JasonsBuzzing said...

BRILLIANT! Really thats all that should be said, as facts and details won't capture the essence of this lovely race, but for the sake of the fact hounds out there I'll say a little. Firstly results aren't out yet so more detail later. John and I drove down the night before and stayed in the Langdale YHA. Saturday dawned bright grey, with clouds on the tops but the forecast was clearing. I was really looking forward to this race and having had the best sleep in ages I felt strong and refershed. John was great company as we wound our way along lovely Lakes lanes. The buzz in Honister car park was warming and the 2k walk into Little Langdale took us to possibly the most perfect picture postcard setting. Lots of chat with friends at the start. I heard Chris was there but unfortunately never met him.

Oh the race.Well a fast road start. A queue for the bridge or fording a river. A longish trail run before the first L O N G climb. Not as steep as I feard but it didn't half go on. Everyone seemed to take a different line up here, but it all proved to be much of a muchness. The cloud was down on top which added to the atmosphere along the ridge to Swirl How. Suddenly I realised I was just behind Wendy Dodds for the first time in a race and worried I was going too fast. However I felt really good. The descent down to the Three Shier Stone is a lovelyfastswoopinggrassyverylonglovelybrilliant run. The cloud was clearing as we went and though it was wet underfoot I was generally ok, but had one grassy head first trip and powerglide. Note to self, must wash vest.

After the Three Shires Stone comes the next climb to Pike o'Bliscco. Again I was feeling strong. It was clear now, I ate, drank and passed Wendy. Either she was going badly or I was going well. Look at me racing an F50! The natural order of things was regained after the summit as Wendy skittered past, which was lucky as running through the odd whisp of cloud, the long contouring descent to Blea Tarn might have been hard without someone to follow. As it was I still felt good and was begining to like this.

Hah! The final climb, maybe just tough, or maybe should have had a quick bite of something but I died something chronic. 5-10 people passed me here and I thought my bolt was shot. A very well paced race by Keith saw him pass me and pull away and I was resigned to just surviving and chugging slowly down the other side. However on leaving the summit the descent was another fast runnable grass and track afair and I got my wind back, speeding up the further it went, reeling runners in and passing 7 or so. This felt good again.

I dont know my time or position as I have given up racing with a watch and feel much better for it, but Keith reckons I was just 3-4 minutes behind him and under 3 hours which was my aim. Didn't recatch Wendy but she was just in front. I was buzzing, the best I have felt after a race, tired but really pleased. A lovely course and a great race. Keith had a stormer, John coninued to impress with his 2nd AL in his first hill season. Unfortunately Chris must have shot off early as no one saw him but he must have ran a good un as he won 6th V40 and 14th overall and I have his prizes. Not exactly sure about the positions Chris but something like it anyway, well done.

So as I said "Brilliant." One of my fav races for sure. Even the weather was perfect, overcast at first, making the early part interesting, clearing as I tired making navigation easier and finally lovely sunshine in the finishing field to stand around blethering. If you haven't run this do it next year. For the Lakes curious it would be a mega introduction to classic fell races, though you might consider the Langdale race over in the next valley, same stats, on Oct. 11th.

Love it!

Monday 22nd September 2008 10.28am

Chris said...

Well done Jason at getting round OK. Sorry I missed you at the start/finish. I must try Langdale one of the days, but it always clashes with Pentland Skyline weekend.

Monday 22nd September 2008 12.13pm