Training Log Archive: candyman

Had lunch with John Cleese at the George and Dragon (well okay had lunch in the same dining room as John Cleese).

C • John Cleese 2

Forgive the self-indulgence but below is a very comprehensive review of my experiences at the Duddon Valley Fell Race. For those wishing to avoid the waffle the short summary is that I finished in a shade over 4 hours, it was tough but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I was gutted to have to miss the Edale Skyline earlier in the year after getting ill and immediately entered Duddon Valley to have a new focus. The plan was to build on the fitness I had from preparing for Edale but it didn't quite work out like that after a shoulder injury at the British Middle Champs, an ankle injury at the JK and another bout of illness at the British Champs meant that I hardly strung a weeks solid training together.

Despite the setbacks I was determined not to miss yet another goal race, and especially not a Lakeland Classic, so with a certain amount of trepidation about my lack of preparation I headed up to the Lakes with Kelly and Jessica for the weekend.

Like many frustrated could-a-been athletes I often struggle to come to terms with the large gap between my current ability and the days when I used to train seriously. This self-delusion lead to thoughts before the race that if I took enough fuel with me there was no reason that i couldn't tough it out near the front of the race through will-power alone. Luckily I had a firm enough grasp of reality to realise that these thoughts were delusional but it was apparent that overcoming my racing mindset was going to be crucial if I was to have any hope of completing this challenge. The race comprises of seven summits, Harter Fell, Hardknott, Little Stand, Swirl How, Dow Crag, White Pike and Caw.

Harter Fell - 46'07

I started conservatively but still found myself struggling on the gentle slopes heading towards the first major climb. It was a glorious weekend but with the warm weather I felt like I was overheating and I had major doubts over whether there was any chance of even finishing. Whilst considering options for withdrawing I dropped my pace slightly and gave myself a good dousing at a stream crossing. As I got to the foot of the steep climb up to summit I actually started feeling a little better and managed to hold my position up to the top which helped my morale.

Hardknott - 25'41

As I descended from the summit of Harter Fell my body temperature seemed to cool down and that was the end of any overheating problems for the day. Due to my recent ankle injury I was hesitant on the downhill and got overtaken by several people on the descent. This was to become a regular occurrence for the rest of the race. After Harter Fell the climb up Hardknott was relatively short and once again I held my position which reassured me that I was on about the right pace.

Little Stand - 33'02

Dropped places on the descent and then started what was for me the toughest climb of the whole race, it was relentlessly steep. Although the views were stunning I retreated in to a world only a few metres ahead of my feet as I focussed on each step and making grindingly slow but steady progress. I was afraid to look behind me incase I had made less progress up the slope than i had imagined. I knew from the top it was a long steady descent to the 3 Shires Stone and that I would have much of the toughest climbing behind me. Although mentally and physically i found this climb the toughest of the whole race I again held my ground and no longer had any thoughts that I might not be able to finish.

Swirl How - 58'03

A long steady descent to 3 Shires Stone and then a relatively steady ascent up to Swirl How. Although I steadily lost ground on the descent, once I started the climb up to Swirl How i was not only holding my ground but started overtaking other runners. This was a real boost to my morale which had already been raised after reaching the summit of Little Stand. I started running with a lot more confidence.

Dow Crag - 25'38

The next couple of sections of the race were some of the most enjoyable, the toughest running was behind me and although deep fatigue was setting in I was making good progress. Although i continued to lose time on the descents to those around me I was getting relatively quicker on each uphill section. The toughest part of the route to Dow Crag was traversing the rocky slopes where my dodgy ankle and now wobblier legs slowed my progress.

White Pike - 17'40

This was the best section of the race for me, on the gentle climb up to White Pike I was moving well and overtaking runners, there was only one more climb to come and I felt completely in control.

Caw - 23'10

I was quickly brought back to reality, I dropped places on the descent and started feeling considerably jaded, I realised that I was at serious risk of bonking and reached in to my pack for some emergency rations. All I had left were some jelly babies but with no more water left it was a bit of a struggle to get them down. It seemed to help however as I was once again steadily overtaking people on the last climb of the race.

Descent to Finish - 14'14

I had struggled on every descent of the race and this was no exception, there was certainly no possibility of 'racing' as some of those I overtook on the last climb came bombing past me down to the finish. Eventually I got to the bottom and ran in to the finish chute where Kelly and Jessica were waiting to cheer me in. My Garmin had died about 2/3 of the way around and I was pleased to find out that I had finished in just a few minutes over 4 hours.

I have certainly never before been so satisfied after such an uncompetitive performance and to be honest it is a bit of a strange feeling. On the whole I certainly enjoyed the experience and it has given my motivation for running and training a boost. I'd certainly like to see how I could perform in these races with some decent training behind me but also been able to realise that performing well is not the only reason to take part.

C • Nice one Gareth 10

three loops around Endcliffe Park

warmup run pushing Jess down to Endcliffe park.