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january 2015

note from the editor The are absolutely dreadful at the moment…fresh snow, winter sunshine, clear skies and uninterrupted epic views. My heart really goes out to those poor retired BCR types who have been enduring such terrible conditions lately! As a charitable gesture, I’ll offer to trade places… any of you want to put your feet up in a nice warm office near Whitehaven...?

…anyone…?

The Achievement of a Lifetime

Nigel Hetherington

On Saturday 13 th June 1987, Both of us were due to reach our 30 th birthdays in 1987 and we decided that a challenge had to be set to hopefully Nigel Hetherington and Tony Sinton offset the effects of encroaching old age and becoming set off in an attempt to complete increasingly decrepit! the . The 66 The BGR was something we had often spoken about doing ‘one day’ and in the autumn of 1986 I suggested to Tony mile route, which must be that ‘one day’ ought to be next year. So, after much planning over the months and many a phone call, we were completed in under 24 hours, takes ready to go. The BCR support ‘machine’ was put in to in 42 Lakeland summits and action with volunteers coming out of winter hibernation to unstintingly lend their support. involves some 27,000 feet of climb. With my brother and fellow BCR racer Malcolm as pacer for the first section we set off from Keswick’s Moot Hall – This is their story… missing the scheduled 7.00pm start time by a few seconds (as if we were expecting a starter’s pistol or the sound of a Our attempt was planned the previous year in 1986, with bell to send us on our way!). training and racing for both of us in the following year geared completely towards it. Many hours were spent It was fifty-five years to the day since Keswick hotelier Bob covering the fells and country but I suppose the only Graham had completed the first successful sub-24 hour tangible evidence that we were running well and indeed attempt. Weather conditions were ideal for us – clear were compatible came from marathon results when Tony skies, a light breeze, near full moon due up and only light ran 3:20 in a crowded London in April 1987 and I ran 3:17 showers forecast for the following day. in a more rural Abingdon in May 1987. was scaled in high spirits by 8.05pm with superb We both knew that the long haul to Head would views unfolding of all seven kingdoms! was be the crunch point for our joint attempt and, as we soon behind us and once over the and up on plotted our course through the Langdale Pikes, Tony faded to Common the terrain became much easier further on Pike o’Stickle with much time being lost working underfoot. was reached at 9.43pm and an to stay together. His plight was a stark contrast to the incident free decent saw us resting in at 10.07pm strengthening morning light and the glistening morning in the quickly fading light. frost on the tops. The goal had always been to do this together – we never contemplated any other scenario – this plan had now become our potential undoing. Of course, I experienced a steady series of highs and lows throughout my attempt and it was crucial at this point that I was at a high while Tony was plumbing the depths. Finally, after a dangerously long traverse to it was decision time. Fortunately, the late Frank Squibb, a BGR member and BCR supporter was our support runner for this section. Frank, as ever, was able to lay it on the line. Tony opted for the escape route to via Styhead Tarn departing with the instruction, “and do it, do it for both of us!’ I remained very reluctant to continue and at that point felt more obliged to make an effort to continue due to the waiting support than determined to finish for my own achievement. I belligerently forced a route straight up an unknown gully on miraculously reaching the top only a couple of hundred metres jog from the summit. Broad Stand was attained with rope support from Rob Sanders and the accompanied descent to Wasdale Head via Rakehead Crag screes was quite exhilarating – not the common route but so much faster if you have the nerve! Fresh BCR pacers were collected in the shape of Ged Naylor and Kevin White and then it was off into the night From this point forward the challenge truly unfolded itself along the range. This was where the ‘fun’ started as a personal endeavour – just me and my body, just me with incident after incident dogging our progress. I started and my mind. the ball rolling with severe cramp as the air rapidly cooled on the flanks of . Within minutes Tony and I departed Clough Head summit leaving our pacers packing kit away. After a short but scary delay we were reunited to cries of “ You could have told us where you were £*@$^& going!” Watson’s top heralded the new day and continued, steady, head-torch assisted progress saw us reach Helvellyn in the depth of darkness at 1.08am. Further incident caused lost time with me attending to a huge heal blister at Grizedale Tarn where we all asleep for just a few minutes. Fairfield was very tough – as we fought the climb and the callings of our body clocks. Eventually, we picked up the pace to finish the section at

3.19am. It was here that Tony showed the first signs of fading and had to be force-fed by family supporters while at Dunmail Raise.

