2015 round up

I'm 

My plan for 2015  was to become an Ironman at Ironman UK after failing at Ironman Wales in September 2014 and to run 100 miles in 24 hours for Ripon Lions.

The first self inflicted challenge was Janathon, a challenge to run or do some form of exercise everyday of January, I have been doing this since 2011, on day 2 of Janathon 2015 I decided to add a Runstreak (run at least a mile a day) to my 100 mile challenge and throw the Ironman in too. I set myself a target to raise £1000.

So Even though I had terrible sciatica I managed to run everyday of January. 

  

My first event was the St Wilfrids  Muddy Boots 10km. I did it to see how my back would cope, I got round in a reasonable time and was not in too much discomfort, bonus.

February also was when I finally got a physio appointment for my back and I embarked on a new regime of stretching.

March saw us moving house at short notice, it impacted slightly on training but I managed to maintain my Runstreak, March was also the month of the Stokesley Duathlon, a good event for practising transitions, it is mainly flat but there is one incline on the bike course.

In April, we biked loads, the weather was always wet and windy, Billy took this pick of me struggling up towards Lofthouse from Masham. But Ironman UK  bike course has a couple of bumps in it so hills, no matter how much I hate them were the order of the day

Also in April we started acclimatising for open water swimming, We had entered Loch Lo Man Middle Distance and the water in Loch Lomond was not going to be warm, I fact hats gloves and bootees were compulsory and therefore we needed to practise swimming in them.

In May we went to Pennington Flash and met some other prospective Ironmen for a single lap recce of the bike course, as usual the weather was rubbish for most of the ride but we finished in sunshine. The route was not as tough as I had expected but I still needed to work on my hills.

The Loch Loman Tri in May was on a dreadful day, strong winds, rain and low temperatures, the swim was short end as it was only about 11 degrees, the bike ride was very hilly and the run was flattish, it was a tough day but enjoyable.

In June Billy and I were still working on hills, I was very proud of myself for making it up the Buttertubs from the Muker side. It was on one of the rare nice days weather wise.

I did my first fell race, the Roseberry Romp, on a lovely sunny evening, this pic was me just emerging onto the top of Roseberry Topping.

I also got a last minute place for the Swaledale Marathon, it's about 25 miles of hilly trail. I really enjoyed it.

I started to use Tailwind nutrition. It works well for me.

At the beginning of July Ripon Runners ran their third annual run from Ripon Cathedral to York Minster. I wasn't going to do it as it was getting close to Ironman UK, then I decided to do it anyway, here we are regrouping before a mass run to the Minster. In the centre is Jill, she had been on some of my training rides as she too was going to be an Ironman.

19 July 2015, torrential rain and strong wind made me glad that I had trained in such rubbish weather all year. It took me over 15 hours but now I can call myself an Ironman

And so can Jill, we both did it, all that training paying off.

So Jill had a party, it was an Oscars night, and she presented me with this made of roses.

Ah! Holiday. Waterproofs were on everyday for our 8 day stay on the aisle of Skye.

We walked miles everyday and ran at least 1 mile a day regardless of the weather, we even went swimming at the local pool one day.

Back off holiday and August was spent doing some swimming and cycling in preparation for Vitruvian Middle Distance at the end of the month, but lots of my training was spent at Studley Royal and Fountains Abbey, running laps to replicate the route at Equinox24. Sometimes I would run Parkrun first at which I got faster and bagged myself a PB, before running laps, which I would celebrate with icecream.

After completing Vitruvian in a great time for me, I got my Ironman tattoo on the inside of my wrist.

From now on no more biking or swimming until after Equinox24. I doubled up my runs and built up to over 70 miles a week, now I was training mainly on my own. Billy was completing his training and competing at Ironman Wales the week before Equinox24. I couldn't be there to support him but Team Twinkle were there supporting him for me.

