The drive up was uneventful bar an unthought through stop at Tebay for the loo (note to self, don't stop at Tebay in summer, even at 9am in the morning) and I arrived at Lowther castle and found various Chorlton Runners in various states of anxiety and race readiness.
The idea was to start 6 runners off every five minutes. No hanging around the start/finish, though a small crowd had gathered along with the tourists visiting the gardens. Everyone seemed to to be obeying social distances. We wore masks to collect numbers, and there was abundant hand sanitiser. There were no queues, no safety pin, just pick your number up and wait to go forward to the finish line. I was there to wave a few friends off before my slot and the start was Charmian Heaton who is FRA chairwoman and was there to oversee the event from a safety point of view. She seemed quite impressed, and we all kept reiterating how amazing it was in terms of organisation and safety to make sure she was swayed in to allowing more events! There were six 'pens' at the start and you were called in to yours then set off as a six with a SiCard timer on your arm to get your individual time.
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| The race originally started through the arch of thr castle grounds but was brought forward a few meters this year |
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| Charmian Heaton setting off a wave of six runners from their pens, with one runner still trying to get his chip to register (most of us had no issue) |
I was in my time pen at 11:03 and off by 11:05 bang on time. The race starts with a bumpy grassy decent towards the river which is a lovely warm up if not for the ankles. It was already roasting and the six people in my wave spaced out nicely, me being second last. I got a nice stride on down past the old church, which was originally in the village until the lords of Lowther ordered the village moved from their site lines. At the river you turn on to a nicely made path that takes you to the road and the village of Askham. There were a few people and some traffic on the road but it wasn't too bad: with the mass start the road is mobbed but I was already running with only one or two runners in site.
Askham is extremely picturesque with a pub, some cute terraced houses, another church, an old school house, oh and the beginning of the long steady climb. Its a very runnable climb as its not steep and partly on road, partly on track and partly on lovely grassy path. But its a long one, and I was already cooking. I got further up than I though before walking a few meters to try cool down. Rounding the woods near the top there was a blessed breeze and I knew the stunning view that waited for me was just round the corner. A few of the next group had already overtaken me but I wasn't bothered; it was going to be a common occurrence. And then the view openned up and I knew why I came back this year....
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| Photo courtesy of Tony Payne as mine didn't come out |
To the right views of the northern fells, crowned by Blencathra's ridges stood out against a perfect blue sky. Then to the left is a view over Ullswater and towards the Helvyllan ridge line (pictured). You could stand all day a stare in the cool breeze but I had a race to run (even if not very fast) and so I started on the marvellous descent down through the heather. It should have been marvellous, with nothing technical and nice path, but my feet weren't playing ball. I had decided to run in my Kalenji's as they had a bit more padding for the road section but in truth it was a terrible decision; they are getting old and inflexible, and there was a stone sat under my right big toe that caused me real pain (I should have taken it out but my race brain said keep moving), and my feet felt squashed in the toe box. Later in the race I developed back and knee pain and I think this may have been partly to blame. Add to my unhappy shoed feet the fact I was really over heating and had forgotten my cap, and in a way its amazing I made 13 miles.
After the descent we turned on to a wide well marked trail where there were a number of other footpath users who mostly stared in awe and cheered us on. I get cheered on a lot; I think its a sympathy vote. There was then a turn and we drifted away from the crowds across a slightly less well made path that skipped over the odd muddy spot. I plodded away, disappointed I couldn't get moving but keeping going none the less. Skipping across the moor I could see two runners ahead of me but far enough away that I wouldn't catch them. There was the odd other group of walkers. It didn't really feel like a race and I was struggling to get the easy Sunday run mindset out of my head. But I was happy if a little (lot) hot. I didn't want to be anywhere else,
The route then reaches a small road and layby where there were cars and a small group of supporters. The path was more of a trod for a bit then opened up in to green fields. A short descent through these fields took us down to a tiny humpy bridge, thn a short steep ascent and on to another track. I was already not running well, and feeling way to hot so I walked the ascent. I kept thinking about the river crossing; surely that would help cool me down?
