Guisborough Woods Fell Race.

Getting caught up, didn't realise how behind I am!!

High winds and freezing rain were the order of the day for this years running of the Guisborough Woods Fell Race.
I collected Hils and her lad, Ryan nice and early to make sure we got a car parking space and found Coach Rob, David R and stalwart Alan W already there!
After getting ourselves registered, quick chat and hug with Flip we hung about til it was time to warm up a bit with a jog to the start. I'm not very good at warming up, I know I should but I can never be arsed, then 10 mins after the gun I think, I wish I'd warmed up properly...
Anyway, the start/finish area was wind swept with rain blowing in, it was too cold to stand about so we joined everyone else jogging up and down the first hill to keep from freezing.
At last Dave arrived and set us off!
Straight into the first climb, this wasn't too bad and sheltered from the wind. Along tracks I've never been on before in Guisborough Woods, past a disused quarry, to meet the foot of a stiff climb. Oh my, it was really muddy, but not too slippy and went straight up for probably best part of 100m. No-one ran up that! (Well, maybe the fast ones at the front did ;-) )
Gasping for breath we continued climbing, less severely and on good track but exposed to a head wind that at times stopped us in our tracks.
Hilary and I were catching up with Ryan (who was doing the under 12's route) this only meant one thing, we'd set off too fast! As we wound through the forest tracks, the juniors turned off, and we carried on a bit further before doing a hairpin back on ourselves and down a horribly steep tarmac path, I'm glad it wasn't frosty like it was the day before!
We ran through the start/finish area- Hilary Hi-fived Ryan on the way past and we dug into the climb once more, a little more slowly this time!
After climbing the muddy bank, we turned off the main path and headed out onto the moor. We were only just outside the shelter of the trees but oh my goodness it was wild! The first bit of path was wet and boggy underfoot, then as it improved the rain came in. Blown in sideways on 30-40mph winds, everyone was hunched up trying to shelter our faces from the icy blasting, at times it took my breath away. Horrible, I'm glad that 80% of the route was sheltered! As we got back into the forest, I started getting stitch, it got worse on the downhill and when we had rejoined the previous track and were on the steepest tarmac bit, I had doubled over completely to try and get rid of it. Two male runners over took me here, one of whom said 'You must be Fran, I'm Andy, I Love a Challenge too!!' Bit cryptic and I wondered how he recognised me from my backside in the air!?! (He's a member of the FB excercise group...) The stitch eased a bit and I ran on, realising I wasn't far from the finish.
Over the line! Normally we'd wait for everyone to get in, but it was just too cold and windy and horrid so we jogged down to the rugby club for dry clothes and a hot drink.
Dave did the presentation for the summer series, lots of our ladies won age category prizes and Alan W won his category too. When he did the prizes for today's race, Coach Rob won his category too. So overall a successful day!
This race was also the final fixture in the Four Seasons Trophy Series, we'll have to wait for official results, but I have come third in this.

Wainwright list

Just added the full list of 214 Wainwrights to the pages tab at the side there.
Little annoying as I had 'collected' about half of them, then had a change of life circumstances shall we say and lost my list. Now I can't remember them all for certain, so I thought the correct thing to do would be to start again. (Any excuse for a trip to the Lakes!!)
I nabbed the list from the good people at Striding Edge.net who have some walk routes, weather forecasts and loads of stunning photos of the lakes. Clicking on the names of the fells will take you to their website.

The future's bright, the future's long.

I wrote in my Fetch blog yesterday that I was excited about what was to come.

Just what did I mean? As you know, I want to go long distance (when my head is playing ball that is) I mean beyond 26.2.
The run at Goathland told me I'm getting there. I think 2014 will be spent consolidating the 20-30 mile races before tackling something bigger in 2015. I'm very taken with the whole Hardmoors set up, really enjoyed the 3 events I've done so far (despite the fact that HM30 left me injured and Saltburn Half caused me to blow-up) so I think the next step-up will probably be the HM55. I don't want it to be too easy...

There is still a lot of work to do, but I feel if I keep on keeping on I'll get there in time. 

I like doing the longer stuff. I love that people can't comprehend what I do. My non-running friends think I'm crackers, even my running friends ask me all sorts of odd questions! What do you think about? How do you run for 6 hours? And my favourite I got asked last night, with reference to Goathland - 'Did you cry? I think I would have done.' Bless her.
I love telling people about crazy vertical climbs, rocky paths, running in the dark, the snow, ice-covered routes (although admittedly I'm not keen on the ice myself), falling over in puddles and why lemonade with salt in it tastes soooo good!!!

