Hardmoors 30 - 01/01/2017

The world is mud-licious and puddle-wonderful - E E Cummings

So for most people going to bed before ten on New Years Eve is not their idea of fun.  But for me the first of January is my birthday and my idea of a fun birthday is not to spend it with the hangover from hell.  This year would be different, I resolved to ignore the call of the bottle and spend it doing something I love, running on the trails of the Yorkshire Moors.

Need a new pose for these photos!

The Hardmoors 30 is the first of Jon and Shirley Steele's Hardmoors ultra series and previous readers of my posts will know that I am a huge fan of these races.  Racing with the Hardmoors guys was all the excuse I needed to bail out of the festivities in exchange for a righteously smug New Years Day.

At the end of last year I decided to enter all of the races to make the Hardmoors 'grand slam' a major target for 2017.  Since my success in the UTMB draw last week though I will have to see whether it is possible to complete the slam with the final event, the Hardmoors 60 coming only two weeks after the little trot around Mont Blanc.  I guess we'll just have to wait and see how things pan out. Nevertheless, I will still be towing the start line at the 55 again and the 110 for the first time.

Bobby on the 15 route

Starting at Robin Hoods Bay the route for the 30 (miles) follows the Cleveland Way coastal path between Whitby and Ravenscar linking them with the disused railway line cinder track.  Unlike some of the shorter Hardmoors races, this one didn't have any 'bonus' miles which was a relief so early in the year!  I had run the coastal section several times before including at the Hardmoors 60 in 2015 so knew how beautiful the route would be but also how tough the climbs could be up and down to the bays and beaches.

Ben was there again using the event as a good warm up for his first 50 miler at the 55 (good luck with your training buddy) in March and Paul making his marathon debut (why make things easy with a road marathon eh?).  Bobby would be trying the 15 taking in the Whitby loop of the 30 route.

No finish - No shirt!

I have made huge progress with my road times in the past 18 months but not so much on the trail. This year I need to make some headway off-road so my target was to get under 5 hours and get towards the top ten percent which would be an improvement on my last few outings.

The weather was what you would expect from the Yorkshire Coast in January.  Cold and windy (think waterfalls being blown upwards and then showering down on you) and the coastal trail was very muddy but this is what we came for right!? Despite this I knew that some serious headway could be made on the flat, sheltered and runnable Cinder Track if I kept enough back in my legs from the muddy coastal sections.

What better way to spend New Years Day?

I dithered a little over the right shoes (good grip but less comfort or less grip and more comfort).  In the end comfort won but at the cost of some seriously sketchy mud sliding.

The race was hard but I managed my mental state well even when the inevitable cramp struck after 20 miles or so.  Keeping a steady pace and finally emerging after the killer climb up to the Village Hall at Robin Hoods Bay in 4hrs 50 mins.  My position was 22 out of 217 finishers which is much higher up the order than I have been in my last few runs on the trail.

I was quite chuffed with how the race went.  Starting a bit more conservatively meant that I was still passing runners all the way to the finish which is a far more satisfying way to race than be hanging on as everyone streams past at the end.

Well done to Ben and Paul who both finished under their target times and to Bobby for finishing strongly in the 15.  We're starting to accrue a proper little trail running posse, I wonder who we can rope in next!?

I am so happy and proud to have finally earned my place on the start line of this years UTMB.  To say finishing this race would be a step up would be a massive understatement but I earned the right to be there the same as the others. I need to up my game on the training front and give this race my full focus to maximise my chances of a finish.  As a result, I still intend to run the Hardmoors 55 and 110 but they will be part of my preparation now rather than as being the major targets for the year.

From here all roads lead to Chamonix for the race of my life...

2016 - The year of the pb

“You would run much slower if you were dragging something behind you, like a knapsack or a sheriff.” - Lemony Snicket

Having just finished my last trot of 2016 I thought I'd post something about how its gone with my running this year.

After a slow start and a while taken to relocate my AWOL mojo, two goals for the year slowly started to emerge.  To maintain my UTMB qualifying status and to post some quicker road times at last.

Training weekend in the Lakes

Fewer miles this year, 1,740 to be precise, fewer races too, but faster times.  So how did I get on? Well, by sneaking in a Parkrun with only a couple of weeks to spare, I'm chuffed to say I got both bagged...

