CUMBRIA WAY ULTRA 2018

CUMBRIA WAY ULTRA - ROUND 2.

This event was a turning point for me and my running. At various times through this run and on previous runs elsewhere I often think I could do myself a favour if I lost some weight. It was on this run I made my mind up to actually do something about it. 

Last time i got a time of 20:21:22 and suffered big time with a bad knee for the last 30 miles which resulted in me practically walking the last HM. So this time the one thing i really wanted was for it to feel better and have no issues. That was the case and it resulted in a better time of 19:53:30. Considering it all went so much better though i was kind of hoping for a better time, though that wasn't a priority and it doesn't really matter.
I wrote after the last one that I'd never attempt anything over 50 miles as the run had hurt so much, that obviously went out the window some while back, but it did result in me standing on the start line pretty relaxed and not worried about what layahead. My plan was to keep it steady, walk the ups, run as much as possible on the flat and downhills. I was also going to look after my feet and change socks at each of the 5 checkpoints, which i did, it did add lots of checkpoint time but i think it was worth it to have happy feet. Mrs s is in total disagreement with me here, thinks you should just get in and out of each CP asap.
The fueling for this was pepperami & sweets, which i had with me plus at checkpoints i had, cheese sandwiches, jam sandwiches, jaffa cakes, cake, pasta & cheese, cake & custard, they all went down a treat. Drinks was water and at CP's coffee, squash & coke.
Weather was good, 2 years ago it was roasting, this time it got really hot occasionally, mostly a bit hot but also lots of cool breeze, little rain at times. Nothing that made me put an extra layer on though.
 After waking at 4 am, getting ready and eating malt loaf it was onto the start line in Ulverston for a 6 am start. Never bothered with the head torch as it wouldn't be long till its light, till then your all bunched up anyway. The plan was to keep it steady all the way, i really just wanted this to feel better than last time.

Leg one Ulverston to Coniston 17 miles ish. All went ok, just plodded on. Had the map on the watch plus for the first year the event was fully signed, so it was just a case of following each other. Nothing dramatic happened and its not my favourite part of the route. All felt good though. Arrived at the CP to be met by Sharon & Molly, Bi was there also supporting Alan. Changed socks.
Stats for this leg and I'll give 2016 stats in brackets.Took 3:22:30 (3:25:15) i was in 64th position out of 105. I have no position details for 2016.

Leg 2Coniston to Sticklebarn 11 miles ish
This leg was also uneventful, lots of the route your just plodding on, with some nice views along the way. All mixed terrain, doesnt take long for the feet to get soaked but they seem to dry quickly. Mix of grass, rocks, climbs, streams etc. All went ok though. Chatted to a few others along the way. Arrived at the CP in a happy enough state. Though for some reason i did have a slight mental battle around mile 20. That obviously paassed though. Saw the girls at the CP again and once again, dried feet, changed socks. It really is good leaving each CP with happy feet.
Stats. Took 2:31:23 ( 2:31:05 ) pos 64th / 105  

Leg 3 Sticklebarn to Keswick 18 miles ish
This is my favourite leg of the whole run. You leave the CP straight into a climb then its much of the same till you get to Stake pass, thats a climb and a half. All steps which seem to go on forever but if you look back to where you've come from its a stunning view. Once at the top, knackered, you go about half a mile before the downhill which i call Snake pass because its like a load of chicanes all the way down, you also get a great view of the valley ahead. Though at the same time, the run along that valley goes on and on and on. It was also the scene of my 2 falls in quick succession, both though were mud slides, soft landing but got soaked. This is also the the valley with the rainbow pic, never seen a rainbow in a valley before, it was rather stunning. All still felt ok though, untill you get to Derwentwater lake, though route down the side of that is very tedious. I also past a few people struggling, which must of been tough knowing their only half way. Arrived in Keswick to have Molly waiting for me with a magnum, it was heaven, ( i had the same last time ) I then went through the same routine with the socks. Though it turns out that my spare pairs had holes and were running out for me to have a fresh pair for every CP. So, I knicked the socks out of Alans spare kit, with Bi's blessing may i add as she said he wont use them. We will gloss over the fact that mrs s had gone out of her way, bought some new socks, ( 2 pairs @ £17 ) just for them not to fit. There was a few tetchy words exchanged ( sorry mrs s ).
Stats.  took 4:46:00 ( 4:58:45 )  pos 57th / 104.

