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!!

Lakes 10 Peaks Xtreme

Last year’s Lakes 10 Peaks was tough, very tough; a 73km route with 5600m of ascent. So when the Xtreme course was announced my immediate thought was “Why not?!”

“The Xtreme course takes things to another level! This 100km circular route, starting and finishing in Keswick takes in all of the 10 highest peaks as well as another 10 compulsory peaks including Blencathra, Clough Head, Raise, Fairfield, Seat Sandal, High Raise, Red Pike, Kirk Fell, Dale Head and Maiden Moor. This is a natural extension to the Long Course which follows a similar, but not identical, route to that of the Bob Graham Round. The tough terrain combined with nearly 8000m of ascent make this one of the hardest non-stop ultra distance races on the calendar”.

Sounded fair enough!

So let me simply state that if the “normal” 10 Peaks course is tough, then this is brutally tough but also so totally enjoyable!

The simple facts are that I finished joint 4^th (joint 3^rd male) in 21:25. Apart from smashing into the wall half way up Skiddaw (not to be recommended), I barely had a bad spell all day.

This was a bit of an on/off race for me. With a gap of only 4 weeks to the Lakeland 100, I was in 2 minds as the whether it was sensible to invest not only the physical effort but, more importantly for me, the mental effort into another tough event. My rather pathetic attempt at the Hardmoors 160 really made me realize that although my body may recover quickly, it takes far longer to recover mentally from these big events – from the mental preparation before the event and the mental effort during the event.

Family illness a couple of weeks prior to the race and the fact that it was Jade’s birthday the day before tipped the balance so I withdrew. Then a window of opportunity presented itself, and I reinstated myself on the Wednesday before the race!

I decided that the best way to circumnavigate the use of mental energy prior to the race was to not really think about it! So I went for the no taper approach. This seems to have worked previously in the Frostbite 30 (Dec 12) and this year’s Hardmoors 55. So having run just over 50 miles on Monday – Wednesday, I hadn’t spent all week with ever increasing taperitis! With Jade’s birthday dinner on the Friday evening, there wouldn’t be much time to psych myself up either.

I left Lincoln just after 10pm, arriving at Keswick shortly after 1am. I then curled up on the passenger seat expecting to wake up at around 02:30. Next thing I know is that the clock says 02:53. Race start 04:00. Oh well, no stress allowed today! I made and ate my porridge, went into the football club announced myself present, registered and changed. Quick hello’s with Andrew Hayes, Jon Steele, Annie Garcia and anyone else who was listening, and suddenly it was 03:55. Decided I’d better focus a little…….well, at least put my rucksack on!

And then we were off on the approach to Blencathra. Up Blease Fell, I was in a lead bunch of 8 or so runners as we peaked in poor visibility. Down Hall’s Fell Ridge, and out of the cloud, I watched in vain as several of the mountain goats sped off into the distance as I picked my way down – this was really demoralizing.

Down though Threlkeld and over the A66, I worked hard up Clough Head and recaught the lead bunch. Around the Dodd’s in clag, and approaching Raise, the call of nature called somewhat urgently and that was the last I saw of the first 3 runners.

I peaked Helvellyn with Bill Williamson whom I subsequently spent most of the day with. I lost some time going down to Grizedale Tarn but reached the top of Fairfield just behind Bill. This was to prove the pattern for the day with Bill pulling ahead on the downs and then me catching up on the ups.

Up and over Seat Sandal, my first new Wainwright of the day, we raced down to CP2 at Thirlmere. Then it was the long, boggy climb up to Greenup Edge and High Raise. We took the Bob Graham route up Bowfell, with me going a little off piste. Once on top, the clag had lifted and we started to pick off some of the long course competitors. Over Esk Pike to CP3 at Esk Hause where there was a food shortage.  Then up to the Scafell plateau, rapidly dibbing at Great End, Ill Crag and Broad Crag and then Scafell Pike itself.

I was feeling remarkably strong and full of running. Working hard up the ascents and then running nicely where possible.

Going up Lord’s rake to Scafell, Bill developed bad cramp. I waited for a minute but then pushed ahead. Not the greatest place to get cramp. Before exiting the ‘Rake’ my phone rang – I decided it was not the best place to take a call!

As I reached the summit plateau, there was Bill just ahead of me. He had taken a sneaky direct route - as though Lord’s Rake isn’t steep enough!

