Fantastic weather for the weekend and Great accommodation at the Old Dungeon Ghyll promised that this weekend would be a good one!
Choosing trail shoes for a slimy wet course was a mistake. The start from the hotel saw 400 runners jostling like sheep in a trailer for the first mile until the sharp climb to Pavey Arc. Elbows were everywhere on the ascent.
Soon after Pavey Arc runners could be seen dancing across the bog on the top of the hill. When I got there my first step ended with me in a hole up to my armpits - just a head sticking out. I was more embarrassed than concerned. No-one helped me out choosing to laugh instead.
Sliding around on greasy rock and wading through bogs for the next 7 miles brought me to Crinkle Crags and I followed all the crinkles on the ridge route. It was then, I saw emerging from the mist below me a snake of sleek runners zooming off into the distance ahead of me.
Another descent and ascent to Pike of Blisco and a greasy slide down the rocks in my sleek trail shoes until I finally hit a rock that did not give way and sliced a neat door into the top of my knee. Race-over! And within site of the finish. After many hours with the NHS I managed to scramble back to the Old Dungeon Ghyll for a lock-in and a game of Charades!
Choosing trail shoes for a slimy wet course was a mistake. The start from the hotel saw 400 runners jostling like sheep in a trailer for the first mile until the sharp climb to Pavey Arc. Elbows were everywhere on the ascent.
Soon after Pavey Arc runners could be seen dancing across the bog on the top of the hill. When I got there my first step ended with me in a hole up to my armpits - just a head sticking out. I was more embarrassed than concerned. No-one helped me out choosing to laugh instead.
Sliding around on greasy rock and wading through bogs for the next 7 miles brought me to Crinkle Crags and I followed all the crinkles on the ridge route. It was then, I saw emerging from the mist below me a snake of sleek runners zooming off into the distance ahead of me.
Another descent and ascent to Pike of Blisco and a greasy slide down the rocks in my sleek trail shoes until I finally hit a rock that did not give way and sliced a neat door into the top of my knee. Race-over! And within site of the finish. After many hours with the NHS I managed to scramble back to the Old Dungeon Ghyll for a lock-in and a game of Charades!
