Monday Night 'No Longer Any Cake' Run

Tonight I actually managed to get to the Monday night run from the barn.  I haven't been for weeks for various reasons so it was nice to finally get out with the guys again.


We did the usual route from the barn, up to the Pike, then Two Lads, the mast, down the diagonal then down the lovely windy narrow trod down to the bridge at dangerous corner.  I love that part of the run, it's my favourite bit.  As Josie said 'you feel like you're going really fast'. 


There were only a few us out tonight - myself, Josie, Niall (Josie's son who I met for the first time) and the Sammons (Mark and Josh).


It was great to be back out, I've really missed it, however I was most disappointed with the lack of cake and being informed that cakes have been absent for a while now.  That needs sorting out!


Total distance - 6 miles

White Bear Way Recce

I wanted to do a long run this weekend in preparation for the Haworth Hobble in two weeks time so I decided to do the route of the White Bear Way, albeit starting it near to home rather than at the Scout Hut in Adlington.

http://www.adlingtonscoutgroup.org.uk/white-bear-way/

At first, I thought I would start it at the point where it goes behind Rivington and Blackrod School but, on looking at the route card again, I changed my mind and instead decided to start at the car park opposite the school (checkpoint 1).  The reason for this is that after checkpoint 1, the route then heads off to Liverpool Castle, then loops around for about a mile before ending up behind the school.  I realised that, if I had to do this at the end of my run, it would be really difficult for me once I was really tired to run back away from home after reaching the car park, rather than just going home and it might mean I would cut the run short which I didn’t want to do.  This way, I would be finishing at the car park and then could just run straight back home again, rather than having to do the loop in the opposite direction to home.   I don’t know if that makes sense but I know what I mean!

 

I ran down from home to the car park and then along to Liverpool Castle (on the event itself, this is actually checkpoint 2, despite it being only a few hundred metres away from checkpoint 1.  It is also the place where the route splits between the longer distance and the shorter one).

 

As mentioned earlier, from the castle I then turned right past the wooden bench, then left, coming out at the crossroads with the road where I went straight across and then turned right to end up at the back of the school. 

 

I then turned up the concrete road, but turned off at the gate on the right and made my way through Tiger’s Clough. 

 

By now I had started to feel some pain in one of my toes and thought it may be that a toenail was digging into it so I sat down on the floor and had a look.  I had no plasters on me though so there wasn’t really much I could do about it.  I tried to decide whether, as I was now really close to home, I should head back for a plaster and then return to this spot to continue the run.  I really didn’t want to though so decided to run on and ignore the pain. 

 

I continued on past the back of the stables, coming out on the path along the side of Wilderswood, and climbing up to George’s Lane. 

 

I then ran along George’s Lane and started to climb up to the Pike, where I bumped into the Swift brothers.  I had it in my head that if I bumped into them, as I expected I would, I’d ask if either of them had a plaster I could pinch for my toe as it was still sore but when I got talking I completely forgot. 

 

After the Pike, it was back down the other side onto George’s Lane and then all the way along the track to Hordern Stoops, where I went diagonally across the field, heading for Higher Hempshaws. 

 

The route then took me all the way along into Lead Mines Clough, climbing up to the Bomber Memorial and then across the field and out onto the track to Jepson’s Gate.  From Jepson’s Gate, I ran a short way along the road then turned off on the left and down through a farm field, coming out near to High Bulloch Reservoir.  I then ran along the side of Anglezarke Reservoir, coming out at Watermans Cottage, where I ran along the road a little to the other side of the dam and up the steps, across the farm field, onto the bridleway alongside Healey Nab. 

 

I then climbed the short hill up through Healey Nab and realised on looking at the direction card (which I only looked at to see which way to go AFTER the cairn) that, when doing the actual event last year, I had gone wrong here.  I had gone the way up which I always go, i.e. through the gate next to the map of Healey Nab but, on looking at the directions, you are supposed to go over the stile which you get to a little bit before the gate and which takes you up through a trod in a field rather than a proper path.  I went the correct way this time and was quite pleased with it because usually when I run up to the cairn at Healey Nab, I always run back down again the same way but now I know I have an alternative (though I think part or all of this route is the one I went on with Ian during last year’s Coope’s Dozen). 