Down towards Wasdale there were a few darker clouds gathering and some moderate drizzle started. My prayers were answered and it soon dried up. After some excellent scree skiing, we reached Wasdale CP. The main excitement on arriving at any CP now was the thrill of not knowing what flavour of Clif Bar there would be on offer!!

After the nasty climb of Dorehead Screes, it was up to Red Pike and my 2^nd (and final) new Wainwright of the day. I was feeling good still and pushing harder on the climbs. Then it was swiftly round to Pillar. The run down from Pillar to Black Sail Pass was frenetic – I think Bill was making a final effort to shake me off on my weaker downhills.

Up and over Kirk Fell to CP 5 at Beck Head where there was water rationing in force. Great Gable was surprisingly quickly summited. It was a great to get here feeling so good. Then it was the pleasant run down to Honister YH, and CP 6. I passed on the hot food and had a Mars Bar and probably a Clif Bar!

Skiddaw awaits... 

Dale Head and Maiden Head were soon ticked off, and we circumnavigated the summit if Cat Bells before heading onto Keswick. We ran well to CP 8 at Nichol End Marine, passing several Long Course runners. Still feeling pretty good, I had a mini-feast of Soreen and mini-Snickers. Probably a Clif Bar too!

On the way towards Keswick, Bill and I decided that it would be reasonable to finish together – we’d be running together since just before CP2. Shortly after, Bill hit a low patch, forcing us to walk for a while. Fortunately he seemed to eat his way out of it.

At the foot of Skiddaw, I was feeling pretty good but very much looking forward to finishing! A few minutes later the wheels fell off. I started to feel really nauseous and then I could feel the energy literally draining out of me. I really didn’t feel I could stomach any food, but given that I was virtually at a standstill and getting cold, I chewed on a few Clif Shots which helped a little. We stopped to put on head torches and windproofs. I braved a gel and by the time we reached Carlside Tarn I was feeling significantly better, and able to eat a little solid food.

By now, the wind had picked up significantly and the temperature had plummeted. On the Skiddaw summit plateau it felt bitterly cold, and my only though was to get down as quickly as possible.

Soon, we were running down into Keswick and the long-awaited finish at the football club.

Apart from smashing into the wall on the way up Skiddaw, I had felt really good the whole day. In particular, I felt really strong on the climbs. I’m not sure what happened going up Skiddaw as I’d been eating and drinking well all day – just one of those things, I guess. It does throw the whole business of the taper into turmoil. Having already run 50 miles in the week, I had no right or expectation for the race to go quite so well. Perhaps I was just lucky!? Either way, I was very happy with the day out, and it has left me feeling really confident about the Lakeland 100.

It was great to run with Bill. His knowledge of the 'good lines' was a real learning lesson as was the simple 'run on the grass' message

The Lakes 10 Peaks races are amongst my very favourites. A truly tough test in simply superb surroundings. If you like tough, if you like brutally tough, then you can’t do much better than this.

Thanks to Mark and Paul for putting on such great races, and to all the volunteers, often in remote places.

So next year……Lakes 10 Peaks Mega-Xtreme?

The route!

Not the Hardmoors 160

Well, that didn’t go quite as planned!

The grim facts. First person to pullout from the race, after 30 miles at CP3 (Cropton). A fully conscious decision, and one that I was happy with at the time and still just about am!

It just wasn’t happening.

I felt my preparation had been good. I done a couple of long recce’s since the Viking Way and my legs seemed to have recovered OK, apart from some residual calf tenderness. Mentally, I was looking forward to the event but was aware that the excitement, the build-up, wasn’t quite there.

I packed all my gear on Thursday, putting a lot of thought into what I would need at each particular stop. Jenny would be supporting me through to late Saturday evening, and I knew that Tony Holland & Archie Stewart would be around on Sunday.

We arrived at the start at Scalby Mills in good time, and I was beginning to get that ‘buzz’. It was good to see some the usual suspects - Annie Garcia, Allan Rumbles and Ben Davis amongst others. Andrew Hayes, Tony Holland had come to support the start which was great.

Soon we were off. Initially things went well. Eventual winner, Lee Knight, Shelli Gordon, and Neil Ridsdale shot off, leaving the rest of us in their wake.

As usually happens, my legs started to feel a bit lethargy and achy after 90 minutes or so. This generally eases by 3 hours as I get into the race. However, this seemed a bit different, almost crampy. Instead of getting better, my legs just got tighter and tighter, but I was still moving along nicely. I was running with Matt who had ‘rescued’ me on the Spine this year. Apparently I had been walking around in circles; I didn’t think I’d been that bad!

