Mike Hobson (M65) – 22 June 2014

 

11.30pm on Saturday 21st June. Two JNLC contenders, Roger Smith and I, both of Lakeland Orienteering Club (LOC) and our respective supporters, Pete Kidd and Iain Smith, sat on the bridge at Pooley Bridge waiting for midnight.  Roger and I were nervous, not only for what lay ahead, but also with the knowledge that the previous weekend, six fellow members of LOC completed the round comfortably within the 24hour schedule. Neither of us needed to say that the weight of expectancy was sitting heavily on our shoulders!

Midnight and we were on our way. And what a magnificent night it was!  All went like clockwork and at Kirkstone Iain handed me over to Tony and Pauline Richardson, fellow members of LOC and great friends. Roger kept his stop brief and set off well ahead of me. (In fact I wasn’t to see him again all day).  Kirkstone to Dunmail saw, for me, three ‘bad’ bits of the round dealt with – the descent off Fairfield, the ascent onto Seat Sandal and the descent down to Dunmail.

At Dunmail, Sheila was waiting for us with welcoming coffee and tea along with my leg 3 pacer Pete, my long time walking, climbing, running friend who did the JNLC in 17 hours aged 64.  Mike Langrish, acting for Ian Charters was also there to ‘meet and greet’ that day’s JNLC contenders.

Tony and Pauline were continuing to the head of Stake and then heading down to be collected from the ODG.  Steel Fell felt very comfortable, but the stretch to High Raise seemed interminable and was my only low point of the day, but a short rest there helped. And at the head of Stake, I said goodbye to Tony and Pauline, and hello to Selwyn Wright and Richard Lecky Thomson who were joining Pete and me for the rest of the leg to Sty Head. The climb up to Bowfell gave a problem when Pete unexpectedly announced he wasn’t feeling well. He went back down, met us at Esk Hause but then elected to miss Great End and went directly to Sty Head.  It was a shame, but he left me in good hands and great company. (Subsequently he felt that he had had too much sun).

At Sty Head I was delighted to see my supporters Julie (my son Andrew’s partner) and Dave and Helen Neild, and also Dick who had supported Roger.  Selwyn and Lecky returned to the ODG and Pete headed down to Wasdale with Julie. Andrew joined me here and we were to meet Sheila at Black Sail to make the last leg a family affair. My daughter Helen isn’t a fell walker, but she had done sterling work helping with transport, and was to be at Greendale for the finish.

The ascent of Gable was easy, but leaving the summit, I was too anxious to ensure we kept far enough right to avoid the screes. We became embroiled with the end rocks of Gable Crag and were forced to indulge in some exposed clambering to get back on route.  Sheila was at Black Sail with the news that Roger had passed some time ago ‘going like a train’. We had lots of time in hand and good visibility, although due to our lost time on Gable, against a schedule of just under 20 hours, we were now looking at a finish of just over 20 hours.  Sheila pushed us on, but in truth I didn’t mind.  I had wanted the day to be good, and to be memorable, not just for me but for all my supporters and I felt that had been achieved.  I had hired a tracker, which added an extra dimension to the day for my sponsors, many of whom were fascinated to follow my progress online. 

There was another good moment when we unexpectedly found Dave Neild waiting near the top of Middle Fell.  He kept us company on the final descent and then all that remained was to thank everyone waiting at Greendale and to shake hands with and chat to the great man himself.  A fitting end to a wonderful day!

David Neild (M65) – 13 June 2014

 

It was only thanks to my training group that I survived the six months of preparation. But the Joss Naylor Challenge more than repaid those arduous walks through fells covered by winter snows or lashed by wind and rain. Like scrambling up Red Screes in darkness to a stunning sunrise view over misted fells. Like the great camaraderie among everyone who joined me on the four legs. And like the wonderful atmosphere at the changeovers, where friends and family fed me, watered me and sent me off with lifted spirits.

