ULTD Recce - Buttermere to Dalemain

This was an official recce day running 33 miles from Buttermere to Dalemain. I had never set foot on this section and looking at the map I had always though it looked pretty drab but after watching John Kynaston's excellent videos (http://www.johnkynaston.com/p/lakeland-100-videos.html) several times I couldn't wait to get out there.

Stage 5: Buttermere to Braithwaite

This is a really nice section, getting up into some beautiful scenery (though it will be dark on the race). A highlight will be seeing Skiddaw and realising that you've travelled the whole of the Lake District from South to North.

The start of the trail after leaving CP4

After leaving the checkpoint you're climbing straight away so get the sticks out. The path is initially by a pretty stream before crossing a high stile onto the fellside. Follow the path, ignoring the left forks until the the wall breaks away down hill, then start watching for the path on the left. There is a sheep fold away to the right in the bottom of the valley but the wall cutting away from the path is the key marker.

The left fork takes you up hill before levelling and contouring the hill again.

Follow the path around three becks...

Addacombe Beck

..... and then watch out for the left fork. This doesn't look like a path, more a scree gully but there is a small cairn at the bottom (camera was playing up and so couldn't take a photo). The scree does turn into a good path and goes steeply up hill to cross over Sail Pass.

Over Sail Pass with Outerside ahead

Follow the good path around to the right of Outerside then continue towards Barrow.

The good path slowley descending towards the small summit of Barrow

As you get close to Barrow follow the path over the col to the left then descend on a good path to Braithwaite.

The path dropping down to Braithwaite

Stage 6: Braithwaite to Blencathra Centre

Initially this section is pretty dull but at least you can cover lots of ground quickly. The last half makes up for it in terms of really good quality trail running though.

From Braithwaite you run along the main road for a while, crossing the junction at Portinscale then the bigger junction into Keswick. After the Keswick junction keep your eyes open for the footpath on the right leading to the disused train line.

Follow the train line until you hit the road then turn right towards Keswick. Turn into the residential road on the left, next to the car garage then, after a few hundred meters, turn left into Spooney Greeg Lane (get poles out here).

Steep climb at the bottom of Spooney Green Lane

There is quite a long slog up hill here but once you get out of the trees the views south to the Lakes are stunning. Just stay on the main path, ignoring all turnings.

Stay on the main path to the right

On reaching the car park go to the right end, over the stile then turn left and follow the good path next to the wall.

Stunning running up the Glenderaterra valley to the sheep fold at the top then back down south to the Blancathra Centre (turn right at the end of the car park)

Andrew Evans running south on down the valley
towards Blencathra Centre

Stage 7: Blencathra Centre to Dockray

This section was pretty dull but it is mostly good underfoot so a good chance to cover some miles. It starts with some really nice trails by waterfalls then onto the railway line again, running next to the River Greta. This is good running, following the railway line until the big flyover, where you dink off onto the road before quickly re-joining the railway. There is a scrubby section where it would be easy convince yourself that you are off route, on a narrow path with decaying machinery and equipment by the path but you're on the right track!

Once you leave the path the section to climb up to the Old Coach Road is pretty bleak and soggy underfoot. Head for the corner of the woods then turn right and head for the gate/stile in the fence before climbing uphill. Propably worth having the poles out from the point you leave the railway line.

The bleak climb to the Old Coach Road

The Old Coach Road is not too bad. Hopefully I'll be able to cover ground here reasonably quickly. It does go on a bit though! Eventually you come in to CP7 in the car park at Dockray.

Stage 8: Docray - Dalemain

This is a great stage, with superb single track trail running around Gowbarrow Fell, the first glimps of Ullswater then fast lanes to pull you in to Dalemain.

On leaving the CP there is a small section of tarmac, running on a small, pretty lane down to the hamlet of Docray. Onto footpaths through the farms then onto open fell. The trail is good and pretty obvious.

Through the stile into the woods towards Aire Force

There is some lovely running descending down by Aire Force then the path works around the front of Gawbarrow Fell. Watch out for the left turn up hill.

The left turn to start the climb around Gowbarrow

Subperb views as across the central Lakes as Ullswater unfolds below.

The path is obvious, just continue until you reach the small ruined building and head over the stile into the forest at Swinburn's Park. More great running here.

Swinburn's Park

On leaving the woods I had some fun finding the route as it went through the cow fields. The path is not visible on the ground and I'm very glad to have reccied it. Once you leave the fields it's small lanes pretty much all the way to Dacre.

