Groovy Baby Love, Westmorland Trail Race, and a prize envelope!

 As I write this, it is hard to believe that a week ago I was boiling in a race; I am currently wrapped in  blanket watching high winds tear leaves from the trees amonst some pretty sideways rain showers. 

Groovy Baby Love

But the morning of the Groovy Baby love race dawned clear and bright, and by the 11am start time rolled around, it was actually getting quite warm! You can imagine my anxiety then, when I realised I did not have my water bottles in my pack and so had replaced them with two fruit shoots from the local corner shop (there wasn't many options that would fit). Fruit shoots, it transpires, are not good fell running fluid. 

I had registered and passed kit check without issue and was pleased to see several Chorlton Runner faces in the crowd. However, only three of us were on the baby; everyone else was taking on the full Groovy Kinder Love 15 mile monster. I was not envious. 

Both sets of CRs on the start line

The start was by the electric box on the road and very much without fanfare; 'okay, off you go' was about it. The road section felt okay and I ran alongside Bryony knowing she would probably get ahead of me shortly after. My plan was about sensible pace from the outset; it may only be the baby but it is still 10 miles. 

Soon we were slogging up the bridleway and a couple of much faster CRs, held back at the start, came shooting past as we started the steeper climb. The climb was warm and as long as I remembered it, with the steep section at the top uncomfortable if only for the fear I was holding other people up, but really I was sandwiched in. The checkpoint at the top was unmarked and unmanned so that was that, and we traversed along the ridge section which felt less terrifying without the fog. 

Then it was time to hit the Pennine Bridleway before turning on to the flagged path towards Brown Knoll. I was dreading this section but I was keeping pace with people around me. Its about a mile and a half of gradual then more noticeable uphill. But the legs let me do it. and a lovely group of people cheered us on from their walk. I did walk one or two steeper sections but mostly I kept going. But as we started to tilt down hill, a few people came past, and that was disappointing. 

The steep climb up to Edale rocks was busy with people, some of whom were more positively inclined towards the race, and a few who were deliberately obstructive and huffy. Each to their own. As I got toward the top, Ben from Chorlton caught me up, having done the up and down Jacob's ladder thar wasn't on the short. Just behind him was Luke. I was super impressed by both of them. At the top, tucked in the rocks was Fiona who was marshalling and accepted a sweaty hug. She was all wrapped up but we were all quite warm....and it was about to get warmer. 

Fiona managed to grab this selfie at the top of Edale rocks

On the run along Kinder knoll, several faster runners over took, and the lady in front of me pulled away. As we tilted down hill I lost more places but tried not to get frustrated, instead concentrating on the steep section of technical descent we were descending. We passed a pair of chaps skidding around in fashion trainers who cheered us, which was slightly gratifying. 

On the path at the bottom I tried to get a move on, but people were pulling away from me. I do seem to have lost all technical ability (and it really wasn't that technical, just a bit rocky on the flattish path). I went down the grassy steep descent like an inept fairy, flapping arms and taking baby steps. Going up the grassy hill (the main race had turned to climb Kinder again, I did not envy them) I started to feel a bit off, and very warm. In this part of the valley it was still and bright so the temp had gotten up a bit more. Nothing to write home about but enough to notice. 

At the top of the hill I got running again on the track around the reservoir. Ahead of me, a couple went the wrong way, and another chap started fumbling a map. Perhaps a bit too graciously, I told them to take the right hand trod, and they waved thanks. As we got down towards the river Kinder, they took the long track whiilst I cut the corner on the shorter path to come out just in front of them before the bridge. 

But now I started to feel awful. The fruit shoots I had been sipping were threatening to come back out, and my tummy felt horrible. I rarely get nauseous on a race, so this is not something I am used to. I felt I couldn't really tighten my core to balance and run, and the little pack partly over took me. I (again, perhaps too kindly) told them to take the right hand trod after the bridge as they passed. I felt really, really hot. 

At the bridge, I waved to the marshal and headed up what seemed an inordinately long slop towards the shooting hut. It had felt better than expected on the second recce but I hadn't been running relatively hard and drinking fruit shoots on that.... but I caught up with a chap in front of me for a bit. As it got more runnable I felt I had nothing to give. But once again, my little recces paid off as I took the innocuous right hand trod and caught up a place on the way to the shooting cabin despite not running well at all. 

I'd hoped to run continuously from the cabin but had to do a few steps of walking to even out my stomach. My feet were making hard work of the slightly rocky paths of middle moor, but eventually I made the gate of the snake path. 

Strava tells me this is the fastest descent I have ever done off here but it felt horrendous. The fields went on forever. Eventually I passed twelve trees and then made hard work of the style on to the track. The track is really rocky and my feet were inelegant. I knew the girl in front of me was now too far to catch. The road section was long and I had to dodge cars and hikers. I kept telling my legs to turn over and at the fork couldn't remember the more efficiwent way, chosing the right hand one which is seconds slower. Then it was down the footpath, under the A road bridge and up the field....

