Saturday 19th March 2016 (Spring Equinox-1)
Many months ago I entered the Hardmoors 55 race and as this is my A running race for this half of the year I have spent the last few months training for it and recce ing the course. I have just been ticking over my Outlaw training (my triathlon A race) often abandoning a bike session for a recce or a long run.
In January I did the Hardmoors night race from Clay Bank in dreadful conditions as training for night running. In February I did Rombald's Stride and HM Saltburn Marathon (1st in the series of 7) I have run for miles on hilly trail for the last 3 months doing back to back long runs and my Brooks Cascadias are now falling apart from the mud, scrubbing and being almost constantly wet. So the training is done and race week and final prep is here.
Race week and final prep.
On Monday I did not get up at 5 am to turbo and after 438 days of running, I stopped my runstreak. It was a tough decision but I had only planned to do a year but then decided to carry on until this week. It niggled me all day, not running, I still went to my swim class but kind of felt lazy. Before swimming I had sorted my kit for Saturday.
On Tuesday evening I had Ripon Runners running club, the juniors were on the field so no running for me, then with adults I ran 5 miles hard. (For me)
On Wednesday evening I had Bedale and Aiskew running club and again ran 5 hard miles.
On Thursday no running, but Pilates and final kit check, I did not get up against 5 am to go on the turboing run as I normally would on a Thursday
Friday, I only walked the dog I didn't get up early to run with him then dash to the pool. I did my final final kit check and packed my Salomon race vest.
Through out the week I had planned my nutrition, a combination of Tailwind, Soreen , High5 gels, a pack of Powerbar Cola gels with caffiene and a couple of Thomas's Fruit and nut flapjacks and a packet of Oddities, salt and vinegar flavour.
The plan was to alternate Soreen and High 5 gels every 5 miles washing them down with Tailwind, and the cola gels for emergencies with the flapjacks and Oddities for Osmotherly and Kildale.
I also planned to run, keeping as low a heartrate as possible throughout the run.
So my taper week involved a bit extra sleep and less swimming and running than normal, but the running I did do was at a higher intensity. My sleep had been disturbed by run based dreams and slept poorly Thursday and Friday. Friday night I barely slept to be honest, I had a head ache and felt sick and started to worry that I had picked up a bug.
Saturday (race day)
After lying awake most of the night, I got up at 04:30 and forced down a banana, a yogurt and a cup of coffee. I took some ibuprofen and went to lie down for a while. half an hour later I got up and felt a bit better. I pushed the niggling doubts to the back of my mind and focused on getting ready for the race. Just after 0:600 Billy drove me to Helmsley, I ate a flapjack in the car and started to feel even more like normal.
We arrived at Helmsley Market Place as requested, at 07;00 to be there before the buses arrived from Guisborough. I thought the buses must have been early, there was such a queue already.
Billy waited with me a while, we soon saw Jonathan, he was supporting his wife Claire, he told us that Claire Matt and Paul were further up the queue. It was cold, there was a North wind that chilled to the bone. When Claire had registered, she came over, she offered me Jonathan's jacket. I was going to give Billy my hoody but she said Jonathon would look after it for me, I gratefully added the extra layer. Now that I was warm and had friends around, Billy left to go home and do his Cycle training.
The buses arrived and the queue was massive, but moving quickly, I was soon by the Town Hall. I saw Matt and Paul after they had registered. My turn at last. The room was small but the volunteers were very efficient. First the kit check, Hat, Gloves, waterproof trousers and jacket, map, drink, food, spare warm layer, fully charged mobile phone, survival bag, head torch. all there, I got my hand stamped and went to collect my number. 89. I went to the loo then back out into the cold. I didn't have drop bags. I carried all my extra food with me.
I searched the carpark for Claire,Jonathon, Matt and Paul. I was getting worried, if I didn't find them I would have to run in my hoody and Jonathon's coat. After circling the cars a few times I heard my name, it was Jonathon, he was sat by the market cross/tower/obelisk with his dog Billie. PHEW! I went over. there was still an hour and a half before race start.
After a while Matt Claire and Paul returned. we went to the car and started our final prep.
Ann Brown came over to have a chat and take some pictures, so I got one of her.
Paul Nelson came across and introduced me to Lucie. it was her first HM55 too. Then we gathered around the Market Cross for the race briefing. someone had forgotton to repack their head torch after kit check. and after a while Mel (who I had recced Clay Bank to Guisborough, came forwards to claim it. bet she was relieved. Jon Steele and his wife Shirley, the organisers, reminded us of the rules and of the penalties for not having compulsory kit. The briefing was very light hearted.
