Lakeland 100 2021

 My last blog was in September 2018 – let’s see if I still remember how to do this. 

My journey to the start line of the 2021 Lakeland 100 was a long one. My last big race was in October 2017. I’ve written about my injuries previously, A Cautionary Tale and A Cautionary Tale Part 2. I had operations in March and September 2018, started to get fit again then my knee went again. I had further knee surgery in September 2019 and I felt it was probably time to stop my desperate hanging on to ultrarunning. 

And then this global pandemic thing happened.

 

During the first lockdown I started to get fit again. I stopped being a pig and got in shape again. I “ran” 40 miles round my garden in one of Mark Cockbain’s lockdown ultras. By the end of summer, I was in great shape. I couldn’t run as I had previously but the engine was good and I could trundle and scurry all day. 

My strap line became “High mileage, one not very careful owner. Engine still in good condition, suspension needs treating with care”.

I did a lot of walking through the winter. We had fabulous wintery conditions and I had some greats days out playing in the snow. I felt very strong. 

The lockdown at the beginning of this year began to take its toll on me mentally. I went way down again, put on weight again. But in March, I said “Enough”. I had a place carried over in the Lakeland 100 and that became my focus. I put some big miles in, ran a cracking Abrahams Tea Round with a view to doing an unsupported BGR. I set a PR for Gatesgarth Pass and Rough Crag up High Street. I couldn’t run as I used to on the flats and was still tentative downhill, but uphill I was stronger than ever. I couldn’t really “go for a run” but I could most definitely go out and play big! 

Then it was back to work and full-time working. How was I meant to go out and play now!! My exercise became one long day out and one short trundle after work per week – would that be enough for a Lakeland 100?

But I needed to front up. I needed to do the Lakeland 100. For myself. One last fling. One last medal.

Race week I felt really good. I did no exercise at all and felt rested. More importantly for me I was in a very good place mentally. They say ultra-running is mainly mental – for me its 99.9999% mental!

 

Only a few people knew I was running – close family and work colleagues – no need to advertise, no need to seek affirmation. Everyone told me that it didn’t matter where I came, what time I did, that I should just aim to finish, and I suddenly realised they were right. No one else would really care. I didn’t need to prove anything to anybody. I just needed to finish…for me. 

 

My public target was a sub-30 finish, my personal one a sub-28 finish but I really had no idea whether either was realistic. I checked my splits from my 26:20ish in 2014 just to give me an idea, remembering the times at CP1, Wasdale, Braithwaite, Dalemain, and Ambleside. I ignored 2015’s 24:50 something!

 

On Friday morning I was excited and just a little bit scared. Did I have it in me? Did I really want to put myself through the pain again? The traffic to Coniston was dreadful…but I didn’t get stressed. The queue to park was long…but I didn’t get stressed. The registration process was lengthy…but I didn’t get stressed. I was calm. I was ready. I re-packed my bag without my usual last minute removal of an energy bar or two in order to save 100g. 

 

Up to the start line and I was focussed. I know my weaknesses and where my critical points might be, so I had a clear plan. Start easily, get to Wasdale Head in one piece, push onward through the night…and then finish. Easy. Most people say the race starts at Dalemain or Howtown. I say it starts at Wasdale Head – this is where the night starts and the big climbs start.

Relaxed at the start...

Let’s talk weather. It was hot. Really hot. I didn’t care. I was happy that it wasn’t going to rain. Give me heat, give me cold, give me wind. But don’t give me rain!

 

The atmosphere and noise as we ran through Coniston was amazing. Truly moving. “I’m really doing this. I made it”, I thought to myself.

And they're off...

I resisted the temptation to join the “out of puff brigade” up the first hill as I walked  and jogged up. Soon we were on Walna Scar and I felt well within myself. So far so good! I ran down towards Seathwaite as comfortably as I have run downhill for many years. Along the road to Seathwaite I remembered my last start in 2018 when I tripped up just after the CP putting an end to my race. I promptly tripped over my own shadow much to Anna Buckingham’s amusement…I mean concern! Quick check – a few scratches, a sore thumb, but legs undamaged. CP1 in 1:22 was faster than planned but I felt good so, hey, go with it.