After a reunion with the main support party at Wasdale Head Rob decided to join me for the trek to Honister along with fresh pacers, Stuart Barnard and John Nixon. The schedule we had set was now useless since I was over 2 hours down on a 22:30 total plan. However, I was now determined to finish and, who knows, if form could be maintained, the times allowed for the last two sections were based on slowing at a predetermined rate. I might, I just might still do it!

Refuelled, refocused, I departed Wasdale Head at 10.59am and made great progress on a B-line up the unrelenting slopes of hitting the summit cairn at 11.47pm. Energy took a huge dip for the next few miles until ,

1.41pm when a major resurgence saw us travelling much faster again. The weather was still very good, warm but not hot and it was only with some reluctance that I peeled off my thermal tights and returned to shorts. and Gable were covered in reasonable form with me suffering mild disorientation off Gable, dialling in the wrong bearing and momentarily heading for ! Stuart laughed at me, they all laughed and the moment was gone, back to business. My willing pacers nursed me over the plains toward whereupon it became obvious that I had not maintained good pace and I had not made up the necessary time and that I was doomed to fail. Then, with impeccable timing over a ridge appeared my brother

Malcolm who had come up from Honister to rendezvous with me. As only a brother can he gave me a non-pitiful kick and told me to stop feeling sorry for myself and get on with it – he was “gonna be running up Keswick High Street with me, and before 7.00pm.” Motivation restored, enthusiasm rekindled we sped across to Grey Knots and bounded down to Honister like spring lambs in the sun.

The whole support team had done a stunning job in getting me through the fourth section. After over 21 hours I allowed myself just 4 minutes rest and refuel, any more and it was off. Stuart’s parting comment was “no heroics to the top of – steady but sure.” Wise words – we departed at 4.16pm and just kept moving topping out at 4.51pm. Then I really began to believe I could do it running most of the last two summits and departing at 5.32pm with Frank leading the way and Malc providing the kind of warm encouragement probably only brother could. We experienced cutting hail and much reduced visibility leading to incessant rain, it didn’t matter, we were on a magic carpet, the rain was refreshing, except on the rocky steps coming off Robinson!

and townsfolk were oblivious to the moment, that piece of personal triumph being realised right before them. The pace was extraordinary, I was flying, where was the pain, where was the exhaustion? Moot Hall approaching, clock ticks one more step to show 6.54pm and in that moment I am my own and my supporters’ hero.

Tony ran in with me from the fell gate and I made a quick change in to road shoes at Littletown. The legs, heart and soul were asked to not let me down for the road miles back to Keswick, it was going to be tight, really tight with I did it for my family, friends and less than 50 minutes remaining. I knew that one lapse of concentration or an attack of cramp would be all it would supporters. I did it for myself. take to finish my chances. I did it because I wanted to know

Malc’s wife Jan provided ideal pacing over the last 3 miles what was behind that enigmatic and Tony’s wife Chris and a hundred others seemed to join in over the last mile – this was a cliff-hanger, worthy of a smile when Bob Graham said, Hollywood Blockbuster but, in reality as we entered the “Anyone who’s fit can do it!” streets of Keswick our momentary egos fading as tourists

Section Depart Arrive Split Rest Support 1. Keswick to Threlkeld 19:00 22:07 3:07 0:19 Malc Hetherington & Frank Squibb (part) 2. Threlkeld to Dunmail 22:26 03:19 4:53 0:44 Kev White & Ged Naylor 3. Dunmail to Wasdale 04:03 10:31 6:28 0:28 Frank Squibb & Rob Sanders (part) Stuart Barnard, John Nixon, ‘Rocket’ Rob Sanders & Malc 4. Wasdale to Honister 10:59 16:12 5:13 0:04 Hetherington (part) 5. Honister to Keswick 16:16 18:54 2:38 Frank Squibb, Malc Hetherington & Janet Hetherington (part) Total 22:19 1:35

Ground Crew: Louise Hetherington, Sarah Hetherington, Norman Hetherington, Chris Sinton, Mr & Mrs Roger Sinton. With personal thanks to Black Combe Runners and to Tony Sinton – one of the best running partners ever.