I embarked on my challenge at 10pm on June 13^th – one of eight pensioners to attempt it that weekend or the next. I was using the 23-hour schedule as my guide, but planning for a 22-hour finish. As most of the work was in the last two legs I wanted to be an hour up by the second changeover at Dunmail. Simon Cane and Carol McNeill were setting off at the same time as me, so there was a good turnout at the start. There was always the concern of falling behind on the first leg, but I was fairly confident about gaining time. And so, with smiling faces and good wishes from supporters, we set off into the hills.

On the first leg I was accompanied by Bryan Hardaker and Paul Williams. Bryan, Simon and I had scouted the route one night the previous week, which gave us a helpful feel for the terrain in darkness. I’ve done some testing walks with Bryan over the past 25 years and his navigation has always been impeccable. That night was no exception and with Paul keeping me fed and watered, we arrived at Kirkstone more than 30 minutes up. The weather had been kind with the full moon breaking out of the clouds to provide memorable views.

We were greeted by my dream team of Denise, Laura, and Clare, who provided five-star roadside support and catering to everyone involved in my challenge. Also there, thankfully, were my neighbours Adrian Swift and George Nicholson. The team looked after my every need and off we went.

We were still in darkness until after Red Screes, but when the sun rose, the scene was incredible. To see the Lake District laid out beneath us in perfect dawn light is something words can't describe. It has to be experienced. Since George, Adrian and I had walked the route the previous week, we were confident of our route and ploughed on. I was fed and watered throughout, and George paced it perfectly. I was now more than an hour up on the schedule.

At Dunmail there was a moment of drama. My son Paul was there, but I was told the other supporters for the next leg hadn’t arrived. Then two cars pulled up and Rosie Law, Simon Filmore and Andrew Smith jumped out, ready to go.

Leg three was the one I was least looking forward to, in particular the stretch from Steel Fell to High Raise and on to Rossett Pike. I needn't have worried. Thanks to the great company of my support I really enjoyed it. Paul led the way while Rosie, Simon and Andrew took care of me. (I've never drunk so much and still been standing, thanks Rosie!)

At Sty Head it was party time. Dick Towler had made up two hours to overtake us coming off Great End, so his team and supporters were there, as were my wife Helen and Judy Filmore, who had brought food, water, dry socks and shoes. Also there were daughter Denise and son Barry to join me and youngest son Paul on the last leg. My spirits were raised by the great atmosphere and the realisation I was two hours up and was going to complete the challenge.

The climb and descent of Great Gable went well. Then the weather deteriorated, cloud descended and we broke out the waterproofs. Despite poor visibility, we kept our pace and knocked almost another hour from the schedule. The “children” looked after the “old man” and had there been a shop on Haycock I would have bought them ice cream. Ten minutes were lost on a wrong line coming off Haycock in the mist, but we had time in hand. However, as we descended Seatallan – overtaken by Cliff and his support going well having started two hours after me -- intense pain in my left knee had me struggling. Denise dosed me with ibuprofen and half way down Middle Fell the pain eased sufficiently for me to jog into the finish in just under 20 hours, to the applause of my supporters and friends.

I was delighted with my time and -- the icing on the cake -- the great man himself was there to greet me. I had never met Joss before and what a privilege it was. He’s such a nice, unassuming man. I really did have a great day out.

So, thanks to all my supporters who made the day something very special, I certainly couldn't have done it without them. And congratulations to Dick, Jenny, Carol, Cliff, Simon for their success on the same day. Also to Roger and Mike the following week.

Roger Smith (M65) – 22 June 2014

 

It was good to have a resting week, leading up to the big day, but I got so rested that, by Saturday, I was also getting nervous, thinking about all the things that could go wrong. Of course, nothing did go wrong. The weather was perfect and I could have asked nothing more from my support team. Its humbling to know what people will do for you.

