News
18th July - Well I needed to do better at Holme Moss than last week at Wasdale - and I did. It was 12C and a strong headwind all the way to Crowden and I found it hard work. I seemed to be going backwards. From then I got going a bit and with the good lines being obvious had a good run across to Laddow Rocks. The flags to Black Hill seemed easier than on Thursday (when I'd recced it) but the wind was now behind us. I felt strong across to Holme Moss and all the way to the finish but couldn't catch Pippa Wilki once we got to the track/road - I haven't got the best road running technique. I finished 7th or 8th I think, 2nd V40 but the best bit - I took 20 minutes off last years time and did 3.10 hrs. Dark Peak Ladies were 2nd Team.
13th July - Setting off to do the Wasdale Race we left the sunshine behind and entered a world of rain and clag. I changed into 3/4 leggings, Helly and good waterproofs. It was definitely a "race of navigation" and unfortunately I wasn't in the mood for navigating and so made a couple of errors; the worst right at the end coming off Scarfel but there you go. My time was 6.14hrs and one to be improved on!
4th July - I ran Osmotherley Phoenix yesterday. Setting off I ate and drank a lot hoping not to get dehydrated but from half way I just felt sick. I ate a packet of Hula Hoops which did help and just drank water hoping that I could complete on that as my stomach wasn't processing anything anyway. At 6 miles a marshall said I was 1st woman but as I replied "at the moment". At 5 miles from the finish I sneaked a look at my watch and it was 4.40hrs - I had to recheck my watch hadn't stopped as I imagined it would be 5.15hrs or so. That gave me a little boost but my legs were very stiff and running downhill was difficult. Looking behind I could see two green vests catching me but it wasn't until 2 miles to go that I made out that one was a woman. Oh *** I thought. "So how much do I want this - my 4th time running the race and never 1st" "I'll give it a go" Knowing there were 2 steep little climbs I steeled myself and ran up the first trying to look good (not how I felt!). It worked - they had dropped behind. Along some flat (painful), downhill again (on no) and onto the last climb up some awful steps too. I could now only see the male green vest behind but kept pushing overtaking surprised walkers who were enjoying their finish. Onto the road and round the village and it was all over; my legs were twitching and cramping out of control! But worth it - 5hrs 21 mins - 20 minutes off my pb and 1st Lady.
Looking at the "Winners and Records.xls " it looks like I've taken 2 minutes off the Ladies record too.
22nd-29th June - Me and Steve had a week's holiday in Menorca. We went back to the same campsite that we used 8 years ago (also a World Cup year) and little had changed. It took one day to organise bikes (opting for no suspension ones - a bit of a mistake!) and cooking gas. From then on it was daily cycling trips along bike routes that were only really for mountain bikes and we are complete novices, cycling to the beach, swimming etc and cycling back (an hour in heat!), drinking beer and eating either camp food or in the bar at the campsite watching football (except the England match!). Pictures on Gallery - Menorca 2010
26th June - well done to Amanda Heading who completed the BG in 22.53 hrs.
18/19th June - DPFR BG Weekend. The weather was good, clear but with a biting cold wind. On Friday evening 7 people; Willy Kitchen, Dave Bollington, Brent Lindsey, Kirsty Bryan-Jones, Steve Martin, Tim Martin and Paul Payne set off from Moot Hall in Keswick at 6.45pm. At Threkeld they were 30 minutes up on a 23.30 schedule which was held across the night section to Dunmail. Across from Dunmail conditions were good and although a few contenders went through bad patches we arrived at Wasdale still 30 minutes up. The group got split up across to Honister with people swapping positions as they all struggled through aches, pains, sickness and the like! Brent yoyo'd between feeling very good and feeling very bad but there was never any moment he considered giving up. Across to Keswick the stronger people made up time with the final role call being Willy Kitchen in 22.50, then Tim Martin, Brent in 23.10, Paul Payne and Steve Martin in about 23.15, then Dave Bollington in 23.25ish and Kirsty in 23.30 Some Pictures BG 2010
Well done to all the contenders for making it a very successful weekend which was then celebrated in style in the pub later that night!
15th June - last weekend I ran the Ennerdale Horseshoe race - the 2nd in the Lakeland Classics series and also a English Championship race. The weather was warm and very dry and water was very scarce. I set off steadily and found the first couple of climbs hard so tried to drink and get my gels down. The marshalls had taken water upto most of the summits for which I was very grateful for and I begged some off some people supporting as there was little to be found in streams/tarns. I picked up by Green Gable and across to Kirkfell and Pillar I felt good. Water was still scarce but with a cup or two at summits I just carried on. Running across to Haycock I picked a good line and was pleased. I had forgotten about White Pike but as its not much of a climb it came and went easily. After that I caught Dave Sykes and we ran together the rest of the way - him being so much faster than me on the descents. We finished in 4.42 - 19 minutes off my PB of 5.02 in 2008 but a whopping 44 minutes off my time in 2009 of 5.25 hrs (although that day was the day the Welsh 1000m race was stopped - the weather was bad!).
8th June - This Saturday I travelled to the Lakes to run the Duddon Fell Race - the 1st of the Lakeland Classics. It was a hot day and I set off steadily. I think my worst time was at the beginning when legs felt heavy and I was very hot. After Harter Fell I picked up a bit and had a good run the rest of the way with good route choices. Finished 45th in 3.53 hours, about 15 minutes faster than in 2009 (although I had completed the Ramsay only 2 weeks before then).
Sunday was the Barnsley Boundary relay - I was doing Leg 6 - a hilly, fiddly 11.5 miles - most of which I remembered ok and the rest I was helped by other Penistone runners! The weather was much cooler and apart from the ground being very slippery due to recent rain it was pleasant running. Wharncliffe woods went on as usual but the steep hill and rocky descent off gave welcome respite. I managed 1.41 hrs which I was pleased with.
30th May - Mark Pearce and Amanda Heading attempted the Bob Graham this weekend starting at 5.30pm on Friday. The weather was good but forecast to clag in and rain on Saturday. The first section to Dunmail went quickly with them being 30 mins up on schedule at Threkeld. Overnight conditions were good and they continued to make very good progress coming into Dunmail still 30 mins up. I was supporting from Dunmail with Andy Plummer, Steve Burgess, Rob Sanby and Dave Sleath. Mark was still going strong but Amanda was feeling sick and across to Bowfell we split into two groups. At Bowfell we saw Amanda just having been sick but still going well and then the clag came down and that was the last time we saw her until Wasdale. Navigation came into play across from Great End to Bowfell with us choosing to do Lords Rake rather than Broad Stand. Coming down into Wasdale Mark was now on the schedule having lost the time gained earlier. Amanda was seen on the descent to Wasdale just as Mark set off up Yewbarrow. Even though Amanda was down on schedule she had a good rest, food/tea and a change of clothing. We set off up Yewbarrow with Mark Spendlove and Russell Buxton. At the top we had only lost 2 minutes on the schedule and so were hopeful that things would pick up. The clag came down on Red Pike and stayed down for the rest of that leg making navigation important and rocks slippery again. We tried to get back on schedule but although Amanda had lots of determination her sickness had returned and it was clear she had very little energy. The supporters tried all methods of encouragement but we still continued to lose a couple of minutes on every leg. It was frustrating and very hard to watch. At the bottom of Great Gable it was still just possible to complete in time but on the climb Amanda struggled with the clambering and we lost about 10 minutes. The path down to Green Gable was awful and just to finish us off it started raining. Amanda had been demanding to know what her splits were and soon realized on Green Gable that it wasn't going to happen. We went across to Brandreth and Grey Knotts and then down into Honister to finish. Commiserations to Amanda who I'm sure will soon be back to complete.
