December marathon, Frostbite30

Frostbite 30 is an ultra marathon, which starts a Pateley Bridge and is in it's 2nd year. Last year we were having a much more winters December and due to poor conditions the race was shortened. Hmm! Worrying, still I thought it would make a nice December marathon and entered.a small race of 100 competitors, I worried that I would be last or withdrawn, as I always think that these smaller races attract only the faster more experienced runners.
I woke up on the morning 07/12/2013 to fog, oh oh! That is the weather I would least like to be doing a trail race in, but by the time we had walked the dog, (hubby was doing the race too) he weather had cleared, but it was bitterly cold.
We arrived in Pateley and parked up, there were plenty of cars, the pay and display machine had no tickets, so we risked it (no choice really). We went to the scout hut and registered, got our numbers and shirts. We then had time to chat to other competitors and check the map carefully.
I was disappointed at some of the other runner's attitude towards the race briefing, I was near the front and sometimes struggled to hear for people chatting.

Just before 9am we gathered outside, the claxon went and we were off, soon we stopped for a gate, and another and some styles, before we knew it ,we were last, Billy and I, not for long though as we reached Gouthwaite reservoir

and the first incline, where we passed 3 people, they were close behind us as we reached the first checkpoint at 4 and bit miles.
We turned right and Billy held my pack as I stripped my raincoat off, I was overheating already, Billy had taken his rain jacket off at a style earlier. I had a drink and we set off up the hill that loomed in front of us.
The views were stunning.

We over took a couple more people, as I am quite strong at walking uphill, ahead was a man in a fluorescent yellow jacket, we figured he could be the next to catch, he was running even though the hill was very long. We did run the less steep bits. Soon we turned and the wind was in our face, it wax drizzling and icy cold. We stopped to put our jackets back on. Man in yellow gad passed a lady in purple, we passed her just after the Lofthouse/Masham road, then Billy's strap came undone on his pack and she passed us whilst Billy sorted it. There was an building ahead, like a village hall in the middle of nowhere.

we were running well, We had put food in our jacket pockets to eat as we ran, about 10 miles Billy said that if we could keep this pace we would make our 6:30 target, then aargh! (Sweaty words) I turned my ankle, totally inverted my foot, I heard an internal crack/pop, and hopped a few steps, Aargh! Just like in January. I gingerly walked, it bore weight, so I carried on, gingerly at first, and upset and angry about my ankle. I distracted myself with the views
Soon we were turning towards Scar House Reservoir, we had been able to see it for ages, the Dam was massive.
At about 14 miles we arrived at the dam where the green van with the food packs was parked, we were going to run past as we had our food on us, but we were offered cola and hot Rubens, it would be rude to refuse.
We set off again, we had gained a bit on the man in yellow, and just ahead of him was a group of 3 runners. Off we went again, the wind was horrific and the track soon turned to waterlogged ground and bog. The man in yellow passed the group.

We approached Angram reservoir and again a stunning dam, and amazing views

The ground underfoot was very tricky and we struggled to pass the group ahead, we crossed one inlet at the end of the Angram reservoir, and eventually passed them and caught another group, we passed them, crossed the other inlet and soon found our way to the dam

And then we were on Tarmac, we picked up the pace,, but so did man in yellow, we did a10:15 mile,not bad at that stage, but all to soon we headed of the Tarmac and up a rocky track

Over the crest of the hill and we got more food out of our packs, ate some pork Pirandello set off towards Middlesmoor. It was tricky going and was painful on my foot. At the car park there wax a checkpoint water and hot Rubens, wepassed another runner, and then a run through the village. "I camped in there with Sunday School, when I was a kid" I said as we ran past the village gall. I remembered back 35 ish years, to borrowing a sleeping bag from AuntyJean and spending a weekend with other kids from local Sunday Schools doing activities, from Walking and rounders to colouring in.
We continued down through the hillside village, past the pub, where a few years ago, I had gad Lamb chops and Billy had had Trout, after a walk up the lane we had just run down. Ther were a lot of farmers/hunters at the pub. Down the 1 in 4 hill toa stone stile into a field, I hate stone gap stiles, they're too narrow for my legs. Then a run down a field to the next sone stile, and more of the same, until we crossed a bridge over How Stean Gorge.

Along a road towards the cafe, Billy stopped to sort some grit out, that was in his shoe, I was gawping around as usual, and spotted what looked like a big hole over the fence, it was a visitor area with what looked like a carved griffin.

Along to Studfold farm and caravan and campsite, turn right, right again and Oh my goodness that was a steep hill, not too long but tough. We were well and truly on our way back now, we crossed a little bridge and went up another hill. BANG!I nearly jumped out of my skin, a gunshot from the left. I hoped it wasn't an angry farmer, but there over the fields were some people hunting. We now had another runner in our sights, sometimes we thought we were gaining, then I t looked as if we would never catch up.

I could see Lofthouses on my left and knew we were only about 7 miles from the finish, we kept on chasing, it was good to have a focus, we were still running quite well but we were heating up fast. I realised the runner ahead was a Ripon Runner, this made me more determined to catch him. We stopped just before Ramsgill to take off our rain jackets, I was getting cross because I got mine stuck on my wrists, Billy sorted it and rammed it into my pack. The runner ahead looked back and realised it was us. "We won't catch him now" Billy said as we followed to the check point, we stopped for cola, The runner was wY ahead now, but there wax also another runner that he was gaining on. Slowly and steadily we picked our pace up and about a mile further we caught the Ripon Runner and another 2 runners, we passed all three and kept onwards, heading for the Dam at the end of Gouthwaite Reservoir. Nearly home, new target in sight. We soon caught and passed the runner ahead. He stuck right to us, "your doing really well, but if you can pick up your pace a big more, we will get in in under 6:30". I gave it everything I had left, running alongside the River Nidd. " I can see the car park" I cried out, nearly there, into the trees, there was the tape follow the tape, the air horn sounded as we emerged from the trees, one more corner, then run, run as hard and fast as I could to prevent the runner behind me overtaking.
That it. It was over, I stopped my watch at 6:27:22 I was very happy, I removed my soggy muddy trainers and padded indoors with soggy socks to the warmth of the scout hall, there awaiting us was scrumptious soup and bread, tea, coffee and cake.
The other Ripon Runner came in just behind us, we all sag and refuelled on the wonderful food.
Soon we got warm clothes on and set off home, tired limbs were seizing up and my ankle was being a big of a nuisance.I forgot to pack dry shoes so had to put my nice warm dry feet back into my cold soggy trainers, Yuck!
After getting home, We walked the dog to loosen back off, before stretching.

I highly recommend this small friendly race. Yes it's tough, but that makes finishing even better.