National FRA Relays: Oct 18th Ennerdale

A long drive round to Ennerdale on Saturday but in the glorious sunshine warming the autumn leaves. Time for a route recce which was well worth it, especially as my leg changed late last night. I'd even worked out the bearings for leg 2 but was now on leg 4 - it was shorter and I was running alone, last. 

Interesting evening at a lovely inn but without cook, cleaner or receptionist.  So it was DIY! the plus was I paid myself for cleaning the bathroom.

The next day (after the cold shower) the clag was down and got further down throughout the day and the drizzle turned to rain.  I stood around cheering people in and out and trying to keep warm and fed.  

Fell running is very friendly and inclusive.  I watched Alistair Brownlee leg it down the last fell and come panting beside me.  What other sport could I  be competing alongside the elite. He just won the world Tri championships. I was doing the same leg as him but needless to say he was back before I set off (most people were).  

Thank goodness for the recce. The clag was right down. I trotted up the first fell and managed to overtake 4 women.  One man overtook me.  Got to the first checkpoint then darted off across the rough and down under a summit along a trod, others were going over.  I could hear a bloke behind me all the way along and up to the next summit checkpoint.  Turned round then down the first gill.  I slipped on the wet grass and banged right down til my teeth rattled.  I let the guy overtake and decided not to follow him towards the waterfall. I went through the trees which was full of dead wood.  At one point I climbed over a large fallen trunk but fell right through it. I decided to get back in the clearing and luckily found the trod and took a steep descent to the track.  (another man behind me tried this and was later airlifted to hospital). 

I then enjoyed a stretch out along a forest track to the base of the last summit - crazily steep and by now a mud slide.  Hands on knees I kept going to the top, ran along to final check and did a good descent down that last hill to the showground.  A sprint in to finish and all my clubmates were still there to cheer - which was great.  I then watched several people who had been infront of me arrive in, even the first guy to pass me!  I then heard that Alistair Brownlee and the first 2 winners didnt even get checkpoint 1 - not only did i do the same course as them, I beat them! (technically).

My day ended with a chat to Joss Naylor.  Lovely.  I'd just finished reading his biography.  Like many fell runners, he is my inspiration. He's 73 and a few months ago marked his 50 years of fell running with a quick dash over 20 fells.  He set a record in 1975 with 72 peaks in 23 hours 11 mins.  But at aged 70 did 70 peaks in under 21 hours. Of course he is the greatest runner that ever lived. And there he was in his wellies turning up for the relays. And not many folk know him outside of Cumbria and fell running.  Last week at the BG dinner, Richard Askwith was there, having his book, Feet in the Clouds, made into a film so that might sell the magic, if it makes it out of Kendal Mountain Film Festival.