Finally the day arrived. Over a year since we planned it Chris I'Anson and I were ready to go for 100 miles. The weather was unseasonably warm for September. Billy was supporting me and keeping me fed and watered. We set off at Midday on Saturday 19 Sept

He even ran 40 km of it with me through the darkest section of the night.

But morning came and I was back on my own with a very welcome bacon butty I had only a few 10 km laps to go.

At 11:38:22 on 20 Sept I finished 100.9 miles (16 laps)

In October I did the Round Ripon Ultra 35 miles of trail in a great time, it seemed easy compared to the Equinox a fortnight before.

A week later I finally went under 4 1/4 hours for a marathon at the Yorkshire marathon

And then a little personal target. I accompanied Caroline to Bridlington for her first half marathon. It was my birthday and I wanted to get rid of my half marathon PB of 2 hours 12 seconds.

I did that. Great birthday pressing to myself.

In November I stared the month with the Guy Fawkes 10 mile hilly road race. I ran it well, still not getting under 1 1/2 hours for 10 miles though, oh well got to leave something for 2016.

I also entered the Turbonovember4 challenge to turbo everyday for at least 30 minutes plus some longer sessions. It got me back on the bike.

I completed the Hardmors Goathland Marathon the following week and then I also did the Wensleydale wedge in really dreadful weather.

Also in November I joined a swimming class and a Pilates class.

In December Billy and I did the Frostbite 30, a 35 mile trail run around Nidderdale. Last year I did this with Sciatica and it took 9 hours, I wanted to do better this year. Again the weather had been dreadful with high river levels and strong winds, but we got through it in just under 8 hours, it was tough.

Coming off Guisecliffe

Gouthwaite Dam

So the weather has been dreadful most of this year, the ground is saturated and my trainers are starting to rot, we are now on the 6 th Storm of the winter in not many more weeks.

I'm already starting to train for next year's challenges and in a brief break in the weather I met old friends and new on the North York Moors this week for a lovely day on the Cleveland Way.

  

And so to totals for the year, This is a nice summary of my Strava activities courtesy of Veloviewer.

This is a summary of my Runstreak 

My running free account

Totals don't match on Garmin, running free or strava, must be thechnical gremlins somewhere.

My events 2015

A runstreak

St Wilfrids's Muddy Boots 10 km trail

Stokesley Duathlon

Loch Lo Man middle distance Triathlon

Roseberry Topping fell race

HDSRL league races

Otley 10 mile new pb

Swaledale Marathon

Ironman Uk 15:38:32

Vitruvian new Middle distance PB 

Equinox 24 100.9 miles in 23:38

Yorkshire Marathon

Bridlington half marathon new HM PB 1:54

Guy Fawkes 10 

Goathland Marathon

Wensleydale Wedge new PB 

Frostbite 30

My fundraising page for Ripon Lions on the LocalGiving site closes on 01/01/16

Frostbite 30

Sunday 6 November 2015 was the fourth Frostbite30 ultra race sponsored by Berghaus. It's held in Nidderdale. Runners met for registration between 07:00 and 08:45 for registration. Ripon Runners had quite a few representatives, including  Paul Walker who has completed all the previous races.

Note the waterproofs. This weekend has seen Storm Desmond battering the North of the country and Southern Scotland with heavy rain and gale force winds. Fortunately the River Nidd, although high, had not burst its banks.

I was running with Billy, as always worried about holding him up.

Here is the route, 1 southern loop with a checkpoint at the highest point of the route, Coldstones and running back down to the Scout hut in Pateley Bridge for the first feed station. This section had a 3 hour cut off and was between 11 and 12 miles.

The next section takes in the river bank, up past. Gouthwaite reservoir to Lofthouse  following the Nidderdale walking route.

Following the route to Scar House Reservoir and the second feed station, before returning via Middleham and HowStean to Ramsgill. At Gouthwaite the route returned to the Scout Hut via the route that we had run out on.