You can keep your Rat Race type adventure races, the real adventure's out there man!!

Goatmoors Trail Marathon

The day of the big M dawned, and as usual I was too nervous to eat my breakfast before the hours drive to Goathland. I got signed in, then met a few people, finally meeting Darren from the We Love a Challenge group on Facebook and had a quick natter with Ray and Flip. We all had a good chuckle at the marathon route sweeper who was dressed as Death, complete with robes and a scythe...

The weather was cold but sunny as we gathered on the start, and soon enough we were off! The gentle downhill start was just to lull us into a false sense of security I'm sure!! The first mile or two were sublime. Narrow, rocky path alongside the playful West Beck led us directly below the Mallyan Spout Waterfall, I thought to myself as we crossed several little bridges back and forth over the water that I will have to come back here with OH and doglett... 
There were plenty of muddy steps thrown in, well of course, this is one of Jon's route, there's always steps! At least this way we got them out of the way early on. 
Now we climbed up onto the moor, there was to be lots of moor. But the going was good underfoot, and I ran behind Shirley for a while before overtaking her before the first check point. Here the half marathon runners turned off to cross the river on stepping stones, us full marathoners and the 10km guys instead turned uphill for a stiff climb to Simon Howe. Here some cheery marshals were directing 10km runners back home and us marathoners out along the rigg, we had a long way to go yet! 
The field was beginning to spread out a little now, but there were plenty of runners close by both ahead and behind. We entered Cropton Forest. I stopped for a drink at the checkpoint here, about 8 miles in now I think. We travelled on good tracks in the forest and I soon recognised where I was from the Levisham Saltergate fixture in the Esk Valley series. My left knee was starting to twinge and I took the steep descent very carefully. We crossed the railway line at Needle Eye before entering the wood again, gosh it was dark in here! Up the steep grass bank and along the cliff edge, being careful not to look down, then a long undulating grass track all the way along Levisham Bottoms, almost to Levisham itself. By the next checkpoint, my knee was really hurting. Not good at just about 12 miles into a marathon. Another girl was also having knee problems, she's taken a tumble and both knees were bleeding badly. A competitor who was also a nurse had a little look, but they seemed to be starting to scab up and she was determined to carry on! A few people caught up with me here, including Shirley, they went on ahead as I was busy faffing about refilling my water. I ran alone across Levisham Moor to the next check point, just after crossing the A169, my knee was forcing occasional walk breaks now which was very frustrating as I felt fine otherwise. At the checkpoint, Tim Taylor caught up with me and said 'Come on Fran, we'll run together!' We ran/walked together for a couple of miles. He was happy to walk a while but I hope I didn't slow him down too much. He ran on as we got closer to Fylingdales (I miss the golfballs) and I couldn't keep up. My knee was very sore, I managed the odd jog but was mostly walking. The route was now on a boring track that felt like it was going on forever and I had a little mardy with myself. At least the track was easy to walk on I suppose, if I'd been running I would have got off it sooner! I spotted a lonely figure dressed in Hi-vis and it was a marshal who took my number and pointed me onto open moor once more. The track was more interesting now, but still painful! I still managed the odd jog where it wasn't to tricky underfoot. There were a few boggy patches here and there but nothing too bad. I felt aware time must be getting on and I wanted to get finished in daylight, so I kept pushing the knee into a jog for as long as I could before having another walk break. 
At one point the route crossed a stream, it was too wide to jump cleanly and I could see where everyone else had slithered down the bank, I got a muddy foot and a thistled hand but didn't fall in! The stream was crossed again, this time by a metal sheet, hmm.
Now I could see cars on the A169 ahead, I could still see Tim too in his day-glo orange top. I knew once I crossed that road again I'd just about cracked it! Pressed on down the hill to the road crossing check point, stopped for a cup of pop and a caramel shortbread thingy before pressing on, I knew there were other runners closing in behind. Across the road, over a stream on some flooded steps, over the railway line once more and up a steep bank to get back onto the moor. It was a gentle gradient and after a while I thought, that's the cairn from earlier in the race. Indeed it was Simon Howe, the two marshals looking slightly more windswept than before, but they managed a bit of banter and pointed me towards home. 'Three miles and it's all downhill' they told me. I've learnt not to trust marshals when they say things like that, but for once they were right! There was another runner in view ahead, also employing a run/walk strategy but I never managed to catch him. My pained periods of running were actually getting longer, I wanted to get finished now, I wanted to finish in daylight, I could see my shadow getting taller. 
Annoyingly, in those last three miles, after having seen no-one apart from Tim for the best part of 10 miles, I was now over taken by no less than 9 other runners. They did however say well done and check I was ok.
The last group overtook with Goathland village in sight, in fact the 'leader' of the little group had a brief chat and I managed to run with them down the last grassy hill into the village, the hall was just around the corner now and the other runners really picked up the pace. To hell with my stupid knee, come on and I pushed hard to keep up, blowing like a train, we crossed the grass into the hall and Annabomb was there to record our times. 
For a brief time I was a little annoyed that the final push never made my knee any worse, could I have run more those last few miles? Then I thought no, 'cos at the time it bloody hurt! The last thing I wanted was to push it too far then have a long hobble home in the dark and be last. So I cheered myself up with the fact I'd actually beaten my target time (official results aren't out yet) but I got round in about 6hrs and 40mins, even with an uncooperative knee. I saw Flip in, then got some warm clothes on and had some tea, pasta and cake. Hung around for a bit chatting before getting in my car to come home. 

