tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64124630321476420752024-03-13T04:59:25.269-07:00Lucy's Fun Running BlogLucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10723637704046121652noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412463032147642075.post-19620118839805302622017-05-10T11:04:00.000-07:002017-05-10T11:04:30.502-07:00Hazy HelvellynOn Monday I gave up running for the summer. I'd not done any for over a week and this culminated in me being unable to walk upstairs at work without getting out of breath. Summer has arrived and with it crushed all my thoughts that THIS year, maybe I'd sorted the vocal cord dysfunction and would never have to deal with not knowing day to day whether running up Helvellyn would be a breeze or whether walking upstairs would feel like summiting Everest! On top of this, a student in the classroom next to me demonstrated just what can happen when vocal cords close completely, which put me off trying that. I just didn't have the energy to go out and deal with the consequences when I couldn't breathe anymore and I couldn't always tell when that would be. I handled this in bad style and decided there was only one thing for it, I was staying inside this year.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EWat8ouDnWk/WRNUu_5WDbI/AAAAAAAAA7o/Jw6fLUNHRYUME5eZ2Js9R55odVGdSUVkgCK4B/s1600/DSC_0142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EWat8ouDnWk/WRNUu_5WDbI/AAAAAAAAA7o/Jw6fLUNHRYUME5eZ2Js9R55odVGdSUVkgCK4B/s640/DSC_0142.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helvellyn to Ctasycam</td></tr>
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That lasted all of 2 days. Some medications to try and tackle the pollen plus speech therapy got things a bit more under control and the sun was so nice I couldn't not. I knew it would feel hard, I'd be slow, my legs would be lead and require dragging up the hills and my respiratory muscles might just give up working enough to run (and sometimes walk), but I was sticking to my original plan to see what the <a href="http://www.lakesskyultra.uk/details/course-map">lakes sky ultra</a> had in store!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ATl2bzJgY-c/WRNU40lJq-I/AAAAAAAAA7w/hwNWOPL10EwX-qQuvk-iGXMvUcHujfN3gCK4B/s1600/DSC_0146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ATl2bzJgY-c/WRNU40lJq-I/AAAAAAAAA7w/hwNWOPL10EwX-qQuvk-iGXMvUcHujfN3gCK4B/s640/DSC_0146.JPG" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What comes next, straight down to the valley off Nethermost Pike then straight up St Sunday Crag...</td></tr>
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It's going to be awesome! I didn't even get round to running off the back of nethermost pike, but heading up to Helvellyn, over catsycam, off the back and coming full circle via striding edge was a whole lot of fun! Tussocks, rocks and steep climbs and descents, my favourite! I didn't know there was a dam behind catsycam either. Need to get ankle strengthening to be confident on the ridges and remember not to gun it off at the start, there's certainly a lot of climb in this route!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BamNGAV9A7c/WRNU9VdeUqI/AAAAAAAAA74/YhnJ5zugToYcbPD1iO3TiYPIhEt5HfEmgCK4B/s1600/DSC_0151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BamNGAV9A7c/WRNU9VdeUqI/AAAAAAAAA74/YhnJ5zugToYcbPD1iO3TiYPIhEt5HfEmgCK4B/s640/DSC_0151.JPG" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't fight with rocks, they'll win!</td></tr>
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So, I guess the moral of the story is I need to remember not to give up, I've had to go through this at least 5 times now and yes I ran slowly, yes I walked where normally I'd run, yes I had to stop and look at the view while my respiratory muscles recovered enough to tackle the climb off striding edge (which was a lovely hazy day in the lakes!) but hopefully in a few weeks I'll have got used to this summer malarky and be back to flying form! Bring on Jura and no 5hr30 breathing disaster this time!<br />
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<br />Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10723637704046121652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412463032147642075.post-47197605283438646082017-03-12T10:18:00.003-07:002017-03-12T15:16:49.002-07:00Something a bit different....Ask anyone what I'm good at when it comes to running and they'll probably say 'long, rough terrain, rocky races with a huge amount of climb', or something along those lines.<br />
So it was a bit of an odd decision for me to decide I wanted to run a fast trail race, even if it is 32miles long.<br />
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Back in October/November I decided to see if I could run faster, so started to do a few interval sessions and quickly found my speed increased. Before I knew it, 12 fast miles seemed easy and I was floating along. Brilliant. So what should I do with this....<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The route</td></tr>
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I'd done the Haworth hobble (32miles, 4400ft ascent) in 2011 and decided to see how fast I could run that. My previous attempt was 5hr 36, so I set myself an ambitious target of 5hrs (last time I'd prepared really well with the HPM and an open 5 the previous weekend and a wedding the afternoon/evening before).<br />
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The route runs along the trails from Haworth, past Walshaw dean, widdop and hurstwood reservoirs, out to the long causeway where the wind turbines act as a marker that you're almost at the road. From here its an undulating descent into Todmorden and straight out the other side, up to Mankinholes and Stoodley Pike, before losing all the height again to Hebden Bridge down a very steep bit of tarmac. Out of Hebden Bridge, they clearly don't think there's enough climb in this route, as you head up to Heptonstall before dropping back into the valley to climb back up (up up for 3.5miles) and back over to Haworth.<br />
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When I planned this in November I was already running 12-15miles at pace comfortably and planned to increase this up to the 30 mark over the coming 3months. This didn't entirely go to plan, firstly the students I teach gave me a stomach bug which took out a week or so's training, then I got the lurgy from them again at Christmas. This time it took me out for for around 4weeks....so in the middle of January I jumped back into running without the nice build up, full recce of the route, leg 2 of the BG and the Keswick 3 peaks all within a week got me some miles in. Not too surprisingly I didn't feel as 'floaty' anymore.<br />
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Wadsworth trog served as a good marker as to how things were going at the start of Feb. Run over a similar area but with more bog and hills, it didn't go too badly but I certainly wasn't running as fast as I had been before Xmas and I had a few doubts about my fitness for more than 20 miles. Not much to do about it now other than a few more miles and a bit more speed work in the 4 weeks to the race.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l7UCk61zXxs/WMV7PO_VtzI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/Gm8ZQWZKWKYTEtUtUhhrldeam_Ooz7dbQCKgB/s1600/IMG_0054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l7UCk61zXxs/WMV7PO_VtzI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/Gm8ZQWZKWKYTEtUtUhhrldeam_Ooz7dbQCKgB/s320/IMG_0054.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo - Woodentops. Having a chat to Adam as he passed.</td></tr>
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This year, Haworth Hobble also served as the selection race for the GB team for the world ultra trail championships, so the field was a bit more packed than normal. My plan was to see just how close I could get to those at the front, so as we set off I decided to go with them and see what pace they hit. It was fast but not impossible....then I noticed the women's field had started to overtake Rob and Andrew Jebb, at which point I decided to be more sensible, there was no way on earth I was finishing ahead of them so why start there. So I settled into 5th and then 6th position around the 1.5mile mark as we headed for the trails.<br />
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What I remembered as a fast dry course certainly wasn't today, it was a bit soggy and quickly christened my new shoes. The trails at the start quickly turn a little bit rocky and technical which suits me well. I don't seem to slow down on the slippy rockier paths (my friend Anna even suggested I get faster, but I'm not sure about this...) so this played to my advantage as we headed up and over to the first res. I provided some entertainment on the descent as I got a corner slightly wrong on the wet flag stones and careered off into a ditch to avoid hitting the deck. Out the other side of the res and the pattern for the day started to emerge, on the road I was clearly running slightly slower than those around me but on the trails, slightly faster. Thus started some back and forth with Samantha Amand, who had caught me as we hit the trails, I'd pulled away from on the flags and now she came steaming past on the road!<br />
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Heading for the wind turbines and the trail flattened out, I was pleased to see I was keeping a good pace, through the 14miles mark in under 2hrs (probably a new PB for 2hrs there) and soon I was heading for Todmorden. For some reason the trail across and down to Todmorden is not my favourite but I soon popped out the bottom, in the right place for the first time ever thanks to the guys I was running with and I was on to my favourite bit of the race. Probably the only part of the race that's truly fell running (as I've run it plenty of times before in noonstone fell race), I really enjoyed the climb to Mankinholes and Stoodley Pike, eating as I headed for the summit and conserving some energy for the climb to Heptonstall that was still to come.<br />
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Running down to Hebden Bridge I saw Bashir running up the road and must have still been running alright as he commented on my relaxed gait. Unfortunately the race from here on in requires you to be an actual runnner, not reliant on slippy rocks and fell running to get you by.<br />
As we hit Hebden Bridge, Sabs caught me and ran past, along with two other ladies (Samantha passing by again I think). There wasn't a lot I could do other than run harder than I might have chosen to up to Heptonstall and we hit the bridge in the bottom of the valley together as I knew where we were going ;-). Then came the 3.5miles of uphill runnable trail. My worries about the bit after 20miles started to be real, what was I doing trying to run these last 8miles? We were on Sab's terrain now and I just tried not to be gapped too much. As we hit the road part of the climb I picked up (this is steeper) and I suspect all of the damage was done by this point as I managed to get my legs to turn over better heading over the moor and up the road to finish off the climbing.<br />
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I'd entertained the thought that sub 5hrs was on around Stoodley Pike, but it snook over to 5hrs 9mins by the end and I finished 10th lady. I'm pleased with this as I'm not surprised my ability to keep a fast pace going on smooth trails faultered towards the end (as I said at the beginnning, nobody would say this is my forte even before I've run 25miles). I certainly set new PBs for distance run in 2hrs and 3hrs (and probably 4 and 5hrs too).<br />
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Sabs asked at the end whether I wondered what would have happened if I'd set off slower with her. Looking at the GPS traces, the answer is no. I was never more than 4mins ahead and this was mainly thanks to the slippy flagstones in the first 5miles. From there on, any fell type terrain I tended to run slightly faster and any smooth trail Sabs ran slightly faster until there was enough smooth trail to reverse our positions. I suspect setting off slower would have meant a slower finish outside the top 10 as I would have relied on my abilities (or lack of) to run on smooth trail at the end, rather than my abilities to run over wet rocks.<br />
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One thing I'm particularly happy about is that I finally dug deep and raced hard, not backing off when things started to hurt. This is something I haven't found myself doing for some time (even with some good results in the last couple of years). Hopefully this will set me up nicely for some long fell races this year with my race head well and truly on.<br />
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<br />Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10723637704046121652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412463032147642075.post-59188801911226553402016-08-04T06:30:00.001-07:002016-08-04T06:30:45.917-07:00Returning to XPD - Raid AranSo, there's been a bit of a break from blogging this year, mainly due to retraining as a teacher whilst working full time as a teacher.....Doesn't make for that interesting a read ;-). I've kind of made up for it in one so sorry for so many words....it is an XPD though...<br />
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Don't fear, me and Rosemary still raced the open 5's and even with these being my main exercise for the month, managed to find some form towards the end of the series, wrapping up our 4th series win (<a href="https://planetbyde.com/">PlanetByde</a> did not skimp on blogs and documented the lot!).<br />
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Generally this year has been a bit stop and start, no consistant running/biking or paddling but plenty of fun. As the lakeland classics started I decided these would be a good set of races to get me fit, even if I did have to ignore some of the times I was going to run. Starting with Duddon, things didn't go so badly for about 13 miles! Shame it's 18 miles long, the heat killed me off from Dow and I lost a whole chunk of time! At the end we went to the pub and I got persuaded to give up on doing all of the lakeland classics in favour of a British Champs fell race in Wales the following weekend. Ras Pedol Cym Penant was a bit of a boost, even not running anywhere near my fastest, my climbing legs were coming back (still regaining strength from the BG!) and the rough terrain allowed me a 15th place which was nice for a champs race considering this was my second long run of the year. Onto week 3 and I got tempted by the Great Lakes race. Now I was gaining a bit of fitness. I felt strong up Bowfell, tailing the eventual winning lady. I love the Scafell ridge when it is dry and had a brilliant time rock hopping my way along. Again, a brilliant race for around 8-10miles...then a massive stagger back to pike o blisco, but somehow holding onto 2nd (I don't think anyone loves that final slog).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_cNshy2MyUY/V6M1QpN_T0I/AAAAAAAAA2o/JlbZ0eJTcTUHE9-saG3iRWYxHtEQbf0LQCK4B/s1600/13511035_10101561674584022_6211278577811140227_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_cNshy2MyUY/V6M1QpN_T0I/AAAAAAAAA2o/JlbZ0eJTcTUHE9-saG3iRWYxHtEQbf0LQCK4B/s320/13511035_10101561674584022_6211278577811140227_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow Running in Chamonix</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downhill in Le Tour</td></tr>
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By this time I was fit enough for my holiday in Chamonix :-). A brilliant week in a luxary chalet (at heavily discounted summer off season prices), biking and running on amazing trails. I was ready to move there for good!<br />
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At this point I recieved a message from Team Dutch Adventure. They were looking for a girl to race with them in the AR European Championships which were being held in Vielha in the Spannish Pyranees. Well, what more could they say to persuade me, more biking and running in big mountains, yes please! I was now finding the perks of being a teacher ;-).<br />
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I met Wout at Toulouse airport two days before the race and we headed to Spain! My kit was packed and after a day of kit faff I was done with it. You can move kit around for days if you try hard enough, I trusted I had everything and was ready to eat some ice cream in preparation. One small problem though, the break hose for my rear break was damaged on the flight over so I only had a front break.......<br />
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It turns out, if you are in Vielha and needing a bike part, go to France. It took a day to work this out which was getting close to race time, but eventually, thanks to Team Ellis Bringham and friends, I made it to Luchon in France where the cable was fixed....and me and Bill ate ice cream :-). Preparation complete!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Banana Split in Luchon to celebrate two working breaks!</td></tr>
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I didn't pay too much attention to the route planning, this was Wodi, Wout and Patrick's race and my aim was to play the role of keeping up. I made a mental note of the first few stages so I knew roughly what was coming though. Off the start line, as is always the case, the pace was faster than anyone will keep going, after a blast on foot round the town we spun round the first MTB stage, a token 1hr45 loop back to Vielha.<br />
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Back into transition and it was like I'd never been away, wheels off, bike in box, camelback in bag, food packed, poles, ready and GO! I'd been promised that if I slouched in transition I'd have Wodi hovering and pushing to leave. My memories of my transitioning skills are pretty poor, when my breathing was particularly bad in the Itera I remember sitting on the floor unable to concentrate and getting the guys to name items for me to put in my bag, so I really did have a bad impression of my abilities to be fast. Turns out it is all relative and with a clear head I am actually well practiced :-). That was a nice surprise and set the scene for the fairly frequent transitions over the next 24hrs, where I was on water filling and bag/box moving duties.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-48xjGE9MwLc/V6M5Y73OYCI/AAAAAAAAA3w/rRCWXvKtmvIK2Lojg1x4Nk9WNfx6xUb1QCK4B/s1600/13710738_1087090678044709_6441875281318047230_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-48xjGE9MwLc/V6M5Y73OYCI/AAAAAAAAA3w/rRCWXvKtmvIK2Lojg1x4Nk9WNfx6xUb1QCK4B/s320/13710738_1087090678044709_6441875281318047230_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Trek - as the gradient eased</td></tr>
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Now the race actually started, although this was more of a taster, a trek up, up, up to some stunning views. The pace was hot up the hill (and this is my best discipline, I'm not too shabby on foot), but as I said, this was not my race so I dug in (on tow) as we raced past teams up the steap 1300m ascent. What can I say, this is the approach I was used to with Haglofs Silva as this is where we gained most time so I went with it. 3.5hrs into the race, we hit a col and the tow came off. I was in my element, lovely trails followed by a techy descent off the beaten track. We hit the town for a short individual orienteering section and rolled into transition in around 5-7th place (which pleased the guys, their aim was to finish in the top 5).<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xIIzyjqPcaM/V6M4bBtsmtI/AAAAAAAAA3U/xQwXpfeS_goJgQKOsRIVoar_lKWvof3XwCK4B/s1600/13735063_1085443084876135_2172384522069295458_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DxibmgKgTSI/V6M3R89Cj4I/AAAAAAAAA3E/pe2ERa8K_2E9KKwDujdKQTiwz2V-C6nCQCK4B/s1600/13690980_1085440941543016_2317920781974589833_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DxibmgKgTSI/V6M3R89Cj4I/AAAAAAAAA3E/pe2ERa8K_2E9KKwDujdKQTiwz2V-C6nCQCK4B/s320/13690980_1085440941543016_2317920781974589833_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joosep and Andris (Team 23) showing off their descending skills</td></tr>
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Next up, back onto the bikes for another 1400m ascent. There was a change in the team dynamic at this point. 6hrs in and I was not the one on tow.....Wout was struggling a bit so Patrick got him on tow and the four of us moved on up the hill. We were still covering ground well, maybe dropping the pace slightly on the final steap ascent to the ski station where our control was waiting, but in the mix with lots of teams going back and forth. It's amazing the difference 1400m can make, at the bottom, so so hot, at the top wet and windy, making it cold enough that I almost hit the point of stopping to put a jacket on! As noone else did I (wo)manned up and carried on hoping we dropped height to warmth quickly. Of course we did, this is the pyranees :-).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YtlZ5RpaY6o/V6M4iw54W-I/AAAAAAAAA3c/KYA_fI5tmuA4d5M9Xd5h4fzFOOQpF_Z0QCK4B/s1600/13735063_1085443084876135_2172384522069295458_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YtlZ5RpaY6o/V6M4iw54W-I/AAAAAAAAA3c/KYA_fI5tmuA4d5M9Xd5h4fzFOOQpF_Z0QCK4B/s320/13735063_1085443084876135_2172384522069295458_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The joys of inflatable kayaks</td></tr>
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Early evening and we were inflating kayaks for a short paddle to a ropes and canyoning section. There was a small queue at the ropes course (timed out) and I kicked myself for not putting in a tin of food to eat during this time. Then again, until we got there it wasn't clear what could be left where or how much waiting time we would have, and I didn't want to carry a tin up a hill. Abseiling into the night, we then paddled our way back to transition for around midnight. Time for some hot food as this was the only place in the race hot water was available.<br />
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I was not impressed when we were told that in the few hours we'd been away, the hot water had been turned into tea......well, nothing for it, vegetable hot pot made with tea! I'm sure it will catch on as a new delicacy....<br />
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At this point, the race turned into the part of an XPD that will make or break teams. Next up, 55km of mountain biking with 1200m and 1400m back to back climbs. After that, the 'High Mountains' section, 25km trekking with 2700m of ascent, potentially requiring ice axe and crampons. Third up, 115km 'mountain bike marathon'.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L2X9pao9PEU/V6M4wCOZfgI/AAAAAAAAA3k/B0R8OwAn40YrxTbAQe3D61cYwNM2bxrhACK4B/s1600/13730919_1084692401617870_5122493050560145923_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L2X9pao9PEU/V6M4wCOZfgI/AAAAAAAAA3k/B0R8OwAn40YrxTbAQe3D61cYwNM2bxrhACK4B/s320/13730919_1084692401617870_5122493050560145923_o.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canyoning section 1</td></tr>
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We set off up the first ascent on the bikes, lights on! Around an hour in and unusually I was finding it hard to stay awake. Usually the first night is ok, but clearly the altitude was having a bit of an effect on that (the last time I suffered the first night was when racing in Canada up high). I felt slow but must have been making progress as Wout was having a hard time behind somewhere.<br />
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It was here that I worked out why I had a nagging doubt about carrying a camelback on my bike, I damaged my right SI joint in 2010, but it has not been a problem since 2012. Now it was. I had a pain over the joint which occassionally radiated down my right leg, making pedaling rather uncomforatble. In my head I resolved this was one of those things I just had to keep pedalling through, I was moving better than Wout and knew the fix for the next ride, no more camelback! Bottles to the side of the bag are fine and have been in every race since 2012, I'd just have to do with less water. The next tactic was how to intersperse sections of fast walking to relieve my SI (in which I was moving fast enough not to drop ground on the others) without resulting in everyone walking and thus making us slower.... I snuck to the back....<br />
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Another few switchbacks and it was called. Wout needed rest so we found a lovely bit of forest to stop in. He said 15-20minutes should do (I was happy with anything from 10mins onwards), but Wodi suggested as we were stopping and having to put clothes on, we stop for an hour. This is a first for me! It was amazing, an hour later, freezing to the bone I might add, we set off again and once warm, I was right back on it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AopbYjbO_DI/V6M9RIQ8qgI/AAAAAAAAA38/RaVAefytyKM5ED6q-yLdfZ5A_x6nSwfqgCK4B/s1600/13692919_1085441304876313_9048363024388682950_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AopbYjbO_DI/V6M9RIQ8qgI/AAAAAAAAA38/RaVAefytyKM5ED6q-yLdfZ5A_x6nSwfqgCK4B/s320/13692919_1085441304876313_9048363024388682950_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sliding in the mud</td></tr>
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We weren't far from the summit, then there was an 800m descent. Unfortunately it was not intended for bikes, so the majority of it was hike a bike. We emerged at the bottom in daylight and I was ready for the next 1400m of ascent! I was in the racing flow now, my brain and body had remembererd what an XPD was, I knew exactly what gradient to walk jog the bike up to avoid SI pain and stuck the chiru in the lowest gear, twiddling my way up the rest. After a few switch backs I looked back and realised there was a problem. I was taking out a lot of time on the guys.<br />
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So, here's the problem to solve. I feel brilliant! I don't have a bike tow (there was some certainty I wouldn't need it so it was in my bike box which we wouldn't see for another 2 sections - my plan was to take one off somebody else on the offchance I needed one). I can't carry extra weight on my back as my SI joint will go wrong.<br />
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I suggest I take Wout's tow on my bike. Then we hit a problem. The team have gaffa tape as an emergency strapping solution instead of zip ties. That is not going to hold it. I suggest swapping bikes. We measure up and it doesn't look promising that my saddle will go high enough for Wout (or his low enough for me).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hwm9IcFwu_s/V6M9brvgUEI/AAAAAAAAA4E/4LzqEHWm8hYbX7LSLquLcRN_j6_b_vISgCK4B/s1600/13724822_1085443851542725_5226517728779348551_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hwm9IcFwu_s/V6M9brvgUEI/AAAAAAAAA4E/4LzqEHWm8hYbX7LSLquLcRN_j6_b_vISgCK4B/s320/13724822_1085443851542725_5226517728779348551_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The High Mountains - Aparently a rope might have been nice.</td></tr>
