Hearing the wind howl and the rain beat on the windows on Friday night, I was not regretting my decision to downgrade from the lakeland 100 to the 50 and I was just hoping that Rachael and everyone else was not having too horrible a time. BUT the weather was due to perk up at lunchtime on Saturday and so it did. At about 11:45 the sun began to shine on those of us gathered at Dalemain and at midday we set off for a loop around the fields, before getting on the route proper.
Start of Lakeland 50 - Martin and Martin taking an early lead.
Once at Pooley Bridge, the route began to look familiar, although I think the tourists were a bit perplexed by 100 people jogging through the village. If it had been France there would have been lots of cheering and clapping, but the Brits are a bit more reserved!
The first checkpoint was at Bobbin Hall in Howtown, which a group of us managed to miss the turning to, but found it eventually. Then along Fusedale, working our way up to the highpoint of the course at High Kop. The route we took was much better than the "long shortcut" that I had taken when reccying the route earlier in the year. The visibility remained amazingly good so it was easy to find the trod down to Haweswater. I felt more relaxed about the route now as this was the trickiest bit of the route now over.
Haweswater is surprisingly long, but Mardale was soon in sight and it was good to fill up with water and have a banana. Well that was until I tasted the water that was that delicious iodine flavour! Yuk!
Gatesgarth is a stiff climb, but not too long and then begain the long rocky descent to Sadgill and on to Kentmere. I had met up with Chris Armour at Mardale and it was good to catch up on common acquaintances and have some company. We met Rachael on the way down from Gatesgarth and it was great to see her still going so well, still no regrets about not doing the 100!
Approaching Mardale
Kentmere was about halfway and a chance to try to get some fresh water as well as down a plate of welcome pasta and have a smoothie. A quick thank you to the checkpoint leader for a great spread and then up over Garburn, which is a horrible ankle turing track. We passed a few more guys on the 100, all still going remarkably well.
Troutbeck came into view and then it was not too far to Ambleside and what a welcome from Ian and the crew in Lakes Runner! He had told me that he was the best checkpoint last year...and he would get my vote this year too! At last some water that was drinkable, without the sickening iodine taste. Looking at my times for a 12,13 or 14 hour schedule, we were on track for about 12 hours, which was a boost and something to aim for.
We arrived at Chapel Stile and had some soup and some biscuits. We got our torches out in the gathering gloom, but did not need to use them until we reached Blea Tarn and then it seemed to go dark and start to rain quite hard all in the space of a few minutes. Not sure whether we were on a path or following a stream but trusted the compass and we hit the road in the right place, mistaking the sheeps' eyes for other headtorches!
Having found the track past the cottage, we followed the broad track and eventually reached the road and saw the flashing lights of Tilberthwaite checkpoint. We were now on the home straight, although we had lost some time and would be lucky to stay on the 12 hour schedule. I kept checking compass bearing as there were a few headlights that we could see in places that did not seem quite on route. Eventually we were over the hill, literally and then it was the steep rocky descent to the Coppermines and then into the other bit I had not reccied...the way back though the village. Luckily Chris had, and we only had one short trip down a cul-de-sac before we found the school and the welcome sight of the Sports and Social Club and it was just after midnight.
It was good to do the 50 and a tough race. The fact that I could walk the day after was proof that I made the right call not to do the 100......after all there is always next year!
Was also really pleased with the new Vasque Momenta shoes that I had worn only once before and only for a few miles.