Mark's attempt wasn't without incident as navigating in the clag they had lost 40 minutes around Pillar/Kirkfell and so when he arrived at Honister it was on the line. Mark was still going well though and set off strongly up Dale Head. It was a nervous group that awaited at Moot Hall in the throngs of tourists and market stalls. At 5.22pm Mark was spotted and with much hollering the crowds parted to reveal Mark sprinting up to the hall at 5.23pm - 23 hours and 53 minutes after leaving it. Well done to Mark - a good effort in poor conditions and thoroughly deserved.
23rd May - On a very hot day yesterday I with Ian Winterburn, Steve with Brent completed the Old County Tops. What started as a race turned into an ordeal to finish with very hot temperatures and a third of the field either dropping out or getting timed out. Ian started to suffer after 2 hours going up Wythburn feeling sick and dizzy. We hoped it would pass but by the time we were on Scarfell Pike we knew it wasn't just a bad patch and was here to stay. Running across to Cockley Beck he picked up a bit and credit to him decided that he could finish. We had just about managed to retain our position but a few teams came into the checkpoint not long after us. Ian rested in the shade and had tea and egg sandwiches. We set off up Grey Friars towards Coniston Old Man. After about 100m Ian was very sick and then sat on a rock for a while. We set off again and slowly plodded upwards. Other teams were struggling all around us - some with sickness others with cramp. It was fresher on the ridge and Coniston came quickly. Running down Ian picked the pace up and we made good time to 3 Shires Stone. Running down the road was absolute hell - I thought my head would explode. But with only a couple of miles to go we jogged on dipping our heads in the streams as we passed. Coming into the finish we were pleased to find that we were 13th in a time of 9.13 hours.
Steve and Brent had set off at the back and made their way through the field to finish in a time of 11.06 Steve had also suffered in the heat. Other teams were Karen Davison and Pete in 8.54, Dave Sykes and Ashley Kay - 9.06, Ben Robson and Greg Rimmer - 10.06. Dave Tait and Adrian Dixon did brilliantly in 10.07. Willy Kitchen and David Bollington - Dave had a really rough time and they completed in about 11.15ish. Tom Westgate and Kev - Kev retired and Tom finished in about 10.50,
Many thanks go to the race organisers and marshalls who had carried water up to the summits and provided lots of very good food and support at the road checkpoints. The spicy lentil soup was excellent at the finish.
15th May - I travelled up to the Lakes to support Julie Gardner on her Joss Naylor. Running on a 13.30 schedule she arrived at Dunmail 10 mins up and looking good. Her pacers on the first and second legs (Phil Hodgson, Phil Cheek - Leg 1 and Nick Harris, Mark Townsend - Leg 2) said she had been pushing the pace over these 2 legs.
With Andy Green we set off up Steel Fell in excellant conditions. The weather was warm in the valley but a cold wind on the tops. Julie was going very well and eating little and often with only a couple of complaints as to the food she was offered - potatoes and pizza !. We gained a little going across the High Raise, Rosset Pike and Bowfell but then losing a little on the rocks over towards Esk Pike. On Great End we decided to backtrack rather than try a new directline down to Styhead Pass which none of us knew. Looking back from the bottom I was glad of that decision - one to recce maybe! In good spirits we reached Styhead 15 minutes up on schedule and set off up Gable with Chris Cripps, Barbara and Mark Townsend.
It was great to be out in the hills with very good views and Julie in such high spirits. The supporters had an idea that under 13 hours could be achieved and so we kept the pace going without putting the pressure on. Running across from Haycock the trod was found easily by Chris and once over the steep climb of Seatallan the rest was easy running. With 20 minutes to get down off Middle Fell the pace was flowing. Joss had run upto the top of Middle Fell and saw us coming across. He was there at the bottom of the path to welcome Julie in at 12.57 hours. A brilliant achievement.
8th May - The Fellsman - 62 miles, 11,000 feet in the Dales. The weather promised to be cold, dry with a strong northerly wind and that's what we got. The ground was extremely dry which made for good running. Setting off at 9am from Ingleborough my plan was to try and set the pace the same as last year. It was hard to tell running into wind as it felt very hard and tiring. Coming off Whernside I felt better than last year but made a navigational mistake which cost me a few minutes and was very annoying. The wind was headlong all the way across to Great Coum where I made another navigational mistake and slapped myself once again. That was it for mistakes - I framed myself after that and stopped being a sheep.