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So that's the end of that one. All that is left is to steadily progress up, up, up....again. Another 10 switch backs and Patrick is really concerned about Wout's progress. I asked when he last ate, it doesn't sound like recently. Time to open the top pocket of my bag where I keep my 'emergency supplies'. Out comes a gel and the shot blocks (I didn't think we'd need these until day 3 or 4). I hand one after the other to Wout as he passes and dig out some crisps and a bar to follow up. I don't tend to hand out my race food that often as I can't just eat anything my team mates have in their bags (unless they all agree to race gluten free.....anyone? No? You mean you don't want the super expensive option?). Have you ever tried to work out if a food contains gluten after 2 days of racing? It's not very efficient or accurate.<br />
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This gives Wout a small boost to get us to the top, then, you guessed it, its down for a very long way. This time its rideable (mostly) and good fun. I'm glad I've been practicing my steep switchbacks in Chamonix, it makes it a good, challenging, fun descent.<br />
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Unfortunately, whilst I am having a brilliant time, Wout and Patrick are not. We arrive at the bottom and both need to eat and rest before contemplating the next stage. <br />
After half an hour, the decision is made to miss the next trekking section and try and continue on the 115km mountain bike marathon. Darn, I was really looking forward to the high mountains, I don't really relish getting straight back on the saddle or putting my feet back in my bike shoes straight away....somehow, during transition, me and Wodi persuade the others the high trek is the better option. We're still well within cut off for it!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aWtC2HFozT0/V6M9hY2tRLI/AAAAAAAAA4M/8aDE-U4uHIEfFglU_eu62WwGyBV1wQw-gCK4B/s1600/13765753_1085443621542748_8896911426068055992_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aWtC2HFozT0/V6M9hY2tRLI/AAAAAAAAA4M/8aDE-U4uHIEfFglU_eu62WwGyBV1wQw-gCK4B/s320/13765753_1085443621542748_8896911426068055992_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stage I was gutted to miss - High Mountains with scrambling ridges.</td></tr>
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Ice axe and crampons out, we set off on bikes to reach the start of the trek, 11km up the road in very hot temperatures. We still don't have a solution to the bike tow issue, Patrick is not feeling up to towing, so it's all in the balance as to what Wout's legs have left for the bike. I drop to the back for the mental boost it will hopefully give...<br />
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~6km in and that's it. Wout sits down, he can't carry on. Ellis Bringham come past and Barbara suggests we all need gelato at this stage (little does she know that is exactly what I plan to eat next ;-)).<br />
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We freewheel back down to transtition and discuss the options. The race is a score based system and being used to Open Adventure races, I am definitely aware that this means we are very much still in the race (and that we are probably not the only team suffering in the heat/mountains). We have 17hours before the 115km mountain marathon stage closes. That's loads! Anyone can recover in that time! I break the good news to Wout and Patrick that we have time to rest, eat and continue. It is not met with the enthusiasm I had hoped for. Give it a few hours and I'm sure they will change their mind....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VUk1vty7U7I/V6M90x46KDI/AAAAAAAAA4U/2RaN9hQ3slACZQCANq9ysnBo_2igaaYFACK4B/s1600/13731562_1174986892543279_9099337514504326081_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VUk1vty7U7I/V6M90x46KDI/AAAAAAAAA4U/2RaN9hQ3slACZQCANq9ysnBo_2igaaYFACK4B/s320/13731562_1174986892543279_9099337514504326081_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Explaining the technical features of the Chiru's rear break - mechanically engineered to extend the life of the frame...</td></tr>
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A few hours and some food including lovely local melon later, Thule arrive in transition in the lead. All is not well, Simone's freehub has broken, a local boy leant her his bike to do the short out and back ride to the trek hoping to fix it in the time they were away.....it's definitely not fixed. They ask where they can rent a bike, I don't think there is anywhere very close (read 50km+ downhill in the wrong direction?). Time for Wout to decide for sure if he is going to carry on. The ultimatum, if we are definitely not carrying on, then I'm giving my bike to Thule. Even with that prospect, the resounding answer is still no, so I 'rent' my bike to Simone and off they go, the Chiru on it's way to winning the European championships without me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lAzA4rEVzF0/V6M-VSZ4_iI/AAAAAAAAA4g/SIUteeqVABMQmVyeq66969yNy91jdj9_ACK4B/s1600/13667735_1084692881617822_3117730654514287079_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lAzA4rEVzF0/V6M-VSZ4_iI/AAAAAAAAA4g/SIUteeqVABMQmVyeq66969yNy91jdj9_ACK4B/s320/13667735_1084692881617822_3117730654514287079_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canyoning in some stunning rock formations</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TvcHImc81rA/V6M-VykY2II/AAAAAAAAA4o/o4aFldAwqFAHbBxtZt5vyRzHXURwGAKLwCK4B/s1600/13710669_1084692898284487_4804446561546780131_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TvcHImc81rA/V6M-VykY2II/AAAAAAAAA4o/o4aFldAwqFAHbBxtZt5vyRzHXURwGAKLwCK4B/s320/13710669_1084692898284487_4804446561546780131_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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So, we spent the night at transition, I then rode Wout's bike down the short cut (65km) to the next transition in the morning with Wodi and Patrick and picked up the race route for some spectacular canyoning and trekking. It was awesome fun to be able to do this anyway and as we arrived at the end of the trekking section at 4pm, I figured that was a good day out and time to call it until tomorrow. Patrick didn't want to do any more so joined Wout as event staff. Wodi was super keen so carried on into the night (riding a slightly too big bike all night didn't appeal to me for some reason) and I stayed at transition. Here I met Emily and Klaus (Team 23), Emily kicking herself for having been to hospital, putting an end to the headline 'Team of random racers from all over the world who met 24hrs before the race come 3rd in European Champs' (from Klaus' description of their adventures, it was definitely the right call...). Emily has diabetes and I was impressed with her string of racing achievements. I know how hard it is to get food/glucose right with a working pancreas, I can't imagine XPD racing without! A few hours and a hail storm (in 30 degrees?) later, the rest of team 23 arrived having a wail of a time. These guys were out for a good time, the jokes just kept coming and I think herein lies the key to XPD success. Yes you need to be fit, prepared to suffer and push yourself hard. But a team that goes out to have fun and enjoy the race (whilst racing as hard as THEY can race) will always do well.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H5ebjBykwzA/V6M-nIW_BbI/AAAAAAAAA4w/TqnQ76r2ABkjpka9ZzIH1GcBYq_uuqcggCK4B/s1600/13725005_1084693041617806_1744792487455386023_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H5ebjBykwzA/V6M-nIW_BbI/AAAAAAAAA4w/TqnQ76r2ABkjpka9ZzIH1GcBYq_uuqcggCK4B/s320/13725005_1084693041617806_1744792487455386023_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Terrain changing as we trek out of the Pyranees</td></tr>
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The organisation transported us to the last transition at 2am where there was a bouldering wall!!! Yes! After a night on a hard floor with only my XPD kit to use, the bouldering mat was amazing.<br />
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At around 7:30am I awoke to Thule arriving. A few hours of team watching and I had itchy feet. It's not normally the paddling sections I want to do that much, especially in an inflatable. But in the heat I was keen. So was Emily (Klaus had made it very clear the night before that his feelings for paddling rivalled Tim Higginbottom's and he would not be joining me or Emily). We set off and had a fun 6hrs of paddling, stand up paddle boarding and orienteering to finish at the castle in Lleida, a fine finishing location. It was sad not to be finishing with the team, but I had a great few days and made some friends I would never otherwise have met. I feel a trip to Switzerland, Canada and NZ are on the cards!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D46vWOd81Rg/V6M-vg89SYI/AAAAAAAAA44/yS_k1URIKhkB9x8Drz1MqDjxmiSZcBljACK4B/s1600/13731051_10153813647045318_5875379780455590911_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D46vWOd81Rg/V6M-vg89SYI/AAAAAAAAA44/yS_k1URIKhkB9x8Drz1MqDjxmiSZcBljACK4B/s320/13731051_10153813647045318_5875379780455590911_o.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Emily cross the finish line - not as either of us planned, but I think we should get the award for most chatting during an XPD. I think we could even take on Helen Jackson ;-)</td></tr>
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On the plus side, two weeks on I've been out on the bikes and running, recceid half of Borrowdale, had an 8hr day out recceing Lakes in a Day with my dad and finally am feeling fit again. It's great training to not kill yourself in an XPD ;-). It's been almost two years in the making, but with no more silly researching hours, no more teacher ed and 4 days of work a week from the end of August, I think it's time for some proper racing fun again (with the unfortunate caveat of the school holidays, World Champs in Australia not looking too promising at the moment)....watch this space!<br />
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<br />Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10723637704046121652noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412463032147642075.post-76806409085613883482015-11-03T14:46:00.000-08:002015-11-03T14:46:53.326-08:00Lakes in a Day In late September I figured my legs had probably had a good rest post BG, so tested them out at the Three Shires fell race. Slightly over optimistic on the recovery, it was harder work than it should have been but given a bit of effort I could run. It was a beautiful day and a bit of tooing and froing with Nicky and Wil along the way kept me running! After about 2hours my legs suddenly said 'no' though, so I backed off on the final climb, wanting to make it to the finish still running!<br />
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Pleased to be back running something like normal, I was a bit aprehensive about the 'no' part of the race, with only 3 weeks until the Haglofs Lakes in a Day ultra (LIAD) when I would need to keep running for a bit longer than 2 hours. Ealier this year James Thurlow asked me whether I thought I would break the women's record. I said I thought I could, but I couldn't guarentee nobody else would do it faster. Now I wasn't entirely sure I could break it....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U4b9aWzVfDA/Vjk3CxdMXCI/AAAAAAAAA14/2Mxfda4r_OA/s1600/CQfSYu0WcAAogHP.jpg%2Blarge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U4b9aWzVfDA/Vjk3CxdMXCI/AAAAAAAAA14/2Mxfda4r_OA/s320/CQfSYu0WcAAogHP.jpg%2Blarge.jpg" width="290" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First bit of fast running of the year - Ali reminded me how to race downhill at the IHMR!</td></tr>
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3 weeks and one Ian Hodgson Mountain Relay later my legs were feeling much better. I was looking forward to the first half of the LIAD, knowing my pacing pretty well over Blencathra and the Dodds. I estimated it was possible to get to Ambleside in around 6hrs 30, possibly slightly under if it all went very well! From there on in, the plan was to hang on as best I could as that was where you actually need to run, heading over Claife Heights, High Dam, and Bigland (I'm not as good at that bit when there's no awkward terrain underfoot or steep climbs to contend with).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EMo2iwv191g/Vjk3RGlbiLI/AAAAAAAAA2E/JKVgH7W-sqA/s1600/12079980_10156137810860503_9044495588168969464_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EMo2iwv191g/Vjk3RGlbiLI/AAAAAAAAA2E/JKVgH7W-sqA/s320/12079980_10156137810860503_9044495588168969464_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some race faces already. We were chatting really though!</td></tr>
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Starting out with Helen and Sabs we had a quick catch up along the road. When we hit the fell Helen was off, but I was happy to let her run up the first hill, keeping her not too far ahead, as I knew where my strengths (and weaknesses) lay.<br />
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Blencathra seemed easy, maybe due to the amount of chatting I was doing with Larry, a Pennine member living in Kendal, but it passed by easily now I was on my own terrain. Looking at my time, I was moving very similarly to my BG pace so this was good!<br />
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Halls fell was a good bit of fun. Joe Faulkner said he was enjoying watching 'fell runners vs ultra runners' heading down the hill and I soon found out what he meant, making up a fair few places on the rocky decent. I hit the feed station around 2hrs 20 - 2hrs 25mins, within about 5-10minutes of Helen and up on my half thought through schedule. If my plan for Clough Head and the Dodds continued to go well, I would hopefully see Helen again soon :-).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5OS7DZf26Sc/Vjk3RU8EtoI/AAAAAAAAA2I/nd9aqXIYEw4/s1600/12144762_10156140969950503_6444914105046915729_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5OS7DZf26Sc/Vjk3RU8EtoI/AAAAAAAAA2I/nd9aqXIYEw4/s320/12144762_10156140969950503_6444914105046915729_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Halls Fell - good fun descending!</td></tr>
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Off up Clough Head and even on the gentle slope at the bottom I think I knew my plan was out the window. When we hit my least favourite ascent in the lake district (there's something about the steepness of Clough Head that really never gets any better....) I knew for sure the game was up. My legs weren't powerful, I didn't feel like I was moving (although aparently I was better than some) and it took a lot of effort to haul myself up and over the top. A little after Calf How Pike Sabs caught up. Having just watched me ascend Clough Head she confirmed what I felt, I was moving around 20% slower than I had when she'd accompanied me up there on my BG. (In fact, it took me around 10-15minutes longer than it took me in the BG, so a fairly accurate description)<br />
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So, there wasn't a lot else to do other than put one foot in front of the other, watch Sabs run off and enjoy the views. It made life a lot more pleasant as I wasn't going to fight to climb fast and I arrived in Ambleside after 7 hours, enjoying a lovely run on a stunning route!<br />
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I ran over Claife Heights with 'John' and we had a good chat about some silly ultra runs he'd done. I seemed to be moving fastest whilst chatting in this race as I cleared claife heights, the part of the race I thought I'd slow down on, much faster than anticipated and faster than a lot of the men did last year according to strava. Perhaps a little too much left in the legs?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Awoyf1nTvPc/Vjk4ETDd11I/AAAAAAAAA2Q/3V0twwCyIss/s1600/12074771_10156137870425503_1044436058366976004_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Awoyf1nTvPc/Vjk4ETDd11I/AAAAAAAAA2Q/3V0twwCyIss/s320/12074771_10156137870425503_1044436058366976004_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finish! 11hrs 59, a whole 20s to spare on the time I needed to get to the BG dinner :-)</td></tr>
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'Mike' and his support cheerleaders were a welcome sight along the way and we too had a bit of chat over to high dam. Ultra's are great for my chatting style of running ;-). Maybe I measured the effort just right as running the last few miles to Cartmel that 'no' sensation was definitely imminant. But I ran over the finish line in 11hrs 59 to finish 3rd, around an hour and forty minutes faster than the previous record, but an hour behind Helen's fantastic run this year!<br />
<br />
A great route for an ultra and another well thought out and supported event from Open Adventure - thanks for the GF pasta at Ambleside Sarah!<br />
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Just enough time for a shower and a bite to eat then it was off to the BG dinner, sporting my shiney new Haglofs LIAD finishers t-shirt, to recieve my certificate and dance the night away!<br />
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I'm not sure how, but my legs recovered well enough to do the FRA relays justice a week later (I think BG dinners are clearly good for recovery). <br />
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3 weeks on and next up, it's time for the open 5's.......... <br />
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<br />Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10723637704046121652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412463032147642075.post-82434008560305562032015-07-28T13:39:00.000-07:002015-07-29T03:05:42.475-07:00The Bob Graham Round: 21hours 53 Minutes<u><b>Choosing to do the BG</b></u><br />
<u><b><br /></b></u>I knew one day I would do the Bob Graham, but there was always another race or target for the year that would make doing it outside of mid winter pretty difficult. <br />
Last November I hit a new high in my running/biking/general ability to keep going as long as you like as fast as you like and given I had no plans race wise for 2015 I started to think about doing it this year. <br />
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By March, all of last years training and racing fitness had been undone. A tooth infection, a job requiring more hours than there were in the day and the reemergence of the breathing difficulties of the last few years left me absolutely exhausted, especially mentally exhausted. I got to April unfit, unable to race or interval train without having to stop due to breathing difficulty (this made club training and general racing a pretty unattractive prospect) and pretty unmotivated to do very much.<br />
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Then I went part time. Within a couple of weeks I was much less shattered, 4 weeks of part time work/part time running and it was time for the old county tops with Steph Jones. Although not moving a patch on how I had been last year, I was surprised to get round in under 9 hours, finishing second ladies team, with my legs generally unscathed and so the BG crept slowly back into my head. <br />
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<u><b>How to pick a schedule?</b></u><br />
When it came to doing the BG I wanted to see how fast I could do it. I was fairly confident, having done some fairly ridiculous races, that getting round in 24hrs would be fine. So then I had the conundrum of how far under 24hours to target.<br />
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I'd always wondered if the 18:48 womens record would be doable 'one day', I thought it was but also thought I'd wait until I was 'a bit older' to give it a go. Obviously in the last 3 years Nicky has made this more challenging and the question of whether to try for 18 hours was a hard one. My major concern was that I knew how hard it would feel at some point on the round and for the first time ever was worried that, given my mentally exhausted state, my head would be the thing to crack first. If I wasn't prepared to suffer, there was no point in starting on an 18 hour schedule!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'How to run Leg 5 fast' by Rich T.</td></tr>
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A couple of months of supporting faster rounds, running to pace on sections and seeing how it felt and it was just too close to call. So I decided to throw caution to the wind and go for it!<br />
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<u><b>Picking the day </b></u><br />
<br />
Above all else, I knew how little I wanted to run the BG, no matter what pace, in horrendous conditions. I made it clear I just wasn't starting if the forecast wasn't good. The week leading up to my attempt was not ideal, a little wet but mainly too windy. The week after was forecast for horrendous downpours. But the weather gods were smiling on me and the 25th of July could not have been better. Not too hot, not too cold, not too windy, not at all wet!<br />
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<b><u>Leg 1 -Keswick to Threlkeld</u></b><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>At 3 am I set off with Tim Austin and Jonny Malley as support for leg 1. Heading up skiddaw we made good time and were rewarded with some spectacular views. The lakeland 100 was descending to Braithwaite and the train of headtorches snaking its way across towards Skiddaw was an amazing sight. As we hit the steeper part of the ascent we met Angus descending and looking a little dazed (I suppose he's allowed to after 10hrs of running) as he and a fellow 100 runner were undoing a slight detour from the route....we summited as the sun was coming up, greeted by an amazing cloud inversion.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise on Skiddaw</td></tr>
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It's amazing how much the BG route gets trodded up as the lines across great calva and to Blencathra were much clearer (although also much wetter) than when I'd been out in May. Here I perhaps made my first mistake, I tried to drink a 'for goodness shakes' en route to Blencathra and this sat heavy in my stomach. However, some fantastic nav and feeding from the guys (just before Blencathra: Tim: 'do you need any food', me: 'no, I'm ok', Tim:'wrong answer, here's some chocolate raisins') and we topped out on Blencathra at 5:41, 7 minutes up on schedule. This worried me slightly but I resolved it was ok as my legs and body in general had felt well within themselves. I would just sit down in Threlkeld and change socks/eat as a reward. Heading down the parachute descent was fantastic, I do like this descent and hit it pretty much spot on to avoid the worst of the rough stuff (although Jonny took his own line and had a sprint finish down the road to catch us! Proves it makes all the difference to take the right line...). Leg 1 complete in 3:06.<br />
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<u><b>Leg 2 - Threlkeld to Dunmail</b></u><br />
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Setting off ~5 mins up on schedule with Sabs and Dave, we crossed the lakeland 100 again, happening upon a couple of dragons back attendees. A quick catch up for Sabs and Dave and we headed away from the 100 course once more (with a few shouts of 'it's not that way' following us).<br />
Wil had said that on his round, it was on clough head that he knew he would be able to make it. I thought this sounded a bit early on but as we climbed to the summit I knew what he meant. I felt great, legs still strong and climbing the fastest I've ever managed clough head (I'd built in extra time here as I particularly hated this climb previously). I took back the minutes I gained up clough head en route to great dodd to try and eat something more.<br />
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The views across the dodds were fantastic, although I made sure to avoid looking too hard at what was coming next. I thought it would be on leg 2 that I started to feel the pace in my legs, my plan being that if I did, I would assume the game was up and drop the pace to make sure I got round. Helvellyn came and went, as did fairfield and there was no sign of the distance or height covered affecting my legs. This was better than I'd hoped. Plummiting off seat sandall I arrived at Dunmail still 5 mins up on schedule, leg 2 complete in 3hrs 39. I used the minutes wisely, again eating and changing shoes, swapping my haglofs pulse long sleeve for a short sleeve as the day was heating up. We set off on leg 3 marginally up on schedule, leaving dunmail at 9:54am.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dunmail changeover</td></tr>
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<u><b>Leg 3a - Threlkeld to Bowfell</b></u><br />
<u><b><br /></b></u>I know there is no such thing as leg 3a in the BG, but it's as much a mental game as a physical one and in my head, there were two sections to leg 3. My favourite one was 3b as I really enjoy the rocky terrain, but first came the langdale pikes!<br />
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Rich and Neil took excellent lines and were right on it with food suggestions. Out with the apples and even a tomato, these proved to go down pretty easily. An hour or so in I was starting to notice the lack of sleep more than anything else, so Rich suggested a caffeine energy gel. In retrospect I'm not certain this was the best move (having not had one before) but even with the disgusting taste I managed to hold it down....just....<br />
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I wasn't too interested in the exact timings across this section, I assumed at some point I would start dropping time and all I was interested in was running at a pace that still felt comfortable. Legs were still strong, it certainly didn't feel like I'd run 30+ miles and I was surprised to find that by Bowfell we were still, bang on schedule.<br />
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While everything felt ok leg wise, no real soreness or heaviness yet, the climb up bowfell had felt a bit more of an effort than it should have been, so we took a couple of minutes at the top to cram more food in.<br />
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<u><b>Leg 3b - Bowfell to Wasdale</b></u><br />
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Unfortunately I took one bit of food too much on board and then there was none inside me. We headed on, I was desperately trying to get anything to go in, fully aware that whilst my stomach felt a lot better, my legs soon wouldn't if I didn't replace the lost calories!<br />