 

A rare photo of me with both feet off the ground!

On towards Boot and making steady progress. I guessed I was probably in the top 30 which wasn’t the plan but, hey, I felt good. Probably ran a bit hard on the last few km into Boot in order to stay in a little group but arrived In Boot feeling great. My plan was coming together – get to Wasdale Head in good condition!

 

About 5 minutes out of Boot, my legs went. They really went. I crawled up to Burnmoor Tarn. Everyone was dripping sweat but I was wringing it out of my shirt. And my legs were dead. I jogged down to Wasdale and pretty much walked along the road. I made a conscious decision to baton down the hatches, dig in. My legs would come back. Wouldn’t they? 

 

As I approached the CP, a word came to me, just popped into my head. Commit. Commit to coming out of the checkpoint. Commit to the race. Any negative thoughts dissipated. Any thoughts of pulling the pin went away. I was in this for the long haul. 

 

I used the rest of the walk in to sort my buff and headtorch out in order to minimise time stopped. To minimise time to think. Into the checkpoint, slug a water bottle of juice, fill bottles and a bit to eat. Said hi to Matt Neale who arrived just after me and then out into the dusk. I had committed.

 

Now I expected my legs to come back. After all I was best in the hills. But oh no. Not yet. I slowly made my way up Black Sail Pass. I slowly made my way down Black Sail Pass. I slowly made my way up Scarth Gap. I slowly made my way down Scarth Gap. This was testing me. Perhaps it just wasn’t there anymore? Perhaps I should stop at Buttermere? Commit.

 

Half way round Buttermere, the doldrums suddenly went and I was running again. Happy days. I’d lost multiple places but I didn’t care. I arrived at CP4 a happy boy. Commit.

 

Now I usually like my sweet stuff – cake, flapjack, etc but didn’t seem to be doing the job. But the cheese sandwiches looked very tempting, and so were the ham sandwiches, and a packet of crisps. My body was obviously telling me something. And thus my CP pattern was set – a bottle of red juice slugged on arrival, bottles filled, cheese & ham sandwiches and crisps. Thank you and good night.

 

The long haul out of Buttermere didn’t seem as long as usual. I was in good spirits and I was going to get that medal. The final drag up to Sail Gap seemed to go on a lot but soon I was coasting downhill. I turned on my GPS so I wouldn’t miss the turn to Braithwaite…and promptly turned off too soon! Bum! Had to reference maps to check right way down and probably lost a few minutes but no biggie. Re-passed Anna Troup and Jonathan Gibson just before the CP – we had been leap-frogging for a few miles.

 

Safely into Braithwaite about 20 minutes down on 2014. Not bad at all. Commit.

 

Out towards Keswick, trundling along nicely, chatting away and missed the turnoff onto the path so took the road all the way. Then onto the Cumbria Way. I climbed strongly up past Latrigg and made good time round to the Compulsory Non-Dibber CP, crossed the valley and made great time down to the CP.

 

Commit.

 

The lady on the door asked me if I wanted “the sticky bits wiping offs?” I said it was OK as “We barely knew each other” Not even a “Hello” first! Then I realised she was talking to another runner regarding his bottles. Much hilarity ensued. Tired runners and tired checkpoint staff = anything is funny. I left feeling full of energy and in high spirits. 

 

Re-met Anna and Jonathan and our merry bunch fiddled our way onto the old railway track. As the sun came up, I felt great. Head torches off- always a happy time. It was a gorgeous dawn and I felt blessed to be out witnessing it. 

Up past Newsham and onto the Old Coach Road which as usual went on & on. I drifted off the back of our merry gang but we all left Dockray CP together, the good chat was helping us all keep a good steady pace.

 

Dockray CP, aka Midge Misery was manned by the Hardmoor bunch decked out in their midge avoidance equipment. They (the midges) were swarming. It was great to briefly see Jon Steele who I first met on this part of the course in 2012. Time flies!