Nearly 30 years after his successful Bob Graham Round, Nigel is still running... this November he plans to take on the Everest Marathon, the highest marathon in the world over rough mountain trails. Good work Nigel – we wish you all the best!! Threlkeld to Rydal January 2015 Helvellyn Lakeland Trail Race

The weather forecast for the final weekend of Lakeland Trail races looked exceedingly foreboding! Gale force winds, gusts up to 40mph, heavy rain squalls and humidity in the higher limits. Wonderful!

Having heard the rain lashing against the windows of Tesco store as I worked the night before, I was wondering whether to have a lie in and not take up my entry in the Photo: http://www.lakelandtrails.org/helvellyn/ Helvellyn Lakeland Trail Challenge race of 15km the next We crossed the river at the head of the valley and here the day after all. So to bed I went with this dilemma… path narrowed making overtaking difficult and awkward. I woke at 8am to an overcast breezy, damp morning. Made Twice I needed to tighten my Salomon laces as the uneven up my smoothies (see recipes below!), consumed a big terrain was needing a tighter shoe! The finishing bowl of porridge with nuts and apricots and set off for kilometres were great, my energy levels were good as I’d Glenridding. The drive through the Lakes via Coniston and eaten lots of apricots en route and it was predominantly Ambleside to Glenridding was beautiful, all the autumn downhill back to the finish near Jenkinson Ground. colours were at their best despite the dank grey conditions. My legs felt like jelly when I crossed the line but I really I walked to registration in a really heavy downpour – did I enjoyed it despite the very wet windy conditions. I washed really want to run 15km in this?! Number collected and a my mud sodden Salomon’s in puddles as I made my way to warm cup of coffee down, I had an hour to contemplate the car and my Almond milk recovery drink and banana. going ahead or not. The weather subsided a little and even Changed and felt like a new person. Job done. a glimmer of sunshine revealed itself whilst I drank my 409 th out of 465 finishers – 1 hour 57 mins 01 seconds. beetroot smoothie – the decision was made – entry fee Certainly recommend the race, testing because of the paid, new Hoad Hill top to test out – let’s go for it! initial 6km uphill but beautiful scenery.

The start was at 12.00 and most of us sheltered from a very intense rainstorm in the registration tent before Marathon Beetroot Smoothie (Pre-race) toeing the line. The start gantry was almost blown off its Ingredients: Medium Beetroot, 3 Apples, Lime – peeled, 2cm fixture as we awaited the klaxon. Soon enough we were Pineapple, 2 Sticks of Celery, Half a Cucumber, Medium Avocado, away, our headsdown into the strong headwind as we Medium Banana and 2 Teaspoons of Ground Hemp Seed. made our way through Glenridding village and onto a stony Juice all ingredients except avocado, banana, hemp seeds. Add path towards Helvellyn. The field soon strung out as the juice to blender with remaining ngredients. Blend for 60 seconds. faster more nimble trail runners galloped ahead. I took a steady approach as the first 4 km ascended, gradually gaining height before the path beared left to follow the Almond Cocoa Banana Recovery (Post-race) Grisedale valley below Helvellyn. This gave me chance to Ingredients: 500ml Almond Milk , Sliced Banana , 4 Tablespoons catch my breath in the headwind and overtake the odd of Blueberries, 2 Dessertspoons Raw Cocoa , Big teaspoon of runner in front of me who I used as a windbreak. There Maca powder and a Big Teaspoon of Manuka Honey were a few bottlenecks where some of the runners ‘pussy Blend all ingredients for 60 seconds! footed’ around muddier sections; I found this frustrating! - Penny

Bull to Bull in record breaking time!

So apparently the idea of the Bull to Bull is to We slid down the scree slope, then headed off over the complete it as close to the annual frozen bog towards . Somewhere in the middle of this BCR Christmas Party, right…? we found a still-flowing trickle of water and stopped to quench our thirst.

Well, if that’s the case, then clearly the best option is a Now, does the route go over Caw or not? It’s only just up night run, the evening before the party. Unless of course there, and it’s such a great night to be out, so we might as you want to turn up at the party still in your running kit (go well add it to the list! The crags on the southern flank of on, I challenge you!). Caw put up a bit of a fight, but nothing some night-time icy We had a vague idea that this would be a fun thing to do. scrambling couldn’t overcome, then after a quick stop for Then Friday came along, and sometime around 5pm Beth more water and a bit of food, we were off to Kiln Bank got back from work. “Tim, it’s amazing out there, the moon cross and up . is really bright and there’s no wind or clouds…let’s go run the Bull to Bull now!”