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A chunk of time lost to esk pike and unbelievably I was just about still on track for record pace assuming I could keep moving well enough to take the odd minute back. Make or break time with getting the food in! As we headed for Great End the inevitable happened, it was as if a switch had been flicked, 'legs absoltely fine' to 'quads really quite sore'. I was running on empty and really had to get some more fuel in!<br />
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Remarkably I didn't drop much time over to scafell, clearing broad stand, where my dad was stationed ready and waiting, without incident. But heading down to wasdale the effect of the lack of energy for my legs to draw on was aparent and another chunk of time was lost, landing me around 20mins down on schedule. With any thought of the record gone, my plan now was to refuel for leg 4. Hopefully a sub 20 could still be possible as we left 40 minutes behind schedule.<br />
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<b><u>Leg 4 - Wasdale to Honister</u></b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That way!</td></tr>
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On up yewbarrow with Neil, Helen and Wil and the ease my legs had still just about had to Scafell was all but gone (or it felt that way). The only way to get food down at this point was to stop for a picnic, which we duly did a few times en route over red pike, steeple and pillar.<br />
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My moving pace was actually ok, but that ignores the many minutes of
picnics I also had to have to keep me moving. At least 50% of the time
lost on leg 4 was due to having picnics.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--sh_3OzGzw0/Vbfgv341VCI/AAAAAAAAA0U/ItwebrS_txw/s1600/11811427_10153555840527053_8317665960853053799_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--sh_3OzGzw0/Vbfgv341VCI/AAAAAAAAA0U/ItwebrS_txw/s320/11811427_10153555840527053_8317665960853053799_n.jpg" width="320" /></a> Passing through blacksail we picked up Tom, Rhys and Benn dog for additional motivation, including a gable story from Tom (which I'm sure I was meant to remember, he might have to tell it again ;-)). There were some lovely views but I barely had chance to take them in - I did sneak a glance at the view of the whole BG, it is amazing to be able to see it all laid out! In general, it was a fine balance between pressing on and getting food in but eventually, after 5hrs and 5 minutes we reached honister. I'd lost a further 1hr 14 minutes to the schedule so was now looking at around 20hr 30 if I was lucky.<br />
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<u><b>Leg 5 - Honister to Keswick</b></u><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Come on, what's taking so long?</td></tr>
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I wasn't lucky. There's not a lot to be said about leg 5 other than it is possibly the worst I've ever felt (although this might just be because I've had long enough since parts of the Itera to forget about them). I never thought I'd consider giving up on Dale Head, but the thought did cross my mind. I actually couldn't ram food down my throat no matter how hard I tried. Therefore I couldn't run.<br />
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I had a proper entourage to keep me company and keep me going - Todd, Nic, Helen, Cat,
Lou, Zanthe and Keiren all patiently waiting for me to drag myself
along.<br />
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It was painfully slow, but eventually I got to the top of summit 42, Robinson, where I forced a pot of fruit down, using a compass as a spoon as there was no spoon on offer. The pictures of sunset look awesome but I wasn't really looking.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Final summit - time for a picnic</td></tr>
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Again at the road, there was a car and the thought of getting in was almost too tempting. But it was 5 miles to go so on with the road shoes. I adopted the 'keep on shuffling' tactic that had been such an integral part of keeping up with the rest of Team Haglofs Silva's walking speed last summer. Whilst my time was no longer going to start with a 20, I sure as hell wanted it to start with a 21. This kept me going down the road and at 21:53, amongst the hen do's of keswick, I reached moot hall :-). Possibly one of the slowest leg 5 times, but I had made it!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High five from a drunk Keswickian</td></tr>
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A massive thank you to all my great friends who gave up their time to support me, all the hill support, Sally and Neil for road support, Dickie at honister and Em, Kris and Hananh - without the vintage shot blocks who knows how long I'd have spent on that road!<br />
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It was a great day out with friends on one of the best days of summer this year. I was having an absolutely fantastic time to Wasdale and am very happy to have completed it first attempt.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EIJWH7Z6pJs/VbfiVprNt6I/AAAAAAAAA00/TcG4HIi6Ix0/s1600/11752542_10155838599335076_4063800058334963709_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EIJWH7Z6pJs/VbfiVprNt6I/AAAAAAAAA00/TcG4HIi6Ix0/s320/11752542_10155838599335076_4063800058334963709_n.jpg" width="240" /></a>Will I be back for another go? Before I started I was sure the answer would be no, but now I'm not so sure. There are a lot of positives - no destroyed feet and I only used 2 pairs of shoes (Inov8 mudclaws for leg 1-3 and Haglofs Gram Comp Q for 4 and 5 - really nice to have something more supportive by this stage). My legs are clearly stronger than I thought, no real damage aparent. There's also plenty to be learnt, it's probably not a coincidence that I was there or there abouts up until the length of the longest run I had previously completed. Food is obviously an issue, whether due to the pace or the type is yet to be determined. I certainly won't be back too soon, but never say never....<br />
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<br />Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10723637704046121652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412463032147642075.post-45911239457171269832015-06-04T04:32:00.001-07:002015-06-04T04:32:47.746-07:00Racing through May - going long!It's been a while since I last wrote anything, May just raced by (quite literally) so here's a bit of a summary of the highlights!<br />
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In April, me and Rosemary finished off the <a href="http://planetbyde.com/2015/04/14/haglofs-open-5-peak-district/">Open 5 series</a>, somehow managing to take the win. This had definitely been the hardest series I've done, mainly due to being completely exhausted and my head having had enough of thinking during the week to want to race. <br />
To start putting that right, the following week I started a new contract as a part timer! Within a couple of weeks I was transformed back into my former self! Well - a lot closer at least.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">17 miles of snowy Scotland</td></tr>
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I had 4 weeks to prepare for the Old County Tops - something I'd entered in February through a brain fog with the idea that maybe something to aim for would help matters. As Sal had subsequently had a knee arthroscopy, I recruited a last minute change of partner in Steph Jones from Ambleside.<br />
I checked I could still run that far with a couple of big days out recceing the route and a quick trip to Scotland to recce Stuart Walkers silly birthday plans (something about running all peaks over 4000ft and riding between them)....Clearly running far was not my problem, my stamina had gone nowhere!<br />
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The Old County tops has been on my to do list for a few year. 36 Miles from Langdale taking in Helvellyn, Scafell Pike and The Old Man of Coniston. The weather was on our side, a lovely day out. We took it steady to Helvellyn, summiting in 2hrs 3mins (planned not to get there in under 2hrs) and were following Sabs and Tom up Flowery Ghyll, steadily catching teams as we went. Across to angle tarn we hit some faster running and this is where my weakness showed. Steph was ace, keeping me running on anything it was remotely possible to run. Onto the rocks of Scafell Pike and it was my turn to take the lead. Soon we were up and over and down to Cockley Beck. The feed stations were excellent, banana in hand we headed up the final massive climb up the Old Man. On the ridge, the wind that had been noticeable on the tops all day, was more than noticeable. It was a strong, cold headwind (or so it appeared) out to the Old Man and I was struggling to keep moving. On this out and back section we got some incentive though, seeing Nicky and Jean, the leading female pair not as far ahead as we'd imagined and finding Rich and Wil (our other halves) only ~5mins ahead. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hG-VJsUXQ8Y/VXA1CkNR41I/AAAAAAAAAzE/6RFdmwQqAns/s1600/helvellyn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hG-VJsUXQ8Y/VXA1CkNR41I/AAAAAAAAAzE/6RFdmwQqAns/s320/helvellyn.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Recce - where is Helvellyn?</td></tr>
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On the turn we found the wind was still there, clearly being whipped in every direction. I was definitley struggling at this point, failing to lift my legs properly and tripping over rocks it felt like I was hitting the wall. But I'd eaten and drunk well and out of the wind had been fine. Then came the wheezing inability to breathe....aha - this might explain it. I got my buff out and adopted a ninja look and suddenly we were back running down to 3 shires stone. Hitting the road Steph announced she was 'feeling good' so it was up to her to drive the pace home (read: 'make me run'). We finished in 8hrs 56mins, skirting under the 9hr mark, within half an hour of Nicky and Jean and 5mins of Wil and Rich. The run of the day goes to Caitlin Rice though, 7hrs 44 to win the mixed pairs! This was an ace day out and Steph was a fantastic partner - I'll be back for more next year I think!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steph reminding me how to run - Angle Tarn</td></tr>
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Next up was Duddon, one of my favourite races from last year - 18miles with 1800m of ascent. I'd run it during a period when everything seemed to come together, I had no breathing difficulty and waltzed round comfortably in 3:37, prompting my friend Chris to congratulate me with the line 'I didn't know you were that fast'.<br />
Duddon is a runnable route with some steep climbing, so you have to be able to run fast and also flog yourself up steep climbs. I think my favourite bit of the route is Little Stand as this suits my climbing legs, but you can tell not everyone agrees with that by the looks on the faces of those who have benefitted from the easier running up to that point....<br />
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It's hard to enter a race knowing that you are going to be nowhere near your PB, especially an English Champs race. So I had to give myself a completely different target, trying to keep a '3' at the start of my time, ideally within a minute a mile of last years pace!<br />
This plan was going well to 3 shires stone, a little over half way in time. I had run well up the hills - well, the parts of hills that required a fell walk anyway - and was ~10mins down on last year at this point. <br />
Up swirl howe and suddenly I was dropping places. We were heading higher and again, the wind had got up. Running straight into the wind over to Dow, I found myself tripping over rocks and feeling really uncoordinated. After the OCT this rung a bell, so out with the buff and hey presto! Life got easier. I wasn't tripping over things! But you can only run so fast with a buff covering your face, so backwards I went, out of the Helm Ladies team who were packing well behind me all the way round! I had to stop a couple of times to get my breathing sorted and by the time I was dropping off Caw (which incidentally didn't feel as far away or as big as it did in my dehydrated state of last year), I knew it was going to be tight for sub 4. I'd given up racing at this point, so came in in 4:01 - enough for 23rd, which isn't a disaster at an Eng champs race, but could so easily have been a lot better! Somebody said 'you were going well into the finish' and I had to point out this is not a good thing as that means I had far too much left in my legs. <br />
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I enjoyed Duddon, but I have to say I'm enjoying just running a lot more than racing at the moment. Racing when you can't push yourself without having your breathing going haywire just isn't fun as there are only 2 options, stop breathing or take it easy.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breathing through a straw might explain some things...</td></tr>
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However, the good news (I think) is that, after 2.5years of trying everything the NHS can throw at me, I've finally ended up under the care of a specialist team in Preston who don't respond to me with 'your asthmatic, you shouldn't expect to be able to run up hills all the time - here have some stronger steroids', 'well stop running then' or 'what do you expect'. On Monday they filmed my vocal cords as I breathed and saw that as I breathe in they obstruct my airways instead of moving out of the way as they should. This is indicative of Vocal Cord Dysfunction and to difinitively prove how much this happens I am now awaiting more physiological/cardio/respiratory testing and filming of my vocal cords whilst riding an exercise bike. That appointment can't come soon enough!<br />
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As racing isn't floating my boat at the moment, I have some 'just running' plans for the summer. I'm off for some recceing over the weekend, then I'll decide exactly what my plans are, watch this space.... <br />
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<br />Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10723637704046121652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412463032147642075.post-83830737487613603352015-03-03T13:42:00.000-08:002015-03-03T13:42:29.179-08:00Open 5 - Yorkshire Dales<br />
I'm a clinical researcher, however you'd be forgiven for thinking I have a career as a project manager, logistics coordinator, regulatory affairs assistant, specialist equipment trainer, writer, editor, designer, 24hour helpline, customer service advisor, commissioning engineer or quality assurance officer. <br />
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Somehow I juggled all of these things for 10 months, fitting into 9-5 (ish) and maintaining a nice work life balance. Then 'delivery driver', 'research nurse' and 'data entry clark' got added to the list and I was treading a fine line. I toppled over the edge in November, scraping through my PhD viva off two days preparation and hit the level of work and no life balance in January when writing a funding application into the early hours...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plotting - 'We can't ride for more than 3hrs!'</td></tr>
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So I'm sure Rosemary was really looking forward to racing the open 5 with me last Sunday, after my description of training prep (or lack of it) and general mental approach to anything involving effort. I think my words were 'damage control' as opposed to 'full on racing'.<br />
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As a measure to ensure I turned up on Sunday I instigated 'skiving Wednesday' (taking back the overtime accrued from Monday and Tuesday so as to stay sane), heading out for my first faster run in months with Sabs. We ran from Ambleside, taking the coffin route to Rydal which is good and runnable. I have to say I was feeling the pace, Sabs is like a rocket on the flatter trails! Thank god for Loughrigg on the way back :-). It may have kept me sane but after the hour of running I spent the next two days exhausted (this is why I have been avoiding weekday exercise recently).<br />
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The weather promised for Sunday was....well....less than appealing. What was initially promised to be 'heavy persistent rain all day with strong winds' turned into 'heavy rain with intermittent sleet/snow and strong winds'. I told myself me and Rosemary excel in these conditions, but was crossing everything that the met office had it wrong.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fine weather for the bike - great views!</td></tr>
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As it turns out, they sort of did have it wrong. It was a chilly start on Sunday, the wind was certainly there, but I could see patches of blue sky above Stainforth as we arrived! The usual pre race plotting got under way and after initially having loads of time, we did our classic, starting bang on 10:30am.<br />
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The tactics were quite simple, keep it steady so I wouldn't blow up but keep the pace consistent and see where it got us. We chose to bike first in case the weather arrived later, as it's easier to warm up running than on a bike. I also opted to wear full waterproofs as I didn't want to risk getting cold. Being exhausted to start with I didn't want to waste energy on staying warm. <br />
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Up the first hill I was pleased to be keeping on Rosemary's wheel (an improvement on December) and we were moving well on the flat/downhill. The route was well paved and we'd soon made it to the fun descent (the direction we were going anyway) down to Helwith Bridge. Here we saw a lot of people heading in the other direction, must be around the midway point! In Wharfe we decided to play it safe and headed straight for Austwick, missing number 2 as it wasn't worth too much. Then it was on across to Giggleswick scar for a bit more fun descending before hitting the road to transition.<br />
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Coming into Giggleswick I noticed my bike was feeling a bit like a full suss but without the cornering control. Looking down I didn't have a lot of air left in my rear tyre. We pumped in some air and then hit it hard back to transition. I scraped in (thankfully not quite on my rim) and we got away with it!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waterfall at Stainforth Beck</td></tr>
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With the exception of the first hill, I'd chosen well on clothing, my Haglofs scramble jacket (now having had 2.5yrs of battering) and the super light L.I.M proof trousers keept the hail showers off and I was comfortable all the way.<br />
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Whilst I got away with the bike, the run really highlighted my weaknesses. I didn't have an uphill run in me (was struggling to raise my heart rate), so it was a fast walk up the pennine way to the stunning waterfalls on Stainforth beck. Rosemary has also been practicing, so it was her turn to set the bruning pace over to jubilee cave, which I could just about deal with as it was flat/down. Here the weather arrived, SNOW! Very glad to be on two feet rather than two wheels at this point.We flew down the hill to the quarries near Langcliffe. I couldn't fault the control locations on this run, the kiln in the quarries was huge!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giant Kiln</td></tr>
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Getting a taste of my own medicine, we quickly switched the run tow from my bag to Rosemary's bag heading up out of Stackhouse. Here we collected three controls on the West of transition before arriving back in....wait for it....4hrs 52mins!! A whole 8minutes early, unheard of!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evidence - the other end of the tow...</td></tr>
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Whilst we'd kept moving, we hadn't been as swift as we have in the past (and we'd been early), so we waited with baited breath to see where we finished. It was a beatable score, even we could have beaten it if we'd known I wouldn't blow up back at number 2 on the bike. After November's disaster we could do with a win.<br />
Clearly steady away payed off and our 510 points was enough on the day! Thanks Rosemary for a very enjoyable day out. Very happy with the result given I really didn't know if I could get around 5hours of racing at the moment. Two more days of work, then its off to sunny Majorca for a rest (and probably some cycling ;-)).<br />
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<br />Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10723637704046121652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412463032147642075.post-6809752364025576372014-11-15T11:47:00.004-08:002014-11-15T11:47:33.571-08:00Relays, running and the November Open 5 - Lake DistrictAt the end of October, I raced my last race for the Pennine ladies team at the FRA relays. I'd not run over near Barbondale before and it was excellent, fast going with just enough terrain thrown in for good measure. The team has been growing in strength year on year and it's been great fun racing with them! Thankfully I made up for my navigational error at the hodgsons and we pulled off 5th position in a bit of a packed field.<br />
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At the FRAs I finally felt like I had my running legs back from the ITERA. I spent a couple of weeks offsetting long and intense days at work with some faster running in the evenings and threw in a couple of park runs for good measure at the new fell foot park run. A nice location for a Saturday morning jaunt!<br />
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Then it was time for the first Open 5 of the series, based from Low Wray. The day before I'd been helping out at a friend's event, this combined with another manic week at work meant I was feeling pretty tired before we even began. I looked at the map but my brain just wasn't interested in planning anything, so I drew a rough squiggle indicating an option for the run and then let Rosemary plan the bike in detail. I was also quite happy that Rosemary requested a slower shorter run than normal given a hip injury she'd picked up after hitting the deck during a triathlon, this meant even less thinking.<br />
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Our ammended plan was a 3.5hour bike followed by a 1.5hour run. We set off at 10:15 (what had got into us, that was a whole 15minutes before a mad dash not to miss the last start!) and I was pleasantly surprised by how good I felt on the bike. Up into grizedale for some fun off roading (good job Joe, some interesting new riding even given the number of times I've ridden round Grizedale). I let Rosemary lead on the nav, whilst I enjoyed just riding along. We went long but were moving fast.....unfortunately we went a bit too long and I should really have engaged my brain a bit more when Rosemary said 'I've just spotted a way to get 13 too!'.<br />
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This was our undoing. Firstly, half way along our route to 13 the undertyre conditions weren't wonderful (although again, well done to Joe for fitting in another good bit of single track along the way that I hadn't ridden before).<br />
Then I turned round after a loud clatter from behind to find Rosemary lieing in the road. The sole of her shoe had come loose and so when trying to unclip, the cleat had remained firmly in place. Out came the zip ties and a makeshift fix was implemented (along with comments about how were we going to undo this at transition?).<br />
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Finally, just after picking up 13 my rear tyre punctured. By this time we already knew we needed to be hammering it back to transition if we were going to get back in 4hours (3.5hrs out the window). A quick attempt at getting it to seal failed so we stopped a second time to put a tube in. I let all the air out of the tyre then tried to get the valve out. It wouldn't shift. I used pliers. It wouldn't shift. Rosemary had a go. It still wouldn't shift.....I wasn't sure what to do with a tyre with no air in it that I couldn't put a tube in. I looked at running back but I doubt we would have made it within the 5hrs.... Then finally, with some more brute force it came out!<br />
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All of that lot cost us 20-25minutes. I now ran into another problem. I had planned a 3.5hr bike to perfection in term of the amount of food to carry and the pace to ride. So now we were at 4 hours with half an hour left to go and I was having some fueling issues, wishing I'd had my transition bannana half an hour before!<br />
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Somehow I didn't fall off my bike and we got into transition for our slickest ever transition (even with the zip ties!). Banana in hand we headed out on the run with 29minutes to go - I was right, there really wouldn't be much thought to put into it. We got the closest 3 controls requiring a convoluted route passing back past the start with 7minutes to go en route to our final control. Out with the tow rope to make that one worth while and we finished in 5hrs 6 mintues, losing 12 of the 15 extra points that control was worth. Every little helps....or that's what we had to hope!<br />
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As it happens, the overoptimistic bike route paired with the mechanical and shoe disaster was too much to scrape a podium. Ah well, we had to have a bad race one of these days and even if the score wasn't there, we had a very nice bike ride :-)<br />
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Whilst I felt great at the open 5, I've spent the last 2 weeks feeling a bit like a sack of potatoes and not going anywhere fast. I think I was right about being a bit tired to start....This morning we headed to the park run again and somehow I ran 10s faster than last time. Maybe its time to do some more running and riding ready for the North York Moors in December!<br />
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Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10723637704046121652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412463032147642075.post-68583929336406523922014-10-12T08:46:00.000-07:002014-10-12T08:46:32.150-07:00IHMR - Lost in the clagLast weekend was the Ian Hodgson Mountain Relays, one of my favourite events of the year. After a good streak in the mixed category from 2009-2011, the pennine men and women decided to branch off into having mens and womens teams for the last three years. With good results at the FRA relays, this seemed like a sensible thing to do, however there always seems to be something stopping the women at the hodgsons.....This time it was my turn to experience the curse of leg 3....<br />