The beans went down well at Dent and I started to find my pace across Blea Moor finding a good line down to Stonehouses. The sun came out on the ascent to Great Knoutberry and running across to Redshaw was warm. A reasonable line to Dodd Fell gained me a few places and remembering the line across to Fleet Moss a few more. A quick stop to fill my container with rice pudding and fruit salad and I was off across Fleet Moss. Its always hard to remember each wall and fence and I'm always glad to reach Middle Fell. Running across to Hells Gap I caught sight of the checkpoint - not as visible as last year and made a beeline for it. Down the horrid stony track to Cray. Cheese and sausages don't really agree with me so I stuck to tea and gels from then on really. Climbing Buckden I couldn't see anyone behind or in front of me and got a little despondent. I had a gel to clear the head - caffeine was needed! That kicked in before Park Rash and when the marshall said I could go on I was very pleased. Up Whernside I bounded - much cheered up and just settling down to the long run in in front of me. I felt lucky to be running in daylight and knew it would gain me time.
The long stony track to Yarnbury took forever and my stomach was really complaining by now. Once on the road I ran well but couldn't remember whether it was 2 or 4 miles and didn't really want to know (!!) so hadn't asked the marshalls or looked at my map! I thought if its 2 then I'll be under 13 hours, if it's 4 then I won't! It certainly looked a long way! Once running though it soon passed and I don't know how but the last hill felt easy. The time recorded was 9.44 so I thought I had done 12.44 and so was pleasantly surprised at presentation to learn I had done 12.39 (we started 5 mins late!).
1st Lady, 8th Overall and a New Course Record! A really nice trophy to keep for a year. Results on Fellsman website
Two nice pictures - thanks and credit to Mick Kenyon - Mick's PhotoBox - Fellsman Album
2nd May - On a cold and windy day Charlie, Carol and I walked out across Black Hill and supported ... well gave encouragement by shouting at/to the runners doing the Crowden Fell Race. As it was so cold we wore the down jackets that Steve used in Siberia! Photo credits and birthday wishes go to Charlie!!
Well done to all and photos in the Gallery Email me at nicky@runbg.co.uk if anyone would like full pixel photo.
1st May Steve, my brother and his wife (Charlie and Carol) and I drove to the Lakes and I did Coniston Fell Race. After a crowded start the field soon spaced out up a very steep initial climb. It felt very hot and there was no wind. Taking the left split towards the summit of Wetherlam was a good tip I had and gained me a few places. Off there is a steep down and a steep up to Swirl How then a nice long run across to Coniston Old Man. I went slightly wrong off there as 2 people in front of me went too far right but once realised made my way back to the main field across grass and slate cursing! I hadn't lost any places which was interesting as I had made quite a detour but apparently just off the summit is very rough. The run down was nice apart from the rocky slates on the track but I managed to find some good grassy trods down.
Passing Steve (the cameraman) and Charlie and Carol (the cheerleaders!) before the river I ran into the finish just as the rain started. I had hoped for 1.33 to 1.40 and did 1.35 (by my watch) so very pleased. Full results - here
Steve photos on the Gallery
25th April - The weather for the 3 Peaks was hot and very dry. Once again I was trying for under 4 hours although with having just got rid of the cough and I raced on Wednesday (DPFR _ Cakes of Bread) to make sure I was ok I wasn't holding my breath. Pen y Ghent was ok and I enjoyed the run across to Ribblehead for once. From then on though I suffered from cramp even though I was drinking gallons and my legs felt very heavy as well (prob as a result of racing Wed). So to finish in the same time as last year 4.04 was good considering. Results on SPORTident
Afterwards I met up with Amanda and Andrew at Cray checkpoint and we reccied Middle Tongue to Hells Gap for the Fellsman in two weeks time. Surprisingly at a walk I felt great !!
