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October 2014

October 2014

runners

newsie october 2014

note from the editor What a fantastic summer we’ve had! I’ve lost count of the number of beautiful sunny social runs and clear, blue-sky races we’ve been lucky enough to have over the past few months. The club has seen some fantastic personal achievements too, in particular three successful Bob Graham attempts (well done Michael, Tim & John!) and celebrating Peter’s final Birkett. The Black Combe Summer Champs are still ongoing, with real competition for the fell top spot; less than one point stands between Mike McIver and Tim Ripper, with only Langdale and Dunnderdale left to decide the winner. Harvey has had a fantastic season leading the road champs and we wish him a speedy recovery after fracturing his ankle and rupturing ligaments in the Three Shires fell race (ouch!!). Whilst I’m here, I’d also like to take this opportunity to welcome some very special new additions to the Black Combe family! Huge congratulations to Will & Sue on the arrival of baby Flo, to John & Katy on the arrival of baby Owen and to Harvey & Jo on the arrival of baby Bess. We wish you all the best and lots more sleep! I hope you enjoy this issue of newsie… many thanks again to all of you who have been kind enough to contribute your articles and photographs. It’s now time for us to don our head torches, zip up our waterproofs and brace ourselves for the winter season! See you at the next social run! Take care, Beth

When the nights draw in, it can only mean one thing. The time has come for the black combe winter league

The Black Combe Winter League is a series of highly competitive club races with ‘level the playing field’ chasing starts. The principle aim of the league is to see how good you are at away from your club mates. If you’re really good, you get a trophy for your efforts. If you’re really bad, you suffer the repeated humiliation of being overtaken by those who clearly need more fattening up for Christmas. The only rules I can really remember is that you have to complete four races to qualify, your lowest scores count and that’s about it…even the race routes seem to be open to interpretation… (Appletreeworth anyone?!)

Dave Watson did a cracking job of organising the latest winter league, which saw an epic 62 runners taking part across the seven races. Mike McIver also nailed the handicaps, with several photo finishes needed to determine the final positions. Overall, 19 runners qualified for the league and Karl Fursey squarely took the title of 13/14 Winter League winner, with only 10 points at the finish. Well done all!

the resultthe results!results!s!s!

24 Dec 1 Jan 12 Jan 19 Jan 2 Feb 23 Feb 16 Mar Roan Black Total Flan Hoad Po House ATW Birkrigg Broughton Head Combe 1 Karl Fursey m 4 4 3 2 1 19 10 2 Lou Lyness f 6 3 17 4 30 3 Pat McIver m 4 13 13 12 2 31 4 Nick Sebley m 16 7 14 5 6 17 32 5 James Goffe m 16 10 29 9 4 12 35 =6 Mike McIver m 7 22 11 10 8 18 36 =6 Jackie Casey f 14 8 12 7 9 36 8 Lindsay Buck f 5 16 14 9 10 38 9 John Millen m 19 12 8 8 14 42 10 Claire Watson f 21 34 6 12 7 46 11 Dave Parminter m 15 15 35 10 7 47 12 Pete Tayler m 16 26 15 3 14 48 13 William Ross m 24 5 18 13 13 49 14 Rob Mckeever m 6 9 24 11 50 15 Hazel Tayler f 14 19 11 11 55 16 Matthew Allen m 17 26 14 1 58 17 Gill O'Connell f 26 24 22 10 3 59 18 Dave Watson m 7 6 31 16 60 19 Tim Ripper m 19 25 18 5 67

Fastest Male Time Fastest Female Time Flan Hoad Mike McIver 00:39:15 Helen Walker 01:00:20 Po House Mike McIver 00:37:01 Jackie Casey 00:43:11 Appletreeworth Mike McIver 00:41:41 Paula Irons 00:48:28 Birkrigg Harry Stainton 00:40:31 Lizzie Adams 00:46:56 Broughton John Millen 00:35:23 Jackie Casey 00:40:34 Roan Head Mike McIver 00:46:45 Lindsay Buck 01:06:27 Black Combe Tim Ripper 00:40:40 Lizzie Adams 00:44:00

Snaps from Coniston! 3rd May 14

39/100

Penny completes her 12th London – her 39th marathon on a personal journey to 100 .

As someone who has been fortunate to have run in the about 4 miles. The Runners World ‘Get you Round’ (12 London Marathon eleven times previously and watched minute mile pacers) caught me up at 8 miles and I stuck too many times that I can remember, I can relate that my with them till 15 miles – pace was to run 5 minutes, walk 1 most favourite part of the is the finish line. There is minute x 2 – I had been doing run 7.30 minutes and walk nothing better than seeing the packed stands as you round 8.30 minutes. This upset my rhythm despite it feeling the corner at Buckingham Palace (she still wasn’t there this doable so the year to wave us by) and head up the Mall, your agony last 11 miles about to come to a satisfying climax. were very frustrating. All I was fortunate enough to be there again this year and if I my fault not can offer any future aspirant marathon runner – DO THE enough long TRAINING – DON’T GO HALF PREPARED! runs. I joined the 38,000 throng and started after wishing good The poor luck to Karl via the trusty mobile phone, knowing this was training base, going to test all my previous 38 encounters over the meant I following 26 miles and 385 yards. Still not properly fit powered despite my illness improving, but with a carry - over place walked through from last year and representing the PDSA I persuaded my the Isle of Dogs, doctor only the Monday before the race that I would be past Canary Wharf, shed tears of emotion at the sensible so as to be given permission to start. illuminated ‘words of encouragement’ balloons in The weather was kind despite the cool breeze, it was warm Blackfriars underpass and then held on trusting my and dry; perfect for the faster of foot and congratulations stubbornness to get me to the finish. to Richard – 3.10 – a tremendous time and to Karl who Out into the deafening noise and blinding sunshine, leaving despite picking up a hamstring problem ran a very the underpass behind I shuffled along at a slow jog past Big creditable 5.14 and got on tv! Ben and the PDSA cheering point, down Birdcage Walk, It was a hard day at the office, but I stuck to the game plan past Buckingham Palace and to the finish on the Mall. Job of run a kilometre walk a kilometre and everything was done 5.37 (had expected 6.30). Lessons learnt: get in 2015 fine, I saw Karl resplendent in orange pumpkin suit at ballot and train properly!!

