Lakeland 100 - 2013

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Originally Posted by MarkL

Big Up to Stuart Mills for his win.

He recently blogged that he can't hope to compete with the elite now that he's turned 50.
As a recent 50 something I found that a bit dispiriting.
Looks like he was wrong.
Well done Millsy.

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I don't think he meant it like that... just qualifying for GB and competing at the World's...
But when he said that he still came top 10 in a British Trial race, so is certainly still in good shape.

If you look at his racing pedigree he often wins, doesn't race too much, but he's clearly very fit.

Strange though that the Lakes 100 is still not getting that strong a field, especially from abroad.

Good win though, TBH I thought he may have gone off to hard, which he sometimes does, he's a big proponent of the fast start... and the positive split. :-)

Be good to read his blog, always enjoy it as he thinks a lot about things, which even if you disagree with him he comes up with good arguments.

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Originally Posted by that_fjell_guy

I struggled around in 12.28! Oh! and well done Sunderland Stroller for a brilliant turn out too!...very cheerful and chatty bunch they are!! :)

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Hi Iain, I would have possibly bumped in to you on your last mile or so. I was going in the opposite direction. re Strollers most of them are all nutters, I am the only sensible one :w00t:

Total epic in every sense. Just got home to Manchester and still trying to put my brain back together after finishing in 37:09

I didn't start with a great expectation of getting round and had never done anything longer than last year's UTLD 50

I knew Andy (Derby Tup) and Stef from meeting them on a LDWA event a couple of years ago and then getting involved in their BGRs so it was great to meet up with them and chat before the race and in the early stages. We met up again just after the head torches came out on the descent to Wasdale and teamed up from there making a good steady pace. I've had a very sad year having lost my mum and it turned out Andy had also been through this recently and we had a really good talk about it which left me feeling better. Andy was having stomach problems and felt so ill after severe vomiting on Scarth Gap that he decided to bail and I went on whilst Stef stayed to look after him. It was a massive relief as I stood at Buttermere contemplating a lonely solo nocturnal trudge up Sail pass when Andy and Stef reappeared cheerfully back in the game and off we went. Somebody told me on the way up to Burnmoor that "you'll be fine as long as you get to Braithwaite still feeling good" so it was rather alarming to arrive there with legs feeling totally battered. "Knowing the route well" I took over the nav only to then immediately take us on a magical mystery tour of all the wrong bits of Keswick which A&S bore with amazing good humour. By 10am it was so hot I thought I'd be done for by mid afternoon and we all struggled along the Old Coach Road and particularly on the grim road section to Dalemain. Thankfully it cooled off for the Dalemain - Howtown - Fusedale section.

By Haweswater Stef was suffering from previous injuries and we all got split up by a sudden thunderstorm that resulted in soaking to the skin and, in my case, almost instant hypothermia so I pressed on to the checkpoint pausing briefly to check up on an injured competitor wrapped in a bivi bag and being looked after by another runner. The MR helicopter appeared that instant so I headed for the CP which was a gazebo packed to bursting and offering little comfort from the biblical deluge. It was on or over for me that instant so I grabbed a drink and some gels and trudged disconsolately up Gatescarth pass and didn't see another soul until Kentmere. I hoped the team might reassemble here but in the end headed off solo in to an increasingly wild night - as it later turned out Stef and Andy had already been forced to make the decision to retire at Haweswater.

The rest was a big struggle with mangled brain and body distorting time and distance throughout the night. My new state of the art Petzl Nao head torch started to play silly buggers in Skelwith Bridge and I had to team up with some lads from the 50 to be sure of getting to Chapel Stile. A lovely lady who had DNFd let me borrow her head torch at the CP so I wasn't forced to sit it out til dawn. My new friends from the 50 elected to join me sharing my nav/route knowledge and their safety and comfort of numbers and we plodded on to the finish without too much drama but plenty of suffering.