 

Pooley Bridge

 

We left Pooley Bridge at midnight, Pete Kidd supporting me and Iain Smith-Ward supporting Mike. After half a mile, we found ourselves stumbling around in the wrong field, in the dark, trying to find our way out, but this proved to be the only navigational error of the whole trip. We hit every summit on Leg 1, within a minute or two of the schedule, arriving at Kirkstone after 4.39 hours to be greeted by my daughter Jo and her infectious enthusiasm. Well navigated Pete. And thanks to Mike and Iain for the gentle chat and company through these hours of darkness. The experience of daylight slowly developing in the sky to the north of us, the moon rising to the east, the hills slowly emerging, first as silhouettes and then in detail, will all remain in memory for a long time.

We had got a bit ahead of Mike and Iain after Stoney Cove Pike (where we debated whether or not to wake up the inhabitants of two tents so that they, too, could enjoy the sunrise. We decided against it.) I expected to see Mike reappear later in the day, but, as it turned out, he finished a little later than me. But it was good to meet Tony and Pauline at Kirkstone, waiting for Mike.

Breakfast of cold pasta and Complan and the onward, with Pete and Jo supporting me through Leg 2, over the Fairfield group and down to Dunmail Raise. No problems. A beautiful sunrise and clear horizons. There was a large group of people at this pit stop. Mke’s support team were here plus others, unknown. Dick Towler, very competently took over the management of my food and kit. We took leave of Pete and continued with Jo, Dick and Barbara, leaving at 7.53. Halfway in distance and 40% of the climbing completed. 24 miles and 10,000ft still to go.

Steel Fell went easily, but then I started to feel nauseous. Finding it hard to eat or drink anything. This lasted over 2 hours and was the only time in the trip when real self-doubt set in. My support were excellent, gently encouraging me, keeping the pace steady and drip feeding me. We met Selwyn and Lecky at Stake Pass, waiting for Mike. Cheerful as always, they were a great boost and then Cliff and Izzy on top of Rossett Pike. Cliff gave me a magic tangerine and, suddenly, I felt good again. I climbed Bowfell much faster then I had scheduled and then everything suddenly got easy.

 

Great Gable

 

We reached the next pit stop at Sty Head 45 minutes up on schedule, to be greeted by Dave and Helen Neild plus Mike’s supporters. Dick again managed the changeover and he and Ann organised my needs for the final leg. We left Dick, Jo and Barbara here and continued with my wife Ann, and friends Rosie and Robin in support. Solid, reliable and made for the job. I was drinking well and taking in plenty of energy. This, coupled with the end being in sight (well, 13 miles and 5000ft away), seemed to invigorate me and the last leg was a delight. Apart from a bit of cloud on Great Gable (the only cloud we met all day) the weather and the views were superb, and the company was good.

I got to the top of the final hill, Middle Fell with 17 minutes to go before 18.00hrs and thought I would try to beat the 18.00. Suddenly, there was no pain or tiredness. Just the joy of running downhill to the finish. And I got there with half a minute to spare!

 

Greendale Bridge

 

Heartfelt thanks to all those who supported me, and particularly to Ann who has put up with quite a lot over the last few weeks/even months.

Carol McNeill (W65+) – 13th June 2014

 

When I was 52 (14^th June 1996) I went for the challenge which had to be completed in 14 hours. It all seemed quite feasible having done the Bob Graham a few years before and a tankard to aim for. However it was such a lovely day I suffered from the sun and heat, I was sick going up Gable and lost too much time but finished in less than 15 hours. I threatened to do it again when I had 24hours. Now aged 70, 2014 was the perfect opportunity with Dick Towler whipping us into shape with his training plans. – No time to stop to eat and drink, - reorganise yourself Carol. I had a new left hip in 2008, I had reluctantly given up fell running but thought I should manage the JN with a good steady ‘plodding’ walking pace.

I recruited Jenny Helme to join me and keep me company while the ‘lads’ made off ahead. Jenny was pretty fit and could easily keep up at the front but was always there to keep me going.

We planned a 23 hour schedule, starting at 10pm so we would finish in moral lifting daylight if we were cutting it fine. We both organised our own support and sorted food and drinks for the day.