09;00 time to head for the start.
We gathered by the town hall. I looked across and saw Gill and Allie, who I had led astray at Saltburn marathon last month. We didn't have long to chat as we were off. All the runners were in a bunch for a while, we ran across the road and past the car park turning onto the Cleveland Way.
Photo by Jonathan Baker
This section I had done with Ripon Runners on their social run Helmsley Habit last month, so I knew this section. the runners were jostling for position, but were brought to a halt by a kissing gate, lots of runners climbed the fence, but there was no point, it was going to be a long day and there was no rush, We ran alongside a field that was a quagmire last time I was here, but today was firm underfoot, if a bit uneven due to the amount of foot traffic over the wet winter. At the end of the field there was another kissing gate, where there was a repeat of the previous one with people climbing the fence rather than wait, this time as I waited someone edged in front of me and nearly got me in the face with their walking poles, which were attached to their backpack wit uncovered spikes facing upwards.
We ran along the wood and then through it, I ran with Allie and Gill for a while, we passed a lodge and came out onto a road. I was soon on totally new ground, we had gone about 3 miles and now ran on road for a while, the road was narrow and undulating, I kept an eye on my heart rate trying to keep around 140 and below trying not to get carried away with myself even though it felt as if everyone was passing me by, but I had to stick to my plans.
Before long we headed off road, past a couple of ponds and up a hill. I was warm by now so took this as an opportunity to remove my jacket. People had now stopped passing me in droves but there were still a few but I was now starting to catch some runners up.
I now had my first Soreen mini malt loaf as I marched up the hill. The route went through a pretty village Cold Kirby I think, (never been there before) there was a lady and her child calling encouragement, that was nice. as I reached the main road from Sutton Bank to Helmsley, the A170, there were lots of cars of people supporting the other runners. I didn't have support, I was doing it on my own. I dont want to feel that I have to be at a certain place by a certain time, or run with someone and have to match their pace. I just need run how I feel. After waiting for a gap in the traffic and crossing I ran a short way along a moor track and I came out on the main path from Sutton Bank to the top of the White Horse. Its a great view from here.
I turned and headed towards the White Horse, Past the Glider Club airfield on the left.
and stunning views of the Vale of York on the right.
I could see runners running towards me, I thought I recognised some of them.
Yep, there were Matt and Claire, they must have been at least 20 minutes ahead of me already, wow, not bad for 8 miles.
A little further on, a Marshall signaled me off the main track, down through the woods. the track was narrow and a little uneven in places, I am a cautious descender and could sense that I was holding some people up, I stood aside and let 3 or 4 people by. once we were down the main hill there was a nice track with bits of Jon's trademark yellow tape luring the runners towards the first checkpoint.
Checkpoint 1 White Horse (Sutton Bank) car park, Kilburn. Cut off 11:30. my time 10:52. Happy with that. I topped my water up here and took a few jelly beans,
I texted Billy my progress as I climbed the steps, they're never easy but I remind myself that my granddaughter climbed them at 2 1/2 so they cant really be that tough.
At the top of the climb level with the horses Ears, the Sport Sunday photographer was capturing the enjoyment (suffering) on peoples faces.
The route was n ow back on the Cleveland way after briefly leaving it to get to the White Horse checkpoint. I ran along the ridge overlooking the steep section of the main road A170.
There was another SportSunday photographer,
Soon I reached the point where the Cleveland Way crosses the road at the top of the steep road. I waied for a gap in the traffic and crossed, the two runners ahead headed for the visitor centre (must have needed the loo), I didnt though so continued along the Cleveland Way. The track here is good so I could jog a long nicely enjoying the views of Gormire Lake.
My Dad said it was bottomless, he took us there once when we were kids, it was like the seaside, there were loads of people swimming and in inflatables, that was probably 40 years ago.
This is Whitestone Cliff, you can see it for miles, I see it most days from across the Yale of York on my way home from work. It wasn't very white, this close.
This section was much better than when I recced it a few weeks ago with Tony, so I was going a steady pace and soon started to catch up with other runners and pass them. Then the track openend onto a mole hilly field, it was downhill but tricky because of the molehills. The field brought me to Checkpoint 2 Sneck Yate Bank I had caught up with Gill and Allie again. I took some sweets and set off, I stayed with Gill and Allie a while they were in a group we all chatted as we approached Paradise Farm, there I was walking up the hill with Michael, as a group we passed the farm and set off down the lane jogging, I slowly pulled away. I was confident of the route and settled into a sready pace, walking flats and walking the ups, It was cool up here on the moor so I put my jacket on over my pack to keep the worst of the cold wind off me.