So off we drove, first to to drop one car off, then on to Coniston. Lots of layers on (it looked cold up there), quick ‘selfie’ photo’s by the Black Bull (just to prove we really were there!) and we were off. A nice run, which slowly turned into more of a walk, brought us to Low Water and into the snow. This is also when the icy wind started up, and we stopped to pull more layers on.

A short stop at the top of the Old Man to talk to a very chilly photographer taking night-shots and we headed off round to , sliding on the ice through Goat’s Hawse, where I’d promised Beth there was a good supply of drinking water (ice doesn’t flow into a water bottle very well). On down the super-fun ridge over Buck Pike and Brown Pike, out to White Maiden and over to White Pike. All this time, the moonlight on the snow was so bright we’d not once needed to switch out head torches on Somewhere on ? Not really sure – it was dark. – amazing!

The Bull to Bull began life in the imagination of BCR member John Nixon. He wanted to re-enact Hannibal’s crossing of the Alps, with the Coniston and Corney Fells playing the part of the Alps and himself playing the part of the elephants. He also wanted to raise money for a children’s hospital. So, at 10.30 on 12 th June 1988, John set off from the Black Bull in Coniston. His 23-ish mile route took him via Coniston Old Man, Dow Crag, White Pike, Kiln Bank Cross, Stickle Pike, Ulpha Post Office, Bigertmire, Whitfell, and Black Combe to the John Bull at Silecroft.

Just off Stickle, the most amazing shooting star lit up the It was nearly 4am by now though, so with a yawn we sky – more like a crackling firework, flying across the sky. headed off down the track to Silecroft, managing a sprint Wow! finish to bring us to the car at the old John Bull in an exactly, record-breaklingly slow time, of 8 hours and 30 After a bit of searching, we found the nice grassy track minutes. Well, with a night like that you might as well down towards Ulpha, then trotted up the road to the Post spend as long as you can out in the fells, right?! Office and on through Rainsbarrow wood – the only time all night we had to use the torches.

Looking rough at the finish

A slightly nerve-wracking, hallucination-filled drive back to Coniston then over the fells back home followed (who Pip and his laser eyes! knew there were elephants hiding in the ?!) and we fell into bed…waking Next it was up the long steep road climb to Bigert Mire, up just in time to get ready sneaking through there at about 1am, then heading on for the Christmas Party! through more frozen bog, up the side of Whitfell. It was getting pretty windy by this point, so a quick shelter stop at - Tim the top for more food, then we headed off on the brilliant run across to Corney top.

This is where the fun ended for a while, as we tried to Beth’s Lowlights Force feeding myself at 3am, butt figure out the best way through the clumpy grass over to bruise after stacking it off an icy Caw, the tussocky Black Combe. Even Pip was tired by this point – only having rubbishy seemingly endless ascent to Black Combe… small legs means you need to jump over every grass clump Beth’s Highlights The stick Pip found for me on Old for about 2 miles! man, remembering my down jacket, quietly flying off Finally, we reached the top of ‘the Combe’, with a stunning the back of Old Man, epic snowy moonlit views from Caw across to Coniston, so many shooting stars and view back across the fells, and the moonlight reflecting off the moonlight on the sea. Happy times! the sea. UK Fell Relays 2014 Juicy Holiday!

Penny shares her memories of a special holiday to Juicy Oasis in Portugal…

I have just had the most amazing trip to Portugal, to a haven miles from anywhere, a world away from ‘normal’ 11.15 Talks by Jason on a number of topics. Juicing for health, life, to Juicy Oasis, a retreat overlooking a magnificent Addiction, Pharmageddon and One Disease One Solution. flowing river, surrounded by deep green forests and far 12.30 Throw ball. reaching mountains. It is the ultimate boutique for health and fitness, providing an intimate tranquil environment to 13.45 500ml juice, using beetroot, carrots, orange and berries. unwind, lose weight, and get fit and healthy. 14.00 Free time - I went for a variety of pamper treatments here!