After the race briefing where we were informed of a further cut off of 4 hours on stage 2 making a cut of total of 7 hours to Scar House Reservoir. We gathered outside for the start, we weren't left hanging around, we were off. 

We ran alongside the river Nidd as the rain started, there were a few puddles but it was ok. At Glasshouses we turned right over a bridge and set of on the first ascent. We turned off the lane and into the woods, it was dark wet and muddy making for challenging conditions, the field soon spread out, I struggled, but I had run hard for the riverside section because I knew this would be tough. It felt like forever before we arrived on the top of Guisecliffe in strong winds. We ran along the top towards the Yorke Folly, I tried to get a pic but my camera was playing up, loads of people now started to pass us. We ran down to the road, crossed it and continued to run downwards, me very cautiously. Other braver runners passed in droves, but I was doing better than last year when I took the race on with bad sciatica.

We were barely down before we headed back up farm lanes and squelchy fields. One stone stile was so narrow I got my chunky leg stuck.  The wind was still trying to push us back. We soon arrived at the out and back at the first checkpoint. It was a battle against the wind to get up there, as others ran back down.

My constant view of the day, Billy leading the way

 This was on the way up to the Coldstones Viewpoint.

Made it, that was a tough 5 1/2 miles

I did want a pic of the view but my camera froze again. Disappointed I turned and ran down. We crossed the Greenhow road and headed downhill on Tarmac with the wind behind, it was a great respite. Down towards an old lead mine and the first stream crossing. It only came halfway up my calves but it was very forceful. That crossed we made our way around to another old lead mine site, down a steep hill. I got to the bottom and cheered to myself because last year I had sipped down this section on my bum. Yey! And promptly turned my ankle. I knew this next section from last year a good tar aced surface through the caravans to the Watermill. Cross the road and through two fields to the Scout hall. I asked Billy the time and was shocked to find out that it had taken two hours thirty five to this point. We grabbed a drink and some jelly bears and headed straight back out. This time we were running along the riverside, the path at first was ok, but soon it was a muddy, slippy, boggy track through waterlogged fields. The further up river we went the wetter it was with sudden deeper areas where without warning you were more than ankle deep and hoping your trainers would stay on as you pulled your feet out.

As we approached Gouthwaite Dam, a roar filled the air.

Had to stop for pics. We then struggled up a slippy hill onto a lane which had mud and puddles so deep we had to wade through, I hoped not to return on this section in the dark as I had last year.

We got to the village of Bouthwaite and were directed through the village and a farm, over a bridge turn right. Which we did, this led to a climb and from there on we were going up or down but nearly always wading through muddy waterlogged paths and fields, it was energy sapping. We entered Lofthouses and headed up the road towards Masham, but soon headed of back to wading through mud and puddles. We turned a corner and were confronted with this.

Two Marshall's and a rope assisting people across a swollen tributary, we had to queue to take turns to wade thigh deep through the fast flowing force of nature. We passed a couple of runners and caught up with more a few hundred meters ahead as we left a farmyard and had to tackle a narrower, deeper swollen stream, there was a rope, but no Marshall's this time as the rope was attached to a post, but people were holding it for each other anyway. We left this crossing to be confronted by a steep grassy bank which was a test for the grippiness of any shoe, it was very steep and long, we passed more runners at the top. Billy was so stone on the hills, I was breathless and had to recover by walking at the top of each. We could see Scar House dam to our left and ahead, but the lanes always seemed to take us away from it. At one point we had to go up a hill which had fast flowing water running down it and a waterfall on the hair pin bend in it. At another point we were wading through calf high streams. Our feet were sodden and it was starting to get breezy again, it was hard to keep warm. It was a great relief to finally cross the dam, I stopped for this pic, we were scarily high up.

We continued across to the feed station, two thirds of the race was done now, but this was where it really started, racing the daylight. We had hot Ribena and set off quickly, not giving our muscles a chance to get cold and stiffen.

