Another one of my LDWA events was on the cards today, this one run by Todmorden Rotary Club.
This was the first time they had done the run as a separate event, although I did overhear that there were some runners on the walking route which set off a couple of hours earlier. There were 24 of us signed up on the actual run, which was a mass start at 10am. We were given race numbers rather than tally cards as the organisers felt that runners don't like to hang around getting their card clipped so we could just show/shout out our numbers to the marshals at the checkpoints instead. Good thinking.
I had tried a couple of days ago to highlight my map as usual before I do these events but I found it really difficult as I didn't have grid references for the checkpoints and couldn't find a route on View Ranger to copy from. It didn't matter in the end anyway, I didn't even need to look at the route directions, as the whole thing was flagged out. I've never seen that before at one of these events but it was incredibly welcome when running over the open moorland for the first seven miles of the run. I'd never have known my way without the flags. That must have take a lot of work by some volunteers!
I had been in two minds about whether to even start the run today as I have had terrible pain in my foot. It's not there all the time though and is only there when I raise up on my toes. When I got back from my short run with John yesterday, I felt a slight twinge but then when I put some heels on to go out, it really hurt and I couldn't walk. I had to put some flatter shoes on but it was still quite painful. When I got up this morning, I tested it by raising up on my toes and, as I lowered back down again, there was a really sharp pain and a 'clicking' feeling. It made me yelp in pain but once my foot was back on the ground, it was fine again. Duncan said I would be stupid to run and I should just rest it but I really didn't want to wimp out, even though that was probably the wise thing to do.
I decided that I was going to run and that I could always drop out at a checkpoint.
Before the run started I was talking to a couple of blokes who were also at the Hobble the other month (sorry, I didn't get your names) and a lady named Linda and her son, Tim.
We all set off at 10am and I soon found myself at the back of the pack, along with Linda and Tim and there were a couple of girls further behind us. I didn't mind, I don't do these events to race them, I just do them for the enjoyment. I had told Duncan I'd be about five hours but it didn't matter if I was longer.
Linda and Tim were running at the same pace as me so I stayed with them all the way to the first proper checkpoint, which was seven miles in. I was quite surprised to find they had a porta-loo here, as on most of these events, you just have to go into the bushes. I just grabbed a bourbon biscuit and some juice and continued on my way, quickly catching back up with Linda and Tim who had left the checkpoint before me.
It wasn't long before we reached the next checkpoint which also had a porta-loo so I decided to use it whilst I was there. The problem is, when you are soaking wet (it was raining by the way), it's really hard to pull your leggings back up, especially when they're Skins compression leggings. By the time I got out, Linda and Tim were long gone and I didn't catch up with them again for quite some time. I could see them in the distance for most of the time.
Between this checkpoint and the next, I started to get stomach cramps. They got really bad and I was finding it difficult to run as (too much information) I was clenching. I thought I might have to pull out at the next checkpoint but I really didn't want to as I had come so far. I arrived at the checkpoint and was relieved to see that it was indoors and had proper toilets. I had to get over my fear of number 2s in public loos because it was either do it or drop out.
After having been in there a good while, finding it hard to relax, I eventually emerged and started the final part of the run, which is the hardest bit as it goes up Stoodley Pike. It lulls you into a false sense of security though as you climb up onto a track and then, instead of carrying on climbing up to the Pike, you have to turn left onto the track and follow it for ages before ascending.
The weather on the top was horrendous. It was throwing it down and the wind was really strong. It was difficult to run against it. I thought that once I got to the Pike I would start going down and get out of the worst of the weather but we actually stayed up high for a very long time, running along some flagging.
We then got onto the side of a reservoir and by now, I had passed two runners and was feeling quite pleased as I had got a second wind since my stomach problems earlier.
The dam seemed to go on for a long time and then I could see a flag down at the bottom, which was a steep grassy decent but I then realised that you weren't supposed to go straight down and were supposed to keep following the water for a while and go down gradually, which I did but I was a bit gutted because I noticed that others cut the corner. Luckily, I stayed ahead of them though and managed to finish strong. I even caught back up with Linda and Tim shortly before the finish.
I finished in 4 hours 43 minutes which was OK.
I really enjoyed the run, despite the terrible weather, but the only criticism I have is the food. There wasn't a right lot of choice at checkpoints in comparison to other events I have done, there being only biscuits, bananas and nuts. There was also no hot meal at the finish, unless you paid for it which again is unusual.
The organisers and volunteers were all great though, really helpful and friendly.
As for my foot, this barely hurt at all during the run which is very odd. There were a couple of moments where I was aware that there was a problem but nothing major although it is still hurting now when I go up on my toes.
Thanks to Duncan for driving me there as my van is in the garage. He was bored to tears all day because the weather was rubbish and, as he was in the car, he couldn't just get in the back and make cups of tea whilst reading a book like he does in the van.
Total distance - 22 miles
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