Northumberland Coast marathon 2012

The weekend started with me tail running at Durham parkrun. Most Saturdays at Durham the tail runner does run, but for my fifth time, I had two walkers who were a long way behind the last runner. However, they did better than some of the walkers I have followed,clocking a time of about 54min - I have had two sets who have taken an hour or more. I think everyone is welcome at parkruns and not running was probably a good way for me to prepare for the following day

Melanie did a good time and as usual at Durham we had breakfast with lots of friends and clubmates at the university sports centre which is the HQ for the Durham parkrun.

On the Sunday I left early to get to the start at the lovely village Alnmouth - Melanie was not running this one, though she would have done if she had been able to get a number - the organiser said he could easily have added a couple of hundred more runners who wanted to do it.

The route is an out and back to the bridge just south of Beadnell. It basically follows the Northumberland Coastal Run route, a very popular run which goes from Beadnell to Alnmouth, but with the vast majority of the road sections replaced by trail. It passes a spectacular ruined castle, a lovely seaside village and goes along some beautiful beaches.

There were about eighty runners at the start with a large contingent from the Porter Valley Plodders from Sheffield who were using it as a club day out. It was hot with no wind at this point, so I knew it was going to be tough. Jovi runner was a bit unsure about the route, so she ran with me for about 4m after which the route is pretty straightforward. There is no way I could keep up with her even though she is on a come back from injury. However, I continued at a pace which was probably too quick and I got to halfway in 2hr 14min which was almost exactly the time I had done on the Coastal Run four weeks ago. I felt that I might suffer because of this and I did. Soon after turning back the sky clouded over and a slight head wind started, but the wind was not the reason I slowed, it was just going too quick in the hot first half. On the way back I really suffered from Dunstanburgh Castle until Boulmer in the same way I suffered from Boulmer to the end last year. I could see a sub 5hr time disappearing, not a disaster but it would nice to be sub 5. Then suddenly after Boulmer something changed and I ran the rest of the way and came in with 4hr 53, so I was happy with that time overall.

Looking back I don't think I spent enough time looking at the scenery this time. It is stunning and I think I was taking it for granted on this run. Must do better

Then it was a quick change and a drive home and off to the staff barbecue at the Castle. A bonus was a heavily discounted overnight stay in the poshest suite in the Castle  The evening was good though in the middle of the evening I was so tired, I had to have a nap for an hour !

Elsecar Skelter 27m 2012

What a great event this is. Miles of lovely scenery, not too many long hills, great views, well stocked checkpoint (biscuits, sandwiches, canned fruit in bowls, bananas and apples and of course lots of cake at two of them). Pie and peas at the end and all this for £8.50

The views from Wharncliffe Craggs are very special. The many follies and churches are also interesting and helped me to forget how far we had to go - I kept being surprised at how far we had come.

No cramp this week and we were able to make good progress finishing in 5hr 23min which knocks 35min of Melanie's pb (she has only done LDWA marathons so far - road marathons and their water stations are going to be a bit of a shock !). It is her third marathon and second within six days. I think she is hooked

I made one mistake. I got a bit complacent with the route and blindly followed the route I did two years ago without looking at the map or the route description. We ended up going through shoulder high nettles and both our legs were throbbing for the rest of the day from all the stings. Looking at the route description later, we missed a new right turn, but we soon picked up the route again

I hope they run it again next year, we chatted to the organiser and encouraged him

Photos

Dovedale Dipper 26m 2012

Yesterday we went to do the Newcastle parkrun to see Chris and Caroline Renton. It was good to see them both for a catch up. We ran with PenW and it was great to chat with her.

We headed off soon after the finish and dove down to Matlock and had a look around the town before heading off to our night's accommodation.

Up early and on to Hartington for my second Dovedale Dipper. Plenty of people I knew there and chatted to them and some other runners. Started at 10 and we noticed fairly quickly that the ground was pretty wet and it was much muddier than last year. We were making good progress, but just after the steep hill at 15m I started to get cramps in both calves. I slowed down and walked more. It had started to rain in the second half and it was pretty heavy in places. MelanieLH was getting cold so she went on to keep herself warm. She did great on her second marathon and finished just under 6hr. I struggled, the calf cramps seemed to have taken lots of energy out of my legs. But I made it, 6hr 25min.

Hopefully it should go better next week