Running race 34:27:00 [4] 105.0 mi (19:41 / mi) +6236m 16:37 / mi
shoes: Inov8 Roclite 285
Lakeland 100
Bad stomach troubles stopped any chance of a sub 30 attempt.
overdosed on free energy drink which resulted in electrolyte imbalance or something, felt sick as a dog between Buttermere and Dalemain - about 10 hours. Slowly pulled it back fot a 1 hour PB and felt strong near the end and better than last year
A bit of foot trouble too. Toe box too tight on the roclites so switched to xtalons at half way. Both not ideal
A bit behind Terry Conway's pace of 19:52.
My top 3 prediction was spot on of Terry, Paul Tierney and Barry Murray. All 3 of them taped up with pink & black rocktape, seems to work for them. Does look a bit daft though.
Great day (or 2) out.
136 of 263 starters retired.
must update my AP
from blog
No sooner had we reached the A66 the heavens opened and the jackets went on, rain was the least of my worries but we still managed to keep up a good pace on the flat section right up until Spooney green Lane where we hit another hill and a welcome walking break. The running just seemed to upset my stomach but I could see a light at the end of the tunnel, was the light of an on coming train....seriously, the fact that I was burping and breaking wind every two minutes was my body sorting itself out, I just wanted it to do it a bit faster. The interim dibber point was found and we headed back towards the Blencathra centre it was now daylight again.
Blencathra was an indoor affair this year and more real food was consumed, every minute that passed I was feeling better.
Braithwaite - Blencathra CP6 2:42:22 (2011-2:31:15)
Total 12:02:59 (2011-11:39:24)
waiting time 10:43
(2011-06:15)
total water so far 1900ml
food: soup, coffee, ginger cake
(Topped up just water)
The new day dawned and I was expecting a new lease of life like I had previously experienced, not this time. I was awake alright but the energy just wasn't there and the good running above the river Gretta wasn't really taken advantage of as was the long Old coach road made even longer by our walk/run plod. Mark seemed a lot stronger than me since Buttermere but never seemed to be bothered about pushing on.
Dockray was another sit down affair. I just started to notice my shoes become really tight around the toe box and my big toes getting sore. I can't remember where we were but at some point Mark stepped on my right big toe as we were going through a gate and it bloody hurt a lot, it was quite swollen and getting more so. I had a change of shoe at Dalemain which I was sure to take now as the x-talons I had in my drop bag were half a size too big and would probably fit perfectly now.
Jon Steele arrived as we were leaving. He was in a bad way as he'd forgotten to fill his bottle at Blencathra. Badly dehydrated we wouldn't see Jon at a checkpoint again.
Blencathra - Dockray CP7 2:18:53 (2011-1:58:51)
Total 14:21:52 (2011-13:38:15)
waiting time 10:57
(2011-15:51)
total water so far 2100ml
food: Soup, coffee, cake
(filled 500ml bottle and 1/2 a 600ml bottle just in case)
One of the most beautiful areas of the Lakes was ahead of us. As we left Dockray the sun was out and the views around Ullswater were amazing. The single track running was good and undulating with Mark and myself joined by a few other happy souls. We all progressed well enough with probably too much walking than was justified.
We see a chap going completely the wrong on this stretch. I take a look at the map and see that he's heading for the road that leads directly to Dalemain. We call him back. This got me thinking. Trail running, Fell running, orienteering, mountain marathons. Despite involving running in terrain these are all completely different things involving different mindsets. If this was a fell race I'd be going as straight to Dalemain as the terrain allows but here we are to stick to a pre defined route. No marshals, no taping just trust and the fact that because you say you went that way it was good enough. Good job money is not involve. How would this change the sport?
I'd had the map in my hand the whole time so far and was enjoying following the yellow highlighted line around the course, there was a disturbing amount of road running ahead though and Mark pushed on along the tarmac. I'd seen him in this mode before when he just wants it out of the way. Good job he did as I think I was finally coming around to normality. I stretched my legs to catch him up with no ill effects.
Not knowingly we were just under an hour down on our 2011 schedule, we weren't timing it but it did feel slower. Again, great time was spent on systems checks. New socks and shoes were put on after I had cut off some hard callused skin on my feet, I really do need to look after my feet better to avoid the discomfort caused by these calluses and verrucas, the problem only arises after long periods of time on my feet when they get wet.
I think the veg stew and cake with custard finally gave me the energy back. The penny sweets were a nice touch and a rare treat of a pocket full of blackjacks kept me going until Howtown.
On leaving Dalemain I put my drop bag with all the others that had already been left. There was a hell of a lot.
