In a slight change to last year's Trailwalker, the summary is 'we did it, it was gruelling, but we're both fighting fit and uninjured!' I've even been for a run the day after....
The weather lived up to the forecast - patchy cloud, sunshine at times, with rain showers and gusty SW wind. Unfortunately most of last week had been rainy and the conditions underfoot were pretty vile - either rock or very slippery mud. Michael H and I set off (with the other 481 competitors) in the dry at midday, and made great progress from Dalemain down to Pooley Bridge, up to the ridge and then down into the first checkpoint at Howtown on the shores of Ullswater.
All was well until we got to the steep climb up out of Fusedale, where the route crosses over the Wether Hill ridge before dropping into the Haweswater valley. I found Fusedale really tough - unexpectedly, since it had been fine in training - but with hindsight I suspect I didn't drink enough on the haul out of Pooley Bridge, and ran out of steam.
At the top of the ridge a slightly awkward jump over a peat bog puddle had my left leg cramped solid at the calf.
After a bit of rolling around and stretching it eased off enough to walk on, and after some protestations I persuaded Michael to crack on at his own faster pace.
I walked on into the next checkpoint at Mardale Head, and topped up on food & drink, and psyched myself for the steepest climb of the event - 511m of ascent in the space of 2km up to Gatesgarth Pass, followed by a steady downhill. The climb was nowhere near as tough as I expected, and I made good time into Kentmere and on into Ambleside, arriving just as it got dark at 10pm. I managed to run a couple of short sections, but was still wary of cramp as my quads were feeling the same as my calves at this point!
In Ambleside I checked on Michael's progress, expecting him to be maybe an hour ahead - but he'd already cleared Langdale, which meant 2 things - he'd managed to make great progress in daylight, and he was on for a really good time! My neighbour John, meanwhile, an entrant in the 100 mile event, had pulled out after 59 miles (Dalemain) with a knee injury.
I pressed on down Langdale, and at the Chapel Stile checkpoint I agreed to buddy up with another 100-miler, James, who was moving slowly and wanted some company having suffered hallucinations...
From here on the terrain was very muddy and slippery, and we made slow progress over Wrynose pass and down into Tilberthwaite where the final killer section awaited. The last leg is only 3.5 miles, but has 283 metres of ascent (tough!) followed by 385 metres of descent (worse!), with quarries on one side and a ravine on the other. In previous years, 100-mile competitors have withdrawn at this point, unable to face the climb when almost in sight of home....
James and I pressed on over the fell, arriving at a run in Coniston after 16 hours 11 mins (me) and 34 hours 44 mins (James). The reception was astonishing - we were led from the finish line into the school hall, where each arrival was announced and the assembled survivors - those still awake - greeted us with cheers and applause. Michael was there, having run a terrific 12hrs55, and had had time for a 3 course supper and massage while he waited!
The fastest finishing time was a barely-believable 8:30 (Steve Angus, aged 43..), with the first 5 runners arriving within 10 mins of each other, and including the fastest Lady competitor, Tracy Dean at 8:38.
The 100 mile event was even more astonishing - Terry Conway, who took 2 hours off the course record to win last year, repeated the feat by again taking 2 hours off his own record, finishing over 2 hours ahead of the second-placed pair in 19 hours 51 minutes. That's moving at over 5mph average throughout, without taking into account 22,493 feet of ascent......
I can honestly say I really enjoyed the event. OK, there were some low points - not being able to go fast enough chief amongst them. I was pleased with my ability to keep a fast walking pace - one fellow-competitor complained that I could walk faster than she could run! - and with just keeping on going.
Will I do it again? Next year's event opens on 1st September. There's a reminder in my diary already.......
No comments:
Post a Comment