It was very open and there was no shelter from the wind, i just had to keep moving.
The track was good and very runnable, except the descent to Square Corner. At Square Corner the route turnes left on a slabbed path, I could see Osmotherly down in the distance, it was not down all the way though, there were a couple of short steep climbs.
But soon I emerged in Osmotherly and turned to the village hall.
Checkpoint 3 Osmotherley Village Hall CUT OFF - 1500 My time 13:37 happy with that
I went into the village hall, gave my number, refilled my bottles, got a piece of cake and a biscuit, went to the loo and set off again. I was glad I didn't have drop bags, it meant I could be in and out quickly, I passed loads of people who were sat in the hall. I texted Billy again to keep him up to date, there was no signal but it sent as I left the village. It was uphill so I walked, eating as I went. I passed a man with his family, he then caught me up, we ran together a while. There was a section here where the track forked a couple of times, but there were other runners ahead so I made no mistakes, you could hear traffic sounds now, it sounded so loud after hours out on the moors, I looked over to my left to where the A19 was below, there was a buzzard gliding on the thermals.
Soon we headed away from the noise of civilisation, up through the woods, the man I had been running with went ahead. I didn't worry or try to keep up. I was doing my race at my pace.
The track was muddy, my trainers had stayed clean up to this point. It was muddy but not slippy so my Brooks ASRs coped well.
Checkpoint 4 TV Station (Self-Clip on Gate). I was relieved that the self clip was not hard to find, that had been a worry, missing a self clip
The view here was stunning, the hills to be climbed looked lovely in the distance
The track was good and it was easy running for a while even on the slabbed sections, which were hard and unforgiving underfoot, but they were dry.
As the track crossed the road I caught up again with the man from Osmotherly, It occurred to me that I was also saving a bit of time by being unsupported, I wasn't stopping to see my supporters periodically. The route was rolling now as it went through woods and fields before heading to the next checkpoint.
Checkpoint 5 Scugdale
27 miles. Now the work started, the climb was instant and steep, up, up, up., It went on for miles, with a slight dip, so this meant 2 tough climbs before Lordstones.
The descent towards Lordstones was a welcome break for my legs. Here there were more supporters. I saw Tony, that was a pleasant surprise, a quick hug and I was on my way again,
Photo by Tony Carr
heading for the 3 hills Kirkby Bank, Cold Moor and Wainstones, affectionately known as the 3 sisters. these hills were steep and my calves were crying on the first, screaming on the second and threatning to burst on the third, my wimpy descending still didnt give them much recovery before the next climb. Its about 3 1/2 miles from Lordstones to Claybank over the 3 sisters, but it feels longer and is about 460m of ascent.
There was a checkpoint Checkpoint 6 Kirby Bank half way so that nobody took a shorter less taxing route through the woods. Running over the tops of the 3 sisters the mist started to descend, Not good news for the next section.
Checkpoint 7 Clay Bank
The Checkpoint at Clay Bank was just before the road crossing. across the road was another feed station. I topped my water bottles up with water and Tailwind, as I knew there was about 8 miles of open moorland and the wind would be dehydrating.
Photo by Ann Brown
I set off up the steps towards Bloworth Crossing. I found myself in the company of a runner, Chris, who was a bit dispirited. he was fed up of all the walking up the hills. I reassured him that we would soon have a few miles of decent running, we just had to get up this hill. We finally cressted the last climb for many a mile and ran along a lovely track but it was very open and breezy, there was nowhere to hide, no shelter just miles and miles of moorland. I described the remaining route to him, he said he would be happy to get to Kildale, I assured him he would and that he would finish.We ran and chatted, I walked any small inclines and Chris stayed with me. Chris said he was from Bedfordshire so the terrain was quite a shock, but he was doing ok. He said his normal running pace on a tarmac race would be about 7;30 min miles, I said mine was 9:30 min miles so I didnt mind if he wanted to run on. He said he would stay with me as he had been going to pull out at Clay Bank.
Paraglider sailing above the hills
Checkpoint 8 Bloworth Crossing Self-Clip
We turned at Bloworth crossing into a very cold head wind and the light was beginning to fade. I told Chris that I wanted to get to Kildale before dark, I said that we would soon turn right and head downwards, it felt like someone had moved it, but we were running steadily passing other runners. Soon the turning was there, we followed another runner, but soon passed him too. the light was going and we could see the tarmac ahead glowing in the dusk. I pointed out Captain Cooks Monument to our left and explained that that was our next focus after Kildale. by now Chris was back in the race, there was no more talk of pulling out at kildale.