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Two years ago, I'm not sure it's fair to blame leg 3 for anything, however last year for a whole host of reasons, it started developing a rep - resulting in us finishing at the bottom of the womens table. Most recently I've been a leg 2 specialist, however I specifically asked for a change this year as I fancied running a little bit shorter after dental surgery that left me looking a bit like a chipmunk (and also a bit uncoordinated downhill) the previous Tuesday. This landed me with leg 3, which I duly reccied well in advance (on Saturday) and was confident of the lines and landmarks to hit even in the mist. <br />
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I was racing with Naomi which was great as she had been in pennine pretty much from when I started fell running but I hadn't seen her in ages! At changeover, Noel started the 'time to dark peak' timer as DPFR ladies ran through Kirkstone and we were pleased to be setting off 2minutes down. A blast up red screes and we were gaining well on them. We nailed the line down the other side of red screes and were soon heading over towards my next landmark, a large cairn. We passed Calder Valley who were looking bemused about where to go (but not bothering to get a map out) and soon disappeared into the mist (so I assume they had to resign themselves to the map at that point). I was pleased to hit the reccied line across to just below Dove Crag. Keeping slightly higher than on the Saturday in a bid to get it right, we skirted around Dove Crag. I glanced at my watch, excellent, 47minutes gone and we were almost at the second checkpoint.<br />
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I should have known we were jinxed from the off,Claire had assured Naomi that my nav was ace and I'd never get her lost....She'd also reassured me the previous evening that no matter how slow I ran after the dental surgery, there was no way we'd beat their effort of 1:39:11 from the previous year. Well that was a gauntlet laid down!<br />
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Geoff had mentioned that last year he had found some leg 3 runners half way up Hart Crag (you only go up here on leg 4) and couldn't understand how on earth they'd done it! Well, it's quite easy really. What you do is skirt most of the way around Dove Crag in the mist, fail to see the col because the clag is so close, continue running, hit some unfamilier, steep rocky ground, convince yourself you're too high, drop down a bit, notice the rocks aren't going away, decide your best bet is to climb to the ridge and hey presto! You're half way up Hart Crag!<br />
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So, I added on 1mile with 150m of ascent which took us as additional 24minutes (including some head scratching). Finally we arrived at checkpoint 2 after 1hr16. Heading in from the wrong direction we were met by Geoff saying 'where on earth have you been, Helm Hill ladies were overjoyed you hadn't been through'. Needless to say it was now looking likely we were going to take the pennine women's 'worst leg 3' award! We tore down the hill and thankfully scraped in in 1:37, phew, narrowly avoided that one!<br />
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The other three pairings had storming runs, but the curse of leg three (now established) once again skewed the result. I suppose I'm allowed a nav error after 13 relays for pennine without, but it was an inconvenient year to have one given how well the others ran.....maybe next year..... <br />
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<br />Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10723637704046121652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412463032147642075.post-5951443165486725132014-09-26T12:40:00.001-07:002014-09-26T12:43:18.490-07:00Mourne Moutain MarathonBack in March, me and Wil opened a wedding card to find a voucher inside for a three night stay in a cottage in the Mourne Mountains from the 21-24th September. Sheila and the Smiths had done their research and booked our wedding present in Kilkeel for the nights following this years Mourne Mountain Marathon.<br />
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Without thinking too much about it we entered the Elite course for the Mourne MM (it'd be rude not to race right?). I figured that by the end of September I'd have recovered from the Itera and all would be well for another assault on the Elite course. So, 5 weeks recovery, one very painful attempt at running fast the previous weekend (resulting in 5days of DOMS which abaited on the Thursday - phew) and we were at the start of two days of running through my favourite mountains.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--30n2CZVqXM/VCWrXFoXNnI/AAAAAAAAAvw/SkNL33qxCTI/s1600/Cloughmore%2Bstone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--30n2CZVqXM/VCWrXFoXNnI/AAAAAAAAAvw/SkNL33qxCTI/s1600/Cloughmore%2Bstone.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cloughmore stone</td></tr>
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This year started a little further South than the previous events we'd done, covering some terrain less familiar to us. At 9:02am we ran across the start line (having arrived at 9:01am, efficient time management perfected) and marked up the map from the grid references given for the days 20 controls. Day 1 started with a steep climb, characteristic of many of the Mourne races which start close to sea level, and we were soon up and over to the Cloughmore stone for checkpoint 1, greated by a stunnning view. Moving well we headed off down the hill into Kilbroney Forest Park.<br />
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For anyone that raced the Elite this year, you might notice a bit of a discrepancy with this last statement.We made quick progress, down, across and up the kilometer or so to the next control. However upon consulting the control descriptions the code for the control didn't match what was on the flag. A double check of the grid reference and.....rubbish! We'd made a stupid marking up error and were out by over a km. Not a good start. Clearly we didn't think this race was long enough at 28km!<br />
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A mad dash back the way we'd come, up the hill to the Cloughmore stone and we were back on track, ~2km and 100m+ of ascent worse off. We left the track in the correct direction for control 2 just as the Swedish pairing of Tomas Albinsson and Pernilla Berg went flying down the track in the opposite direction heading to the first checkpoint.<br />
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The next three controls were fairly good going over runnable tussocky moorland or on forest tracks. We pressed on, looking over our shoulder, waiting for Tomas and Pernilla to come into sight but after an hour or so they hadn't materialised and we had something else to think about.<br />
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Heading up Finlieve More we got our first taste of what the SW Mournes had a reputation for, massively rough underfoot conditions. Having responded well for the first 90 minutes, my legs were a bit less happy with this and the high knees style running/trogging required to cross it. This continued for the rest of the day as we passed around Finlieve and headed for Eagle Mountain (making the most dubious of all of our route choices to take in an exceeding steep boulder field come tussocky mess). We reached windy gap after about 3hours, unfortunately not living up to its name in the hot sun, and I was starting to feel that in fact my legs might still be a little tired. There was a distinct lack of rivers to fill water bottles and my legs took a real beating on the 3km or so of rough terrain to the road crossing and Slieve Muck. I turned my left ankle somewhere along here, a sign of tiring muscles.<br />
An hour or so of running around Slieve Muck including a big climb with no water (Wil dropped low to fill our bottles when it became apparent the stream near the control was not at all full), a steep traverse (on which we managed to stay in touch with the pair that won the day after they overshot the first control and took a high line) and an incredibly rough decent on which I turned my ankle twice more, the second time badly enough that I had to have a sit down before I could contemplate standing on it again.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-izateQdwQFk/VCWw1jvgrqI/AAAAAAAAAv8/DLKt3D2U03I/s1600/Mourne%2Bmm%2BEagle%2Bmountain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-izateQdwQFk/VCWw1jvgrqI/AAAAAAAAAv8/DLKt3D2U03I/s1600/Mourne%2Bmm%2BEagle%2Bmountain.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The start of Day 2 - the hill on the left is Eagle Mountain. What appears to be a cliff face along its edge was our route choice on Day 1..... </td></tr>
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By the time we recrossed the road we had no water left, still, only one big climb and a bit of ridge slalom and we'd be home! This seemed to take forever, the terrain didn't improve, my legs didn't improve, but somehow we were still moving faster than the B course runners around us. Having estimated a finishing time of 5hrs to 5hrs30, 6hrs15 was a bit disappointing and likely meant we'd be out of the chase as far as the mixed pairs were concerned. We really shouldn't add controls to courses!<br />
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Tomas and Pernilla came running hard down the track what seemed like far too soon after us. When we checked the leaderboard however they'd mispunched and according to the confused SI timing in this situation had taken 18hrs. Great, our holiday could start properly with an hour and half buffer to second mixed pair! <br />
Oddly, it said they'd mispunched control number one which we'd seen them go to and there was a marshal at, fairly impossible....turns out their dibber had broken and shortly afterwards they were reinstated in a time of 6hrs 17minutes. Race back on then!<br />
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It had been a really tough first day, literally evey muscle ached, not just the legs. This was corroborated by the others we talked to around the campsite, possibly the friendliest of all mountain marathon campsites.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Eqf1yk5wYZA/VCW2qrdPQ5I/AAAAAAAAAwM/bXx9BcBhe7A/s1600/Mourne%2BMM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Eqf1yk5wYZA/VCW2qrdPQ5I/AAAAAAAAAwM/bXx9BcBhe7A/s1600/Mourne%2BMM.jpg" height="130" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overnight Camp - Costa Del Killowen</td></tr>
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Day 2 and we were off at 8am in a mass start. We were third off the line after map marking (taking care to double check everything), choosing an anticlockwise loop for the first three controls which we could approach in any order we chose.<br />
A pair overtook us at the first control like an express train. By the fourth control we were still with them, having covered about 6km with two significant climbs, a traverse through more ankle eating terrain and a descent where I had another little sit down after the first ankle roll of the day.<br />
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Just before the 3km leg to control 4 we'd caught sight of Tomas and Pernilla heading into the control we were leaving, roughly 5minutes behind (if we were lucky). Plan number 1 of being ahead was underway but we'd have to work for it.<br />
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If we thought yesterdays terrain was difficult, I don't know how to describe the leg from control 4-6. Wading springs to mind when descibing our 'running' style and you've never seen anyone more dedicated to high knees than when Wil promised me there was a km of track up ahead as we were heading around Slievemeel. I didn't want to spend a minute longer in that stuff than I needed to!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rofqhooUvh0/VCXAsqvk4tI/AAAAAAAAAwc/d-ukTStpmxY/s1600/Rostrevor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rofqhooUvh0/VCXAsqvk4tI/AAAAAAAAAwc/d-ukTStpmxY/s1600/Rostrevor.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views from Rostrevor Forest - I tried to find a representative picture of the deep tusocky terrain, but it appears people with cameras don't bother going to that bit.</td></tr>
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The track up to 6 was amazing, actual running! Heading down the firebreak to the control there was a trod and everything. What would normally be described as rough terrain was good going today!<br />
At the end of the firebreak we scouted around, no sign of a control. The leaders from day 1 showed up. They couldn't find it either. Back we went, picking up the firebreak we'd made sure not to 'take by mistake' and there it was. 5-10mins binned.<br />
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This was the first in a series of 4 'free order' controls in rostrevor forest, that looked like they had been meant for an orienteering event on 1:15000 map, a control pick with a bit of 'reentrant roulette' thrown in on a 1:25000...After our initial miss we were very careful for the remaining three controls, getting round without navigational incident. This did happen to be the absolute worst terrain of the event however, I don't think I've ever gone as slowly between controls in a mountain marathon. My shins looked like I'd been orienteering and just as we were leaving the forest I turned my ankle again. This time it was very close to game over, but a hobble for 5mins and disaster was avoided.<br />
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Running over the fell outside the forrest was awesome, again under normal circumstances this wouldn't have been easy going, but today it felt like a tarmac road! We caught up with Johnny and partner at the next control and they informed us that we weren't far behind the first mixed pair!<br />
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What? When had that happened? They hadn't been in sight since the third control and now they weren't even in sight ahead. Our firebreak mistake clearly was costly.<br />
We assumed this was it, they were definitely more than 2 minutes ahead of us to be out of sight. We could only move at our own pace as our beaten legs weren't up for chasing someone we couldn't even see ahead of us. We went over Slievemeen (it certainly felt it at the time) then a loop of Slievefadda and Knockshee before heading down into the valley just to fit that extra climb back in towards Slievemeen.<br />
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Heading off Knockshee I looked back and there were Tomas and Pernilla. It turns out the reason we couldn't see them ahead was because they weren't, they were busy making their own 5-10minute mistake...Back in the lead we gave it everything to the finish. Even in the last descent the planner had thrown in some rocks and gorse to keep things interesting and we burst out of that lot onto the path still ahead. Down the field to the finish Johnny and partner came flying past but we stayed a fields length ahead of Tomas as Pernilla to take the win. Doesn't get much closer than that over 11hrs of racing!<br />
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At download they found that they had mispunched the second control (accidentily ommitting it after not drawing a line to it in the free order section - easily done). However they must have run within meters of it so the tight race to the finish is still pretty much how things would have gone regardless. This racing down to the line only for the opposition to mispuch is becoming a bit of a habit....clearly you don't want to be racing me ;-).<br />
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Thanks to the organisers for another great event, well planned courses with plenty of route choice, friendly marshals and plenty of good grub to finish. Thanks too to Jackson Sports for supporting the event with some excellent prizes.<br />
If anybody is planning to do a mountain marathon next year, I'd definitely recommend giving the Mournes a go, I even came back with a tan! Still my favourite mountains even if they did try to eat my legs this year... <br />
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<br />Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10723637704046121652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412463032147642075.post-6267822385369788972014-08-27T05:10:00.002-07:002014-08-27T05:10:48.171-07:00ITERA World Series Adventure RaceStage 11 of the ITERA is almost over! In the last week or so, in between sleeping, eating and working, I have finally managed to put the finishing touches to my PhD thesis which is currently being bound in time for my final deadline on Friday, phew! No mean feat given there were two chapters missing at the start of the week....whether the last 10,000 words of it are in English remains to be seen at my viva.... <br />
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Stages 1-10 of the ITERA were a little different...from the 11th-15th August I was making my way across Wales by foot, bike and kayak from Caernarfon to Cardiff . I was racing with Tim Higginbottom, Chris Near and Bruce Duncan as Team Haglofs Silva UK. <br />
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The race started on the Saturday evening with a fast and furious prologue in Cardiff, a 10km run around the bay stopping off at the white water centre to get a bit wet. Unfortunately, within 500m it was very obvious that my lungs were having a bad day, making running fast rather difficult. We got round, 7minutes or so down on the leaders, Team Adidas Terrex. This time would be multiplied by 3 and serve as a penalty in the main race.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Water Centre....I am in the boat, honest!</td></tr>
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After the prologue, my chest was really sore and I was more than a bit worried that there was only just over a day until the main race. <br />
Thankfully by the time we'd caught the coach up to Caernarfon on Sunday, I was feeling a lot better. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ASRSJAvNy6Y/U_2mkTRjIOI/AAAAAAAAAtM/Dq_jRsgPV6Q/s1600/10572122_10154511900380503_7272611875207258095_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ASRSJAvNy6Y/U_2mkTRjIOI/AAAAAAAAAtM/Dq_jRsgPV6Q/s1600/10572122_10154511900380503_7272611875207258095_o.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Start in Caernarfon Castle</td></tr>
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The main race kicked off from Caernarfon Castle at 8am on Monday 11th and day one was an action packed day.<br />
A couple of laps of the walls and it was into kayaks, up the Menai straits to Bangor. There was a big tide and the wind was behind us, making this far faster than on our training weekend in May which was straight into a headwind. <br />
Originally we were going to paddle to Conwy, however given the conditions post hurricane Bertha it was onto the bikes from Bangor to Conwy, pretty much cycling past Chris' front door. So far, our pre race training had been very relevant!<br />
At Conwy we did a short orienteering section around the castle, baffling tourists along the way. Then it was back on the bikes for a trip to Zip World. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Chris heading down the zip line at Zip World</td></tr>
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Zip World is the longest zip line in Europe. Heading down through a quarry and over a lake, you reach speeds of up to 100mph! As with jumping off cliffs into water, this doesn't rate as one of my favourite activities in every day life, however it certainly was a highlight of the race! Having done it, I'd certainly give it another run :-). <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arriving at Ogwen (Photo Mick Kenyon)</td></tr>
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A short section of biking and we arrived at Ogwen for the start of the first trekking section through Snowdonia. Summiting Tryfan, Glyder Fawr, Snowdon, Yr Aran, Cnicht and Moelwyn Mawr this was a stage that we were looking forward to as it should suit us well! <br />
At this stage we were a bit unsure where we stood in terms of race time as we'd had a timed out section at Zipworld (as had Adidas and Sweco, the two teams to arrive there ahead of us), but we were all there for different lengths of time. So we made quick work of Tryfan and Glyder Fawr in an effort to catch back up to the teams ahead, reaching Pen Y Pass just ahead of Sweco. Time for a bit of a race up Snowdon. We aimed to summit with enough of a gap that we could disappear off the other side before Sweco summited. In the last of the daylight we did just that and were rewarded with some excellent views of the sunset. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Setting off from Pen Y Pass with purpose</td></tr>
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I think somewhere along this leg I got the first warning signs that my chest was a bit unhappy again, feeling a bit rough and finding it hard to eat. But we got off the trek and onto the water well and were off onto the estuary in the early hours of Day 2, heading for Portmeirion, a unique little Italian style town tucked away in the middle of Wales. After collecting a few orienteering controls we had about half an hour of time out before we were allowed back in the kayaks. Not to waste an opportunity, we lay down for half an hours sleep. As soon as we lay down I started coughing, sounding quite a lot like I had a chest infection. This wasn't going to work. Chest officially unhappy I found a bench to sit on instead, disturbing the Rounsley's sleeping arrangements instead of the rest of the team, sorry girls!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Italy or Wales?</td></tr>
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24hrs into the race we set off in the kayaks again with Adidas, heading for a control across the bay. I say in Kayaks, the best way to move forward against the tide and headwind was to pull the boats along in the water, directing the back using a paddle. Using this technique, we made it to the point we needed to head out across the bay. Just as we set off we were informed this part of the stage was cancelled. That would have been hard work! <br />
Heading back with the tide and wind we transitioned onto bikes and headed for Barmouth. Again we set off within a few minutes of Sweco who had arrived at Portmeirion for the orienteering just as we'd started paddling. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Against the tide and the wind</td></tr>
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The second big trek of the race started from Barmouth, heading straight up Cadair Idris. We set off just behind Sweco, overtaking them on the run over the bridge and along the flat, hitting the climb once again with the aim of gaining some ground before the summit so as to disappear off the top. <br />
I was struggling with climbs at this point, now taking ventolin ever 4hrs in a bid to keep things under control. We got up Cadair Idris ahead of them and put in a good descent to disappear, keeping a good pace for the rest of the stage. By the final two summits I was having some real difficulties, now coughing like I had a chest infection again, almost to the point I couldn't catch a breath. If it had been a fell race and I didn't have Chris towing me up the final summit I'm not sure I would have got up it under my own steam. Thankfully I did have a tow rope and we made it to all the checkpoints and down to transition, where Charlotte checked me over. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R8zNHaev6GA/U_26ANblFKI/AAAAAAAAAuU/YKLtuUJymOg/s1600/1614309_10154515589150503_1072058554315417848_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R8zNHaev6GA/U_26ANblFKI/AAAAAAAAAuU/YKLtuUJymOg/s1600/1614309_10154515589150503_1072058554315417848_o.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming into transition after the trek</td></tr>
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Due to the amount of Ventolin I'd been taking, my resting heart rate was 105bpm (therefore my racing heart rate was.....well, pretty high). However, the only way to improve things was to take more ventolin, sending me into the salbutamol shakes for a brief period. Since the race, Charlotte told me that me oxygen saturation was also not as good as it could be at this point (not too surprisingly), which might explain my inability to transition. Imagine finishing an intervals session where you really pushed yourself into oxygen debt and on the finish line being presented with a bag full of things from which you have to select everything you need for the next 24hrs+.....needless to say I was not slick!<br />
Eventually, at the start of Day 3, we were off on the bikes for the big stage of the race, 220km of MTB with a stop offs at Devils bridge and Elan Valley. Within the first few km we found a nice bit of forest for a quick, well needed sleep. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M2E_bam-fkQ/U_29TVFOUWI/AAAAAAAAAug/-3Y0QDQQ_-U/s1600/10628894_10154523746515503_7076403928897666779_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M2E_bam-fkQ/U_29TVFOUWI/AAAAAAAAAug/-3Y0QDQQ_-U/s1600/10628894_10154523746515503_7076403928897666779_o.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The long MTB stage</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JiwKL1HiPqc/U_29TGRiugI/AAAAAAAAAuk/Xd8XNghLOug/s1600/10515326_10154523743945503_5226998497393278489_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JiwKL1HiPqc/U_29TGRiugI/AAAAAAAAAuk/Xd8XNghLOug/s1600/10515326_10154523743945503_5226998497393278489_o.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of very few James Kirby photos in which I am not smiling</td></tr>
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I don't remember an awful lot from the first 110km of riding. Generally I was concentrating on breathing. I lost the ability to talk and eating was getting progressively harder given my inability to breathe. A lot of towing ensued. <br />
At Elan valley we arrived 15minutes or so behind Sweco and once again, managed to pull back this deficit during the trail run in which we caught and overtook Sweco with the incentive of food and sleep at the end of the run. <br />
At this point, we served a compulsory stop aimed at getting everyone back into race order and time on the ground. We had 1hr42 to eat, sleep and be ready to go again. The eating part didn't go too smoothly for me as, from half way round the trail run, my stomach was now rejecting anything put into it. I think I had enough oxygen to either move forward or digest food.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZW5RNItDaD4/U_2_Nec7pjI/AAAAAAAAAu0/vvp05uOyyNk/s1600/1974407_10154520016855503_8628287278011863331_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZW5RNItDaD4/U_2_Nec7pjI/AAAAAAAAAu0/vvp05uOyyNk/s1600/1974407_10154520016855503_8628287278011863331_o.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elan Valley</td></tr>