I was last CR home on the baby race. I was a bit disappointed but also too wrecked to care. I immediately sat on the wall after the finish line. I'd been aiming for 2hrs 30 minutes. I did it in 2hr 10 ish. So maybe I was right to feel a bit crap. On the wall next to me was the lady I had been chasing at the top of Edale rocks, who had clearly finished a good bit in front of me. I had let myslef down fitness wise but at least my recce meant nav was bob on. 

Westmorland Trail Race

6 days later I was signed up for the Westmorland Trail Race. In fact, I was signed up twice for the Westmorland Trail Race and only realised when I went to try and enter a third time but happened to check the entry list. That is the state of my brain these days. 

This gem of a trail race has been attended by Chorlton Runners en masse as one of our members organises a weekend in an outdoor centre each year on the same weekend. I've done the whole weekend but this year I had to work the Sunday, so was pleased when my husband was convinced to make a day of it with a parkrun, lunch in Kirkby Stephen. the race, a potter and dinner in Sedbergh. Slightly indulgent but it was our wedding anniversary. 

First thing we headed to Heaton Parkrun. Martin (husband) had been keen for South Manchester but most of the flat ones were off. I said he might like Heaton as its got a bit of hill. He broke 30 minutes with some amazing resilience and quite a lot of grumbling. But he was chuffed at the end. Thank you to the pacers that day who he chased very hard. 

The weather had now very much turned. Driving up the motor way, we watch very grey clouds gather and then spill their contents. By the time we stopped at Kirkby Stephen it was raining quite heavily and we found a nice wine and deli place to stop in with the dog. 

Arrving at the race heavy showers flurried through but they were intermittent. Still, most people were wearing layers and waterproofs and it seemed a bit of a poor choice on my behalf to run in my vest. It was a very minimal kit list so I had my bum bag with waterproof, foil blanket and spare buff but that suddenly seemed a bit sparse, evenfor a 7.5 mile race!

The race was a bit bigger than I remembered but still very small! About 50 people lines up, of which about 20 were Chorlton Runners! I suddenly caved as the next shower came in, pulling my waterproof on in a hurry. A few didicated followers gathered to wave us off in the centre of the hamlet. 

We headed up the road towards the fell, giving up plenty of room to run given there weren't so many of us. The road petered in to a track and we ran in to a herd of sheep who dived between runners in fright. They don't get too many people round here. The mile or so is climb but its gradual enough even I ran pretty much all of it. But I did take my waterproof off as suddenly the rain had stopped; maybe we were going to get a weather window after all. We climbed up on to the moor and amazing views of the Howgills proper came in to view. With the cloudy skies and patchy sunlight, they looked amazing. At one point a big water catchment in the grassy hills was illuminated in all its rugged glory. I did stop to take some photos. 

We were undulating now, and I was running next to Suzanna from Horwich who must have been having a bad day as she was coughing (I'd never get near her normally, and she is V60!). Its a reasonably good grassy path and track and bumps around. Occasionally it was a bit more muddy or there was a bit of a stream but it was lovely running. But it is a long section and by the end of it, Suzanna had pulled away and I was running in a bit of a gap. On a very lonely road on the moor, there was a water station, but given that the next shower had just zipped in (and then out) I didn't really need any more water. 

After the water station there was a little bit where it was easy to lose the flags and I nearly did, but caught the sight of it off to my right. As I crested the hill I could see a few people had gone a bit wrong but a wall meant they were being directed back on to the main route. I don't think it had added much. I probably could have done this section a bit quicker but I really wanted to enjoy the race so just pottered on. 

Below the valley was opening, whilst Little Asby scar stood up to our right. I could see a few dots in the valley. It was, frankly, stunning, even in the grey light. We dropped down this lovely descent only to be channeled through some lovely cow churned mud by a marshal on a quad bike. 

Then comes the river section where you follow a smaller, rockier path along the river. A couple of weeks ago it would have likely been a tiny stream but it had definitely filled up a bit. At one point, the river was in the path so we had to get our feet a bit more wet, but it was hardly what one would think of as flooded. I overtook the chap who would win the V70 category in this section, which is hardly something to be proud of. 

The sun came out as I got to the bottom of the valley where a little bridge stood by a very picturesque tree....and a sign directed up back and over the hill. 

So I started climbing the grassy field, which was steep enough to make my calves ache a bit. The two chaps ahead of me pulled away and I was reminded of my lack of fitness and too many pounds.... At the top of the field was a squeeze stile and to my horror two younger chaps were just behind me as I tried to squeeze my ample behind through it with any deceny. I let them pass before we did the next one. Now we were very much back in farmland, and towards the top of the hill was a barn. I tried a bit of running intermittently but was frankly a bit lazy. 