I've never been so knackered or dug so deep, especially Haweswater to Skelwith Bridge wasted, solo, and in the dark and foul weather - quite an experience. Despite knowing the route well my distorted time/distance sense in the dark with hallucination kicking in had me on the edge of despair at times. I think the foul weather in the night caused people to bunch at CPs - it was really alarming not to see another torch between Ambleside and Skelwith bridge with my mind playing tricks at the same time!

A brilliant event all told and a wonderful life-affirming experience. A massive thanks to Andy and Stef for your company, good humour and encouragement - I doubt I would have got round without your help and I'm really sorry it didn't work out for you this time

P x

tremendous respect to everyone who took part in the 100 and the 50. I was amazed at all the 100 guys as we passed them.
I did the 50 last minute decision to substitute for someone who broke their leg and never done anything longer than the three peaks and finished in 11:42 and 77th so more than pleased so definitely going to have a crack at the 100 next year.
what a great atmosphere and fantastic people at the checkpoints who cant do enough to help you and feed you, great support from folk in Ambleside and Coniston, jumped out of my skin on the tarmac bit of the final descent into coniston in the dark when a jubilant and ecstatic Hester caught me up enthusing about finishing in 12 hours. I wasn't telling you to be quiet, I was trying to say I couldn't talk any more.
and what a reception in the school. this has got to count as one of my best achievements
and i wont be running at least for the next 7 days!!!!!!!!
and I found a tenner on the path to Chapel Stile so that will go towards the entry for next year

Well Done paulo, epic :thumbup:

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Originally Posted by that_fjell_guy

@Steve. You'll enjoy the L50 after completing the 100. I kept thinking I saw you kicking about the place but was never sure. where you at Coniston, or was it mistaken identity! I've only got your avatar here to go off!!

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No wasn't there mate, done the 50 the year before the 100, was meaning I'm 50 years old next year ;)
Must have been a few Patterdale Terriers knocking about.

Probably met you Paulo at the Mardale cp. I was helping on the water station as two of the Marshall went to help the injured guy on Haweswater.
I was a DNF from the 50 this year.

That was mine! Only joking ;)

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Originally Posted by geronimo

and I found a tenner on the path to Chapel Stile so that will go towards the entry for next year

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An epic write-up of a great run paulo. See you soon hopefully for another run out :thumbup:

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Originally Posted by paulo

Total epic in every sense. Just got home to Manchester and still trying to put my brain back together after finishing in 37:09

P x

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Glad you got round. Well done, mate.

I loved your write up Paulo. I did Blisco Dash and then went along to Rothay Park in Ambleside to watch as many runners come through whilst I cooked tea on a park bench in a tramp like style. real respect to all those who passed me at around 6-7:30 pm, I saw runners in all sorts of states of fatigue and just hope our shouts and words of encouragement gave you a boost of some sort. well done to all.

Fantastic run by 'our Lizzie' - I reckon she's taken somewhere around 6hrs off the womens record!!

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Originally Posted by Corniceman

I loved your write up Paulo. I did Blisco Dash and then went along to Rothay Park in Ambleside to watch as many runners come through whilst I cooked tea on a park bench in a tramp like style. real respect to all those who passed me at around 6-7:30 pm, I saw runners in all sorts of states of fatigue and just hope our shouts and words of encouragement gave you a boost of some sort. well done to all.

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I did the same Simon, but near the Church. Inspirational to watch - I was there from 4-6pm and then, after a quick meal, 7-8.30pm; got drenched at one stage but not cold and soon dried out. Ben Abdelnoor looked totally in the zone - a fantastic run.

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Originally Posted by ashstroller

Probably met you Paulo at the Mardale cp. I was helping on the water station as two of the Marshall went to help the injured guy on Haweswater.
I was a DNF from the 50 this year.