 

Under a Full Moon

I had Jo Cleary on Leg 1, Natalie Beadle and her mum Rebekah on the sunrise leg - Leg 2, Mike Pearson on Legs 3 & 4 and Mike Walford on Leg 4. Mike P had done the whole round with me 20 years before encouraging me along so I needed him this time too. Clare Evans was my efficient Dunmail and Styhead support. The week before I was becoming really motivated with some good camping/bivvy trips and leg recce’s with Jenny and thought I could do it as long as my hips held out and it wasn’t too hot.

 

Natalie, Carol, Jenny & Rebekah on Leg 2

High points: – an absolutely magnificent full moon, seeing Selwyn Wright on Rossett (and coming with us to Styhead), coming off Great End via our reccied route, the top of Gable which had been a bit of a brain block, the hot sun going behind some cloud, jelly babies dished out by John Helme, meeting Ian Charters & group below Pillar and having time to stop & chat knowing that we would make the 24 hours.

Low points: - getting up Steel Fell with the hot sun coming out, struggling through the long grass going up Raise then wondering how I would get home when I gave up!

 

Carol, Joss & Jenny at Greendale Bridge

Jenny and I were delighted to arrive at the bridge in 20 hours 20 minutes to be greeted by Joss and lots of supporters. Joss reminded me that our friend Chris Brasher had been an initiator of the challenge and would have been proud of me finishing. That was my training done for the GR20 in Corsica (completed 2 weeks later). I celebrated by having my first ever tattoo on my ankle – something to jog my memory in later years!!

Geoff Briggs (M55) – 05 July 2014

 

I had my first attempt at this run back in 2009 when I was a spritely 50 year-old. Unfortunately I wasn’t really that spritely; it was at the start of my ankle problems and the training hadn’t gone well. To cut a long story short, I missed out on the 12 hour limit by about 3 minutes, but Ian Warhurst had found the strength to keep going strongly at the end and finish with about 10 minutes to spare.

Fast forward 4 years and after 2 lots of surgery on my right ankle (including a tibia – talus fusion) and I was back running again, despite what the surgeon had said! On Easter Monday 2013 I had a great day out with Lee Langdon and Howard Whittaker, running around the Dark Peak 4 Counties Tops route in 12 hours. It was this outing that persuaded me I was perhaps ready for another go at the JNLC.

September 21^st 2013 was the chosen date, but things didn’t go too well. A combination of mist, rain, wet rocks and a couple of painful falls slowed me down somewhat, and by the time we reached Great Gable it was clear that the 12 hour limit was out of reach, so we took the direct route down to the valley.

Although I’d had my 55^th birthday in February 2014, I still fancied my chances of getting under 12 hours, so on April 12^th I set off again, knowing that if things didn’t go too well I could always fall back on the 15 hour schedule. As it turned out the weather was much worse than expected, with heavy rain and very strong winds. After struggling to stay upright on Bowfell and Esk Pike we decided it wasn’t safe to continue over Great End and the decision was made to call it a day and come back another time.

July 5^th, and finally the weather was good, I was feeling reasonably confident and I’d discounted the thought of a sub-12 hour crossing. Anything under 15 hours would be fine, but the schedule I worked out looked comfortable at 13 hours 30 minutes.

I awoke at 5.15am to the lovely sound of rain on the tent, but I had every confidence in the forecast; the rain would clear and the worst we’d get during the day might be the odd shower. Sure enough, we were stood on the bridge at 7am in fine weather with just the hint of a breeze.

 

Bruce, Geoff and Ian

 

When we (Stefan Bramwell, Bruce Owen, Dave Ward and me) arrived at the first summit, Arthur’s Pike, Dave pointed out that we were actually ahead of the 12 hour schedule, let alone the 14 hour one. I decided it was time to slow down a bit. The rest of the leg went pretty much to plan and we arrived at Kirkstone 15 minutes early.

Ian Warhurst was waiting with the kettle on, so we had a decent rest. Larry Day arrived to run the next section with us, somewhat surprised at how good the weather was. In fact I changed into a short-sleeved t-shirt here. Bruce was tempted to carry on with leg 2, but with his BG only 7 days away he was persuaded to leave it at that.

