Start times from 4am onwards based on ability, 7.30am for me, but all must be finished by 5.15pm. Met a few people waiting, Nick from local fell running club, Kevin who described himself as a plodder but had done welsh trail marathon in sub 5hrs so maybe a sub 3:45 flat but had never done a ultra. Factor 50 sun block on, warm weather expected and tough hills in first 20 miles I didn't want to go off fast so happy to team up. Nick knew shortcuts to avoid 2 big hills, interested but wanted to do the proper route. We let him go after 4 miles, he was running light with tiny waist pack and his vest off. Lovely trail though, through woods & valleys, partly on the Cleveland way, up and down hills, gorgeous landscape. Just what I wanted.
Checkpoint 1, 6 miles in an hour, Kevin and I chatting, the miles coming easy, I nibbled a single clif blok shot every 6-8 miles, didn't eat much at early checkpoints. Cp2 11 miles in under 2 hours, though we almost missed it and had to double back 2 mins. Confused British gas men with stove we thought were checkpoint at first :)
Hills started to go up, pace dropping, walked some sections.. Steep down appeared maybe 250ft, really hard on the quads & calfs. Felt something jarr and tighten below left knee into outside calf. Each step down painful - Worried. Stretched it a little and took a painkiller but not good. Cp3 lion inn was in the middle of Yorkshire Moors, and hopefully major hills done by then. Like a mirage it appeared or did it? Looked only a mile away but with no straight route to it took forever. Finally there, 3h40 for 18 miles those 7 miles had been slow draining 1hr45. my Missus was waiting in case I needed to change shoes, but fine. Dumped waterproof and extra kit to save weight though. 5 minute stop for some peaches and rice pudding, lots of water. From here on with sun properly up, made sure to fill my two .5l bottles at each stop and drink a few cups. Worst of the hills over? Or so I thought... Female runner flew past us, dressed as if doing a 5k, very light, zero baggage with her, sports drink left at each stop and car waiting at each checkpoint. Easy for some :).
Getting to Cp4 was a drag, twisty road going up hill and traffic flying past then more hills. Horrible section of heather with rubble strewn all over, couldn't run without risking injury, both of us nearly tripping over and twisting ankles. 90 minutes to do 11k. This carried on to the next cp, similar paths then a boggy area, just didn't let you get into a continuous running rhythm. Another hour and 6k done. We met a runner attempting back to back over 24 hours, who had started at 4pm the previous day from Ravenscar and then the race from Osmotherly in the other direction - limping, his calf had blown - and he had done Hardmoors 110 weeks before, scary. Down another 250 ft then lovely stepping stones across a stream with house nearby. Quick look for hobbits, then straight back up to 250ft. Views kept you going and no pain from leg thankfully.
Another hour to do another 5-6k, pretty much walking and way more hills than I expected, though Kevin took time at checkpoint texting his wife. Around 31 miles he was starting to slow (not unexpected) and needing to walk more, so as agreed said our goodbyes and carried on. Clear paths, legs feeling strong, let them off the leash and picked up speed. Miles started going to sub 10 min miles. With under 4 miles to go, thought sub 9 hours was still on, and ~50 minutes to do it. Crested to top of small hill, only to see a massive drop down and then a similar hill up soon after.
Cue loud swearing John McEnroe style. A few twinges in calf so careful going down stone steps, a bit demoralised, up a horrible hill, breathing hard. Elite runner (and race winner) whizzed past holding what looked like part of coat hanger with a hook.. what the hell was that? Then a few strides later, sponge put on the end, dipped in puddles we ran past and squeezed over head. Neat! Never seen that before.
Thick fog rolling in now. Finally at last checkpoint, I'd guessed less than 2 miles to go to be told just over 4miles? Booo. Cracked on, a bit down but determined. Through the fog, huge legs of radar tower appeared, top hidden in pea soup, looking like Martian tripod from War of Worlds.. Spooky but funny, I was easy pickings if it was real or the best sweeper van ever in a race?!
Came to end of road, marshal pointed way, just over a mile to go, upped speed to 8 min mile. Foggy trail to the end, finally seeing the sea (normally a lovely view as my wife's earlier photo shows) ..
and suddenly the finish in sight, lots supporting, my Missus waving, finished with a sprint 9hrs 12mins, 26th of 60. Free beer at end was nice touch, plus thanks to my wife a well earned cheese & pickle sandwich/ pork pie combo waiting for the drive home. Kevin came in 25 mins behind me. Also amongst the finishers was an 80 year old man in just under 12 hours. Amazing. Fabulous event, next year will be the 50th running of the Wake and maybe the last one.. Will be there for that.
All in all, great race, just felt good to be alive in the hills.
start Carlton clay lion hamer stape Eller jugger finish time
1 comment:
Great race, Martin - well done for persevering in those difficult conditions. Sounds worth the effort!
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