 

We made good time along Ullswater and into Dalemain. I was still drenched in sweat so decided to go for the full kit change. Met Matt Neale out the back of the marquee undertaking the same manoeuvre. Quick feed and top up of essential provisions for the last 50ish miles! Anna and Jonathan left a couple of minutes ahead of me but I was still pleased with my well-focussed stop – no faffing around. I’d got to Dalemain 30 minutes slower than 2016 but saved a lot in the checkpoint. And comfortable, dry kit and socks felt great!

Now this might sound strange, but I knew I had this in the bag. Barring catastrophe, I knew I was going to finish. I’d not had that feeling for a while! Sometime during the night, I had decided that this would be my last race – a Lakeland 100 finish, hopefully around 28 hours, would be a good way to finish. No more flogging my aging body, no more putting unnecessary pressure on myself, both physically and mentally.

 

I wasted a bit of energy (mostly mental) trying to catch Anna & Jonathan. Then I remembered that funny little phrase “Run your own race”. Hmm…probably some sense in that. 

 

In and out of Howtown. Matt and I were now playing our own game of leapfrog. We’d arrive at checkpoints just about together, I leave a bit quickly but Matt would soon catch me again. Matt is a master tactician – I’ve always been impressed by his ability to just “run his own race”. 

 

I’d forgotten how very long Fusedale is – it just goes on & on, up & up. But I was climbing well and felt strong. The post at High Cop was looking a bit forlorn. Down to Haweswater and then the long trawl along Haweswater. Matt told me off for walking when we should be running – I was relaxed!

 

At Mardale Head, I had a quick sit down with sandwiches and crisps. Although we only live 40 minutes by foot from Mardale Head, there was absolutely no temptation to wander home for a cup of tea. I was on home territory now. I go up Gatesgarth Pass at least once most weeks and often carry on towards Ambleside – just a long training run to go!

 

Up Gatesgarth, down towards Sadgill, passing a couple of weary looking runners. Up and over to Kentmere. It was good to see Jen Scotney, cheerful as always. The fresh fruit smoothies were much appreciated. Although it wasn’t as hot as the previous evening, it was still very warm.

 

I powered up Garburn pass with Matt just behind me. On the way down he reckoned we were probably on for a 26-something finish. Wow! That was not expected.

 

I arrived in Ambleside at 16:20 vs 16:05 in 2016. Sub 27 hours definitely on.But I suddenly felt very tired, very weary. I’d been physically and mentally very steady since Buttermere, but now I just wanted it to stop. Hey ho – not far to go. Pull yourself together. 

 

John Knapp was spectating just out of Ambleside. 

“You’re having a great run”

“Thanks, I feel really good”

“Do you know what position you’re in”

“Not really. And I’m not really bothered”

“Do you want to know”

“Not desperately”

“Well, you’re in the top 20”

“Bloody hell”

 

Well, that certainly concentrated the mind. I wanted that top 20. A lot.

 

I decided that top 20 probably meant 19^th or 20^th. Just keep pushing. Hard

 

The first 50 runner sailed past me around Elterwater. Gained a place on the way to the Chapel Stile CP. Quick stop and on to Tilberthwaite. Now the 2^nd and 3^rd place 50 runners sailed past. In 3^rd was Jamie Hauxwell. It gave me a great boost to see him and have a quick chat – we ran every step of the 148 mile Viking Way Ultra together in 2016. He was having a blinder. The last time we’d seen each other was at Seathwaite CP1 in 2018 where we’d both just DNF’d. Now we were both having great runs - it’s a funny old world

 

Into Tilberthwaite where the fresh fruit at the CP was sensational, and then it was the final push up the quarry. Overtook a very weary runner. Along the top – a couple of glances behind – I was racing for that top 20 place. 

Discussing the merits of fresh fruit!

 

Charged down to the copper mines – well carefully picked my way down!

 

Coming down towards Coniston, the enormity of the achievement began to hit me. I was going to do better than I could ever have imagined. I began to feel elated and very proud. I was sure I was going to cry when I finished.

