Sat, 18 Mar 2017 9:00 am
Hardmoors 55
It had been a relatively dry week in the run up to the race, so I decided to wear my Brooks ASRs, but also wore my DirtyGirl gaitors just in case. I had packed and re packed my bag several times over the last two days to make sure that I definitely had all of my compulsory kit.
EQUIPMENT AND REQUIREMENTS
- Rucksack or Bumbag.
- Hat (Hat must not just be a Buff) and Gloves.
- Waterproof Jacket (Must have Taped Seams and a Hood)
- Waterproof trousers.
- Full running tights (Tracksters permitted).
- Minimum of 1 litre water/sports drink to be carried.
- Headtorch/Torch.
- Cleveland Way Map or OS Maps.
- Whistle.
- Survival Bag (Bag not just Blanket) or Blizzard Survival Jacket http://www.blizzardsurvival.com/article.php/9/blizzard-survival-jacket
- Emergency food supply (chocolate/energy bar).
- SPARE WARM LAYER can be a Lightweight fleece eg microfleece/Polartec etc or Merino Wool base layer or Primaloft jacket/down jacket*.
- A fully charged Mobile phone (to be kept on at all times).
It was an early start as the instructions asked the competitors not getting the bus to arrive at 7 am before the buses arrived. Billy drove me to Helmsley Sports fields, We got there just before 7 and the last bus was just leaving. the queue for kit check was massive.
I got out of the car and said good bye to Billy, He was picking me up from Guisborough about 10 pm.
He left and I queued. Even though it was a big queue it went down quickly,
After kit check I wandered round chatting to friends to pass the time. I saw Ripon Runners, Nicole, Claire, Lucy, Tony, Doug, Paul, I didnt see Jill but I did see Matt. Bedale and Aiskew's Woody, NYPTri's Paul as well as Heidi, Graham, Sue, Pam, Paul,Gill and Ali to name a few.
All too soon Jon called us to order and confirmed the race start was at the sports fields not in Helmsley town centre as it had last year.
We gathered in the road, I tried not to be too far forward as I wanted to run my own race and not get drawn into the excitement of the start.
Soon we were off, I knew there were more runners this year, but the narrow road was packed and as we set off more runners were filtering in from the car park.
We ran down into the town and crossed the road to the official start of the Cleveland Way.
As I ran past the point where earlier we had turned off the path Lucy and Rosie caught me up again, I must have passed them as I had passed a few people at the checkpoint. We ran together, as we passed the turn off I noted that the marshal with her lovely puppy were still there when last year the marshall had gone. We saw other runners still running towards us and then the last runner sweepers. I thought I must be doing better than last year but then again there were more runners this year so maybe I wasnt.
I kept my steady pace up as I crossed the road and headed along the cliffs above Gormire Lake.
This section is good going, firm underfoot and reasonably flat. Ahead I could see two ripon Runner vests in the distance, Nicole and one of her support runners, I seemed to be gaining, I tried not to focus on them as I can get competitive. I just had to run my race.
We passed the SportSunday photographer. I bought this pic.
As we approached the next checkpoint, Nicole and Kim stopped at there support crew, I ran past to the checkpoint, took a drink and some sweets and peanuts and set off to High Paradise Farm.
After the farm Nicole and Kim passed me and we headed to the open moor.
I could see them ahead for the whole of this section, I caught up with Ali and her friend and passed them, I was passing quite alot of people here, I was managing to run the hills where many walked. I hoped that would not be my undoing but I didn't feel the need to walk..
It felt like I had a blister on my right big toe and on my left little toe, this made running down the rocky track to Square Corner a bit uncomfortable. Woody appeared at my side, I hadn't realised I had passed him, he said he wasn't feeling too good. We ran together to Square Corner where his supporters waited for him.
I've never seen Square corner so busy. Nicole had stopped with her crew and Woody stopped off too. I skirted round some supporters to head down to Osmotherly and the next check point. I passed other runners on the way down and a couple passed me, I wasn't worried I was still running well over 20 miles in. As I approached the village Nicole and Jo ( her new support runner) caught up with me, We ran into the village together, Ann Brown captured these shots of us.
Woody's friend from Osmotherly were there, I was relieved, that meant he was carrying on. I ran into the village hall and gave my number before going to the loo, there was a queue, this was a little frustrating. Afterwards I went back into the main hall for a drink and get some food, There were loads of people sat down and raking through their drop bags. I didn't bother with drop bags, I got some cake and set off again eating as I walked up the village passing Nicole and Jo. I can walk fast,
They ran with me a while but soon left me behind.
In the distance there was my first view of the day of Roseberry Topping, It would be dark when I get there.
As I ran onward, Lucy and Rosie passed me by again and then I spotted Amanda running towards me, She took these pictures and gave me some lemon drizzle cake, wrapped in clingfilm, I ran onward clutching my delicious treat.
Lots of stone slabs ahead, I was glad it wasn't wet as they get quite slippy.
Roseberry Topping was still miles, and miles away.
But I had also come along way, 28 miles done, somewhere over the valley was home.
That is the end of my pics for the day, not a conscious decision, I never really got the chance to take more.
Anyway, over this first hill was Lordstones, there were lots of spectators, Nicole stopped to see her mum and I ran on past her support crew as I said hi to them. Now the "Three Sisters" Up and over, up and over, up and over, I was passed by quite a few people here, I am pretty slow on these steep ascents and descents, but I didn't want to burn out on them either. I just wanted to get to Kildale in daylight. To do that I needed to conserve as much energy as possible. Regardless they were taking it out of me, My vision wavered as I was tiring, My bag was making something rub my back, it had been rubbing for ages but the annoyance of it was trying to break through. I had a gel and looked forward to some cola at Clay Bank as the caffeine would give me a lift. I made it down in one piece and there was Linda, Nicole's Mum and Kelly and Lucy waiting for Nicole, They cheered me on, but in my daze I just wanted cola and headed for the refreshment table.
Pics by Craig Kilday
These pictures were by Linda Cadman.
I was relieved that there was cola at the checkpoint. I had 2 cups and took some sweets and headed up to the moor that would take me to Bloworth Crossing.
I walked up the next incline, the last for a while, as it leveled out I forced myself to jog, the cola kicked in, my vision stabalised and I was soon off, catching people steadily, I could hear Nicole catting behind me and shortly after the self clip, her and Neil trotted past. I could still see them ahead as we left the moor and hit the nice road. This had a great downhill section and I picked up my pace and ran past Nicoles support crew, I ran hard down to Kildale, It was quite light so I felt I was on target for a good time.
At last I reached the village hall at Kildale, I needed the loo, there was a queue. The marshall suggested I do kit check whilst I waited. Waterproof trousers, same as last year. I dug them out of the bottom of my pack, rearranged my heartrate monitor strap which was the thing digging in my back, rammed my stuff back in my bag, slung it on my back, it felt all wrong now that I had taken it off, Oh no there was someone else in the queue for the loo now. I waited my turn and relieved I went for some cola and cake and headed out the door. It was still daylight I was ahead of last year as I ran towards the coffee shop, there was a man heading up towards the station, I shouted him back and set of myself for Captain Cook's Monument, Could I make it in daylight?
I walked the big hill to the woods and as I turned into the woods the light dimmed but I could still see, so I trotted onwards and upwards through the trees until I was forced to turn my head torch on. My world lit up and I ran through the gap in the wall and even though it was too dark to run without a torch, the monument was a black silhouette against the dusky sky. I called my number to the marshalls and set off down to the carpark.
The climb out of the carpark was tough, I was caught and passed by a few runners who were running in a group. I climbed onwards to the moor. I weaved around the muddy patches as Lucy and Rosie caught me up again, we ran together to the wall where the path led to Roseberry Topping. It was starting to rain and the wind was picking up. "I'm putting my coat on" I said, stopping by the path, Lucy agreed and just behind me I heard a familiar voice say she was putting her coat on, It was Jill and Matt, That was the first I'd seen of Jill all day.
I rearranged my heartrate monitor strap again as it was sore again, put on my coat and pack and gingerly made my way down pasy Little Roseberry. Lucy was absorbed by the dark and the approaching head torches, there was a stream of people heading towards me and as I looked up Roseberry Topping was glowing with a moving trail of lights showing me the way.
I was soon at the bottom of Roseberry Topping and the last big climb of the day. I ascended with care as the rain was making the stones slippery. As I approached the top, Nicole and Kelly passed me heading down. Not far now I thought, and there it was, festooned in fairy lights, the summit. The checkpoint was joyful and bright, I gave them the glow bangles that I had brought with me to add to the light show and headed back down, Slowly does it, no point slipping now, nearly there. Nearly finished. I had lost loads of places since Captain Cook's but I was not too bothered, better safe than sorry.
After ascending the path to the gateway I emerged back onto the moor and headed home. There was no one ahead that I could see, but I was confident of the rout and trotted on, across the moor, down the lane, right turn through the gate, up the lane and a left turn onto the next moor section, this was slabbed and wet in places. I soon saw some lights, walkers, I caught and passed them and headed for High Cliff Nab. I entered the wood and followed the muddy track to the path up to High Cliff Nab. Its not a massive climb but it felt tough. I was glad to get to the top, down hill now all the way back. I was tiring but I trotted on, the lights of Guisborough on my left. I ran through the woods and slowly ran past guisborough. There was a runner vomiting by the path, he assured me he was fine and I ran on. I saw a runner ahead and then a pair of bright eyes caught my torchlight. "Lucy?" Lucy turned, she said she had cramp but was getting there. I ran on there were footsteps behind, I tripped but stopped myself with my hands, wiped the mud on my trousers and carried on to the concrete road, The runners behind cut through the gap in the fence and got ahead, I turned and ran for home. I was passed again by a couple more runners. On I ran, one more checkpoint and turn onto the old railway line path to Guisborough. I followed the flashes of runner's legs reflecting my torchlight down the path, this was it, it was done, there were the steps on the right, down the steps, turn left and run down to the finish.
I heard familiar voices on the right, "Is that Lena?", Yes I called without stopping and Victoria and Bettina ran down to get past me for a finishing pic, We turned and ran to the hall, up the steps and into the room. I was in, I stopped my watch, glanced at it stunned, I knew I had been doing better than last year but also that I had slowed a lot in the dark.12 hours 7 minutes, forty odd minutes faster than last year.
Here is the pic Bettina took of me.
I was done in. I text Billy to let him know I was finished and got a coffee. I sat down, I was shattered, My feet hurt, my back hurt and my back where my heartrate strap was rubbing was now really sore.
But it was done, 2 of the Grandslam complete, but still not halfway of the series of four races because the longest is yet to come, the Hardmoors 110, the whole Cleveland Way.
Lucy and Rosie finished, and more runners came steadily through.
Billy arrived and he brought me hot chocolate and a pork and apple pie from Cockburns in Bedale, I'd been looking forwards to this all day, all though I couldn't manage both.
Woody finished and his feet were in bits. What a feat (ha ha) He hadn't felt well at 20 miles but still completed the 55 mile race.
I am raising funds for The British Lung Foundation Text LENA91 £1 to 70070 please.
Soon we were off, I knew there were more runners this year, but the narrow road was packed and as we set off more runners were filtering in from the car park.
We ran down into the town and crossed the road to the official start of the Cleveland Way.
We were soon bottle necked by the kissing gates, as we left Helmsley behind. The runners now started to thin out a bit, there were runners as far as you could see ahead and behind. through the woods, down and up the steps and out the other side onto some lovely dry smooth (ish) road. i checked my heart-rate, as I was planning to run with a low heart-rate where possible. My heart-rate monitor was not playing up, I had no reading. Oh well I just had to run how I felt and hoped that was not too quick.
The road soon ended and it was back to trail, a very pretty route past ponds to a picnic area.
I had seen Nicole and Lucy ahead for a while but soon I caught up with Lucy, she was just adapting to her own pace. We turned to go up a rocky track, I walked at a decent pace passing others up the steep uneven track. As I emerged into the field Ali passed me chatting away, she was clearly running in her comfort zone. The track was an incline and there were many walkers at this point, I felt fine so kept up a slow jog. A lady with a dog ran with me a while, she was Lucy and the dog was Rosie Posie, a lovely border collie, She was so well behaved running next to Lucy, They eventually passed me by, I let them go, this was my race, I was only in competition with myself.
We ran through Cold Kirkby and ran up the lane towards Sutton Bank There were still loads of runners around me, some passing me and I was passing others.
We emerged at the road and ran along it before crossing it by the road to the glider airfield.
We crossed the moor to the cliff top path,
turned left into the face of returning runners. I remembered seeing Claire and Matt at this point last year. I ran to the point where we turned off the path down to the woods that would lead to the first of many checkpoints of the day, White Horse Car park.
I ran through this checkpoint taking just a few sweets to eat as I walked up the steps back to the cliff top. I glanced at my watch, I was well within cut off, 10:45. I hoped I hadnt gone off too quick, but I felt ok. 
CHECKPOINT LOCATIONS
W=Water H=Hot Drinks F=Food DB=Drop Bag
Race Start Helmsley Sports Club
Checkpoint 1 White Horse (Sutton Bank) (OS 518 812) 9miles W/F CUT OFF 1130
Checkpoint 2 Sneck Yate Bank (OS 507 875) W/F ( 13 miles)
Checkpoint 3 Osmotherley Village Hall W/H/F/DB (22 miles) CUT OFF - 1500
Checkpoint 4 Osmotherley, Ruebury Lane
Checkpoint 5 Scugdale W/F (before climb up to Carlton Bank) OS OS 492 007 (29miles)
Checkpoint 6 Kirby Bank (OS 544 033) 31 miles
Checkpoint 7 Clay Bank W/F (OS 571 033) 33 miles
Checkpoint 8 Bloworth Crossing Self-Clip (OS 615 014) 36 miles
Checkpoint 9 Kildale Village Hall (OS 606 093) W/H/F/DB (42 miles) CUT OFF - 2100
Checkpoint 10Roseberry Topping (OS 578 126) W (48 miles)
Checkpoint 11 High Cliff Nab (OS 610 138 ) W (51 miles)
Checkpoint 12 Disused railway line Self-Clip (OS 632 157) 54 miles
Race Finish Guisborough Sea Cadets 55 miles
Checkpoint 1 White Horse (Sutton Bank) (OS 518 812) 9miles W/F CUT OFF 1130
Checkpoint 2 Sneck Yate Bank (OS 507 875) W/F ( 13 miles)
Checkpoint 3 Osmotherley Village Hall W/H/F/DB (22 miles) CUT OFF - 1500
Checkpoint 4 Osmotherley, Ruebury Lane
Checkpoint 5 Scugdale W/F (before climb up to Carlton Bank) OS OS 492 007 (29miles)
Checkpoint 6 Kirby Bank (OS 544 033) 31 miles
Checkpoint 7 Clay Bank W/F (OS 571 033) 33 miles
Checkpoint 8 Bloworth Crossing Self-Clip (OS 615 014) 36 miles
Checkpoint 9 Kildale Village Hall (OS 606 093) W/H/F/DB (42 miles) CUT OFF - 2100
Checkpoint 10Roseberry Topping (OS 578 126) W (48 miles)
Checkpoint 11 High Cliff Nab (OS 610 138 ) W (51 miles)
Checkpoint 12 Disused railway line Self-Clip (OS 632 157) 54 miles
Race Finish Guisborough Sea Cadets 55 miles
I kept my steady pace up as I crossed the road and headed along the cliffs above Gormire Lake.
We passed the SportSunday photographer. I bought this pic.
After the farm Nicole and Kim passed me and we headed to the open moor.
It felt like I had a blister on my right big toe and on my left little toe, this made running down the rocky track to Square Corner a bit uncomfortable. Woody appeared at my side, I hadn't realised I had passed him, he said he wasn't feeling too good. We ran together to Square Corner where his supporters waited for him.
They ran with me a while but soon left me behind.
I ran down the steps and noticed a man had missed the path entrance across the lane, I called him back and he ran off ahead, I followed as I ate my cake. I felt wet, My bottle had leaked, As I ran through the woods there was never much difference in space between us, I could see through the trees, Lucy and Rosie dashing down the field. The man held the gate as we approached the field and again he held the bottom gate, We ran walked together to the next check point at Scugdale. I had my bottles refilled, had a Jaffa Cake and some sweets and peanuts and headed up the first of five tough climbs. Ahead I could see Nicole and Jo, just behind them was Lucy and Rosie, I was gaining slowly on the ups, but they would get away again on the easier sections. I was finding it difficult not to focus on them and run my own race.
Anyway, over this first hill was Lordstones, there were lots of spectators, Nicole stopped to see her mum and I ran on past her support crew as I said hi to them. Now the "Three Sisters" Up and over, up and over, up and over, I was passed by quite a few people here, I am pretty slow on these steep ascents and descents, but I didn't want to burn out on them either. I just wanted to get to Kildale in daylight. To do that I needed to conserve as much energy as possible. Regardless they were taking it out of me, My vision wavered as I was tiring, My bag was making something rub my back, it had been rubbing for ages but the annoyance of it was trying to break through. I had a gel and looked forward to some cola at Clay Bank as the caffeine would give me a lift. I made it down in one piece and there was Linda, Nicole's Mum and Kelly and Lucy waiting for Nicole, They cheered me on, but in my daze I just wanted cola and headed for the refreshment table.
I was relieved that there was cola at the checkpoint. I had 2 cups and took some sweets and headed up to the moor that would take me to Bloworth Crossing.
I walked up the next incline, the last for a while, as it leveled out I forced myself to jog, the cola kicked in, my vision stabalised and I was soon off, catching people steadily, I could hear Nicole catting behind me and shortly after the self clip, her and Neil trotted past. I could still see them ahead as we left the moor and hit the nice road. This had a great downhill section and I picked up my pace and ran past Nicoles support crew, I ran hard down to Kildale, It was quite light so I felt I was on target for a good time.
At last I reached the village hall at Kildale, I needed the loo, there was a queue. The marshall suggested I do kit check whilst I waited. Waterproof trousers, same as last year. I dug them out of the bottom of my pack, rearranged my heartrate monitor strap which was the thing digging in my back, rammed my stuff back in my bag, slung it on my back, it felt all wrong now that I had taken it off, Oh no there was someone else in the queue for the loo now. I waited my turn and relieved I went for some cola and cake and headed out the door. It was still daylight I was ahead of last year as I ran towards the coffee shop, there was a man heading up towards the station, I shouted him back and set of myself for Captain Cook's Monument, Could I make it in daylight?
I walked the big hill to the woods and as I turned into the woods the light dimmed but I could still see, so I trotted onwards and upwards through the trees until I was forced to turn my head torch on. My world lit up and I ran through the gap in the wall and even though it was too dark to run without a torch, the monument was a black silhouette against the dusky sky. I called my number to the marshalls and set off down to the carpark.
The climb out of the carpark was tough, I was caught and passed by a few runners who were running in a group. I climbed onwards to the moor. I weaved around the muddy patches as Lucy and Rosie caught me up again, we ran together to the wall where the path led to Roseberry Topping. It was starting to rain and the wind was picking up. "I'm putting my coat on" I said, stopping by the path, Lucy agreed and just behind me I heard a familiar voice say she was putting her coat on, It was Jill and Matt, That was the first I'd seen of Jill all day.
I rearranged my heartrate monitor strap again as it was sore again, put on my coat and pack and gingerly made my way down pasy Little Roseberry. Lucy was absorbed by the dark and the approaching head torches, there was a stream of people heading towards me and as I looked up Roseberry Topping was glowing with a moving trail of lights showing me the way.
I was soon at the bottom of Roseberry Topping and the last big climb of the day. I ascended with care as the rain was making the stones slippery. As I approached the top, Nicole and Kelly passed me heading down. Not far now I thought, and there it was, festooned in fairy lights, the summit. The checkpoint was joyful and bright, I gave them the glow bangles that I had brought with me to add to the light show and headed back down, Slowly does it, no point slipping now, nearly there. Nearly finished. I had lost loads of places since Captain Cook's but I was not too bothered, better safe than sorry.
After ascending the path to the gateway I emerged back onto the moor and headed home. There was no one ahead that I could see, but I was confident of the rout and trotted on, across the moor, down the lane, right turn through the gate, up the lane and a left turn onto the next moor section, this was slabbed and wet in places. I soon saw some lights, walkers, I caught and passed them and headed for High Cliff Nab. I entered the wood and followed the muddy track to the path up to High Cliff Nab. Its not a massive climb but it felt tough. I was glad to get to the top, down hill now all the way back. I was tiring but I trotted on, the lights of Guisborough on my left. I ran through the woods and slowly ran past guisborough. There was a runner vomiting by the path, he assured me he was fine and I ran on. I saw a runner ahead and then a pair of bright eyes caught my torchlight. "Lucy?" Lucy turned, she said she had cramp but was getting there. I ran on there were footsteps behind, I tripped but stopped myself with my hands, wiped the mud on my trousers and carried on to the concrete road, The runners behind cut through the gap in the fence and got ahead, I turned and ran for home. I was passed again by a couple more runners. On I ran, one more checkpoint and turn onto the old railway line path to Guisborough. I followed the flashes of runner's legs reflecting my torchlight down the path, this was it, it was done, there were the steps on the right, down the steps, turn left and run down to the finish.
I heard familiar voices on the right, "Is that Lena?", Yes I called without stopping and Victoria and Bettina ran down to get past me for a finishing pic, We turned and ran to the hall, up the steps and into the room. I was in, I stopped my watch, glanced at it stunned, I knew I had been doing better than last year but also that I had slowed a lot in the dark.12 hours 7 minutes, forty odd minutes faster than last year.
Here is the pic Bettina took of me.
I was done in. I text Billy to let him know I was finished and got a coffee. I sat down, I was shattered, My feet hurt, my back hurt and my back where my heartrate strap was rubbing was now really sore.
But it was done, 2 of the Grandslam complete, but still not halfway of the series of four races because the longest is yet to come, the Hardmoors 110, the whole Cleveland Way.
Lucy and Rosie finished, and more runners came steadily through.
Billy arrived and he brought me hot chocolate and a pork and apple pie from Cockburns in Bedale, I'd been looking forwards to this all day, all though I couldn't manage both.
Woody finished and his feet were in bits. What a feat (ha ha) He hadn't felt well at 20 miles but still completed the 55 mile race.
I am raising funds for The British Lung Foundation Text LENA91 £1 to 70070 please.