23 mile done and another massive climb ahead, dodging 4x4 vehicles testing themselves on the steep rocky track. It was getting cooler and the sun was starting to sink as we reached the top. We set off over the moor and down the rough track into Middlesmoor and a brief water stop where a couple passed us, and some more jelly bears. A nice down hill section now down to How Stean Gorge. We followed the couple and for the next few mile we would pass them and they would pass us, but we would all pass other runners as we ran for home, hoping to make it before dark. 

It was still light, but only just as we reached Ramsgill, one last water station and a few more jelly bears, we ran and waded to Bouthwaite  and finally headed back on the track we had run up hours ago. Back through the farms ad onto the muddy puddly flooded lane alongside the reservoir. We got our head torches out as we passed and were passed by the couple from earlier. We made a slight mistake in the twilight, only 20 meters or so though, that allowed a lady we had passed earlier to catch up. Back on track, we slip slides our way down to Gouthwaite Dam and now in full darkness tackled the last boggy couple of mikes, the other couple got away from us, I was struggling now and even though I have a good head torch I was not overly confident. The lady who caught up with us stuck with us because we had brighter lights. 

At last the car park was on our right across the river and the end literally was in sight.

Tired wet, muddy and bedraggled nearly 8 hours after we had started we had finished. Phew.

Trainers off, go to the loo, then eat some wonderfully warm soup, have some coffee and cake and get changed. 

No t shirt though. We had to leave our details on some paper. Hope I get one, I didn't get a finisher momento last year, will be upset not to get one again. 

This was a particularly tough race, it was a tough route and the weather had added to the challenge. I enjoyed it mainly but there were a few tough times trying to keep up with Billy who could have gone off at any time, but he stayed with me the whole way. Thank you 

These are the stats of my 3 Frostbite races.

The first race was very snowy and icy. The three that I gave done have been wet, boggy underfoot and windy. Maybe it should be renamed the Trenchfoot Ultra. 

Would I do it again? Yes

Would I reccomend it? Yes.

Did we have to navigate? No The markers were not massive but they were there. They were difficult to see in the twilight and dark though.

Not letting the weather ruin the run

A trip to Roseberry Topping for today's run. It was windy and drizzly when we walked the dog but the weather was worse when we got to Great Ayton. On the top of Roseberry Topping we nearly got blown off, the views were stunning though, 

you could even see the sea, but it was dangerous trying to get down, but we survived and ran against the wind to Captain Cook's monument. It was like running against a bungee chord. At Captain Cooks Im sure the wind had increased,

I tried to go around the monument holding the rails but couldn't even get half way round. We ran back past the memorial for the airmen

and through the woods, this was the best bit all day, the trees sheltered us and it was downhill on a good path. Then back to Roseberry,

we decided not to go up it again but ran around it and back to the car. 6.6 miles with nearly 700 m of ascent. Very pleased.

After lunch I did my turbo session for Turbovember4, I had to do a 90 minute session. My tablet would not pick up internet so I stuck a slideshow of my photos on. I have thousands of photos so it was great. I even watched our vow renewal at the Outlaw finish line in 2013

Wensleydale Wedge

Wensleydale Wedge is a 23 mile Long Distance Walkers Association event that welcomes runners, it is organised by the Nidderdale LDWA group. It is a self navigating event.

This year was the 25 th running of the event and it is a favourite with Ripon Runners, it's only £11 to enter, there is food along the way and again at the end. It starts and ends at Askrigg in the Yorkshire Dales and has stunning views (normally).

For the last week weather forecasts have been closely observed, and so the 40-50 mph winds and torrential rain causing flooding was no surprise. There was a lot of standing water on the roads as we drove to Askrigg and as dawn broke it revealed that the River Ure had burst its banks, big style. 

When we arrived and registered we were informed that there was a route change, we were to run by road to Bainbridge and stay on the road until we reached the track at Stellingbusk, this was to be the first check point. 

