Longstone Chase Fell Race 17th/163

After getting back from the Pyrenees a week or so prior and doing absolutely NO running, it was about time I got out on the fells again! So, after getting back I ran 4 steady days on the trot and unfortunately niggled my achilles. With hindsight, some stretching might have been useful!

Nevertheless, I wasn't going to miss out on The Barrel Inn Fell race, so I thought I'd share a car with the Harriers and head up to take some race photos and capture the Heather in all it's glory...

Eyam Moor after the Barrel Inn Fell racers had gone past...

Luckily, 3 days later it was the Longstone Chase fell race and my niggles had cleared up. After the stunning light  I'd seen on Tuesday I was very keen just to be out there racing even though I'd barely done anything in 3 weeks.

The race felt pretty comfortable even though I felt some way off race fit. Well done to Andy Watson for finishing in front of me - about time mate! Thoroughly enjoyable - especially with Nathan and Ruth both finishing second!

Nathan 2nd Male, Ruth 2nd Female

Results here

Saunders Lakeland Mountain Marathon 2016, Martindale (SLMM)

Entering this was quite a big thing for me really - I'd entered the Fell Running world by doing Lakes Fell Races and Mountain Marathons and used to do up to 2 per year - mainly LAMM, KIMM (that was), the OMM and some Saunders too. The last one I'd done of these was two weeks before Lewis was born - since then, I've moved into Ultras and local fell races so these have fallen by the wayside. In fact, the last one I'd done of these was actually in exactly the same area and I was lucky enough to have won the KIMM A Class that time with Simon - lets hope the area would come lucky again!

Nathan and me had tried a local 3h Peak Raid event together last Autumn which we enjoyed, so after sowing the seed about doing one of these together, Nathan followed it up with a text in January and within a day we were booked onto the Saunders Bowfell Course. There's a range of courses mostly in pairs for safety. The easiest will be short and mostly on paths with controls not being above cloud level and the route to the midway camp being not too hilly. The hardest team events tend to have a lower %age of paths (we were almost entirely on tussocks, rocks, bogs, bracken and moorland), a high amount of climbing (2,000m+ normal for Day 1), lengths of 20-25miles on Day 1 and controls located at a higher average altitude - so the chances of them being in the cloud is therefore higher - all good! There are also 2 solo courses on this event - experienced fell runners only here please!

Day 1 Route marked with dotted line. Day 2 Controls are the Square ones.

Looking back on my Strava timeline, I've not run over 2h since about Feb, so needless to say I had to disguise this fact from Nathan for as long as I could - at least until the end of Day 1 I was hoping !

Nathan was new to all this never having done one before, but I knew he was made from the right stuff after I'd put on the kit list "Sleeping Bag - circa 500g" and I'd not heard anything back! "Pot Noodles" and "Mars Bars dunked in Custard" were also met with approval so I knew it'd be a great weekend!

Backpacks were down to sub20litres (mine felt quite empty but I never let on!) and I think walking to the start area at the bottom of the Ullswater hillside - we were both filled in equal measure with anticipation and excitement as we waited to find out where our 10 checkpoint locations were on Day 1.

We'd ran the length of the ridge in the middle of this - stunning stuff inc a herd of Red Deers. Can you spot Nathan?

Although we'd not discussed it specifically, I took on the role of main navigator and Nathan the "checker" - he's good with a map but hadn't done these before so I'd take the lead on bearings and contour work. The day started well - straight to Control 1 but then unfolding the map saw us faced with the longest leg of the Day. The leg had a choice - a longer route going up to the main ridge, along it on paths then a quick down / up / down and over to the control - OR - the route we took - over about 4 valleys through tussocks not on any paths and over to the control. Can you work out now what I'm gonna say with this one?!? Yes, we lost 20 mins here, but more importantly - we wasted so much energy. Never mind - we found it straight away and nailed the rest of the Controls. They were always very well located. I was going to say "hidden" but they aren't deliberately hidden - it's just that if you are more than 10 metres from it - you may not see it as it just sits on the floor. When located at a "Stream Junction" - it is amazing how many stream junctions you will find within the 100sqm that you are searching. Also "Crag Foot" - this is my favourite as there's always a range of crags and you can never see the foot of the ones above or below you!