The owner, Jason Vale, struggled with many health issues 16.30 Sodium shot - celery and cucumber (to replace the before opting to cure himself by using freshly extracted electrolytes we were losing through exercise) and 500ml juice. fruit and vegetable juices. He succeeded and set about 16.45 Power Rebounding and Power Core work. sharing his experience. I have been experimenting with 18.45 Volleyball. green juices over the past few years, trying desperately to find a way of alleviating my own chronic bowel disease; 19.45 500ml juice. they have certainly helped to keep my illness in check and 20.00 The opportunity to see various documentaries on raw with total liaison with my consultant I wanted to explore foods, the benefits of juicing and a healthy lifestyle. this further at one of the Juicy Oasis retreats. So what have I felt? I was never hungry or lacking in After a long journey, I arrived really excited at Juicy Oasis in energy, and I became more and more alert as the week Vale do Serrao. I was shown around the complex which progressed. I did lose 8 pounds which surprised me. My was deeply embedded into the mountain side. Below the skin became softer and my eyes brighter, and my stomach bedrooms and Juicy café is the Eden Spa, a quiet candle-lit cramps totally disappeared for the first time in years. area where it is possible to relax on a soft lounger with the On the holiday with me were people in remission from sounds of water cascading into a large indoor hot pool. cancer who had chosen to use holistic means and diet From the ceiling hang ‘Cocoons’ where you can curl up and rather than the more traditional chemo/radiotherapy sleep and at each side are therapy rooms for manicures, treatments. Sure I find this difficult to grasp, but from my pedicures, massages or a colonic (if you so choose!). There own experience, the side effects from the drugs I was is a gym and yoga studio overlooking the outdoor pool and expected to use for my illness actually made me feel worse. sauna. Since radically changing my diet I have dramatically Every day was full on with activities… reduced my symptoms for the better.

06.30 Wake up! Meditation and relaxation in the Yoga studio If we avoided processed foods and sugar laden drinks full (bathed in early morning sunlight, a great way to start the day!) of addictive asparmatine and adopted more whole foods, vegetable and fruit juices, nuts and seeds and sustainable 08.00 Our first juice – a power shot – usually wheatgrass with orange or beetroot and lemon. fats (coconut, Udo and cold pressed olive oil) into our diet, took regular brisk exercise to get the heart working and 08.30 Off Nordic walking on mountain trails. made time to step out and relax in total peace; we would 10.30 Our first big juice; 500ml of green juice based on apples, not fall into so many of our modern day illnesses. I shall be spinach, kale, cucumber, celery, lime and avocado. having two green juices a day and a large mixed green 10.45 Core body work involving a different set of exercises over salad in addition to a sustaining wholefood meal for the the week (Circuits/Body pump/Band work) culminating in an rest of my life as I just love feeling so alive and well. hour’s ‘Insanity’ on Thursday. BCR Annual Awards Ceremony & Xmas Bash!

Winter Training League (m) Karl Fursey Winter Training League (w) Lou Lyness Black Combe Championship race (m) Mike McIver Black Combe Championship race (w) Lizzie Adams Kev White trophy (first BCR at Dunnerdale) (m) Harry Stainton Kev White trophy (first BCR at Dunnerdale) (w) Lizzie Adams Fell runner of the year (m) Mike McIver Fell runner of the year (w) Beth Ripper Fell runner of the year (age/gender handicapped) Jamie Baron Road runner of the year (m) Harvey Lord Road runner of the year (w) Lou Lyness Road runner of the year (age/gender handicapped) Peter Grayson Most improved Gavin Lloyd Achievement of the year Mike Jones (L100) Bull2Bull Rob McKeever/Rippers Fake it ‘til you make it!

So what’s any of this got to do with ultra running? Well, as I stood on the start line of last year’s Lakeland 100, racked with nerves, I felt just like I did before those maths and French exams: knowing full well I was about to face possible failure, humiliation and being challenged with the unknown. Or worse, a DNF.

