Having been lucky enough to be able to spend a few weeks in January staying in Grasmere I decided it was time for a challenge. Being 62yrs old the Joss Naylor challenge was the obvious one.
So with the support of my Wife Helen (who deserves a medal by the way) training began.
Over the next few months the long runs and recces were great doing most of them with Mike Wallis and Jim and Jen Garside. Also every one was in good weather.
Having set a date of May 31st for my attempt, arrangements were made for the family to join us for the weekend as my chosen charity was the British Liver Trust after our Granddaughter required a transplant at the age of 2.
After the driest Spring ever, the forecast was for a strong SE wind with heavy rain. The alarm went off at 1.45am and after a forced breakfast of porridge and tea we set off to pick up the leg one pacers, Paul Carmen and Joe Atherton. Arriving at Pooley Bridge in good time we had time for a quick photo then set off at 3.46am ( no point waiting until 4.00am).
It stayed dry for the first few tops not needing the headtorch after Arthurs Pike. The wind was into our faces as we left the top. We made good time to High Street where it started to rain. Dropping down to Kirkstone on a good line we arrived up on the 55 schedule, too fast? Felt ok and felt to be climbing well.
Arriving at the first road support and seeing all the family including Clara our Granddaughter was wonderful!
Setting off up Red Screes after an 8min stop and more porridge and tea with Paul Carmen (carrying on from leg 1), Dave Motley and Paul Thompson. Got to Fairfield in good time still on the 55 times. The weather started to deteriorate which would set the trend for the rest of the day. Took the descent off Seat Sandal steady to save my legs, arriving at Dunmail feeling ok.
Had a change of clothes here as I was soaked. Managed to get some pasta down with a brew, but wasn't feeling much like eating. Set off up Steel Fell with Jim Garside and Dave Nuttall. Mike Wallis should have joined us, but decided to meet me at Sty Head to be fresher for navigating. It was a good descion as the weather got worse.
We got a good line across to High Raise in the mist, but I was starting to get tightness in my lower back, maybe from bracing myself into the wind. Going up Rossett Pike we met Jean Brown who was on her last longish run before her Ramsey Round next weekend. Jean joined us up Bowfell trying to force feed me jelly snakes. Bowfell was very slippy on the rocks, I was glad when we got to the summit. The route across to Esk Pike was good and I still felt to be climbing well, but my back was stiff on the descents. I wasn't looking forward to the descent off Great End, but it turned out to be ok. We arrived at Sty Head after running through the waterfall blowing uphill into our faces soaking us even more. Here we were met by Mike who was running the rest of the way and Colin and Sharon Urmston who had a flask of tea and food for me which went down well. At least the brew did. I still found eating hard work. Also another of my oldest friends Howard Nicholson met us to go over Great Gable with me.
At Beck Head, Howard left us to return to his car. I still felt to be climbing ok, but the descents were more taxing with my back feeling really stiff. Kirkfell passed ok with Red Gully not being too bad.
Going up to Pillar the weather worsened even more forcing us to put on full waterproofs with me having 3 cags on feeling cold.
From the top of Pillar it became survival mode for me ,the weather and fatigue were taking its toll. The last 5 tops were tough. On Middle Fell I knew I was well inside the 60/65 schedule of 18hrs so just wanted to get off as best my back/legs would allow.
The last few hundred yards to the bridge was brilliant seeing all the family and friends there to greet me was very special and something I will always remember.
I would like to thank everyone that supported me, both on the Fells and the road support. A special thank you is to Helen for supporting me all the way through the training and on the day. Lastly to Clara, the thought of her cheering me on when I was struggling kept me going.
No comments:
Post a Comment