The walkers and runners gathered in the village hall.

Soon it was 8:00 and the runners and walkers gathered on the road outside Askrigg Village Hall, there were noticeably less than usual on this sell out event. We set off down the road into a fierce headwind. My ponytail prevented my peaked cap blowing off, I used a Buff to keep it in place, Billy doesn't have a ponytail and had to go back to pick his cap up, I gave him a spare Buff to hold his on too. I have cycled this road a few times, but it seemed much longer, running it. Approaching Bainbridge it was apparent why we had been diverted, the path was deep under water. In Bainbridge it was lovely to see the Archemedes Screw turning the raging river into electricity. Now we started to run uphill, we were hammered by the wind, headwinds and sidewinds, we carried on past the stile where we usually have to queue and carried on up the right hand road, as we got higher it was easy to see over the wall and the floodwater in the valley, it was as if Semerwater had moved a mile or so closer to Bainbridge. The usual off road route was more undulating than the road, the road just seemed to climb forever and the winds made even the flatter bits seem like mountains. We waded through flood water. My view was hampered by the peak of my cap but that was stopping the driving wind and rain from stinging my eyes and face, most of my view was Tarmac and the feet ahead. 

At Stellingbusk we checked in and continued upwards but now on a rocky puddly track, which was doing a good impression of being a river in many places. There was less rain though and there was a chance to lift my head and admire the view of the valley with patchy mist and silvery streams. The last corner of the track led to the steepest part and finally the wind was behind, shoving us to the second checkpoint of the day.

Now we changed direction heading for soft boggy grass and muddy rocky tracks, the wind was behind, pushing, shoving, forcing the pace, making me run faster, faster faster, too fast, I couldn't stop but I didn't like the uneven ground and lack of control, but that all eased as we set off down the other side. The paths now we're crisis crossed with deep fast flowing streams. Wet feet were the order of the day. At a fork in the path, we were in a group and were unsure of the way, I thought left but most thought left, but it felt wrong. We went onto the left hand track, ah! That's better, I recognised some trees. The track was uneven but the wind felt less brutal and we made good time. As we approached Thoralby the track was very rocky and my left foot flipped under me (it does this often :-( ). I ran to the checkpoint at the Village Hall but my foot was not reacting properly, it was rolling side to side on impact. Inside the hall was a wonderful array of food and drink, I went to the loo and then got some pork pie, cheese and cake whilst Billy went to the loo. 

No messing, we were back out the door. My left foot was still not acting properly on the hard surface of the lane. To our right you could see the fields were flooded and we had to take an earlier entrance to the fields because the road was flooded. My foot was a bit better off road, phew! The fields from her to Aysgarth were mainly grassy hills seperated with stiles (the gap in the wall type, narrow and gated). We crossed the road and ran down through Aysgarth churchyard and onto the bridge by the mill. The River Ure raced through Aysgarth and the falls, churning cream and brown, a spectacular sight. We ran along the road to the next checkpoint. They had cheese and biscuits, I took some Wensleydale and a custard cream, and we left, walking and eating.

In the river valley it was much warmer and less windy than on the tops, we took our waterproof jackets off. There was a stunning rainbow, very vibrant over Castle Bolton. It was nice to be without them a while. More mud, more water up and down we ran. We ran down a narrow pathway between trees, it was really muddy and slippery, but the further we got down the path the wetter it became until we were running down a narrow stream to Little Thorelby and a self clip. 

By now my legs were arguing with me, I was beginning to feel last week's Goathland Marathon, which had been 28 miles of mud wind and rain. I was also beginning to regret signing up to turbo everyday, which added to my Runstreak takes a bit extra energy everyday. I took a caffeine energy gel to help me get through the last section.