Best bits

• The best hug ever from my dad after finishing proud at the Ultimate Trails 110k in the Lakes.
• A mega day out in the Lakes and a boat ride home with my old mate Ben for his first 50k.
• Posting fastest ever times at 5k, 10k, half and marathon.
• Finally joining the world of Parkrun. 
• Running with the BDB crew at the Leeds Abbey Dash.
• An awesome solo wintry epic on the Moors in November.

Worst bits

• A seriously muddy day out ending with a wrong turn at the end of the Haworth hobble.
• Missing my 3.15 target at the marathon.
• Return of the cramps at Osmotherley and the Yorkshire Marathon after a cramp free 2015.
• Falls one to nine of a very wet UT110k in July.

Its been great to post some faster times this year but I have learned how difficult it is to improve as much as I'd like at everything from 5k to 100 miles (well, duh!).  To get close to a three hour marathon is going to require much more focus and it certainly isn't going to happen any time soon as I'm still loving the trails too much.

2017 will be the year of the ultra, starting in a few days on New Years Day at the Hardmoors 30 at Robin Hoods Bay for what promises to be a bracing 50k on the coast.  Unlike last year, I already have my major races lined up for 2017 with the two most exciting being the Hardmoors 110 (my second 100 miler) and the V3k in Snowdonia (my first Skyrunning event).  

Then there is the UTMB ballot again in a few weeks time.  Double chance this year for the greatest race in the world but I'm trying to not get my hopes up too much.  If I'm unsuccessful this year, its guaranteed for 2018 assuming I finish what I've got planned.

Couldn't finish this without showing off my one of a kind medal hanger created for me by my dad for a Christmas box.  Had loads of fun loading it up and reminiscing of battles won and lost...

Looking forward to more running adventures in 2017.  Happy New Year!

The Yorkshire Marathon - 09/10/2016

'Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional' Haruki Murakami

So to the Yorkshire Marathon.  My home marathon and what a great event.  Super slick organisation, a great route through the beautiful city and then the villages of Stockton, Stamford Bridge and Dunnington.  The weather dawned cool and sunny and the good folk of York were out in force to cheer us on once again.

This is the fourth edition of this marathon which has deservedly earned a great reputation and my third attempt.  Given the countryside around York, lots of people go into this race expecting a pancake flat course, but the two 'out and backs' and the lumps and bumps along the way make for a tougher challenge than first expected.

My running targets at the start of this year were to maintain my UTMB qualifying status (which I did in the Lakes in July) and then an ambitious grand slam of personal bests across 5k, 10k, half marathon and marathon on the road.

With the half pb in the bag at North Lincs in May, this would be the one chance at a marathon pb in 2016, and in the days leading up the nerves really started to build.

I had such a good day last year at this race as I cruised round easily in 3.26.  This year, the preparation was a little better (decided to skip the ankle sprain this time) but with still only five weeks to get ready after the TMB hike this summer it would by no means be easy to go faster.

I did manage to squeeze in some good runs around 17-20 miles in the short period I had given myself but I did feel undercooked.  I also set myself an ambitious target of 3.15 which is closer to the time suggested by my strong performance at the North Lincs Half in May.

Despite executing the first half of the race perfectly, the dreaded cramp set in from mile 16 or so which is seriously early.  Whilst I managed to maintain a good pace for a further four miles after that, it was all I could do to ease off and make the best of it after mile 20.

In the end a time of 3.19.26 was a big pb but it was bitter sweet given how strong I felt.  If it wasn't for the cramp, I am sure I could have gone under the 3.15 barrier but I guess 5 weeks just wasn't enough time to condition my legs for this run.  If I hadn't dialled down the pace in the way that I did, my cramp would definitely have brought me to a halt and the pb chance would be gone.  So I guess in a way it was good to still salvage a personal best time despite the painful last few miles.

A big shout out to my old mucker Ben who cruised under his four hour target.  He's come a long way in the last year or so and its great to see how much he improves with every run.

Having spent so long focusing on going long on the trail for the past few years, this was a good reminder of why the road 26.2 deserves so much respect.  If I'm going to get closer to the 3hr mark, I'm going to need a proper run up and a more singular focus.

This is the second time this year I have cramped badly in a race, the other being at Osmotherley in May.  I thought I had put the cramps behind me with my running but it has returned in a big way this year.  I'm putting it down to insufficient specific prep combined with running a sustained faster pace but time will tell I guess.  I will need to find an answer if I'm going to continue to improve.

