Thanks for encouraging comments, but not sure I deserve them! The lad I was with (with the poles) was called Dave. He was brilliant up the hills so went charging ahead of me. I then caught him whenever we went flat or downhill. Knowing we'd done most of the hills by Walker Barn, I was fairly sure I'd be back before him. Nick was very persuasive in getting me to jog when I felt absolutely knackered! What he didn't say is that he was walking at the same pace as my jogging (if I cared about that sort of thing I'd be quite embarrassed!). Just read back over the earlier posts - well done to Tom for first event over marathon distance. You picked a hard one to start with! Rotherham coming up in October and the Woldsman in April will seem a doddle!