22nd April - My birthday!! Been baking cakes for the Hartcliff Hill Race (carrot if anyone wins them!) this morning and walling this afternoon but going out for a nice meal tonight wearing my new short dress with legs covered in scratches from last nights "Cakes of Bread" race.
I caught a cold and then a cough after Manx which meant I haven't done much running since. It has at last gone so I'm able to do the 3 Peaks Race this Saturday.
3rd April - With Steve, Amanda and Andrew we travelled (by air this time - much better/quicker) to the Isle of Man on Good Friday to do the Manx Mountain Marathon which is about 31 miles and goes from Ramsey to Port Erin. It was very wet and blowing a cold wind on Friday and at 7am on the Saturday. The forecast was for it to improve and it did by noon although the early starters had horrid sleet to contend with for an hour. I set off ok and was feeling fine by half way (St Johns). I had been running with a guy - Nigel No52 - for most of it and he kept me going on the flats as he was obviously comfortable on tracks and roads. My energy and mood dipped after that for a couple of hours mainly due to lack of food. I'm sure they usually give us more than bananas and sweets - I had 3 bananas and my energy gels/powder but craved something salty/savoury and in the end couldn't stomach sweet stuff anymore. Once over 3/4 way I resigned myself to not eating anything till the finish and actually cheered up. Passing Steve I asked him if he was ok and he replied yes. I offered him a gel and he took that. Coming down into Fleshwick Bay I made a stupid mistake and followed some guys passed a stile while thinking "I'm sure we usually go over that stile". And yes we do and should. Round the corner I saw them floundering in the brambles. I climbed over the fence into the brambles and Nigel followed me. Across the brambles was horrid and I got my legs really badly scratched. So just the last hill to do - but its a very steep climb. I was caught by a girl on the Half Marathon and tried to stay with her which helped. Over to the tower I knew I wasn't going to beat 6 hours but thought I would try and beat last year's time of 6.12. So that spurred me on. I finished in 6.11. 2nd woman, 1st V40 and 15th overall.
Amanda and Andrew did 7.36 hours and Steve did 8.16. The presentation was that night and a few beers were had in celebration! Results of Full and Half with Splits
On the Sunday we had a nice day out with Malcolm and Alison. We took the steam train to Castleton and had a nice pub lunch in the sunshine. Then flew home that night.
27th March - on a cold and windy day I went to the Lakes with Ian Charlesworth and Ian Winterburn to recce the Old County Tops. The weather had seen many people off and we only saw a couple of Duke of Edinburgh groups all day. A good 21 miles and 8 hours of reccying that took us into areas we don't usually go!
21st March - I ran the Skyline race and found it hard work. I was going ok until Mam Nick where I started getting cramp even though I had drunk loads beforehand and during the race. I managed to hang onto my place and even gain a few (Willy Kitchen and Ian Charlesworth) but hat to be careful running as I didn't want to cease up. Results Dark Peak Fell Runners and Pictures Dark Peak Fell Runners - 2010/Edale_Skyline
14th March - Steve and I reccied the Skyline starting in a cold blustery wind around Rushup Edge and Brown Knoll but finishing down Win Hill in glorious sunshine.
7th March - Watershed weekend. With Ian Charlesworth, Nick Cable and John Rowe we once again completed the High Peak Marathon as its also known. Conditions were variable. The weather was perfect - clear, reasonably warm, light winds and only 15 mins of fog throughout the whole night. Underfoot Cut Throat bridge was sticky and thawed out then from Back Tor there was more snow and ice to Margery Hill. Across to Outer Trig was frozen and good going but from then on the snow was deeper, softer and progress was slower.
We set off fast thanks to John but I knew Bleaklow would be slow and so we kept it up until Moscar. Across Outer Edge and Bleaklow we kept a good pace up and with reasonable navigation (always room for improvement!) we made the Snake in good spirits. Across to Mill Hill was a slog where flags were snowy and then icy. Kinder was also tricky and then Brown Knoll was frozen and lumpy with the groughs soft snow. We had this idea about 10 hours and it looked do able until going across Rushup Edge with 25 minutes to go. So across to Hollins, down the hill and along the road we ran. Apologies to Richard Bradbury who I nearly floored trying to get my dibber in behind him.
