CUMBRIA WAY ULTRA 2016

Cumbria Way Ultra.
Registration was on Friday evening,  full kit check and getting the timing dipper. Back to the room and slept from 10 ish till 4:15 am. Porridge and coffee then I put blister plasters on the toes I normally get blisters on. Purely for prevention. Arrived at the race start at 5:30 am, it was a lovely morning and was in my normal short sleeve bug top and shorts. The weather was perfect, though I had the headtorch on as it was still dark. Had the race briefing and dibber in. Was joined at the start by Di, (R Brooks Di). Said goodbye to the girls and of we went, all was feeling good and everyone was in a happy mood.

Never had a strict race plan but sharon seemed to think that I could be at her time of 18:13. I never thought for one moment that I would be capable of that. Last year Sharon's main aim was to get over the biggest climb in daylight, i thought if I could do the same then all will be good. This meant the 1st leg needed to be around 3:30. The only other tactic I had was to look after the feet, new socks at every checkpoint. Got to look after the feet.
Leg 1. Ulverston to Coniston.  17 miles ish.Started of with a pair on new balance trail shoes, just for this leg. We were led out of Ulverston by a lead runner due to engineering works changing the course, these works were there last year also. The 1st 2 miles we were all in a bunch,  and it was a slow 2 miles. 2 people still managed to get lost at this point and withdrew from the race. I have no idea how that happened. At 2.5 miles I realised 2 things, 1, there was no need for the head torch and I still had my glasses on, I never run with glasses on and i stopped to take them both of and pack them away.  After 5 miles the field was thinning out and it was the 1st time I stopped someone going the wrong way, it was very nice having faith in the watch map, the one I'd used on all the reccies. This was one of the longest legs but it passed by quickly and to plan. Though this leg is probably the most technical under foot, lots of fields,  rocks, bog. I had no heart rate on or was not looking at the pace, there was no point. I just went by feel. This leg is not the most inspiring. On any of the climbs I walked and ran the rest of it. Eating loads as I went on. I was expecting to see the girls at each checkpoint but they cropped up at mile 12, an unexpected bonus. I reached the 1st checkpoint in 3:25, all was looking good. Gave molly my glasses and changed socks and shoes into the New Balance Leadvilles.  It felt very nice indeed.

Leg 2. Coniston to Langdale 11 miles ish.
This leg though shorter is even less inspiring, the most exciting things to happen was I decided to wear the buffet, I've never wore a buffet before but it was getting hot so I was soaking it in the streams and putting it on, it was heaven, so cool. Why haven't I done this before. Saw the girls again at mile 25, which again was unexpected but another great surprise. On to checkpoint 2 at Langdale topped up the water bladder and changed socks again, this strategy was working very well, the feet were happy feet.
Leg 3Langdale to Keswick 18 miles ish.
This was going to be the 1st major test of the day, getting over Stake pass. It would also see me getting my distance PB. So you leave Langdale straight into a climb, then along a vally floor till you reach the bottom of the big climb. This is a tough climb and when the suns beating down on you its very slow. Was with someone else at this point who had never been to the Lake District, i took a few pics for him looking back at the valley below, it's a spectacular view. You then go down the other side, it's a winding chicane type descent.  Then the next few miles are pretty rough under foot and I was finding it difficult.  Was going to be pleased to get out of this valley. At this stage their was 3 of us running together, turned out most of the remainder of the run would be spent with them. All was still going good but I knew I wouldn't reach Keswick by 4pm, I needed to be there by 4 to avoid going over the last climb in the dark. Had a long stretch along the familiar Derwentwater. Saw the girls again a few miles from the checkpoint.  Again this was unexpected but very welcome, i was by now feeling tired so the support was just superb. Got to Keswick,  checkpoint 3 about 45 mins late. I wasn't worried though, there wasn't much I could do about it. Also by this time my knee started to hurt and when sitting down to change socks I had a pain in my right side that was excruciating when I moved. But when running it was non existent.  When I got to this checkpoint I asked molly to go to the shop next door to buy me a Magnum ice cream.it was heaven, i needed cooling from the inside, it done the job.time to get moving again.