Each control would take a similar theme - as we approached the previous one, we'd start making our route choice for the next one. Upon dibbing, we'd then head off as fast as possible in the agreed direction, maintaining as much pace as possible up across and down before having a prolonged chat about who was feeling the most tired! Heavy showers punctuated the high ridges and cols which coupled with some strong windy blasts meant that I had to reach for my waterproof a few times in the day, but mostly preferring to run cool in short sleeves and shorts. Due to the clear weather, navigation was little real issue so route choice was the main issue to separate teams.

As we approached the last few controls of the day, it became very clear that we were both equally wrecked already - especially when - after running the beautiful Gray Crag ridge with views to die for an a herd of Red Deer to boot, Nathan said "so the control should be somewhere at the bottom of the valley then". "No mate" I said quite clearly ... "it's right at the top of that hill in the distance". The few seconds silence said it all. It was a massive climb but at least I knew we had it to come. Nathan didn't - oh and what a climb it was - it's actually the one in the top picture with both Nathan and me doing large sections of it on all fours - we had no standards at this point in proceedings so damage limitation was the key. We both must have been moving so so slowly but we were wringing every last ounce of energy out of already tired bodies so we just struggled up in mutual silence.

Soon we approached the final descent to the last control and the finish. As we neared the bottom, it became clear that there'd just been quite a serious incident and mountain rescue were on their way. The hill was seriously steep and very long. Mainly grassy, I was wondering just how much more dangerous it would have been had the conditions been bad? Anyway, after the event we found out that there were 2 incidents in exactly the same spot about 3 hours apart - we wondered why the rescue helicopter was hovering for about 5 hours in total!

We found out that at the mid way overnight camp we were in 9th place out of 45 entrants on this course. Quite pleased but tinged as always with so many "yeah but if only we'd have..." etc etc! It was over 2 hours after we'd arrived in camp that we saw Kieran Davis - a very strong runner and coupled with Neil Wightman we thought they would beat us into camp. It turned out they had a worse day than us navigationally and had also been badly caught out by just how hard day 1 had been. We were all dreading Day 2 so promptly headed to bed early, ate loads of food and generally rested the legs and feet.

The Control 6 to 7 Catastrophe!
Red Arrow = Our Bearing
Green Arrow = Correct Bearing!!

As it happened, we woke to a beautiful sunny dawn on Day 2 and a slightly kinder course - only 18 miles on Day 2 compared to 23miles on Day 1, but more importantly only 4,500ft of climb as opposed to 8,000ft on Day 1. Nevertheless, it was mostly on tussocks still so it was never easy. Route choice was 'nailed' for all controls (with us getting fastest splits out of all runners on 3-4 and 4-5!!) - well I say nailed - mostly anyway. Admittedly, for the final 30 mins of that second day I told Nathan I was running on vapours - the tank was empty. That's also when things started to go wrong for me / us. Finding control 6 was harder than it should have been without my full concentration. Control 6 eventually came (thanks Nathan) but when I thought 6-7 was just a downhill blast on a path it turned out to be our worst control of the weekend. Firstly it was through really rough marshy tussocky when I'd hoped it was paths. Next - we headed to the wrong place - and when we got to where we were heading - we had no idea where we actually were on the map ! Fantastic! At least another pair had done exactly the same thing so we shared problems and still really really struggled to find the actual control at the correct junction. If we'd have taken a rough bearing at control 6 we would have seen that we'd gone too far East.

Thanfully, the finish was only 1/2 a mile downhill in lovely sunshine - but blimey I was properly on empty by now! After finishing it was an effort to even get to the car, let alone climb another Lake District Wainwright like Ed and Helen from the club had done - harder course next year guys !!!!

Summary
All in all a fantastically hard weekend of running, navigating and camping in the high fells - not many better ways to spend your spare time now is there ?
Results here, 10th overall in Bowfell
Strava links here and here
Nathan's Blog write up here
Overall stats, 12hours of running, 12,500ft, 40 miles and 90-95% off path (which is what made it so hard)

Our Mountain Marathon Kit List

Alpkit Ordos 2 Tent / Pegs / Poles

Foil blanket under tent

Alpkit Numo thermarest

PHD Minimus Sleeping Bag 500g

Overnight Clothes - Waterproof

Overnight Clothes - Warm thicker Top (mandatory kit)

Overnight Clothes - Dry Socks

Overnight Clothes - Waterproof Trousers

Overnight Clothes - Gloves & Buff

Overnight Clothes - Leggings (mandatory kit)

Running Top

Running Shorts

Running Socks

Running Water Bottle

Running Shoes

Running Food - Mars Bars & Jelly Babies *2days

Contact Lenses inc xtra ones & Mirror

Pen to mark up map

Watch

Phone Waterproof Case

Compass

Earplugs for sleeping at night

Wet Wipes

Basic First Aid Kit - Plasters/Bandage/Paracetomol / ibuprofen

Asthma Inhaler

Pan & Lid

Thin Windshield

Stove

Small Gas Canister & Gas Stability Feet

Torch

Spork

Rucsac Liner to keep everything dry

Whistle

Inflata Pillow

Starter - Pot Noodles (doubles up as a cup / bowl)

Main - Couscous & 2 Tins each Mackerel in Curry Sauce (40g protein)

Desert - Custard with melted Mars Bars

After - Peppermint Tea bags or hot chocolate

Breakfast - Protein Powder & Mars Bars

Chrome Hill Fell Race - what an awesome race!

I'd never done this race but it had been on my radar since I read Darren Holloway's blog entry on it. And what a "must do" race it is! Low key, linked to a village fair, hard, terrific views - see photo below of Helen as an example!

Chrome Hill Fell Race Route

The route is far harder than the route profile suggests as everything from mile 0 to mile 1 is through grass / mud - often on trogs carved out simply by the local livestock! The village fair looked ace complete with Jazz Band (!), but I had to dash off to meet Teresa (and Cath / Neil) on a Matlock pub crawl. The race is now unfinished business as I had to stop for a comfort break halfway round! What a great excuse to come along next year - next year with the family too!

Chrome Hill Fell Race Profile

Helen on the Chrome Hill Fell Race Ridge - Parkhouse Hill in the background (race doesn't go over that)

Strava link here

Results will go here

Tideswell Fell Race 11th/85

I’d manage to miss this every year so far – it always falls at one of the busiest times of year for fell races and I don’t like to do much more than 1 or 2 a week (unlike some!). This year it fell well as Teresa and Lewis were around and it’s in a beautiful corner of the peaks (near where we got married – The Monsal Head pub) so it was a great excuse for a family evening out.

Tideswell Fell Race Route

And what a glorious evening it was! Being Summer Time in Britain, it was a matter of deluge avoidance… thankfully most of the race did avoid any rain and we were blessed with stunning views over the limestone dales of Tideswell and Litton.

Tideswell Fell Race Profile

The race itself reminded me slightly of the Cressbrook Crawl which is in May and in the next dale – although this one only had one climb of note. Sadly I’d not warmed up enough so that climb felt very very hard to me – up through about 4 grassy fields before levelling off on the Bridleway tracks around Priestcliffe which all looked absolutely stunning bathed in the evening sunlight. The descent was damp which mixed with Limestone, steps, grass and mud made me lose about 2 places on the drop down to the dale.

All in all, a lovely evening topped off with a pint or so in the Monsal Head pub.

Strava link here
Results here 11/85 so top 12.9%.

Riber Run 2016 17th/156

I was keen to get back fell racing after my Scottish Isles trip and MTBing last week (Trailquest and Mountain Mayhem) so seeing as this was one of my favourite races last year it was great to see so many Harriers join me on this local classic!

