The Short Good Friday Sportive

Friday 14 April 2017 (Good Friday)
I have not done enough cycling as I am trying to train for two different 100+ mile runs next month, but I also have an iron distance triathlon in June and another in July to train for too. . A sportive seemed like a good way to get some training in. I have not got enough miles in this year to go for the Long Good Friday 90 mile route, so I chose the 53 mile Short Good Friday route.
I entered last week and so did Billy, I said we shouldn't ride together as I would hold him back and he is training for the Double Brutal triathlon in September and has been injured since last November and just getting his training going again.
When the final email came through, I read the instructions carefully and found out I was not allowed tri bars on my bike. So they would have to come off, and on Thursday I checked out the route and was pleased that the majority was on roads I normally train on, only there was a section that was new to me, the reason being the hills. they were not the type of hills that I would normally take on. The first one was from Aisgarth Hotel, down past the falls and back up the other side to Carperby, then only a short distance down the road the hill up to Castle Bolton, I have walked this hill mant times, it's short but devilishly steep, The next was from Redmire up towards Reeth, (we drove down this a few weeks ago and it was not nice, long winding, narrow and steep) and the final long avoided and dreaded Grinton Moor.
We arrived at the cafe by the lake at Ellerton where Triology are based and registered before setting up our bikes.
 The riders were to be set off every five minutes between  8  am and 9 am following briefings. Billy decided to go with the others from Bedale but I decided to go sooner rather than later.
I realised that i had forgotten my sunglasses, the sun was threatening to shine, but I was hoping it wouldn't.

Ready for the off, 08:16 

I set off in a small group, I think we were the second group. The group quickly spread out as we rode to Brompton-on -Swale where the traffic lights were on red. There were now 4 of us together. When the lights changed we stayed together until the next set of lights, which were on red for ages. When they finally turned green we set off up over the A1. The group got ahead on the long climb into Tunstall, I was soon on my own, but I wasn't worried, It was just like a training ride, but I was also racing, riding hard to get as far as I could before Billy and the others caught me and passed me. I rode with confidence, knowing the route. I passed a couple of riders before I got to up to Leyburn. I sped down into Wensley and over the Ure, I smiled to myself as I saw the route split arrows, the long route hasd a killer hill hiding in those trees, I continued on the long drag up to West Witton, about halfway up I passed a man who had stopped at the side of the road, I asked if he was ok, he said he was, a short time later he caught me up and we chatted a while, he said he came from a flattish area, I pointed out Castle Bolton across the valley and said we were headed up there. I soon realised he was no tonger behind me as I whizzed down out of the village and paaled like mad along the rolling road towards Aysgarth and the long ascent to the hotel. As I turned right down the hill to the Falls I glanced down the road, there were no other riders in sight, but it wouldn't be long, Billy was sure to catch me soon.

The hill down was steep with a 25% corner wich was all gravelly, but I made it down and readied myself to climb out of the valley. I was surprised that the climb out was not as bad as i had imagined and was soon in Carperby, turning for Castle Bolton. Surprisingly this was a fast section, To my left I could see the castle and as I descended the the Castle got higher and higher up the hillside. I felt more confident now that the first of my 4 dreaded climbs was over. All too soon it was time to make a left turn and head to the castle. The fist section of the hill didnt seem too bad, then after a slight flatter section the road rose steeply and I had to work hard, I was nearly at the top when a man passed me making it look so easy. I finally rounded the corner. the feed station was on the green and there was a rider at it. I chose not to stop, I was buoyant at making it up that last hill. A little while later I fulled up to get a couple of powerbar cola shot gels out, as I did the fider from the feed station passed me. I followed him down a steep descent and up the other side, we turned left and the biggest climb of the day was ahead. We had emerged onto the road from Redmire to Reeth, we weren't at the bottom though we were part way up. The climb went on and on, the rider ahead was slowly pulling away from me. There was no sign of the man who had passed me on the Castle Bolton climb. The man ahead had a red and white jacket, i nicknamed him Sunderland and focused on not getting too far behind him. It was a long slog up. I occasionally had to get out of my seat on some steep sections, the road was narrow and it was a bit unnerving how close vehicles were passing, but eventually I got to the top. One climb to go, Grinton Moor, but I had to get down off here first. I stopped for a couple of pictures, the scenery was stunning.