Leg 4. Keswick to Caldbeck 14 miles ish.
By now the knee was hurting proper, you have to go through Keswick for roughly 1.5 miles before hitting the trails again. I had to walk this bit, well hobbled would be closer to the truth. I knew once I started running it's more bearable but it was the getting going i didn't want to do. I also knew that once I hit the trail again, there is a big climb, but I knew the girls would be waiting for me. This was the point I asked for all the healing/ positive vibes from you all. I took some more pain killers, said goodbye and headed off towards the biggest climb of the day. It was at this point last year that I ran 7 miles with Sharon on her CWU. I was on my own but soon caught up with the others, or they caught me. I saw the girls again after the 7 miles and was told to put the headtorch on. It was still ok but Sharon rightly said in 10 mins it will be dark, it was in about 5 mins. There is now a group of 7 of us, 2 of which were a young couple who knew the area like the back of the hand. We all decided to follow their route over the mountain, High Peak. Now, I've done this twice before, once with Sharon, once on my own, both in the daylight. It was very difficult then, no matter now in the dark. The terrain is the worst of the day, at points your on your hands and knees clinging onto tufts of grass to stop you falling, your tired and your forever losing you footing. This goes on for 2 miles, the worst 2 miles, scary at times.you finally make it to the top, we all agreed that we hope no one tries that on their own. We reach the marshals in a tent right at the highest point, this was one of Sharon's friend, we had a quick chat which meant the others had gone of without me. This was ok though as I could see the headtorches plus the descent was a good one, much safer than the climb, it's a good path, i caught them up at the bottom but not before my 1 and only fall of the day, though it was just a mud slide so all ok. I think this was probably my quickest mile of the day. We reach Caldbeck and checkpoint 4. I had my last change of socks and shoes, on with the Brooks ASR 's. Though this checkpoint was disappointing, last year Sharon's was fed Pizza, i had been dreaming of pizza, but no, there was none. I said goodbyeto the girls, i was in proper pain by now and it was difficult saying goodbye, i just wanted this over with.

Leg 5Caldbeck to Dalston 8 miles ish.
Off we go, 6 of us. Nobody could run, we were all in pain. We wanted to run, just couldn't. My right leg was killing me. These 8 miles were pretty much through fields, remember the dive bombing Buzzards a while back, those fields. I think they were safely tucked up in their nest though. It was now cold, the 18 hour point was gone, I was looking at 20 hours. Still in shorts and short sleeves I was too tired to get a top out of my bag. This section passed by eventually and we arrived at the last checkpoint at Dalston. This wasn't a fully stocked checkpoint just a quick dubbing in station to see if we're still alive. At this point from the wet fields my feet were soaked and I should of changed my socks again, but was too tired to do so. Big mistake. Said goodbye to the girls and next time I see them it will be at the end.
So, 6 miles to go, this is all on a cycle path into carlisle. Up to this point my feet were ok, tired but ok. But I was in so much pain and I couldn't run, i tried but even the slightest of incline, and remember I'm on a cycle path so only slight rises, there were extremely painful to get over. Even speed bumps were sending pains shooting up my leg. I also got blisters, feet were soaking and I was shuffling along so not surprising I got a blister under my right foot. Anyway, onwards we went till you hit the last mile, it's a very long last mile made cruel by the fact you have to cross a footbridge, but there are steps up and down, i was clinging to the railings, dragging myself up, step by step. Then instead of taking the flat easy entrance to the castle, we took more steps. Got up them and I was determined to run the last 100 yards or so, though again it was more of a shuffle. But, finish I did and was such a relief to finish and see Sharon & Molly.