In hindsight whilst I have enjoyed running faster this year, it is proving difficult to satisfy my expectations of myself over these disparate disciplines.  Perhaps I was just too ambitious this time.  I can be pretty hard on myself and sometimes focus so hard on the negatives I forget to acknowledge the progress I'm still making with my running.

Anyways enough navel gazing, I'm half way to my pb slam!

Next up is to see how fast I can go at the 10k at Leeds Abbey Dash where I have a target to go under 40 minutes.  I may go for that 5k pb at my first parkrun as some speedy preparation.

Only three weeks to go so I've given myself another uphill battle to get ready.  Nowt like making it easy for yourself!

Hardmoors 26.2 Series Osmotherley - 22/05/2016

This would be marathon/ultra race number 14 since my first in October 2013.  Along the way there have been ups and downs and in a strange way it was almost like they were all encapsulated here in this one race.  There were certainly plenty of ups to contend with that's for sure...

New marathon bling - Yay!

I had been looking forward to this race for a wee while as its is part of the Hardmoors 26.2(ish) series which are brilliant trail marathons with challenging routes in the North York Moors.  This one was no different.

The route takes in some of the most scenic parts of the Cleveland Way from Osmotherley, over the Three Sisters and then out on a loop deep into the Moors taking in the pretty village of Chop Gate before finally heading back through pretty woodland trails to finish back in Osmotherley.

I know the route well as I have clocked a lot of miles over the Three Sisters in training and as part of the route of the Hardmoors 55 ultra last year.  Ben and I had an epic recce only a month earlier in apocalyptic weather which in hindsight proved to be good preparation.  It would be a tester, with over 5,000 feet of ascent and particularly with Hardmoors miles tending to be on the long side (this race was about 28.5 miles long!).

My old buddy Ben was also excited to have a crack at another Hardmoors marathon after we had such a blast at Roseberry Topping in December.  When he finally gets round to running a road marathon, he will get a personal best by at least two hours such is the toughness of these routes!

Unlike at Roseberry though, this time we would be running separately which would be a new dimension to the challenge for Ben particularly as we wouldn't be able to support each other on the way round.

Ben rocking his Scunthorpe HM shirt!
Photo credit: Paul Munster

After the race briefing, Jon the race director led us up to the race start at the top of the village and we were soon on our way climbing into the woods on the first of many steep ascents.  I set off quickly as I knew the first of the big climbs was a few miles away and I was keen to get some momentum early on.  The strong sun made it seriously hot work on the climbs as we left the cover of the trees onto the open Moor.

Hot day on the beautiful Moors!
Photo credit: Chris P Rice

Good progress was made for the first ten miles or so before a steep climb back up from the aid station (and some restorative coke) onto the spectacular Wainstones.  Here hiking up became a quicker tactic than running the steep hills.  We crossed runners coming the other way who were yet to tackle the climb and we high fived on the way past.  The camaraderie on these events is superb with everyone being so friendly and willing each other on.  I got a little lift from the others as we cheered each other on as we crossed.  I looked for Ben, but he was making such good progress himself he wasn't that far behind so I didn't cross over with him.

Photo credit: Paul Munster

After a short climb after the Wainstones, the route heads into the Moors proper before descending to Chop Gate.  As I arrived in the village, I had started to feel very weary which was worrying with so far yet to go.  I passed bikers sat drinking beers in the sunshine outside the Buck Inn which didn't improve my now ebbing morale.

The long climb out of Chop Gate is the longest of the day and seriously draining on tired legs.  It was here where I was first struck with some seriously debilitating cramp which started in the calves and gradually spread to my hamstrings and quads.  I have experienced cramp off and on in sport for my whole life but this was as bad as I've ever experienced, worse even than I've had on much longer ultras.

Suffice to say that my early good work was rapidly undone as I was reduced to an agonised walk/hobble and even at some points a complete standstill.  I was caught by quite a few runners on Barkers ridge as we started the long journey back towards the Cleveland Way and home.  Fair play to them, every runner who passed me asked to make sure I was ok.

Matching blisters - Summer trails are definitely harder on the plates of meat!

I struggled on like a wounded animal for the last eleven miles as the cramp just wouldn't let up.  I have to admit that it did take the edge off my enjoyment of the race despite the stunning scenery as I was in a lot of pain for the last two hours of the race.  My mood was briefly lifted when I was joined by a beautiful fox cub on the woodland trail who no doubt found me to be a curious creature cursing and limping through the woods.