So a little disappointed at the walking bit, but over all I think it was a job well done! And really, I must be getting stronger as I was tired and sore but I was 'OK' at the finish.

Other things of note - Shirley mentioned above completed her 100th Marathon today, and she got her 100 Marathon Club vest and whatnot after the race. Also, a chap called David completed his 1000th Hardmoors mile to be the first person to enter the Hardmoors 1000 mile club, for this he gets a trophy and fleece. (I think I have another 927 miles to go...) 
So well done to both of them! 

Incidentaly, the knee thing is from when I twisted it many moons ago coming off a mountain in Wales. Just slipped on a wet rock. When it starts to hurt it's right in the joint, like it's going to pop apart. What was so annoying is that is hasn't bothered me in ages, not on any of my long training runs nor in any recent races. It just started. And 8 miles into a 26+ mile race is not very helpful at all!

A Birthday Walk

Birthday Walk on the Cleveland Way to Kepwick

03.11.2013

Distance: 9.4 miles

Easy going on good track and obvious footpaths on moor and pasture.

Starting point is the Forestry Commission carpark at the top of Sneck Yate Bank, Boltby.

Head out on the stony track, Hambleton Road, running north-west across Murton Common. Hambleton Road is an old drove road and as such is enclosed on both sides.

Hambleton Road - Enclosed drove road.

About a mile along the track, there is a cross roads with the Cleveland Way (South) going left into High Paradise Farm and a bridlepath heads through a wooden gate and out onto Dale Town Common. We continue ahead on the Cleveland Way (North), the hard packed surface gives way to rutted grass before entering Boltby Forest half a mile down the track.

About to enter Boltby Forest.

Rejuvenated tracks.

In the forest the path, which has recently been improved by Cleveland Way volunteers, runs between the moor boundary and the edge of the trees. The forest is home to a variety of fir and pine trees, mushrooms, wild fruits, birds and butterflies. Deeper in the trees, you may find small groups of roe deer, although they don't often venture out to the moor.

Looking out across the moor.

Steeple Cross.

Easy going on Little Moor.

Carved stone.

The track leaves the forest after about half a mile by means of a large metal gate at Steeple Cross. The track is obvious on the ground ahead, with a good dry stone wall on the left. The track crosses Little Moor, which is part of the Hawnby and Arden Estate. In a slight depression is another cross road.

At the cross roads above Kepwick Quarry

To the left, through a gate the metalled road heads downhill through the (disused) Kepwick Quarry to Kepwick village. To the right, a rough road leads to Arden Hall. Again, we continue forward on the Cleveland Way for another 425m to where a portion of the drystone wall juts out almost across the track. Almost immediately after the wall, is a wooden gate go through this and follow the obvious footpath which runs downhill along a good wall.

About to drop down towards Nab Farm.

The path gets muddy as it passes small copse and after the trees it sweeps left and runs almost over the top of a stone structure which may have been a kiln at one point. Go through a wooden gate, the path has been drained a little better here follow it over Old Gill on a concrete bridge then the path swings around to the left as it travels uphill and turns from grass to concrete, going into a hard standing area for cattle before passing through a metal gate. This is Nab Farm.

Dropping down...

...and a bit more...

Mucky old moo-cows at Nab Farm!

Continue straight on down the metalled driveway, passing the Nab on the right, and onto Bridge Beck Lane. Turn left onto the road towards Kepwick village, first crossing Bridge Beck then head uphill and at the top turn right into the village.

