes to duck into !!!

2. PREP / TRAINING

My first proper runs were in Feb of this year on the annual family trip to Coniston. I did 3*3-5 hour runs and generally felt good after. After this, I knew the BGR was back on the cards and felt relieved instantly. The next long run was a reccie in March of the Long Tour of Bradwell, then an Easter reccie of BGR legs 1&2, followed by the Calderdale Hike 2 weeks later. Then came the event I knew I had to complete comfortably if I was ever going to do the Bob Graham - The Fellsman which thankfully went well. After that it was just a matter of when, so renewed with vigour I banged out legs 3-5 2 weeks later following Duncan Steen round on his phenomenal 19h30 completion.

I seemed to be knocking out the Ultra runs with very little actual running training though. In fact, very little training full stop - a good thing as it meant more time for family stuff too, gotta keep Teresa on side !! Training really just consisted throughout 2012 of 1-2 hard road bike sessions for 2hours plus 1-2 hard offroad sessions for 2 hours never totalling more than 3 sessions per week. It seemed to be working well, so I thought why change it ? In fact it was working better than it had ever done as the road biking has done wonders for my quads and it's now rare for my legs to ache after an Ultra / fell race - weird I know !

3. MY ROUND

The Belper Harriers Support Crew 1am: Graham, Alistair, Andy B, Me, Andy R, Krish
(plus Saul taking photo and Ian who arrived later on)

After a very bad sprained ankle early July, plans were rescheduled for Saturday 8th September. I really wanted to get it out of my system this year ! The support team was predominantly made up of Belper Harriers plus Alistair Robertson who would assist in legs 1&2 plus Broad Stand rope duties with Krish!

September meant 4 hours less daylight than mid summer, but I was confident that I could do it and so less daylight would hopefully just slow me up a little. A 1am start meant that if things went to plan, I'd be finishing about 9pm - just when it's getting dark. If things didn't go to plan, I'd be doing the last leg in the dark - not the end of the world.

We'd just had a week of wall to wall sunshine in the UK, so looking at the forecast I was in two minds whether to even pack a waterproof ! Suffice to say, I could barely believe it when we turned off the M6 at Penrith to be greeted with rain at Threlkeld !!! We got to Braithwaite Bridges campsite and grabbed an hours kip before setting off at 1am under dry but windy conditions.

Details of each leg are below, but really everything felt really good the whole round. I deliberately did not look at individual split times from peak to peak but had a general knowledge of my pace due to arrival times at road crossings. By Wasdale I knew I was close to 23 hour pace and was happy with that losing so much time on Bowfell and Broad Stand, but I felt good still despite my feet feeling battered.  I think I took some paracetomol for the first time there for my feet as I knew I'd need to be strong over leg 4 to not fall further behind.

Leg 4: Cloud Inversion forming out to see from around Red Pike
(courtesy of Bill Williamson)

Leg 4 really was the highlight of the round for me. From 4pm - 9pm Graham and me had non stop sun with some really fantastic running. Picking up the trods round unnecessary peaks meant that after Steeple I think we ran most stuff apart from the big climbs. It was a sheer pleasure - running doesn't get any better than that section - pity that Saul was behind us and we couldn't enjoy it with him.

Looking back on the pace expectations, 20hours was a little bit optimistic I think with the training I'd done. I ran 19h30 pace for 3-5 back in May but that was off the back of The Fellsman 2 weeks prior (perfect prep really). The Long Tour of Bradwell was all I'd done over 30 miles since May and I'd just got back from two weeks in the Alps with nothing over 2 hours in the bank.

Also, I think I underestimated how much the 8hours+ of running the first two legs would slow me for 3-5. Legs felt fine, but feet were definitely showing the signs of many hours over very slippery rocks and boulders.

Sharing the navigation with the pacers worked well. I knew most of the route and some of them had reccied some sections, so we just corrected on the hoof really with whoever was most confident. When things got a bit more patchy (leg 5) I was thankful that Graham took the lead as I wouldn't have wanted to have navigated after Honister really. Thanks Graham.

Also - thanks to the pacers. I don't know how these guys find time to fit my weekend into their already busy lives ? Especially a rescheduled weekend at that. I'm so glad that the weather was good for them - arriving in Wasdale to see the car and the campervan in dappled sunshine I was more than a little envious of the position they were in. I'm just so glad they didn't tell me they had plans of going to the pub otherwise that might have just tipped me over the edge !  I really cannot wait to return the compliment and support 1, 2 or 3 of them next year - I'm looking forward to it already ! Who knows, I might just start leg 1 and see if I can beat 23 hours !!

4. DETAILED LEG SPLIT TIMES

Detailed Excel splits are here

Leg 1 : Skiddaw / Blencathra 3h55

* Lost 25 mins due to clag and missed trod to Hare Crag plus Threlkeld 5 mins
* Skiddaw had basically zero visibility and hence we missed the trod to Hare Crag, knee high heather
* The line from Gt Calva was better than reccied, taking the path through the wooden gate at bottom of wire fence
* Went over on ankle after very slippy rocky descent from Doddick.
* Detour round the back of Threlkeld

Leg 2 : The Dodds Helvellyn & Fairfield 4h20
* Lost 5 mins or so on Dollywaggon, misty through whole section
* Generally ok, but didn't want to risk the Cofa climb in the thick clag so went round left of Tarn.
* Missed the trod down to the road from Seat Sandal. Apparently I need to head to west summit, then it's on the right.