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Leaving Elan Valley it looked like we should make it to Glasbury with 4-5hrs before we were allowed on the river Wye at 8am. Free sleep!<br />
However, a combination of my inability to eat food and the terrain (some river wading and bracken hacking in the dark) meant the second half of the MTB route took a bit longer than planned. At 7am on Day 4 we had breakfast from a lovely bakery in Builth Wells, just as Sweco caught us once again. After the last stretch of biking, we arrived in Glasbury just as Walhalla, who we hadn't seen for the rest of the race, came flying past. Although we didn't have free sleep, we did have sleep at Galsbury as we all needed it!<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y6YuJETHnhA/U_3Bc_sNW_I/AAAAAAAAAvA/0pjfHM5OLC8/s1600/1548002_10154523787380503_3998383370297097305_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y6YuJETHnhA/U_3Bc_sNW_I/AAAAAAAAAvA/0pjfHM5OLC8/s1600/1548002_10154523787380503_3998383370297097305_o.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sleeping arrangements at Glasbury - barely noticed it was raining... </td></tr>
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<br />
After 2hours we got up and ready to go down the river Wye. Whilst getting ready to go, I realised my chest was in the worst state yet, I was struggling to breathe just walking about. So another less than slick transition, enough ventolin to send me into uncontrollable shakes and a bit of food and Charlotte gave us the go ahead to leave. <br />
<br />
I was now also taking 2 puffs of ventolin every 2hours and this, paired with a less than urgent pace down the river (we almost had a grade one sit on top capsize after Chris fell asleep) gave my breathing a bit of a chance to recover. We passed through Hay on Wye for the street O, picking up some food on the way. <br />
After our drift down the river we hit the bikes with a bit more purpose, trying to get as much out of the remaining daylight as possible. We were sitting in 4th and our target now was to get to the Brecon Beacons and try and reclaim a podium position on the last trek of the race. Thankfully all the ventolin was paying off and my legs had a bit more in them. <br />
<br />
What we weren't expecting was to hit the final trek ahead of Sweco, in 3rd. We'd overtaken them at transition strangely, but pressed on to make the most of this advantage. We made it over Fan Y Big but before we reached the top of Cribyn four lights started gaining on us at an insane speed. We couldn't hold them off, so on top of Cribyn we sat down. <br />
Sweco arrived and asked 'is there a control here?'. We gave nothing away, they found the control and headed more slowly down the hill to the col. <br />
It appears their race tactics involved following us, as at the col they stopped to get their maps out. We headed down behind them and got the bivvy out for a 10minute nap to give them a bit of time to do their own thing. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xorb6dhgB6o/U_3GEVh7n7I/AAAAAAAAAvM/vWZShHASViU/s1600/10628654_10154525682145503_6003806525520100810_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xorb6dhgB6o/U_3GEVh7n7I/AAAAAAAAAvM/vWZShHASViU/s1600/10628654_10154525682145503_6003806525520100810_o.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Classy sleeping location next to the bins</td></tr>
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<br />
When we set off again, we thought we were stuck in fourth position. The pace certainly wasn't what it had been, we were tired, Chris had damaged his knee somewhere along the river Wye and the motivation to push hard evaded us a bit. We stopped for another couple of sleeps and after the last of these made a decision to try and move at least a bit better or we wouldn't even be fourth!<br />
<br />
So it was a complete surprise to find Sweco leaving the caving section just as we got there. We were then informed that Walhalla were just ahead of them! The race was back on!<br />
A quick whip around the caving and we set off on the final 6km of trekking, overtaking both Sweco and Walhalla along the way to reach the final transition in 2nd. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gBr6cxe40Go/U_3IZEtEO5I/AAAAAAAAAvY/gfJZkHTLU1c/s1600/10608784_10154525721305503_1947324353220689130_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gBr6cxe40Go/U_3IZEtEO5I/AAAAAAAAAvY/gfJZkHTLU1c/s1600/10608784_10154525721305503_1947324353220689130_o.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Off on the final bike section</td></tr>
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We hit the last stage as hard as we could, giving it everything to stay ahead of Sweco and Walhalla. It was a lovely morning and the views from the singletrack were ace. From the top it was a matter of heading down to the Taff trail then following it all the way to Cardiff. One small bit of nav confusion and we reached it. By the sounds of it, following the Taff trail was much easier in the daylight and we managed to hold and even grow the advantage we had to the finish line, finishing 2nd!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OuxzpDhOSuQ/U_3JTdcqQhI/AAAAAAAAAvg/L3J3crcN4WU/s1600/10484478_10154525731825503_411300775306595144_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OuxzpDhOSuQ/U_3JTdcqQhI/AAAAAAAAAvg/L3J3crcN4WU/s1600/10484478_10154525731825503_411300775306595144_o.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finishline</td></tr>
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This was my first full course expedition race finish and my first podium position. Thanks to the guys for keeping me going and to Tom and James for a great route. Also thanks to Charlotte and Jacqui for getting me in a state to continue and letting me back out on the course!<br />
<br />
Time for a bit of a rest now before the Mourne Mountain Marathon in September!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10723637704046121652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412463032147642075.post-58657812805877071742014-04-11T02:30:00.001-07:002014-04-11T11:28:29.462-07:00Going Incognito Last weekend was the final <a href="http://www.openadventure.com/open5/">Open 5</a> of the series, but instead of racing with Rosemary, I was hiding on the bottom of the results table having raced with Bruce, Tim and Chris as a non comp team of 4. Just to make sure I really was incognito, I'd even changed my name to Lucy Spain!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J65SufM_hZk/U0emWOeHc_I/AAAAAAAAAro/n3oBwtr4SnY/s1600/1956845_232409303632071_7482529642862396824_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J65SufM_hZk/U0emWOeHc_I/AAAAAAAAAro/n3oBwtr4SnY/s1600/1956845_232409303632071_7482529642862396824_o.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mark Sullivan Photography</td></tr>
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Me and Wil got married on 22nd March and thanks to all our great friends, we had an excellent wedding day. Extra special thanks to Wil's cousin Mark who captured the day on film (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.232407233632278.1073741848.149143798625289&type=1">Mark Sullivan Photography</a>) and Hannah Whitelam who is a fantastic 'cake dresser'! <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ynX1fpQaeNw/U0enXZ5ArsI/AAAAAAAAArw/FLYHwrIEBi4/s1600/1781160_232410776965257_6935771222981541204_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ynX1fpQaeNw/U0enXZ5ArsI/AAAAAAAAArw/FLYHwrIEBi4/s1600/1781160_232410776965257_6935771222981541204_o.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hannah's amazing cake complete with climbing couple! Only took 5Kg of sugar paste....</td></tr>
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We had a 'relaxing' (well...for one day at least which is good going for us!) honeymoon in Tenerife, complete with cycling and then walk/jogging Teide - that is a big volcano!<br />
<br />
Then it was back to a rather wet Lake District for a weekend of fun with Haglofs Silva :-). After getting wet in sit on top kayaks on Windermere (I could certainly feel I had not been in a kayak since the C2C), we headed across the ferry for some MTB around to Hawkeshead and back. This is probably the first time I've ridden the 29er on more technical terrain and there was some getting used to just picking a line and letting it roll... by the time we got back, it looked like we'd just been kayaking again we were so wet!<br />
<br />
A quick stop in Bowness for chips and we headed round to Coniston for the <a href="http://www.openadventure.com/silva/">Silva 10K</a>. I hadn't really looked at the route before we got there and looking at the map about 15mins before the start I kind of regretted finishing eating at about 8pm. Never mind, 8:30pm came and we were off. The route followed the trail by the road out towards Skelwith bridge, before taking a left up a minor road and then heading onto the trail over the shoulder of Wetherlam before heading back down to Coniston. The climb up Wetherlam is one of my favourite, however I'd never done it from this side of the hill before, good to get in a new route!<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3geGPTMWr3A/U0es8xY2UvI/AAAAAAAAAsA/qIP1MvlK7GU/s1600/1799108_10154017663245503_1170128422_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3geGPTMWr3A/U0es8xY2UvI/AAAAAAAAAsA/qIP1MvlK7GU/s1600/1799108_10154017663245503_1170128422_o.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trail running by night - the <a href="http://silva.se/products/sport/runner">Silva runner 550</a> lighting the way</td></tr>
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I set off and was leading after the first 500m or so, although the chips were certainly weighing heavy... I had a bit of a 'back and forth' with another lady from 2-3km at which point I thought I'd leave it until the real climb to run a bit harder...keeping her in sight I trotted away up the hill and at 6km caught her back up - right, time to press on! Unfortunately the combination of chips and having already been paddling/cycling didn't really let me do this so I settled into 2nd, staying there until the finish. I won a <a href="http://silva.se/products/sport/trail-runner-ii">silva trail runner II</a> headtorch for my efforts and Bruce and Chris also won some lighting, finishing 2nd and 4th. <br />
<br />
The next morning we were back on the bikes for the Open 5. We planned to clear the bike and then get what we could on the run due to various ailments. First off - Walna Scar Road! By the time we started it was once again pouring down. It was fairly warm however so a Haglofs intense long sleeve and <a href="http://www.haglofs.com/en-us/products/clothing/layers/shell-layer/men/scramble_jacket_en-us.aspx">scramble Q jacket</a> were enough to keep me toasty on the move. <br />
<br />
The top of my left fibula was sore pre wedding, but I hadn't had any trouble for the previous couple of weeks. The 10K seemed to have started things off again though, so the hike a bike up to the top was not that welcome. The descent was a good reward though and my leg was fine when riding! We whizzed down to the next checkpoint, but were one short at the bottom. Chris appeared running out of the mist - puncture repair time...a good learning point from the weekend here as between us we had 1x29er inner tube and 1x gas canister. As Chris has 26" wheels we crossed our fingers as we inflated the tube with our one shot gas and luckily it seemed to work :-).<br />
<br />
On we went, I had no role in the nav so not entirely sure where to, but I do know there was a LOT of water on the ground! Ant had planned a challenging course, which was ace fun as we mainly intended to bike and didn't have to think about tactical route choices. I think a few people (including <a href="http://planetbyde.com/2014/04/07/haglofs-open-5-coniston/">Rosemary</a> and Heather) got caught out by the slow going and tough riding.... <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uzTFp2yh89E/U0ezIyNmEPI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/flQwZnDkoAQ/s1600/10003614_10154017862375503_616126829_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uzTFp2yh89E/U0ezIyNmEPI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/flQwZnDkoAQ/s1600/10003614_10154017862375503_616126829_o.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Haglofs Kit brightening up a dismal day :-)</td></tr>
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I got caught out on my summer tyres a couple of times. The second time of hitting the deck I hit my head off the floor and gave myself an array of beautifully coloured bruises down my right hand side....My jacket also now needs some fetching elbow patches....I took it a bit more carefully from then on....time to get some big size tyres to deal with mud!<br />
<br />
We were back in just over 4 hours and opted not to walk to the nearest run control just to bag a non competitive score. A good day/weekend out, looking forward to May and a run about it Wales! <br />
<br />
Although I didn't race with Rosemary this time, we had done enough in the races we had done together to secure the series win for a second year! I'm sure we'll be back racing together again in November (unless of course I am now ditched for inconsistent team mate duties :-P).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JqiQxyD1Xqw/U0e1TmMHv7I/AAAAAAAAAsc/e4mRgR3Ay8k/s1600/1966316_10154017878360503_474085300_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JqiQxyD1Xqw/U0e1TmMHv7I/AAAAAAAAAsc/e4mRgR3Ay8k/s1600/1966316_10154017878360503_474085300_o.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Series winners 2013/2014</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10723637704046121652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412463032147642075.post-13634699786663380352014-01-26T12:00:00.001-08:002014-01-26T12:00:52.467-08:002nd at the Dark Mountains<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-usmpVvqQ2aA/UuVQVcmSyQI/AAAAAAAAAqk/k_QMSh0zuGc/s1600/Dark+Mountains.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-usmpVvqQ2aA/UuVQVcmSyQI/AAAAAAAAAqk/k_QMSh0zuGc/s1600/Dark+Mountains.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tired but glad to be back in the warm</td></tr>
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I'm back! After the OMM last year I had a bit of a break from racing, managing to fit in a house move, new job and half a thesis of writing instead. Me and Rosemary did start our open 5 series well in December, with a good score in the Forest of Dean (http://planetbyde.com/2013/12/02/haglofs-open-5-forest-of-dean/) to take the win and another win at the start of January at Hamsterley Forest (http://planetbyde.com/2014/01/11/haglofs-open-5-hamsterley-forest/). One more good result needed to complete the series next weekend, however it probably won't be as smooth running as usual after the Dark Mountains Mountain Marathon this weekend.<br />
<br />
Most mountain marathons require navigation over pretty unforgiving terrain, carrying all the kit needed to eat, drink, stay warm and camp for a night. An Elite course has a typical winning time of about 11 hours split over two days, with an (often rather soggy) overnight camp in between. In terms of concept, the Dark Mountains is no exception, however there is a twist. Competitors start racing shortly after dark and race through the night, completing the '11 hours' in one go. Having spent more than enough soggy nights in a tent at mountain marathons, this did sort of appeal (although the fact that it was January therefore it would probably still be soggy and I wouldn't be in a tent sounded less good).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sAE5mxUJNtM/UuVXhIiU54I/AAAAAAAAAq0/LS990vhTKkE/s1600/Dark+Mountains+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sAE5mxUJNtM/UuVXhIiU54I/AAAAAAAAAq0/LS990vhTKkE/s1600/Dark+Mountains+3.jpg" height="294" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elite Course Route Map</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Me and Bruce raced the Elite course as a mixed pair, starting at 7:21pm on Saturday. The route started from Old Glossop and ran up Doctors Gate before dropping off to the left of the path to Mill hill and heading straight up to the edge of the kinder plateau. From there it was a lap of kinder, visiting Red Brook, Kinder Low End (both Pennine haunts), Ringing Rodger and Fairbrook Naze before crossing back over the A57. Into Dark Peak territory with several complex controls in Alport Valley, the next couple on the moor above Howden Res and then a trip over Bleaklow followed by 2 controls at an old quarry to finish!<br />
<br />
Before the start we were debating what to wear. The weather forecasts varied between 'calm and clear' and 'horrendous snow storm' so anything was possible. After last year, we didn't want to take any risks.<br />
I settled for hat and gloves, Puls Q Tights with their windstopper material on the shin to protect my legs when bashing through heather, a base layer and long sleeve intense Q top with my shield comp Q windproof over the top. I also carried my Stem II Q fleece and Essens down gilet just in case! Thankfully I didn't need either and at some points was verging on too warm, but in general I think I got it spot on.<br />
In combination with our silva runner headtorches and compasses we were set to go!<br />
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We ran through number 1 ok, having caught 2 of the three teams to have started before us. At snake summit we caught Joe and Sharon and had a bit of a chat, finishing with the line 'see you at number 2'. Number 2 was probably the most technical control of the race so there was lots of room for error...which we duly made. It was positioned on a stream in the middle of some streams, with not a lot to use as an attackpoint other than the path and a bearing. We set off well, hitting a stream we thought was about right, however the sides steepened and it was clear this was not our stream. No worries, looked like we'd gone a little too far, so we set off back towards Mill Hill a bit. Mistake, we were not too far but too short of the control, which we quickly worked out, but this cost us a km or so. As predicted we arrived at the control with Joe and Sharon.<br />
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Off to the edge of the kinder plateau and we made up for number 2 by cruising through 4 & 5 (3 was removed from the course) and onto the edge path. Now we were on my territory, I know this part of kinder like the back of my hand, but at night things do look a bit different....<br />
The next control was at a site used previously in the kinder trial and I was well aware that I had spent a fair while hunting around the boulders on this plateau in the light looking for controls. We ran around to Red Brook and took the direct line down the hill, hitting the plateau. Thankfully Shane hadn't used Andy's 'boulder' as a control, but instead used a crag which we found without too much difficulty.<br />
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On to kinder low end, keeping a high line as I was well aware of some of the rubbish there was to run through lower down. We popped up and saw a control, yes! We'd spiked it! Oh wait, no there was no SI box, clearly this was a control from the kinder trial earlier in the day. We had another small faff here in order to find the control, I think we nearly did hit it spot on but then dropped too low, relocated on the path before finally finding it.<br />
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Heading across to kinder low end I started to feel it was a bit tough going and my legs weren't functioning too well. I was eating and drinking well, however not too long after that I realised it had been around 2 hours since I'd taken my inhaler and I was now wheezing my way along. Not that effective when trying to move well through terrain. At the control I stopped and took my inhaler again, crossing my fingers for a good result. This has gone one of two ways in the past and one way would have been the end of the race. Thankfully it wasn't a repeat of Jura and I was able to pick my legs up properly again! Unfortunately this did start a pattern for the race and every two- three hours or so I had a bit of a wheezing session and had to take my inhaler again. Tomorrow I get a drug I ran out of about 3 weeks ago (the hazards of moving house and doctors) so hopefully this will sort things out...<br />
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From here to Fairbrook Naze the clag had descended making staying on the edge path difficult enough. Towards Ringing Rodger we were caught by Tom Gibbs and Steve Birkinshaw and we ran with them down to the control and back out to the three minute crossing (which I was very happy to identify in the clag, although it took slightly longer than 3 minutes). It was a bit of a slog to Fairbrook Naze and it certainly payed off that I knew where the path should be. We were happy to be off the hill and across the A57 without incident.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EYVkY8MTWOE/UuVcLTm21GI/AAAAAAAAArA/k3rTbhhpJyA/s1600/Dark+Mountains+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EYVkY8MTWOE/UuVcLTm21GI/AAAAAAAAArA/k3rTbhhpJyA/s1600/Dark+Mountains+2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Half way crossing the A57 (photo - Ian Corless)</td></tr>
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It seemed like a long leg down to Alport, but once there we got the three technical controls without too much faff. I was less than impressed with the steepness of the hill to number 15, but we got there in the end! Now, on to Howden. Unfortunately I knew what was coming, tussocks, tussocks, a bit of marsh and some more tussocks. I certainly was not running the pace I was last time I was there last summer.... In fact, I'm not sure there are any other sports where competing in the 'Elite' category can make you look much less Elite....<br />
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Once out of the tussocks, the customary MM shuffle was implemented along the Pennine way over Bleaklow and down to the final two controls. The last control was a bit complex, but we took it steady and just when we were starting to wonder where on earth it was....it was there, phew!<br />
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After Tom and Steve had passed us, there were a twinkling of lights behind us for a while, however by the time we were at Alport, these were nowhere to be seen. We ran all of the second half alone (occasionally seeing Tom and Steve ahead) so we thought we were running quite well. By the time we had got to the finish, walked to the sports hall (legs not able to even shuffle any more) and had a shower, there were still no more teams at the finish... Hats off to Shane for creating a really tough and technically challenging course.<br />
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This meant that not only were we first mixed pairs on the elite, but also 2nd overall! A result that probably makes some of the type 2 fun we had worth it :-)<br />
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<br />Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10723637704046121652noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412463032147642075.post-73646797636446870432013-10-28T14:29:00.002-07:002013-10-28T14:29:58.920-07:00The OMM - finally reaching the finish line :-)Since the C2C I've given my ankle a bit of recovery time, however October has been busy! <br />
Briefly - It started with the Hodgson Relays, mixed emotions of revisiting the Langton Centre, running up Hart Crag (but missing Daz's cairn in the mist),then racing over leg 2 in the mist and wind with Rachel. Good fun and good runs from the team but it just wasn't our day.... <br />
Next up - the FRA relays in Llanberis, racing the Nav leg with Holly, a good route over some rough terrain, really testing my ankle in prep for the OMM. A great weekends racing by the Pennine Ladies, finishing 4th in a strong field, improving on 5th of last year - bring on 2014!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z7GcIeQ70qo/Um6n_dxCnSI/AAAAAAAAApg/z49r7lvGW-Q/s1600/823347_10151947905395429_822808367_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z7GcIeQ70qo/Um6n_dxCnSI/AAAAAAAAApg/z49r7lvGW-Q/s320/823347_10151947905395429_822808367_o.jpg" width="176" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Rachel at the deceptively warm start to the Hodgson's - could have done with more than shorts and vest by the end!</td></tr>
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Two things came out of these races 1) my ankle had improved considerably! From tottering downhill at the Hodgson's, I was now able to not only run downhill but also contour over rough ground - two skills critical to mountain marathons. I'm pretty sure the consultant at the Northern General Hospital didn't envisage this when he said he'd expect me to be able to run in 3-4months... I learnt my ankle's strengths (contouring to the right) and weaknesses
(contouring to the left or running downhill) over terrain and was happy
to finally be confident that entering the OMM with Zoe Proctor was not
going to be a big mistake!<br />
2) My breathing was rubbish - dropping the strength of my asthma medication, as the doctor had done mid September, just isn't a good idea. After the Hodgson's I struggled to run at all and the Wednesday before the FRAs I was put back onto the higher dose after
demonstrating my inept breathing to the doctor (peak flow 70% of it's
max = not conducive to running up hills). 10 days on and things were looking up! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-78lwO2cT6Is/Um6pEV_EgtI/AAAAAAAAApo/E9g-NDl4Pj8/s1600/1385166_10151987990500429_716671005_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-78lwO2cT6Is/Um6pEV_EgtI/AAAAAAAAApo/E9g-NDl4Pj8/s320/1385166_10151987990500429_716671005_n.jpg" width="260" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smiles before the start of the OMM - definitely wearing more than shorts and vests for this!</td></tr>
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So on Saturday I found myself on the start line of the OMM B class in the Brecon Beacons with Zoe.<br />
I've got a bit of unfinished business with the OMM. Seven years ago, as soon as I was old enough to enter, I completed the long score at my first attempt (although we might have been last after my partner had a small energy level failure on day 1 and we ended up with minus 144 odd points...). Since then I have started the A, then the B.....and then the C...and failed to finish any of them due to A) hypothermia, B) Borrowdale (need I say more), C) freshers flu. So I really needed to get over this streak of failures!<br />
