Sunday morning began at six with a quick soaking from the heavy rain as I walked up to the camp site toilet block. But hey, "cheer up things could be worse". I cheered up and things were worse, I got an even bigger soaking on the way back as the rain became torrential.
I varied my usual pre race routine of eating a triple helping of porridge followed by fruit bread and fruit juice. This time I saw fit to include falling (reaching for the fruit juice) and cracking my rib on the metal edge of the folded down car back seat. Yes, I could have got out and opened the front door to get the juice, but I was wet enough already.
I had woken too early (I thought it was seven) so had a bit of a lie in after breakfast. I then changed into my running clothes and pulled leggings, a micro fleece and a waterproof shell over the top. I was already wearing a long sleeved base layer and tee shirt, it was still cold even though I was dressed the same as I would be for Beachy Head at the end of October.
I walked the couple of kilometres to the event, it was still raining and my feet were wet before the race started. After two double espressos and a bit of a warm up in the school hall I took my outer layers off and headed for the start line. I had put my waterproof back on, just about everyone was wearing one. Several runners were wearing that classic of the outdoor wardrobe, the Little Black Bin Liner. There was a "race number must be visible at all times" rule. There was no attempt to enforce it, I think we would all have gone home if they had.
We set off, I was moving quite fast as we headed up the first hill, I was worried that I had started too far back. I was wrong for two reasons, one was that I was not as far back as I thought. The other reason was that I had forgotten that it was a two speed event, I was in the faster class start, coming last would still have put me at the expected about halfway in the overall results (the slower class had started two hours earlier).
Approaching the check point on the lap of Tarn Hows - can't get any wetter
I made the first 10k in around 1:11 and reached 20k at 2.11 so had made some time. As most of the ascent was now out of the way I felt I was on for a PB at this stage. Running south on the elevated eastern side of Coniston Water should have given some beautiful views, but the weather had other ideas (see image top of page). By now the groin pain I have been feeling recently was bad, I also started to feel the onset of cramp in my adductor magnus. The ascent and run to the 20k marker was good trail, the following awful descents meant that I had slowed to 3:25 by the 30k marker. The pain in my legs had remained constant (and would do throughout the race), as it was no worse I felt confident that I would finish. Things got worse, slippery rocky descents alternated with bog. Where the trail was solid it was running with water. Even where the ground was level the heavy rain meant slippery rock and even more slippery tree roots. At this stage about four of us were running together. In some unspoken agreement we took turns leading a respectable pace over the tricky terrain for a while.
I slipped on this section and wrenched my knee enough to make me yell. Several hands were quick to help me up. I was asked if I was OK, my reply was that the knee would get me home, but hurt tomorrow. As it happens it is not giving me any trouble. We came out of the woods to easier ground approaching the 40k marker. Passing the marker at 4:59 dismissed hopes of a PB (4:53) once and for all. By now my feet were complaining badly at 5 hours of mistreatment in waterlogged footwear. The usual frayed toenails resulting from this distance were worse than usual because of the soaking. I think it was this rather than exhaustion that caused me to take 17 minutes to run the last 2 and a bit kilometres over easy ground.
By this time I was running at pretty much the same speed as another competitor. As we approached the finish in the school playing field he suggested we pick it up a bit. I said "you carry on, I have nothing left". He tried but within two paces realised that he did not have the energy. About 50 metres from the line it was my turn to make the same suggestion, he made the same reply as I had. I said "well let's just try and look good, smile and pick your feet up" and that's what we did. We ran pace for pace in this manner to a tied finish.
Still raining at the finish
Wriggling about in the car caused my rib some grief. After a shower (I took my socks and shoes in with me) I changed back into the morning's sodden clothes and set off for the usual traffic jams on the M6.
Will I do it again? Probably not, much of the terrain was too demanding to be able to enjoy the view (Tarn Hows and the east side of Coniston would have been exceptions if not for the weather). I rarely looked anywhere except the ground immediately ahead. Having said that, the organisation was good and the Marshals were marvellous.
Monday I have a very slight dull ache in my quads which is unusual (after a hill race). My groin and knees are fine, toenails are complaining a little. The rib, on the other hand, hurts like hell, it's going to be a couple of weeks before I'm able to run again.
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