The furthest I’d run before was my Bob Graham round, but this was nearly 40 miles longer and I wasn’t sure whether the knee issues that hindered my BGR would return. I’d also had a bad run-in with the Lakeland 50 the year before, dropping out half way with no energy at all. There was also the simple fact that I’d really not trained well, so my confidence wasn’t high! I’d had some fun at the Great Lakes 3 Day and been on holiday to do Transvulcania in La Palma though, so I knew I should be able to get half way round! I tried not to think too much about the big day…

The start was quite mellow; I waved goodbye to my Mike Jones impressed us all girlfriend and her family before starting the long ascent up to . Within minutes I was sweating buckets, with his amazing result at constantly sipping energy drink and soaking my head with a wet buff whenever I saw running water. ‘It’s ok, the sun last year’s Lakeland 100. will be low soon,’ I thought. Descending into the Duddon Here’s what happened… Valley, the worst of the heat was over for the day. Dib in at the Check Point (‘Ooh, Jamaican ginger cake, I was never very good at maths or languages at school. To don’t mind if I do’, NOM), refill one bottle with energy excel at these required learning a lot of cold hard facts and drink and head off, following a small trail of runners. I rules. There was no way of bluffing your way through to an upped the pace to test my legs and left most of them A come exam time. Now, geography, art and design, even behind before catching another group. When I heard English, these were the subjects I excelled at. No need to someone complain about the pace I thought about slowing recite facts and or apply formulae - I could become down too, but then remembered it’d be better to get up genuinely engrossed in the coursework, or in defending an Black Sail in daylight. The next section to Wasdale was argument for or against something, or, if it was geography, lovely, with the sun setting and a warm stillness to the air – I could freely talk about how a river forms without ever I felt very privileged to be there. having to refer to any technical jargon...

I took it easy into Wasdale Head, but was alarmed to see The Old Coach Road section towards Dockray provided how frantic some people were, trying to stuff a sarnie and some of the best moments of the event. The sunrise was get going ASAP… was I near the front with the fast people? incredible and with renewed energy, I made a real effort to I took my time before pushing on to the bottom of Black run strong. I passed more runners, but knew I couldn’t stay Sail Pass. What a great climb! It goes on and on and on! I long at the next CP. ‘You look better than Stuart Mills (last flicked my head torch on and passed a couple more year’s winner) did when he was here last year,’ someone runners on the climb up Scarth Gap... said, which perked me up even more.

Running along the shore of Buttermere was great and I The section to Aira Force and then round Goatbarrow Fell made a point to run all the inclines on the way to the CP. I is great, but the following 5 miles of road and track to was pleased to have a warm soup and bread rolls, then I Dalemain House were tough and I began to feel pain in my asked what position I was in and was surprised to learn I shin. I couldn’t see anyone ahead or behind me, which was was 8 th ! I pressed on up the gradual climb towards Sail Pass good, so I just kept making an effort not to walk uphill. I and laughed at how slow I was going compared to when I arrived at Dalemain while two other runners were there, recced the section five weeks earlier. It was around this one a friendly Italian who was amazed at how well I was time I started to think of the event a race, now aiming for a doing in my first 100. I changed my shoes and socks, top ten finish. I knew this was a risky strategy, what if I got chamois crèmed the vital areas, refilled my bottles and had to 70 miles and burned out…? more soup. It was nice to sit down for a bit, but a sense of urgency set in as two runners arrived just as I left. I struggled to find the next CP in Brathwaite, but when I did: GRAPES! Oh wow, they were amazing! They had bowls of I could see the Italian ahead, hunched over and walking - grapes and nuts and crisps laid out, but I sat down and ate he didn’t look good. At this point my GPS battery died all the grapes I could see! This was the first CP I’d arrived at which was a bummer, I’d just have to freestyle it from here! and left on my own, which was a bit eerie. Next was a nice Approaching the Cockpit, I put in a big effort to run past long flat road section to Keswick - my favourite. I put my him as fast as I could, looking as fresh as I could, not easy iPod on, then ended up missing a turn and running all the by this point! On a high as I was in 6 th place, I pulled into way to Keswick on the A66 hard shoulder! the next CP feeling ready for a tough day of running. As I got there I saw another runner... I refilled a bottle, grabbed The next few miles are an out-and-back along the some pineapple, looked him in the eye and without a word Way then back along the other side of the valley. I could ran off. ‘One more down, that’s a top 5, nice!’, I thought. see lights going the other way and wondered ‘how far ahead were they?!’ I dibbed at the unmanned CP and The long climb up and over Wether Hill is cruel. Just when made my way back towards the Blencathra Centre, aware you think you’re getting there it kicks up again. It was here that the others on the opposite side of the valley would I had my first deep emotional encounters and found myself now be spurred on by my light. crying a bit for no reason. I guess the tiredness mixed with the inevitable suffering is enough to crack you open and expose your weaknesses, especially when running alone. I of the scale of the event. The last descent down to the felt very hungry, but had no appetite - a conundrum many miners bridge was awful, tough underfoot and my legs long distance runners will know. I tried to force a 9 bar were pretty much done in. I ran past the Black Bull and down, but it came straight back up. I was retching for a came home to a rapturous applause. Ah, that bittersweet, good 10 minutes on and off up the climb, laughing at the confused emotion of relief and sadness to be finished. hilarity of the situation ‘…did I actually pay £90 for this?!’. What a journey! It was all hugs and tears at the finish, before someone escorted me into the building, declaring At the top I passed Paul Tierney, an accomplished ultra ‘Ladies and gentlemen, your 5 th place finisher!’, thrusting runner, who was walking and said he ‘just felt f*cked’. I my arm in the air (this was highly embarrassing). I got my made it a quick ‘sorry mate’ and pressed on again, making finishers T-shirt (which I’d earned this year!), medal and the most of the soft running and gradual downhill to open print out of my splits, which I keep next to my desk now, to my stride and dance off into his horizon… 4 th place, just 1 remind me of the event and as a target to improve on. short of the podium...I was on a mission now!