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After a classic late night/early morning arrival and pitching the tent in a good rain storm, we'd slept well and were up, packed and ready to leave for the coach by 8am! As I picked up the first days map, I immediately noticed the deciding leg. Hard to miss, leg 3-4 spanned the entire width of the map - better get that one bang on then!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dbZHZ-cuDIM/Um6shEKl0UI/AAAAAAAAAp0/DPUzEHtVIo0/s1600/DSC04125(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="170" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dbZHZ-cuDIM/Um6shEKl0UI/AAAAAAAAAp0/DPUzEHtVIo0/s320/DSC04125(2).JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OMM Day 1 - spot the deciding leg... </td></tr>
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<br />We set off well, maybe a bit too well, reaching number 1 within 3.5 minutes of the eventual winners (Hoddy and Joe), who lead by over 30mins after day 1....I then undid this good work by losing us 5minutes on number two, being drawn too far right by the masses. Time to screw my head on!<br />
We reached control 3 in the lead of the female race by around 6minutes, I'd had one eye on the 4th leg up until this point and here we took a minute or two to consider our options. We decided there were two options - north or south of the summits that stood between us and number 4. I was swayed primarily by my strengths or rather, lack of strength for contouring left and the fact that up until this point we'd mainly been doing just that. So we opted for the south option. <br />
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Thus began our undoing...it started well, the first bit of contouring followed by the descent past number 1 and the climb and descent that followed were speedy enough under foot, we took good lines and made good progress. All despite me starting to feel the pace a bit, a handful of jelly babies fixed this slightly. <br />
At the descent, we noticed Hazel and Joe, who had caught us after our number 2 time wasting, had other tactics, but we stuck to our guns. Over the next climb and I had studied the map a little more. There was an option, we could carry on as planned or contour right to switch from the south to north route. This looked like a good idea but we decided that seeing as we'd got this far and the going was ok we'd not make the mistake of changing our minds mid way. Just as we came to this conclusion, Hoddy and partner whizzed by contouring right.....hmmm, hadn't somebody told me they were doing the B course?<br />
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A brief hesitation and we took the descent and climbed swiftly to the next fence crossing at the corner of a wood. We reached the corner of the wood, almost half way through this leg, about 1hr35 after leaving 3. One hour, 3km (that might be generous), a hell of a lot of tussocks and a low point for Zoe and we'd lost stacks of time! Oh, and I made another slight nav error, dropping us too low and adding an additional km or so of tussocks as I'd heard Zoe really enjoyed them....<br />
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Both of us were very relieved to escape this section and took on new tactics for the final two sections (we broke the leg down by fence crossings) - avoiding orange coloured areas (mainly tussocks) and sticking to green (nicer grassyness). This meant we adopted more of an up and over approach which seemed to pay off as we were apparently on our own in finding the last two sections to 4 relatively pleasant! By the final climb and descent of the day I was feeling great - an unusual feeling after more than 6hours of running so I pushed us on up the hill and down to the finish. Whilst the rest of my body was having a good time, my ankle was a bit sore by this stage and my descending wasn't quite what it should have been.<br />
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It had been a day of many stages, stage 1 - the fast first 2-2.5hours felt great, stage 2 - I suffered the pace from 2.5-3.5hours while Zoe still had pace in the legs, stage 3 - I got over that and felt ridiculously good from 3.5+hours, just as Zoe started to suffer. We crossed the finish line in 6hrs45, 20mins down on the leading female team with teams to chase 5 and 10mins ahead. On closer inspection, it turned out the North route included a road and a path we'd completely overlooked and the fastest females had found an entirely different option, a very South route, involving a lot of path.....never mind, we'd got there in the end!<br />
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To continue the theme of the weekend, the heavens opened just in time for us to pitch our tent but it was nice and cosy once it was up and we had the stove heating water/ acting as tent sauna. I had kind of wussed out of the minimalist MM plan and we were 'glamping' OMM style - while this doesn't mean I'd packed a pillow and full on air bed I had packed lots of luxuries. By the time I'd put on my dry buff, running tights, active Q base layer, Stem II Q fleece and Essens down gilet I was actually almost too warm - not sure I've ever felt that on a mountain marathon over night camp before! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 2 - Bad weather course = controls 1,2,4,8,9,10 and 11</td></tr>
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After a night of high winds, rain and even a clap of thunder, the morning dawned dryish... We had a bit of a last minute dash but made our 7:22am chasing start time. The bad weather courses were adopted for day 2 and, although this made our chances of catching the 22minutes to first slim, I think this suited us both.<br />
I set off and my chest was tight, but other than that I was feeling just as good as when I'd finished day 1 which was nice. I don't think Zoe's legs appreciated this as I lead the way up the hill to set the fastest female time to number 1. Taking it a bit steadier we made quick work of number 2 before taking a good line direct to 4 (3 was out). After that, controls 5,6 and 7 were out so it was another big climb up and over to 8 before the last few km through the forest and home. We took our own route up here, keeping further right of the stream bed than most and hitting the path leading to the lake on the other side of the ridge. We overtook Alice and Alex on the descent (10mins up at the start of the day) and had a good run down to 8. This was just about enough for my ankle, so after climbing to 9 I looked incredibly out of control and like I'd never seen a hill before on the descent to the forest. Here Zoe had a second wind and pushed the pace down the track which my lungs were rather unhapppy about (where had all the tussocks gone, I liked that bit!). Finishing in 3hrs 30, the two strong climbs payed off and we took the fastest day 2 time, finishing 3rd female team overall. A fun weekend of running around in the mountains, just what was needed after staring at stats for 3weeks, thanks Zoe! And I broke the curse of the OMM by getting to the finish :-) although I might have passed it on to Ingrid and Rachel who finished day 1 half a shoe down and had to abandon....sorry girls, it only lasts 7years....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pH_vmNbJihY/Um7MLmJufAI/AAAAAAAAAqU/3P8Uha6QSks/s1600/1410738_10151735568312965_1903378292_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pH_vmNbJihY/Um7MLmJufAI/AAAAAAAAAqU/3P8Uha6QSks/s320/1410738_10151735568312965_1903378292_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ingrid's shoe</td></tr>
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<br />Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10723637704046121652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412463032147642075.post-52007600816698618702013-08-28T13:46:00.002-07:002013-08-28T13:46:52.717-07:00Coast to Coast Adventure Race8 weeks on from demolishing my ankle and everything was good to go for the<a href="http://www.openadventure.com/"> Open Adventure</a> C2C, not that I could quite believe it. After 2 weeks of non weight bearing I was let loose on a bike and had been clocking up the miles on holiday in the Alps. Once back in the peaks, I added aqua jogging to the agenda and 6 weeks on I was out running again (albeit a bit carefully). After a week or so of build up I knew the C2C was possible without damaging anything, especailly if I took the downhills steady. The uphill felt abdolutely fine, like my ankle was 100% so my plan was to paddle, bike and run uphill hard and hope this would keep me in contention after I'd jogged the downhills.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Start from Whitehaven - heading for St Bees</td></tr>
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The C2C is a great event, starting in Whitehaven on the west coast and heading to Robin Hood's Bay on the east coast with competitors crossing the country on foot, mountain bikes and in kayaks.<br />
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The first day takes you from Whitehaven to Keswick via St Bees, Crummock Water, Buttermere, Robinson and Derwentwater. The second day, from Keswick to Kirby Stephen, takes in Thirlmere, Helvellyn and Ullswater along the way. The third day crosses the Yorkshrie Dales, over Nine Standards, through Swaledale and over to Castle Bolton before hitting the road to Northallerton. To finish, the route goes from Northallerton, up Clay Bank and over the North York Moors to Whitby with a final run along the coast into Robin Hoods Bay.<br />
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Day one was always going to be my weak point, greatest amount of water based sport vs land based sport. As it turned out, it was weaker than planned after I turned the sea kayak into a swim one too many times....so 120% of the slowest time by way of penalty for being rescued within sight of the beach at St Bees and I was off on the bike - this was more like it. My legs felt like they were a bit lacking but got me over to Crummock Water alright where it was back into the boat. This time, despite it being a bit blustery, I remained in the boat! The killer on this leg is a portage between Crummock and Buttermere. Here I learned my second mistake, it turns out 1km+ is too far for me to carry 1/3 of my own body weight. I'd shot myself in the foot, taking a heavier boat I was more confident of paddling on the sea, then taking 120% of the slowest time anyway and having to cart its extra 5-6kg weight (compared to the alternative) over the portage. Ah well, it was only day 1! I'd been out what felt like an age by the time I set off up Robinson so, after 1km or so of warming the ankle up and eating a banana I instigated the plan of running fast uphill, taking queen of the mountains for day 1 in 43:37. My legs were feeling ok so the pace felt good and I cruised over to Dale head before following the plan again and jog/walking down it. Heading up High Spy I started to feel a bit rough but kept a reasonable pace over to catbells before the slowest descent I think I'd ever managed down to Nicol End - my support crew should be proud (they didn't stop telling me to be careful). The swim across to Keswick went more smoothly than 2009, then it was just a short trot over to moot hall. On the last run feeling rough most definitely turning into feeling sick.<br />
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So, my weakest day complete I was raring to go on day 2, the only way was up! Setting off early due to my long first day, I rode over to Thirlmere, legs feeling fairly empty but still arriving a bit too close to my support crew.I put this down to the early morning and had a good paddle down to the second transition, however undid all this good work carrying my boat up the transition (portages over!). I set off up Helvellyn but immediately knew there was something definitely wrong, I was feeling sick again.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Suffering coming off Helvellyn</td></tr>
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I tried eating as that normally fixes things. This time it didn't...and I knew this wasn't your normal working too hard kind of sick. I'd had a stomach bug the previous weekend and clearly was not over it. Approaching the top I almost turned around, but somehow staggered my way over Helvellyn and down to Patterdale, feeling awful by the time I hit swirral edge and giving in to a walk shorly after hole in the wall. In Patterdale, smooth transitions were over for the day and I sat, trying to drink and eat something. Kirby Stephen couldn't come soon enough, but there was still 4hrs of kayaking and biking to go. I finished just after Helen who had had a bad crash coming into Kirby Stephen. Not that that stopped her smiling (well, not yet anyway).<br />
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After force feeding myself a meal over about 3hrs I went to bed still feeling awful, hopeful that a good nights sleep would sort me out. I almost didn't start day 3 when I woke up and found out it hadn't. But I got myself on the move, up Nine Standards. I made a mistake here, not adding extra strapping to my ankle for the rough ground, so was reduced to a jog/ walk for a large portion of the way. Like 2009 the clag was down so I am still yet to see the view from the top!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riding through Swaleale - thanks to Kerry Pilkington for the picture</td></tr>
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Once onto the bike through swaledale I started to enjoy myself a bit as there are some awesome off road descents to be had around there and I'd resigned myself to a steady day out. This meant a lot of people came past on the road from Castle Bolton and at one point I realised I'd really let my mind wander and was putting almost 0 effort in, as Alan Hartley came whizzing by looking a bit bemused at my pace. The slow and steady pace started to pay off in the last mile or so into Northallerton though and I actually could stomach food after the finish!<br />
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Setting off early on the last day was stunning. The mist was down but lifted as I biked and started the run up Carlton Bank. By the top the view was beautiful and to top it off I'd actually been able to run up it! I'd held back a bit, not wanting to push it too far, but all seemed well and the run along to the second transition was stunning.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1JSDlgBXPU4/Uh5fM0TNhcI/AAAAAAAAApQ/8NFy1YSXMmY/s1600/1272416_10151834200479002_1393965334_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1JSDlgBXPU4/Uh5fM0TNhcI/AAAAAAAAApQ/8NFy1YSXMmY/s320/1272416_10151834200479002_1393965334_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mick Kenyon's amazing picture along Carlton Bank</td></tr>
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I was pleased to feel good on the bike as well. Whilst I was still struggling to eat, I could at least get something in and I made good progress over to Glaisdale, only hindered by my chain hopping down the back of my cassette a couple of times, jamming well and truly and taking a bit of faff to get sorted each time. I attacked the climb out of Glaisdale (boy is it steep!) and suddenly felt my chain pull. I hopped off and ran to the top before sorting it out. A link had almost snapped so I delved into my bike kit for my spare link.....it wasn't there! Thankfully I managed to get the bent link back into working order and pedalled very carefully over to Whitby, trying to minimize gear changes and keep the strain off the chain as much as possible. It made it!<br />
Onto the final run and I was still feeling alright so ran into Robin Hoods Bay, overtaking the last few people to have started before me that day, only one team made it there still ahead.<br />
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So, not entirely to plan but I made it across the country and my ankle is still intact! Thanks to James, Nicki and the open adventure volunteers for a great event, and my super support crew, Cath and Harriet, who I threw in the deep end.<br />
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At least I've reccied it for 2015 now ;-) <br />
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<br />Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10723637704046121652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412463032147642075.post-2569012323799914332013-07-12T02:46:00.001-07:002013-07-12T02:46:09.240-07:00Not the Open 2 DayTwo weeks ago I was up in the Lakes, marshalling the Darren Holloway Memorial Buttermere Horseshoe fell race. It was an ace day organised by CFR with Pennine support, lots of Pennine turning out to run and some fantastic cakes decorated with pennine coloured flowers made by Amanda Holloway. The course was punishing one,a combintation of teenager with altitude, Borrowdale and Ennerdale, but one I certainly want to have a go at next year!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BnGlBwnYgF8/Ud_KE8c3F7I/AAAAAAAAAnk/i-UNz2Kygic/s1600/1012193_10151763393851803_387236200_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BnGlBwnYgF8/Ud_KE8c3F7I/AAAAAAAAAnk/i-UNz2Kygic/s320/1012193_10151763393851803_387236200_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hopegill Head - Buttermere Skyline in the mist</td></tr>
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The next day I decided to do Arnison Dash, at 2 miles with 300m climb it's one of my favourite kinds of races, lung busting climb then fling yourself off the top - a short race I can do well! Plus it was a beautiful day so would be rude not to. I set off with Hazel Robinson, aiming to stick with her to the top and give my calves, which had been knotting up pretty well since the last Open 2 Day, a proper test. Great news, they were spot on :-).<br />
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At the top I was 30s-1min down (no watch so a bit of a guess) and decided to cut my losses and not chase Hazel down the hill as there was a big gap to 3rd and I wanted to stay in one piece for the following weekends 2 Day.<br />
This turned out to be a big mistake, I ran relatively slowly down the hill, overthinking the rocky ground and about 2/3 of the way down went over on my ankle. Lesson number 1, never run slowly downhill! Straight back up on my feet, I knew I'd done a good one but could still just about hobble my way down.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iTKyvWGWclA/Ud_MAdxd9UI/AAAAAAAAAn0/f_m5D6LehWA/s1600/DSC00094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iTKyvWGWclA/Ud_MAdxd9UI/AAAAAAAAAn0/f_m5D6LehWA/s320/DSC00094.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Immediate swelling above the lateral malleolus</td></tr>
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<br />
On closer inspection I knew it was bad. My ligaments are a bit too stretchy and normally the bones in my foot hit the floor before I tear anything and I don't often get swelling. This time the swelling was immediate and after sitting down I could no longer weight bare. In addition, the swelling was above the area that has previously swelled and so it was off for an xray. No break could be seen but they put me in a pot given how swollen it was.<br />
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Back in Sheffield I was given a splint boot thing and told to weight bear when I could, however it wasn't until day 11 that I finally felt like I could put my foot on the floor let alone put weight on it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sVYU8eI66yQ/Ud_OqwmL9DI/AAAAAAAAAoE/yqUJ_uxbwWo/s1600/2013-07-02+23.26.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sVYU8eI66yQ/Ud_OqwmL9DI/AAAAAAAAAoE/yqUJ_uxbwWo/s320/2013-07-02+23.26.53.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the swelling spread</td></tr>
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Yesterday I saw the physio and the good news is I can bike and aqua jog and, after some rather painful mobilisation, can walk! Well....sort of. Still got some swelling to get rid of and theres a bit of a question mark over wherther there is fracture at the bottom of my fibula that was missed on the first xray given an area of localised pain, but this is progress!<br />
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So last weekend I went to the open 2 day but was the one with the start/finish boxes. Me and Fi got out for 10mins in a team injured/pregnant kayaking pair and me and Sarah went for a bit more of a paddle Sunday afternoon. That combined with crutching around has given my upper body a good strengthening whilst my left calf is slowly disappearing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ff237O-pXH0/Ud_PdfQsMyI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/-wJz7ZwfRHw/s1600/903747_10153044313695503_591822066_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ff237O-pXH0/Ud_PdfQsMyI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/-wJz7ZwfRHw/s320/903747_10153044313695503_591822066_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not sure if it was more or less painful than racing...</td></tr>
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Hopefully by the C2C I'll be back to racing.Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10723637704046121652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412463032147642075.post-26835561662330578232013-06-19T08:45:00.000-07:002013-06-19T08:45:14.391-07:003rd at British Universities MTBLast weekend was the British University MTB Champs (BUCS), held once again on Birchall, an area just outside Sheffield. Last year it had rained solidly for a few weeks before, creating a mudfest rivalling Mountain Mayhem. I thought I'd pulled off a good race to finish 4th more due to my running ability than my biking skills...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IPDj9OCtvE4/UcHKvJ-UQpI/AAAAAAAAAnE/dEHD-lTjUaE/s320/981263_10100522373411902_1292765435_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="213" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3rd in the individual and 2nd team!</td></tr>
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However, this was probably the last time I'll race a BUCS race and I still had one target to achieve. I'd won BUCS medals (and even a BUSA medal I think - yes I've been at Uni long enough for them to change the name of the sports association) as part of a team, but I'd never quite made it onto the podium in the individual race, so I was going to have to give it a go!<br />
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On a preride I was very pleased to see they'd removed the killer grassy grind up from the start, inserting an even steeper singletrack one. I'm not joking, this was much more fun! The course was also dry! YES! No hike a bike this time :-).<br />
The start of each lap had a section of field to hammer it across, then you hit a rutted track before you entered the forest. Straight into the singletrack and up a steep hill (with one 'unridable' for me section) then the rest was a whole lot of swooping fun. They'd also kept my favourite bit of the course in, an excellent bit of downhill with a good speedy burm followed by a steep drop/jump.<br />
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So I set off with my new race tactic for this year, race at the front until you can't anymore! Well...that was approximately 100m, thanks Helen Clayton for that steaming pace off the line! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andy chasing me down!</td></tr>
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My lungs were burning entereing the forest, this is the first properly fast effort I've put in since being prescribed drugs that seem to work for my asthma. Turns out they do work, I didn't actually have to stop, but it did take 1.5laps (30mins) for my lungs to warm up properly...hmmm think I might need to change my warm up in future if I'm going to race for less than 5hours...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying to put as many guys between me and 4th</td></tr>
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The first lap was spent changing position, 4th - 5th - 4th. The first 3 disappeared after I almost lost it on some roots. I pulled away from 5th but I really didn't think I stood a chance of catching them again. Then we hit the finish/start field and there was 3rd! I caught her half way through lap 2, just as my lungs started operating properly but just as we went from open field to singletrack. I decided to stick on her wheel for a bit. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Too fast for the camera. My favourite bit of the race, downhill!</td></tr>
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Mistake! She used the best tactic available in the girls race, namely putting guys moving slower than you between you and your opposition. We'd started 5mins behind the mens race so spent most of the race catching and overtaking guys - both good in terms of having a target and bad in terms of getting stuck... <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team Sheffield!</td></tr>
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No need to panic though, once on the field again I reeled her back in and overtook, putting the hammer down and trying to employ the same tactics in reverse for the last 2 laps.<br />
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It was such a fun race, the route was much better than last year through just a few tweeks, less soggy grass sections, some logs in the uncrossable wheel eating trench....<br />
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I managed to stay ahead, finishing 3rd and getting that elusive individual medal! As a bonus, Becky Bright had an ace ride to finish 8th, meaning we won silver in the team competition as well! The guys team had a good day at the office getting the silver medal in the team competition. So I had to squeeze a quick celebratory drink in before heading off to a great evening of dancing at my friends wedding! Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10723637704046121652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412463032147642075.post-88899227832679200842013-06-13T13:18:00.003-07:002013-06-13T13:18:42.256-07:00Howfast? I'm breaking the mold here, more than one blog a month! Today I have been running around in North Yorkshire, supporting James Thurlow as he follows the Coast to Coast route from Robin Hoods Bay to St Bees.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">James runs across the country for diabetes reseach UK - howfast.org</td></tr>
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The big question on everyones lips is Howfast? How fast can James cross
the country? James, who has type 1 Diabetes himself, has been training
hard and getting to grips with juggling blood glucose levels, insulin
and running further than most people can comprehend in a day! He is
raising money for Diabetes Research UK and, up until Wednesday evening,
anybody that donated could guess how fast he was going to do it, with
the closest prediction winning £1000 of outdoor kit!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The climb up from Glaisdale</td></tr>
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When I got out of the van at the Lion Inn, I could see less than 10m.....this was going to be fun! Thankfully James had booked the weather for directly overhead to be clear, in fact, clear enough for my face to be well and truly sunburnt...I ran towards Glaisdale and met them part way there.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Supporters at Clay Bank</td></tr>
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James set a cracking pace today,even through the heaviest rain shower I've been in for a while (we literally looked like we'd all had a shower in our running kit) and he's still going, just past Northallerton! This does mean my guess of 3
days 19hours and 34 minutes is well off the mark, currently looking
likely to finish somewhere between 2-2.5days! Good luck with the rest of it James!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Setting off up Clay Bank</td></tr>
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<br />Support James, read all about his preparation and follow his progress (thanks to a handy tracker) here: www.howfast.org<br />
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<br />Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10723637704046121652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412463032147642075.post-71930969219982536692013-06-03T15:26:00.000-07:002013-06-03T15:26:04.002-07:00Team Haglofs-Silva 2nd at the Open 2 Day<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jZeQxwWJcE0/Ua0WTvv5BQI/AAAAAAAAAlw/FxEXlB7m7fo/s1600/296285_10151592927043632_1386190608_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jZeQxwWJcE0/Ua0WTvv5BQI/AAAAAAAAAlw/FxEXlB7m7fo/s320/296285_10151592927043632_1386190608_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks to James Kirby for some ace pictures this weekend! Running of Helm Crag</td></tr>
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What a couple of weekends racing! Two weeks ago I was on Jura for the fell race. If I showed you this:<br />
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I would forgive you for thinking that's the race profile. Not a bad route! However that isn't even half of it....the actual race profile looks like this:<br />
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The climbs are steap, the terrain rough, the race long - all things that should play to my strengths. Unfortunately the pollen was also high and we camped the night before. Around the 2km marker my lungs were feeling it a little...by 5km I'd put it down to the start being uphill....by 11km I knew it wasn't and that my asthma was bad but I was in 4th!...by 15km I accepted this fact and was no longer in 4th however by this point I was in the middle of nowhere with the best route back being the race route. So a very very very slow walk got me over the paps, losing oodles of time and places but eventually I made it back. All I can say is, if you ever get the chance to sit on one of the paps and look at what you've just run down, do it, it looks mental!<br />
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Thus started the recovery - 6 days and counting to the open 2 day. By Tuesday I wasn't optimistic, walking to uni and back was an expedition in intself. By Wednesday there was a glimmer of hope, but it wasn't until Thursday I could breathe a deep sigh of relief that my lungs had stopped burning and whoever it was had stopped sitting on my chest! A bit of a test run on Friday morning and although not tip top I could at least run - a good start!<br />
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So, off to the lakes for the open 2 day, I was racing with Bruce Duncan, Tim Higginbottom and Chris Near as Team Haglofs-Silva.<br />
The race had a fast a furious format, there were five stages, each
separated by a couple of hours so you could try and stuff some Wilfs
chilli into you and maybe get changed (although there was no time for changing if you took as long to eat as I did...). Stage one was a score format - we
had two hours and were presented with a map scattered with checkpoints,
each with a set number of points. The aim was to get as many points as
you could in the two hours, the big question though, could we get them
all. Well, we thought so!<br />
From Easdale tarn we took in the sights
of Castle How, Stickle Tarn, Seargent Man, Codale Tarn and Helm Crag
(among others)...although I think the rest of the team took in more of
the sights as I spent a large portion of this staring at Tim's shoes as
he towed me along. He had gone to great lengths to make sure he was
wearing one of every colour in the new Haglofs Monochrome range....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qi5Oaf1owbM/Ua0Sy6oQVAI/AAAAAAAAAlA/z5c9kYbxzFM/s1600/966799_10152917558830503_155886907_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qi5Oaf1owbM/Ua0Sy6oQVAI/AAAAAAAAAlA/z5c9kYbxzFM/s320/966799_10152917558830503_155886907_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tim's shoes, unfortunately you can't see his pink bumbag on this picture</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We stormed round the course picking up all of the checkpoints and
arriving back almost 3 minutes early taking the lead, with Team Mountain
Hardwear and Adidas Terrex hot on our heals. Best of all no major asthma attack - good
work lungs!<br />
<br />
The next stage was a similar format, 5hours score course on mountain
bikes, and this is where the race started to hot up. This time there was
no question of clearing the course so some tactics were required. Our
route was a loop with some awesome descents, visiting Chapel Stile,
Little Langdale, and Wray Castle then heading through
the forests to the ferry port where we had just enough time to get an
ice cream before jumping on the ferry across to Windermere. From there
it was up up up onto the fells, over to Troutbeck and back to Rydal via a
bit of a time trial along the road to pick up a control we'd discarded
earlier. This wasn't the smoothest of stages, I lost a bolt out of the
cleat on my shoe so every time I stopped I had to realign it and clip
in...then the shoe would wobble all over the place giving my lower back a
good workout... I also inadvertantly let go of the bike tow at full
stretch which Bruce definitely knew about, oops... and Tim got a
puncture on an excellent bit of downhill near Troutbeck, attempt one of
sealing it failed so out with the inner tube. We still got a decent score but Mountain Hardwear took the lead, we were
now in second, trailing by 20 points, with Adidas Terrex only 1 point behind
us! <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CrwC2kUTqGg/Ua0ToBO72gI/AAAAAAAAAlM/CGo_DbENV4M/s1600/976373_10152917682105503_1156199808_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CrwC2kUTqGg/Ua0ToBO72gI/AAAAAAAAAlM/CGo_DbENV4M/s320/976373_10152917682105503_1156199808_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't let go of a bike tow at full stretch...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Into the night, the sun set, the silva runner 550 torches came out, again
we had a tactical decision to make as 90minutes was not enough to clear
the course.The 'safe' option was obvious...but safe is never fun right?
We hit this one hard, commiting to climbing loughrigg twice (not many
people bothered with this). Given the cooler air and lack of pollen my
lungs felt like a completely new pair! I love a bit of night running and
we soared round, getting back in 1hr28 mins, perfect!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BAcTYU8_N9s/Ua0UKW-YrhI/AAAAAAAAAlU/083ShikW44o/s1600/965052_10152917742835503_1344982559_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BAcTYU8_N9s/Ua0UKW-YrhI/AAAAAAAAAlU/083ShikW44o/s320/965052_10152917742835503_1344982559_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">End of the night run</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Adidas Terrex also hit this one hard hoping to claw back that one
point, but didn't make it back on time. All change in the leaderboard
with us taking the lead, 16 points ahead of Mountain Hardwear with Adidas Terrex in 3rd.<br />
<br />
Sunday started with Stage 4 which was a
little different to the rest of the event, a 'trail run' which was
essentially the fairfield horseshoe. 500points to the winner, then 5
points lost for every minute, or part of a minute, you were behind the
winner. The plan was simple, take it out fast and try and secure a few
more points lead before the kayak which was definitely not our strongest
discipline.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zAknAR_qU1A/Ua0Ui01-a8I/AAAAAAAAAlc/PhXpi5Tzh3U/s1600/296220_10152918283815503_1293713542_n(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zAknAR_qU1A/Ua0Ui01-a8I/AAAAAAAAAlc/PhXpi5Tzh3U/s320/296220_10152918283815503_1293713542_n(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Start of the Fairfield Horseshoe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Within the first few minutes it became clear that Mountain Hardwear also
considered this to be the crux of the race, as Kim came past, panting
hard and pulling Sally up the hill. Closely following was Stuart
towing Alex up the hill! Now we knew we were in for a tough run.
Apparently Kim kept that effort on all the way to the top and I can well
believe it as, even with Tim and Chris both towning me at the same
time we reached the summit 6minutes down, not ideal. I did however get a
spot prize and a new nickname 'slingshot Harris' for this effort. Now
came the most exciting part of the race so far - catching Mountain
Hardwear on the descent....or trying anyway.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ei-yYWK9qR4/Ua0VNII_ZfI/AAAAAAAAAlk/fwsXN2BCoMw/s1600/972182_10152918290945503_898481458_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ei-yYWK9qR4/Ua0VNII_ZfI/AAAAAAAAAlk/fwsXN2BCoMw/s320/972182_10152918290945503_898481458_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Off up to Fairfield, Mountain Hardware a switchback ahead</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This meant I stayed on Tim's tow down the hill as well. Apparently Tim
was running pretty much as fast as possible and just waiting for the tug to come on
the tow as I hit the deck! Fortunately that didn't happen and we clawed
back about 3minutes on the descent. It all came down to the exact times,
as long as we were only 3 minutes down we would enter the paddle on
even terms.....we were 9seconds over only taking the 3minutes of
penalty!! So Mountain Hardwear went into the paddle with a 4 point advantage.Boy
this was nail biting! <br />
<br />
I'll quickly add an aside here. When I saw the
time for Fairfield I was pretty pleased, 1hr37! That would have had me
in 5th in the English Champs race (so if I could just take Tim and Chris
with me fell running that would be great). Even more impressive was
Sally and Mountain Hardwear getting round in 1hr33 which would have been
3rd! Achieving those times after 8.5hours of racing, I think this was
the most impressive stage of the whole race.<br />
<br />
Into the boats, we
set off 4mins behind Mountain Hardwear, back to the score system with
2hours to paddle. We put everything into this, going for clearing the
course as we could see them doing just ahead of us. Both teams cleared
the course and both teams arrived back over the two hour time limit so
time penalties would apply....predictably, mountain hardwear had been
faster however. They got back 8minutes faster than we did, securing the
win. It was an excellent race and fantastic to have such hot
competition! I'm already looking forward to the next 2 day event on the first
weekend in July in Wales.<br />
Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10723637704046121652noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412463032147642075.post-43376595336684189282013-05-08T14:12:00.002-07:002013-05-08T14:12:58.886-07:00Open 5 Finale Church Stretton was the venue for the last open 5 of this years series. The last time I'd raced there was at the FRA relays back in October, so I had fresh memories of the beautiful but painfully steep hills we'd have to contend with. I also knew, if you attacked them hard, you could fly around the area! After our race in the Lakes in April I'd felt like my legs had finally got some biking strength back in them and was looking forward to seeing what I could add to that in a month.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R7KxtKk5PMI/UYqw79BF8VI/AAAAAAAAAjg/7qPIdKFlp2c/s1600/197796_10152837737950503_1770692447_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R7KxtKk5PMI/UYqw79BF8VI/AAAAAAAAAjg/7qPIdKFlp2c/s1600/197796_10152837737950503_1770692447_n.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plotting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As it happens, I doubt I added anything and I was pleased just to be out racing come Sunday - In the last 4 weeks I spent 2 weeks progressing from struggling to walk between rooms in the house thanks to a chest infection, to walking up catbells, back to running (twice) and a third week giving up on running because walking was still a bit too hard. I was surprised that the Tuesday before the open 5 I still felt like somebody was sat on my chest and was exhausted, so I resigned myself to watching from the sidelines....<br />
That lasted around 24hrs...then I worked out the 'breathtakingly simple' (thanks Todd....) explanation - If you are taking inhalers, it helps to check that there is something left in them....numpty!<br />
Needless to say, once I got some new ones, I was no longer exhausted! I even managed to run Tigers Todger fell 'race' on the Wednesday (albeit at a relatively sedate pace) and with each day my chest was feeling a bit less sore. A record Lastminute.AR entry on Thursday evening and I was in :-)!<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--JtQRXH6sLU/UYqw_O9uKhI/AAAAAAAAAjo/LljdNiJgzm8/s1600/225634_10152837752865503_45386731_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--JtQRXH6sLU/UYqw_O9uKhI/AAAAAAAAAjo/LljdNiJgzm8/s1600/225634_10152837752865503_45386731_n.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bikes or leaning posts?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I was debating going solo right up until the day, not wanting to hold Rosemary back from a storming race, however we decided to go with it and see how it went. Looking at the map, the run route looked set to take in some of the FRA relay highlights - I planned a route, crossing my fingers that I was right with which ones wouldn't be there (otherwise there'd be some good steep and rough running). The MTB route was a bit more awkward to plan, but we worked out a rough plan and headed to the start. Within the first 10s I realised my hopes were out the window...replan time and some fun off the beaten track :-).<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HQOGS6iKvQ8/UYqxG8LNarI/AAAAAAAAAjw/_PeXtaLUi8k/s1600/486758_10152837753130503_1318197381_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HQOGS6iKvQ8/UYqxG8LNarI/AAAAAAAAAjw/_PeXtaLUi8k/s1600/486758_10152837753130503_1318197381_n.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made us work hard for the last half hour....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We set off a bit more steadily than normal (Rosemary even commented on the drop in pace), however whilst I couldn't really run fast on track, it didn't really matter what terrain I was on for the pace I could manage. So I adopted the tactic of straight is great - with the occassional contour. This resulted in my favourite terrain, rough underfoot with steep heathery descents! Rosemary doesn't like these so much....sorry!<br />We got all but the two five pointers within 2hrs and most importantly, hadn't run too hard so my lungs were pretty intact :-).<br />Off on the bike and this didn't last long with a long road climb with double arrows! Uphill was not my forte this weekend, especially not for extended periods of time. I was half thankful we got stuck in a traffic jam on the narrow road - quick breather. By the top I was a bit light headed and certainly lacking any MTB strength I thought I might have. We rode around the top and I did wonder if I could actually ride for 3 hours, however a good descent sorted me out. The rest of the ride was lovely and followed the pattern of flying along the flat/downhill and me dropping off on any slight incline, Rosemary dropping back to push me uphills. The beasty hike a bike to 8 left me slightly light headed again, but the whizz down through the forest to 12 made me forget all about it! And somehow, I decided we'd been enjoying ourselves too much up to this point and we should probably do a bit of proper racing. So, with 24mins left on the clock....we turned away from the finish, approaching 13 from below! 11mins in and out and we hit the road to the finish hard! Apparently I could ride harder, I just couldn't look up from the floor at the same time or I would see stars... <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wbzOH_fUOD0/UYqxHvckUKI/AAAAAAAAAj4/s5dhh97y70w/s1600/65629_10152837754395503_669426672_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wbzOH_fUOD0/UYqxHvckUKI/AAAAAAAAAj4/s5dhh97y70w/s1600/65629_10152837754395503_669426672_n.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Open 5 Series winners</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We made it into the finish 2.5mins late, far better than we thought might be the case! A slight lie down was required.....however, we'd only lost 6 points so had a total of 574points, our best to date :-). We won the female pairs catagory, both on the day and in the series! A great end to the series at a great venue, I'm looking forward to next year already :-) <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kQfUel70JqQ/UYq_ZLNF2CI/AAAAAAAAAkE/MDx4uGw3AYA/s1600/942925_10152838846270492_35872094_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kQfUel70JqQ/UYq_ZLNF2CI/AAAAAAAAAkE/MDx4uGw3AYA/s1600/942925_10152838846270492_35872094_n.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burbage Skyline - a rare sight, me and shelf within metres in a race! (Pic- Accelerate)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Next stop - Open 2 day (via Jura Fell Race) - with this in mind I gave my lungs a proper test last night at the burbage skyline fell race and am pleased to report they have continued to improve and I was only just over a minute off my best. The rest of the pennine ladies had storming runs with Steph finishing in 3rd, Claire 5th and myself in 6th....I think we got the team prize? Still my favourite evening fell race :-)Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10723637704046121652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412463032147642075.post-29936824030070044182013-04-08T15:08:00.000-07:002013-04-08T15:08:03.039-07:00Fun in the su.....nowAfter the last blog post, as I'm sure most of you are aware, IT SNOWED! And in Crookes (where I live) it snowed loads!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sAYc5eB-szI/UWMqHftv7QI/AAAAAAAAAiY/OUgBht2toXc/s1600/2013-03-23+21.11.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sAYc5eB-szI/UWMqHftv7QI/AAAAAAAAAiY/OUgBht2toXc/s320/2013-03-23+21.11.37.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The main high street in Crookes....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So it was a good decision to evacuate Sheffield at 7am on the Friday as my road was still passable (just). 2.5hrs later I'd made it to New Mills (50min journey) and after spending the day at home, headed to Kendal where everyone was wondering what all the fuss was about - barely any snow in sight!<br />
On Sat morning I recieved a text to say the Edale Skyline had been cancelled - and with good reason, a couple of rather fast ladies went out to give it a bash anyway and took 2.5hrs to do about 1/4 of the route...never mind the announcement I heard at the train station on Sat night about the train to Edale (the only form of transport to Edale bar owning a tractor with a snow plough attached) being delayed by 29minutes.<br />
<br />
There was slightly less snow in Grizedale however (although its all relative...) which is where I was racing the Cumbrian Commotion Trail Plus with Bruce and Campbell. This was an adventure race without any nav to hide behind - so perfect if you're looking to give it a go. It started with a short run to split everyone up before an mtb - run- kayak - run.<br />
The pace was a bit fierce for the first run but settled down on the bike. The MTB route had been amended so that it was practically all on fire roads, however this took nothing away from the fun of it as it was a skill just to ride those in all the snow! Sliding all over the place, it was some of the best fun I've had on a bike. By the end of the mtb we were in the lead so headed over the hill for a quick kayak keeping the effort up through deep snow..The woods were a proper winter wonderland, all very pretty. As we headed back up the hill from the kayak, we passed those on their way to the boats who were very encouraging, many of them yelling 'go on lads, well done'..... <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Lu3FsIylzw/UWMqnQuEuZI/AAAAAAAAAig/B0j_mDP7DEk/s1600/482337_10152689617975035_999079337_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Lu3FsIylzw/UWMqnQuEuZI/AAAAAAAAAig/B0j_mDP7DEk/s320/482337_10152689617975035_999079337_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing the finish line at Cumbrian Commotion (photo - James Thurlow)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It felt a bit like falling down the hill to the finish as my legs had gone numb by that point, but after a quick bit of plank skiing and a hop over a slippy barrier we crossed the line still in first :-).<br />
I had a few more snowy adventures with the general theme of going for a
ride as though there was no snow and being surprised that it took twice
as long. Bakewell had plenty of 'rideable' snow, which made your thighs
burn, however cut gate was....well... a cornice! I was so excited to
find a bit of non snowy ground on this particular outing that I flew
down the hill only to attempt a superman impression over the front of my
handlebars...oops. All of it was in stunning sunshine and definitely a
lot of fun. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DD1ujJlBeoA/UWMuvIXl0YI/AAAAAAAAAi4/DCyEbVbhgYw/s1600/483961_10151540749095318_2089024707_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DD1ujJlBeoA/UWMuvIXl0YI/AAAAAAAAAi4/DCyEbVbhgYw/s320/483961_10151540749095318_2089024707_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ngUgRSSUR0E/UWMuuXtEhMI/AAAAAAAAAiw/qPxa9vXm_EE/s1600/3423_10151540748960318_381774727_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ngUgRSSUR0E/UWMuuXtEhMI/AAAAAAAAAiw/qPxa9vXm_EE/s320/3423_10151540748960318_381774727_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trust me - that is a bridleway :-)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was a novelty to ride not in the snow this weekend at the Open 5. I was racing with Rosemary whom I met up with on the Sat evening after a paddle on the beautifully still Derwent Water. I knew Rosemary was good at organising, but I didn't realise this organisation started on the Sat :-P....thats a lot of planning!<br />
So whilst Rosemary sorted, I emptied everything warm I had with me into the camping hut and wrapped up. I'd never been in a camping hut before, the heater was certainly welcome!<br />
<br />
I'd fallen into the trap of 'fixing' my gears on Fri night....at 10pm...so it wasn't a great surprise that, whilst they had been working when I left the house, they no longer shifted up on Sunday morning....thankfully Jon fixed that quickly, thanks Jon!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SqCzhNeknXI/UWM_VjShoZI/AAAAAAAAAjA/VaIiEAyPrro/s1600/554656_10152760721335503_1918915266_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SqCzhNeknXI/UWM_VjShoZI/AAAAAAAAAjA/VaIiEAyPrro/s320/554656_10152760721335503_1918915266_n.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo- <span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"type":45}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Charlotte Hattersley</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We opted to run first, even though the bike looked pretty commiting, so off we went, up, up, up towards Grizedale Pike! I couldn't believe it, I was overheating, now thats not something that's happened recently! Somewhere along the way it became obvious that if we went for one of the 2 controls that would have meant climbing an extra 200m, we would not be back in 2hrs. It wouldn't be much over, but if we wanted a good bike, we probably needed the full 3hours. So we binned the plan of running high and arrived back in transition after only 1hr 40. <br />
<br />We headed out on an anticlockwise loop on the bike, choosing to miss control 10 early on. It was clear from the off there were some big climbs to be had, however it wasn't until the 10km+ of solid uphill back to whinlatter that my legs started to fall off. It felt like the whole course had been one long climb up to this point and I wanted some downhill. A hand full of haribo and a gel sorted me out a bit, as did our arrival at the red route! I love a bit of singletrack, by the time we'd cleared Whinlatter of controls I'd forgiven Ant for the looooooong climb to get there! I think this has overtaken Warcop as my all time favourite open 5!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dCF6Gszl-pc/UWM_lAqvo9I/AAAAAAAAAjI/5O2ThOVOCuU/s1600/533754_10151514745658788_623716708_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dCF6Gszl-pc/UWM_lAqvo9I/AAAAAAAAAjI/5O2ThOVOCuU/s320/533754_10151514745658788_623716708_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the finish (Photo- Claire Maxted)</td></tr>
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<br />
We swooped down to the finish a whole 7mins early (don't know what has got into us these last two events) with a score of 545, enough to win :-).<br />
<br />
I think our strengths are starting to rub off on each other as we are certainly a lot more evenly matched than we were at the start of the series. On the runnable fire roads up through the forest, Rosemary was right on my heels (I was certainly aware of this given the accidentally large interval track session I'd ruined my legs with) and on the bike I felt I wasn't holding her up quite as much....especially towards the end in Whinlatter (although I still think this would be a different matter if there were large road sections!). One more open 5 to go at in Shropshire in May! Can't wait :-)Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10723637704046121652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412463032147642075.post-1090770626468860782013-03-19T06:04:00.003-07:002013-03-19T07:08:53.334-07:00March so farI've been slacking a little bit on the blog writing front, so here's a brief update of March so far...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t_ZWlZJqm5A/UUhdMBLNwZI/AAAAAAAAAhw/yRw7Q1rmpIM/s1600/64892_10152646486960503_927882147_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t_ZWlZJqm5A/UUhdMBLNwZI/AAAAAAAAAhw/yRw7Q1rmpIM/s320/64892_10152646486960503_927882147_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5000 points in Open 5s!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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The first weekend (as is the norm) was an Open 5, this time from Grassington in the Yorkshire Dales (<a href="http://planetbyde.com/2013/03/04/haglofs-open-5-yorkshire-dales/">more here</a>).
