series completed

Well enough races complete to count in the series, tackling all 12 in one year would be something else. Having spent quite some time over the last few years pondering over whether to have a crack at the Runfurther series, even last year setting out to do so (an attempt which came to a sticky end 2 races in when trying to run too soon after the Fellsman, resulting to hip problems which in turn lead to be knocked off my bike, but thats another story) this year I again decided yes.

So on to 2010, and as ever the best laid plans....a struggle at the Haworth Hobble meant I did not toe the line at Hardmoors, which meant for various reasons the best long for me would be the Lakeland 50. As ever the week before was one of worry - had I recovered from a 3 day jaunt going round the TMB? would my sciatica ease off in time? and would I find my way round?

My plan for the race was simple - let Kate bomb off in front, race for second (assuming Kate did not blow up or worse), do not go off too hard and push towards the end (which was also the only bit of the course I was familiar with).

Race day dawned and the bus journey was made more enjoyable by listening to the conversations of 4 guys who, shall we say were taking it a little less seriously than I was - I must have looked kill joy with my race face on as growing conversation continued all around me. This also helped take my mind of the knowledge that my pre-hydration plan had not factored in being held captive in a bus for quite as long - something others must also have felt as arrival at Dalemain was met with 350 odd bladders all wanting to be emptied, and two portaloos.....

Once under way the race was going to plan - Kate bombed off and showed no sign of blowing up, Mark H however was not in such good nick and I was slowly gaining on him as we descended to CP 1 (sorry Mark you may have been unwell and unfit, but you still count as a major scalp!!). Unfortunately for me however, despite covering most of my feet with zinc oxide tape pre-race I had forgotten to also tape the small of my back which was starting to rub.

Luckily the marshall at Howtown was totally unfazed as wet and focused I shoved bits of tape into her hand and exposed my back. Once sorted it was back on route, but Mark was up and away, managing to avoid making the same mistake as Martin going up Fusedale by dint of those around me. Mardale brought the unwelcome sight of Kate sitting in the landrover 'you idiot' was I am afraid was all I could think of saying before heading off up Gatesgarth, now on my own and 'map dependent'.

Martin was right, you can not avoid the rocks going down the valley track, with it now wet and Kate's ankle fresh in my mind I managed to find a balance between steady and speed. A minor diversion around a knoll en route and Kentmere was reached, and quickly left, to be met with a traffic jam coming down Garburn in the form of two ranger rover like things.

The rain now was fairly consistent and I started pondering whether it was in the rules of the race to buy a second pair of gloves at Lakesrunner (not withstanding the fact that I did not have any money on me...). Minor navigational hic up no 2 was shared with 3 guys on the 100 before Ambleside was reached and somewhat surprisingly (but much welcomed) there were people cheering the runners on.

Still feeling good now it was time to tick off the land marks and maybe think about motoring - or maybe not along the drag of the Cumbria Way. Navigational hic up no 3 and a minor panic occurred at Langdale as having run 50 m past the 50 to go sign I could not see another sign for the checkpoint, this brought the road book out and relief to find the school.

Still feeling strong on the next section I was however caught and passed by two guys (don't you just hate that) before Tiberwaite - now the watch watching started - was 10 hours possible? I had around 50 minutes left to do so, time to put the boot in; except the boot (and everything else) by this stage was feeling tired. The drag up Crook Beck seemed much longer than when I had recced it a few weeks before and by the time I reached the top it was certainly half light at best, with the slippy path to follow. Constant wiping my eyes, trying to say steady and not push to hard meant I got to the track with only one 3/4 fall and then as best as you can after 47 odd miles tried to sprint.

Of course I also kept trying to see how long I had - not clever really given the light and the fact it was slowing me down to do so -just enough as it turned out, sprinting into the finish with under two minutes to spare. At which point the only place I was going was a chair, finally giving my legs a break - apologies here to the people who wanted to weight me again.

One week later and most of the aches have gone, although it will take a bit longer to get some freshness in my legs - thanks to Mark L and his team for a great race and Kate, hope the ankle recovers soon.

Sarah Rowell