Frostbite 30 (Brutal but Brilliant)

Well after weeks of barely running due to a back/glute/Piriformis/trapped nerve issue, I really thought that I would not get to run this race, which was gutting. I did it last year but the route was to be very different this year with rumours of it being a little further than 30 miles too. I really wanted to do it. So, after a pathetically painful attempt at running on Tuesday, I had another go on Thursday, where I found a rhythm and managed 4.7 miles with only a bit of discomfort. So I decided to go ahead and do the Frostbite 30.

The Frostbite 30 is a low key ultra which starts and finishes at the Scout Hut in Pateley Bridge, the course takes in the Nidd Valley and surrounding hills. A lot of it is on the Nidderdale Way. It is run by Rob Jarman and a group of amazing volunteers.

I arranged a lift with friends to get me to Pateley, but Billy would come to collect me afterwards so that no one would get cold, waiting hours for me to finish. I had made up my mind that if I was really struggling in the first 10 miles, then I would withdraw when I got back to the Scout Hut which was the start and check point 1. The Scout Hut was buzzing with excited and nervous competitors, there were a few Ripon Runners there, Ben and Anneke who gave me a lift, Sheena, Claire, Matt, Paul, Chris, Martin and Dave. Martin and Dave were not running, they were marshalling and had put out the markers on route the day before. Martin talked me through the second loop which was mainly the most part of last year's route in reverse. 

Lots of runners had recced the route over the last few weeks, Anneke had talked me through the new 10 mile loop at the start of the race. Soon it was time for the race briefing The cut off for the first loop (10 miles) was a generous 3 hours, I hoped to do it in 2 and the next stage to Scar House reservoir in 2 1/2 and the final section in 3 hours, getting me back around 16:30 as it was getting dark.it was already gon 9 am as we we went outside for the race start. I was nervous, my pack felt heavy with what I felt was the bare essentials and a litre of water as per race instructions, my back was achy already and my left ankle, it band and glut were niggling even before the start, Oh a well, I'm here now, I'm sure I can do at least the first 10 miles.

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and we were off, running alongside the River Nidd down river before crossing and heading up through Guisecliff Wood, I had set off mid pack but was being constantly passed as I ran down the riverside, I had a rhythm going that was not to uncomfortable, but not very quick. gosh it was hard going, constant climbing, as I exited the wood it was slippery on the frost covered grass where many feet had already trodden it down, up, up up I climbed avoiding the crevices at the sides of the path, I was  overtaken a couple more times and soon was alone, but on the top of Guisecliff at last. It was a bright day and the views were stunning, I took a couple of pics, then had a joke with the photographer who was recording the day. 

Now I could go downwards and make up some lost time, or so I thought the rought down was quite slippy in places so I picked my way through rather than risk a tumble. A man with walking canes caught up with me here, I didnt want to be passed anymore so I pushed onwards. As I crossed the road the marshall said it was uphill for the next half a mile or so, I walked a bit having my drink but as it became less steep I would jog bits, carfull not to go too hard with such a long day ahead, the lane went on for ages, my watch buzzed to mark a mile, hang on, the marshall said it was up for about half a mile, had I missed an arrow? I searched around me and got out my map, no I think this is right. I carried on but cautously, looking out for arrows or signs of other runners, I was loosing time but i'd lose more if I was going the wrong way, I looked bak, the bloke with the walking canes was still behind, but was he just following me? I turned a corner and saw a red and white sign. It said shoot in progress. I must have gone wrong, surely we werent running through a shoot. The man with canes passed me, he wasnt sure if it was right but carried on passed the sign, the sweeper marshall and the man on a motorbike who had marshalled the road crossing said they thought it was the right way, The man on the motorbike rode off ahead annd soon came back confirming an arrow ahead, he said to bear left at the top of the hill, I had now got back past the man with canes and trotted along nicely , as I came over the hill I saw that i had to go down a steep section to a bridge , I ended up on my bum for part of the descent. After the bridge It was a lovely run down a winding lane past caravans, I saw a runner ahead, running and walking, I caught hi up, I said he had turned his ankle. What a rotton bit of luck. just ahead was another run walker, He crossed the road, then I did and I passed him, I had found a nice rythm, almost painfree and enjoyed the run to the scout hut, I gave my number and asked if it was ok to carry on, I was told yes, so I ignored the Jagermeister and took some wine gums, chewing as I ran. As I ran down the riverside I saw the man with canes at the other side, he was not far behind, I needed to get a move on I reckoned I was about a half hour behind schedule already.
On the route out to Ramsgill I passed several runners returning to the Scout Hut to withdraw, I hoped I made it to Ramsgill before the winner. I looked behind and saw a man in yellow, I thought that the others had called it a day and that he was running to catch me up, I didnt want to be last, I ran steadily and made it through Ramsgill before the winner ran back through. Soon I saw Martin marshalling a gate, he said there were some runners just ahead. As I ran through the fields on the way to How Sean Gorge, i could hear shooting. There had been someone shooting down by the river last year as Billy and I had run through. I came down the hill turned the corner and there adead, near the footpath there were people shooting even as I ran, I decided to walk, when suddenly, BANG! I jumped and a pheasant dropped from the sky about 100 yuards ahead of me and the dog ran to retrieve it. Now I was scared, that gun must have been fired in my direction for the bird to fall there.
As I ran towards the gorge I could see across the valley that the clouds were getting lower and a beautiful rainbow appeared, but that meant it wouldnt be very pleasant up there in a couple of hours. As I approached Middlesmoor I saw two runners ahead, I was gaining on them and I overtook them on the lane up to Scar House reservoir, and ahead there was a figure in yellow. The man in yellow I had thought was the sweeper was a runner he was still just behind me. On the way down to the reservoir I was stuck behind 2 landrovers which filled the lane and it was too narrow to pass at that point, it was horrid breathing in their fumes. soon the two men I had passed earlier caught up, they were braver than me and passed the vehicles, so I followed. soon I arrived at the checkpoint, Loos, well that was a relief.
Hot ribena and a 9 bar was very welcome. I also had my bottle filled as it was nearly empty. my other was untouched in my back pack. Off I went again, this time with the 2 men Andy who had hurt his knee and Ian who was running with him, We ran across the dam befor starting yet another climb.