The going up Gatescarth Pass was slow and I could see Paul coming into the CP below (where I later learned he retired). I wished I’d had poles at this point, and if going up was bad, going down the other side to Sadgil was brutal! I was beginning to lose the battle and found it hard to keep running. I kept looking behind me to see if Paul or the Italian chap were behind me. I made the mistake of assuming I was well clear, slowing down when I should have been pushing on to catch third place. A spectator told me the next person was 15 minutes ahead. That didn’t seem so long, but as I pulled into the village hall I could see them half way up Garburn and immediately felt dispirited.

I spent a few minutes at the CP, downing delicious berry smoothies and reminding myself that this was where I’d dropped out of the 50 last year - there was no way that was happening today! The pasta looked appetising too, but I’d barely eaten half a bowl when someone turned up. Shit! It’s the Italian guy! I immediately jumped up but the damage was done; he’d seen the bait and caught me going up Garburn Pass. I tried to hang on to him but was really I learnt that you really don’t have to train all that well to do struggling. He wasn’t chatting much, so I knew he was well in ultras (though I’m sure it helps and probably makes pushing too, trying to drop me. I almost resigned myself to you faster). It’s all about how you cope on the day when th 5 and let him go. Almost..! If this guy wanted to beat me things get nasty. Will you blag your way through it and rise on my home turf, I’d bloody well make sure he earned it, above the fear, kid yourself and everyone around you that I’d be prepared to fight to the finish! I kept him in sight all you can and will finish strong and humble? Or will you the way to Ambleside, but couldn’t quite close the gap… succumb to the numbers: the forecast CP arrival times that keep slipping, the worsening position, the missed training The views towards the pikes provided the inspiration to sessions, and accept that downward spiral into the DNF? keep running. Beyond here the trail became quite technical and walking was more routine than I’d have liked. It felt I think certain personalities are attracted more to either desperate, with rocks rolling around under my battered shorter races or longer races. Me? I’ve always been a feet. Again, I could see my pacemaker up ahead and he creative type and I’ve discovered that this can be a gave me a wave as he descended from Castle Howe. I valuable asset when applied not only to 30-mark exam waved back and shouted a friendly ‘looking good man!’, a answers, but also to ultra distance running! white flag on my part - I wasn’t going to catch him now. So that was my first L100; if you managed to ultra-read all th The end was in sight and I was going to come 5 in my first that, you should probably give ultra running a go some 100 miler. I looked over to my left, over to the hills that I’d time! Thanks again to the club for voting my race in this come from that morning, miles away and I was reminded event ‘Achievement of the Year’. It was certainly mine! Have you ever missed a checkpoint or two?

Have you ever been responsible fo r well dodgy handicapping?

Have you ever climbed a mountain dressed as a space hopper?

If yes, then have no fear! VOTE:

Man of the People Millen FOR CAPTAIN! finding my fee t a gain ! Mike gives us the low down on his festive advent-ure running!