I was glad to be back to running reasonably as there was a clear loop
to aim for (and I'm not sure I would have made it last month). It soon
became obvious we could almost clear the run and so after just over 2hrs
we'd had a solid start dropping only one control. The bike was a
similar story, we returned having only missed two controls and were a
whole 15mins early! Just what we needed to counteract our other open
5hrs15 from previous months! Maybe we should have gone for the bike
control in Malham....but those steep arrows on the map didn't make it
all that inviting...<br />
<br />
The following week I got an exciting parcel in the post....time to get out and test the new<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> Haglöfs<span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: small;">kit :-)<span style="font-size: small;">. <span style="font-size: small;">I chose some pretty harsh con<span style="font-size: small;">ditions to do so, running for 4 hours around Edale to get some Bo<span style="font-size: small;">b Graham<span style="font-size: small;"> training in for Claire.<span style="font-size: small;">...the w<span style="font-size: small;">eather was....well...grim. I <span style="font-size: small;">tried out the <a href="http://www.haglofs.com/en-US/products/clothing/layers/shell-layer/men/gram_comp_pull_en-us.aspx">Gram Comp Pull </a>Jacket<span style="font-size: small;"> with an intense ra<span style="font-size: small;">nge</span> LS top underneath (and <span style="font-size: small;">a fleece that ha<span style="font-size: small;">ppened to have been left in <span style="font-size: small;">the car</span></span>...brrr) along with the<a href="http://www.haglofs.com/en-US/products/clothing/layers/shorts-pants-skirts/women/puls_q_tight_en-us.aspx"> pulse <span style="font-size: small;">running</span> tights.</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O5IVsbRDdfI/UUhdMIf3-lI/AAAAAAAAAhk/9a1bsdNB8m8/s320/486118_10151465468963788_369172339_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Haribo stop on top of kinder...ascent number 3/6</td></tr>
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I don't think I own a comfier pair of tights. Having reasonably short
legs, I've found in the past that the zip at the ankle sometimes rubs
on some running tights, especially on long wet runs, but no such problem
with these. I found them light and well fitted, even when wet. An added
bonus was the lower leg material, especially designed 'for better ‘wet
grass/bramble’ performance'. Well the kinder dozen terrain was a good
test of that design feature as we ploughed our way through plenty of
deep heather...legs emerged unscathed :-).<br />
<br />
One of my
specialities is getting very cold in wet and windy conditions. I am
pleased to report the Gram Comp jacket kept me toasty, I was a bit
concerned with it not having a waist draw chord, but didn't encounter
the problem of rain going up the jacket. The hood adjusters are very
minimalist, but secure and the peak, although not wired, kept the rain
out of my eyes...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wolf's Pit Fell Race - The gram comp jacket doubling as a bum bag!</td></tr>
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Finally, last weekend I got in a good recce of the Edale Skyline and raced my first fell race of the year - Wolf's Pit. The race was a brutal reintroduction to running fast, with a large field of strong runners racing the 5.75miles with 410m climb. I warmed up the night before with several hours of dancing in pop tarts, so was a little on the tired side..<br />
<br />
The part that suited me came right at the start, straight up up up a steep hill! By the top I was still in the mix for the podium, 20mins of runnable trail later and I was looking to hold onto fourth. By the final descent I was in 5th and glanced over my shoulder...there was my relay partner Claire about 50m behind. As I knew her ability to run my legs off on a descent I threw myself off the hill, hoping to keep far enough ahead to stagger into the field and the finish still in 5th. I glanced at my watch at one point and was pleased to see the pace starting with a 4:?? minutes/mile....so I couldn't believe it when we hit the track at the bottom and she was right on my shoulder! I did stagger into the field, but was in 6th, high enough to be 3rd counter for the winning Pennine ladies team with Steph (3rd) and Claire (5th) :-). Even better, this is the first time I have felt good running at pace this year!<br />
<br />
It's amazing how things have changed in the peaks over the last few years, the last time I ran this race it was bone dry, properly fast! I ran 5minutes slower then and finished 8th I think... my time from this year would have placed me in a comfortable 3rd with little competition around me. It's great to have such a strong womens field now, it'll make for some much faster times and much more competitive racing! <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lGOaGMTFgf4/UUhdMDGxEII/AAAAAAAAAho/d0sAMLPZMq4/s1600/885585_10152693723615492_1882154488_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lGOaGMTFgf4/UUhdMDGxEII/AAAAAAAAAho/d0sAMLPZMq4/s320/885585_10152693723615492_1882154488_o.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running my legs off to stay ahead of Claire Aspinall</td></tr>
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The challenge for this week is sitting still (well...stiller...until Friday). Then next weekend comes a proper test, the Cumbrian Commotion AR on Sat followed by some flat out racing around the Edale Skyline English Champs Fell Race. Fingers crossed my hip flexors hurt less by then....it turns out running and biking doesn't prepare you for hen do's that include burlesque dancing and wearing high heels.... <br />
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<br />Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10723637704046121652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412463032147642075.post-40404708420598500532013-02-04T14:12:00.001-08:002013-02-04T14:12:31.769-08:00Open 5 - Cheddar<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M-5a3RpOGzM/URApwXKekQI/AAAAAAAAAgw/wWp_YMTi9Hg/s1600/531714_10152558704440503_633847864_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M-5a3RpOGzM/URApwXKekQI/AAAAAAAAAgw/wWp_YMTi9Hg/s320/531714_10152558704440503_633847864_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female pairs winners</td></tr>
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Last weekend was the latest Open 5 in the series, this time down in Cheddar. Whilst I have friends in Bristol, I'd never made it to Cheddar before so was looking forward to going to yet another new place and seeing the highlights courtesy of Eddie Winthorpe!<br />
It wasn't all smooth running in the weeks before the race, however I did at least have 'some' skin on my heel by race day (3wks of healing and only 'some').<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IxJXrHWYVP0/URAp1zdlMYI/AAAAAAAAAhE/za1_q9KwSzw/s1600/IMG_1396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IxJXrHWYVP0/URAp1zdlMYI/AAAAAAAAAhE/za1_q9KwSzw/s320/IMG_1396.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My heel after too much fun in the snow a couple of weeks ago...</td></tr>
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After a long trip down I was pretty knackered (and I had been most of the week), but a good nights sleep at my friends in Bristol set me up to start well.<br />
We decided to try out bike then run as I wasn't all that confident my heel would still have skin on it after running.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FPzdKckaWpI/URApwd4Th6I/AAAAAAAAAgs/n8f5q1o_r7o/s1600/529870_10152558669475503_285547347_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FPzdKckaWpI/URApwd4Th6I/AAAAAAAAAgs/n8f5q1o_r7o/s320/529870_10152558669475503_285547347_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Biking to control 16</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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The bike route was ace, a fast road section before a killer hill climb where I was glad of my 3 chain rings and we were on the top of the gorge. There was a good mix of fast moving and really fun descents...oh and a bit of mud thrown in there too! I think it's fair to say that me and Rosemary are the most incompatible pairing as far as strengths and weaknesses go, on any road section I'll be hanging onto her wheel, off road however and I can get the upper hand, with technical descents my favourite! This route had the best of both worlds meaning (in the main) we could ride together well, both getting to ease off at times where the other wasn't as comfortable - well done Eddie, up until now I have felt a lot more like it was a game of chase Rosemary's wheel!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6wguuc0SjGE/URApxK5E14I/AAAAAAAAAg0/9N0G0l-L9ro/s1600/601506_10152558697465503_1397756487_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6wguuc0SjGE/URApxK5E14I/AAAAAAAAAg0/9N0G0l-L9ro/s320/601506_10152558697465503_1397756487_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I actually had to run especially for James to get this photo (there might have been some walking going on before we saw him...)</td></tr>
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A slight over estimation in the length of the bike route meant we arrived in transition almost half an hour later than planned. A slick change and we were off on the 'run'....well, talking of strengths and weaknesses, my normal strength for running had disappeared somewhere on the bike section. The hills were a plod at best. In the above photo its a wonder I'm smiling, I think that was the last grin of the race... I don't think I've ever felt so bad on a run ever. The tiredness of the last week had well and truly caught up with me.<br />
<br />
We headed across the fields and down to a control and some of my usual spring returned, but something was still a bit funny, I was pretty out of breath and concentrating was difficult. <br />
Rosemary offered help with the nav - only trouble was I was so wrecked that concentrating on my planned route was enough for me at that point. What she was suggesting was so different to what I had planned I didn't know what to do with it. I decided I must be being overly cautious with my route as I was feeling so rubbish and Rosemary was clearly expecting us to go further, I'd just have to man up and get on with it....turns out I should have stuck to my guns, the help was offered off small glances at the map, not on an actual overall plan.<br />
Yet again we got caught out by the control with the best name on the map, visiting 'totty pot' (10 points) instead of my planned control (15 points) and got a bonus 1.5-2km thrown in for free! By the last control I knew why the run was so much effort, for the second time in a month I was having a small asthma disaster. It was all I could do to keep moving, so it was a bit of a stagger into the finish 12.5mins late - 35points lost.<br />
<br />
Thank god we had a good solid bike section to fall back on - we took the win by 42points but I think we were lucky this time! For now we are the series leaders, but we'll have to stop being late back if we're going to stay that way!<br />
<br />
In the week after the Jan open 5 I did a full weeks training with highlights of a track session, spinning and lots of fell running in the lakes. This week I'll be happy if my back, legs and chest stop hurting - one things for sure, we definitely went hard enough this time :-)Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10723637704046121652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412463032147642075.post-32352654737074577272013-01-22T13:06:00.001-08:002013-01-25T02:31:11.501-08:00Seize the dayOver new year we were up in Scotland, running, skiing and ice climbing (indoors thanks to 100mph gusting wind). I then had another crack at the open 5 with Rosemary at the start of January (http://planetbyde.com/2013/01/07/haglofs-open-5-north-york-moors/) and last week we had an ace long weekend running in the Lakes. What a bonus, it even snowed for us! Without a blink, the first thought when we saw the snow falling was, woohoo, massive snowy run! <br />
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<br />
This is how we enjoy the mountains and it's how Rachel Majumdar and Tom Chesters were enjoying them in Glencoe last weekend when they were descending Bidean nam Bian, in the wrong place at the wrong time. My thoughts are with their families and friends, they'll be missed by so many! I know I'll be missing Rachel's ready smile, I'll remember her as one of the kindest and most encouraging people I had the pleasure to call my friend. As it happens, I never got to meet Tom. He was working on a PhD similar to mine in Hull. He tracked me down online (ah, what a small world orienteering is) and we chatted by email, sharing stories of weekend adventures (I mean, discussing the intricacies of osteoporosis and bone biomechanics), planning to meet up the next time he was in Sheffield visiting the gait lab we were both using.<br />
<br />
As fellow blogger whereverthepathmaylead put it:<br />
'These events demonstrate the fine line we tread when
we pursue the activities we do. Everyone was adequately equipped
and suitably experienced. Through no “fault” of their own, they’ve
ended up in dangerous situations. And the fact is, as fellrunners and
mountaineers, it could be any one of us at any time. Does that mean we don’t do
it anymore and we find more sedate activities? No, of course it doesn’t since,
as well as being an ever-present danger, it’s also one of the attractions to
what we do'<br />
<br />
So when we're inevitably back up on the hill (Saturday no doubt), there'll be two more people with us reminding us to enjoy every minute. RIP xXx<br />
<br />
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<br />Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10723637704046121652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412463032147642075.post-5573361609588165192013-01-04T13:39:00.001-08:002013-01-04T13:40:28.327-08:00Happy New Year!Happy New Year! Hope everyone had some good Christmas/New Year adventures!<br />
I've been out and about in the Lakes, Peaks and Cairngorms (via a quick trip to Brighton), all in 10 days!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hZTC7bGZUlo/UOdE7z1VVgI/AAAAAAAAAds/Y0YJs-fh3j4/s1600/Wansfell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hZTC7bGZUlo/UOdE7z1VVgI/AAAAAAAAAds/Y0YJs-fh3j4/s320/Wansfell.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wansfell race 27/12/12: How to make yourself go dizzy while running uphill..</td></tr>
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Back in September I got a mysterious package through the door, inside I found a Haglofs wind jacket (shield comp Q hood) and Haglofs goretex jacket (scramble Q jacket) along with instructions to use and abuse. I looked out of the window, the sun was shining.....hmmm. </div>
<br />
I took the wind jacket out on the fells in the hope of finding some blustery conditions, but it was completely by chance I found some. Out on a night ride across houndkirk moor I suddenly realised it was no longer summer and I was certainly not wearing enough clothing. Thankfully, tucked neatly into my cycling jersey pocket (test number one passed) was my bright pink shield comp! I was still a bit worried it might not be enough, at around 70g it feels like there's almost nothing there even when on, but the minute I put it on the wind felt completely blocked and I continued on for another hour and half :-). The fit feels equally good for biking reach and running which is good in my books, and it has a hood,something my other wind jackets have lacked. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aLPp9BQ54rI/UOdE7D0QwBI/AAAAAAAAAdo/HgVplnDoTEE/s1600/Wansfell+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aLPp9BQ54rI/UOdE7D0QwBI/AAAAAAAAAdo/HgVplnDoTEE/s320/Wansfell+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wansfell race: Trying not to fall into a marsh</td></tr>
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By the time we left for the lakes just before Christmas there was no longer any lack of suitable test conditions! Me and Sally had a last minute change of heart looking at our planned route over Fairfield and opted for a lower level, but still very wet, loughrigg, silverhowe, loughrigg. Me and Wil abandoned our attempt at running over St Sunday Crag to spectate the ultra tour de helvellyn, opting for a 50min (instead of 2hr) run and a vantage point in the white lion...Arriving in Askham for the finish, we watched the best sprint finish after 38miles from Shelf and Kim, Kim just ducking under 6hrs for the race, awesome in some rather wild conditions. </div>
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A bit later on and Claire arrived, finishing her first running race of that distance, very impressive! </div>
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By the time we hit the peak district we hoped it might be a bit nicer...well, we could see the top of the hill at one point.... I took my new bright pink shoes (below) for their first outing. I chose a particularly muddy route so there'd be no puddle dodging, no matter how pretty they were to begin with. Me, Wil and Nic did a classic loop around kinder, up to the shooting cabin, Williams Clough, Kinder Downfall and back via 3 knolls. For a trail shoe I was pretty impressed, I could keep up on the descents (ok, so the others weren't going full tilt but heh) without danger of damaging my ankles or ending up on the floor. I've had other pairs of shoes that resemble a road shoe converted for off road and found that especially with my ridiculously mobile ankles, I manage both of the above very easily. So far I've found these new trail shoes good, low enough that they are good and stable with a close fit so I've got pretty good confidence in where my foot is/is going. I'll probably keep them for trail rather than fell in the most part though - at Wansfell race I did do a small bit of sledging instead of running down the hill, then again, so did Nic and he was wearing mudclaws! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PYPnYq9DnoU/UOdE6zqbtmI/AAAAAAAAAdg/CjgZkjGST6s/s1600/Haglofs+shoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="201" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PYPnYq9DnoU/UOdE6zqbtmI/AAAAAAAAAdg/CjgZkjGST6s/s320/Haglofs+shoes.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Haglofs Gram GT trail shoes</td></tr>
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Wansfell race is actually a bit mental, I forgot how far up it goes!! With 380m of climb in 2 miles, its a lungbuster and very easy to blow up on. I managed to make myself dizzy going up the hill but summited before falling over, which I promptly found was the best descending tactic as the grass was so steep and wet. It's been nearly 2 years since I last did this race and after so long travelling the previous 2 days I didn't feel fantastic. It came as a nice surprise to get a PB, by 1.5mins!!<br />
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Finally I took the scramble Q jacket out for its intended purpose - another blustery wet adventure around the peaks, from Ladybower over Win Hill and Hagg Farm and back. Both me and Helen were well equipped with our nice slick summer tyres on...we had fun, it was a bit like Mountain Mayhem slideyness but thankfully less sticky mud!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E88lsgOTiBo/UOdE6u6nIJI/AAAAAAAAAdk/PMtMenCMbRI/s1600/Biking+with+Helen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E88lsgOTiBo/UOdE6u6nIJI/AAAAAAAAAdk/PMtMenCMbRI/s320/Biking+with+Helen.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Muddy peaks biking</td></tr>
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The jacket kept me toasty and dry and as you can see from the picture, it has now been at least a little bit abused. So,given the beautiful colours the jackets and shoes started in, the question I can hear on everyone's lips, 'are they still bright and shiney?'. Well, the answer is pretty much yes. Even after running through Kinder's finest peat bog the shoes came up bright pink, now with added darker pink highlights. On to the next test at the Open 5 on Sunday :-)</div>
Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10723637704046121652noreply@blogger.com0