I DID IT!!! I completed 105.9 miles, the ultra tour of the lake district across tough ground in tough conditions. Not only did I complete the course I did it in under 30 hours! 29.23 to be exact. Not only did I complete it in under 30 hours I came in 3rd lady, with no thoughts of ever quitting, no stomach issues and feet remarkably unscathed. Amazing!!!After a week of rest, time to reflect and remember the weekend here goes my race report. Warning, it's a long one so grab a cuppa or a drink and get settled, 105 miles is a long way!!! BEWARE LOTS OF TYPOS BUT TOO LONG TO EDIT, WANTED TO GET IT OUT THERE!
Prep, prep and more prep. I tried really hard to rest, get lots of sleep and eat well the week before. Easier said that done. The day before I couldn't sit still checking my kit, making lists and going over the route. The weather was due to be wet and so wanted to be sure I had enough dry bags and any extra clothing in my drop bag that I may need. Something I'd hoped wouldn't be an issue but hey, it's the lake district after all!
We drove down in the van to Coniston on Thursday night so had the whole day to chill on Friday. I didn't sleep great but thought that may be the case so didn't fret and luckily after going through registration on Friday morning I managed to get a couple of good hours sleep.
Nerves and excitement build at the pre-race briefing. There is a real family atmosphere as everyone there all have the same goal and want to support one another. At this point I am hot and starting to get really quite nervous. I can feel the adrenaline building and really just want to get going.
After the briefing I tried to stay sat down knowing that I'd be on my feet for a long time. It was so special having my family and friends around me at the start praying for me and wishing me well. I couldn't help but get emotional as everything I'd been working towards and focused on was actually here. I was about to see whether I could do it. Had I done enough to make it possible? Was I mentally strong enough? Would the weather be too much for me to cope with and all the niggles I'd been feeling...would they cause me issues? Yes, so many questions running around my head and an immense desire to succeed. I felt focused on the goal in hand despite all the questions.
I had started my lakeland 100 journey. First stop was Seathwaite. I was determined not to think further than the next check point.
I got my poles out straight away, which I hadn't really planned but for some reason decided that was what I wanted to do especially as I wasn't going to run any of the up hill or slight inclines so may as well take pressure off the legs whenever possible. I remember chatting to a couple of people as we set off, but then the rain set in so it was waterproofs on and head down . Fortunately it wasn't cold, I was just wary of getting wet through and then being really cold during the night so wanted to take precautions with waterproof top and bottom. It seemed to settle once I starting the first decent so they soon came off.
After the first km of descending cramping started in my quads and my stomach was in stitches! What on earth was going on!? I was running with a friend at this point and honestly felt really disheartened thinking that something was wrong to be feeling this only an hour and 20 mins in. I kept thinking of what Joe said to me and knew I needed to stay positive. The pain in my legs would slow me down a bit and keep me steady and there was a long way for them to loosen up. But it was sore legs from there on in. I made sure I had my electrolytes and got some food in me. Onto Boot!
Seathwaite to Boot
There's not much to say about this section other than boggy, slippery and steep. I only fell once but it was hairy and going slow was the only option if I wanted not to risk an injury. It did seem to go fairly quickly despite the horridly technical terrain, and after a quick water stop and some nibbles of food I was keen to get going and make it most of the way to Wasdale before dark set in with it being a section most unknown to me.
Boot to Wasdale
From being quite anxious about running in the dark strangely I started to look forward to it. By this point I knew I'd get most of the way to Wasdale in the light and that there would be people around me most of the way. I was running with a couple of people and enjoying good chat whilst we navigated our way across a very indistinct path, particularly with such wet conditions. We nearly went wrong before we reached the tarn and I found it quite hard in the half light to make out structures. But my watch kept me on track and we just took our time and made it to the tarn where the path became more obvious. A few km from Wasdale the head torches came out and I felt comfortable, despite sore legs, going into the roller disco checkpoint where I was looking forward to some hot salty soup. I was greeted 200m from the checkpoint by Joe and Kibo which really lifted my spirits and that extra little surge of energy to go through the night. And as always the marshals were fabulous encouraging and supporting you full on.