In December, I took part in an event called Advent Running which was, really speaking, a happy coincidence. I went running on December 1 st and noticed afterwards that a friend was doing Advent Running so thought I’d jump on the band wagon.

Advent Running is pretty much as it says on the tin – rather than having an Advent Calender, I decided to try to run each day of Advent in an effort to try and get out of my rut which I’ve been in for some time. I haven’t enjoyed running for a while; it’s been hard, painful and I’ve been slightly self-conscious when running with you lot!

It didn’t exactly work according to plan as Advent starts on the fourth Sunday before Christmas which, this year, was November 30 th , but let’s not get hung up on technicalities. Additionally, I didn’t actually manage to run every day of Advent because my legs were in the process of pressing charges against me for abuse. They hurt. A lot. Day 12 and 13 were pretty much written-off to recovery because I was no longer ‘running’; I was doing something between a ‘limp’ and a ‘shuffle’, and trying hard not to cry about it. Day 8 was particularly painful, and I blame Day 7’s downhill fancy dress fell race. I pretty much sobbed my way around the route. Day 14, I came back fighting though and it got easier from there. The mileage started to increase and it didn’t feel any harder. Day 19 was a really nice surprise as I ran further than I intended to and threw in a couple of hills for good measure. It felt good. On Day 20, I started to push my limit a little and see how far I could run, managing just over 8 miles without really feeling it. I continued to push it and found the limit somewhere between 8 and 9 miles, as the next two days at 9 and 9.5 miles respectively were a challenge.

I still wasn’t happy though because, even at 9.5 miles which is a massive increase on where I was, I still hadn’t hit 10 miles. It was like a carrot dangling just out of reach, so on Day 23 I decided to plot a route I knew would hit it. It was 11 miles, with some good hills, and it was hard. It was pure bloody-mindedness that made me stick to the route and not beeline for home. Day 23 was a double-whammy because, not only did I hit my target of running 10 miles in a single run, but I also hit my target of running at least 100 miles over the course of Advent. I was chuffed to have done it so, on day 24, I did a very small one to save my legs the torment of another long run.

Overall, I ran 108 miles over the 22 days and dropped over a stone in weight as a result. Now these aren’t significant achievements to a ‘runner’, especially when we take into account some of the other achievements this year, but this was pretty big for me. Most importantly, the biggest thing is that it’s given me a love for running again, which has been lacking for so very long. It’s given me that desire to run for the sake of running, and not just as a means of trying to convince myself I’m doing something active.

From here, onwards and upwards! I have marathons in mind, and the Bull to Bull, and that’s just for starters. I’m enjoying my running again, and I’m not going to let that slip!

It’s all about the cakes!

“Owt happenin’ this weekend?” “Kentmere horseshoe.” “Will there be cakes?” So goes a typical conversation with my dad; ex-fellwalker turned cake aficionado. “No cakes, it’s an English champs race.” “We’d better bring our own then. We’ll call into Hazelmere’s ont’ way. When’s Kirkby Gala?” Kirkby Gala. Cake mecca. The largest selection of cakes in the Fell running calendar- Official. The W.I. set up in the hall, offering a multitude of cakey goodness. Banana. Coffee and walnut. Lemon drizzle. Fruit. Carrot. You name it. “Kirkby Gala’s been. It’s on again next year.” “Thought you said Kirkby was comin’ up?” “No, that’s another race at Kirkby. No Cakes at that one. You’ll have to wait. You might see some cakes at the Wasdale show.” “Which was the one where we got the hotpot?” “That was the S crees.” “Wouldn’t mind goin’ there again, but no cakes, were there?” And so it goes. Whilst I remember the terrain and distance, or how steep the climbs, Dad unfalteringly recalls the quality and quantity of the baked goods on offer at any particular event. “Beetham Sports this weeked. “ “Have we been before?” “Yeah, we went last year. There was a brass band, you told me I should have a go at the wrestling. I got winded by a farmer just before the start of the fell race.” “Don’t remember.” “It’s the one where the 80 year old won the sprint handicap.” “…” “We got a Victoria sponge” “Oh yes, we’ll go.” At fell races, you’ll find my dad at the cake stall, but it won’t be as good as Kirkby Gala. Nothing is. - Harvey Caw Downhill 20142014!!!!