Left turn in Bennethead

When you reach Dacre turn left then look for the footpath on the right to take you onto the L50 route by Dacre castle and on to Dalemain.

Dacre Castle

As well as being able to learn the route a huge part of these weekends is that you get to meet fellow runners. I spent most of the day with Andrew Evans (we discovered that we had finished the L50 last year within two minutes of each other and had run parts of the last few miles together in the dark) and Peter, who I've run with on several recces now. I also had a good chat with Nick Smith and Heidi Lazeby. Hopefully there'll be equally good company on race day to help the miles go by.

I did have pain on the inside of my left knee that was a bit worrying. It started around 25 miles and peaked at 30, when it was affecting my running, but it was easing as I arrived at the finish. Hopefully it's just a lack of conditioning and two months of solid running will sort it our before race day.

Yorkshire 3 Peaks Race

I didn't enjoy the last half of this race at all. I got the stuffing knocked out of me and at times was thinking about packing in running all together! But as I write this on the day after the race I am already looking back on the race as a hugely positive experience.

Last year I walked the Three Peaks with my father-in-law and enjoyed it so much that I went back a couple of months later with Dave to run it. We cruised around at a steady pace in 5:10 and I decided that I had to enter the race in 2012 and go for 4:30. After damaging my Achilles in October I spent the winter wondering if I’d be fit enough by race day and even as recently as a month ago, when I was only managing a small volume of low intensity running, I could imagine getting around the race but not running at any sort of pace. But, then came a perfect month of running. It started with the Lakeland 100 Pooley Bridge – Ambleside recce and was followed by some good quality sessions. I felt like I was flying and couldn’t wait to get to the start line of the Y3P.

On race morning the weather could have been worse…but it could have been better. Strong winds in the valley and clag on the tops promised a cold day. All the talk amongst the runners was of how many layers to start in. There were three other Spartans in this race, Nick, Jason and Andy, and we settled for long sleeved tops under t-shirt, hat, gloves and I even had a buff around my neck. Kit check was done in the marquee to keep runners warm then we were herded out to the start line and the guns sounded right away.

The run through Horton-in-Ribblesdale was stunning. There must have been at least 600 runners ahead of us running down the narrow main street. What an amazing view! We turned off and started the climb which began on the wide, stony Pennine Way before turning off onto smaller paths to the summit of Pen-y-ghent (where the gale force wind was peppering us with halestones). Climbing is not my strong point and I was worried about pushing too hard so I drifted back and let the Spartans go ahead.

With tight calves the summit was a welcome sight (45mins). Brief queue for the dibbers then a run down hill. At least that was the idea but the head on gale force wind prevented any forward motion faster than walking pace. It was so strong that it was very difficult to breath. After a while the path turned and we were able to get running again. I was really stupid here and blasted the descent. It was tremendous fun but by the time I reached the bottom my legs were feeling very heavy. On the descent I caught up with Jason and Andy and learned that Nick was out of the race! He had gone over on his ankle quite badly at the summit and was waiting to be helped down. I was really disappointed for him. This had been his main A race of the year and he’d been focusing on it for the past six months.

Me, Jason and Andy with Pen-y-ghent in the background

The three remaining Spartans ran together for a while up the valley then Jason dropped back. Andy and I had a great run up the valley, probably a bit too fast but enjoying every minute. We made it through the Ribblehead checkpoint in 1:54, with 15 minutes to spare before the cut off. Andy dropped off to pick up more water and I carried on. I must admit I felt pretty pleased to be the leading Spartan…but that was not to last for long! I was tired but ok passing the viaduct and cutting under the railway line. After wading through the infamous stream we started the ascent of Wernside and this is where it all fell apart.

Even on the gradual climb at the bottom of the valley I began to feel cramp in my quads. I slowed my pace to try and preserve my legs as much as possible but I knew it was too late. This was going to hurt! The final climb was incredibly steep; hands and knees in places. Andy and Jason passed me, both looking strong, but I topped out not far behind them. I dibbed, turned to start the fast run down hill but my legs just did not work. I’m usually very strong on descents but my legs felt like lead and runners were streaming past me. I decided to walk for a bit and eat a pack of salted crisps to see if that would help. It did and as the path got steeper I was able to start running stronger and passed a few people.

I stopped for water and jelly babies at the final CP at Hill Inn then began the slow, painful climb up Ingleborough. I was being continuously overtaken but looking back I didn’t actually loose as many places as it felt like. I was fighting cramp the whole way up (for this entire climb my whole left quad was locked) and I had nasty pains in my inguinal ligament, my left hip and the inside of my right knee.

