The dream of making a crossing to celebrate my 70th birthday started years earlier when I supported Rainer on his magnificent crossing for his 70th in a then-record time. Preparations went well except for the increasingly frequent episodes of atrial fibrillation which drastically slow me down on climbs.
The team met up at the Brackenrigg Inn the night before, beer was restricted to a pint despite it being my actual birthday and on leaving we were treated to the most beautiful sunset.
That had to be a really good omen.
A 5 ‘o’clock start at Pooley Bridge was ideal with the first glimmer of dawn. We met up with Craig who is the most brilliant navigator, he knows every line and keeps grass underfoot wherever possible. My daughter Asha running in the Lakeland fells for the first time was treated to glorious views as morning broke. Dry and well trod paths sped us to the first 12 summits and then a more tricky but direct line down to Kirkstone.
A
brief stop for cereal and Craig was leading off on leg 2. I tried to
keep my pace steady and easy to ward off the onset of AF. By Dunmail
we were slightly up on my 16 hour schedule but my navigator planned
for the last 2 legs had to pull out that morning due to a knee
injury. My son Ben was unfazed and with the help of a GPX file on
memory map expertly navigated the complicated route including the
tricky ascent of Bowfell and the descent off Great End. At Sty Head
there was a big reception including Rainer who has been hosting the
family and friends and old friend Barry who was fresh from winning
the M80 European championships triathalon.
Still on schedule the day seemed to be going so well but the last leg proved to be a shocker. My pace ascending dropped dramatically as I had gone into AF, this in itself was neither surprising or to troublesome as I could still run comfortably downhill. The ascent of Seatallan was very slow but the promise of nearly finishing meant our spirits were high. Parminder had been an excellent stand in navigator using the GPX route but unfortunately it led us into a ghastly descent from Middle Fell. Instead of using the path and track that deviates a bit west it took us on a direct line down the worst rock, scree and bracken I have ever encountered. I fell dozens of time becoming bloodied and bruised and it took an age. What should have been a 20 minute descent took 1& 1/4 hours. Thankfully everybody got down safely in the dark and we celebrated at the finish with family and friends. 17 hours 10 minutes was a good time and overall it had been a fantastic day.
Attempting a Joss Naylor crossing requires many months of training and beware of thinking gentle road and grassy ascents prepare you well for the rocky and steep rigours of The Lakeland fells.
Support from family and friends is vital. It may be tougher for the family doing all the support than it is for the runner. I think it requires some dedicated but self centred behaviour to succeed. Hopefully it will inspire others. My grandchildren certainly seemed proud.
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