And now the bit that's worse than climbing for me, the descent, I took it steady, there were cars coming up towards me with very little passing space, my arms were screaming from me putting so much pressure on the breaks, but i was getting there. Suddenly with the end in sight i was passed by 2 cyclists, Andy and Nick, the registration team, they had not even set off until everyone else had gone. I saw them powering up the next hill past the youth hostel. I followed on steadily, here we go Grinton Moor, I climbed past the youth hostel and caught sight of "Sunderland" in the distance with Andy and Nick close on his tail. They soon passed him and I worked on reducing the gap between us. Again I managed most of the hills seated and I even changed to harder gears and the distance between "Sunderland" and I, I needed to catch him before the range road as it was easy going all the way back from there. I finally caught him with one small rise to go. "Thank goodness that's over" I said as I passed him and pedalled like mad for the range road, turned left and kept pedalling, Billy had not passed me yet but he couldn't be far behind now. This was a fast section leading to the last climb of the ride, one I have ridden many times before so was not an issue for me. I rode hard, turning right off Bardon Moor on a superfast stretch. As I turned right at the end of the road I glanced back, no riders, good, nearly back now. a left turn and super fast (for me) into Tunstall and back to the A1. Again I had a long wait for the lights to be in my favour. Through Catterick to the lights at Brompton-on-Swale, red again. I waited impatiently for them to turn green. Right turn and Ellerton was within reach, Could I make it without being caught? Two more right tuns and no riders in sight, I sprinted for the timing mat. Yey! it was finished, 53 miles, 3 hours 55 and i was firs female back, fifth rider. Andy and Nick who were last to start had the fastest finish time by a mile.

Wow I felt good. I then just had to wait for the others to get back. Dave and Ben were soon in but no sign of Billy and the others. Eventually they arrived, racing for the line.

They had missed a turn and added a few miles on.

This was a good event. I hope to feel more ready for the Long Good Friday sportive next year.

Hardmoors White Horse Marathon

Marathon 45
Hardmoors White Horse Marathon 09/04/2017
No rest for the wicked. There has been a fortnight since my last marathon, but this was to be my fifth marathon this year, 45th since my first in May 2010.
I was as ready as I could be for it. I have trained as normal. Circuits had left me with the dreaded DOMS in my shoulders and upper back, but at least, due to good weather I didn't need to carry full kit, only a waterproof jacket, something to carry 500ml of fluids and the route description.
I have run this marathon before, last year, when it felt quite warm. but there would be a diversion this year.
This being a close to home marathon, I dint have to get up too early, Billy walked Jed so I got up at 6 am, quite a decent time for race day. breakfast of 2 Weetabix and Skyr done, I checked my kit and dressed, shorts and my charity vest, no thermals today, in fact, I put sunscreen on.
It was nice to drive to Sutton Bank on such a lovely spring morning. I had packed an ultra light weight jacket to keep warm at the start, but it was so pleasant I didn't need it. i went to register, showed my kit and got my number. 45. wow, I thought, no 45 on my 45th marathon, a good omen I hoped.

I went and stood with the other Ripon Runners, Claire, Michael, James, Kim and Simon to wait for the start.

Jon chose our table to stand on for the race briefing, so we had front row. After the normal messages and the description of the route change, Jon asked for a minutes silence to mark the passing of Howard Plaut. a Man who had been very involved with the Hardmoors races. I have probably met Howard as he he has manned checkpoints though not known his name. It was a poignant moment. Normally during race briefs I am frustrated, trying to listen whilst people around me still chatter but today it was silent, even the birds fell silent momentarily, then all that was to be heard was the bird chatter. R.I.P Howard.


Then we set off to gather for the race start.
We started in a different place than last year, I followed the people ahead onto the road.
I soon realised I was too far forward. I would normally move back but I didn't want to get bottle necked around Gormire lake like last year.
5,4,3,2,1,GO! we were off. I didnt feel like i was running fast and waited for the hoards to pass. We passed a toddler holding a sign "Only 29 ish miles to go", that made me smile and relax a bit. Runners wound there way towards the cliff path then we were turning down, it was not busy like last year, I wound my way down to Gormire lake, it was much drier than last year and so easier going. I ran round the lake and set off back up, there had not been many people passing me, although i had passed a couple of people. Eventually I emerged back onto the cliff path in the sunlight. The dry ground made it a nice run out to checkpoint 1. I was anticipating hoards of faster runners to pass me on the more open terrain.
It didn't happen, A few people passed me but not many. It was good to see Jono taking numbers at checkpoint 1, always smiling and supportive. I had some water, cola, peanuts and jelly babies at the checkpoint before heading out to High Paradise Farm.

