black combe runners newsie january 2014 a note from the editor I wasn’t really sure what to write for my first newsie editorial, but having recently returned from a muddy slog around Brikrigg Common, I think I’ll use the opportunity to pick a fight with my husband and set a new year’s resolution or two! So, Tim… before I joined Black Combe Runners, you told me that ‘the greatest thing about fell running is that it’s ok to walk up the hills!’. I’m not entirely convinced that you were telling me the whole truth Mr. Ripper! I reached this conclusion today, after hearing taunts of ‘I can see you waaalking!’ through the Birkrigg woodland and, upon crossing the finishing line, receiving the rhetorical ‘Did I see you walking up those slight inclines, Beth…?’. Fortunately James made me feel slightly better, kindly saying that I ‘could be dangerous’ (though with the unsaid caveat of ‘you could be dangerous, if you actually pulled your finger out and tried running up the hills’!) Photo taken after my very first attempt at fell running… a super soggy jaunt So… I’ve got the message now that around Bethecar Moor! this fell running thing actually If only I‘d known that joining Black involves some running up hills. Combe would lead to all this abuse! (What terrible news!) I suppose this brings me on to my new year’s resolutions… after a super fun first year with Black Combe, now’s the time to face up to my phobias and to set myself some goals for 2014. Firstly - don’t believe anything Tim says! And secondly - don’t freak out when you see an uphill (this is defined as anything steeper than flat!). As Hazel says, swing those arms, lift those feet and take it steady…wish me luck hey! Here’s hoping we can all be dangerous in 2014!! Beth xx What is it ?What ? 5 miles, 1800 feet ascent, 38 min winning time, Answer: 253 runners, 506 runners feet, 33 helpers, 09/11/13 Race: Fell Dunnerdale 300 pies (50 veggie), 1,012 safety pins, 4 loos, 5 gates, 1000’s of hailstones, 1 sun, some sheep, 48 clubs, 34 Black Combe Runners… The Two Passes In early December I take the train to Windermere, then link back to the train home, some six hours and 30 miles away. It's a route that takes me from the station, along the main road joining the Windermere marathon route, through to Clappersgate, then on via Skelwith Bridge and to my first stop, a watering hole - the Three Shires Inn (nine miles done, 21 to go). Here it's a nip into the gents, drink some water and carry on. 10 miles is soon passed at the cattle grid, then the real fun begins as I hit the Wrynose Pass, a 1 in 4 seemingly endless hill. I struggle on and usually fast walk it...past the Three Shires Stone, down the pass with the River Duddon for company to Cockley Beck and a short stop for a nibble. I now head up the Hardknott Pass (England's steepest road hill) but it's fairly short. One of the main reasons I go this way is the good long section of downhill into the Eskdale Valley. The next few miles is quite flat, certainly for this area, as I pass Wha House (where BCRs annual summer picnic run to Scafell starts from), Boot, the La'al Ratty terminus at Dalegarth, Beckfoot and finally the King George pub bring me to Eskdale Green. Sellafield workers A short break here and with 8 miles still to go I'm feeling it already, as I plod on through the village, up another steep hill passing Irton Pike forest before a are speeding descent takes me onto the Gosforth 10 mile road race route, as I pull up outside the pub at Santon Bridge with another quick stop and nibble. home, not looking The next 5km follows the aforementioned race route before a stop at the village out for a very shop to restock the bumbag with Lucozade and nibbles for the train home. The last 2.7 miles took over half an hour as the marathon point was passed a mile tired, but brightly outside Gosforth. The B5343 is not a good road for running on a Tuesday teatime, when Sellafield workers are speeding home without a care in the world, dressed Karl not looking out for a very tired, but brightly dressed Karl making his way to catch the 4:47 train home. making his way to The train pulled in as I was 100m away, but thanks to the guard taking his time catch the 4:47 to open the doors, my run ended as I boarded rather than on the platform. It would have been a 79 minute cold wait for the next one… train home. A good day with favourable weather brought 2013’s last long run to an end. Karl Fursey Cumbrian TraverseTraverseTraverse The Cumbrian Traverse we agreed I had 4 hours to complete the traverse of the familiar ground of Grey Knotts, Brandreth, Green Gable, is a high level traverse of Great Gable, Great End, Esk Pike, Bowfell, Crinkle Crags and Cold Pike. Now without the company of Fleck, I 21 peaks between Keswick realised just how much I talk to myself when I’m out on my own on the Fells! Progress was good until I and Broughton Mills, hesitated on which way to approach Great End. After a bit of indecision I decided to have a look at the direct covering around 35 miles route up Great End Gully. It was a good call; nice and shady and a trickle of water down the rocks. By the with 12,000 feet of ascent. time I got to the top I was freezing and I’d scared myself. The route can be completed in either direction but I like I was very pleased to see the sun again. the sense of heading for home so kicked off at the Moot After the descent off Bowfell I was ready for the Hall in Keswick. Crinkles and I was starting to dehydrate again. I could Having decided to do it on the spur of the moment, my not remember how many Crinkles there are. I was not road support was thin. A phone call to my son, Mike, sure which were the tops and what I was supposed to the evening before, established he was free and visit. There were spiky little tops all over the place. I delighted to drive me to Keswick on Saturday morning. went to every last one of them. I was glad to put them By the time we got to Keswick I had negotiated road behind me for the nice ground across to Cold Pike. support at Honister. So at about 9.30 am I set off from the Moot Hall on what promised to be a warm sunshiny day. The first leg takes in Cat Bells, Maiden Moor and High Spy. After a bit of low level map navigation to get me on the right route to Cat Bells the rest of the day was done on sight. By the time I reached Cat Bells it was already too warm for Fleck who was seeing out the shade at every opportunity so I decided on leaving him with Mike at Honister. At a quick refuelling stop at Wrynose, about 2 hours in, I negotiated road support for Three Shires. Mike mentioned something about needing to get to a ”do” so I arrived at Wrynose bang on schedule and after being My elapsed time was 10h20m (ish). It’s a cracking route, licked back to life by Fleck I was quickly on my way. That which I would definitely do again. was the end of my road support. Next stop Broughton Mills. I’d figure out how to get home once I got there. The final leg ascends Great Carrs, Swirl How, Old Man of Coniston, Dow Crag, Brown Pike, White Maiden, Caw, Stickle Pike and Great Stickle. Very familiar ground now and surprisingly quiet for such a beautiful July day. I hardly saw a soul. Fatigue started to set in on the ascent of Caw. I was carrying minimal food and could have used a bit of an extra boost but I wanted to keep something in reserve. The unmistakeable sight of Stickle Pike and the cracking view back over the lakes in the evening sun brought me back to life and the rest of the route in passed in a flash. I ordered two pints in the Blacksmith’s, one for me and one for my road support, but as he was not there I had Pat McIver them both. A view from the rear! 1. You don't get your heels trodden on going up the hill. As one of those people who never sees the front of a 2. You don’t have to suck in anyone's garlic breath! fell race I thought I might share why I still enjoy taking 3. You enjoy the same views as all the other runners, part. Benefits of being at the rear of a race are many: just with more time to see it. 4. There is a lovely track of stud marks to follow… 5. ..and once the other runners have gone you can enjoy the silence. 6. You get 'individual' attention from the cheering crowds. 7. And even if you are last, you’ve always beaten that person on the sofa! So to anyone who is afraid of being at the 'rear of a race', give it a go and enjoy the 'taking part'… Claire P.S.