 

So far on the route I hadn’t really needed the direction card (although evidentially from the last paragraph I did) but the next bit was on paths that I have only ever done once before, when I did this event last year. 

 

I ran down from the cairn and through some very muddy trails, trying to avoid mountain bikers, eventually coming out into a field which I went diagonally across down to a lodge (to anyone not from Lancashire, that’s an expanse of water like a big pond).  After turning off a road after the entrance to a factory, there were a couple of bits where the directions were a little dubious because the field was really muddy and there were various faint trods going off in different directions so it wasn’t too clear which to be on but I managed to stay on the correct one based on instinct more than anything.  It was really boggy too and I was really hoping I was going the right way as I didn’t want to turn around and have to go back through it all. 

 

Eventually I crossed over the motorway and came out onto the canal.  I ran along the canal for a short while then came out onto a road and down into Limbrick.  This is where the final checkpoint is on the day of the event. 

 

I then turned right into Cockers Farm and went along some muddy tracks, eventually getting back onto the canal by Fredericks.  There was a couple sitting on the tables here eating ice cream and I was overwhelmed by the temptation to join them.  If I had cash on me I probably would have done!  I was really flagging by now as the combination of a very hard spin at altitude session and three quarters of a bottle of wine had left me feeling pretty dehydrated.  When will I ever learn that doing silly things like that on a Friday night makes my Saturday run very painful?  I had a raging thirst but was scared of glugging down my water in case I ran out.  That’s the problem with drinking from a bladder, you can’t see how much is left in it.  When I got home, it turned out I still had quite a lot left.

 

The next part of the run was horrid to be honest.  I had to go quite far along the canal.  On the day, you don’t have to go this far all in one go because the run pretty much starts and ends on the canal, with the exception of running down/up from the Scout Hut, a part which I was missing out because I had started from home so this mean that I did both canal stretches at once.  Again, I don’t know if that makes sense, but it does in my head.

 

I was so tired now that even on the flatness of the canal I was having short stints of walking. 

 

I came off the canal and then ran along a track which is apparently an old disused railway, eventually coming out onto a road and running up to Suzanna’s restaurant.  After a short section of road, I then turned right around a building (where it kinda feels like you’re trespassing) heading through some farm fields, coming out onto a road, which then led to some playing fields in Blackrod.  I ran along the edge of the playing field, coming out at a sports/community centre, then running out onto the main road, crossing this and heading down to the A6.  I then crossed the A6, then the train tracks, then the bridge which is the access road for the motorway services. 

 

Not far to go now!  I ran along the trail, through the farm, out onto the main road, then it was up Dryfield Lane which I didn’t even attempt to run. 

 

I then turned off and headed for the car park and was so glad at this point that I had decided to start there and could now just run straight home without having to do the loop to the back of the school. 

 

My toe had been hurting throughout the run but didn’t seem to get any worse.  When I got home and took my sock off, there was a big red blister (disgusting toe pic below)

 

 

 

Note to self – don’t do spin and drink wine the evening before a long run!!!! 

 

Total distance – 21.5 miles

Ruby’s Decade

 

I can’t believe I forgot to mention this earlier in the week but Ruby turned 10 on Tuesday! 

 

You might think that’s old for a dog but it’s not really for a Patterdale, they can live to around 18.  She’s still going very strong too as, of the 22.5 miles I’ve run so far this week, she has done 17.5 of them with me.  There was only my canal run on Tuesday that she didn’t accompany me, for obvious reasons!

 

Since we’ve had her, she has gone much greyer around the face though and now looks wizened, which is definitely misleading as she’s still, to use Duncan’s analogy, ‘thick as mince’. 

 

Today, we ran along to the top barn, then to the pigeon tower carpark and zigzagged our way up to the pigeon tower before running up the Pike.  We had a natter with a mountain biker on the Pike for a while before running down the steep side, where Ruby was constantly getting under my feet. 

 

We then ran along George’s Lane to Wilderswood car park where we bumped into Ruby’s former ‘daddy’, Sean, who had a couple of Ruby’s old pals with him.  Sean commented on what good shape Ruby was in and I told him it had just been her birthday and he couldn’t believe she was already ten. 

 

From Wilderswood we ran down Old Rake, past the stud and down Brownlow before going home. 