It was a relief to finally round the last few corners into the outskirts of Osmotherley village where another old friend Chris had hiked a little way up the trail to take this picture of me suffering.

Grimace for the camera! Photo credit: Chris Pickwell

Thankfully, a few minutes later I was relaxing with a beer in the sunshine with Chris as we waited for Ben to arrive.

Way sooner than either of us were expecting, a topless bearded warrior came thundering down the High Street as Ben finished looking very strong.  It was great to see him do so well and also to see him progress over the last year, he seems to get stronger now with every race.

By the time he joined us at the pub the memories of the pain had already started to fade and we were soon trading stories of what had been an epic run.

As I write this my legs are still extremely tender from the prolonged cramping.  I'm refusing to feel too discouraged though.  I'm putting it down to a combination of heat, the quick start, a big effort the previous weekend at the North Lincs Half and not enough recent conditioning in the hills.

I've still got time to do something about the latter before the Ultimate Trails 110k in the Lakes in July. As with all ultras, it is 100% guaranteed to hurt, but a little easier on the cramps would be a start!

Once again, a big thanks to the Hardmoors family. The organisers, volunteers and everyone else involved without whom these brilliant races could not happen. What a special trail running community this is.  I can't wait to be joining you all again for some more punishment soon!

Hardmoors 26.2 Series Roseberry Topping - 13/12/2015

'In the depth of winter I finally learned that within me there is an invincible summer' - Albert Camus

So to my eighth and final race of 2015, a hilly winter marathon with a good mate for company looking to crack his first 26.2!

I am a huge fan of Jon Steele's Hardmoors Series having completed the Hardmoors 55 and 60 ultras earlier this year.  The races are well organised, relaxed and friendly and it just so happens they are all held up the road from me in the beautiful North York Moors.

So what better way to make your first foray into long distance trail running than a Hardmoors marathon for one of my oldest buddies Ben.

We arrived in time for the race briefing where we learned that Jon had thrown in an extra four miles or so to ensure we would get full value for money!  This would take the distance beyond 30 miles and towards the official 50km ultra distance - what an awesome (if unorthodox) way to break your marathon duck for him.

The briefing ended with a brilliant round of applause for hero ultra runner Dennis Potton who was amongst the runners on the day.  Dennis had found time to save a drowning child on his way to the finish of the Hardmoors 60 in September.

The sun had started to rise above the Moors as we left Guisborough Sea Cadets and made the first sticky, muddy ascent to High Cliff Nab on the Cleveland Way.  We were greeted by a spectacular sight as the sun lit up a snow crusted landscape with cloud enveloping the valley bottoms.  Wow, it doesn't get much better than conditions like this in December.

After taking us up Roseberry Topping (twice) and then on to Captain Cook's monument we made good progress on the frozen ground through Kildale and then up onto the High Moors.  A tough long climb then before leaving the Cleveland Way and descending East to Castleton and Commondale. The sun continued to shine all morning illuminating incredible frosty views in every direction.

Whilst receiving our punishment on Roseberry Topping, Rachel, Bobby and Simon were taking on the '10km' route which was actually closer to 9 miles!

Simon, Rachel and Bobby ready to go - Photo credit Suzanne Dunn

Well done ladies on your first trail race, and massive good luck to Simon taking on the mighty Marathon des Sables in 2016!

Our final climb back up onto the High Moor came after Commondale and by now the snow was melting fast in the sunshine leaving deep freezing puddles which Ben found soothing on his battered feet and I found plain horrible!  By now our pace had slowed a little but we determined to finish and it was a relief to finally reach the woods high above Guisborough as the light of the day began to fade a little.  Here we were caught by an experienced runner training for the Spine race in January, one of the world's toughest ultramarathons.  He was so impressed by learning Ben was taking on this tough challenge as his first marathon he had to stop in his tracks and shake him by the hand!

It was good to run hard down into Guisborough where we were cheered by waiting Bobby with our friends Chris and Becki who had arrived in time to cheer us home.  I didn't detect the shiny eyes promised by Ben at the finish line but I know we were both proud of finishing this tough run and it was a privilege to be there with him throughout his first marathon.  Massive respect buddy, that was a hard route to pick for your first one and you pushed it all the way to the end even when it got really tough.  I hope it will be the first of many for you!