Riber Run 2016 Race Route

Riber Run Route Profile

 Hills were a struggle - I was sorely overdue running training and hill rep training - so being 1 minute slower than last year was probably not too bad - it was slightly slippier too than last year so it felt about right. Lewis came with me so nice pint with Lewis and Nick in the Jug and Glass afterwards.

The Belper Harriers before the Riber Run 2016

Results link here 17th out of 156 so top 10.9%

Strava flyby here showing Nick's "walkabouts" around Hearthstone lane.

Scottish Isles Bikepack

Just a few of my favourite shots from what was an unforgettable week on Eigg, Skye and Raasay.

Eigg : Above Cleadale (northern end about 8pm at night) - tent pitched somewhere below! Views to Rum

Eigg : Rum from Laig Bay

Eigg : Rum from Laig Bay

Eigg : Southern Side of the island stumbled across this lovely isolated crofters cottage - with a young couple sitting outside supping wine - well, I had to stop for a chat! Storm in distance

Eigg : Sunset over Rum

Eigg : Rum from Laig Bay

Skye : Sunrise over the Cuillin : I bivvied here overnight - what an amazing spot above Loch Coruisk from Sgurr na Stri

Skye : The Cuillin from my walk to Elgol

Skye : The Cuillin from Elgol

Skye : The Cuillin from Elgol

Raasay : Lone Tree & Cuillin from Raasay

Raasay : Wildcamp spot looking back towards Portree

Raasay : Some glorious exploration around the north west of the isle - towards Fladda

Skye : Sunset from the Stein Inn

Skye : Bla Bheinn on my cycle in to Camasunary Bothy

Skye : Glen Sligachan offroad - unbelievably good

Skye : Breakfast brewing from Camasunary Bothy

Skye : Lone Tree, Bla Bheinn

Skye : Grasses, Bla Bheinn

Raasay : Wildcamp with views back to Portree

Skye : Camasunary (old) Bothy (bottom right)

Eigg : Approaching Eigg from Mallaig

Skye : Fantastic Campsite at Dunvegan

Skye : View from Jonny n Jo's cottage above Stein, Waternish. Breathtaking

Carsington 2h MTBO / Trailquest

Not done a Trailquest for many a year, but this week it fitted in well - I'd been fell racing a lot and it was Mountain Mayhem next weekend so I needed to test the bike and bike legs out a bit!

I always love doing these. A good workout - sometimes new paths or bridleways plus maps. What's not to like ? Well, the weather for one - it virtually didn't stop raining from the minute I left my house to the minute I got back. Sadly - I decided it would be a better workout to cycle there and cycle back too - adding more pain and sogginess into the mix!

Anyway - it was a good evening all in - I was second to Killian Lomas - he cleared the course with 225pts, I got 215 points and was second. He went clockwise, I went anticlockwise. and with hindsight I do wish I'd gone clockwise. Most offroad sections I tackled were uphill!

Results here
Strava here

Edale Country Day Fell Race 30th/229

I always enjoy this race and this year it was on the club Fell Series. As I'd only done Masson so far I thought I'd better clock another one up! I love this as it's a classic fell race - up, across and down with the terrain never being easy and of course finishing in the country day field in front of the crowd (and beer tent!) is ace.

Edale Country Day Race Route. Start under the nab, finish next to the main CP.

Legs felt pretty good after Castleton on Friday night so I thought I'd notch it up slightly for today - tackling the climb slightly harder than I had the other night. This year the climb felt way easier than last year so I ought to check back if I just went off too fast last year and blew up (think I paced it better this time).

I didn't lose any places on the traverse which I was pleased about which only left the descent! Every year I lose about 10 places on this and I kept up this tradition this year ! I felt good all the way to the finish and overtook a few on the run down the road. Another brilliant race and a fantastic turnout from the club with 14 of us! Especially well done to Andy Paisley - on fire at the mo!

30th out of 229 so top 13%
Results here
Strava link here

Castleton Fell Race, 39/231

Castleton is a race I've not done for about 12-15 years. I have tended to avoid it due to the large amount of flagstone running along the ridge but this year it fitted in well. I'd not really done much since getting back from Scotland (boycotted the BDL Race on Tuesday due to feeling under the weather) so this was a good a way as any to get on the race ladder in time for Edale on Sunday. Brucey bonus was that Lewis could do the kids race!

Castleton Fell Race Route 

We both really enjoyed it (only 8 in Lewis's race due to appalling weather all day) and I seemed to run well, never really maxing out and staying pretty comfortable. Imminent cramps on the last tarmac run in stopped me closing down the guys in front sadly.

39/231 so top 17% - lower than normal and I thought I ran well. Maybe I didn't!!
Results here in 52:28
Strava here

Fairfield Horseshoe Fell Race 2016 (61/316)

Although 1 or 2 of us have done lakes fell races before, we've never coordinated it across the running club. Times are changing in the club - so after Chris posted on our club Facebook account that it was Fairfield in 2 months time - my ears pricked up! This was the second ever fell race I'd done - way back in 1999 and only one month after my very first ever fell race - Black Combe. Back in 1999 I wasn't really a 'runner' - I'd just gone up to the lakes and ran as I love the mountains and loved running uphill. My time from 1999 was 1h49 which got me 183rd out of 307 runners. Oh no - I now had a time to aim for so the pressure was on !!

Ed (vest in wash!), Chris, Me, Andy, Claire, Nathan, Helen and Clare raring to go!

We met up with Clare / Claire at the essential lakes stop-off-en-route cafe - Wilfs in Staveley. Everyone was very excited with Chris / Clare and Claire polishing off a serious amount of foodage - Andy and me preferring to steer well clear before a race. Traffic was bad through Ambleside probably due to the great weather which meant that we didn't have a great deal of time to run to registration, meet up with the others, register, warm up and go to the loo. After a very very thorough kit check (great news in my opinion even with excellent weather) we were through and ready to go.

The start line was moved from where I remember it 17 years ago (somewhere over to the left?) and about 15 minutes later than planned - we were off! The start goes up a track for about half a mile before veering off left on sheep trods then left again alongside a wall to the main ridge. Running felt 'verging on uncomfortable' but manageable despite my calves having barely recovered from the BDL race last Tuesday (I'd not run for 2wks previous to that hence calf ache). As we got to the ridge Nathan was only 3 runners in front of me. "Concentrate on your pace not keeping up with him" I was telling myself through the whole of the climb to Fairfield summit. Thankfully, I managed that quite comfortably and we summited together exchanging a few brief words before he shot off on the descent. Nice to see Lily too at the summit cheering us on !

Fairfield Fell Race route from my gpx

Fairfield Fell Race route profile from my gpx

The descent on Fairfield is something to behold - perfect grassy ridge running mostly over non technical terrain with views over the whole of South Lakeland - truly enjoyable! Nearer to the bottom there are sections of rock (as there are around Hart Crag at the start) which often can be avoided to the left by following grassy trods. Note to self : Remember these next time! As ever, runners started to pass that I'd picked off on that climb - never mind - that's what always happens!!

Approaching the finish line - whilst narrowly avoiding cramp in BOTH calves!

As it was so warm on the day, I knew I would be close to cramping up by the end and I was but very narrowly managed to avoid it on the descent and final track run in. Crossing the line in 61st place and 1h40 so 9 mins faster than 17 years ago - result! Sadly I lost 30 places to Nathan on the descent - well perhaps 20-25 as he overtook some (including Ed).

It was lovely at the finish waiting for the others coming in whilst bathing in the full on sunshine! The day was topped off with a drink or two in the Golden Rule pub before heading back South.

Lets hope this is the first of many!

Strava here

Strava Flyby here (we didn't have that 17 years ago!)

Full results here