 

Total distance – 5.5 miles

Smoking Pike

This morning, Duncan again dropped Ruby and I off at Wallsuches.  I know it's a bit of a cop out avoiding running up to George's Lane from my house but I really do dislike that run and would rather avoid it and warm up on the flat before climbing.

We ran along Wallsuches and up past the old quarry, coming out at the layby on George's Lane opposite the houses.  We then ran along and up to Two Lads.  From there, we took the 'boggy route' over to the mast, which wasn't boggy today as the ground was so frozen.  It is a little unnerving when the ground is creaking under your feet though and sounds a bit hollow!

We got to the mast then carried on up the mast road to the trig point then ran down the diagonal.  Again, it was really frozen coming down the diagonal and was a potential ankle breaker, not helped by Ruby keep stopping in front of me.

At the bottom, we turned left and ran along to the stile to Noon Hill then went up, whilst at the same time watching a barn owl circling around.  Unfortunately, I didn't get my camera out in time to get a picture.

Why is it that even when everywhere is frozen, the path from Noon Hill to the Pike is still boggy?  My feet got soaked and the water was freezing.  Should have put on my Roosters!

As we ran along the path towards the Pike, it looked as though the Pike was on fire due to the smoke from a power station way off in the distance.

From the Pike we just ran down onto George's Lane, along to Wilderswood car park, then down Old Rake and Brinks Row before heading home.

Total distance - 7 miles

Lunch Run on My Billy

After much deliberation, I dragged myself out at lunch today for my first run along the canal without company.

Once out, it wasn't too bad and I was really motoring along but my shins, particularly my left one, were really sore.  After just over a mile I had to stop to have a stretch before continuing along.  It hadn't helped and I was thinking that I should probably turn back.

I decided to carry on at least as far as the wasteland and, once I got there, I stopped again for another stretch.  Again, I thought I should probably turn around but then decided that it wasn't too far now until the turn around point anyway so I'd keep going and hope it wore off.

Eventually, after about three miles, it did wear off and I felt fine.

I actually found that I had run at a pretty fast pace (8.19 min mile) during my run, the last mile being in a 7.33 pace!  I'm not sure if I can count that pace though, given I stopped a few times and therefore had a bit of a rest.

Total distance - 5 miles 

Pigging Out!

After quite a heavy drinking and eating weekend in Glasgow (you should have seen what I had for my breakfast yesterday on the all you can eat full and continental buffet - it would make you sick!), I needed to get out for a run today to burn off some calories.

I had a bit of a lie in and then ran with Ruby up from the house onto George's Lane.  I was really tired and lethargic though so rather than climbing up any further, we just stayed on George's Lane and ran along towards the Pike.  I came alive a bit then though and decided to climb the Pike, which I managed surprisingly well.  After a brief chat with a fellow runner on the top, we ran back down the curly route just to get some distance in, coming out at the old toilet block.  We then went along to the Pigeon Tower and doubled back on ourselves through the terraced gardens, coming back out at the toilet block.

It was then an easy jog back along George's Lane and down the side of Wilderswood, home.

Total distance - 5 miles


OK, in case you're intrigued at what I had for breakfast yesterday, I'll confess:

First serving - two sausages, two rashers of bacon, scrambled eggs, mushrooms, beans, two hash browns, two wholemeal toasts with butter.

Second serving - Pain au chocolat, flapjack triangle, raisin swirl.

Third serving - Two more pain au chocolats, blueberry muffin.

Ten Miles of Belly Ache

I was off work today as we're travelling up to Glasgow later on for the weekend and going to watch the athletics tomorrow.

Duncan was working this morning though so he again dropped me off at Wallsuches on his way to work although today I didn't have Ruby with me as she is staying with her grandparents for the weekend.

I didn't do much climbing today and just ran the length of George's Lane, coming out onto the road to Belmont and then turned left along the road, before turning right onto the path through the fields and towards Higher and Lower Hempshaws.  I carried on along the path, eventually coming out into Lead Mines Clough.  I did a loop around the clough and then ran out onto the road down to Yarrow Reservoir, then turned left along the side of the reservoir all the way down to Dean Brook and into Rivington.

I then ran along the path to the side of the road all the way to the school then home.

