One thing I didn't realise, until a lot closer to the date, was that in order to get to Helmsley for the bus, I was going to have to get up at 3:30am, to catch the bus for 6. I love mornings... Add to that, I had been suffering from man-flu ever since the Grizedale Trail Marathon (where I had a fantastic race) so I probably wasn't a picture of health when I arrived at our starting point in Guisborough.
Kit check and registration went very smoothly, then I went and purchased a pair of (white, no less) x-bionic arm warmers from the Tony at the Ultra Runner Store stall. Turns out this was the best decision I made all day! After then standard highly entertaining briefing from Jon, I put my coat on (it was cold, and windy), queued at the start, and then we were off. I made my way to the pointy end, jut behind a relay runner and the guy who eventually came second. Felt nice and comfortable trotting along the disused railway, came to the marshal, headed up the hill.
Then the wheels came off.
Well, not entirely. Breathing went, and my quads felt lacticky (is that even a word?) and tired. Great. Only another 53 miles of this to go. I kept on plugging away, then a bloke from Belgium caught up, we had a brief chat before he trotted off, never to be seen again (he came 1st). Then another bloke came past. Started to get concerned, as we were only about 5 miles in, but then I told myself not to panic, still plenty of race left. Climbed to the top of Roseberry Topping, said a quick hello to Matt and Ellie of Summit Fever Media, then back to the grind.
And a grind it was. None of the miles were easy, partly in thanks to the headwind (for about 98% of the course, crazy!) and partly due to it being a massive effort to maintain anything close to a decent pace. Got to Kildale, 12 miles in, in 4th. Quick in and out to restock gels and grab a sports drink sachet, and off I went, in an attempt to catch someone. Big long drag from there up to Blowarth Crossing, but I was closing in on the guy in 3rd, so I felt slightly better about that. Passed him just as we left the road and back onto the Cleveland Way proper, then lo and behold, the guy who I thought was in 1st caught up to me with a "whoops, went the wrong way a bit". He took off at a furious pace that I couldn't even contemplate in my current state, and before long caught up to the Belgian bloke (one day I'm going to remember to get names!) Eventually made it to Blowarth, it was a self check, with the standard old punch. Which was tied to the post just that little bit too high for me to punch my number.
Onwards, then, towards Clay Bank car park and the next checkpoint! Some good flat running along here, which was great as I didn't have to walk any hills! Some great views back towards Roseberry Topping, and no-one particularly close, so I was happy as I could be. Into checkpoint, down some coke, refill a bottle, and out. And ooo look, 2 people half a mile behind! Nooo! Back to the grind, three large climbs and 2 large descents (another Hi to Matt and Ellie at Wainstones) before I reached the self-clip just before the descent to Osmotherly. And then it hailed. Into my face. It lasted for a good 10 minutes, and looked like it had snowed after. Lovely descent into Osmotherly, restocked gels, topped up drink, and back off, missing the turn off and going back to find it (very well hidden!) Much less climbing from here on, but still not a happy camper - especially not with 2 chasers half a mile behind.
There was a long climb up on to the next moor, and a long run along to High Paradise Farm - felt a bit better along here, and couldn't see anyone behind me. Into the next checkpoint and out, then off to the White Horse. Went a bit wrong along here, and cost myself about 10 minutes, by missing a turn - joined up with where I was supposed to be, but unfortunately just behind the person who was in 4th! Oops! Back past him, pushing hard trying to make time on him - got a couple of minutes on him by the time we got to the checkpoint, then a bit more by the top of the steps. Mostly downhill from here, through Cold Kirkby, then a nice run by the side of a river on the valley floor. Not long to go now.
Eventually came to a mile long road section, pushed through that, then to the base of the last climb. Quick check behind, and hello, someone else a few hundred metres behind! Adrenaline kicked in, downed another gel (made sure this one had caffeine in) and off I went, think it was about the best I ran all race! One more gel on a step section, then push hard all the way down to the finish.
3rd place, 8:52.
Downed a recovery shake just after I got in - unfortunately this lowered my core temp a little bit much, and I started shivering and shaking - best I change my clothes! Did that, got some hot food and drink down me. and felt much better!
Then finally the 2 hour drive home, arriving at 9:15pm. A bit tired today.
A massive thanks to TORQ for fuelling my run, wouldn't have got round as fast without them.
Some stats from the run:
Gels eaten: 18 (all different flavours)
Sports drink consumed: 2L (500ml pink grapefruit, 500ml lemon lime, 500ml blackcurrant, 500ml orange)
Chocolate Mint recovery drink at the end
Stomach issues: 0
Blisters: 2
Chafe points: 1
Toilet stops (of any sort): 0
Photo:
