Joss Naylor Lakeland Challenge: Paul Tynan (M55)

Joss Naylor has been a hero, inspiration, and motivator for me since my teenage years. I still have an image in my mind of this chap turning up at a fell race in a well used brown Shepherd's coat (similar to the (grey) ones ironmonger storemen used to wear ). All the other runners in show off gear. But my hero winning the event.

Ever since then his achievements episodically have popped into my awareness frame. There are too many to mention here but doing all the Wainwrights in 7 days (record stood for 28 years!) and the Pennine way in 3 days are up there.

Having had a good crack at Triathlons over the years my interests turned back to the fells more recently. Further inspiration from Feet in the cloud (Richard Askwith ) made his namesake challenge a must "try".

For those not aware the Joss Naylor Challenge is a route crossing the Lake district from NE (Pooley Bridge ) to SW ( Wasdale) and Greendale Bridge (home of "the Shepherd") and encompassing 5182 m of ascent, 77Km distance, 30 summits and only 2 road crossings. All to be done in a prescribed time according to age and gender. At 58 years my allocation was 15 hours. Joss himself at the age of 54 in very bad weather conditions completed in 11 hours and 30 mins. Challengers can start when they like but must be accompanied - for safety reasons. Oh and there is a chance that Joss will meet you at Greendale.

Having really enjoyed preparing and completing a Bob Graham in 2017 I started my specific training with a passion around January 2019. As time goes by i am increasingly of the opinion that you race to train not the other way around. For the first time in my life i took some advice from a specific trainer as to the best way to train. Previously i had thought i would save beating up my joints by getting much of the endurance work done on the bike. Well that idea was put in the bin - instead lots of running in zone 2 (level at which could talk in sentences) and virtually never going harder - even up hills. Sounds lovely doesn't it - better still it worked. Combining this with plenty of time in the fells ( I live in Lancaster) and quite a bit of weight training and strength and conditioning exercises i felt i was ready for an attempt on June 15th. Lonsdale Fellrunners were in full support along with friends and family.

As many of you will be aware its a major logistic exercise sorting out support runners, road teams, food, clothing and safety actuals and potentials for the crossing. Many thanks to my wife Jan for help and acting as a sounding board.

So it was that at 4am Ken collected me from my house and we drove to Pooley Bridge to meet Ronald Hummerlink (my other support runner for leg1). I suppose we shouldn’t have been surprised to arrive at the bridge to see another "challenger" taking photos at 0530 for this is high season for ultras.

Pooley Bridge

It kind of felt good to start at 0532 - 2 mins leeway right from the start. The weather was good - clear sky - no head torches needed and only a slight headwind. Good progress was made up High street and there were no delays at the roadworks!

Roadworks on Raven Howe

As predicted the weather gradually went off and we entered the cloud around Raven Howe and the headwind picked up a bit. Navigation went well. My recce's were paying off. Gradually we crept ahead of schedule but remained mindful not to overcook it on leg 1. Many Thanks to Ken and Ronald for a calm leg with no "excitements" and delivering me to Kirkstone Pass 10 mins ahead of schedule.

Kirkstone Pass

Son Sam, his wife Alys and my brother Andrew had the situation covered at the Pass and the next crew ( Dave Sykes, Martyn Price and Mark Parsonage Kear ) were ready for the off. My strategy was to spend minimum time at crossings - fuelling little and often rather than large dollops

It wasn’t long before we were in the clag going up Red Screes, but another minute gained. and then the rain began and wind picked up. No matter this is what mountain challenges are about :good gear, keep warm and we had the Nav sorted. Food and fluid going in regularly - and steadily we ticked off the summits. Briefly below the cloud at Grisedale Hause and then back in it as we scaled Seat Sandel. Had a little ~~fall~~ adjustment half way up and leg went into cramp! This is where the psychology comes in I thought. Cramp due to the trip not because of leg tiredness - move on ignore it - and yes it didn't return. It was a welcoming and slightly strange sight to come out of the cloud and peer down to what must have been at least 30 "vans" at Dunmail Raise.

Dunmail Raise

This clearly was a day for BG's and JNC's ( 3 successful on my day). I was now 14 mins up on my 14 hr 20 min schedule.- things were going well and according to plan. My wife Jan was in charge of this change over. Again all in place and a fairly quick pitstop ( almost felt i wanted to stay longer to show appreciation for their efforts) but Steel Fell was waiting.

My crew were now Jules Coleman, Rob Webb, and Mary Hodgson. One of my favourite bits is from Steel fell to and just before the trudge up the never ending slopes of High Raise. The trudge today done in the clag which might have been a blessing. Managed to get the right line on the last bit up Rossett pike ( bit hit and miss this on Recces). I always enjoy popping out near the top of Bow Fell after the ramps on the Buttress. Gradually the weather was improving ( as forecast).Soon we were contemplating the route north off Great End - an act of faith indeed that there is going to be a way - but it slowly revealed itself as we descended - and suddenly Sty Head was in view. 19 mins up and feeling not too bad.

Sty Head

Thanks to Andy and Annette Paton for bringing supplies up to the stretcher box.

The possibility for a successful challenge were beginning to look favourable and this gave me a boost as Great Gable was tackled. Even the sun had put a show in (occasionally). The team was now James Edwards, Thomas Mon- Mon and Grace Leedham. As before the scree off Gable felt horrible until suddenly I realised that I was surrounded by fantastic post rain clear views and that things were going well - time to relax a bit and pose for a photo or 2.

Wasdale

It was a beautiful leg with fantastic scenery . Not a leg to be taken lightly as still quite a bit of climbing but I had over an hour leeway (from the 15 hrs) so just had to make no mistakes or tumbles. The scree off Haycock was a delight.