 

The reception coming through Coniston was staggering. Cheering and applause from both sides of the road. It felt remarkably good.

 

And then it was over. 

 

26:24, 18^th overall.

 

I was grinning from ear to ear. Where had that come from? Where did I pull that one from? And I didn’t cry.

 

But the craziness wasn’t over.

 

After a shower, I located Anna (who had finished 1^st lady) and her husband, Richard who had won his age group in the 50. A few of us sat around devouring pizza.

 

I thought I just check where I’d come in my V50 age group. I scrolled down. No V50’s in the top 10…11, 12, 13…16, 17…

 

“I think I’ve won my age group!” 

 

I checked again. Yes, definitely no V50’s above me. So I checked again. And again. Apparently, I did this repeatedly.

 

Good Lord!

 

I checked just before I went to bed at 1am. I checked when I woke up at 5am. 

 

And so to the morning. I can’t describe the awards ceremony. It was surreal. It was crazy. Mad. But the slate trophy was very real and I felt so incredibly proud as I received it on the stage and as I looked at it (repeatedly) for the rest of the day.

Not in my wildest dreams did I think I would or could finish in 26:24, 18^th overall. And 1^st in age group. It was like the inverse of a perfect storm. A perfect calm?

 

Does it get any better? Probably not.

 

Is that my last race? Probably not!!

Lakeland 100 – Did Not Succeed

Health warning: Contains details of the inner workings of my head that some younger viewers may find disturbing.

On Friday at 6pm I started the Lakeland 100. I was feeling really fit and strong on the back of some good results and great training. I was full of optimism and positivity, and hoping to go well under 30 hours, if not sub-28 hours.

90 minutes later my race was over, stopped by an extremely sore Achilles tendon. Lakeland 8.5 complete.

I failed.

First of all, I’d just like to say that I’m not looking for expressions of sympathy, or “Rich, it was the right thing to do, you’re not a failure, you’ve had a great season so far” etc etc.

I know that logically the above statements are true, but how I feel is totally different.

The fact is that I did fail. I do feel like a failure and a dark cloud is hanging over my head. I feel failure badly.

I’m disappointed that my good results, my fitness, my strength in the hills, all came to nothing. It feels like an opportunity wasted.

But the failure is far more. I worry that others will be doubting me, thinking I’m weak, may even be secretly having a wry smile. That my family, friends, peers will value me less. That I will appear less capable, less worthy.

Paralysis by analysis, it’s said!

Why do I worry so much what others think of me? Self-esteem? Lack of self-value? Seeking praise? Seeking acceptance? Possibly. Probably. Definitely.

I know that logically none of the above are true, but that’s how I feel. I don’t really understand why. My intelligent, professional mind doesn’t understand why, but it’s how I am.

Of course I did the right thing. My Achilles is still sore. You may run off a sore muscle but not a bad Achilles. I would have only made it significantly worse.

Of course I’m not a failure. I’m sat here looking at all my medals hanging on the corners of pictures of my loving family. I am very fortunate, and I have succeeded in nearly everything I’ve ever done.

Of course I’ve had a great year running. The Spine. The MdS. Hardmoors 110. The Lakes 10 Peaks. All really long, tough, epic events. All races I’m extremely proud to have run in and finished.

Perhaps I’m just a little boy, just looking for acceptance, for praise, looking for his place in the world.

Others will be saying, and quite rightly, that I’ve done a huge amount this year, probably too much, and that I need to rest. Jenny tells me this, others hint at it, and I know it’s true.

So why have I pushed it so much this year? Firstly, with being off work for a while, I’ve had more time. More importantly though it’s about pushing the envelope. How far can I go? How long? How often? Again, this is not only for myself but seeking a pat on the back.

I also have to admit that there’s a little ‘How much can I do before I really break myself?’ Jenny laughingly (I think) says I’m a self-harmer. If I’m honest, perhaps there’s something in that as far as running goes.

