I’m always
up for a challenge, so when I turned 50 the Joss Naylor Challenge was
on the list for my 50th year.
The alarm went
off at 5.15 am and we awoke at the kirkstone pass car park to thick
clag. The nerves started. After a good feed we headed down to Pooley
Bridge ready for a 7.00am start. I met up with Stu Stoddard and Steve
Angus who were going to support me on leg 1.
After Lisa
took the obligatory photos on the bridge we set off. Charlie and Joey
joined us along with Steve's collie. We made good time up to Arthur's
pike where we left Charlie and Joey. I’d got it into my head that I
had to go quick on this leg and was already 5 minutes up at Loadpot.
Realising that I may be going a little quick, Stu and Steve reeled me
in and kept me to the 2.35 schedule. We were soon descending from
Thornthwaite Beacon and climbing up to Stony
Cove Pike. Dave Seargent met us in the clag and pointed out the trod
to Pike Howe. We arrived at kirkstone a few minutes up. It was nice
to see Dave Makin and Tony Shanley at the changeover with their encouraging words.
I filled
myself with food and drink and tried to catch James Riley up who had
set off up Red Screes just before me. I felt tired, probably because
of the humidity. Catching James up we picked off another couple of
tops and were soon descending Fairfield passing some Salomon clothed
runners coming the other way. Time for some food and drink on the way
up seat sandal and then our descent to Dunmail. We arrived at Dunmail
soaked through with sweat from the humidity.
More food and
drink. Including complan, coke and jam butties. Much encouragement
from Lisa and Charlie and Mike Langrish, who it was nice to meet.
Jules Coleman
was my support for legs 3&4. Off we went up Steel Fell, passing a
group who were reccying the JNC and saying Hi. We pressed on over to
High raise and over to Rossett Pike, passing a BG attempt on the way.
Then came the bowfell climb. Always a tough one. I consumed another
Gel and got my head down eventually reaching the summit. Jules was
doing really well with the navigation in the clag. We were soon on
great end. A tricky descent in the mist caused us to lose a few
minutes, but we were soon at the Styhead stretcher box. Jason Craven
was there to meet us with some more coke, water and food.
His
encouraging words gave me a boost and after eating a satchet of baby
rice we were on our way up Gable. Cramp was getting the better of my
quads, so I stopped to take some pain killers and pushed on.
We were 7 minutes down on schedule at styhead, but Jules was
confident I could make that back. We passed many BG attempts going
the other way between Kirkfell and Steeple. Finally the clag started
to lift as we got to Steeple and we had some lovely views. Just a few
more tops left. Stu had given me a caffeine sweet on the first leg
which I had saved for the Seatallan climb. I chewed it. It tasted
awful, but give me a definite boost and we were soon at the top. One
more climb which was over quickly as Jules and myself chatted about
anything and everything. I can't explain the feeling on the last top.
It was amazing. A very quick descent and we were at the bridge in
Greendale. Where My awesome road support team Lisa and Charlie and
Joey met us.
I managed to
get round inside my schedule too 11.29.
Big thanks to
my support crew. Jules, Stu, Steve, Dave, James, Jason. Who I
couldn't have completed this challenge without. Most of all I’d
like to thank Lisa, who’s support on these challenges is second to
none. I couldn't do it without her. Thanks to Charlie who inspires me
with his enthusiasm for fell running. Thanks to Joey the best dog in
the world.
(all photos by Lisa Stansfield)