Kepwick village.

Continue right through the village and after passing the small church on the right, look out for a bridlepath on the left. Go through the gate and pass between two rows of trees, slightly uphill to another gate at the foot of Atlay Bank.

Exiting Kepwick on the bridlepath.

Heading for the gate at the base of Atlay Bank.

Through this gate, take the bridlepath on the left which runs around the bank on a narrow path before entering a gorge lined with rhododendrons which climbs sharply onto Pen Hill. Pen Hill is a promontory jutting from the moor into the valley below. On the top, the path is obvious on the grass ahead, it passes over an indistinct boundary then between Cowesby Forest and a small stand of silver birch before going through a gate at Black Hill. The path zig-zags to miss the worst boggy areas, but essentially follows a stone wall on the left. There are plenty of trees here, but it not demarcated as woodland on the OS map.

Rhododendron gorge.

Atop Pen Hill, Cowesby Woods on the right.

The gate at Black Hill.

The path and wall turn left to pass around Gallow Hill before meeting a wooden gate at another crossing of paths. Go straight on through the gate, then turn left once in Boltby Forest and head uphill following the forest edge to meet the Cleveland Way once more at the forest/moor boundary at Steeple Cross. Turn right and follow the good track of Hambleton Road back through the trees and to the carpark at Sneck Yate.

Later on, as it was my birthday we went for a lovely meal at the Old Oak Tree at South Kilvington, followed by a couple of pints at the Carpenters Arms, a bit nearer home.

Old Oak Tree

Carpenters Arms

It's the wrong legs, Gromit!

Wrong legs indeed, don't know what I've done with my fit ones...
After a fairly leisurely weekend, I thought I may be well rested for this weeks long-ish run. I was running from home today and had the choice of a hilly route or a flat one. I took the flat one and it was quickly obvious that was the right choice!
From the outset, my legs were tired, very tired. I had the route in mind, but hadn't measured it. There were options to shorten it along the way, but I thought I'd see how I felt.
A couple of miles in, everything had loosened up and I was bombing along! Didn't last long mind and every stride was an effort. Too many walk breaks and too many excuses to stop for some reason or another.
I did consider chopping off a loop, but decided I wanted time on feet so did the full route.
I find it slightly ironic that if I run into town, I can get in more off-road stuff than if I run the other way, towards the moor. (I live just 5-6 miles from the boundary of the North York Moors)
So, I struggled and shuffled on. The last 3 miles or so took a very long time and it started to rain as well. I got home just as the heavens opened!

When I measured my route it was over 13miles so that was ok.

I used my S!CAPS today, no idea if it made any difference or not as I don't think I was working hard enough to induce cramp... I ate all my sweets and my cheese biscuits too. I was thinking as running, I have a couple of gels I've acquired from various places (not tried one yet, don't really fancy them) and when I read the packet it says to consume one every 20 mins or so! Surely not? I shall continue experimenting with eating 'real food' while running thank you very much.

I think part of todays leg tiredness was due to last weeks mileage, but also a lot to do with not having eaten properly yesterday. Weekends just seem to mess me up!

Also, another question, related to running nutrition, is it better to 'front load' or replace the calories afterwards? Todays run burnt over 1500 extra cals and there's no way I can eat that much extra after a long run. I'm talking straight calories here, not what kind of food do you eat. So many things to tinker with!

Cackleberry's Blog, Supplemental.

Yeah, been watching to much Star Trek...

I have made the decision to try taking some supplemements, I already take cod liver oil and Glucosamine, but I've added in iron and vitB12. I do all the healthy eating, exercise (dhur) and drinking plenty of fluids but rarely feel full of energy. So, I thought I'd give them a whirl. I just wondered how long before I notice a difference? I've been taking them a full week and as yet don't feel overflowing with vim and vigour. Maybe it just doesn't work like that? I'd like to hear if any of you have had experience with such things.

On a similar note, I have also got hold of some S!CAPS electrolyte replacement capsules in an attempt to stop me throwing up on long runs. I've tried eating real food as I didn't want to take supplements for running, but I just can't physically eat enough to stop it.

S!CAPS

I don't like the idea of taking any of the above supplements by the way, I'm a big advocate of being all natural. But, I know I don't get enough iron in my daily diet (liver and kale anyone?) and B12 goes hand in hand with that. And bonking on a long run is just dammed unpleasant. I'm also happy to wait and give the B12 time to work, just don't want to give up too early if you know what I mean!

Anyway, a medium run is calling and it's raining. nice.