Dockray - Dalemain CP8 2:56:13 (2011-2:43:37)
Total 17:18:05 (16:21:52)
waiting time 26:45
(2011-27:36)
total water so far 2600ml
food: Veg stew, cake/cold custard, tea, handful of blackjacks in pocket(awesome!)
(Filled up 500ml water. Still had 300ml left in other bottle
More good weather out from Pooley Bridge on this odd section that goes straight up a road just to traverse back down gradually to the Howtown checkpoint. I tried to pick up the pace a bit, the sheer pleasure of running again was back, this is what it's all about.
In contrast to 2011 where I fell asleep on the table covered in bananas listening to cricket, Howtown was a hive of activity Marc Laithwaite was there who informed me that Terry had just taken the lead and was on a mission. I dared to try a toffee recovery bar, probably a stupid idea but it tasted great with the coffee, we sat down again for a minute when we heard someone in a hurry. 'Flapjack! water!' the first of the Lakes 50 runners were coming through.
Howtown checkpoint fare. I'll leave the powder thanks!
Dalemain - Howtown CP9 2:20:02 (2011-2:20:03)
Total 19:38:07 (2011-18:41:55)
waiting time 10:21
(2011-08:13)
total water so far 3000ml
food: coffee, banana, Kinetica toffee recovery bar
We left with a new found enthusiasm. Not far behind the front 50 men were the first of the ladies Tracy Dean followed very closely by Terry's wife Annie Conway.. very quick indeed.
Power hiking Fusedale Beck we were constantly being overtaken as the 50ers seemed to be be hiking just the same but faster and putting the odd spurt of running in. Danny stopped for a chat before going on to complete the 50 in a fast sub 11 hours, way under his target time, well done Dan. Previous years 50 team winners Stephen and Jason had decided to split a week or so before the start. Stephen had been ill. Jason sped off and we eventually found that he'd finished in a very high placing, nice one.
Like a false summit the Haweswater section drags on for longer than you think, Speaking Crag and 'the Rigg' stick out of the water and you always think the checkpoint is just around those trees.
Here we see another familiar face. When Mark and I went the wrong way last year there were a couple doing the 50 in vibrams, If my memory serves me right I think the couple went the right way and we and a committee of others went the wrong way. Well, the chap was back in the five fingers doing the hundred. The shoes were ripped to pieces with his toe poking out. Don't know if he finished. Increasing the challenge or just plain stupid, you decided. I've got no opinion on this, each to their own. He's got his own reasons for it I'm sure. but the consensus was that he must be suffering.
Lots of retirees at Mardale. Can't tell if most were hundred or fifty'ers, no big yellow band through hundred'ers numbers this year just a small sticker with L50 or L100 which is hard to see if not looking closely.
Howtown - Mardale Head CP10 3:20:22 (2011-3:37:26)
Total 22:58:29 (2011-22:19:21)
waiting time 13:28
(2011-14:40)
total water so far 3300ml
food: Soup, coffee, biscuits
The wind and rain picked up on the Mardale climb but I got my head down and plodded on to the summit which arrived soon enough. The very rocky descent was good fun and I thought to myself how much faster I could go If I had Hokas on - just as I passed someone wearing Hokas, that kind of made my mind up but just then someone else came flying past me wearing Hokas. hmm perhaps he can't feel a thing.
I love the run into Kentmere, such a peaceful place which is always a joy to be in. I was buzzing now and the pasta and rice pudding lifted the spirits even more. No tiredness, no aching limbs, no sickness, no hunger. Just a sore toe.
Mardale Head - Kentmere CP11 2:19:05 (2011-2:26:28)
Total 25:17:34 (2011-24:45:49)
waiting time 13:41
(2011-10:46)
total water so far 3600ml
food: pasta with sauce, rice pudding, coke
(topped up 500ml bottle with just water)
On leaving Kentmere
There's a fair bit of running can be done between Kentmere and Ambleside which we did in places but maybe should have done a bit more while we felt good. Route memory was good and we were heading into Lakes runner before we knew it. I wasn't feeling particularly hungry so just had a soup and watched the world go by while Mark sorted himself out.
Ambleside was busy with supporters and as each year passes there seem to be more and more knowing what is going on.
Kentmere - Ambleside CP12 2:32:43 (2011-2:41:28)
Total 27:50:17 (2011-27:27:17)
waiting time 14:44
(2011-12:00? think was less than 2012)
total water so far 3900ml
food: Soup, coke, cake
(topped up the 500ml bottle again with water not much needed)
I think we took our eye off the ball after leaving Ambleside. Mark was chatting to someone he knew from other runs and I was talking to a chap who was there to support someone doing the 50, before we knew it we were heading out onto the fells and not run a step since the checkpoint. I wasn't too bothered about this as achieving a decent time was now impossible so we just took it as it came.