I acquired my head torch from Jenny at CP2 (Levisham)

Then it began to rain. As we stopped to put on waterproof tops, it started to rain a lot. Waterproof trousers were donned. In torrential rain, conversation stopped. My legs seemed to hurt more.

We got to Cropton and that was that.

So what happened?

From a physical point of view, I’d done a couple of good long runs and had also done a couple of really nice shorter, tempo runs since the Viking Way. My legs had felt really stiff and sore for 2-3 days prior to the start but I had put that down to taperitis. Just one of those things or fallout from the Viking Way? Not sure really but probably cumulative damage.

Mentally, I didn’t feel the same as I had before the Viking Way. Once the rain started, my will disintegrated. Ultimately the want, the desire just wasn’t there.

Bottom line is that 5 weeks isn’t enough time to recover from a 147 mile run. Now there’s a surprise. Physically, perhaps, if you’re lucky, but mentally it’s just not enough time to get yourself up again. Not enough time to regain the drive and the desire required for something of this magnitude.

I’m not beating myself up after this one. Yes, I’m disappointed but it just wasn't going to happen. Any Jon Steele said he’d hit me if I got all depressed about it!

So, lesson learnt.

Probably not.

Getting ready for the Hardmoors 160

So this time next week, I’ll be readying myself for my next big challenge – the Hardmoors 160. A new addition to the Hardmoors family, the 160 links up the 48 mile Tabular Hills Route with the Cleveland Way. Starting at the coast at the cliff tops of Scalby Mills, Scarborough, the route first heads westwards and inland to Helmsley and then follows the 112 mile Cleveland Way (Hardmoors 110) to Filey.

Having done the 110 last year, it seemed like a good idea at the time!

After the Viking Way Ultra, I had a couple of restful weeks. My thighs recovered remarkable quickly but my calves have been pretty stiff ever since. I imagine this is a combination of changing to Hoka’s (with their lower hill drop) and the sheer distance and runability of the VWU. 

Anyway over the last couple of weeks I’ve recce’d the second half of the Tabular Hills route and reminded myself of some of the Cleveland Way, trying to do the bits which I will encounter at night. Due to the linear nature and the intricacies of public transport, this has required an encyclopaedic knowledge of the bus routes of North Yorkshire, and I have spent many hours pouring over text books

For the Tabular Hills part, I parked at Pickering and picked up the route south of Levisham. The route passes through several pretty villages and is mainly rolling countryside, but there is one vicious hill that pops up out of nowhere! I made my way to Hemsley and caught the 16:30 bus back to Pickering.

Last week, after typical Richard indecision and procrastination, I finally decided to start the next recce at…….Hemsley. This was mainly based on the fact that I like the moors more than the coast!

The plan was to Gump it; essentially I just keep on going until it seems a good time to stop. It was a lovely day as I set off and I made good time towards Osmotherley, stopping only briefly to chat to a man carrying a Venice Marathon rucksack. At Osmotherley, I decided an ice cream boost was required; I can recommend the Brymoor’s ice cream from the village store.

Over the moors I went; I love this part of the route. Having gone t*ts up after Bloworth Crossing, and with well-bloodied knees, I decided it might be time to stop. Kildale was close and seemed like a good option. Unfortunately there was no room at the stable so studying maps and consulting the locals, I decided to run 5 miles down the road to Great Ayton. I mobilized my brother who kindly did the sensible thing and sourced a B&B for me. Arriving at 8pm, after 45 miles, the owner proceeded to tell me off for not booking anywhere in advance!! I smiled sweetly, had a quick bath and wandered to the pub for a very well earned meal.

I felt remarkably fresh in the morning as I made my way up towards Roseberry Topping. I was planning to get as far down the coast as I could given time constraints and the complex combination of buses required to get back to Helmsley.

I merrily made my way on to Saltburn, stopping for emergency blister repair and a bun. 

I ran along the coast on a glorious morning, passing through the lovely village of Staithes.

After 25 miles, I arrived in Runswick Bay, just catching the 12:42 bus to Whitby. Then the 13:35 bus to Scarborough, followed by the 14:45 to Helmsley, followed by an ice cream.

Happy days.

So is my body recovered and ready for another onslaught? More importantly is my head ready again? If the motivation and drive is there, then my body respond.

Anyone need any information on bus routes?