Your given a medal and a bottle of beer.
Injuries.
Like I say, my plan was to change socks and shoes along the way, this worked perfectly up till the last 6 miles. I now have 2 blisters on my right foot, one of which underneath which is painful and im still hobbling. Have soaked the feet and Sharon got the job of popping blisters and sorting out.The knee, im not entirely sure it is my knee. It 1st started behind the knee on the right leg just before leg checkpoint 3, Keswick. But I think it's more of a calf issue now, the right more than the left but they both hurt. Actually, their killing me. I can hardly walk, calf's hurt to touch, move or even when not moving. I don't think it's anything more than just fatigue. I am absolutely knackered, i feel unbelievably tired and going hot and cold. I am thoroughly drained and am suffering, i think the rec run will be interesting.
Frame of mind on run
All was rather good here, the 3rd leg, over Stake pass was the worse, the section after the descent was the worst for negative thoughts. But at no point during the run did I think I couldn't finish or that I couldn't go on. I was confident I would do the distance, and knew I would be suffering for a lot of it. I was very unhappy with not being unable run the last 13 miles, that was the most disappointing part of the day. I didn't want to finish like that.
Weather
Besides being very hot from about 10 am to 4 pm it was all good. No rain, no wind nothing bad at all. Was so chuffed at deciding to use the buff, soaking it and wearing it was just pure heaven.
Food & checkpoints
I carried between legs, individual Screen's, mini pork pies, Isogels and jelly beans, had plain water in the bladder. I was eating these continually throughout, except the last 6 miles, when I only had the gels. I couldn't face anything else. At the checkpoints i had sandwiches, biscuits, ginger cake and loads and loads of sweet coffee ( i dont normally have sugar), coke, water, soup. They were all very nice. The girls at the checkpoints were fantastic, quickly topping up the food for the next leg, having the socks and shoes ready and running around after me. They were just brilliant, I couldn't of asked for more.
After the finish
I cross the line, in the castle and dib in for the last time, get given a medal and a beer. I asked them to open the beer and I drank it, though I was feeling a little sick. We walk, or hobble in my case across the castle grounds to receive our timing printout.  You could also go get some hot food here. That would of been nice but it's up some stairs,  they could of had the world's best cheesecake on offer and I wouldnt or couldn't climb those stairs. I was also shivering uncontrollably,  the worse shivers I've ever experienced.  Put on another top but was still shiver and barely able to move, i want to be sick ( i never ) and felt I could cry, not out of happiness from what I'd done but just relief it was over. Though I may of welled up a tad, i managed not to ball my eyes out. Sharon got the car and somehow I managed to get in, heaters on full blast but I was still shivering,  I had never felt this bad. Got home, had a cup of tea, couldn't face anything else.  Then showered, had to sit in the shower as there was no way I could reach my feet otherwise.  The hotel shower was lovely,  but I did have to crawl out and use the side of the bath to stand up. Then bed, it's 4am, so up for 24 hours, bloody church bells woke me up at 8, i did manage a bit more sleep later though. Now, it's afternoon, I am still hot and cold and can only hobble. But I did manage to hobble into the kitchen to have favourite dinner of all time, sausage, mash, beans with lashings of brown sauce. It was purchased heaven and a fine reward for my suffering.  
Thanks,
Sharon & Molly were fantastic, i know supporting at this event makes for a long day, not so long for me if Sharon’s running it though. All day long, cropping up at unexpected places and for looking after me at the checkpoints, if they hadn't been there, I could well be still at a checkpoint. Thank you both.
Thanks to Bi, for dealing with all the updates and thank you to each of you for your support yesterday, and every other time. It really is rather humbling. And a huge thank you for all your donations, you have all been very kind, from long term friends to new friends and some i dont even know. Thank you.
So, 1 question remains, would I do it again. Absolutely..... no chance what so ever. I know my limitations and yesterday I well and truly met them. I did enjoy it, for the most of it. I am chuffed I more than doubled my distance PB. The ending though was not pretty and I don't ever want to feel like I do now. I will however tackle smaller ultra distances in the future, I think for me to give a good amount of myself it can't be no more than 50 miles, and at present I'm in hurry do to tackle any ultra, whatever the distance.
Provisional results
Time 20:19:38 Finished 23rd. 71 had entered but I think, though not sure that 61 started.