We went a bit wonky finding the Chapel Stile checkpoint and ended up going across the campsite thinking each tent was it only to find families relaxing and them wondering what the hell we were up to. Don't know how we missed it with the size of the place and all the lighting.
Some more veggie stew was on offer and I stupidly sat down on a very comfortable sofa. It was now well into the night again and a wave of tiredness overcame me. Coffee and custard creams got me going again.
Ambleside - Chapel Stile CP13 2:10:58 (2011-2:09)
Total 30:01:15 (2011 - 29:36)
Different CP location
waiting time 15:06
(2011-20:00? think was more than 2012)
total water so far 4000ml
food: 2x beef stew, coffee, biscuits
Mark informed me that the next section was where we lost a lot of time last year as he was dog tired and struggled to keep moving. As well as going the wrong way, In contrast, this year we were both felt in high spirits and just enjoying the run.
As we hit the section around Blea Tarn I know we just have to keep to the line of bracken to our right. There are people everywhere looking for a route through it and we picked up some stragglers as the small led light appeared in the distance signalling the unmanned checkpoint. Another fun section finding a way through the rocks and mud.
The steep tarmac road down to fell foot farm didn't seem at all bad this time around. We were surely quicker on this section.
Arriving at Tilberthwaite there is a motorhome covered in astroturf, there really was, it wasn't just my mind playing tricks. Mark gets his road book out where he'd scribbled last years times and tells me that we are now 30 minutes up, How did that happen? we were hardly pushing the boundary of human limits.
Chapel Stile - Tilberthwaite CP14 2:56:22 (2011-3:55:03)
Total 32:56:37 (2011-33:31:22)
waiting time 6:14
(2011-10:00? definitely longer in 2011)
total water so far 4200ml
food: coffee, biscuits
Tilberthwaite was a cracker. That rock section just after the steps is a nice little scramble which plateaued into a good runnable path. I did try and push on a bit but seemed to be leaving Mark behind. I decided that it was a bit late to be running ahead for what would only be about 20 minutes gain. I took it easy again and layed back a bit. On the rocky descent the heavens opened and the heaviest rain yet came in making the rocks quite slippery. We just took it easy over these to avoid any daft mistakes until we reached the smooth tarmac road. My legs felt fresh and we ran all the way back through the deserted Coniston streets. A sprint finish. I felt better than I'd done at any other point in the run.
Tilberthwaite - Coniston Finish 1:31:02 (2011-02:01:06)
Total 34:27:39 (35:32:28)
waiting time 0:00 (finish)
total water so far 4200ml
food: Finishers meal, chilli, white bread roll, cake & ice cream (couldn't finish it).
We were escorted through the school hall to the usual round of applause. Part of me thinking that the finishing time was very poor and another part of me thinking, what does it matter, it was another amazing run out in the Lakes with great friends and just the the feeling of being thankful that I have the health and fitness to do it. The big time improvement will have to wait until another day but in the meantime I have learnt more new things about running 100 miles in the mountains.
They didn't seem bothered about weighing me this time so I don't know if any weight was lost. I didn't feel any lighter and I'd obviously not exerted myself too much in the second half. I don't think I've ever felt so good after a run, especially one of 100 odd miles. I wasn't particularly hungry either but the chilli went down well.
A couple of hours sleep in the car was followed by the last drops of hot water in the showers where I was moving a lot better than in my 2 previous hundreds. Maybe the body gets use to it. I will be back next year for more as long as I can get an entry. I do enjoy the long ultras of 30, 40 and 50 miles but there is something special about 100 milers that set them apart and I've got to say it is now my favourite distance to run. With a guaranteed entry to UTMB 2013 I would be stupid not to take that on but I'm still undecided as to what other hundreds I can get away with. LDWA?, Hardmoors 110?, Coastal path?, or even one of the three centurion events. Ultras are addictive but hundreds are something else
Total time 34:27:39 (2011-35:32:28)
Next up for me is the Pennine Way. Mark and myself will be attempting a North - South run on a six day schedule starting on 2nd September stopping at youth hostels and the like. Should be a great journey as long as we get the first 2 long days out of the way at just over 50 miles and just under 50 miles respectively.
Terry probably couldn't care one bit about his split times but here they are anyway in stark contrast to my effort.. or lack there of.