About two miles in, my stomach started to hurt and I kept having bouts of feeling really sick.  They only lasted a few seconds and if I stopped they went away but it wasn't nice to have to put up with this for eight miles.


Total distance - 10 miles 

Icy and Beautiful

I went for an early morning run with Ruby this morning up on the tops.  Duncan dropped us off at Curley's at 6.30am and we set off along Wallsuches, trying not to slip on all the ice.  The first mile was very slow as Ruby was trotting behind me and kept stopping to sniff and pee on everything but, once I was able to let her off her lead on George's Lane, things started to get better.

We ran up to the water tanks then turned right and along the ridge to the mast road.  We crossed the mast road and made our way along past the farm and out onto Coal Pit Road.  There was one point along the road which was incredibly icy and I was struggling to stay on my feet.  At this point I had Ruby back on the lead so she was basically pulling me along like a sled dog whilst I just skated on the ice.

We continued on to the trespass stone then made our way up past the shooting hut and along to the mast.

The views were amazing today.  It was beautifully sunny but there was a low fog covering all of Manchester and every other direction so it looked a bit like everything was covered in thick snow.  There were just a couple of high buildings sticking up out of the fog, such as the Beetham Tower.  My phone was buried deep in my bum bag so I didn't want to stop to rummage it out for a photograph.

We got to the mast then ran the boggy route to Two Lads which today wasn't boggy at all because it was all frozen.  Excellent, means I don't need to bath Ruby when we get home!

We reached Two Lads then ran down to the kennels, along George's Lane, through Wilderswood and back home.

It was absolutely lovely to be out this morning.  I love getting out that early when there is nobody else around.

Total distance - 6.5 miles

Poorly Arches of Feet

I went for an easy run with Ruby today, feeling guilty for only having done 3.5 miles since Saturday's Amble.

I was wearing new shoes which I'm testing out and they seemed to make my feet over suppinate, causing pain on my arches. I tried to run through it, thinking it would ease off, but it didn't so I decided to admit defeat and run back home.

Total distance - 2 miles 

Finally Found Running Events I Enjoy

I spent my lunch hour today looking through the LDWA website to find what other challenge events I could do throughout the year to keep my endurance up.  As you probably know, I hate racing and, when I have a race on a weekend, I dread the weekend and just want it to be over with, which is ridiculous and I’ve finally come to the conclusion that racing just isn’t for me.  I’m not saying I’ll never race again but I think my racing will be kept to a minimum.  

The LDWA challenge events, however, are a different story.  I love them.  I love how laid back they are with no pressure and that I don’t have to care about what time I do it in or how long I spend at a checkpoint.  I can just get out into the countryside and have a good run with the odd natter to others running at my pace.  I also enjoy following the route directions and trying not to get lost, although I am dreading the Hobble a little as the directions for that seem very stark in contrast to the ones for other events I have done.  I’d better brush up on my map reading skills! 

At the moment, I’m planning on entering, or have entered the following throughout the year.  My aim is to do one per month although you will see that there are two listed below for September, however I’ll only be doing one of them and I’m not sure which one it will be yet as it will depend on when I go on my September holiday.  It may be that I can’t do either of them though.  

Haworth Hobble	12/03/2016
Two Crosses Circuit	20/03/2016
The Blubberhouses Moor 25	03/04/2016
34th Todmorden Boundary Walk	01/05/2016
White Bear Way	25/06/2016
Marsden Moors Meander	13/08/2016
One Foot in the Gargrave	10/09/2016
In Pendle's Shadow	17/09/2016
Bottoms Up	15/10/2016
Wensleydale Wedge	20/11/2016
The Regular Irregular	10/12/2016

July is missing because I’m going to run the Cumbria Way over three days in July (accommodation all booked!).  Last year I walked it but only did half (not for reasons of having to pull out, I only ever intended to do Ulverston to Keswick). 

Turning to today’s run, I was still aching after the Amble, particularly in my left hamstring so I just went for a short easy jog with Ruby.  I was pushed for time anyway so it suited me and we just ran along the path towards the barn but came off it and zigzagged up through the terraced gardens, the way we go on the Monday night cake run.  I was really tired and walked most of the way up so decided to give the Pike a miss and just continued along George’s Lane then ran down through my favourite field, which Ruby dragged me down because she was trying to get at all the sheep!