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I dived in and out of the CP in about a minute and made a toxically strong coffee and poured it in to my drink bottle while a kind lady filled my other bottle with water to which I added a Nuun tab - if that was you, thank you very much :-)

Mark - thanks mate - I kept remembering seeing you in Fusedale on your 100 and how hard it looked :w00t:
Andy - definitely!
Steve, Corniceman thanks guys

P

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Originally Posted by paulo

I dived in and out of the CP in about a minute and made a toxically strong coffee and poured it in to my drink bottle while a kind lady filled my other bottle with water to which I added a Nuun tab - if that was you, thank you very much :-)

Mark - thanks mate - I kept remembering seeing you in Fusedale on your 100 and how hard it looked :w00t:
Andy - definitely!
Steve, Corniceman thanks guys

P

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Yea that was probably me, as even though I was DNF with an injury I could see that the Spartans needed help as two of then had to dash off and spent a good few hours on the side of Haweswater with the seriously injured guy who got air lifted to hospital. Not many runners were prepared to leave the marquee during that downpour, I was impressed with those that did start that trudge up Gatesgarth in that! Well done you and great write up.

Good reading the write-ups.

Stuart Mills did well. It would've been easy for him to not bother after Terry Conway started dominating. Wonder what happened to him this year.

Bizarre that it can be so interesting checking the SI entries website for updates on who's dibbed in where, but it is!

Well done anyway.

Apparently Terry only decided that he was going to do it on the Friday lunchtime, as his focus is the UTMB, not sure why he pulled out but his wife Annie also had to withdraw on the 50... Fantastic run by Stuart Mills though:)

Terry has struggled for a few races now.. seems to be gut issues.

Surprised Richie hit the wall, he's normally a power house later on.

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Originally Posted by ashstroller

Apparently Terry only decided that he was going to do it on the Friday lunchtime, as his focus is the UTMB, not sure why he pulled out but his wife Annie also had to withdraw on the 50... Fantastic run by Stuart Mills though:)

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I see. Thanks for that. Yes, looking at the dibbing action it seems that Stuart Mills went for it from the start.

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Originally Posted by L.F.F.

I see. Thanks for that. Yes, looking at the dibbing action it seems that Stuart Mills went for it from the start.

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He always does... that's Stuarts style.. very brave runner and goes out hard, which is why I fancied Richie as for a while he really closed SM..

Great write up Paulo!! I welled up a bit reading that! Though I am still a little fatigued and emotional from my 50!! Not sure how seeing the 100ers inspired him to do it next year! it put me off I think!!! :o

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Originally Posted by Adnan Khan

Hi Iain, I would have possibly bumped in to you on your last mile or so. I was going in the opposite direction. re Strollers most of them are all nutters, I am the only sensible one :w00t:

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Was that you running up the climb then!? If so...'Hi!' in retrospect!! :)

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Originally Posted by that_fjell_guy

Was that you running up the climb then!? If so...'Hi!' in retrospect!! :)

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Yes, it was me :thumbup: I needed to shake my legs after marshalling for all day :)

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Originally Posted by that_fjell_guy

Great write up Paulo!! I welled up a bit reading that! Though I am still a little fatigued and emotional from my 50!! Not sure how seeing the 100ers inspired him to do it next year! it put me off I think!!! :o

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Yes me too, very moving and well done Paulo :cool:

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Originally Posted by Adnan Khan

Hi Iain, I would have possibly bumped in to you on your last mile or so. I was going in the opposite direction. re Strollers most of them are all nutters, I am the only sensible one :w00t:

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.........Errrrrrr......you are biggest nutter in the club mate :p

Well done to all runners, brilliant event with both extremes of weather!! Huge thanks to the marshals, again, brilliant :thumbup:

Fabulous weekend! Who'd have ever thought we could run 50 miles! Loved every minute of it apart from having a rotten time going up Fusedale wanting to be sick every few minutes, took an age to reach Mardale Head. I then got a new lease of life and made up 153places to the finish :thumbup:
Extremely pleased with 12.24 and 10th female solo as I was expecting around 15 hours.
I'm now sat wondering about how much I'd like a 100 medal to keep my 50 one company! Or what would be easier to accomplish BG or L100? :rolleyes:
Can't wait to get out there again after a bit of R and R!
Well done everyone, it was especially humbling to see the 100ers en route and trying to comprehend such an accomplishment! x

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Originally Posted by Mountain Goatess

Or what would be easier to accomplish BG or L100

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I'm sure that's been debated here many a time. I know which one I'd find easiest by a considerable margin!

