Race Report: Langdale Half Marathon (shhh...its a road race)

Its rare I run on the road, but I am trying to convince myself to do it more with another road marathon on the horizon. So it seemed a good time to return to the Langdale half marathon which marries the Lake District, hills and road running in an almost unique way (see post on hilly road races). 

This Langdale marathon and half marathon are held every October to raise money for the Brathay trust. The full marathon labelled the hardest in the UK due to its high DNF rate, probably related to the fact you have to run past the finish and do a second loop of the half marathon course. Psychologically, it would kill me. It also has a heck of a lot of climb per lap, with elevation ratios of up to 1:3 in places. Very little would be described as flat: it is nearly always undulating. 

I haven't done a lot of long continuous running recently so was very nervous going in to the race. Strava keeps highlighting how unfit I have gotten. My last 3 months of training is mostly easy dog jogs with lots of stops, or super slow, or non-existent. I haven't run a road half race since 2020 I don't think. But that was to change to today; maybe this would be the kick up the backside I needed. 

The drive up to the Lakes on Saturday  morning was without incident. Given storm Babet was raging across the rest of the country, I was expecting chaos, and even a cancellation email, right up until the last minute. It was such a good run, we even had time to stop at Chesters bakery to pick up something for after. I say we; Martin was driving and not running, but walking the dog instead. We had a very short queue to get in the car park (five pounds but its for the charity so I didn't let Martin park at the NT car park) and then headed to registration at the New Dungeon Ghyll hotel. The queue to pick up half marathon numbers was quite large with 30 minutes to go, but we all got registered and I got to the toilet in time. Its quite a low key event - may be 500-600 runners across both events- so you don't need to be on the start line too long. 

The race briefing was preceded by a message by Rocket Ron, who set the event up 35 years ago. He was there with his roller walking frame and advised everyone 'not to go off too hard' which were very wise words. A few words from todays organiser about sticks in the road and it was time to go. We shuffled under the gantry and on to the road. 

The first mile is probably the flattest of the course, along the road towards Old Dungeon Ghyll. There was a lot of shuffling and changing of positions as, being a small event, we'd all gone off higgledy piggledy. I tried not to go too fast, sneaking a peak at my watch. I caught snippets about what was to come; evidently there were a lot of first timers in the pack. 

The start of the climb to Blea Tarn is more gentle than you might imagine, but it definitely begins to take effect in the legs. There were some goats, an unusual sight for the lakes, grazing along the road, taking my mind off the climb to come. I started my headphones and got a podcast on. The first climb is maybe the worst.....but far from the only. As it began to kick, I went in to the 20 paces of walking, 30 of running strategy. This collapsed when some cars went through the race, forcing us all to the sides of the road in relatively single file. I really suspected not difference would be made. 

The road way up to Blea is actually less high (and obviously more runnable) than the footpath. So I was pleased when I crested the hill and could see the marshals at the cattle grid. The side gate was mercifully open and a small crowd were gathered. There were two red Labradors like mine. I felt better for being at the top but aware it was still a long way to go. That said, I pulled in my core and enjoyed the first down hill. There was still a lot of place changing as the hill had suited some more than others, and marathoners were naturally taking it very easy, as well as the odd car. The cars are the downside of this race. It isn't closed road. 

I don't think I really enjoyed the view of Blea Tarn as I was still very worried about getting through this. As we went out the other side I made a point to look across the stunning valley of Little Langdale and its autumn colours. The cloud was now lifting a bit more off the tops giving way to a lovely day. I was starting to warm up as we tilted in to the long down hill down from Blea. 

The section through Little Langdale undulates along, and I mostly kept running, except when cars forced me to slow. There was a small crowd outside the Three Shires head  pub and I remembered a lovely day when I visited there with Martin after out engagement photos. I enjoyed knowing where most of the paths went off too, and the startled look on walkers' faces as we came past in our droves. Most clapped or smiled but the odd one got grumpy. A set of motorbikes came through, en route to Blea,  and clearly not enjoying the runners in the road. 