Tough to kill! - Photo credit Chris Pickwell

Congratulations to the Hardmoors family (runners and volunteers) who created another brilliant event with excellent organisation, aid stations and most importantly that special friendly vibe.  I'll certainly be back for more in 2016 and hopefully with friends again too!

Yorkshire Marathon 11/10/2015

'It's no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then.' - Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

Exactly two years ago I had a harsh lesson delivered to me in the form of a painful and ultimately disappointing introduction to marathon running at the inaugural Yorkshire marathon here in York. 

 I followed my training plan and thought everything was in place to get me round in my target  time of three and a half hours.  In the end though I paced it badly, I hit the wall, cramped up and hobbled home painfully and disappointed 6 minutes outside my time.  

I know now that I was seriously underprepared.  

I found it tough to take but what happened to me in that race essentially kickstarted two years of incredible trail running adventures as I resolved to train harder, run further and be stronger so that I never have to feel that way again.  I am a different runner now, much stronger and I've certainly learned how to suffer better...!

Fast forward two years and my home marathon was looming again and I had got myself a number thinking I'd be in great shape to run a time I'd be happy with.  In reality though its been a tricky few months with injury curtailing my training and then a tough day out dragging myself round the Hardmoors 60 only a few weeks ago with the sprained ankle.

In my mind I had decided to withdraw from the marathon soon after finishing the Hardmoors.  The ankle has improved a lot but I knew a super quick time (for me) was out of the question.  In the few days before the race though, my decision not to run had started to nag at me.  I slowly started to realise that the desire to chase a time had blinded me to what an incredible experience and privilege it is to run a marathon and even better when its on your doorstep.

In the end the fear of missing out won.  I decided to run on the day before and immediately regretted overindulging at a function the previous Tuesday evening!

But what would my tactic be?  I didn't want to just trot round and treat it like a training run,  but I also knew that my recent prep would preclude a super quick time.

I decided to try to run the race I wanted to two years ago.

I ran comfortably with the pack surrounding the 3h 30 pacer telling myself that if my ankle started to hurt at any stage I would withdraw.  The weather conditions were perfect, the Minster looked glorious and the good people of York lined the route in their thousands cheering, clapping and keeping everyone supplied with jelly babies, musical entertainment and lots of love.

The ankle discomfort never materialised and I got stronger as the race unfolded.  The wall never came, the cramp never appeared and I ran a negative split coming home in 3h 25mins.

It was immensely cathartic to finally put those 2013 demons to rest.  To comfortably deliver the race I hoped to back then with no specific preparation shows how far I've come.  I'm so glad I didn't listen to my stupid ego telling me that its all about the time.  I know I can go faster but that's not the point.

Top photobombing.  I wondered what happened to my free yoghurt!

When I jump off this ultra treadmill for long enough I'd like to see how big a hole I can put into my marathon time.  For now though its good just to have one in the bank that doesn't have such a painful memory.

As the nights draw in, the call of the sofa and the duvet gets stronger.  To all of you braving the elements this winter and pounding the pavements and trails over the next few months extra respect. Good luck to you whatever your challenge.  Its certainly harder this time of year but way more rewarding.  You have my permission to feel that extra little bit smug!  See you out there...

The Montane Howgills Trail 26 - 17/05/2015

"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings" - John Muir

I had been really looking forward to this race all year.  A marathon in the magnificent Howgill Fells.

The Howgills are great saddleback hills separating the famous Lakeland Fells and the smaller hills and valleys of the Yorkshire Dales.  The area is quiet and beautiful and I have visited for hiking before and knew it would make great trail running country. Mountains are a passion and I was excited to experience the biggest hills I have run yet.

The race starts and finishes in the pretty town of Sedbergh and is organised by the same guys who put on the famous Lakeland 100 ultra.  What works for them as a warm up has got to be good enough for me and my prep for the South Downs Way 100 which is my A race this year.

Cool shirt memento

I made an early start driving over from York and arrived to grey skies but high cloud.  It was cool if a little breezy, all in all not bad for running.

We were led from the race hq down to the start line by a lone bagpiper which was a nice touch although I'm not sure what the locals would have made of a load of lunatics and a piper disturbing their Sunday morning peace.

The first five miles are tough climbing straight out of Sedbergh, up to Winder and then the Calf at 674m in height.  The going here was tough and the wind had grown stronger and colder.  For the steepest sections the most effective tactic was to simply stick your backside out and hike to save some gas for the remaining 20 miles or so.