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Originally Posted by Corniceman

I'm sure that's been debated here many a time. I know which one I'd find easiest by a considerable margin!

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Do tell :). I did the BG earlier this year unfortunately over the 24 due to the clag etc. I'm planning on doing the L100 next year, the route looks much more low level. So I'm guessing the L100 easier?

I think it depends on your individual strengths and weaknesses...I have only completed the L50 and the BGR.

Although I didn't make it past the 75 mile point due to wearing 'the wrong shoes' :) the LL100 is easier than a BG for sure, if for no other reason that there isn't anything like the same time pressure - the LL100 probably only gets to a height of 600 meters once or twice too whereas on the BG you're above that for most of the time, if you're not above 800 meters, so in bad weather the LL100 is miles more preferable. Also theres no real steep climbs on the LL100, although there are a couple of long drawn out ones - you sure get to see some untouched corners of the Lake District on the LL100 though, a beautiful and stunning route.

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Originally Posted by Arkel

Do tell :). I did the BG earlier this year unfortunately over the 24 due to the clag etc. I'm planning on doing the L100 next year, the route looks much more low level. So I'm guessing the L100 easier?

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I was thinking the other way round and that the 100 would be harder. I have done BG but struggle in any long distance running events. Also people that I know who have done both felt the LL100 to be tougher than BG. having said al that though I guess that it depends on what terrain you feel most comfortable on and whether you favour ascending over running etc.

Thanks for the insights, I guess I'll be able to answer the question for my self next year. Don't want to turn this thread into another L100 vs BGR thread:wink:

My blog update for the magnificent LL100

[QUOTE=Corniceman;551858]I was thinking the other way round and that the 100 would be harder. I have done BG but struggle in any long distance running events. Also people that I know who have done both felt the LL100 to be tougher than BG. having said al that though I guess that it depends on what terrain you feel most comfortable on and whether you favour ascending over running etc.[/QUOTE]

For me the LL100 is only mentally tougher than the BGR as I find the section between Brathwaite and Dalemain to be pretty uninspiring (I Love the section between Seathwaite and Brathwaite though) with to much road and long sections that for me are tedious due to the fact that the views and terrain are not that far reaching, and the navigation is so straightforward that there is little to occupy my mind.

I guess it could be a good example of comparing Fellrunning and Trail running and IMO the LL100 is a fine example of a trail race (which of course it sets out to be) Whereas the BGR is a fine classic Fell running challenge and the two are very distinct in nature.
Don`t get me wrong the LL100 is avery good well organised event and a credit to all involved but a fell run it is not and never has it claimed to be.

Just my take on the event

If you take the time limits into account, a 40 hour L100 is definitely easier. IMO.
I have done both, and my feet have been more trashed doing the L100 (on both occasions) than anything else I have done, that includes a few completions of the UTMB race. It can feel mentally very tough to keep going for a possible 40 hours with knackered feet / lower legs doing the L100. But the 24 hour time constraint of the BG requires a much more concerted effort.

I got round the 100 and have given up any thoughts of a BG because of my comically slow pace on the ascents over the weekend. My legs were fine, feet a bit trashed but nothing too bad, I was fine on the descents. No problems with the distance or length of time on feet, I just know I'd never make up on the descents what I'd lose on the ascents, so I'm not going to try.

My race report of the Lakeland 8.5! Not everything works out as planned....

A bit of perspective

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Originally Posted by Derby Tup

A bit of perspective

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Wow! your few words speak volumes, you are so right and sorry to hear your story.

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Originally Posted by Nee Bother

.........Errrrrrr......you are biggest nutter in the club mate :p

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Maybe I am trying to fit in with you lot :thumbup: