Pendle wasn't in the Runfurther series this year. That wasn't necessarily a reason not to do it, since it's a good race and quite close to home. Claire had deferred her entry from last year, and I'd got a place from the waiting list. On the day though, Claire was still struggling with post-tib tendonitis that's been hanging around for months. For my part, I definitely wanted to get started on some long stuff in preparation for other events and activities. Claire had a tonne of other less fun stuff to do, so she stayed at home while I went running through bogs.
I left the house about 6.20, and got to Barley about an hour later. Unfortunately this year the village car park was still shut at that time in the morning, so there was a long, long, long line of cars parked along the road. I drove out about a kilometre to the far end of the queue, and parked up.
I was pretty much ready to go so, after I'd used the van facilities I headed up to the start. Registration only took a few minutes, and I pinned my race number to the back of my pack. I spotted Imtiaz wandering about but didn't get chance to say hello before we were all heading out. When I booted up my Garmin the batteries (fresh the day before, I thought) were flat. I probably put flat ones in and didn't check properly. Since I know much of the route (this was my 4th time) I didn't worry - I just planned on adding the gpx to my watch at some point in the day before I needed it.
Approaching the woods at the start I bumped into Darren Gilman and chatted for a bit, then said I was going to crack on (which a nearby runner found very amusing). I gradually worked my way through the field to settle into a comfortable pace and by the time I reached the Heritage Centre and the self clip I was making good time. Round about this point I first encountered two female runners who would be there for the rest of the day - sometimes ahead, sometimes a little way behind.
They stayed ahead of me on the way up Weets Hill, and in fact they climbed better than me all day. I got ahead over the rough ground on the top - long legs and big feet are a definite help on that kind of terrain. While I was there I downloaded the gpx file onto my phone and added it to my watch and to OS Maps app. I was now sorted without having to squint at the map with contact lenses in.
I didn't push as hard on the towpath section this time - I overcooked it a bit there last year. So I kept my legs turning, kept it brisk but didn't push too hard. People were well spread out now and I didn't really see anyone else about, apart from a couple of guys I overtook as I crossed the road.
Through Earby I did see lots of people, and overtook quite a few as they slowed to a walk or weren't sure of the route. There was a drone filming outside the youth hostel. I got a water refill, ate a few crisps and some malt loaf and walked up the road to the footpath.
The path was OK, but the following fields were very muddy and slippy. I climbed up past the trig at Knarrs Hill and down the other side, then found myself in a location that I'd been trying to identify for ages.
There's a track leading off to the right from a lane. The track zigzags round some trees. I was absolutely certain I'd only ever seen this place the once, so I was sure it was somewhere on the TP100 route. Turns out it was on the Pendle, that I've now done 4 times!
Down through the boggy fields to Laneshawbridge. I made a mistake by not checking my route on the way and had to backtrack 50m or so, along with another runner.
At the CP I filled up with water and ate some more crisps, along with a jelly baby or two. Then on to Wycoller. I always find this leg hard going. Through Wycoller itself the route was a bit indistinct, as it has changed a number of times here. It wasn't totally clear which path we should follow. Eventually I got out the other side and started climbing the horrible track along the side of Boulsworth hill.
The wind along this section can be a problem, but this time it wasn't too bad and I was able to make good progress. I was flagging a bit coming to the reservoir, which has in previous years been a CP. No CP here now, straight down from the road into the clough below the res. Usually I drop straight down to the track here along the side of a fence, but a few people were taking a more gradual descent. I followed them on some vague trods, eventually landing on the track. On balance, the route along the side of the fence is probably better. At this point I stopped to dig some food out, and was passed by the two women who I'd passed earlier, who made a complementary comment about my efficient running gait (although that didn't help me keep up with/ahead of them!).
Through Catlow and on to the CP at Southfield, then down to the reservoir. I was still feeling pretty OK, even on the long climb up from Walverden Res.
Down the other side and across Nelson golf course, then through Brierfield and on to the long, long climb up to Higham. I normally don't mind this bit, but this year (and last year, when I didn't do the PWiaD) the riverside path is shut so we have to use the road all the way there. It's not very steep, but steep enough that I was having trouble keeping the momentum up. My companions from earlier drew ahead here, and this is where they gained the 5 mins or so on me that they had at the finish.
Meanwhile, I was catching up with Katie S. I'd seen Darren at the beginning. Katie was on the 30 mile route). She was through Higham quite quick, while I decided even with only a few miles to go that my very cold feet would benefit from dry socks. I had a cup of tea, ate some food, sorted my feet out and marched out to the sound of cheesy 80s inspired dance pop "Bulletproof" by La Roux. Just the thing to get my feet moving.
I carried on eating nuts as I climbed up through Newchurch. My ankle was feeling a little sore, but nothing particularly bothersome. Climbing up onto the Pendle plateau there was a lovely sunset and great visibility.
I dropped down the other side of the hill on the trod just below the main path, and ran through the village as the light started to drop, finishing in 9 hours 5. Fifteen minutes quicker than my last attempt and a new PB.
I sat around eating & drinking tea for a while, then walked the long long long way back down the road to my van to get changed. I was badly cold by the time I got there, and had to sit for a while to warm up before setting off home.
Kit
(things I can remember when writing up a month later)
- UD Fastpack 20
- Inov8 Mudtalons
- Bridgedale socks
- OMM tights? Or Raidlight winter
- Montane Element Stretch waterproof
- Awdis T shirts
- Montane cap
- Zebralight H60fw head torch
- Primaloft (Inov8? Prism?)
Food
- Fewer crisps
- hot cross buns with sliced cheese
- Cashew nuts
Lessons
- Nothing particularly, it was a good day out.