I’ve just been having an email conversation with a friend:

Friend: I think you did the right thing, really! You have to listen to your body and have the guts to say enough is enough when you know you are going to do some damage, so I still say well done to you! You will come back stronger!!

Rich: I know it was the right thing to do unless I wanted to really destroy my running for months………but I'm still majorly pee'd off! Don't deal with not succeeding very well!

Friend: I think that's what makes you stronger, though! You definitely did the right thing!!

So perhaps what I see (and think others see) as a weakness may actually be a strength.

So there it is. A DNF and nothing is ever simple with me. My body will mend (I hope) and my mind will play its little games. And I’ll be happily running somewhere near you soon!

So when do the entries for next years Lakeland 100 open?

Lakeland 100 recce

Spotting the weather forecast showing a change from dismal and cold to hot and sunny, I took myself up to the Lake District for 2 days last week to recce the second half of the Lakeland 100.

As you may remember, I DNF’ed last year. I really wasn’t in a good place at the time and was have trouble motivating myself to do anything at all, let alone run. Hardly the best preparation for a 100 miler. I almost didn’t bother to even start but Jenny convinced me that it would do me some good, and that a failure would be not even starting. I had a torrid time but stuck it out to Dalemain, then called it a day.

However, I was in awe of the course and the tremendous support and vowed to return……..

Day 1

I stayed overnight at Keswick YH in order to get an early start. I drove to Pooley Bridge, parked the car and was off by 06:00 in glorious clear, blue skies. It was forecast hot, damn hot, and it already felt warm.

My provisional plan was to get to Ambleside, stay overnight there, then have a shorter day to Coniston before making my way back to Pooley Bridge, and hopefully no parking ticket!

I made my way along the easy path around Ullswater to Howtown and then began the long ascent up Fusedale. I fumbled around at the top before finding my way over Bampton Common and down to Haweswater.

At Mardale Head, it was the long drag up Gatescarth Pass and onwards to Kentmere. It was swelteringly hot by now. I later heard that the temperature had been 28C in the valleys.

The section on to Ambleside was much easier and I arrived in the town centre at 13:00. It was far too nice a day to stop so I quickly assessed my options. After a very pleasant refreshment break at the Apple Pie, and having booked a bed at Coniston Coppermine YH, I set off for Elterwater and Great Langdale.

Then it was up and over to Tilberthwaite. Then it was up some horrible steps which will be hilarious at the end of a 100 mile race.

I arrived at the youth hostel just after 18:00 having covered 43 miles averaging just under 13 min/mile (whilst moving). Not bad in blistering heat. After a shower and a hearty meal it was off to bed, ready for another early start.

 Day 2

Up and out at 05:10, it was quickly onto Walna Scar Road. It was already warm and I was treated to a lovely sunrise.

Reaching Seathwaite without any difficulty, I set off towards Boot. After some fiddling about on forestry tracks, I crossed the River Esk on a bridge I couldn’t find marked on the route. Turning my map over, I realised it was the River Duddon. Whoops, wrong valley. I decided to cut my losses and walked all the way up and down Hardknott Pass. Lovely. 

At Boot, I replenished my low spirit with and ice cream and diet coke. Just the job!

Boot to Wasdale to Buttermere to Keswick was no problem as I’d only done this section a few weeks ago. I stopped briefly at Black Sail YH and had a chat with a group of people doing the Coast to Coast in piecemeal style. This was their last section. They thought I was mad – first impressions and all that!

I safely navigated public transport back to Pooley Bridge where my car sat undisturbed by parking attendants. 39 miles, averaging 15 min/mile. Happy days!

A tremendous 2 days in the Lake District. On a bright, sunny summer’s day, the Lake District is simply stunning. As far as running goes, that was pretty much as good as it gets.

Lakeland 100 in 10 days. Yes please!

2012 – The Forgotten Races

I ran several races through the middle of the year that I didn’t get round to writing about mainly due to my poor state of mind. Although I kept on running whilst I was unwell, my training was totally erratic and I had a few niggly injuries. On hindsight, I was probably running more out of habit – I was continually tired and had totally lost my sense of enjoyment.