Once the top is reached the brakes come off for a brilliant technical rocky descent across remote terrain into Bowderdale. The trail was pretty wet and I managed to catch and pass a few runners here making a meal of the mud and standing water by simply ploughing on through - great fun!

Awesome Howgills trails

Now in the valley bottom there were a few muddy miles meandering over to Ravenstonedale and then another hard climb on quiet roads on the flanks of Harter Fell.

The next section for me was the best part of the day.  Just as you drag yourself wearily to the top of the climb you were rewarded with a spectacular flying descent back down to the River Rawthay in the shadow of Cautley Spout. This section was just awesome with the Howgills looming over you and some truly spectacular views of this rugged and special place.

It sounds weird I know for a tough marathon in the mountains that I actually felt sad at this point that the race would all be over in an hour or so.  I'm not sure I've had this much fun in a trail race before.

Soothing stream crossing after 20 odd miles of tough trail

Soon we were following the river home via some cooling stream crossings (bliss on the now battered feet) to finish on the town playing fields in Sedbergh.

I came in 26th in 4.26 out of 159 runners

A great route which was well marked, beautiful mountains and a brilliant little adventure.  I even managed to miss out on my usual fall.   The Howgills were everything I was expecting and more. Thanks to the Trail 26 guys for organising a fab race, for all the jelly babies and for a couple of the photos used here.

So thats it then, the next race will be the big one.  100 miles and 4,000m of ascent along the South Downs Way in only three weeks or so.  It seems mad to see such big numbers in black and white but I'm going to give it everything I've got.  If I have half as much fun as I have had in all the training and preparations this year I'll be ok.

DNF or glory, I'll see you on the other side....

Frostbite Ultra 06/12/2014

"Run fast, don't fall over, have fun" - Sarah (Bobby) Fisher

These were the strict instructions given by my missus before the race.  I only achieved one off the list but it was the most important...

Keep running up that hill

The Frostbite is a 30+ mile ultramarathon around the skyline of beautiful Nidderdale from Pateley Bridge. This was the third running of the race and for various reasons to date no two have been over the same course.

Ever since I ran a recce of part of this route a few weeks ago, I had been really looking forward to this race.  What a beautiful place to come challenge yourself on the trails and a brilliant last race to top off a great year of running adventures.

A cold dawn breaks over Nidderdale

Arriving to a beautiful morning and a hard frost just raised the excitement for this run, perfect conditions for a race called the Frostbite!  The race HQ was at the scout hut in Pateley Bridge where I grabbed a coffee and a banana whilst I registered (aka signing your life away).  The room was buzzing with nervous energy and I indulged in a little people watching.  A wide range of ages, characters and kit on display.  I carried a couple of 9bars (awesome seedy flapjacks) in my race vest as back up but I knew there were going to be aid stations at 10 and 20 miles so packed relatively light with just the required waterproof and O/S Map apart from my two vest bottles which I'd made up with Torq Energy drink the night before.  I wore running tights and a base layer on top, a wooly hat and gloves which proved a perfect setup as I was neither too hot or cold all day.

Rob the race organiser gave a quick safety brief, and we all filed out the cosy scout hut into the fresh morning air.  I said a quick hello to my sister who had dragged her friends Ruth and Greg and their dogs along to wave me off.  Thankfully given the temperature we were off pretty sharpish heading out South alongside the river on the road which provided a great little warm up for the climb to come.

The Starting Horn Sounds

The first 10 miles were a loop ending back at the Scout hut including a steep climb for which there was going to be a 'King of the Mountains' prize.  I had made my usual mistake of starting too far back and I did get a little slowed down by other runners whilst we hiked up the narrow trails.  Once the top was reached, I was able to get by a few and it was great fun, hurtling back downhill on the frozen trail, blue skies overhead, all of Nidderdale in front of us and Pateley Bridge down below.  This is why we do this...

Descending through the woods after 4 miles I tripped and faceplanted.  I'd been enjoying the run so much I wasn't being careful with my feet.  Fortunately just a graze and a bit of bruising was all.  I joked with the fella behind me that it was good to get my fall out of the way now rather than after having run 25 miles!

A few miles later and another runner near me laughed at our pathetically careful descending skills down through the old mines and joked we'd never make fell racers.  I was being careful not to trash my quads on the descents early on after having learned the hard way at the Swaledale marathon in June.

