The Hardmoors 60 is a 62 mile ultramarathon on the coastal Cleveland Way trail between Guisborough and Filey. It passes over beautiful clifftop trails, secluded beaches and seaside villages. It takes in over 3,000m of ascent as the path hugs the coast up and down the cliffs from beach to village to bay.
To be honest I hadn't envisaged doing another long one this year but following a strengthening in qualification criteria to the UTMB I needed to squeeze in an extra one to be in that ballot come January which has been my overall big target for the year.
I have had a tough time rediscovering my mojo following the SDW100 which was my big race for 2015. I had struggled to get the mileage back up to the 50-60 mile weeks I was clocking beforehand but more of a problem was that after so much running over the last twelve months, I was felling a bit jaded by it all mentally too.
This race was always going to be a tester, the Hardmoors get their name for good reason as I found in March and this race is a 3 point UTMB qualifier (out of a maximum 4). So I already wasn't feeling great about my preparations. Then, whilst out on a dreich bank holiday recce run near Staithes, I sprained my ankle proper with less than 3 weeks to go.
I was a bit shelled to be honest. I couldn't believe I would recover sufficiently to complete a tough race in such a short time. I iced and rested and just kept everything crossed for a recovery quicker than my Googling suggested was likely.
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| Ouch! - Stupid running... |
By the time the race came around I had managed only a couple of runs and none without pain. I knew I had the miles in my legs to carry me through but I also knew a roll of the ankle in the race would be an instant DNF and could set me back months.
I avoided the physio (I felt I knew what the advice would be) and decided to just give it a go. After all, there was no way I was going to trouble the scorers, but any finish within cutoff would keep the UTMB hopes alive.
Anyway enough of the excuses what about the race!
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| The traditional pre race selfie. Yes we looked this tired BEFORE the race! |
I had a new race crew on hand (thanks Mum and Dad) after giving Bobby and Rach a break from traipsing around after me doing lunatic runs. We were up early to drive to Guisborough Sea Cadets for the start and after kit check and briefing we were soon heading off to the first climb up to High Cliff Nab on the North York Moors.
After less than a mile, the route traversed a cambered open field and the inevitable ankle roll happened although way sooner than anticipated . The pain was excruciating and I wondered if I was going to be the earliest DNF in the history of ultra running. I pressed on gingerly initially just to avoid embarrassment but was glad I did as the pain eventually faded.
I realised that the mental challenge of this race was going to be as hard as the physical. I had to concentrate so hard on keeping my cadence high to reduce the force through the ankle and be so careful to plant my foot on as flat a surface as possible ever single step. This was going to be tough over such a mix of terrain all day and into the night.
We arrived in Saltburn and the heat had started to build, I looked forward to getting up on the cliff tops to drink in the views on what was now a truly stunning day. Once we had climbed up onto the cliffs, the next few hours were about making progress towards Runswick Bay where my first drop bag awaited at 21 miles. Mum and Dad managed to catch up with me a couple of times along the way with loads of goodies on hand.
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| A cool start at Guisborough - Photo credit Ann Brown |
I realised that the mental challenge of this race was going to be as hard as the physical. I had to concentrate so hard on keeping my cadence high to reduce the force through the ankle and be so careful to plant my foot on as flat a surface as possible ever single step. This was going to be tough over such a mix of terrain all day and into the night.
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| Why so serious at Skinningrove? - Photo credit Ann Brown |
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| A rare smile! |
The pretty fishing village of Staithes came and went in what seemed like a flash, then onto the spectacular beach at Runswick bay where we tackled just a fraction of the thousands of steep steps up and down the cliffs we would need to climb..
The next major landmark was Whitby and the 199 steps up to the Abbey. In his race briefing Jon Steele (the race director) had a chuckle at the thought of 200 ultra runners 'swimming' through the hordes of tourists Whitby attracts on a warm day and he wasn't wrong! Lots of strange looks, comments and surprised encouragement from the bemused fish and chip munchers as we weaved through towards the abbey. The steps were finally conquered (well after a fashion, I had run 30 miles by then) and I resisted the temptation to stop for an ice cream at the top.
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| On the way to Staithes - Photo credit Kim Kiddle |
I had started to experience some nice cramping as a combination of the heat of the day, and my lack of recent training started to catch up with me. I never really managed to shift the cramp for the remainder of the race and stopping to stretch the calves slowed things even more. The constant ups and downs of hills and steps showed no mercy and after a receiving a lovely welcome from the enthusiastic crew at the aid station, the punishment was quickly resumed on the steep descent into Robin Hoods Bay.
The next section was a long steady climb up to Ravenscar where Mum and Dad would be waiting. They had already located my dropbag and Dad helped me stretch my calves yet again and fetched a sugary tea whilst I smashed some rice pudding. By now I was tired but my resolve to finish was growing with 41 hard miles in the bag. My body ached but the ankle was showing no signs of worsening so I pressed on.
The next section was a long steady climb up to Ravenscar where Mum and Dad would be waiting. They had already located my dropbag and Dad helped me stretch my calves yet again and fetched a sugary tea whilst I smashed some rice pudding. By now I was tired but my resolve to finish was growing with 41 hard miles in the bag. My body ached but the ankle was showing no signs of worsening so I pressed on.
