Middle Pack

Now this was a race I was all ready for! Hyped up for the start of this. I had recced bits of it that I needed to. I knew shortcuts and I knew that the distance wasn’t going to kill me. It may hurt a lot but I was going to be okay.

I went up with a club mate Eirik Stanges to run the race. His first lakes race and my 2nd attempt at the race. The first attempt being in my first year fell running and the course was cut short at Esk Hause and missed out Scafell Pike.

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I know its a while off yet but Wasdale fell race seems to be flying towards me at quite a rate. Especially now I have cancelled my Saunders Mountain Marathon entry this means that Wasdale is the next big thing that I had planned right at the start of the year.

I am in two minds if I want to be doing this race. It is a British championship and at the start of the year my goal was just the 1 point from the British champs. I entered Wasdale and Langdale, figuring they where my best chances and of the two Wasdale was probably the one where I could possibly get my point. Now I am not so sure.

I remember last years race as if it was yesterday. A true classic, but tough. I think it is just apprehension as I know I have not ran anything like the distances I had last year and I found it tough then. So this year I imagine it to be even tougher. In fact I haven’t ran much past 10 miles in one go all year so 21 miles and 9000″ may be a shock to the system. I am hoping the bike miles and general fitness and stubborness would be enough?

The final decision on this will be made after this weekend, where Iain and Karl both attempt the Bob Graham round. I am supporting Karl from Wasdale early on Saturday morning, yet going up Friday for  a short recce of Wasdale and Borrowdale race (Scafell and Gable area) and a bivi followed by leg 4 of the BG on Sunday so should be getting a fair few lakes miles in and I can see how fit (or unfit) I am and how the foot bears up with some longer milage.

Regardless I am going along to Wasdale that weekend. If I am not racing I will stand at the bottom of Great Gable and watch to see tired runners desperate to stay on their feet as they tumble down the mountain side. Either way, soon after the race finishes I will be in the pub, the only question is will I be able to walk there or will someone have to carry me?

A cool clear day greeted the runners for the (in)famous Wasdale Fell Race.

The race started from Wasdale head, a secluded spot in the shadow of Great Gable and the Scafell Range next to Wast Water, Britains biggest mountain, next to Britains deepest lake. The race had around 145 competitors line up for the challenge. For those who know the lakes the route takes in Whin Rigg, Seatallen, contouring round Scoat fell and Black Crag and onto Pillar, descending into Black Sail Pass, contouring west round Kirkfell, up Great Gable, down to Styhead Pass, up to Esk Hause, final ascent up over Broad Crag and onto Scafell Pike, before the final killer 3000ft descent back down to Wasdale. (more…)

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A cool yet clear day greeted the 133 runners at Ennerdale Bridge, the start of the 23 mile 7500ft Ennerdale Horseshoe race. This being the second of the Lakeland Classics series and also the second of the superlong fell races. These being called superlong not for the distance inparticular but the mix of distance and height make these feel a very long way indeed. I think it is safe to say you can add at least 90 minutes onto your marathon time if you are running well.

The route goes clockwise around Ennerdale Water, going past High Stile and Haystacks along to Green Gable before retuning down the other side of the valley via Kirkfell, Pillar, Scoat fell then back via a few more tops to Ennerdale Bridge. Classed as a 3 days walk. The aim was for sub 5 hours. (more…)