Kielder marathon 2014

This was to be my ninth event running round Kielder. It is a lovely place to run, its almost all off road and the surface of the Lakeside Way is designed for mobility vehicles so it is very smooth. The route itself is very undulating with roughly 2600 ft of ascent.

Melanie and I had no designs on a fast time as we have another marathon coming along shortly, so the plan was just finish and if would be good to be under 5 hours. I hadn't looked at previous times at Kielder, but I knew there was at least one event where I had been over 5hrs and one at roughly 4h 30min when Sophster had dragged me round.

As we drove there we could look down on the valleys full of cloud, a beautiful sight. This year we were told that the parking was at the far end of the reservoir, but as we drove past the start/finish area at Leaplish we were directed there and parked very close to the start/finish, so no hanging round for a bus before or after the race 😀 As usual we then enjoyed some of the home baking offered by the local village, Falstone.

The clouds burnt off and we had a bit of drizzle, but it all went away at the start. It was chip times so we started very near the back and ran up the first hill after the start. I have sometimes adopted the strategy of walking all the hills and running everything else, but this time I thought I would just run as much as I could and walk just the longer/steeper ascents.

And the miles clicked by. I took a gel from a checkpoint at one point and that seemed to help (I normally carry shot bloks, a nine bar and s-caps). At about 15m, Melanie said I was going a bit fast, so I slowed up a bit and got to the dam at 17m in pretty reasonable shape. Across the dam we were into the strengthening wind, which was harder but we were continuing to overtake people as we had done for most of the race. On to the Bull Crag promontory where I took another gel from a checkpoint. At first it seemed fine, but about two miles from the end my stomach felt pretty bad. I told Melanie to go on ahead while I took it a bit easier. I still managed to come in with my second fastest time ever at Kielder, 4hr 39min, so I was very happy with how it all went.

There were 644 finishers this year and some years there have been over 1000 so I hope this doesn't mean it is cancelled at some point.

Photos : https://photos.app.goo.gl/EJxqLVZZLPtKVxDf9

Great Langdale marathon 2014

This was an event I have always wanted to do, but for various reasons the timing has never quite worked out. The event website has the following on its front page "And Englishmen (and women) now a'bed will think themselves cursed that they did not run with us on that day - Henry V and Rocket Rod" on a background of the lovely Langdale valley. It was also billed at the UK's toughest road marathon. They know how to sell an event ! Jane Ives had run this a couple of years ago and had also recommended it (see link at the bottom)

It was a fairly low key event, almost all on road - there was a about a mile on a very smooth track. There was a half marathon as well, which was one lap and the marathon was two laps. It was up and down almost all of the way. The one exception was the first mile which lulled you into a false sense of security. It was flat, but then you turned up the very steep climb to Blea Tarn. This was followed by a lovely descent into Little Langdale and a climb out and past the start and finish of the fell race that Danny and Mike were doing. More climbs and descents before we reached Skelworth Bridge and a very steep 25% climb out of there. Then an undulating run back to the start/finish where many people finished.

I wasn't doing too badly at this point, but I realised I hadn't put enough vaseline on my nipples, so I looked around for a first aider, but I couldn't see anybody, so we carried on. It was much quieter on the second lap. The roads were open but the traffic wasn't too bad. We had met a few friends from fetcheveryone at the start and one of them said that the second lap will feel shorter than the first and that this was true even when you have done the race more than once. I was hopeful this was correct, but didn't really believe it. But that is the way it worked out. We ran past the fell race presentations and got to about 18m when I felt I was tiring. I knew I was well within the 5hr 30min cut off and Melanie went on ahead to finish with two laps equal in time which was very impressive.

I bimbled along, walking all the inclines and running everything else. I got to Skelworth Bridge to find they were giving out Galaxy chocolate bars at the checkpoint (checkpoints up to here had been water and haribo). I took half a bar gratefully and as I climbed up that massive hill again, I came up with a novel and not really recommended solution to my sore nipple issue. I melted the chocolate in my mouth and then applied it. It worked !

I finally arrived at the finish where the event was winding down, collected my medal and lovely little shoe memento. I also collected a bottle of wine, all over 60s finishing the marathon got one, a lovely gesture and one which I hope will be copied by all events in future ... 

Photos : https://photos.app.goo.gl/sw9Mqz3Fo7wt8fit6

Supporting at the Great North Run

I have run the Great North Run ten times and at the moment, I don't have any desire to run it again. I enjoyed running it, but it was always crowded. That was always compensated by the atmosphere which was special. The event is now expensive and their transfer and deferral policy is unfair in my view.

However, there is no denying it is an iconic event and it is seen as a race to do for many people who are setting out as runners. Our club, the Elvet Striders, has many relatively new runners and quite a few of them were doing their first half marathon, so it seemed like a good idea to go along and give them a cheer and some support. This blog post also serves to remind me of certain things when I do this again.

I have supported runners twice before, the first time in 2008

and again in 2010

This year I decided to do it again but instead of supporting Fetcheveryone runners, Melanie and I decided to support our club. Unlike Fetcheveryone, we didn't have a banner so we had to make one. We also decided to go for something bigger than we used in 2010. We used a double sheet and I was all for painting the writing on, but then Melanie came up with two great ideas - use duck tape for the writing and add a couple of Striders shirts. Both worked very well and we would use them again.

We decided to use the same support point, it was reasonably quiet (apart from the Hash club runners about 100 meters up the road who were giving away beer to runners ....) and the road sign was pretty visible from the road.

What we probably would not use again were balloons . They kept popping, coming off and blowing away (sometimes into the race :-( so apologies if you tripped over a balloon) They also took ages to blow up and we were on a tight schedule because of road works at Whitemare Pool had meant we didn't get there until about 9.30.

When we arrived Melanie went off to use the facilities in the Temple Park Sports Centre and I headed for the sign to get the ropes over the sign. In 2010 I did this at the second or third attempt. I had brought a spanner to attach to the ropes to and then I would throw over the sign - well that was the plan. However, my first attempts kept hitting the sign and making a large clang. This attracted a policeman who came along and asked what I was up to. I explained and he generously said that if anyone complained I would have to take it down, but for now he was turning a blind eye. I assured him the sign would not go up until the road closed. Phew ! When he had gone down the road I tried again and got the spanner over the top. However, it wasn't heavy enough to pull the rope over the sign. This wasn't looking good ....

Then a man came out of nearby house. As he came over, I didn't think he was going to be very supportive, but he started by asking what I was trying to do. I explained and he said that he lots of tools that might help including a selection of hammers which would be heavier. I went into his house and we agreed that a rubber hammer would be heavier and make less noise. It worked like a dream and we got the ropes over and down the back. Ken was a lifesaver, he not only lent us tools, he got his foot pump out when ours didn't work and lent a hand blowing up balloons, he lent us a broom when a balloon got stuck behind the sheet. He also allowed us to use his bathroom later :-) He had been a runner himself, having run the now retired Morpeth to Newcastle race. He had moved in just over a year ago, so wasn't aware of my previous supporting activities at this point.

Once we had the balloons attached to the sheet, we started to get it up the sign. The wheelchair racers were already going by so we were stopping to cheer and clap. Finally we got it up, though a balloon got trapped but after several attempts to free it with Ken's broom, we left it there.

The elite women then started to arrive and the leader was flying and well clear. Then the main race led by the elite men. Mo was also looking great, closely following the leader. Then we started to look out for runners we know. The first person we saw was an ex Strider, Michael Mawby, who ended up 77th overall. He was nowhere near that fast when he was running with the Striders. His improvement has been amazing. The first Strider was Stephen Jackson who exchanged a high five and flew off down the road.

The Striders then came along pretty regularly and there were a few runners from Fetcheveryone. We were also cheering any other runners from clubs where we could read the club name quickly. We also became avid race vest readers searching for runners who had their names on their vests so we could give them a shout. None of the Striders who wanted to limit their running to the shortest time possible wanted jelly babies, but they were very popular with runners who were expecting to run for longer :-) We also offered them to those who were walking, it was a hot day. This often seemed to spur them into running - magic !

There were lots and lots of people in fancy dress and of course they got a shout as well. We had great fun, but by 2.30 we reckoned all the Striders had gone by and the runners were thinning out. We had also given away a ton of jelly babies by that point (point for the future - they were cheapest at the Pound Shop). So we packed up, thanked Ken for all his help and went back to the car in King George Road. This was parked south of the race, so we were home soon after 3.00 and had no delays. We then chilled as it had been a great but tiring day :-)

More photos here 

Hardmoors Princess Challenge 30m 2014

This event is organised by Fetch's very own Princess Purple Bubbles ably assisted today by another well know Fetchie, Flip. They and the other volunteers did a great job  

The route is the same as the Hardmoors 30 which is run on New Year's Day. I have done that event three times and the Prncess Challenge once. They two different events because of the time of year they are held.


The section from Whitby to Ravenscar (about 11m) is very tough in winter. It is very muddy, it is cold and often the wind is very strong. It was so strong in January this year, they diverted the route away from the cliffs.

On the Princess Challenge, that section is so different. It is still tough, there are lots of undulations which you don't need after 20m, but at least the ground is firm. There was a bit of a breeze today, but that helped cool us down on a reasonably hot day.



I had some calf problems at about 10m after pushing a little too hard, so I had to take the next 21m a bit easier than I hoped. I still managed to come in under 7hrs which I have never done on the Hardmoors 30. Melanie went on ahead after Whitby and did an excellent time 6hr 20min.

My calf problems were mainly in my left one. It didn't actually seize up but it was painful on both sides for the rest of thr run. Later on I had a twinge in my right calf but unlike last Sunday it didn't seize either. MelanieLH has suggested drinking much more water regularly and foam rolling. I do both only very occasionally.

There were quite a few of our clubmates doing this event and two of them were doing their first ultra. They did great and they seemed to love the event and the atmosphere. They were particularly impressed with the round of applause that every runner received as the entered the finish in the village hall.


The event is for an excellent charity, the Scarborough and Ryedale Mountain Rescue Team and hopefully lots of money was raised 

Photos : https://photos.app.goo.gl/cYP9zSHhfZkYab3C6

Northumberland Coast marathon 2014

This is a special race. It is out and back from Alnmouth along the Northumberland coast until the route does small loop south of Beadnell and returns the same way. It keeps to the coastal path and there is very little road, probably about a quarter of a mile. A lot of the route is on beach.

It is not the same route as the Northumberland Coast Run (14m) which goes from Beadnell to Alnmouth as the road sections have been taken out of that route.

The weather conditions were perfect, cool at the start, but hardly any wind. It warmed up when the sun came out later, but it felt fine, nothing like some of very hot races we did in July.

I love running alongside the sea and seeing the beautiful beaches, the sea breaking on rocks, the attractive dunes and the attractive castles.

I ran fine in the first half, but I struggled in the second half. I haven't done a marathon for four weeks and I have only done short runs in that time. So no surprise there, poor training, poor run. But the views when walking were sensational and I got round and that is the most important thing. Also I only had calf twinge which went away, so that is the first time for a long time that I haven't had a major calf issue in a race !

Nice food and a drink in the pub with MelanieLH and two other clubmates afterwards. They all had a better run than me, but none of us had a great run.

So all things considered, it was a lovely day out 

Rock and Rowel 26m 2014

Day 1 of our time off at home. Last year this was my favourite event of the year, lovely scenic route, reasonably challenging, lovely weather, ice cream at halfway, great food afterwards, bit of navigation to distract us from how far we had to go - it ticked all our boxes.

On our recommendation, two clubmates came down with us this year, Rachael and Jules. We also met up with Fran when we got there  The weather was forecast to be very, very hot and they certainly got that right, it was a scorching day.

The organisers had altered the route in three places, which meant that we missed out on a shady route round a reservoir and some moorland, but it was good to have something a bit different. They also made the start an hour earlier, which meant we got up at 5.00, but at least that meant we started when the temperature was still lovely.

After a sharp hill soon after the start it was just gently undulating for a while, going through fields, farms and crops. Sometimes the ground was a little uneven and I went over on my ankle at about 5m. My lower calf started to ache a little, but it didn't seem too bad and I was able to keep up. Rachael was carrying an injury which got worse so she started to walk with the intention of dropping our at checkpoint 3, near Ripon. 

The rest of us reached the lovely valley of the seven bridges which was past checkpoint 3 and after going through that and stopping for photographs, we noticed Rachel behind us. She had been able to run a little on the road sections and wanted to see if she could finish. Jules stayed with her and MelanieLH, cackleberry and I went on, though after slowing for some raspberry foraging (you can see that finishing time wasn't important to us !), Jules and Rachael caught us up at the halfway checkpoint.

This was a highlight last year. Ice cream in cones, lots of food, water, buckets to cool yourself down, the perfect checkpoint. This year it was the same, just wonderful.

The second half has lots more hills (there is 3000ft of ascent on the route), we were chased by a herd of bullocks at one point but Fran knew exactly what to do and stopped them in their tracks. Rachael and Jules dropped back again at this point. At about 21m, Fran said the heat had drained her and she would walk the rest. MelanieLH and I started to run on a flat section, but I became aware that my lower calf was no longer just an ache, it was now a sharp pain. Melanie stayed with us until Brimham Rocks and then went on ahead and Fran and i walked the rest. Brimham Rocks were as spectacular as ever. We were so impressed last year that we came back for a longer visit later in the summer.

Shortly before the easy run in to the finish, Jules and Rachael went by and we all met up again at the Village Hall. We started with pudding - jelly, fruit and ice cream to cool us down. Then went on the most impressive main course I have ever had at an LDWA event - quiche, peas in parsley sauce, potatoes, lots of salad dishes - amazing that this was all in an entry fee of £10.

Then it was off to the pub next door for a relaxing drink before starting the drive home.

There were about thirty runners and quite a few walkers on this event and I was surprised there weren't more. It is a lovely event 

Photos : https://photos.app.goo.gl/SpeYZZoaj94PYnuk9

Osmotherley Phoenix 2014

This is an event I keep coming back to. I have done 33m route twice and the 26m route once, two years ago when Melanie did her first marathon. The plan was to do the 33m, her longest official race (The Ultimate Trail 50K last autumn race turned out to be longer than 33m).

It was clear that it was going to be very hot day with only a slight breeze which we didn't get the benefit of very much. It was good to see Jason T and Nicki no miles before the start, we hadn't expected to see any people we knew. The event was sold out as usual.

We started slowly uphill out of the village which meant that we had to dodge round walkers once we started to run. Then it was the familiar climb up to the radio mast on the Cleveland Way, down to cross the road and along to Scugdale. I have lost track of how many times I have done this particular section of the Cleveland Way, but I am not bored by it, it still feels lovely. More tiring is the climb up to Carlton Bank and the steep descent to Lordstones. At this point the 17m route cuts off and one the great things about this event is that you can decide when you get to the checkpoint which route to take. We were both fine, so the 33m was what we continued with.

After Lordstones there is a choice, you can go up over the three sisters (including the Wainstones) or contour round. We have always contoured round, there are more than enough big hills in this event. This year there seemed to be more people doing the three sisters which surprised us a little.

On to Clay Bank and then the slog up the other side to eventually reach the trig point which is the highest point on the North York Moors. We run this area on the Wainstones marathon a few weeks ago and it was good to run down a downhill section we had slogged up last time. Down into Chop Gate and the 17m checkpoint there at the Village Hall, where the Wainstones marathon had started. We spent a little longer at this checkpoint, putting on more suncream and preparing ourselves for 'that hill' the one that hits you straight away. It is just so long and steep and to get that after 17m is just a killer. I had to take a couple of breaks in the climb up and I was concerned about an attack of cramp which I seem to get climbing big hills well into races on hot days. I made it over the most difficult bit, but then the cramp hit, a juddering pain in my right calf. Having just recovered from my second calf injury of the year and two long races in the next two weeks, it felt like preservation was important, so I slowed down.



We discussed what to do and we agreed that at the 20m checkpoint where the 26m and 33m routes diverged that I would do the 26m and Melanie would do the 33m. She had the route on her garmin, a map and the route description so although she was a bit anxious about getting lost, off she went. I walked most of the way back, I knew I was going to be back way before her and I didn't want to do any more damage.

I chatted to a few people, a Swede who had not realised how hilly it was going to be and had also transferred to the 26m route and a two of women doing their first ever marathon.

Got back and relaxed, consumed two pints of shandy and then at just over eight hours Melanie came in. She had made one or or two minor errors but her watch had told her when she went off course. However, she had a bad headache from the heat and half wished she had also done the 26m, but she was also pleased to have done the 33m route at least once. This was her 31st marathon/ultra in the two years since her first marathon. In that time she has also had an operation and had to take time out because of a stress fracture. 31 events in two years is just amazing !

Photos : https://photos.app.goo.gl/U9nTvhf6abPXCMUh7