Newcastle Town Moor marathon 2012

I felt quite optimistic about this race. I put the fact that this would be my third marathon in four weeks to the back of my mind.

Just before the start I came back to earth and I decided to tag along with the Striders 10.5min/mile bus. I decided it would be much more enjoyable and I could always speed up a bit later on. This was also the fourth time I had done this race which was five laps around a not very scenic moor, so I thought being on the bus would help with the mental side. 

This certainly worked. The bus started with six runners, but this race had a high casualty rate on our club runners. Shortly into lap 2, the first one pulled out with a dodgy stomach. The second one went shortly after the end of lap 2 and the third soon after. That left three of us on the bus. We soon passed another runner from our club who was retiring with back problems. Soon after halfway, one of the other two stopped to take a stone out of her shoe and I found myself alone, but expecting them to catch me up very quickly. It didn't happen for another lap. Because of the bus, my first three laps were very consistent, 55mins for each of them. I speeded up a bit on lap 4 and did 50min, partly because one of the bus members, G, had caught me up and we ran together for the last part of that lap.

Each lap we passed Fetchpoint (PenW and Scribbler) who were great and the Striders cheering point - at least six clubmates had come just to cheer. Their numbers were swelled by those runners who had pulled out so by the end of lap 4, there was a lot of noise as we went by. Most of them were singing Happy Birthday to G who had chosen to spend her birthday running her second marathon.

By the start of the final lap I knew I was in trouble, I could not keep up with G. So I walked sections. The wind was also picking up and it started to rain. I also walked up the hill having run up it the previous four times - this has happened every time I have done this event.

The route was muddier than the other times I have done it, but most of it was on tarmac paths so it wasn't an issue. I came in with 4hr 43min my worst performance there, not great, but I think it was largely down to lots of recent marathons and not good preparation for them.

This race is very social, you quite often see other runners (apart from the time they lap you ...) and it was good to see clubmates and Fetchies. The marshalls were as ever fantastic (at least three of them have stood at the same place out on the moor for every running of this event) and it was good to see KateS helping at the drinks station.

I was getting changed at the Striders cheering point when the organiser cycled over and asked if I was still there. Yes, I said and was astonished to hear I had won a prize - 3rd place MV60 ! A nice trophy too  A good end to the day

Adventure Hub Norfolk Coast marathon 2012

I missed doing a stage of the Round Norfolk Relay this year and as we were visiting a friend in Norwich it seemed a good idea to fit in a race along the North Norfolk coast. I expected it to be flat, but it started on a heath above the coast and we ran down to the coast. As it was an out and back course I knew I had the climb at the end to look forward to.

We hit the coast and and 2m stretch of shingle beach. This was very hard work, as bad as running in sticky mud but you come out with clean shoes. Luckily I missed some it by keeping inland as much as possible - although I had not run this stretch before, I had seen other runners on the Relay taking an inland route. It was a bit muddy in places, but far better than the shingle. But you couldn't avoid all the shingle. Finally it ended and I got to the first checkpoint.

From there to the turn around point, it was easy going, hard paths, little wind, a bit of sun, but not too much and lovely views. After a cup of tea and biscuit I started back. There were still runners coming towards me and some were carrying on along the coast as there was also a 100K event, so the marathon was just the short event !

About two thirds of the way into the event, I started to feel the after effects of doing Kielder six days ago. My legs became very tired and the shingle beach sapped even more energy from my legs. The gentle climb back to the heath and the finish seemed steeper than it was. It felt good to finish and I was happy with my time of 4hr 49min

Photos : Norfolk Coastal marathon - Google Photos

Kielder marathon 2012

This was my seventh race around Kielder and my second time at this event organised by Steve Cram. Like last year and as at the Sunderland marathon, it was well organised. The numbers of people participating seemed to have risen this year and I met a few who were doing their first marathon. The scenery on the course is great, but it is a hard event as the Lakeside Way, which the race follows, is continually up and down.

I was aware that my last marathon was almost two months ago and I have only run a 13m route since then, so the aim was to start at the back and just get round. I also have the Norfolk Coastal marathon in six days so I didn't want to do any damage.

Starting at the back was a good idea, the early narrow stretches were not as crowded as they were last year. I had decided to walk all the hills, even the one just after the start and that approach seemed to work well.

Last year I got to the dam at 17m and felt great, so I thought I speeded up and overtook lots of runners. Looking at the times later I realised I was just running at the same speed, it was just that other runners were slowing down because the relentless climbs had taken energy from their legs. This year I found the same thing happened and I was passing lots of people. It was all going very well until 3m from the end when my calf pinged alarmingly. I backed off immediately as I didn't want to do any damage and plodded the last miles. To my surprise my time of 4h 52min was about what I normally would do at Kielder, I was expecting something closer to 5hr 30min before the start.

Sue had a fantastic run and knocked many minutes off her previous run at Kielder. I think Bill was taking it relatively easy because of an injury. Andrew and Maggie also had good runs.

Photos : https://photos.app.goo.gl/XEvXU5HUDyCoxJpq6

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 : https://photos.app.goo.gl/89XfBcDhVJcnJtw26

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

Photos : https://photos.app.goo.gl/Ar2hwUqCDBVUB67u5

Osmotherley Phoenix 26m 2012

There is a lovely atmosphere at this event, it is held in conjunction with the Osmotherly Summer Games and they block off the main street so that all sorts of stalls can be put up. The only downside to the event is that the car parking is at least a mile away from the start/finish. It is not too bad before the start, but it is a bit harder at the end ...

It was also great to see many people from the Hardmoors events and Kev Scone who we bumped into several times during the first half 

The route follows the Cleveland Way for the first half. There was a lot of mist about and there were times you couldn't see very far ahead. The rocks were slippery and MelanieLH fell on the descent from Scarth Wood Moor, but luckily there was no damage. We got to Scugdale and the first manned checkpoint which had wine gums and jaffa cakes. 

We then started the long drag up to the top of Carlton Bank but we missed out on all the views as the mist was down and we could only see about 50 yards. Then the tricky descent to Lordstones cafe which we took slowly because the rocks were slippery. There was another checkpoint at the bottom with slabs of malt loaf, flapjack and chocolate covered rice crispies. We couldn't resist.

After the cafe you could choose to go over Cringle Moor, the next hill (what is that called ?) and Wainstones or you could contour round all three. We chose to contour round  but that route is always muddy, today it was just a quagmire. We rescued a whole group of runners who had contoured round Cringle Moor and were about to head off up the next two hills without realising. Down to Clay Bank and more food 

Then another big climb up Carr Ridge and to Round Hill followed by a lovely descent to Chop Gate and yet more food  The hill out of Chop Gate is a monster, especially having run 16m at this point. Then it was paths through the heather which were hard to run on they were so muddy. I lost my enthusiasm at this point, but I knew I would get better after a couple of miles and it did once we had got to the Wheat Beck checkpoint (and you guessed it, more food)

The next bit to Oakdale Head I hadn't done before as I have done the 33m route when I have done this before and that goes off in a different direction at Wheat Beck. We went up to another moor which again was very boggy. This was MelanieLH's time for a low mood, she wanted it over now, it was her first marathon and she wanted it to be finished.

Once we got to Oakdale Head and we could see Osmotherley in the distance, she was fine and we headed mainly downhill to the finish. She was very happy to finish, it has been only four months since she finished radiotherapy, she has done amazingly well to recover so quickly from that. It was great to run with her on her first marathon 

Photos : https://photos.app.goo.gl/Ar2hwUqCDBVUB67u5