You know you’re a fell runner when…

You know you’re a fell runner when… You recognise and can name all makes of i-nov8 fell shoe… ...and you know what terrain each is best on, but you still use a pair of £39.99 shoes from the Pete Bland sale box. You find congealed jelly babies in your shorts pocket from a previous race. In the pre-race excitement, you forget what your car registration is when filling in the entry form… …and can’t think who the RO should ring if you don’t make it round in one piece. You still get the butterflies just before the race blows. You moan at carrying full kit on a sunny day (and then it rains and hails hard half way round). You get excited and animated discussing the pros and cons of going around or through the bog… …when actually it doesn’t make any difference. You blindly follow the runners in front in the clag, knowing “it doesn’t seem right”. You don’t really feel like that meat and potato pie two minutes after the end of the run… …but you still eat it anyway. You look in hope at the first A4 list of results, when you know you are on the second or third… You linger around at the end of the race, in hope of a spot prize at least… …or in hope of spotting some stars. You stick your race numbers up on your wall with times on them. You avidly record your times year after year when they improve… …you stop recording the times when they start deteriorating. You have a spreadsheet that extrapolates the number of years left before you fail to meet that checkpoint cut off time. You enjoy watching slideshows of multi-coloured runners descending the same piece of fell. You know you’re a fell runner when none of the above stops you from week after week, with the same grimaced, satisfied smile as you cross the finish line.

Thanks Andy Gittins!

Michael Jones

A (very) Belated Report

‘THREE! TWO! ONE!... Good luck Mike!’ move efficiently and quickly, and being able to stray from the bridleways to get on to the tops more. I got round to The sound of a few gentle claps gives reading ‘Feet in the Clouds’ and so, like for many, the seed way to footsteps and breathing echoing was planted: I want to do a Bob Graham Round. off the ginnel walls… At first I really couldn’t get my head around how doing the Bob was possible. I used to stare at the , read the I turn my head torch up a notch and my field of vision description and the 23.30 hrs scheduled leg times and it narrows as we ascend the bridleway up . I glance at would just go over my head. ‘5hrs? To do all THAT?! No my heart rate monitor ‘179?! Christ! Don’t worry it’s just way!’. But I decided the only way to find out for myself the adrenaline and time of day. If it doesn’t feel hard it would be to recce a few legs and see how my times isn’t’. Well this is it, the real deal, it’s happening right now. matched. I did leg 5 on a beautiful day in October in about The day you’ve been preparing so hard for has come. A 2:30 hrs. I was tired by Keswick but thought, ‘Blimey, that sense of surrealism washes over me. It’s 3.30am and I’m wasn’t too bad and I was well on pace’, not realising the running up with two fellow club members, must latter schedules don’t take having fresh legs into account. be that Bob Graham thing I had planned. The next day I ran leg 2 and that’s when the real education I’ve been visiting the for as long as I can started. I was going well in my new lightweight inov8’s remember, and this is where I’ve felt happiest. I’m very until Fairfield, when I bonked hard. As I sat there eating fortunate that my Grandparents on my late mother’s side pasta I realised that maybe it was do-able, but it would were originally from the area. Whenever I left the Lake take a lot of training to build my endurance and physical District, I’d invariably feel sad as the train rattled onto the and mental robustness. I shuffled my way down Seat sleepers over the estuary. I’d often think to myself, “I’d Sandal to my friends, Stam and Paul, who were waiting for love to live here one day, maybe just for a year, with Gran, me. Feeling a bit sorry for myself, I explained I’d just had just to see what it’s like. I bet it would be nice.” one of the hardest days out I could remember, but, given the right level of dedication, the BGR might be possible. I’d heard of fell running and thought it quite attractive, all the ambiance of being in the mountains, using the body to The following weekend several friends came up to visit and it wouldn’t be much use in finding the sheep trod off the we spent a banterful night at Honister Pass. They had a back of Skiddaw in the dark. We had to run with high leisurely stroll on Saturday while I recced leg 4 alone. Upon knees through the heather, which was hard work and not returning to Ulverston on Sunday evening I came home to ideal so early in the round! We pushed the pace up Great find my Gran had died in her sleep during the weekend. Calva and again arrived on time. We were separated in the Any athletic plans were thoroughly put on the back-burner clag for a short time on , but were soon reunited, for the following months as I struggled to find a purpose in descending via Doddick fell due to the wet conditions. I put anything, living alone in a big empty house. Just making it in a bit of an effort to make up for the longer route and in to work was hard enough and there were days when I arrived in a few minutes down on schedule. felt I could have just walked out and never come back. I was psyched with adrenaline at the end of the leg; when Stam gave me some lukewarm strength 5 coffee to wash down the few mouthfuls of porridge I could manage, it all came straight back up again! I had to look away from all my helpers, but their silence said it all: doubt. I heaved a few more times then changed my shoes and began Leg 2.

My Grandmother Catherine and I, Grasmere 2012

I decided I still wanted something to show for my ‘year in Ulverston’, so committed 100% to achieving the BGR that year. I put a rough plan together and spent most weekends recceing legs, doing back-to-back days and L-R: Dad, me, Darg, Tom and Stam (Paul taking photo) generally being consumed by it all. It was a welcome distraction and as my confidence and fitness began to Leg 2. Scheduled Time: 3.51. Actual Time: 4.09. flourish I set a date: May 4th. I soon developed my first running injury, Achilles tendinitis in my left leg, and My sole pacer for this leg was close friend Daniel Argyle, or reverted to my bike for 4 weeks to ‘get miles in’. Darg as he’s affectionately know. He’s done an Ironman but he’ll be the first to admit and hills aren’t his The scheduled attempt was fast approaching, so I forte! He did a sterling job of keeping the banter up as I scrambled together what pacers and supporters I could at was in a pretty low place for the first half of this leg. I such short notice. Perhaps my ignorance got the better of managed to nibble a bit of an energy bar but eating me and I should have postponed things, but once I’ve set a needed more mental energy that I thought it was worth goal I’m serious about, I simply can’t back out. I scheduled and nothing we had was appetising. I craved anything a sub-20 hour round, which most thought would be savoury so I decided to just wait for things to settle down, unachievable. Why? Because I was 100% confident I’d get rather than try and force my appetite. round in under 24 hours; I appreciate the time is irrelevant and the aim is purely to get around in a day, but it’s meant After , I ran with an angel and a demon on to be a challenge. I felt I’d be cheating myself by not going each shoulder, ‘Mike, you’ve been sick, it’s 5 hours in and at it as fast as I thought I could. Sub-20 just felt right and you’re hungry, your glutes ache from heather whacking, even if things went wrong on leg 4, I’d still have enough you can’t keep anything down, the weather is bad. Maybe time to walk home and still make it. I wanted to leave it’s just not your day, there’s always the rest of Summer everything I had out on those 42 peaks… after all…’ ‘NO! You’ve gone through all the preparation, today is the day! You’re going home from Keswick or Leg 1. 3am Start. Scheduled Time: 3.17. Actual Time: 3.20. you’re going to hospital, you’re not giving up now!’

Tim Ripper, Rich Watson and I set off up Skiddaw together, I must have been distracted because I went off-route and arriving at the top in the rain on schedule. We made use of bagged the top of Calfhow Pike before realising it’s not on a Satmap to aid navigation, though it quickly became clear the round! As I was rationalising my thoughts en route to Raise I noticed some litter on the trail ahead, a real pet We parted ways after 5 minutes and ran up into the hate of mine. As I approached I realised it was an range, up into the clag again, losing time as we managed to unopened packet of Hoola Hoops! ‘There IS a God!’ I go quite off course. I’d arranged for rope support for Broad quickly devoured it and it was the best pack of crisps I’ve Stand, but with the benefit of hindsight I wish we’d gone ever tasted! Perking up a bit, we pressed on over the via Foxes Tarn. The rock was wet and we were a bit range and I managed to have a nice lie down next daunted at times. I knew we were moving slowly, but was to Grisedale Tarn for 5 minutes while Darg caught up. surprised when I realised it had taken us 58 minutes to get to Scafell from ! Panic set in as I realised I I realised I’d asked my support crew to make some rice might not make it round in under 20 hours. pudding at the next change over. Just thinking about it made me feel queasy, so I asked Darg to head straight On the long run off Scafell I worked out that if I did leg 4 down to Dunmail Raise and ask them to skip to the main and 5 on schedule and didn’t stop at the changeovers it course of homemade veggie chilli and rice. I ascended could still be possible. It was make or break time and Fairfield alone, meeting a group of runners descending. ignorant or deluded, I was prepared to give it a go. They wished me luck while I struggled up the loose surface. Looking back this was one of the tougher moments of the By the time we dropped out of the clag and could see the whole round, being on my own and lacking strength so end of the leg, my right knee was beginning to feel sore. I wasn’t too worried, but I was when I couldn’t see one of early on. wasn’t too bad and I eventually found the trod leading down to Dunmail Raise. The chilli my pacers for leg 4 anywhere at the changeover! I was and rice were scoffed with gratitude, quick face wash and afraid that Mike hadn’t been able to make it at the last minute, but Paul soon told me there’d been a nasty change of base layer and we were ready for the off again. incident with his dog Fleck, and Mike and my Dad had to make an emergency trip to the nearest vet.

Leg 4. Scheduled Time: 4.23. Actual Time: 5.07.

For this leg I was joined by Rich Stevens, an Ambleside runner and fellow car designer. I set off up Yewbarrow like a rocket and we arrived at the top in 39 minutes, 4 minutes faster than scheduled. We pushed on to , but my energy levels were dwindling and my heart rate was very low, which was odd. We stopped so I could gorge myself on homemade guacamole and nachos, a personal favourite!

All smiles at the end of Leg 2. Think I could smell the chilli! With Rich pleased to be relieved of a bit of weight, we pressed on, descending my favourite part of the whole Leg 3. Scheduled Time: 5.14. Actual Time: 5.56. round, the fast, flowing single track path down to Black Sail pass, up the Steeple gully and over to Gable, where he For help on this leg I had a close biking friend from Uni, insisted on pushing an almost race-pace to the top. I Tom Bell, carrying my gear, and Jamie Baron, who did a wanted to just say ‘mate let’s just calm down!’, though I great job navigating and pacing. Ascending was knew his intentions were good so I had to grit my teeth grim. Everyone knew of the 20hr schedule and Jamie was and get on with it. Descending Green Gable on to the last keen on getting back the 20 or so minutes I’d already lost. few tops of the leg it began to get dark and the pain My legs felt pretty unresponsive and every time my pacers behind my right kneecap was getting debilitating. We hit a ran ahead I struggled to keep in contact with them. I had to horrendous line off Grey Knotts and zigzagged our way bite my tongue not to shout ‘Jamie, sod the 20 hours, let’s down towards Honister Pass, eventually finding the trod to just get round!’. The weather had perked up by mid the car park. Now hobbling, I was pleased to see the team morning though and I looked forward to meeting two of and get some more chilli and a can of coke down me. my Uncles atop Bow Fell with some Food. We stopped for a few minutes and they seemed quite concerned as I was Leg 5. Scheduled Time: 2.33. Actual Time: 3.11. shivering and looked a bit of a state. I had to fight to hold back a few tears as I explained that I’d been sick and didn’t Now resigned to accepting a sub-20 hour round wasn’t think I’d be feeling like this so early in the round. I just possible, Paul, Pete Tayler and I set off up to . I didn’t imagine things would turn out like this on my big day. decided to take up Paul’s offer of using poles, though I didn’t really know there was a knack to using them, right arm with left leg and whatnot! They seemed to give me Keswick, up the cobbled high street towards the same something to take my mind off things though. It was now sounds of gentle clapping I’d left behind over 22 hours fully dark and I was back in the headlight-induced tunnel earlier. I put my hands on the painted wooden door and vision gaze I left Keswick in. When you don’t have anything stopped my watch. 22 hours, 33 minutes. but the ground immediately in front of you to help judge I thought I’d be much more emotional than I was. I’d your pace, I think it can seem like you’re moving faster than you are. I felt we were moving at a decent speed and visualised myself finishing many times during the day, to would hit the top in the scheduled 28 minutes, but my keep me going, hugging my Dad and probably crying, but when the big moment came I didn’t have the energy to theory was confirmed and we arrived in 32. It’s usually a stunning view from here, but not so much in the dark. I cry… I was just knackered! began to get a bit miserable – although the poles were We headed back to our cars and (after I puked in Rich’s helping, I was really struggling to run downhill with severe neighbour’s garden...sorry Rich!) we got home, showered pain in my right knee. It was frustrating as otherwise I and got our heads down for a while. Waking up the next didn’t feel too bad. Descending Hindscarth my day I felt as I imagined I would: the most battered I’d ever ran out of battery so Paul kindly donated his and we were felt after any running endeavour! soon on our way up the last peak of the day: . I was back up and running a couple of weeks later, but the deep fatigue people had warned me of was new to me. I could do an hour or so fine, then have no energy at all to carry on. After the round, I just tried to enjoy the atmosphere at races and allow my body to recover in its own time. Emotionally things were strange too; people had told me of the elation and satisfaction they felt after successfully completing the round. I just felt a bit deflated: ‘What now? I don’t have that thing to keep me training in fear of failure any more’. I was glad to be resting but couldn’t help but think of what might come next.

Once I had recovered though, I was flying, and the summer that followed was one of the happiest I can remember. It En-route to Robinson with Paul and Pete (taking photo). was rounded off with a chilled out run around the Langdale Horseshoe race in October. The Bob Graham dinner do was We enjoyed the nocturnal view from the top and a strange later that day, so I took my time along the tops to enjoy sensation overcame me with the realisation that I was the autumnal colours and reflect on what had been such actually going to make it. I was exhausted and couldn’t an amazing year of experiences for me. The dinner was wait for it to be over because of my knee, but was also great and a beautiful way to round it all off. quite sad that it was coming to an end. As I looked over to Sellafield I savoured the view and promised myself it was not the end of my long distance endeavours, but merely the beginning of an exciting new journey. It’s not often you get out on the tops at 1 in the morning, but there and then, I was so grateful for being there, to be doing something I truly love and in such good company.

The steep descent down to the road was awfully painful and I remember wincing as I stepped down boulders and drops. At the car I downed another much needed can of coke and changed to my comfy shoes.

The last section dragged on and on in the dark, but as the lights of Keswick appeared and I began to figure out where I’m not too sure yet what’s in store for me running-wise in we were, a massive sense of relief washed over me. ‘The the future, I’m just happy to be living in such a wonderful last mile home is always the hardest’ the saying goes, but little part of the world and look forward to many hours this one was easy. I welled up a bit inside as we ran into spent on these in the future.

BGR: 2014

Having joined Black Combe this year I had promised my old club, Tring, I would be their victim volunteer for their annual BGR trip to the

Lake District…

Preparation The Round Critical Leg 1 • Climb. Learn to keep going hard uphill all day and night. 1a.m. and we’re off after the traditional quick chat with a • Run ultras. Run a bad ultra so you know it’s not the end of local reveller (…who was soon moved on by the police…all the world when it feels like the end of the world. good natured stuff!). • Have great navigators available. The forecast was fantastic and we gazed back often at a • Have a support team who have done it all before. moonlit Keswick with Derwent Water behind as we hiked • Race in the fells. Get beaten by a lot of people but learn up Skiddaw. The top seemed to take an age to reach but from them. we got there in the clag and we were up on time. Kevin • Listen to all advice. Seek advice - read all the BGR blogs and navigated perfectly down to the quad track and dashed watch all the youtube clips. down out of the misty top. The support worked like a dream, as it did all day. Ross badgered me to eat and drink, • Enjoy it. It’s a brilliant day out in the mountains with friends. John Malcolm (Lothian) offered wise advice on my pacing Desirable and Steve ran in the heather alongside me in order to give me maximum light with his headtorch. Calva was soon • Move to . tagged after plodding through the boggy path and we were • Don’t have a heavily pregnant wife at home. soon over the river and on to Mungrisedale. Kevin set a • Get some sleep the day before. Nobody does. good pace and I felt comfortable with it as we climbed on and on to the back of Blencathra. • Marmite cashews.

• Have a Black Combe club mate do his round one hour before I’d chosen Doddick as my descent after a number of recces you, thus doubling your supporters and pulling you around and chats with seasoned fell runners. The clag on the tops the course. made the rocks slippy so Doddick was far easier to negotiate. The day was breaking and I felt very good.

My stomach was pretty bad on the descent so I took it very gently. Luke then blasted up Fairfield and I tucked in behind. We met my Black Combe club mates, Tim, Jamie and Ross on Fairfield who had started from Keswick an hour ahead of us for Tim’s attempt. They were descending and we wished each other luck. Tim had said earlier he was going to go easy on his round and I began to have thoughts that I’d started too hard. It was good to see him looking relaxed and he would certainly help pull me along all day.

Doddick descent with Steve

Leg 1: Planned duration 3:50. Actual duration 3:31.

Leg 2

I felt really strong at Threlkeld and my support team, led by Nigel, had everything ready. Leg 2 navigator Michael Heading to the with Michael Burgess shot off up the tarmac but I thought it better to walk despite the onset of midges. Michael’s enthusiasm for Luke and I chose one of the numerous Fairfield summit all things Bob Graham is infectious and we tore up Clough cairns and then tagged another one, just in case. We met Head. Michael had said that we should just nibble off time Michael and Andy on the way down and Michael, again, and bank it on this leg and I agreed. No heroics, just keep found a great line. I dawdled down but then flew up Seat time in reserve. The sun was rising and we were in for a Sandal in Luke’s slipstream. I felt good again coming into treat as a temperature inversion shrouded the mountains Dunmail and it was great to see the Black Combe gang who in cloud with only the peaks appearing. Stunning! cheered me in as I headed for a second breakfast.

Accompanying me and Michael were Luke Delderfield and Leg 2: Planned duration 4:18. Actual duration 3:46. Andy Ford from Horwich RMI Harriers. Andy was chief Leg 3 mule and was always at my side with my various and frequent food/clothing requests. Luke was water carrier The banter was good at Dunmail as Alan laughed at my and pacer and he surged up the hills. I really enjoyed the fancy tropical sun cream. Simon told me in no uncertain pace although my stomach was cramping on the descents terms to stop faffing and get up Steel Fell. I jumped up on as it did for the rest of the day. The tops were flying by and command and followed him over the stile. Simon has a no we stopped to look at the scene which just seemed to get nonsense approach and I enjoyed his dry humour as he better and better. expertly picked his way between the featureless lumps at the start of Leg 3. Alongside us were Nick and Andy who We took a secret line for Dollywaggon, but as Michael was provided excellent support and will hopefully be looking for the turn he tripped and landed heavily. We embarking on their own BG adventure next year. lifted him up and he shook himself down and continued clutching his ribs. We still chalked more time off and headed to Fairfield.

Simon’s route choices were faultless. There were no paths where he chose to go on the early tops but he effortlessly found each summit cutting at least a minute per top whilst directing me onto the softer ground. Perfect.

Inspecting feet at Head

Leg 4

I normally quite enjoy Yewbarrow as a climb. It’s not as bad as it looks and it flattens out at the end (a bit). Today it was humid and I was sweating buckets as I tried to keep up

with Bill Williamson (CFR), John Butters (NFR) and Mark Simon waits (patiently?) at the bottom of Steel Fell Nelson (Myndd Du). Rick Ansell was to my side providing great support and wise words. He’d continue to do this for At Rossett Pike, we spotted Tim and crew ahead and then the next one and half legs and he was the perfect we charged up Bow Fell and almost caught them. This companion to have for the journey. I probably climbed too seemed to spur Tim on as he, Pete and Pat (Tim’s support) hard as I felt light headed on the summit. Alan Whelan had then disappeared. Tim is a strong runner who is having a joined us so I was surrounded by some real expertise and great season and I was happy to see him running well again, he kept me hydrated and relaxed. Simon also carried on hoping that I had pushed him on. here but was consumed by a Marmite cashew addiction (from my supplies) and drifted in and out of the group. At this point, I began to feel tired, my stomach wasn’t good and I pottered over the Scafell range shedding a few I wasn’t too chatty on Red Pike but kept to schedule then minutes here and there. I wasn’t too bothered as I knew I Bill floated over a great line to Steeple where I couldn’t had time in hand and, as long as I didn’t fall off the help but gain more time for the bank. I’d ‘booked’ the in- mountain, I’d get around. The West Wall Traverse is one of demand Bill months ago as he is a real expert of leg 4. His those places where you could actually fall off the mountain, knowledge and mountain craft were a joy and even the so we took our time and enjoyed the scramble taking care experienced fell-hardy Tring guys were impressed by the on the wet rocks. lines he took.

A good feed at Wasdale (veggie bean chilli) rustled up by The big tops came and went. On Pillar I was overtaken by a Nigel and I was ready for the off. really fast group who’d started an hour behind. The contender looked so fresh that I didn’t realise it was his Leg 3: Planned duration 6:23, Actual duration 6:05. round. As they stopped for a photo they then took the wrong line from the summit and I took my opportunity to nick my place back. Minutes later they were disappearing ahead towards .

From here in I was never concerned about the climbs so I wasn’t concerned and I was calculating a sub 22 hour gained time on the ascents but lost time on the descents as round in my head only because the sums were helping to my sore feet shuffled off the tops. Another top secret line keep me awake. A combination of failing light/poor to Green Gable swiped a few more minutes then we eyesight and tiredness saw me picking out objects on the jogged back to Honister. fells which weren’t actually there; a silver Land Rover (a rock) and a hot air balloon (a sheep) were two that I can As Honister came into view I saw Tim up and leave and he remember. seemed to fly up Dale Head. Another great reception from both sets of supporters as I trundled in and ate soup on The shoe change involved me removing the fresh socks this glorious evening. that I’d just put on as my swollen feet couldn’t fit into my trainers. I ‘vaselined’ my feet and shuffled away from the Leg 4: Planned duration 5:11, Actual duration 5:01. midges. The road run was quite a pleasant route although I Leg 5 started to get the shakes and asked for my jacket at one point. We were soon into Keswick where Ross stopped Soup finished and I was up and ready to get leg 5 traffic and my shuffle turned to an awkward run up the underway. This challenge was already the best adventure high street. A great crowd cheered me home and Tim I’ve ever had but I was now tired and sore. I thought of brought me a pint that he’d promised he’d have waiting Steve Birkinshaw doing 6 days of this on his 214 for me at our last social run. Top bloke and a great day for Wainwright attempt and instantly stopped feeling sorry for both of us and for both clubs. myself. We climbed up and hit Dale Head on time. I knew the back of this BG was broken and was happy to soak it all Two sips of the pint and I felt my legs wobble so I went into in. We all gazed at the Buttermere fells and the sun setting my car for a nap then drove home at 4am. Words can’t over the . It was quite magical. express my gratitude to those that helped, advised, supported, cheered, nagged, fed, watered and cajoled me around. Thank you.

Leg 5: Planned duration 2:58, Actual duration 3:18.

Total: Planned duration: 23:30, Actual Duration 21:41

The ascent of Dale Head with Nick, Andy and the unmistakable Rick by my side.

After tagging Robinson, I said a small thank you to everyone for their brilliant support and I then chose to go off the end of the ridge route down to the valley. I sort of regret that route decision; it was painful and my joints seemed to have failed me as I dithered down the rocks.

At the finish with Tim The Bob Graham Round

Tim successfully completed his

th Bob Graham Round on 14 June, in a time of 21 hrs 58. Read on to find out how it went!

How did you hear about the Bob Graham Round and did much for fitness, but it taught me a few lessons on not what tempted you to go for it? giving up!

I first heard some people at work talking about the BGR There were also some stunning moments – running over back in 2012 - one of them was thinking of giving it a on hard névé with not a cloud in the sky and the try…they didn’t say what it was, but the tone of voice and setting sun turning the snow pink….pretty special! words used made it clear that it was a pretty big undertaking! I did some Googleing and thought, “Wow, I never worried too much about the eating. I just took a that sounds cool…I wonder if I’d ever be able to do that?” few different sandwiches out and ended up choosing the ones I liked most (hummus and tomatoes were the best, After that, every conversation I heard seemed to have much to Pat’s disgust on the day!). references to the BGR in it…the seed was planted and I was hooked! I first thought of doing it in 2013, but a load of 23 hours seemed like a reasonable schedule, not too fast changes, like moving house early in the year, put a stop to and ambitious, but still with some time in the bag – lots of that - amusing that we moved house again not long after I people seemed to nod and agree with this in the pub, so I actually did the Bob! figured it was fairly ok! As for a date, well I looked at the calendar and wrote down the dates I could do, then asked 2014 seemed to be the year. I could train through the when pacers were available, and we ended up with one winter and then give it a go towards early summer. Once I day that worked for everyone…now just to hope the mentioned it to a few people, the deal was sealed – no weather participated! backing out now!! How did you feel on the night of your BGR? How did you prepare for the BGR and what were the most enjoyable and hardest bits? Tired mostly! I’d been up all day Friday preparing, had some dinner, then just when I’d normally be thinking about My training wasn’t particularly structured…I basically bed, we got in the car to head off to Keswick… started going out on longer and harder runs at the weekend and tried to fit in at least two 5-8 mile runs after So, how did it go on the day? work during the week. In the last couple of months, I The overall feeling from the day was ‘brilliant’ – and not for aimed to do at least 40 miles in a weekend (Fri-Sun), over a completing the BGR, but really from all the support…it was mix of some shorter and some longer runs. great to see so many Black Combers out for the day, all the The most memorable bits were probably also the hardest – pacers and dedicated support team, and also everyone doing the long Duddon route in January, with deep snow else who came along to support. It just felt like a fun day everywhere in the middle of a storm was pretty exciting – out with friends. the dog kept getting blown off his feet! I’m not sure this Leg 1 started all in a bit of a rush, as we got a bit confused over where we were picking up Mike J from, and ended up with a bit of Matthew’s rally driving to get us there on time. We had a warm up run from the car park to Moot Hall, just in time to say hi to another challenger (Tom G from Bingley, who did it in 19:55, wow!), grab a picture then go! The rest of Leg 1 was very chilled – a steady cruise up Skiddaw having a good chat, a great run down, almost bang on the lines, keep moving up . We had a last minute route choice change and took the direct trod through the heather off Great Calva, rather than the fence line – it paid off! A steady plod up Mungrisedale, made a lot better by an awesome almost full moon shining on us. It was cloudy at the top, but as we got to Hall’s Fell, we seemed to step through a vertical wall of cloud and suddenly all of the lakes opened up in front of us – stunning! We flew down Off on the steep climb from Dunmail with Pete and Pat. Hall’s Fell and into the car park to meet Jamie and Ross The next section was fairly runnable, and this is the first (who stepped in at the last minute), throw back some point I started to get worried. We were going at what felt coffee and croissant, change into shorts and get going – a like a quick pace, yet still only just holding to schedule and quick changeover, aided by midges! I wasn’t at all sure I could keep this speed up. It was getting a lot hotter and muggier too. Pete reassured me that it was all good and I’d feel happier once we got to the steeper/rougher fells again. I think I just got my head down and pushed on!

Leg 2 was probably the best for running. I was still feeling strong, dawn was breaking (with an amazing inversion as we got to Helvellyn), the sun was shining but it was still quite cool, and despite my efforts to go faster Jamie did a great job holding us to schedule. We met John Millen as we were coming off Fairfield…I was a bit worried as he started an hour after me, yet was now only 20 mins back. The climb up Bowfell went at a really good pace – it felt But I was slightly ahead of my schedule and wanted to stick like we were racing a bit (although in slow motion), and pretty close to it for now…there was still a long way to go! with John literally only a couple of minutes behind us now, It was great to see Beth and Hazel ready with breakfast at we kind of were! It’s not a race, but I didn’t want to be Dumail – I felt like a king with a full armchair, table and overtaken!! Coming off Bowfell, we passed John and when chairs, muesli and yoghurt, coffee and orange juice….all at Pete told me we were past halfway and heading for home the side of the A591! I was soon stopped from enjoying now, I suddenly felt loads more relaxed and it certainly felt these luxuries and told my time was up, I had to get my like we picked up the pace. Pat disappeared at one point to shoes back on and get out there. find some much-needed water and came back about half an hour later, having had a bit of an effort to find it – thank you! Scafell Pike came and went, a bit of an ego boost with words. Oh well, there go my hopes of a quick lie down. On tourists whispering and pointing at ‘those real fell runners’ we went, with a quick gel to try and wake me up. and then we were down to Broad Stand. I’d never climbed this before, but Adi was there with a perfect rope setup I love the next bit of Leg 4, and whilst it has some steep and it all went incredibly smoothly – I fairly un-elegantly sections in it, I really enjoyed the run down from Pillar and the climb onto Gable. We briefly saw Steve Birkinshaw at hauled myself over the edge, then set off towards Scafell. Pete caught me just as I reached the top, and the descent the top of Kirk Fell, heading off on his Wainwrights was really fast – especially the scree gully, which is challenge – given how I was feeling by this point, all I could think was ‘respect’! We also met up with some of John’s probably the most fun bit of the whole run. supporters from Tring, who appeared to have a time-travel machine as they appeared at every pass we came to. Hearing that John was about 40 mins behind us gave me a little boost – whilst it was probably because he’d slowed down a bit, I told myself it was because I was running so much faster than before!