Then the good news - 9.59 (and 14 seconds), 1st Mixed and 4th Overall. Brilliant.
Well done to Ian W - whose team were 3rd in 9.37 hours, Dark Peak Ladies who were 1st Ladies in 11.35, Team Pot Noodle - who were 14th in 11.59 - Mark Pearce, Roy Gibson, Andy Green and Amanda Heading. And of course Steve who was on his 1st HPM with Andy Plummer, Brent Lindsey and Keith Wakelely. They finished 20th in 12hrs19 mins HPM 2010 - Results.
19th/20/21st Feb - With Ian Fitzpatrick and Roy Gibson I went to Fort William to recce the Ramsay. It was obvious driving up that there was a lot of snow about !! Usually the snow line is about 600m but it was at ground level and very cold (-10oC). The plan was to do the 1st section across to Stob Ban in the Grey Corries and drop off to the Meannach bothy in Glen Nevis Valley. Then to do Mamores the next day on the way back.
We set off on Friday morning at 7am. The Ben was snowy but the path was visible. Crampons were on at 800m and path was completely covered with only the top 3ft of the cairns visible in the snow (and the 3 cairns that mark the gully were completely covered). We descended down the arete and across to Carn Mor Dearg. After having our picnic in the sun we tried to ascend up onto the Aanochs. This soon became rather scary with loose deep snow and icy rocks. While considering our route options I was thinking more about how we could get off the other side down onto the Grey Corries as its even steeper!! After discussion we decided to abort as we had lost a lot of time. So into the valley and along to the bothy we went. (There is one photo of me pointing at the drop off between the Aanochs and the Grey Corries - I'm pointing at what is now coined "Spinks Ridge" as its what I descended on my round). It was dropping dark as we approached the valley but Ian spotted some lumps of swamp wood which we broke up and carried about 1km!!
When we eventually got to the bothy Ian went off in search of more wood while we made tea and lit the fire. It was very cold and the fire was hardly giving off any heat but Ian came back and said there was a fallen pine tree across the river. So after some tea and food we reluctantly ventured out into the freezing cold on "Mission Wood". This was very successful with Ian climbing out along the trunk and sawing off 3 large branches while me and Roy were wood sherpas! I'm not saying the bothy was toasty after that but a lot better!
After a reasonably warm night we once again set off with a revised plan of doing Sgurr Elide Mor then somehow getting onto the Mamores (as Bennein Mor would be impossible) and making our way back to Fort William across the Mamores.
Good plan but at 800m the slope was very steep and once again the snow was soft with ice underneath so we decided to contour round to the loch. This proved easy and our route up onto the Mamores looked do able. Setting off once again up hill the slope became steeper and steeper but we persevered slowly and carefully and reached the crest where it was easy to reach the top. Over the Mamores the going was slow but views amazing and it was incredible to have a second day of beautiful weather. We descended off An Gearanach down into Glen Nevis and back to a shower, chicken curry and the pub.
On Sunday Ian wanted to look at the final descent off Mullach Nan Coirean and so we ambled up then back down in perfect weather before driving home. Photos
5th February - With the Watershed only 3 weeks away I went for a recce across Bleaklow with my team. It was very hard underfoot and running across normally deep bogs was very easy. Somehow I doubt it will be like that on the day but it would be fast!
31st Jan - I had a hard week hedge laying then went and did Wadsworth in complete fog. There was very little snow but after tweaking my ankle in the first mile I took it steady and just got in under 4 hours which I was pleased about.
24th January 2010 - Steve and I have spent the last two weeks in Chile climbing the world's highest volcano!! After 9 days of acclimatising, walking, and camping at altitude we attempted the volcano of Ojos De Salado at 6893m (about 22,000ft). Setting off at 3.30am from the hut at 5800m it took us 7.30 hours to trek on sandy paths the 1100m to the top. Photos are on gallery And full report on Ojos de Salado