Sunday 1 July 2012

Floods, Storms and Real Relay

Miles to date: 580 
Races to date: 25


Midsummer Madness - a series of three races over three days organised by Calder Valley Fell Runners. I had every intention of doing all three but found myself on Friday in a pathetically exhausted state, feeling ridiculously tired. Having attempted to work from home I abandoned that and gave in to PJs and sleep. This was also the day that the skies opened and the rain came down. We're used to rain in Yorkshire but this was completely unprecedented. Looking out of our window to see the river running down the hill and the rain relentlessly pounding down, I pulled the blanket over my head and went back to sleep! Later that night a twitter post of the flood sirens that sounded in Hebden Bridge and pictures of the streets turned in to rivers - a truly terrible night. The Wicken Hill Whizz set off and ran as planned - I'm not sure I would have wanted to be on the fells to hear the flood sirens shout out their eerie warning. 


Saturday morning and the sky had cleared. The roads on the way over to Reservoir Bogs were covered in debris brought down from the hills, tarmac lifted by gorged drains and bubbling springs. This race was a navigation one - you get the map at the start, there are no route markers and you can go anyway you want as long as you make it to all 7 checkpoints. Lorna, Dick and I were the only KCAC vests there. Lorna and I had the luxury of a 30 minute advance start along with four others and Linda the lovely sweeper who's job it was to make sure we all got back safely without getting too lost and needing a rescue mission! 


I was expecting bum deep bogs and water given the amount of rain that had come down in the preceding 24 hours but surprisingly they were the usual knee deep! This was a really great race - not least as for a short while, when the fast boys caught up with us at about CP 3 we ran with the front pack, an experience I'll probably never have again! The navigation practice was really important for my impending Borrowdale torture and we did OK - some route choices gained us ground and others lost us some but we didn't get lost and finished respectably! 


Sunday was short and fast - Timothy Taylors Tom Tittiman - uphill all the way out and downhill all the way back. As we set off I could feel the day before in my legs and knew there was no way I was going to keep up! With my usual mission to not be last it took more determination than normal to keep my legs going. A few more Keighley vests for this one (Karen and Simon) resulted in us taking 2nd Ladies team - a first for me to be part of a winning team and the congratulations have to go to Karen and Lorna who got us the points, I just made up the numbers! 


Cragg Vale Fell Race is on our Club Championships this year so it would have been a shame to miss it. The problem being it was on a Wednesday night - I am usually found on the 18:03 from Kings Cross to Leeds on a Wednesday evening so this required some special planning!  Setting off home on the 15:05 train from Kings Cross just so I can get to a fell race was a unique experience! 


I am so glad I made the effort - 8 Keighley Ladies and 7 Keighley Men suffered the midges to run up and out over some amazing country, heading up to Stoodley Pike but turning to run through immensely boggy plantation and across deeply muddy fields. Caren in her Wharfedale vest was both in front of me urging me on or behind me goading me to chase down others in front - she did a brilliant job and it ended as the fastest fell race I've done to date - cheers mate, I'll get you next time! 


Thursday and I had booked a flexi day off work to scare myself running round a (not quite) recce of the Borrowdale race route. All week the weather had been glorious. We arrive in the Lakes and it's looking OK. We reach the top of Bessyboot - the first summit in the 17 mile 7000foot route - and the rain started. We set off over Rosthwaite Fell and the clag came down. The low cloud and rain combined meant that we had no way of seeing where we were or where we needed to go. Compasses out and bearings set to try and head us in the right direction. A few more miles, possibly in the right direction and the clag lifted for about a minute, just long enough to orientate ourselves to have Scafell in the right place and spy the path heading to Allen Crags. Then the thunder and lightening started. I don't think any of us were smitten with the idea of being struck by lightening as the highest things bimbling around across the open moorland. So we set off down to find the valley path to take us back to Seathwaite and then on to the road back to Rosthwaite. I have never been so wet! Caren and Kirsty were superb in their map work and Mark did well to cope with the pace!!! Thanks guys it was an experience!