We walked up to Castle Bolton as I put my waterproof jacket back on, it's a steep road section but it's rewarded at the top with a checkpoint with flapjack and tea cakes, some with jam on. I took some flapjack and a piece of tea cake with jam and set off for the last 10km. We knew it would be windy again, but tired legs had the wind thinking it was winning the battle to keep us away from Askrigg, but the gel and food kicked in and we pushed onwards crossing swollen becks and avoiding molehills. There was another rainbow, a double one.

This section has loads of gates, Billy ran ahead and opened them, I ran through and he closed them and caught me up. We were no longer running together, I was chasing him and refusing to give in. On previous years I have felt reasonably good on this section, today I hurt, my legs were tired and I was struggling for breath in the head wind. I was running head down to keep my face out of the wind and rain, following Billy's feet and praying I wouldn't trip. 

Finally we emerged from a lane to see the van that was the final check point, I struggled up to it, "Only a mile" the man said. It was like someone had pushed a switch, I ran to the stile and down to the woods, the tiredness lifting, through the fields and narrow gated stiles ( one of which I got stuck in) It's like the energy was in reserve, never daring to be used in case of emergency, but now it was released. At one stile there was a young boy in hi vis, offering encouragement ans at the next another who held the gate then ran ahead to the next one, holding that, then running back up the field to do it all again for the next runners and walkers. Now we were on the road, my foot was rollling again but it wouldn't stop me from charging (well that how it felt) down not Askrigg, through the village and into the village hall. Yey! Did it! 

After checking in and getting changed out of my soaking clothes I enjoyed a lovely cup of coffee and some rice pudding with peaches. I didn't have the stew I case it had onions in. Billy had it, he said it was lovely. After food and a chat with other runners and walkers, we collected our commerative mugs, patches and certificates before going back out into the rain to walk to the other side of the village to collect the car. On the way out a volunteer warned us that the road was closed due to flooding at Wensley bridge and to go back by Redmire, which we would have been doing anyway, but it was nice to be informed.

Well done to everyone completing this event today. Annekeneke and Bill, first man and lady, both Ripon Runners  The conditions were dreadful, special well done to Ripon Runners Linda, Lucy and Bully. Out in that for over 7 hours. Amazing determination.

So after getting home I still had to turbo, I just picked an easy gear, 90 cadence and kept my heartrate low, it eased my legs after the journey home. 

Hardmoors Goathland Marathon

I entered this race back in August, it was full and I was put on a waiting list. Last week, I got an email offering me a place. Needless to say I took it. I ran this race in 2013 on a cold bright day and got some cracking photographs to remind me of the georgeous views.

This week it has been foggy, I've dreaded it being foggy in case I got lost, it has also rained a fair big over the last couple of days. Today it was rainy when I set off to Goathland. En route I had a massive fear to face, I had to drive up Sutton Bank. That probably sounds like a normal thing to do for most of you, but I have a rediculously fear of hills in vehicles. But sometime necessity is the best way of tackling a fear. I wanted to race, I needed to get there so no choice really. I got up the hill in pouring rain and summit end into thick fog, blooming great driving conditions, dark, raining, fog and the roads were doing a great impression of rivers, but I'd done it I'd got up Sutton Bank. First victory of the day.

When I arrived in Goathland (the village where TV series Heartbeat was filmed) the fog had drawn back but the rain persisted.

For the first time I ran a whole race in my waterproof jacket. The race started outside the village hall with a road descent to start with, but not for long soon we turned left towards Mallen Spout, a waterfall which today was amazing. The trail by the river were steal steps, mud, leaves roots and wet rocks. A steep muddy trail of grass and muddy steps led us out of the river valley and onto the road. We crossed the road and ran along it a few yards before heading up the first of many muddy wet trails, still the rain persisted but as we got higher up the wind got stronger. The rest of the race was mainly over moors where the paths were now streams.

