DNF - Doubts; Nearly; Future - not Failure (Lakes Mountain 42)

The Lakes Mountain 42 has been in the back of my mind for the past 4 months since booking on and making sure that my training had been increased for the climbing. Having had a few shin niggles for a few weeks and writing this introduction before I set off to the Lakes, I'm not sure what really lies ahead, in how I would be able to handle the hills and if my knees and shin would hold out.

They were fine, I just hadn't figured on the hottest day so far for the year and after putting my left leg in a bog full of cold water near Grisedale Tarn which shocked my leg into cramp! That started the downward trend of the day.

The climb from the start at 6am which was a hushed affair and without a sound or warning it must have just turned 6am and we were off. The sky was getting lighter and the air was cold with frost underfoot once we got onto the hills. What a way to start the day! I felt good and tried to keep a steady pace on the ups without pushing, my new trainers Inov-8 Trail Talons 275's were feeling excellent as this was the first long run in them - no complaints at all about them, they seemed perfect on the mixed terrain, fell, hard packed trails and even short road sections, with enough cushioning to not even notice.

It all started so well: the 6am start and frost underfoot combined with the sun rising behind us, it was a fantastic climb up Loadpot Hill and on to High Street. I even managed my own commando roll as I tripped on a stone and in slow motion thought I had better just go with this and rolled over onto my pack and back up onto my feet, expertly done. I have a few aches from that now!

 

 

 

In around 21st place at High Street after about 2hrs and feeling good, I thought fuel, drink, recover and enjoy the run down to Patterdale arriving spot on 3hrs and 15miles done. I checked into the CP and grabbed some food and a customary banana and kept going to catch up with a few just ahead to take the climb up to Grisedale Tarn together as much as possible.

DOUBTS  into  DETERMINATION
With both thigh muscles cramping up badly towards the top of Helvellyn I knew my day was over as I sat on the side of the mountain with still in the region of 17 miles to go unable to get up onto my feet.  I am doubting myself now as to whether I should have just waited it out and carried on. Well that moment and day has passed and I have to move on and deal with the disappointment:

• Was it my lack of 'fell' experience on the climbs and descents! The contouring from Grisedale Tarn (shortcut!) was a hard steep descent. I had been putting in training weeks of 12,000- 13,000ft climbing and descending! More off track descending needed. I'm determined to make a difference and come back stronger.
• Just plain lack of hydration! - as it had started off cool and I wasn't feeling hot
• Didn't fuel well enough! - must add better salty foods into plan.
• Did I go off too quick and pay the price later? No idea.

After missing the CP6 turn off, I had gone a bit further than I should have, and had to double back - so much for that shortcut.

NEARLY to NEXT

What a place to DNF - I was gutted, I turned my Garmin off and it didn't even save my run. I had to borrow some sticks and hobble back down to the CP6, just taking in the views and trying to encourage passing runners who were still going up and onwards. I will return.

Joe's email to participants is some encouragement  - referring to SMJ 'Sound Mountain Judgement' by those that had to retire from the race. I'll have to take the 'Nearly' to 'Next' and focus ahead rather than just look backwards.

FUTURE  not FAILURE

I've spent a few days trying to figure out in my own head what went wrong... I went out the next day and to make sure my head was still in the game and did a good run of 6.6 miles and 1250ft of climbing... I just picked the steepest hills nearby and went up and down. Thinking of the future rather than what can be seen as failure.

Sunrise to Sunset... Tour de Helvellyn 2016

I've always loved Helvellyn so the chance to do the Tour de Helvellyn winter ultra last December was just to good to be true. A winter ultra with plenty of elevation to test the legs and 38 miles of navigation between checkpoints and 7,000ft+ of elevation. The Recce a few weeks before was full of snow but on race day it had cleared.

After sleeping in the village hall the night before, meeting folk and discussing ultras and the route, lovely atmosphere. I was amused to see that the team organising the event, spent much of the evening fixing with planks, hammers, and bricks the beer keg tap in place. It needed to to be straight. Brilliant team effort and I can't rate Nav4 Adventures enough for their down to earth, real attitudes with hearty hospitality. They make great soup too!

Once I got my head down and it was lights out I hardly slept. I kept waking up having dreamt I had lost my 'orange' raincoat and couldn't find it for the kit check! I don't even own an 'orange raincoat' so I told myself, 'the kit is fine, get back to sleep'. Well I was still up super early, gear on, porridge collected and eaten.  I had met another runner the night before and we decided to set off just after 7:40am to get through the kit check, which is thorough, then it's dib in and your off. Still dark, but enough light to not even bother with the head torch. The sun beginning to rise as we headed up the road, through a few gates and on to the moorland, the days adventure had begun with the plan to make it back in before he sun goes down. Sunrise to Sunset was my goal.

My plan in general was to take the first section to the CP2 really steady and let the miles just pass by in the early morning...this is how it went with plenty of chatter.

Coming down from Boredale to CP2 it was well worth a stop to take in the morning views with plenty of the route to go and the big climbs still to come. With the first check point and a welcome cup of coffee and snacks ahead could it get any better.

Pic taken by Ian Heywood my running buddy

Sticks pass on the recce had been a foot deep in snow, on race day it was near perfect, the sun was shining; it just goes to show that you need to be prepared for any kind of weather. I had planned to run the early sections of the climb then power hike the rest, this seems to work well and I enjoyed the climb.

Joe Faulkner (NAV4 Adventure) 

Reaching the highest point of any race is welcome and with a photographer near the top, best running stride required; seeing these pictures puts into context the glorious views that during an event can if your not careful just pass you by.

At the top of Stick pass the route takes you down at times steeply to the footpath which runs along to the carpark and one of the other CP's that had food and drinks available..I had a festive mince pie at this one (CP5); this short section running wise was the most difficult underfoot, with on the day a muddy but rocky path, making it at times difficult to get a footing and much slower going than expected. Coming off the top of Sticks Pass noticed more some runners taking better more direct route on the mountain, saving time, with some local knowledge definitely an advantage.

After the checkpoint, it is along a newly graded path, up and down for a few miles until its up Raise Beck with a nifty water crossing. This was the only point on the day where the cloud misted up and it became quite atmospheric. This climb is a tester with 21 miles already on the clock.

Once at the top of Raise Beck Grisedale Tarn awaits for some rocky view points down the valley back to Patterdale, which at this stage of the event getting back to Side Farm for some might be the end of the event if they didn't make the cut off - this is about marathon distance and there is plenty running left to do and the last section shouldn't be under estimated as the evening draws in and the legs get tired and the requirement to navigate your way in fading light.

view near Grisedale Tarn towards Patterdal

Don't forget Boredale Hause!

On the way past CP8; CP1 on the way out, you can choose which way to go, behind St. Peter Church which is the way we took earlier in the day, better under foot in reflection and less descent, keeping the elevation gain. on the way back I opted for the route which is a steeper descent, picking up some road sections and passing Howtown to connect again with the footpath.

This final picture sums up the day for me, my goal had been to get back before the sunset and I did, and here I got a glimpse of the end of the day coming to spur me on to the end (8hr 45mins), heavy legged but well pleased to have taken part; I'm going to be back for more, next with the Lakes Mountain 42 in April. I should mention the after event chat, drink and food was awesome, a truly friendly bunch of runners, with tales going on into the night.

Sunrise to Sunset - looking back at Howtown