We got to the tarmac and walked the incline, which on the 2 other times I had done it I had run it, but that was not happening today. we crossed the cattle grid and ran down the steep hill, it was so long that by the time we got to the flat, the flat felt like uphill and it was dark. but we were so close, we didn't get our torches out, it was a few metres to Kildale Village Hall.
Checkpoint 9 Kildale Village Hall (42 miles) CUT OFF - 2100 my time 19;03
I was now a little behind my target time now, but not by much. I went to the loo, a marshal filled my bottles and another asked for my waterproofs. I was wearing my jacket so I had to remove my vest and take out my kit, Hat, gloves and socks, first aid kit, spare warm layer, torch, spare batteries, survival bag, and finally my waterproof trousers. She ok'd them and I re packed my kit. In the meantime Chris had located his drop bag, I gabbed a chocolate brownie and we set off down the road, We went by my torch once we were out of the village saving his for just in case. Another runner caught us up ant we set off up to the woods together. He had poles and left us in the woods.
Soon we emerged from the woods and went through a gap in a wall and there was Captain Cooks Monument
Right 6 miles to Roseberry, we were chunking the race, a bit at a time. As we ran down from the monument we could here music and there were lights ahead. last feed point of the race. I took some salted peanuts and we set off up towards Roseberry Topping. A climb I have done many a time but now it felt tough, Chris was now doing the encouraging, encouraging me on these tough bits. On the moor again we ran together , still chatting. the wall hid Roseberry, there were a few lights ahead.
When we reached the gate, there was a few lights on Roseberry Topping, some going up, some going down. It was breezy and I was nervous, but here goes. Downwards first with others climbing towards us. It was drizzly and the dampness made the stones quite slippy. Chris carried his torch, so between us we had better lighting. The climb up Roseberry Topping was very wearing on the legs, I dreaded the wind on the summit as it was quite breezy, when we got there it was ok,
Checkpoint 10 Roseberry Topping 48 miles
but I was relieved that we didn't have to go round the trig point. The Marshal was amazing, he had a tent but there was a steady stream of runners coming up the hill, so he wasn't in it. Going down was a steady affair. To be honest, Chris could have gone ahead, but he stayed with me and having the 2 torches helped with perception getting down the slippy rocks. then up the other side and we were running across the moor towards High Cliff Nab. This was a nice section, good running and slightly down hill.
There were more slabs across the moor then another walk up towards a copse, through the copse and there was another marshal, so we must have made it before 21:00 as the marshal was leaving at 21:00 and putting a self clip in.
Checkpoint 11 High Cliff Nab 50 miles.
We left the marshal and climbed to the cliff top. someone was putting the self clip in. Right we were cutting it fine for getting in by 22:00, we needed to get a move on. we ran through Guisborough Woods
, too fast, I couldn't get my breath, walk a bit, try again. finally I got into a rythm and we caught and passed other runners, running steadily but strongly. my left heel hurt and I was dreading the upcoming concrete road, but looking forwards to it too, as it meant we were nearly finished. when we got to the road we didn't rush we just kept it steady all the way to the disused railway line.
Checkpoint 12 Disused railway line Self-Clip 52 1/2 miles
The disused railway line was a mile from the end. we had caught up the man with the poles that we had run with at Kildale, We followed him along the railway, but I got out of breath and had to walk abit. once he was out of site it was easier to run at my own pace and Chris just stayed with me. we turned right down the steps, and left down a street. we had done it, we ran laughing and chatting to the Sea Cadets base. there was Billy at the entrance. My texts had mainly got though to him. we ran into the building. it was done. We had completed the Hardmoors 55 and were not dead on our feet.
We made it back before 22:00, I love it when a plan comes together.
Thank s Chris for your company. Thanks
Jonathan for your coat
Thanks Billy for taking me and collecting me from the race.Thanks to Tony, your presence half way through was a boost.
Thank you Ann Brown for capturing the emotion of the day on your camera
Thanks to SportsSunday for photos
Thanks to all of the Marshall's and volunteers, there would be no race without you.
Thanks Jon and Shirley for organising such a great event.
Thanks to all the other competitors, everyone had such a positive attitude.
Congratulations to the winners, the finishers and to everyone who started.
Will I be back? probably.
Do I recommend it! YES I DO.