This is the first time this race has been included in the Runfurther series. We had some discussions about the route and rules, and Karen agreed a route with Mel to ensure the 'minimum road' rule was complied with. I looked at the route ahead of time and thought it was pretty good.
I was really looking forward to this one. It's my favourite part of the Dales, and the route looked fantastic. The night before I drove up to Grassington and registered, then found a quiet place to settle in the van for the night.
It wasn't ever so warm in the van overnight, and I had a rather disturbed nights sleep. I got out of bed rather drowsy at 5.30, got my kit sorted and drove down to the National Park car park.
I reached the start point with 10 minutes to spare and had a quick chat with Karen, who was no more sure of having recovered from Rotherham injury than I was. On the stroke of 7 we set out in the dark through the centre of Grassington, heading up towards Threshfield.
The pack thinned out quickly, and I chatted with a few different people as we crossed the road, passed Threshfield quarry then headed out on Moor Road. My GPS took a long time to wake up, although I was reasonably confident about the route as far as CP3 anyway (although a couple of other runners gave me a better route to Boss Moor than I'd have chosen myself). By the time we were climbing up towards Boss Moor I was settled into a pace and going OK.
A quick clip at CP1, the gate overlooking Winterburn res, then double back to the footbridge and the long climb up to Weets Top. At Weets Top I dropped down to the road and turned right up the road heading for Malham Tarn.
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| Looking back from the climb up Weets Top |
As I got towards the end of Mastiles Lane my left glute was starting to grumble, but nothing really bothersome. CP2, a quick chat with the marshal and I was off across the rough grass towards Arncliffe. The two guys ahead of me had taken a longer route and I was keen to see if the shorter route would gain me any time.
As I reached the farm track and started up towards the Monks Road path my glute was getting rapidly worse and I was already having to walk quite a bit. In spite of this, I caught up with the two who'd taken the longer route at the point where they joined up.
This was the beginning of the end for me. Less than fifteen miles in, with well over forty five to go and I was struggling already. I decided Arncliffe was as far as I was going.
During the run down into Arncliffe I was talking to another runner who struggles with the same gastric problems as me, and was able to make some suggestions for things to try.
Limping slowly into Arncliffe CP, I let them know I was retiring and settled down with a very welcome cup of tea. Soon afterwards a large number of runners, mostly from the 50k came through the CP, then (Debbie? Sorry, I'm awful with names) kindly transported me back to Grassington. I turned in my tracker, chatted with Mel and the volunteer looking after CP9 (Grassington) for a bit, then headed home rather disappointed and upset.
Retiring had felt like a pragmatic and sensible choice, but I was totally unprepared for the emotional effects. My inner psychologist found it fascinating and took careful notes while I crashed horribly.
There were three things that I really noticed:
- I kept thinking "I could probably have gone on, I gave up too easily"
- It felt like a massive blow to my self confidence. That capability to run long distances is important to me, it makes me feel self sufficient and in control.
- This was the worst: I felt left out. The race was carrying on, but I wasn't a part of it any more. It was exactly like the feeling you get as a child when you don't get invited to something.
In truth, I could easily have gone on, but I would have had maybe 14 hours of painful, miserable running and possibly done damage that would take longer to heal.
I realised as I neared home that I could have handled number 3 better by changing into clean clothes and volunteering to help (if possible). A lesson for next time.
That's probably my last race for this year. I'm entered for the White Rose but very much doubt I'll be recovered. Time to see the physio, concentrate on building strength and better form (probably what caused the injury), and work on other important skills like navigation and prep. Although Mel did mention a race in January...
Thanks again to Mel & everyone who cheered me up at Arncliffe & Grassington, and to the Runfurther sponsors for providing prizes & goodies.
Runfurther sponsors: Tentmeals, Ultimate Direction, IceBug, Injinji, Mountain Fuel and Romney Mint cake
Kit list
On
- Full length Omm flash
- long sleeved hi viz base layer
- short sleeved hi viz base layer
- montane cap
- buff
- drymax socks
- inov8 terraultra 370
Carry
- montane prism hat
- ZL H600 torch & spare battery
- ZL H53 backup torch
- Garmin 20x GPS
- Ti mug
- BMC Dales map
- compass
- ron hill gloves
- buffalo mittens
- omm ultra 15 pack
- Montane Prism jacket
- OMM waterproof
- spare batteries for gps
- small fak
- regatta waterproof trousers
- whistle
- sol bag
- spork
Food
- two squeasy snackers of mash/tartex/walnut oil
- mini cheeses
- mini malt loaves
- one cheese and onion pasty
- 120g romneys kendal mint cake
Thank you so much for your DNF report, your three points on how you felt after retiring sum up my feeling after having to retire 32 miles into the Fellsman a few years back. for me the decision was made a little easier knowing that if I continued I would be unfairly slowing others down. Good luck with your next Ultra.
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