Leg3 : Martcrag Moor, just after Pike o Stickle around 1030am Trod Hunting!

Leg 3 : The Langdales & Scafell 6h40
lost 5mins at Thurnacar and lost 20mins on Broad Stand, very slippery round Bowfell
* Went well up to Thurnacar, then again up to Rossett
* Billy Blands Rake started well but ended in a chossy scramble emerging too far right
* Our return route from Bowfell we veered too far right instead of heading left to Ore Gap
* Rocks were very very slippery
* Visibility poor again
* Broad Stand was so so slippery. I used both knees, got a push up and a pull from above ! Saul went unroped and slipped. I think that another of his nine lives gone! Thanks to Krish / Alistair here.
* Crags above Broad Stand were no better but did not last long
* Scree descent was amazing !

Leg 3 : Scafell Screes Descent, 345pm

Leg 4 : Wasdale to Honister 5h
lost 15 mins regrouping with pacers at base of Red Pike, last 2 peaks in darkness
* Had to regroup with Saul / Graham after Yewbarrow, Saul struggling so lost 15 mins.
* Cloud inversions out to sea ending in a stunning sunset.
* Pace good, visibility good, ending in darkness
* Left Saul after Scoat fell who headed out to Buttermere but ended up running down Ennerdale!
* Gable felt hard, being so steep at the top

Leg 5 : Honister to Keswick 3h
starting to feel tired and all done in darkness
* Feeling tired for the first time, Dale Head felt hard but shouldn't have
* Good to have Ian's company
* Ian took a rather direct descent from Robinson, one which I don't think he'd wish to repeat !
* Road felt very hard then had more food and upped the pace for the last 3 miles.

Post Bob Thoughts...
Well, it's now 3 days later and I'm really pleased with my legs again ! My left ankle just keeps on getting bigger though so physio this afternoon. It really hasn't sunk in yet that I'm in the Bob Graham Club - something I've looked up to for so, so long.

I'm really not worried now that I've got nothing in the diary for the rest of the year apart from the 3 Peaks Cyclo Cross in 3 weeks. I really enjoy training for something big, then just doing whatever I fancy doing  whether it will be road biking, cyclo cross racing, Mountain Bike racing, Mountain Bike Orienteering or Fell Racing which fills my diary for the rest of the year.

Last 5h Run before the Bob Graham

What a day to take off work - we were out early, so low sun, heather still in bloom and the temperature warm in the sun and just right in the shade. Oh, and barely a cloud in the sky !

The First Half of the Climb up Fairbrook

I wanted to get about 5hrs done before next weekend and it just had to be Kinder. Now, although Kinder is the site of my recent sprained ankle, it is just so versatile and HARD ! 

Everywhere looked simply stunning today as Andy and me met up with Alistair in Edale car park. The climb up Grindsbrook  was despatched easily - taking the right fork at the top and then heading round to Crowden Clough and Edale Cross. Andy's apparent dizziness giving him some grief seemingly. Still, we progressed down to Coldwell Clough where we decided to split... Andy taking the shortcut to the res whilst Alistair and me adding in two very stiff climbs.

Once up to the top of William Clough, I was very pleased to have despatched 3 climbs almost at threshold with Alistair but yet having no problems with the legs at all. Alistair really showed me up on the final climb though - a natural climber clearly.

I warned folks that the descent was long to the bottom of Fairbrook but even I forgot just how long. We went down for ages ! All without a care in the world, legs moving freely, enjoying the company and lapping up the scenery.

Then came the Fairbrook climb - one I love. We thought it best that Andy shortcut up to Seal Stones whilst Alistair and me went for it.  I got half way up then stepped aside to let Alistair really push his training in readiness for the Snowdonia Half IronMan he's got in 3 weeks (which ends in a climb up and down Snowdon on the Llanberis path). He did well, making good ground on me and I wasn't going at all slow.

After meeting with Andy at Seal Stones we dispatched the traverse to Blackden and crossing of Kinder easily leaving just the Ringing Roger descent to Edale.

All in all, a fantastic day. My favourite Peak District training run of the year by far. Legs felt great at the end and everything is looking comfortable for next weekend.

Route : Edale, Grindsbrook, Edale Cross, Coldwell Clough, Hayfield, Shooting Cabins, William Clough
Black Ashop Moor, Fairbrook climb, Kinder Northern edge, Ringing Roger, Edale.

The Long Tour of Bradwell, 33 mile 6,750ft

This was going to be a day I wanted to enjoy for many reasons. Firstly, it's the last big race before my Bob Graham Round (about a month away) so I needed to feel 'good' about my performance. Secondly, the weather forecast was awesome - perhaps too awesome. Thirdly and unlike every other Ultra I've raced this year I knew the whole route (or so I thought!) so no worryingly scratching around at maps which takes a bit of the pleasure out of a race IMO. Fourthly it was local, so no 3h drive home.

This was also to be Graham's first Ultra and his longest race by a long stretch. Graham's a great runner and I really did expect to get a good pummelling by him, but wondered by just how much ?

The day started cloudy, but I think we all knew it just had to burn off. Assembling in Bradwell at 855, announcements were made and a few familiar faces were around, then we were off - round past the cement works and up Pindale.  Graham slowly made about 20m on me by the time we got to Dirtlow Rake something I was more than happy with as I knew my pace was fast but fully maintainable.

Conversations started with fellow runners when it flattened out before Cavedale. By the bottom of Cavedale I found myself running with Jon Hedger. Jon had won the previous Ultra race in the series, the Osmotherley Phoenix, so I knew sticking with him might not be all that wise !

Almost immediately Jon pointed out that I knew him better than I thought as we had been grouped on the Fellsman in May but due to the dark / hats / headtorches and waterproofs, I had no idea it was him ! I congratulated him on his recent success and soon realised we were running similar pace both up and down.

Nav to the Druids Stone was spot on and we arrived with Graham who promptly left us for dead on the descent to the Edale Road. To be fair, our route was pretty dire and several runners caught us on the descent.

The climb to Lose Hill was the first to suffer the heat of the day so felt all the harder for it. The pace was now fast but comfortable which turned to a bit too fast on the decent into Hope ! I felt pretty shattered by the next control so thought I'd run my own pace from here, which as it happened was at least as fast as those around me!

Still with Jon, the climb up and round Win Hill was beautiful with the heather in full summer glory. We ran together now all the way to lower Burbage and I think we both pushed slightly too much as several times on Stanage I felt I had to just let him go, but managed to stick with him. As it happens, I think it was Jon that pushed too hard as he faded badly in the latter sections.

The Contol on the River in Bamford, Photo Courtesy of Nick Ham

All went well until after the Lawrencefield control. The route on the day took a completely new line to that I'd reccied. In fact, I lost the taped route within about 5 metres - seeing only 1 bit of tape ! Bugger. Looking at the splits I lost 5 mins here compared to those around me. Never mind, I soon settled into a very good pace on the hard section along the river to Leadmill. 

I was determined not to walk any of the next section which I basically managed. I did stop however briefly to chat to Jon as I re-overtook him on the climb to Stoke Ford.

After Stoke Ford the wheels well and truly fell off. With hindsight this was a combination of pushing too fast with Jon but mainly not enough food. I took Jelly Babies and caffeine gels - the latter I really didn't want to overdose on for fear of not being able to sleep, hence I really only took Jelly Babies - this wasn't enough.

I can honestly say that I've never had to dig as deep as I did before during and after Abney. If anyone was watching me, I must have looked like I was about to die I think! Still, I knew that very soon it was one long slippery descent to the village and then a half mile run through the town to the line so I gave it absolutely everything I could.

Crossing the line I was pleased to find out I was 5th in a time of 5h 45, which was roughly the time I'd expected with Graham finishing in a stonking 5h 35. 

And yes, all my boxes were ticked in terms of enjoying the day and feeling good - especially as I'd not done anything at all long since May !!!

GPS track here

Results here

Nick Ham's write up and photo's here

Sleepless in the Saddle, 24h MTB

Sheila and Teresa sorted this one out - quickly getting the mixed veteran team together including Dennis, Dave and me. Teresa was the only one of us not to have done one of these 24h events before (although she supported me at Newcastleton 24h solo).

The event at Catton Park started warm n sunny - just like last year. Course was basically the same, so generally fast and enjoyable. It also rained around tea time - just like last year too! Sadly, when last year dried really quick, this year it most definitely didn't!

A great event with no 'lows' so when other teams seemed to be dropping like flies, we just kept on going - to be honest having the Olympics on in the Campervan watching Mo Farah win the 10k with the heater on too certainly helped me stay motivated !

We finished 1st Mixed Vet Team which was quite a surprise.

Teresa checking out her new superwide rear tyre

BGR - deferred

Well, it's not often I get injured and even less often that it would make me change my plans.

Two wks ago at about 2am descending from Seal Stones on the Kinder Killer with Graham, I went over on my left ankle. Initial feelings were bad and in the proceeding days I had moments where I've thought " yep, its definitely better" notably after physio appointments.

Sadly,  late last week it took a turn for the worse. So much so that when I woke up last Sat morning walking round the house was tricky at best, geriatric at worst.  It was that bad, that my 'banker race' the Derwent River Relays hosted by Belper Harriers (20 mins tops) was completely beyond the realms of possibility. Teresa kindly stepped in for me...

To be honest, having to defer the BGR attempt has had me in complete shock - it's took me about 3-4 days to accept that I've gotta just reschedule it.

Mid September then now it seems, so after 1-2 months wind down of distance running, I've gotta get something back in my legs ! Going out for 15-30 mins tomorrow, then Sunday too if tomorrow OK. Final physio next Monday.