The route between Ravenscar to Scarborough was for me the most enjoyable running of the day. The worst of the heat had subsided and I knew the route from walking it with Bobby earlier in the summer. Good progress was made considering how knackered I was feeling.
Mum and Dad met me at each end of the long promenade in Scarborough which was great as I was seriously in need of a lift by now. Mum and I ran the 50 yards into the last aid station hand in hand where I sat down, regrouped and fuelled up on watermelon and Jaffa Cakes. It was time to put on my headtorch for the last push to Filey as the sun had now set. The tide was in now and waves were crashing over the walls in the last of the light.
With Dad's instructions to 'get back on my toes' ringing in my ears I reluctantly left the relative comfort of the station and headed off into the night. I soon caught a few other runners which was handy as I was worried about getting lost in the dark. Even when I passed someone I always ensured I was in sight of a twinkling headtorch. Fortunately it was a clear night with good light from the stars, still taking care with every step, I heard a tawny owl hooting some encouragement from somewhere close by.
There was no let up from the torture of the steps even down to the last mile. It was a relief to emerge into the streetlights of Filey now after 10 pm and Dad was waiting for me there. We ran the last few hundred yards together which was a really nice moment as he and Mum had been with me all the way on what had now been a really long day.
It was a tough race in attritional conditions. Well done to the Hardmoors team and all of the volunteers who put on another fantastic event. Respect to everyone who stepped up to the start line and gave it their best whether you made it or not..
It was probably not my wisest move to attempt this run with the injury but in the end I was lucky and came away largely unscathed (save for the standard grumbling legs). I have to be satisfied with finishing in the first 50 out of almost 200 starters given I didn't think I had a chance of making the start line only a fortnight ago.
The course, injuries and the heat took their toll on the 30 or so who didn't make it to the finish. Not the case apparently for winner Martin Murray who finished in an impressive 10.03. The headlines will however be stolen by one runner who found time to rescue a drowning child at Sandsend en route to his finish. Hats off to you Sir!
So that's it, I'm going to take a break from the long stuff after 3 tough ultras in the last 6 months. I have earned the right to tow the start line at two of the mightiest trail races in the world by qualifying for the UTMB and the Western States this year and for that I am thankful. As it will be my first entry into the ballot, the chances are slim but thats fine, its been an epic 14 months of ultra running adventures to get here no matter what. As you would expect I already have a Plan B for 2016 which is just as exciting, looking forward to seeing what it brings!
Thanks to Mum and Dad for the support on this race, you did way more than I could have asked for. Thanks also to everyone who has supported me in any way along the last year or so with my running. I am so lucky to have such supportive colleagues, friends and family and without you I am sure I would never have made it.
Looking forward to adding to my trail running cv in 2016, watch this space!
Mum and Dad met me at each end of the long promenade in Scarborough which was great as I was seriously in need of a lift by now. Mum and I ran the 50 yards into the last aid station hand in hand where I sat down, regrouped and fuelled up on watermelon and Jaffa Cakes. It was time to put on my headtorch for the last push to Filey as the sun had now set. The tide was in now and waves were crashing over the walls in the last of the light.
With Dad's instructions to 'get back on my toes' ringing in my ears I reluctantly left the relative comfort of the station and headed off into the night. I soon caught a few other runners which was handy as I was worried about getting lost in the dark. Even when I passed someone I always ensured I was in sight of a twinkling headtorch. Fortunately it was a clear night with good light from the stars, still taking care with every step, I heard a tawny owl hooting some encouragement from somewhere close by.
There was no let up from the torture of the steps even down to the last mile. It was a relief to emerge into the streetlights of Filey now after 10 pm and Dad was waiting for me there. We ran the last few hundred yards together which was a really nice moment as he and Mum had been with me all the way on what had now been a really long day.
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| Only finishers get a shirt - Wear with pride! |
It was probably not my wisest move to attempt this run with the injury but in the end I was lucky and came away largely unscathed (save for the standard grumbling legs). I have to be satisfied with finishing in the first 50 out of almost 200 starters given I didn't think I had a chance of making the start line only a fortnight ago.
The course, injuries and the heat took their toll on the 30 or so who didn't make it to the finish. Not the case apparently for winner Martin Murray who finished in an impressive 10.03. The headlines will however be stolen by one runner who found time to rescue a drowning child at Sandsend en route to his finish. Hats off to you Sir!
So that's it, I'm going to take a break from the long stuff after 3 tough ultras in the last 6 months. I have earned the right to tow the start line at two of the mightiest trail races in the world by qualifying for the UTMB and the Western States this year and for that I am thankful. As it will be my first entry into the ballot, the chances are slim but thats fine, its been an epic 14 months of ultra running adventures to get here no matter what. As you would expect I already have a Plan B for 2016 which is just as exciting, looking forward to seeing what it brings!
Thanks to Mum and Dad for the support on this race, you did way more than I could have asked for. Thanks also to everyone who has supported me in any way along the last year or so with my running. I am so lucky to have such supportive colleagues, friends and family and without you I am sure I would never have made it.
Looking forward to adding to my trail running cv in 2016, watch this space!