I decided to stay with Andy and Ian as the mist had come down and the wind had got up, I had run alone all day, it would be nice to have company on the last stretch.

Andy found it difficult to run so we ran walked the next section over the moors, it was on a lane so not too bad underfoot, It felt like it went on forever though and we were surprised to only be at just over 26.5 miles when we crossed the lofthouse road, but we were going steady. we were maintaining sub 15 min miles. Soon we arrived at the change in this section and it was nice to see a lane which was definately a down. we set off jogging down it in the fading light, I looked behind and Ian and Andy had fallen back a bit, I wanted to keep going and hopefully make it down to Ramsgill before dark. I remembered the hill to Ramsgill, we went up it last year, uneven, cobbly and steep, I didnt really want to tackle it in the dark. The light was fading and in the distance, high above Pately was a bright light. I felt it drawing me on. I got to the end of the lane and turned right, and suddenly it was like someone had turned out the lights. I got my torch which was on the outside of my backpack and used it to light the way, I found it tough, I have run by torchlight before but on reasonably even ground not like this. I was slipping on loos rocks under the fallen leaves and the mud, but each five bar gate brought me closer to the bottom where I would get my better torch out of my pack. As I closed the gates I could see a light behind and knew that Ian and Andy were still following. finally I could see the lights of the marshalls landrover, I felt guilty that they had had to wait so long, but I was going as fast as I could. The marshal said I could go back by road if i wanted, but I thought I might get knocked over in the dark, plus that would have been cheating. I delved in my pack for my torch but couldnt find it staight away, I made use of the headlights to locate it as Andy and Ian arrived. We then set off together again. I had my better torch on but still prefered to have company in the dark. Oh boy it was muddy, slippy and hard work, those last 4 miles, I realised that Ian didnt have a torch and lent him my spare. The hardest part for me was the slope down to Gouthwaite Dam, I sliped and only just stayed upright, I was glad to get down it, there were moments during those last few miles when I looked at the bright light above Pateley and wondered if it was getting closer or not. It was like we were the three wise men following a star. But eventually we saw the lights of habitation and the bridge. we'd done it. We got to the Scout Hut as the organisers were packing up, Cant blame them It was dark and cold and had been a long day for them too, this meant we had to go into the hall to check in. I removed my muddy shoes first though. Just short of 9 hours it took 8:57:18, although officially it was 8:58:48 thats how long it took to get my filthy shoes off. Massive massive thanks to all the volunteers and the organisers. Sorry I took so long.

I figure I was half an hour behind my target for each of the three sections. I am a bit disappointed, but hope to return next year and smash 7 1/2 hours.
There was very welcome hot food and drinks waiting, though I wasnt very hungry so had some porkpie a pice of cake and a lovely cup of coffee.
Great race, great organisation fantastic volunteers, stunning views when you can see them. I highly recommend it.