At the top of the track last year was the water but this year was just a marshal point and off on the trod. This section was a bit boggy; nothing serious but noticeably soft underfoot compared to everywhere else. I bobbled around, without even my usual level of elegance, and made the descent towards the hamlet of Butterwick and the river. The descent is not technical but the trod is a bit uneven. I felt slow and heavy.
At Butterwick someone had rigged a hose, and I ran under that. Then its across the field first across a tiny stream and then on to the river and the photographer. There were actually a few runners around me now, and I overtook the two runners I had spotted earlier. I remembered the climb after the river was viscious and wasn't looking forward to it. At the river I took the crossing rather than the bridge - it is only ankle deep but I got down on my knees to try cool down. I could have happily lay down but it was a race...
There is a short rise after the river and I staggered up that, over the road and down the dip before remembering just how awful the climb coming up was. I could see the top and it was seemingly miles away, and I could see the short steep section that last year had been a mud chute. This year the steep section was dry but my legs struggled to even walk up. I was sipping water and head down, and lots of faster people came through. I was still only 8 miles in, and struggling physically. The post lockdown weight gain (going back to working too many hours and living out a vending machine, I was healthier and happier on my lock down rota despite being an anaesthetist!) and the lack of real hill training were showing. I stomped on slowly.
At the top, I heard a person behind me and turned to see Hugh, one of our faster runners, smiling from ear to ear as we went through the limestone gap at the top. His smile was infectious and I got out of my funk enough to smile back. But there is no downhill yet and the next section was a drag along a wall and I was feeling hot and heavy. I walked out of sheer hot overload until I was over taken by a lady who asked me how many miles we were at. I then jogged behind her for a bit until she sped away, and I took a gel which sort of helped but I was running out of water. The section across the hill was hard mentally last year and this year was even worse but at least I knew it was coming.
But then it was over and we were on the long (1.5 - 2 mile) descent to Whale farm. It was road so should have been somewhere to hammer it but my back was starting to go with my wonky gate and the solid surface made my foot issues wildly uncomfortable. I bimbled down, getting over taken fairly reguarly. I bumped in to Mark who had gone off ahead of me, albeit injured, and was now walk running as we went through the farm. He looked almost as hot and bothered as I felt.
After the farm there is a short section in the trees and then it is out on to the last mile along the river and up to the castle. This section had a lot of other footpath users on it, and was barely running. I ambled along limply, trying to save face. I walked the first section of the hill, then jogged when I saw Sarah D coming up behind me (she started 10 minutes behind me and I had to save some face), then walked the steeper section then ran for the edge of the woods, the castle walls and eventually the finish line. I was barely running as I came across. Walking through the funnel I put on my face mask we had been asked to carry, and went to down load my results. When i did I wans't impressed: 6 or 7 minutes slower than last year. I picked up my bottle of beer and staggered over to where a few other Chorlton Runners were sitting. There was no finish line water and mine was in the car, a short distance away so I managd to stagger over and get that. Once i had a drink I felt rapidly better.
I flopped down with the other CR's and awaited the few other finishers behind me. Everyone else also felt a bit broken bar maybe 2 or 3 who had smashed out the park. A little pile of bodies formed. I thought about going to Lowther Castles lovely cafe for an ice cream or walking back down to the river for a swim, but mostly I was too knacered and content to sit with my club mates and chat about the race, life, the universe and everything. I was getting sunburnt despite layers of suncream but my sizzled brain didn't care.
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| Post race body pile courtesy again of Tony |
I drove home hot but happy. Yes my time and run were disappointing but it was a fab day out. The race being a success sets a background for races to restart again, and I have really missed them. It felt very safe to me, and the organiser seemed to think the feedback was good. My only concern is it will be difficult for small club races to put in the infrastructure, which may prove problematic for a lot of the small fell races I like. But it is a start, and hopefully the blooming virus business will improve.
I would say its given me a kick up the arse to sort my training but we have a new arrival in the house, and he might be keeping me awake for a few weeks yet....
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| Oscar by Martin Ince |
Meet Oscar, out 9 week old labrador puppy. One day he will be my fell running buddy but for now he needs to grow a bit. He is very cute and just a bit hard work. Its 18 months until I can really run him. For now, he just keeps me awake half the night and piddles on the floor. 😄
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