As I reached the summit plateau I passed Andy on his way down. I made it to the summit in just over four hours then turned to begin the final descent to Horton. Again the gale force wind was blowing straight into our faces and running was pointless so it was a walk until we could scramble down onto the good paths. I wasn’t in a happy place: in addition to the aches, pains and cramp I was now starting to feel quite sick. I passed a few people but was passed by many more than I overtook . At this point all thoughts of times and position really didn’t matter. I just wanted to get to the end, stop running and burn my running shoes!

The finish was great. You come over a rise, about half a mile out and there in front of you is the finishing field with the marquee and you can hear the runners being announced in. I somehow managed to find a bit of a spurt at the end (probably due to all the clapping supporters) but it was such a relief for it to all be over. I finished in 4:57 and Jason and Andy were about 15 minutes ahead of me.

At the finish, looking considerably stronger than I felt!

I was very negative at the end of the race. I have a soft spot for the 3Peaks and it was really disappointing to have such a miserable time out there. However, within an hour or two I was already starting to feel more positive about the whole experience. This race showed me where my fitness really is and where I need to work in order to improve. I might be getting back to strength but my hill fitness is not there. So, I'm going to start getting as many hilly runs in as I can. I am also going to swap my flat, six mile lunchtime runs on a Monday and Friday for gym sessions, working on the stepper and weights to try and get some strength into these legs.

Well, the race was a bit of a shocker but in terms of my larger goal, the Lakeland 100, it probably came at just the right time to show me how I need to alter my training. It could well turn out to be the best outcome I could have wished for.

Postscript

I stayed in Horton-in-Ribblesdale for a week after the race. My legs were shot for days and I wasn't able to go for a run until the Wednesday. Mich dropped me off at Hill Inn and I ran over Ingleborough and back to Horton. It was a wonderful run. I had the hill to myself and felt strong. The following morning I ran over Pen-y-ghent and had another superb run. It was great to get back out there and make friends with these hills again. It won't be long before I'm heading back to Yorkshire to run this route again. 

UTLD Recce - Pooley Bridge to Ambleside

This is a section of the course that I know very well, having reccied and then raced the 50 last year, but what better training than this tough 28 miles through the fells.

Breathtaking views of the fells across Ullswater
on the run down to Howtown

As I travelled up with Andy Ashton we both nervously talked about our plans for the day. Andy was worried he would not be able to keep up a good pace because he was recovering from a cold and for me this would be the longest run by far since damaging my achillies in October. Once we knew we were both up for an easy day in the hills we relaxed and started to look forward to the run.

It was freezing when we arrived at the car park in Ambleside at 7:30am and we both ended up putting on too many layers before hopping on the coach. By the time we'd reached Pooley Bridge at 9am the sun was out and I had to figure out how to fit them all in my sack.

Descending to Howtown

Once we climbed out of the village the views across the fells were just stunning. The trail down to Howtown is one of the best sections of the entire run: perfect gently descending trail. Once we got to Howtown we turned to head up the first pass of the day. Last year in the heat the climb up Fusedale knocked the stuffing out of me but today it all felt pretty enjoyable as we chatted away with a bunch of different runners.

On Fusedale after the first false summit

I was trying out trekking poles for the first time and they were just brilliant on the climbs. I didn't really know what to do with them on the descents but I found it very easy to get them out and put them away when I needed to. I'll definitely be using them on race day.

The run over the top was lovely and Hawswater looked stunning.

Andy going over Low Kop towards Hawswater

The descent was obvious and we began our yo-yo race with Sally Howarth (she trounced us in the end). The technical run along the lake shore was great fun. The day was getting hot and Andy and I stopped in a few becks to cool down.

At the head of the lake at last

Terry was doing a sterling job at the Mardale Head checkpoint and we relieved him of some of his mountain of biscuits before the climb up Gatesgarth Pass. Again, with the poles this climb felt pretty comfortable. Once over the top the descent on the other side was steep and aggressive. It might be worth keeping the poles out for that. 

The Longsleddale valley was as dull as ever. I don't know what it is about this stretch but there is just nothing enjoyable about it. Maybe it's just because you've spent the last few hours looking at jaw dropping views and you suddenly find yourself in a relatively dull valley. The climb at Sadgill and the following run down to Ketmere were all great though.