Total distance – 3.5 miles

Anglezarke Amble 2016

Last year I ran the AA with Kathyrn and Maggie but this year I was going solo.  Part of me was pleased with the idea because it meant I could see how quickly I could do it at my own pace but part of me was a bit sad because I wouldn't have the good company to run with.

I've had a chesty cold all week and haven't run so I was a bit worried about being able to get around the 24 mile course but decided that I would just walk it if the worst came to the worst.

The start was at 8am from the community centre in Rivington and the route then goes up to the Pike.  It's the first few miles of this route which I dislike because I do it all the time and it's a big climb right at the start but I knew that once I got to the mast, I'd start to enjoy myself.

From the Pike the route drops down onto George's Lane and along to the dog kennels, then climbing towards Two Lads but turning off before getting there and heading for the mast road.  On the way up to Two Lads, Michele and Abigal Sunter passed me, together with John Swift and Kev Lathom.  At this point I was feeling quite dizzy and started to wonder whether I would be able to complete the course.  On chatting to Kev, he was very wheezy with his asthma and wasn't sure himself whether he'd be continuing.

I passed Kev and, part way up the mast road, passed Abigail and Michele too, certain in the knowledge that they would all come back past me at some point further along.

Heading down the San Marino ramp, I firstly passed John and then passed Gordon but, again, I knew they would pass me again.

I crossed the road at the bottom of the ramp and headed out through the farm land and along the Witton Weavers Way, onto the A666.  By now I was running with a couple and we were having a good natter so that helped pass the time.  They were from Hyde and said that they had also signed up to do the Two Crosses in a few weeks time.  We carried on along through the farmland, eventually coming out at the checkpoint next to Entwistle Reservoir.  

I tried to eat half a pork pie at the checkpoint but my throat was too dry and it just wouldn't go down.  I'm not sure why though as I felt fully hydrated and had been drinking water along the route. The couple from Hyde had left the checkpoint before me but I soon caught them back up and the girl was starting to struggle a bit now so I passed them and continued on my way, a little worried that there weren't very many people around now and I wasn't 100% sure on the directions.  I'm not too bad with following directions though, as long as they're well written so I did OK navigating my way along the farm tracks.  Soon, I was crossing the Darwen Moors and was closing in on another runner up ahead.  When I caught up to her, I realised it was Fran Walker, a former Horwich member.  We ran together for quite a way after that, climbing up to Darwen Tower and then down to Slipper Lowe checkpoint.  I just had a mini picnic egg at the checkpoint and headed off before Fran as she was chatting to a couple of lads she knows.

Only six miles left to go now and I was shocked to see that I was on exactly four hours.  Last year I took 6 hours 7 minutes to complete the course but, as I only had six miles left to go, I knew I'd get in way under that this year.

It was incredibly hard work climbing up Great Hill though, so much so that even walking was a struggle and I had to keep stopping to take a few seconds rest.  The two lads who Fran had been chatting to passed me on the way up Great Hill and said that Fran had left Slipper Lowe at the same time as them so I knew she'd be passing me soon.

I was so thrilled when I got to the top of Great Hill as I knew it was pretty much all down hill from there.  I started the descent but, incredibly annoyingly, when I got to the finger post with the turn to White Coppice, I got an almighty stitch in my side.  I tried running through it but it was just getting more painful so I had to stop to try to get rid of it.  I think it came on because I was gabbing away to the two lads and telling them all about Joe's Cup and not breathing properly.

Fran caught me up whilst I was stopped and got to White Coppice a while before me but I caught her back up again before Waterman's Cottage where she said she had just run out of steam.

Only a few miles left now and I was starting to struggle.  Even the smallest of hills was enough to make me walk them but I really wanted to get back as fast as I could.  I was now running with another couple who had done five of these such events five weekends on the run.  We were all struggling running around Anglezarke and I had to stop them from taking a wrong turn as they thought they were much nearer to the end than they actually were and tried taking some steps on the left side of the path out of Anglezarke Country Park, thinking they were the steps at Rivington.

