Talking to sheep – Ultimate Trails 100km
3 years ago before I dropped my weight the thought of running a marathon was way out there. I was in total ore to those who took on such a feat and 100km wasn’t even on the radar, in fact when i was told that people ran over Mont Blanc was crazy.
Then after joining a local running club – mow cop runners i started to be introduced to such craziness.
Fast forward the time machine to saturday 14th september and i was toeing the line with 210 or so souls. We were pitting ourselves against 100km of brutal lake district terrain on the inaugural running of the ultimate trails 100km. Feeling in total respect for the other athletes i felt a little out of water to be honest. i hadn’t put in anywhere near as much training as i’d have liked. I’d done some 3-4 hour training runs in and around Buxton and the Alps. Still no time to think the start had begun. With the sound reminiscent of an alpine race we trotted past well wishers jangling cow bells from with the darkness – the time 6am.
With the dawn fast approaching we headed up from Brockhole ( the start ) to troutbeck abd over Garburn Pass into our first control point (cp) and food station. fueled on bananas i wanted to stear clear of the sweet stuff till later in the race!
Off we trotted along Kentmere to climb over the Nant Bield pass in to Mardale and Hawswater. A tough climb with slippy rocks on the descent – I felt good at this point – passing a few fellow runners on the way down. 2nd cp. filled hydration system with water and crabed a flapjack, ginger biscuit and sip of watered down coke. the coke instantly made me feel sick – what crap is in this stuff? I hadn’t touch a fizzy drink for 3 years (except oringina in france) so probably not the best time to start.
Along the banks of Hawes water we were baked in glourious sunshine which would stay with us all day. It was a long way to Bampton, well only 7 mile but felt like 14 miles. and after a road section we arrived at 3rd cp at aprox 18 mile. I was damn hungry and was welcomed with a small bowl of noodles. Still hungry and not wanting any sweet stuff after the coke episode I spotted a bacon buttie, I wouldn’t normally but needs must and instantly my energy levels shot through the roof. feeling a little cold I left for the next section to Howtown.
More road saw us enter on the lower fringes of Askham Fell and wasn’t long before we joined the Tour de Helvellyn route which follows a line with gloriuos views over the fells and Ullswater. I lost my energy again, and ended up plodding and losing sight of some of the fore runners. The lack of training was certainly starting to show, but mentally I was OK. And we landed at the next CP in Howtown. The marshals were amazing and helped us with food and water, even hot drinks. I resisted the temptation to sit down, grabbed a banana and ginger biscuit and headed out on the next section to Patterdale – the 1/2 way point.
The next section continued along the Tour de Helvellyn route to Martindale and up over Boredale Hause. I was on my own for a good part of this section, trying to keep in front of a group. After passing the farm at Boredale head I saw a herd of dear on the flanks of Beda fell. I walked most of the climb to the Coll and was happy to see the Patterdale valley below and Grisdale valley behind which was being watched over by Striding edge. A nice run down the loose path to the valley bottom and my legs and feet were beginning to feel it now. A run along the road and I was at the CP and 1/2 way – 50k.
The CP was also the location for our drop bags and a chance to put on my warm cloths, re-fuel and take 5. I fumbled around for a while, pretty whacked at this point, but ready to crack on. I’d been imagining seeing some sandwiches at the CP, but there was only noodles and soup. which was OK but I wanted bread!!! Still after a quick change it was time to leave and head up and over Grisdale Tarn to Dunmail raise.
It was a lovely evening afternoon and a slow run along the road my feet were killing and blisters on my little toes getting more tender. I spied Pinnacle ridge, which we had climbed on a wet day in April high above. The summits of Nethermost Pike and Dolywagon kept a watch over me all the way up to Grisdale tarn. We passed many walkers who asked us what we were doing and praised us and at the same time thinking we were bonkers!!! Yep :). The walk up was no more than a walk now and I just focused on keeping moving to stay a head of the cut off times. I’m think now I should have bought some poles to keep a good pace and to ease the pressure on the down hills. Grisdale tarn took us to the left side and down the path to Dunmail raise, slow now as feet were killing at legs were shot. Maybe the 50k would have been a better choice. Made the CP – starving and looking forwards to a nice hot bowl of noodles – the hot water tank was broke so no noodles!!! tried to force some sweet stuff down, but only managed 2 ginger biscuits – not good.