 

This first section seemed to fly by and we were back at the scout hut in no time.  I topped up my bottle and smashed a 9Bar (I passed on the Jagermeister though) and was out on the long loop I was familiar with from my recce a few weeks earlier.  This time though, the bullocks which had chased me out of their field when I was here last weren't there.  The muddy trail was still frozen so good progress could be made, but I knew once thawed this was going to be hard work on the way home.

Soon we were running alongside the reservoir and then crossing over the river to Ramsgill, the trail heading uphill through farmland before a steep descent and then ascent to the pretty village of Middlesmoor after 18 miles and just under 3 hours.  It was here that it started to get tougher with a 2 mile steady climb over In Moor.  This was made much tougher by the broken up old road we were running on, I was on my own by this point with a group of three racers ahead of me, I matched their hike/run strategy along this section and tried to at least maintain the distance behind them.

At Scar House Reservoir

When it came, I was pleased to start the steep descent to Scar House reservoir and the second aid station to regroup.  That last section was deceivingly tough and the beautiful weather was being replaced with a cold wind and mist.  I quickly topped up the water bottles again and was just about to set off when the marshal stopped me in my tracks with an offer of hot Ribena which was too good to resist.  It was hot, strong, sweet and just the job.  Its amazing how little things can lift you when it's getting tough.

Then off again across the dam at Scar House reservoir in pursuit of the three ahead, climbing high onto the grouse moor with Nidderdale down below on the right and we were now heading home.  Frustratingly I was catching up with them on the hiking sections but would lose ground again when the running started again.  At one point I got within a couple of yards and I think that gave them a surprise when they saw how close I had got and this coincided with a flat section.  They trotted into the distance, I wasn't able to hold onto them and was alone again.
 

The next hour was about maintaining the momentum across the increasingly misty moor.  When there is still a long way to go and the legs are stiffening, it becomes a mental and physical battle.  It was an advantage having run this section before and good to know that most of the days climbing was now behind me.  Eventually I recognised the spot to turn right to make my painfully slow descent into the valley and my watch clicked over 30 miles in just under five hours.

I knew the course was likely to be longer than the advertised 30 miles from my recce but I hadn't anticipated quite how far there was still to run.  I admit to feeling a little sorry for myself for a moment as the realisation sunk in.  I guessed another four miles and perhaps another hour.  It made the next few miles mentally tough despite being so close to the end.  The trail had now defrosted back into the churned up mud and the light was starting to fade, it had certainly strayed into 'class B' fun at this stage (that special type of fun you don't realise you're having at the time...).  It is really hard to make yourself run when your legs and feet feel so trashed, but the alternative is worse, hours of walking to the finish.

Another runner caught and passed me, and then a lady appeared at my shoulder soon after.  I told her how strong she was looking and she said she was rushing to the finish because she was so thirsty! I had half of one of my bottles left which I shared and we chatted briefly before i urged her on for the last two miles.  She was much stronger than me despite having got lost along the way and ended up finishing second lady.

After five and a half hours I started to sense the finish line and I was about ready for it.  The bridge and scout hut came into view and it was all over.  Rachel and the guys had waited all this time and it was really good to see them there at the finish.  33.7 miles, 3,553 feet of ascent in 5hrs and 39 minutes, 12th male and 14th overall.  I was disappointed I lost those few places near the end but I really couldn't have given any more on the day.  The day had become really gloomy, it seemed so long since we set off under blue skies and I thought of the other runners still out there battling, some of whom would surely be finishing in the dark.  Well done to everyone who finished, a real test.

I have to say this was a great day out, thanks to Rob and his team for putting on the event in a beautiful part of the world and for the sarnies, cake and hot soup which really hit the spot at the end.  This is one race I'd love to have another crack at, highly recommended and at £20 entry, great value for money too.

Next up, the training begins for SDW100 next summer and preparations for the Hardmoors 55 in March 2015...

Kirkstall Abbey Trail Marathon 22/11/2014

"The reason we race isn't so much to beat each other,... but to be with each other" - Christopher McDougall, Born to Run.

After the Vale of York Half, my focus switched to building the mileage back up for two long races back on the trail and more longer term, the ultra events I have planned for 2015.  I initially entered these races to give me something to focus the training on at the end of 2014 and also for some company rather than weeks and weeks of banging out hours of lonely miles on my own. 