In April I ran in The Viking Way Ultra – 147 miles from The Humber to Oakham. I felt I was well prepared for this both physically and mentally. I pulled out at 113 miles for whatever reason and initially was pleased to have got that far – it was my longest ever continual run. However, the more I mulled it over, the more I became disappointed with myself for giving in/giving up. Physically, this run took me a while to recover from – mentally even longer. A great race though – well organised by Mark Cockbain, and can’t wait to give it another go.

At the end of May, I ran in the Dukeries 40. Organised by Roger & Maria Lawton-Spence, this was a lovely run in and around Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire. Although, only 40 minutes away from home, I had never really explored the area – beautiful, typically English countryside. The race took place on probably the only hot day of the summer and I had a really good run finishing 2^nd. A really fun, local event that I would really recommend, especially for those just starting their ultra-running careers. Roger & Maria are a lovely couple, and I’ve had the pleasure of meeting them at several races since.

I really found it hard to motivate myself to do much through the summer and the dismal weather didn't help. I had a place in The Lakeland 100 at the end of July but had done minimal training for this and wasn’t sure whether to bother at all. Jenny persuaded me that I would only regret it if I didn’t even go, and that failure would be not starting rather than not finishing. 

I felt totally lethargic right from the start and wanted to pull out at every checkpoint. To make matters worse, after drinking a couple of bottles of the supplied energy drink, I began vomiting for England.

I sat contemplating life for 45 minutes at Braithwaite CP where I met Sam Robson who'd injured his ankle. Sam had some great runs in 2012, including being one of the 2 finishers in the Piece of String fun run. Eventually, I thought ‘sod it’ and left the CP with a group of runners including Jon Steele. Jon is a great guy and I have the upmost respect for anyone who can ran 50 ultras in a year. Carrying on, I began to think I might even finish but had a bad spell leading up to Dalemain and withdrew at the 58 miles point. I wasn’t really disappointed by this – I had got further than I thought I would, and I had started with no real expectation of finishing. Without doubt, The Lakeland 100 is a great event. Mass camping at the start, superbly organised and amazing support at every village passed through and every checkpoint – I will be back! I have a place for this year’s event but may have to put it off until next year due to other commitments.

In August, I had a thoroughly therapeutic holiday with Jenny and our 4 children. Running consisted of laps around our cruise ship. The combination of sun, relaxation and escape served to get my mojo back! I had a great time.

Having reassessed my goals and general outlook on life, I ran the High Peaks 40 Challenge in September. I had run this in 2011 and really enjoyed it. I ran this race with no pressure – I decided to go out and just enjoy the day – and I did. I ran the last 15 miles with Max Dillon and we had a great laugh – I’m sure we will meet up again. This run was the turning point for me – enjoyment had returned, not just to running but to all facets of my life.

In October, I ran two 50 mile race on consecutive Saturdays, firstly as training for The Spine and secondly to see if I could! I entered the Round Rotherham on the day. Again, I decided to take it relatively easily and enjoy myself. I enjoyed the route more than expected – it’s very variable through countryside, villages, urban areas and old industrial areas. It was very muddy! I was pleased to finish in just over 8 hours in 14^th place (or so!).

The following Saturday, I ran in the Dusk til Dawn ultra. Starting and finished in Castleton in the Peak District, the premise of the race was that it started at dusk and you had to finish the 50 miles before dawn. I’d entered this when it was first advertised as it was something a bit different. My legs felt surprisingly good and I was really pleased to finish in 5^th place. Another new and very well organised event. A lot of fun too.

And that fills in the gaps! My next outing was the Spine training run

Having been on the verge of pulling out of this year’s Spine and MdS, I am now hitting the New Year with total enthusiasm and am ready to take on both challenges head on.

My initial goals for 2013:

• Continue to enjoy my running and just enjoy life
• Be positive, do good and keep a smile on my face
• Finish The Spine (and I will because I’ve now written it down)
• Top 50 MdS

……and then we’ll see!

Happy New Year!!