Along the way, which was marked with yellow tape, there were several checkpoints and marshals, all waterproofed up and smiling offering words of encouragement and plying us with goodies like Jaffa cakes, brownies jelly sweets, water and Cola. One had a box of chocolates and another some maltesers. There was almost enough to get round on, I supplemented these goodies with 2 gels and some Trailwind energy drink. Approaching the Hole of Horcum, where last year I took a lovely pic, suddenly today the mist came down, the rain started and turned into hail and sleet, fortunately the wind was behind me at the time. At the next checkpoint there was a stunning rainbow. From then the skies brightened for the rest of the run. From 15 miles I ran with Fiona, we were similar paced so ran along together. chatting and laughing as we slipped and slid through the mud, at one point Zi sank to my knees nearly Fylingdales in a muddy hole, but I cleaned up Shen I crossed the beck where the water was up my thighs, Fiona watched and went in in a different place and went in under her knees. But at least I was clean now with little more than 5 miles to go, but I wasn't clean long. The mud in the last 3 makes was the worst, it was stickier, and slippier than the rest of the route.

Yey we were done, 27.8 miles in 6:21. 15 min slower than 2013, but way tougher in my opinion.

Medal, t shirt and Chia Charge bar. 

Fiona got me a coffee,it was amazing. There was also an amazing spread of savoury and sweet snacks.

I got cleaned up and put dry clothes on for the drive home. It was getting dark already. I had quite a while to bolster myself for the most dreaded part of the day, the descent of Sutton Bank, as I approached the rain started again, but I took a deep breath an breathed a huge sigh of relief when I arrived in Sutton Under Whitestone Cliffe, Phew! It was done. I'd got  to do a great event with only a couple of falls and faced one of my greatest fears.

After I arrived home and had one of Billy's fab homemade pizzas I went on the bike on the turbo for Turbovember4 a challenge to do at least  30 min turbo session every day in November. I set the resistance low and just span my legs out, which eased them from stiffening up whilst driving home.

Guy Fawkes 10 mile

This morning it was foggy, very foggy, bbrr? Looked like it would be a chilly race today.

I set off early not wanting to rush with the lack of visibility. The fog started to clear as I approached Wormald Green and by the time I got to Ripley it had cleared, the skies were blue and the moon was still up. Oops! I never brought my sunglasses.

I was rediculously early the carpark was nearly empty and there was no loo queue, bonus.

Guy Fawkes had arrived though and was helping park cars.

I registered and went back and relaxed in the car waiting till closer to the start time 10:30 

The sun was getting higher in the sky and the temperature was rising, looked a good day to race, Wish I'd brought my glasses though.

As race start neared I set off to Ripley village centre, stopping to talk to friends. Soon we were all gathered outside the castle entrance.

The race started and was pretty congested for the first mile or so, it was tricky getting past people, but soon We were out on the road and there was room to spread out abit. This was a new way for the race start, nice to see Ian and Sarah there supporting at the junction with Clint Bank. Soon we were back on the old route heading down into Birstwith, over the bridge through the village, no water station here this year, cross the road and start the biggest climb of the day. Where previously we would only have to run 3/4 way up the Beast, as it's known, the new rout had us continue to the top, turn left on a more level lane, and there it was, the much needed water station. Then a much needed downhill section to let the legs and heart recover befor the next big climb at six miles, then a nice long down section into Hampswaite, through the village, there was Ian and Sarah again and Paula too. Eight miles in and another very welcome water station before the last big climb up Clint Bank to the point we had joined and turn back down to the castle. The lane was not congested now and I could run freely through the woods then a sharp down and up, turn through the castle gates and finally the finish line.

10 miles 1:34:01  

Next collect water, goody bag and tshirt 

Mmm! Chocolate, obviously zero calories after running so hard for one of my best ever 10 mile times.

I met with friends and teammates.

The fog was starting to descend and it was getting cooler for the last few finishers

But the surroundings were lovely.

And so the drive home was once again in thick fog.

 When I got home, after lunch I did my first turbo session for Turbovember where I will aim to turbo at least 30 min a day for the month of November.