Fantastic reception at the checkpoint by the wonderful Kentmere ladies and up over Garburn. This climb does deserve respect: it's rocky, steep and it goes on a bit but it it's not as bad as the other two passes we'd climbed already.

Descending the rocky Garburn Pass

After the short, steep climb out of troutbeck there is a really nice walk across to the woods above Ambleside. Something to look forward to! There is only one junction in the woods...left is correct but it seems like the right fork may join up anyway.

Go left!

So, 28 miles in 6:20 (20 mins better than on the recce last year) and I felt pretty good at the end. Another massive confidence boost and a fantastic day out in the hills. For the first time this year I genuinely feel like I will make it to the start line of the Lakeland 100.

Great running in the Brecon Beacons

We were staying with family for a week in the Brecon Beacons and I managed to get in two really good runs.

The Pan-y-Fan skyline was visible from the house and just called out to be run. I looked at the 1:50k map and guessed to to be about a 13 mile round trip.

The Pan y Fan skyline (ascent was out of shot on the left)

The run started off with a nice jog along the Mormouthshire & Brecon Canal before switching to nice country lanes through the idyllic village of Llanfrynach an up into the hills. The Ascent up Gist Wen was just the right angle to be able to run the majority of it.

Looking back down the ridge I had just climbed.
Brecon is in the distance, to the left of the shot

The view across the skyline with Pan y Fan in the distance

Once on the top it was a beautiful, undulating run over to Pan y Big and on to the main peak of Pan y Fan. It was a couple of hours before I saw another soul but once near the summit there were plenty of folks hanging around enjoying the views, eating lunch and supping coffee. The steep, technical descent was good fun and then it was back onto lanes to take me back into Brecon.

The run turned out to be 19 miles. I went out with no food at all and started to bonk around 13.5 miles. By the time I arrived back I was in a bad way, standing in the kitchen making a cuppa I was shaking and felt like I was about to pass out. Food and sugary tea had me feeling human again. Aside from the lack of fuel my body felt great though.

The beautiful Mormouthshire & Brecon Canal

The second run was and out and back along the canal on another stunning day. The plan was to take it easy but, as pretty as it was, running along a canal is pretty boring. I found myself running at a reasonable pace to the 5.5 mile point, where I thought I should probably turn around. As soon as I headed back I thought I would spice things up by trying to do the return leg faster than the outward leg. I pushed the pace harder and harder until I did the last mile (mile 11) in sub 7min/mile. It was one of those magical runs where everything just felt effortless.

What a confidence boost these runs where. I've been telling myself that I have lost my fitness. These runs told me that my everything is fine.

UTLD Recce - Around Buttermere

This is a belated post from the recce weekend back in January. I was booked on to the official recce from Coniston to Buttermere: 25-ish miles over the toughest terrain on the course. I was very apprehensive because my achillies was still constantly aching and I had yet to get the results from the consultant so I didn't know if this run had the potential to cause serious damage.

After a 4am start I arrived at the top of Newlands Hawse, about a mile from the pick up point, only to be met by two runner-shaped lads waving me down. A car had been abandoned on sheet ice on the other side of the pass and one of the lads had slid into it. Rather than heading off to Coniston to run the first section of the route I would be spending the morning helping out at the scene. I actually felt pretty lucky...if I hadn't stopped for breakfast on the journey up it could have been my car down there.

A few other runners turned up, including Flip. It was great to see him again...the last time we spoke was the day after last year's Lakeland 50 when he and Anna were inspiring me to do the Lakeland 100 this year. It took a few hours for the police to arrive then the four remaining runners (Flip, Peter, TheSteadyGroove and me) decided that we would run down to Buttermere and do an out and back on part of the course we were set to run on.

Morning light on Fleetwith Pike

We kept to an easy pace, enjoying the conversation as we headed around Buttermere and up Scarth Gap Pass. Once we fell over the other side the temperature dropped and there was a bitter wind. We weren't sure how far we would go but we ended up dropping all the way past Black Sail Youth Hostel so we could take a look at the descent from Black Sail Pass.

Running along the valley floor (in the opposite way to the route)

The descent from Black Sail Pass. Picture taken
from the small wooden bridge over the beck.

In daylight and on fresh legs the descent from Black Sail did not look too bad at all. This entire section will be run at night on race day so I'm sure it will all feel very different. After admiring the view for a few minutes we started to get cold so we turned around and headed back.