Leg 4Keswick to Caldbeck 14 miles ish
This is the leg that mrs s tells me i need to be out of Keswick before 4 pm, once again i wasn't,  though i was slightly earlier than last time. This is because of the climb up high peak. The 1st half of the climb is pretty treacherous and extremely easy to get lost or for mishaps, and you really dont want mishaps on that leg. Before that though theres the climb out of Keswick,  last time i did this this part i was in pain with my knee, none of that this time. The 1st climb though is long and boring but least i know Sharon & Molly will be waiting there, which was great. That climb over its a 7 mile stretch to the bottom of high peak. I once again met Sharon here who took out my head torch from my bag without me taking the bag of. Then starts the big climb, i got past the most treacherous bit without the need of the head torch but i had someone in front of me so could follow their steps plus this stretch had red fluorescent lights guiding you along. Its still a brutal climb though and you really do need to be careful.  Once over the worst bit its still climbing but on better ground, though very boggy. Head torch is now on. Where the climb had been slow going i never noticed that my back pack was fully open, but once moving again it felt strange, took it off and noticed it was open. Closed it and took the downhill to the next CP. By this time i had been exchanging places or running with another person. Got to the checkpoint to discover that Alan had indeed been looking for fresh socks, there wasn't any for him. I went through the normal routine, feet and eat. I was also asked if I'd dropped anything, i looked, i had, it was 1 glove and my waterproof jacket, which is my most expensive bit of gear which i had to buy for the thames path 100 kit list. As of yet, its still unused. Thankfully someone behind me had picked it up.
Stats. Took 4:52:13 ( 4:37:59 ) the only leg that took longer than last time. Position was 50th / 95.

Leg 5 Caldbeck to Dalston 8 miles ish
This leg is pretty much all through fields beside a river. I could see 4 or 5 runners up ahead so i was trying to catch them up, which i did, one of which was the woman i had ran with earlier. We were all in a line for a while till 2 of them pushed on but then ended up going the wrong way, shouting to them proved fruitless, never saw them again. 3 left but then one dropped back just leaving me and the lady runner. Pretty much just plodded along, i was happy that i was still moving and besides tired legs all felt good. Was met in Dalston by the girls who directed us to the CP, which was good as it was in a new location this time. Though i was slightly disappointed with how long this leg took as i thought i was moving better. Two years ago at this point i never changed socks, this time it was socks and shoes. I replaced my trail shoes ( same pair that i used 2 years ago ) to my most comfy road shoes, that turned out to be one of the best decisions of the day.
Stats. Took 2:54:44 ( 3:17:35 ) pos 44th / 92
Final legDalston to Carlisle Castle 6 miles ish
With my nice comfy road shoes on, off i went. This section is all cycle track, pavements and road so the shoe change felt so good. Ran the whole leg with the lady runner, again i was chuffed i was actually running, though not as quick as i thought. This leg is totally uninspiring and it really is a case of get it done. Arrived at the castle and told the lady to run ahead and cross the line first as its her 1st cumbria way and longest distance so if she went ahead her finishing pic wouldn't have me photo bombing it. Anyway, i crossed the line and achieved what i set out to do, finish in a better place than last time. The difference between the two finishes should of been clear to everyone. The girls are there waiting also, which is just superb seeing them at the end.

Two years ago i was a shivering wreck, unable to climb the stairs to get the hot food on offer. No problems this time, i had beer, pie & beans. Then we went home.
Summary.
Though there are tedious bits of this route for the whole its good, throughout it all i felt ok, felt everything was going well. Was never hungry or thirsty, never any thoughts of not reaching the end and chuffed i actually ran the last HM instead of the walking and suffering. Yes, i could save more time by not looking after the feet and spending less time in the checkpoints but i was happy with my happy feet. The extra time in my opinion was well spent. I think the marking of the route, though it wasn't entirely needed was a good thing, it does take some navigation pressure away. The weather was very good, got a bit cool and breezy on the high peak climb but that was ok. Everything, i think, went well, it went as i wanted it to. Cant ask for more than that. I think i may visit this one again. ( last time I said never again ).
Thank you all for the support on this one and all the dot watching. Your continued support means everything.
Thanks to Bi, who was there up to Keswick, making me jam sandwiches, letting me pinch the socks and for getting me the hot food.
Huge huge thanks to Mrs S & Molly, it really can't be stressed enough what the support on the day means, you look forward to reaching CP's knowing they are waiting, then waiting on you hand and foot. It makes my life so much easier. They were both totally amazing, especially as i keep them waiting longer than I wait for Sharon on her events. Thank you both. XX