Then we popped out in to a lane which felt pretty old. It was a grass lane not for traffic, and the remnant of some life few people live any more. We did the last bit of up before entering a grassy pasture at the top where a marshal stood ready to direct us back in to what I believe is called Ladle lane. I remembered hating this section last time: it was narrow and over grown and rocky under the grass making progress slow. But now it looked a bit better. I barely had to duck for the tree mentioned in the briefing (I am so short) but made reasonable but not fast progress down this lane. The lads ahead of me had pulled away. 

Mid lane there was a steeper rockier section full of water which was more of a challenge. I lost time here. But then it was more grass. It seemed to be going on forever....I popped out evnetually by the marshal who directed me on to the road, over the railway. I knew I was close now, but was it time to put an effort on? Ahead I saw the photographer and another runner; that was enough of an excuse. I hammered it in to the village, looking for non-existant traffic (it really is a tiny place) and over the foot bridge to finish in front of the other runner at the village hall. 

Martin let the dog off to greet me, and we all stood around chatting until a few more runners finished and I started to get cold....and the rain came again. I couldn't believe the weather window we got! In a day of storms and deluge we had had one fleeting squall and that was it!

I wasn't going to stay for the prizes and raffles as the original plan had been for a bit of a walk but it was raining again so I convinved Martin to stay for a drink, cake and prizes. To my absolute astonishment, the second name called was mine as winner of the Female Open. There had to be some mistake- I had come 8th woman, not first! But the race director insisted. So I took home a prize envelope! Turns out, there were seperate prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd female, and then vets and I was first of 'open' category over the line after that! I was so made up! I never win anything so to get an envelope was just insane!

Winner of the FOpen!

I did less well on the raffle but fell race raffles are always interesting. The main prize was a leaf rake which was won by someone who did an amazing job of showing it off and playing along. I wa spleased that Emma, the only lady ahead of me without a prize won something, even if it was an umbrella. 

Martin and I headed off after to Sedbergh for dinner at the amazing Black Bull which I thoroughly recommend. 

It was quite the amazing, if soggy, anniversary! 

The Espresso Round

The Espresso round has been on my to do list for ages. I think I kept putting it off as Keswick is a bit of a drive and also....its actually a bit more substantial than anything I have done this year. I just haven't been fell running in the lakes (one could argue I have definitely been trail running more of late). I had a terrible run at Lowther earlier this month and realised my fitness is just not what it needs to be, particularly around the long run. I am not running well speed wise either so goodness knows what I have been doing all this time. 

But it had been a bit of a week so I decided to just go and do it. I put the dog in the car with all my kit (taking the dog does seem to mean I end up taking a lot more stuff) and headed up the motorway through grey skies and rain to say goodbye to summer with a proper Lakes run. 

It was still early as I arrived and parked in Keswick. I had been worried about how busy it would be but the dampness and the end of the school holidays meant it was manageable. I parked easily, phaffed a bit, used the loo and eventually started trotting towards the George Fisher store and the start of the round.

The Espresso round is the baby version of the (formerly Abraham's) Tea Round. Its about a third the length at around 10-13mile  depending on the lines you take, and less than a third of the elevation. I have my eyes set on the full thing next year (I said this about three years ago) and this was a reminder we have a lot of work to do. The weather was also a reminder that autumn is coming, and initially I was wearing a long sleeve though found myself pulling this off before we even got to Portinscale. 

The route starts down the high street, across the bridge and turns left on to the Cumbria Way outside the Pencil Museum. Its pleasant path until the road section through Portinscale which is a bit of pain but mercifully the road was quiet enough to go round the odd early morning walker. I then went round the mariner way, just so I had seen the lake, rather than follow the more direct path but that is just a personal affectation. The section past Lingmoor is lovely and I will be using the Lingmoor kitchen as a self bribe to do more long Lakes runs soon. We past the alpacas and through the field to pop out at the pop up cafe at the bottom of the Catbells and suddenly my brain didn't know which path we wanted so I had to check my GPX. A sign I have not been in the Lakes much recently (or the state of my brain) when I have to check the GPX for Catbells....

The climb up Catbells was a walk but I was over taking quite a few people so not entirely hopeless. Oscar had to stay on the harness but scrambles quite well so the steeper section wasn't too bad. A few people were looking at these craggier sections with a bit of alarm but I think some mad woman and her dog going up them often provides reassurance. Sections of the rock felt very warn smooth after what I imagine has been a very busy summer of traffic. I wondered how I ever ran down this in Newland Memorial and remember I in fact went down like some inverted incapcitated spider....elegant. 