I walked up 'the slipway' and then started running down the track by the side of Yarrow when my stitch came back!  I was gutted.  The downhills were the only things I had energy left for and my stitch wouldn't even let me enjoy them.  This same thing happened to me at Kentmere Horseshoe a couple of years ago.

Running along Dean Brook, still with the couple, I caught back up with the two lads from Great Hill and the five of us all ran back in at pretty much the same time.

I checked my watch and was elated to see that I had got in under five and a half hours.  I had taken nearly 40 minutes off last year's time.  I thought the terrain was tougher this year too as it was a lot more muddy and slippery in places.

It occurred to me afterwards, whilst eating hotpot with mushy peas and red cabbage back in the community centre, that none of the people I had expected to pass me actually had.  It turned out that this was partially due to a man having collapsed, possibly of a heart attack, just after the first A666 crossing and Abigail, Michele and Gordon had stopped to assist.  At the time of writing, I don't know whether the guy, Colin, is OK.  I hope he is.

Andy Ford had come in joint first in a tale of true sportsmanship.  He and another bloke had been overtaking each other back and forth and, after having a chat, discovered that neither had ever come first in a race before and so agreed to come first together.  I love stories like that, warms the heart!

Total distance - 24.7 miles

Testing the Chest

I've had a chesty cold all week so haven't run since last Sunday and it's the Anglezarke Amble tomorrow so I really needed to get out this morning to test how I was now feeling and whether I'd be stupid to do the Amble or not.

I got Ruby on the lead and just had a very slow jog/walk along the track behind Rivington School.  I felt OK, if a little sluggish, but when I got back home I got a bit phleghmy (nice).  I had a 1000mg vitamin C tablet and decided that I'd definitely be on the start line tomorrow but if I had to walk it then so be it.

Total distance - 1.5 miles 

Radcliffe Run

Not much time to fit a decent run in today so I just did a quick one whilst at my parents' house in Radcliffe.  They live on the Irwell Valley Sculpture Trail so I just did an out and back along that, which is reasonably flat.

I was feeling quite tired but managed to keep a steady 8.45 minute mile pace, which wasn't bad going considering the terrain was incredibly muddy and slippery in places.

Total distance - 5.2 miles 

Hard Spin Session + Heavy Drinking Session = Poor Run

Last night I went to spin at altitude and it was a tough session but I really went for it.  I was dripping with sweat and felt like I'd worked really hard.  When I got home, all I had for tea was a pie and some jaffa cakes but did wash that down with a good few glasses of wine.

I'm pretty sure that's why today's run was absolutely dreadful.  From start to finish I had nothing.  My legs just didn't want to go anywhere.  They didn't even want to walk and just wanted to go back home and sit on the couch.  I persevered though and hoped that the tiredness would pass.  I even had an energy gel only three miles in but alas, nothing.

Ah well, we all have our off days.

The run itself took me through Rivington, up past Yarrow and into Lead Mines Clough where I then climbed up to bomber memorial and then did a loop along the path above bomber memorial, then back on myself, through the field and down the steep hill, coming back out into Lead Mines Clough.  I then went up the other steep hill opposite and followed the trail along to Higher and Lower Hempshaws, before coming out onto the road and heading down to 'Dangerous Corner'.

Dangerous Corner was exactly that today and when descending towards the wooden bridge I slipped and fell on my backside into a load of mud.  I then nearly fell a number of other times as it was so slippery underfoot but I managed to stay upright after that first fall.

I continued on to the pigeon tower car park then headed up to the pigeon tower.  On a normal day, I'd then have gone up to the Pike but I still had absolutely nothing in my legs and just wanted to get home now so I carried on along George's Lane and then, to add some fun into an otherwise rubbish run, I went down through my favourite field.  This too was pretty slippery though and I'm surprised I managed to stay on my feet.


Total distance - 10.1 miles 

While You Were Sleeping...

...I was out running with Ruby!

Duncan dropped us off at Curleys at around 6.30 and we had a run in, as usual, awful weather conditions.

It was raining heavily, incredibly windy, foggy and dark so, as you can imagine, visibility was great!

OK so sarcasm is the lowest form of wit.

We ran along Wallsuches, up past the quarries onto George's Lane then along to the Pike, back down, roamed around the terraced gardens, to the pigeon tower then back home along George's Lane.