I started to catch up with people, although a few others passed me. I knew the route and was confident of the route. Out onto the moors and down to the woods, i passed people on the climbs. After the gamekeepers cottage I went wrong. In my heart I knew it was wrong, but everyone ahead were going up the lane to the right and I stupidly followed. there was a child on a scooter calling us back. I turned round and got back on route to checkpoint 2.. now in front of those I had followed as I had least far to travel to get back on the right path.
The ground was hard and rutted and I turned my ankle on the run down to the bridge before Hawnby. I ran through it. I was in a group heading into Hawnby, up the road, up the steps then up up up the Hawnby Hill. It was hard work getting to the top but once on the ridge the views were absolutely stunning on such a bright sunny day. On the way down the ridge I turned the other ankle, the benefit of this was it took over in my brain from the other ankle pain for a while. 
At the next checkpoint I had a cup of cola and a cup of water, I seemed to be managing my hydration and energy levels well. I had a bottle of Tailwind with me too, just in case. I ran down the lane towards the farm, then followed the wall round to enter the sheep field. as I crossed the field runners came towards me from across the field, they had detoured slightly, I soon found myself running amongst this group as we headed onto the moors where we soon spread out again. The wind had picked up  now and was quite a strong headwind, but head down I carried on and started catching people up again. After slogging up another hill there was a nice down section, heather paths, a stile, a field. Cross the road, another field then some good old Hardmoors mud down a slippy slope through the trees and it was still soft underfoot in the two fields that led to the road and the 1/25 road hill. 

 The chickens rooting under the hedge were a welcome distraction.

Wow I forgot how tough that hill was, The heat bounced off the tarmac but it was not for too long. At the top was a checkpoint, I left the road and headed down a lane following a lady, she seemed to get a second wind as the gap between us increased. I ran past the turn from last year and on to the next turn. This was the detour. Last year we had run down a track into some woods, This year we were running on road, there was a steep descent to a ford and a short climb to a turn into a field. I could see the lady and another couple of runners ahead, but I wasn't gaining on them, yet.
The field turned to a heavily rutted forestry track, the lack of rain had made it tough going as it was very uneven for sore ankles, I eventually caught up the lady and a man who kindly held the gate open for me, I thought he would dash past on this nice smooth tarmac, but he didnt. i also passed a man on the lane, He followed me closely all the way to Revieux. I was done in, I wanted to walk but he was so close, I pushed myself hard and manage to run to the little bridge, I walked up it and ran/walked the next section to the final checkpoint. I thought he would pass me, but he didn't. 
I got to the checkpoint at 24 miles, Lorna said I was doing well and was quite high up, I was shattered, I'd burnt out, my ankles hurt and my left ankle was causing me real bother, but since they didnt have any new left legs at the checkpoint, I settled for 2 cups of cola and one of water. I was having my water bottle topped up when the man who I thought was right on my shoulder arrived. Lorna saying I was high up gave me a boost.
Right, get a grip, I set off, 3 miles, a Parkrun, that is all, just get to the rough hill and then walk. so I sort of ran/jogged along the lane with occasional short walks up to the rough hill, where I was happy to walk. I walked up the hill and through the field onto the lane. The wind was really blowing the dust up, I looked behind no one in sight, but there ahead, I could see another runner, they were walking, I walked quicker, and then jogged a bit, I was gaining as he got to the flat and then down and took off. When I reached the down I was disappointed that my ankles hurt too much to really run hard down the hill and I had to continue my slow steady pace. 
At the top of the village of Cold Kirby the runner ahead stopped for water, I have Tailwind I thought, I'm not stopping and I turned off the road onto the farm track. I was nearly finished. I could see more runners ahead, they were the back runners for the half marathon, one was Lucy, with Rosie, who I had spent a lot of the 55 with. 
She said I was doing well, about 7 th female. I pushed on,I wondered if she was right, Lorna had said I was quite high up. It gave me another  boost. I ran as hard as I could, Well I thought i was running, but it probably didn't look like that to a bystander. I headed into the woods and ran along side the cycle path following yellow tape. I had to walk the slightest incline, but eventually i emerged from the lovely cool woods into the sunshine opposite the Sutton Bank Visitor Centre. I managed to run in to the table and as I stopped my watch the lady said I was first FV50. I looked at my watch, 5:33:09. I was so happy, In my head I had wanted to go sub 6 hours, but I had smashed it. I was smashed, I couldn't have given any more, I had given everything and it had paid off.
I turned to welcome in the other runners, I collected my medal and red t shirt, then Jon presented me with my reward, a cup.