It was a bit blowy on top of Catbells, and two chaps who had just over taken me on the way up were there. I asked where they were headed and they were doing the full Tea Round. I wished them well given the weather and turned to retrace my steps. I'd tried to spot the gap in the ferns that was the route of Catbells but missed it and ended up zig zagging back on to it. Its steepish and grassy, but attached to a dog that wants to inspect the sheep, it was less fun than it ought to be. But soon we were trotting on the track at the bottom and on to the road past a beautiful house for sale in Stair - if only! I fed Oscar some of the last fat blackberries out of the hedge as we went down towards the river before snaking through and starting the climb at the road the other side. There were a few cars on this road but its wde enough to tuck out the way. 

Finding the trod up Ella's Crag proved more difficult than it should as I went left at the top and not right, ended up on something that was very much a sheep trod and then saw the path I actually wanted later as we traversed back to where we should have been. The path here is much less prominent than Catbells but I was able to follow it round north ward where a lovely view of Barrow in its heathery glory stood. We'd be there later I thought.... trying not to look at where Causey Pike stood a long way above me. 

The climb up to Rowling End is steep and craggy in places, and not ideal with a dog but passable. There were no sheep immediately about so I could also let Oscar off on the steeper bits to fend for himself which helps my balance. There were defintely a few 3 points of contact bits but they were short. I was puffing and this is where my lack of hill fitness became very apparently. But I just kept plodding and eventually we reached the little tree tha marks you as nearly at the top, and then the patch of ground that marks the top. I put my long sleeve back on and gave Oscar a handful of food whilst I caught my breath. Unfortunately the view was limited as the rain and wind were in. 

Ahead of me was a snaking path towards the foot of Causey Pike. Causey Pike looked worryingly craggy at the top, given I had to the dog. I decided we would go and have a little look and if we couldn't do it, we couldn't do it. Unfortuntely there were two sheep in the path who refused to move, and so what should have been an enjoyable snakey path was not, as I had to keep the dog under control so he didn't pull me over. I note this is an out and back on the route and the next section would be savage mentally as you lose a lot of height then have to gain it all again. I do wonder if carryong on down and going round to Barrow might be better? Decisions for a much later date. 

As the ground started to climb more steeply I felt tired in my legs. We reached the bottom of the crags and I was a bit concerned about getting up there ymself, let alone with the dog. We hand railed around and found a little gully to the left and I let Oscar go up.... but then we were commited as he would struggle to get down that without skidding. So up we had to go. It was mostly three points of contact and at one point I had to lift the dog up a section whilst balanced a little precariously myself. This is how accidents happen. Mercifully at the time they did not. After a few heart thudding minutes we poppoed out on to the top and the mini drama was over. It was really blowing though. 

The path snaked nicely away from me and again, would have been fun if the dog wasn't pulling. I saw three people up there, and a few more as we descended the curved path to the bottom of Outerside (not on the round). This path was softening up after the dry summer but still firm enough to step in the puddles. The Stoneycroft Gill path was a stream as we hit it, with water running gentle among the loose rocks. My legs were really feeling things now, and the dog annoying me. I was a bit worried about water and probably needed a bit more fuel. I managed to sort the latter and actually enjoyed the more runnable section of Barrow. I chatted to a couple coming down and saw a handful of people which actually felt nice. I was ready to be back in civilisation maybe. 

The top of Barrow was glorious, the wind being abit less severe down here and the long grassy slope below me. My ear phones also decided to work and some good music later and Oscar and I were heading down hill. Now much more tired, Oscar trotted next to me rather than pulling meaning I felt more balanced. The temperature also rose on the way back down and the layer came off again. I startled some walkers as I appeared over a ridge. 

The map suggests heading back via Braithwaite village and the A66, probably for speed. But a GPX I had found had a nicer route via Little Braithwaite, Ulock and Portinscale. It was still reasonably tarmac heavy (I had no interest in going over Swinside even if you can just to avoid a bit of tarmac) but the lanes are quiet and its a bit more green. Coming in to Portinscale my legs were pretty knackered and I was thirsty and out of water. Portinscale was now more busy and the path back to Keswick busy with runners, walkers and DofE groups. By the time I got in to town I was really struggling to run and the high street was extremely busy with people who just seemed to step in front of me. I had 4 minutes to get to George Fishers for a 4 hour round and only just made it. 

Four hours for that distance is a bit pathetic really but the main idea had been adventure, and we had certainly had that. I also had enjoyed a lot of it (even attached to the dope on a rope I love so much). I wandered back to the car for layers (its not summer anymore), water and the rest of Oscar's lunch. Then we headed in to a bustling but not manic Keswick for lunch. Sadly some of my favourite places are not there anymore, but Oscar and I got treated by the lovely girls at Yonder who gave Oscar treats whilst I had carrot cake and tumeric latte (and hence made the weight issue worse). Its all been a bit of a wake up call but fingers crossed its the start of something.