I hadn't intended taking this race too seriously but when it comes around and you stand on that start line, you can't help that competitive urge to race and give it everything you've got on the day.

I had gone long the previous two weekends (24 miles) and so hadn't tapered like you would normally for a marathon.  In fact I hadn't tapered at all... However I had felt good in my training and in the days leading up I wondered whether I might be able to do a personal best despite the slow course, given my only previous race at this distance had ended badly at the Yorkshire Marathon (road) in October 2013.

The event was organised by Kirkstall Harriers and was their first running of this race.  Three laps of a course on trails, riverside towpaths and tarmac around the grounds and nearby trails of Kirkstall Abbey.  The laps were quite hilly compared to a typical road marathon but obviously not to the scale of a race on the fells.  

We lined up on a dank and cold morning in Leeds, the beautiful ancient Abbey looming out of the mist.  80 or so mostly club runners and one or two random lunatics with nothing better to do than get up before dawn to run a marathon most people have never heard of.  If you're wondering which I am, I'm not in a running club.  Some of the runners sported 100 marathon club or '10in10' vests.  One fella was about to complete his 100th marathon and we all applauded him before the start which was a nice touch.

Having nosied at the other racers at the start, there was a mix of trail and road shoes on display, I went for the road tyres as the tough grips on my trail shoes tenderise my feet on the tarmac over long distance.  I gambled it wouldn't be too muddy and hoped I wouldn't regret it.  In the end it was muddy.  The correct footwear choice on this terrain is wellies.  The saving grace was that it was that slippery, cloying mud which just accumulates on the soles and up the sides of your shoes.  It didn't seem to matter what you were wearing, everyone was doing their best Bambi impressions on the trail.  In particular, one greasy downhill section which I amazed myself on by not going arse over tit in my usual style, particularly on the third lap with tired legs.

I set off at a fair pace to at least give me a chance of going sub 3.30 if course and conditions permitted.  I skipped and danced (well in my mind anyway) over the puddles trying to keep my feet as dry as possible on the first two laps. Around half way I caught up with Malcolm, one of the organisers and a veteran of over 150 marathons who said he normally goes under 3.30 so I tagged along with him for a while. On the third lap, the dancing went out the window as I just plowed through the muddy water, too stiff for dancing. To be honest I didn't care by then, and besides each freezing puddle was numbing my battered feet for a few seconds afterwards.

Malcolm started to drift away in front of me as the mud, hills and my recent mileage started to take their toll and I couldn't hold on to him.

It became pretty obvious after 20 miles I was going to have to wait a little longer for that sub 3.30.  As I rounded the out and back along the towpath for the last time, the chirpy marshal took my name, gave me a toot on his horn and said he didn't want to see me again!  Fair play to him, it was a pretty grim morning to be stood out on your own on the canalside in the cold and he seemed really happy to be there.  It gave me a lift for the final stretch.

It was tempting to just jog it home for the last 10km given there was still one last testing muddy climb to come and I knew my time had already slipped away.

I dug in though and kept racing and was glad I did.  I didn't think there were many in front of me so there was still something to race for.  

There was drama to come on the home straight for the seven spectators and passing dog walkers when cramp stopped me in my tracks with only around 50 yards to go and the finish line in sight. I had seen noone behind me only a few seconds previously but the next guy had rounded the corner, seen my struggles and sportingly put in a burst to try to pip me to the line (to be fair I'd have done the same).  I made a pretty sad sight as I waddled over the finish line like a drunken penguin to beat him by 1 second into 8th in 3.36.  It would have been a cruel way to finish had he beaten me.

 Nice Selfie!

The final note on this race is that a few people I spoke to agreed that the course measured long and whilst I'm not claiming another ultra finish, my Garmin measured 26.4 miles. I clicked through 26.2 in 3.34 which would have been a new marathon pb and would have avoided the dreaded cramp (before the finish anyway)!  I had fun and came away with a decent placing, only 4 minutes behind 4th and despite the time, a much improved performance on the Yorkshire marathon given the course, conditions and preparation.  Whilst the time might not show it, I've come along way since then.

Well done to the Kirkstall Harriers and other organisers for putting on the event and the volunteers and marshals for being so friendly and welcoming.  Thanks too for my wicked medal and ribbon featuring a fat friar!

Next up Frostbite 30 ultra...