Coming off Brandreth an Ambleside team with a runner going for a fast BGR came storming past – how I wished I felt that fresh by this point! The descent into Honister was really painful, doubly so as I had to go so slowly and downhill is normally something I’m fairly good at.

Wasdale had a great atmosphere – everyone seemed to have turned up and it was a real boost to see all the support from friends! My left leg was starting to hurt quite a lot though, but by this stage it was a ‘grimace and bear it’ injury.

Mike M, Rob and Nick led me off up Yewbarrow, which had It was great to have 10 minutes to sit down at Honister and looked impossibly steep as we came into Wasdale, but eat some hot pasta. My feet were pretty blistered and sore seemed to be over and done fairly quickly. Red Pike next, by now and Beth had the fun job of taping them up – is and as the warm mist closed in, with no wind, tiredness hit that true love?! Chris F had eaten all the cakes, so as me. My legs were still strong and I felt I still had energy, punishment we made him join us on Leg 5, along with Will but I’d been awake for over 32 hours by now and just and James. A great team, who kept me laughing and joking needed a few minutes kip. “Your body just needs to learn all the way round, although apparently I was still smiling it’s not going to get any sleep” came Mike’s motivational too much for it to be a proper BGR.

At what point did you know you were going to make it?

I hope it doesn’t sound too big headed, but I kind of knew from the start…I’d done my training, was running well, had the fells was fine, but the descents were really a great support team and just had a feeling that it would all painful and I was slowed almost to a walk coming off work out ok! I guess I ‘knew knew’ when I left Honister and Robinson. Once we hit the track I picked up a bit and it was was just about able to run (ok, hobble) out of the car park. brilliant to have Beth and Pip join me for the next couple of miles. How did you feel when you finished?

A quick change of shoes and we set off on the road, joined Excited, relieved, happy, tired…probably in that order. You by more BCR’s. After the fell descents the road seemed could add sick if we include the car journey home! The pain really easy and the miles seemed to fly by here, although I didn’t kick in until the next morning, when Pete, Hazel and was probably really only going just above pace! Beth all had a good laugh at my attempts to walk Only the final stretch into Keswick Will came over and said downstairs! “If you’re bothered about getting back in under 22 hours, Do you have any tips for others looking to try a BGR? we need to pick up the pace a little”. I started trying to push a bit harder, then as we rounded the final corner and You need to want to do it – may sound silly, but I think you I saw Moot Hall something just told me to go for it, so I need some pretty strong motivation, both to get out went for the best finish of my life! It felt great to run training when you’re tired and just back from work, and back to the steps where I’d been 22 hours before, amidst also on the day to encourage you not to give up! cheers from everyone around. What a great day out with friends!! Otherwise, be positive – whilst hard, it’s a very do-able challenge. Other than that, just ask – there’s plenty of John arrived about 20 minutes later and it was great to people out there with some great experience, who are enjoy the promised pint outside Moot Hall. more than willing to help! ☺

Furness Fell Runners: Dave Spencer & Peter Hall by Rob Mckeever

Their feat of winning three times in succession has not to Not many towns or cities can date been repeated, although Rob Jebb has recently claim to have two national equalled Halls four wins, spread over a decade. In those days, logistics were difficult, races were advertised champions, but Barrow can… by word of mouth or letters as there were few if any fell running clubs. I am told that at times they travelled to

races (including Scotland) by motor bike. An article in the North-western Evening Mail from 2013 reported that Peter Hall had retained his GB 5k, v70 title Pete held the National 3 Peaks (, Scafell and for the 2nd year and Dave Spencer now holds the GB v75, ) record a number of times, he and 5k title. In 2012 Pete recorded the fastest v70 10k in the swapped records over a period of years, each one claiming country (38-ish mins?), Dave was 10th fastest v75 10k. Dave the other’s car was faster when their respective record was also previously held the V70 5k title. The remarkable thing broken (they were driven between locations which was about these two men is that they have been running since counted in the time). Joss still holds the record set in 1971. they were teenagers and their bodies are still holding up. At his peak, Dave was competing with Ron Hill. Hill was the second man to break 2.10 for the marathon and set four other world records. Hill was also a fell runner and paid tribute to Dave in his biography. Hall excelled at distance running and broke the Yorkshire Three Peaks (23 miles ascending , Pen-y- ghent and ) record in 1960 with a time of 2 hours 57 minutes. In his article ‘Fifty Years of Three Peaks Racing’ (author of Studmarks on the Summits) stated that:

Hall was one of the best fell runners of the 1960s and also excelled on road, track and [cross] country. Dave Spencer and Peter Hall During this period, Barrow had the best fell running team What the article did not say was that they were also in the country, comprising of Spencer, Hall and Fred pioneering fell runners. In the 1950s and 60s, fell running Reeves. Joss Naylor was 4th man. Fred still holds the as we know it was in its infancy. Races were limited and Grasmere Guides Race record and the Coniston 14 v40 mainly comprised of short races at sports and galas, long record. For a few years Fred used to break the Grasmere distances challenges and premier events such as the Ben record virtually at will, by a few seconds each year. Nevis. The Ben is a race where they excelled, dominating Reeves’ father waited at the arena entrance wall near the the race from 1957 to 67, each winning 3 times in finish and shouted in seconds the remaining time to go to succession. Spencer in 58, 59, 60 and Hall in 63, 64, 65 the current record. He then counted down, timing his with another victory for Hall in 67 (what happened in 66 finish to perfection. He did this because the prize money we all ask?!). for breaking the record in those days was the equivalent of a month’s wages that he earned in the shipyard (it now

stands at £500). His philosophy was to come back next year and try to knock off a few more seconds. By their peers, Dave is admired a as gentleman sportsman. Pete is the ultimate competitor, even in training, who has been known to elbow the odd opponent out of the way! I am told Pete did turn up at the odd BCR run in the early days but never joined, some think because of the lack of competition.