Amazingly, I managed not to fall over even though I could barely see where I was going most of the time.

Total distance - 5.1 miles

Still Too Busy

My huge project at work is ongoing and I'm still too busy to find time to write my blog but, again, today's run was uneventful.

I just had another easy short one with Ruby as it was the only thing I had time for.  We just ran up to Two Lads and back before it got dark.

Total distance - 3.2 miles

Too busy!

As the title says, I'm too busy to blog at the minute and, besides, there was nothing at all interesting about tonight's run.

I just had a leisurely jaunt with Ruby around Rivington and the terraced gardens.  Nothing interesting in the slightest.

Total distance - 4.5 miles

That’s Lyth – LDWA Challenge

After my day and a half of relaxation, I got up early today and got myself ready for the 24 miles which lay ahead.  The weather forecast was for rain, rain and more rain so I dressed accordingly, ate my hobnob flapjack and made my way to Abbot Hall Social Club to register for the event.

John arrived at pretty much the same time as me so we registered then had a sit down and got ourselves ready for the off, whilst chatting to famous fell runner, Wendy Dodds, who told us she was hoping to get back in under four hours. 

It was quite a strange start because, not only had I heard one lady saying she and her friends were setting off now (at about 7.35am) but when we went outside at before 8.55, everyone had already started running/walking off so there didn’t seem to be any official start.  I’m not sure whether results are published for this event but, if they are, they can’t be terribly accurate given the dubious start times.

Annoyingly, my Garmin didn’t pick up a satellite for the first half mile of the run so there is a bit missing on my Strava trace but never mind.  The first part took us on a windy route through Kendal, crossing the river a couple of times, then we went uphill and along the route I had come down in the opposite direction yesterday from my walk to Scout Scar. 

The route was a mudbath in places and it was quite hard going trudging through it all.  I felt a bit like I was doing cross country… at Hyndburn, given all the tree routes to negotiate. 

After seven or so miles we hit the first checkpoint, which I was surprised to see was indoors as the checkpoints on all the other LDWA events I’ve done have basically been gazebos outside.  There were lots of biccies, jaffa cakes and donuts, of which I decided on two jaffa cakes and a chocolate biscuit, washed down with simple water. 

Soon enough, we were on our way again, climbing up to Whitbarrow Scar which is where the route then changed from what John had done on his previous attempts so I was left to do the navigating and was feeling the pressure as two other blokes had joined us at this point and (jokingly… I think) said they were relying on my directions as they didn’t know the way.  Coming down the hill, John had a bit of a tumble as the ground was quite rocky and slippery with mud and one of the blokes running along with us helped him up.  No harm done, we were back on our way again, eventually arriving at checkpoint 2 after nearly 15 miles.  Again, there was plenty of grub, this time including fresh hot dogs.  I resisted the urge as I didn’t want to carry on running after a stodgy hotdog but did indulge in a couple more biccies whilst John had a cup of tea.

We were slowing down quite a bit now for our run up a tarmac road but it wasn’t long until we reached the third, and final, checkpoint, which was only three miles away from the previous one.  Again I scoffed biscuits and we had a natter with some other runners who had been running at a similar pace to us for the last few miles. 

It was then the homeward stretch back to Kendal, with the last climb up to Scout Scar (from the opposite direction to which we had climbed up in the first place) and from there we went down the way I had come up on my walk yesterday, which goes through an old race course. 

As usual, I came alive at this point, knowing that the end was in sight and that it was all downhill.  John was feeling quite tired by now though so we didn’t sprint down the hill and just had a nice leisurely jog back to base. 

The weather was no where near as bad as the forecast had led us to believe, although it wasn’t totally dry and the underfoot conditions were awful in places, making the run a lot harder than John said it had been in previous years because the mud was so sapping and slippery. 

I had a great time and will definitely be back to do it again.  I’m glad I had John with me 1) for the great company and conversation, 2) to keep my pace steady (I have a habit of jetting off too fast and then running out of steam after a couple of miles), and 3) for not getting me lost as there was an error in the directions which said to turn right when in fact it was a left turn so, had I been on my own, who knows where I would have ended up!  Also thanks to John for telling me about the event in the first place as I would never have even known it had existed which would be a huge shame!

Total distance – 24.2 miles