The route up to Scarth Gap Pass seemed to be straight forward. The only place where it seemed you could go wrong would be at the top, where the main footpath from Fleetwith Pike to Pillar crossed. You need to pass straight over this, staying in the saddle. The path was quite faint (trampled grass rather than solid path) which could be difficult to spot in the dark.

The Saddle on Scarth Gap Pass

From here there is some nice rocky running down to Buttermere. Go steady and don't mash those quads!

The Descent from Scarth Gap Pass to Buttermere

The path around Buttermere

 From the Buttermere checkpoint the route follows a nice woodland trail up onto the fellside. All very easy to follow.

Flip on the trail after the Buttermere Checkpoint

There are lots of paths going up to the left but you stay on the lower path, by the wall, until the wall drops away on your right then start looking for the fork to the left. At the point where the path splits there is a sheep fold on the valley floor to the right but this may not be visible in the dark

SteadyGroove at the junction
This will look very different in the dark and with chest high bracken!

The junction, as seen from the opposite side of the valley

So, not the day we had planned but we made the most of it and had a good run. I did get to recce the section of the route that I most wanted to see, so all was not lost.

A week after this run I got the results from my MRI scan back. There is still damage to the achillies but it is healing nicely. I got the green light to run so long as I go steadily. Most importantly there is no underlying issue, which means there is no reason to expect this to happen again. Great news!

UTLD Recce - Ambleside to Coniston

Well, there haven't been any long distance adventures lately, or much running on trail. I had been struggling with heel pain going into the Sandstone Trail race but it's a pain I've had in the past and it's always just settled down. I knew I shouldn't have run the SST but convinced myself that it would be OK because all my mates were doing it. Silly! After the race I struggled to weight bare for a few days and was forced to rest for over two months with achillies tendinitis.

I'm still waiting to have an MRI scan and find out for sure that I am fit to run but in the meantime I am trying to re-build some fitness, with only six months to go to my first hundred miler. I've been lacking running mojo and thought it might be in the Lakes and so a few emails fired off on Thursday resulted in five runners coming together for a run on the UTLD route from Ambleside to Coniston on Sunday.

9am and Andy Ashton, Nick Wishart and myself headed into a balmy 8 degree, dry Lakeland morning. We'd be meeting up with Dave Douglas and Charlie Sharp along the route. We had a nice jog down through the park until the graunch up past the houses and out on to the fell.

This was great fun and brought back lots of memories from the Lakeland 50...some nice ones and others not so nice. When we came off the fell into the lane by the houses it's not obvious that you go straight on; there is a temptation to turn left. We stopped for a few seconds while I checked the map and confirmed that you do take the right hand fork here, past the houses and you are very soon at the left turn by the little car park.

Down onto the Cumbrian Way towards Elterwater. On race day this was one of my least pleasurable sections of the entire day but it was really good running today.

It was still nice to reach Chapel Stile and get back onto the fellside. I absolutely love this section of the course. The Langdale valley is one of my favourite places and the light was stunning today.

The running in the valley was muddy today but the navigation is straightforward. The only thing to watch out for is the right turn over the little bridge by the New Dundgeon Ghyll Hotel. You need to ignore this and go left up the hill to the stile over the wall.

To the end of the valley and the slog up the hill isn't so much of a slog any more, more like an old friend. Nick and I posed for a quick photo op.

At the top we finally met up with Dave and Charlie. Really enjoyed the run down past Blea Tarn and taking the best line (a very wide one) through the bog meant we survived without our feet getting too soaked.

I started feeling tired on the run down the road to the farm and found the climb on the far side hard work. I started slipping behind and just couldn't hold on to the group. Charlie stayed with me and it was nice to have a proper chat with him. We caught up with the others when Dave stopped to make friends with a hairy highland heifer.

The run down through Tilberthwaite was still pretty tough and the climb up at the other side was less steep and shorter than on race day. The rain was coming down now but the temperature was still perfect. I fell behind again and once again Charlie stayed with me.

The run down to the coppermines was a blast and I ran as fast as my Salomon Crosslights would allow in the wet conditions. When we hit the metalled road I was getting pain on the inside of my left knee, the right groin was twitching and finally I started getting cramp in my right achilles. I didn't want to take any chances so had to walk a few times.

15 miles to the car (which was parked on the road into Coniston) in 3hrs 5 mins. That's the furthest I've run since the SST race so I'm pleased with that but it was a tough day out. Next weekend I'm running the hardest section of the UTLD, 25 miles from Coniston to Buttermere on an official recce day. That is going to be a tough old day out and I'm doing to have to walk lots to get through it. Looking forward to it though.