Durham Dales Challenge 30m 2013

I did this race two years ago and found it hard. Five big hills and few smaller ones. It took me 8hrs 14min. However, the scenery was good, the food at the checkpoints was amazing and the meal at the end wasn't bad either. I do love the LDWA  Part of the reason I took that long was that I was running with a clubmate who was struggling and she retired after 10m. This time I was running with Melanie and she is the faster runner, so I knew I wouldn't be dawdling.

We both slept badly last night, the weather forecast was poor, varying between light and heavy rain with a little bit of sun. The wind was going to be strong and in our faces in the first half but behind us on the way back. We had also done the Hardmoors Rosedale marathon six days ago, so all in all the omens weren't good ...

Last year we did the 16m version and though the weather was poor in the first half, we enjoyed it. We decided early in the year that we would do the 30m route this year. I also told my clubmates how good it was and it was good to see quite a few there, most of them opting for the 16m route. It was good to have a chat with them and other faces we recognised.

Both of us were uncertain what to wear, but we both had to put waterproofs over long sleeved tops and Melanie wore gloves later.

We started slowly and climbed out of Wolsingham onto the moors and started towards Hamsterley Forest. No midges there this time (they were horrendous last time). All of this section was into a strong wind with some heavy rain squalls. We finally got off the moors and down to the lovely River Tees and headed towards Middleton-in-Teesdale. A change in the route led us to a new checkpoint which had an amazing display of food.

Then we started to climb the fourth big hill. To my surprise the route seemed not to be as hard as I remembered and we were making good progress especially on the tops when the terrain was runnable. The wind behind us was certainly helping.

At the last manned checkpoint they had quiche like last time  Then it was down into the valley and following the River Wear past caravan sites and farms and passing glorious meadows which looked amazing.

We came to the end and we were surprised to see our time 7hr 11min, a big improvement on two years ago Good meal at the end too  These events are amazing value for money

Hardmoors Rosedale marathon 2013

We were up at 5.30 to get ready for this run. Made it to the village hall in the lovely Hutton-le-Hole for 8 and got ourselves ready for the start at 9. The usual relaxed atmosphere of a Hardmoors event and quite a few people that we knew where there.

The route started by undulating through fields and quiet country roads. The route gradually started to rise and soon we were onto the moors and it seemed to just keep going upwards, with just the odd short descent. We took the decision to walk most of these uphill sections as we knew there was more easily runnable sections to come.

Finally after 10m we got to Blowarth Crossing and turned in a more southerly direction along a very flat old railway line. We had a good run along this for quite a while (it is unusual to have such a long runnable section in a Hardmoors event, which are usually characterised by plenty of hills and steps !). After a while we left the dale we were overlooking, Farndale, and climbed up to the Lion Inn and then started to contour round the edge of Rosedale. Gradually we descended into Rosedale, crossed the dale and then soon after the 20m point, we climbed a beast of a hill back up to another flat old railway line. My leg started cramping on the way up the climb and I know at least two other runners who had similar issues. Melanie gave my calf a quick massage at the top and that certainly helped, but I lost quite a bit of energy on the climb so after that I was taking more walking breaks than I was happy with. However, we got back in under 6 hours which was pleasing. A good route and much more runnable than either of the previous two Hardmoors marathons.

Phil was doing the timekeeping at this event (and for the 10K and the half marathon) and Anna had a great run, coming in under 5hrs !