I was trying to remember the rough distance to the kick up to the Ambleside to Coniston A road, near Skelwith Fold. We seemed to be mostly descending and I knew it was a kicker of a climb once we hit the bottom. I'd had a gel and water at Blea but was trying to optimise the timing of my next gel. I knew water was at the Skelwith farm drive way, where we stayed before, but where was that? I usually run with my own water but was trying something different today (to avoid running with a kilo of weight on my back). I ran past someone who was not looking good, asked if she was okay. I think a few people suffered from the hills. 

I took the risk of electrolytes at the water station. The brand of the day was Voom. The portion of fluid was relatively small but the flavour was unoffensive. THe gamble played off as it never came back up. 

The section on the A road was mercifully not too busy and made up for by being net down hill. There was a very professional set of traffic marshals who directed us on to the side road up to Skelwith road. I realised I had no real memory of this next section of the race which was both nice (novelty) and worrying (did I shut it out?). I had another little walk as we began to climb again but tried to keep it minimal. There were some gorgeous houses in this section. I remember a cycle I did with my parents, one of the few times they came to the Lakes, which comes up here from the other direction, and was pleased when we started the down hill in to Skelwith bridge. However, I knew I was a tiring considerably and the tough section up on the other side of the valley awaited. 

We dropped down down to the A road again and crossed the river by the small crowd at Chester's. Small crowd being maybe 8 people. There was another very professional traffic management team to help us cross the even bigger road and start up the horribly steep section that is the side of loughrigg. The road is also on the Lakeland 50, but goes the other way, which is much more fun. Most people just accepted it and walked, including me. I joked about the comparison with the Lakeland 50 with someone near me.

It was hard to get going again. I tried as the the road levelled off but it did start to rise again. The route heads adjacent to Loughrigg tarn but it isn't very visible from the road. At least, it wasn't when I was starting to worry about my time and how slow I was going. I felt like people were getting away from me here. I'd run well until now but this section definitely highlighted my lack of fitness. This section just goes steadily up (there probably were downs but they were minimal in the face of the relentless up) and I did end up walking intermittently. Eventually I could see the arboreteum and the left hand turn up to the youth hostel. The youth hostel is the top of the hill and I noted it is back fully open and now also offering cafe facilities which is good to know. I had a little bit of a walk as it popped in to view but then got chatting to someone from Cambridge as we tilted down hill past the buildings. 

The down hill in to Elterwater was fun. It is steep as we came down the road and could see the village below. It zigzags which is always. A lovely marshal shephered us across the Langdale valled road at the bottom and in to the village. A four by four drove a bit agressively at us but I love Elterwater village and there was a bit of a crowd gathered by the Britannia Inn. I had a bit of a blank about how we got to Chapel Stile but remembered as we were marshalled in to the back gate of the Langdale hotel. I knew the bulk of the hills were behind us but there was still 2.5 miles to go. 

After undulating through the hotel grounds past the holiday lets, the race came back out on to the main road that would take us all the way to the finish. However, there is a reasonable amount of undulation to get there. I wanted to run this whole section and nearly managed it but had a little climb coming up the longer uphill out of Chapel Stile. It was now a case of back and forth among a group of people I had been running with a while. I could have definitely run more of this with fitness. 

I was now aware that I could do this in under 2hrs 15mins. I had said to Martin, 2 hours 30 as I thought I would struggle more (don't get me wrong, my legs were running on steam and I had had to take a fourth gel to just keep them going). It would beat my previous time on this course. I just tried to keep going as we approached the last rise towards the campervan site. The Langdale pikes were now rising majestically above us. Could I do something I might actually be proud of in my running for once? I kept going. 

Martin and Oscar were at the side of the road as I crested the hill and I managed a wave and a smile. The right hand turn and dash across the field to the finish was more of a shuffle than a dash but hey it was over in just over 2hrs and 14 minutes. I came 48th female out of 121 and was glad to take a medal at the end. The medal has a gorgeous picture of one of the Pikes on it. I congratulated a few of the people I had chatted to on the way. A decent birthday run all in. A lot to work on, and very pleased I was not one of the marathon runners heading off for a second lap, but not too bad.

Later that day we went to Force  cafe above Ambleside and ate an amazing lunch on their terrace overlooking Ambleside with views of Grizedale. I love the Lakes, and whilst I wish I was fitter, I am not terrible, and its all a starting place for more work for the future. And hopefully, a few more trip to the Lakes next year. 

Race Report: MACCL Race 1 Heaton Park

 I want to know who thinks putting the longest course with the most hills in, is the best way to start the Cross Country season!?! I mean, surely we need a warm up to that! However, I should also look at the fact I might have swapped training out for getting married, drinking and eating too much and going on honeymoon. And actually, I have barely trained since the Lakeland 50. So what happened today can only be blamed on me.

I have been struggling a bit all week. I have had some real stomach issues alongside the jet lag, and am starting to wonder if I do in fact have a bit of a bug. Everyone else seems to have. I'd done a few miles in the week but it was all low volume, focusing on getting back in the habit, rather than really training. 

I had headed to Wythenshawe parkrun in the morning. It was a nice mix of footpath and grass. That said, parts were very soft and water logged making me think it could be a bit challenging at Heaton Park later. I am still having nightmare about a few years ago and the near apocalyptic mud. The parkrun is also not too busy for the course, with room to overtake at most points and a welcoming vibe. 

So having managed to actually eat something once I got home (my appetite swings wildly from eat nothing to eat everything), packed an excessive amount of extra warm clothing that I then didn't use and convinced Martin to come with me, we headed off to Heaton Park. Heaton Park is a lovely park with a full range of facilities from toy farm to golf course. It sits on a hill above Manchester and offers amazing views of the city. It also catches all the weather, but when we arrived and managed to park in the already busy car park, it was bright autumn sunshine. We walked the dog the long way up to the start area where some amazing souls had already erected the gazebo. 

Bringing Martin and the dog does add a layer of complexity to races. Martin gets a bit grumpy as he doesn't really do running chit chat, and I obviously want to chat to some of the girls I haven't seen since last season. Also, the dog gets anxious in the crowd and starts to suspect I am running without him, so misbehavers. This meant I was actually quite distracted  until it was time to get team photos and head to the start line, and so perhaps not that nervous. My stomach, however, was feeling bloated and hard and portending bad times ahead. 

On the start line I had a nice chat with a new recruit about Blacksheep stuff. Then off the gun went and we charged down the first short slope on mass. I was determined not to go off like a rocket, knowing it was a long course with some fairly long stretches of gentle climb, alongside the shorter steeper inclines. It was reasonably well attended given that the Manchester Half was on the Sunday, and there was lots of cheering at the start/ finish area (which you run through three times in total). The number of people actually helped to keep it slow. Its a broad course but naturally we were all bunched to start, dipping down, then cresting up and down again to the main drag through the park where we crossed and headed for the Pope's field where we do what seems such a long drag along the treeline. It goes slightly uphill, and whilst the ground was holding on the first lap, it would get muddier and muddier with passing feet. The Heaton course actually has some nice bits through trees but on this first lap, the first one claimed a few victims as people failed to spot the roots (sprayed white but less visible under crowds of feet). I think I was starting to form a little pack as we headed up the steep section, with a lady from Wilmslow, some runners from Bramhall and a lady from Didsbury. I felt okay, but not brilliant but it was a sensible start. 

As we came out from the first set of trees, the weather was clearly changing. We rounded a raised football pitch and the rain started. A brief respite in another set of trees did not last long as the wind and rain barrelled in at alarming intensity. People pulled their pace back, taken aback by the ferocity and speed of the weather change. But at least fell running has hardened me to some things. Across the open area and a slight down hill into the final, longer set of trees (watch the slippery bit! the marshal cried). I tried to enjoy the trees and was pleased to see the garden centre and then enjoyed the down hill. The ground here was breaking more quickly, as the forest harbours softer sections of leaf mulch. Again, these things bother me less and I popped out the bottom of the woods on to the hard surface path that takes you back towards the supporters, still with the little group I had been in. 

I think we are supposed to run in the muddy side path grass section before we cross the main drive of the park, but hardly anyone does so I didn't. I could see another Chorlton Runner I didn't know ahead and wondered if I could catch her. 

After the drive you do a steady climb back up the grass towards the start area. Everyone is watching so there is impetus to keep running. My little group pulled slightly away from me and I realised this felt harder than it ought. I usually find uphill okay in these things, as long as it doesn't go on too long. I had a little twinge in my hip flexors, maybe from climbing Mount Kinabalu. But as I crested the top and went to start the second lap, the crowd and the down hill buoyed me.  I caught up my little group and ploughed on. 

As we approached the drive crossing, the course was now breaking up. On the far I paused to walk briefly, letting a the cluster of runners go, and a few more pass me. This was not good. I recovered the dizziness but my abdomen remained tense. I knew this rarely settle in a run and so managed to get jogging but for the rest of the race there would be no pushing; not unless I wanted an accident. My legs also felt very weak suddenly. I kept trying to jog but people were passing me. On the wood section I got a bit more pace on, especially as we dropped down hill, but the second ascent back to the start line was almost embarrassingly slow. People probably could see the wheels had fallen off. It crossed my mind to stop but I really didn't want to DNF.  The cramp was settling but I felt weak and unfit: I WAS weak and unfit. I haven't run hard or far for ages. This was my fault but a DNF would not make it better. I was over taken by another Chorlton Runner who was running really well. 

I started the last lap glad it was just that. The laps are about 1.7 miles each so it was not short distance to go but I knew the psychological implications of not. The dip down to the drive and the section on the other side were now very muddy. I managed to hold a nice line across here (I trust my mudclaws implicitly if nothing else) but the long drag through Pope's field saw me dropping back further in the pack. I waled the kick up to the turning in to the trees. As we rounded the raised football pitch one last time, the sun was back out and there was a gorgeous view over Manchester. The runner ahead of me took a photo, and I actually didn't blame her! Sod the race, it really is stunning at Heaton Park sometimes. I kept trotting forward, unable to muster much in terms of form or pace, I suspect because my posture was a bit hunched over my bloated abdomen. 

Once again in the trees I moved a bit better and caught up another Chorlton Runner who was struggling a bit of an exuberant start. She is new to cross country and we have ALL been there. Its a real challenge not to be dragged along. The marshal at the top said well done to me by name but I don't know who it was (my apolgoies), and I was so ready for that last descent through the trees. I just ran through the muddy sections, at least not phased by them. The last bit around the path back towards the crowd was quite crowded with dogs but I just ploughed through. The crowd had thinned due to the imminent start of the mens race. The last climb was hellish slow. I think I lost another place or two but Martin and dog were at the top and I finished at a (slow) run despite my legs wanting to stop all the way up. 

I decided not to wallow and went to get my warm layers on (though fortunately not as many as I had worried I would need). I asked other how their race went and most people were pretty happy. I like celebrating other's success so I just said 'period cramps' when asked about mine. Plus there is the communal cup of tea and biscuit after. Martin was getting a bit grumpy so we didn't stay for the Mens' race but we saw the fast chaps coming in on their first lap. Watching them do the full hill in Pope's field did not make me envious of their increased distance to us! 

So lots of room for improvement. I am trying to build good habits to start with; early morning runs, sessions, and the much neglected long run. I have a road race next week so maybe i can heal my gut a bit by then, even if I won't suddenly get fitter. But that is the thing about cross country: you can't hide a lack of fitness or training. And if I am honest, I have been struggling with training since before the Lakeland 50, and haven't really done threshold training in months. Lots of work to do! 

Photo by John Paul Kairns, before the wheels came off (I think)