Wasdale to Buttermere
Stores replenished (soup and bread never tasted so good) I was ready to take on black sail pass climb. I had weirdly been looking forward to this knowing that I climb well and that the ground conditions would be better than the previous bog. It didn't disappoint and I just loved looking back down the valley at the lights from head torches streaming behind me. Things were made even better when I met a friend Marcus at the top and we agreed to run together. So when we went a bit wrong going down into Ennerdale I felt strangely calm, especially as this was the bit I was worried about, and we managed to get back on track fairly quickly. Descending into Buttermere was also tricky, especially in such wet conditions and there was a group of us who went a little off course but I knowing the route well I am proud to say that, for a change, I was the one who quickly got us on track and we could then enjoy a gentle jog along the lake to the next checkpoint.
I was feeling it quite a bit in my legs at this point, which I expected with the descents and it felt very muggy, so made sure took on salts and my electrolytes along with more soup and bread. My feet felt pretty good so decided against a sock change and Marcus and I carried on.
Buttermere to Braithwaite
Once I got to Buttermere I knew I was on home turf, knew the section well and was sure that would give me a boost. However; it felt long and tough, especially on my sore legs and getting into Braithwaite I felt a bit deflated and quite low for the first time. Seeing Joe and Kibo was such a relief and just what I needed. He reminded me to eat lots and thinking about it I possibly didn't take on enough fuel during the section. So I chowed down on anything that was going, rice pudding, fruit (so refreshing), sandwiches and nuts and a couple of paracetamol with caffein. I felt ready and focused, this section was one of my faves and a bit of leg pain wasn't going to stop me enjoying it!!!
Braithwaite to Blen Cathra
After having a difficult leg I had really prayed that I would pick up and be able to ignore the discomfort in my legs. Prayers were answered and I felt fantastic on this section. This was helped enormously by the company I had (Stephen Braithwaite I think was one guy) and I can honestly say that I really enjoyed running. Being in the dark felt like a privilege and light wasn't far off. The usual pick me up from the marshals and some more food and I soon set off for Dockray. I normally find this part quite tedious and boring but quickly turned that around in my head and looked forward to some easy ground to run on. I had already been out longer than I ever had done, survived the night section and about to have run the furthest distance too. No feet issues, no stomach issues and despite the sore quads, I was feeling really proud and still not wanted to give up.
Blen Cathra to Dockray
I admit that this was not a section I was looking forward to. A couple of miles or so on the road and then the long old coach road. I spent most of it on my own I seem to remember but in the end didn't mind it that much. I do remember taking a bit of time to just wander along the old coach road, enjoy dawn and really loved eating a mixture of nuts, seeds, dates and salt and vinegar crisps. With no real ascent or descent it was a welcome break to the concentration that had taken place and the added difficulty of the dark.
I was welcomed to Dockray by a beaming Murray and Julia who lifted my spirits no end and I even got a bit of a rub down of my burning quads. As always the soup and bread tasted amazing and I think I managed to gain a place at this point. Not that I had been really paying much attention to position to be honest as that wasn't my focus at all. Onwards to Dalemain, over half way was in reach!
Dockray to Dalemain
Running along the side of Ullswater in the early hours was really special. The rain had stayed away for a while now and with more food in and the extra boost from seeing friends gave me a bit of a spring in my step. Mentally I was feeling positive and strong even if my legs were complaining. I did try to have a bit of a stretch of the quads here and there but generally just accepted that they were sore but hopefully wouldn't get much worse.
I ran a lot of the last 3-4 miles with the second place lady Wendy. She was extremely strong and determined and an experienced runner. I knew that she would end up doing really well and it was nice to be able to say I had run quite a bit with her. She was clearly more conditioned than me as if it weren't for my legs I think I would have been a bit more of a contender for her. Nevertheless I was pleased with how I was doing and even had a 'proper' loo stop that was a struggle with sore legs but was a relief all the same lol. Wendy wasn't going to stop at Dalemain but I wasn't bothered, I was looking forward to this slightly longer break and time to re-charge.
About 18 hours of running I had arrived at Dalemain and I still didn't want to throw in the towel. I dried and talced my feet and changed my socks. I decided I was going to stick with my shoes as I'd incredibly not had any issues with my feet!!! Brilliant. A change of top, topping up my bag and brushing my teeth was lovely when you've been eating all night long. I grabbed my iPod, a quick bowl of stew and I was ready for the 'second half'. I forgot to change my torch batteries which caused a bit of grief later but not too bad. It was onwards and upwards!
The next part of the journey will be in a separate post. Don't want to risk losing this!
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