The reasons why they both left fell running are unclear. However, Pete started turning up at some fell races in recent years and taking the odd vets prize. In his late 60s Peter Hall centre after winning the 3 Peaks these became more frequent; to a seasoned observer he in 1960 with a record breaking time was obviously making a push for the GB/English V70 fell championships. When I asked him sometime later he Further reading confirmed this and replied “in the end I couldn’t get www.nwemail.co.uk/sport/barrow-runners-in-no-hurry-to- anyone to take me to the races, I wasn’t prepared to drive stop-running-1.1088230 and run”. It’s a shame… if he could have pulled that off it www.threepeaksrace.org.uk would have been something! He should have joined Black Combe Runners - we would have got him there! www.bennevisrace.co.uk

A Few Photos from Fairfield! 17th May 14

Black Combe Trophies

Andy has been trawling through all our records (mainly results nestled amongst the reams of gossip, chat, insult and general camaraderie on the forum) to see who was victorious in battles of old for the various Black Combe awards and trophies. Andy says, ‘It’s quite an interesting read and a record of supreme achievement against the odds in the wild fells of the Lakes…!’. Here are the fruits of his labour!

Trophy What it is for 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Dave Winter Training As it says on Phil Ken Parminter Paul Mike Paul Dave Will Ross League (M) the tin Newton Lindley & Dave Kingsnorth McIver Kingsnorth Watson Watson Hollie Orr Winter Training As it says on Gill Not Tracy Gill Gill Jo Francis- Hollie Orr & Sue League (F) the tin O'Connell awarded Binks O'Connell O'Connell Nichols Lomas Championship Fell Summer Black James Mike Dave Pete Mike Richard Harry Race on Black Combe Club Will Ross Goffe Berry Parminter Tayler McIver Watson Stainton Combe (M) Race Championship Fell Summer Black Jo Cath Sue Sue Jo Francis- Sue Race on Black Combe Club Val Gill Val Gill Francis- Sibbald Hodkinson Hodkinson Nichols Hodkinson Combe (F) Race Nichols Kev White Trophy Dunnerdale Mike Pete Pete Richard Pete Richard Mike Angus (1st BCR Fell Race Berry Tayler Tayler Wilkes Tayler Watson McIver Dobson Dunnerdale): M Kev White Trophy Dunnerdale Sue Sue Sue Sue Jackie Jackie Anna Jackie (1st BCR Fell Race Hodkinson Hodkinson Hodkinson Hodkinson Casey Casey Lupton Casey Dunnerdale): F BCR Fell Runner of Best of 5 Club James Pete Pete Pete Pete Jamie Pete Phil the Year (M) Champ Races Goffe Tayler Tayler Tayler Tayler Baron Tayler Clayton

BCR Fell Runner of Best of 5 Club Not Sue Sue Sue Sue Sue Not Val Gill the Year (F) Champ Races awarded Hodkinson Hodkinson Hodkinson Hodkinson Hodkinson awarded

BCR Fell Handicap Award M/F: Best of 5 Club Richard Pat Mac Pete Mike Pete - - (age/sex Champ Races Wilkes McIver Knowles Tayler Jewell Tayler handicapped) BCR Road Best of 5 Club James James Pete Pete Pete Karl James James Champion (M) Champ Races Goffe Goffe Tayler Tayler Tayler Fursey Goffe Goffe Helen Helen BCR Road Best of 5 Club Penny Not Penny Sue Claire Penny Allonby Allonby Champion (F) Champ Races Moreton awarded Moreton Hodkinson Watson Moreton (Gee) (Gee) BCR Road Handicap Award Best of 5 Club Karl Karl James James Pete Not Peter Andy M/F : (age/sex Champ Races Fursey Fursey Goffe Goffe Grayson awarded Grayson Gittins handicapped) Clare Helen Most Improved For trying Watson & Amanda Jamie Becky Hazel - - Allonby Runner really hard Hazel Seago Baron Thorpe Taylor (Gee) Tayler Mike Karl Pete Headbanger of the Berry Fursey Replaced by ‘Achievement of the Year’ award For crazy stuff Tayler Year (Mont (Tidal (BGR) Blanc) bore) Peter to Mike Stopwatch Grayson Scafell Pike Berry ------Challenge Shield (13hr return (11hr 1m) 50m) Penny Pete Anna Achievement of As it says on - - - ? ? Moreton Tayler - Lupton – the Year the tin – 10 in 10 Joss Sky races The Birkett Grand Finale!

On 16th September 2014, Pete became the first Black Combe Runner (as far as we know!) to complete all of the Birketts

The Birketts are all the Lake District hills that stand over 1,000ft, as listed in Bill Birkett's book, Complete Lakeland Fells. There are 541 in total, so this was no small achievement!

Pete first looked at the challenge around four years ago, counting up the summits that he had already reached. At that point he was nearly three quarters of the way through, having already summitted around 400 Birketts.

Pete’s first Birkett was in 1965 and nearly 50 years later he was due to complete the challenge. There was a great turn out to celebrate the occasion, with a social run from Corney Top, up to and finishing up at the little known Plough Fell (448m, 1,470 ft), Pete’s final Birkett.

DSM assembled a suitable monument on the grassy summit, carefully crafted from local stone and a random flag pole (which he conveniently found behind a rock!). As Pete cruised his way up to the summit, we welcomed him at the top with champagne and nibbles as the sun set across the fells. The evening was rounded off nicely with pie and peas at the Square Café in Broughton. A great way to celebrate a fantastic achievement – well done Peter Grayson!

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