I celebrated with a double scoop Ice cream and sat on the grass with other finishers to cheer in the other runners.

race stats

Official Results = Time 05:33:06 overall position 40/129 female position 8/41 
Age Cat position 1/7
So that is 5 marathons this year so far, the shortest being Kielder Dark Skies 26.5 miles and the longest Hardmoors 55.

Trail Outlaw's Dark Skies Marathon

Trail Outlaw's Kielder Dark Skies Marathon 25/03/2017 Kielder Water, Northumberland.

I first heard about this race last year and decided that it was not an option so close to the Hardmoors 55. This year however, everything is just training for the Hardmoors 110 and the LDWA 100 races in May 2017.
Billy liked the sound of it too, so we decided to do it together. We entered and were too late. We were on the waiting list, but runners were transferring places to friends and we didn't think that we would get a place, i was gutted at this. I should have been better organised but these events cost alot of money, I have to balance entries out over the year.
A couple of weeks before we got notification on Facebook that we had a place, now camr the quandary. Billy has been injured for months, he hasn't been right since Equinox 24 where he ran an amazing 107 miles, he has had sciatica, and problems in his calf and quad. He has recently got his running up to 8 miles.
We accepted the places and hoped for the best.
When the day came, i was still tired from Hardmoors 55 and Billy had still not run much more than 8 miles.
Billy drove us up to Kielder Water and we registered, we then met the other Ripon Runners/NYPTri runners and waited for the start.
The weather was pleasant and the midges were out.

The sun was high in the sky as we checked out the reservoir and fueled up.

 The race started after briefing at 17:30. There was a small loop which took us down to the lake and then up past the start towards the road and then a right hand turn. We just had to keep the reservoir on the right and we would be fine.

It was very crowded at the start, I tried to set off steady but it is hard to pace yourself in such situations. The other RR/NYPtri ers had gone off ahead and were disappearing into the distance amongst the multi coloured runners. Billy and I stuck together, we wound our way around the reservoir, eventually passing Karen and Penny, not for long I'm sure. i was pushing to try and get 10 miles under my belt before I had to put my head torch on.

I was right, it was about 10 miles when we entered some trees and had to put the head torches on. we were running well, on track for a sub 4:30 time. A little later on we stopped and turned off our lights and looked up, The stars which were already bright were even brighter and more stars were pinging out in the gaps. the sky was simply stunning.

We could see the lights of other runners across the reservoir reflecting off the still black water.

I was running well and I thought Billy was too, but at 16 miles his back muscles spasm ed and the battle commenced. Billy got out his walking poles for the inclines and kept on, He was clearly in pain but determined not to give in. A few people passed us as we slowed, but the miles still passed. There was a shooting star, it was greenish, that was a momentary distraction. Nearly there, the last checkpoint at Leaplish all lit up in fairy lights wrapped around trees. Only a mile or so to go.

We saw the fairy lights leading us to the finish, Go for it Billy said, No i would stay with him, as we turned the last corner someone came up behind us, go billy said, so I did, He finished a little later, I held the bloke off but Billy hadn't. But regardless we had completed the race in under 5 hours with over 16 miles in the dark. Billy  however was in bits. I felt so guilty, but so proud of him at the same time.

Karen and Penny followed us in, they had sung all the way round.

Billy and I went back to the car, ate pork pies from Cockburns in Bedale and set off home.

The clocks changed as we left the A1, It was 1 am, now 2 am. 

It was a long day, but it was a great race, well organised, great venue. Shame Billy was injured.

Billy is now back to training after a couple of appointments with the Osteopath. Good job, because he is training for something massive.

Hardmoors 55

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).

I was feeling good to say I hadnt tapered, I just had not gone to Speed training on Monday because I was having my monthly sports massage, and I didnt go to circuits because I didn't want to have DOMS.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.