The Real Relay is an exciting attempt to follow the entire route of the official Olympic Torch around the British Isles in one continuous non-stop journey, running every step of the way.  Starting out from Land’s End at midnight on Monday 28 May, ten days behind the official Olympic Torch. The Real Relay involves hundreds of runners from across the British Isles running through the day and night on an 8000 mile mission to reach London in time for the Olympic Games opening ceremony.  Two members of Keighley and Craven Athletic Club were successful in getting the Bradford to Keighley (Camille) and Keighley to Skipton (Brett) legs of this fantastic relay attempt. The baton has already been up Snowdon, Ben Nevis, Scafell, the Yorkshire 3 Peaks being passed from runner to runner, day and night, all through volunteer effort and social networking. 


We arrived in Bradford on a cool but sunny Sunday morning - Centenary Square being prepared for a Sky Ride - and lurked about a bit wondering what time the Todmorden Harriers runners would arrive. Blue was a bit nervous as this would be the first time he had run in Keighley colours and it was a long way all on tarmac! Storr, his girlfriend, had also come along to offer him some canine support but (being a bit of a wuss) wasn't able to run the distance so would be supporting from the Landrover! 
Todmorden Harriers handover to KCAC 


The Tod runners arrived well ahead of schedule so a bit of panicked jumper stripping and a few photos and we were on our way. The idea of 10+ miles on tarmac, at a pace I don't usually manage for more than about 5 miles was very daunting. I was very glad I'd done a short loosening run on Saturday and felt unusually good as we set off. Pounding along the pavements  out of Bradford, along to Saltaire, Bingley, Crossflatts, Riddlesden and then a final pull on to Keighley passed very quickly. 
From Crossflatts We were accompanied by Debbie and Neville, dressed in Keighley and Craven cycle shirts they provided a marvellous outrider service - thanks guys! The last two miles really hurt but knowing we were very nearly there I determined to keep going - with the exception of a fast (and much needed) loo stop in Bingley we had run every step, no walking and no slowing, very different to my usual fell runs where the hills provide the rest from the pace. 


Arriving in Town Hall Square 
Arriving in Keighley Town Hall Square was fantastic - loads of red and green vests and cycling shirts - brilliant support from lots of club members gave us a real welcome back. Camille handed the baton to Brett and, a few photos later, the next leg set off to wend its way to Skipton.   

Camille hands over to Brett 
Big hugs and pats on the back and we all went our separate ways. Mine was to head for Skipton to see them finish the next leg and hand over to Ilkley Harriers. Blue was desperate for a drink so we detoured to the canal where he could have a paddle to soothe sore paws and a well deserved drink. Rehydrated and bathed paws Blue came back to life - he was very proud of himself and wanted to tell everyone in Skipton about his big run! We hung around Skipton Town Hall for a while - the main street was closed for the Sheep day, a folk band sang out some tunes, country dancers clogged and the sheep on the wagon danced - I kid you not they really did! 


KCAC handover to Ilkley Harriers 
Finally Brett and his entourage appeared and the Town Cryer rang his bell in celebration. Another photo call and Ilkley took the baton to take it o'er hill and Dale to Menston, Ilkley and Leeds, seen on their way by the ring of bells.  This really was the most fantastic and wonderful event to be a part of - a true celebration of Olympic spirit. 


Skipton Town Cryer 
So. What next? The 21st July is the Snowdon Mountain Race followed by Borrowdale on 4th August so I intend to take it steady, as many Borrowdale recces as I can manage, and continue to clock up some miles - would be good to have more in stock than the current 80! 




This has been an epic fortnight with so many new experiences and adventures. I'm now officially half way through, 80 miles ahead of target but the fundraising is sadly lacking. There have been some wonderfully philanthropic donations - Steve Foster you star man - we will meet one day! If anyone else reading this can find a few pennies to donate to this cause I'd like to think I can manage a £1 a mile by the end of the year! If you can my team page is www.justgiving.com/teams/1000miles

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