So, as the sun shone pleasantly, I headed off up Red Screes with Stefan, Dave & Larry. At the top of the climb from Scandale Pass, as we contoured below Dove Crag, we saw a runner approaching us. Dave thought it looked like Ian Charters, and sure enough, with camera in hand, it was indeed Ian.

Ian joined us for a few minutes, but then went his own way as we headed towards Hart Crag.

The next section, between Hart Crag and Fairfield, is always an emotional time. We paused for a minute at the cairn and plaque in memory of our great friend, Daz Holloway, who tragically died at this spot during the Ian Hodgson Mountain Relay in 2012.

 

Stefan, Dave, me and Larry

 

Fairfield – so many cairns to choose from, and I’m still not certain which is the highest point. It’s usually dark and misty when I arrive here on a BG support, so it makes a great change to have superb views all around. It’s not long before we’re down at Dunmail with Ian’s van waiting and a new set of pacers. We’re 19 minutes ahead of the schedule, so plenty of time to enjoy a coffee and some food. Larry and Stefan leave us here to do some shopping and head home for the TDF respectively. Not surprisingly Dave has decided to stay with us all the way to the end. He needs a long day out in preparation for August’s UTMB, and he was never going to have a 13 hour training run by himself!

We’re now joined by Lee Langdon, Howard Whittaker, Hanno Torn and Sienna – Hanno’s collie. If ever you need some jovial company on a long day out, you could do worse than invite Lee and Hanno along; they’d make a great double-act! Almost at the top of Steel Fell and Howard looks over his shoulder “You’re making great time up here, Geoff”. I point out that he’s at the front setting the pace; all I’m doing is sticking with him. He’s right, though, as we take another 2 minutes off the schedule. It’s good to make the most of the run over towards Calf Crag, which we don’t need to visit today, as this second half of the route is going to involve plenty of walking. The climb up Birks Gill to High Raise is probably my least favourite of the route. It seems to be a long, slow, grassy plod. But there’s no comparison to the April attempt; this was where we all donned every item of clothing we had to try and keep out the weather. However, High Raise is a hill of contrasts as we now have the delightful run down to the top of Stakes Pass. We pass another group on our way down here – they are doing a recce for a future JNLC attempt. Good luck guys!

Water bottles were topped up from the spring below Bow Fell and then we had the long, steady climb to the rocky summit. Dry rocks and a gentle breeze this time – perfection! I didn’t pick the best grassy line down to Ore Gap, but I wasn’t too concerned; we were soon up and over Esk Pike and on our way to Great End. The descent down the Band to Styhead always seems to be a bit of an adventure (I almost went head first down a gulley on my September attempt), but today’s went ok.

 

Descent from Great End

Ian Warhurst and Neil Walker had come up to Styhead for the final leg, and they’d brought food and water with them. 5 years ago when Darren Dunn came to meet us here he’d had to shelter under the stretcher box, the weather was that bad. Not today, though, it was perfect. We were 26 minutes up so I sat down and enjoyed the situation – excellent weather and a great bunch of mates together in the hills. What could be better?

The original 12 hour schedule that me and Ian had been sent all those years ago suggested 20 minutes for the climb of Great Gable from Styhead. I think not! 34 minutes was comfortable enough for us today. As usual, the summit was pretty busy, so Ian quickly led us off down the scree slope descent. Looking behind me, half way down, it soon became apparent that most comfortable member of our group was Sienna with her 4 paws. Kirk Fell was next, with another rough descent. This gully seems to have been really badly eroded recently, presumably as a result of the recent snowy winters. On reaching Black Sail Pass, Dave went to retrieve the stash he’d left for the recently rerouted Ennerdale race and I spent a couple of minutes removing all the scree from my shoes. Should’ve worn the debris socks after all! On a 12 hour schedule you really need to run quite a large amount of the Pillar ascent, but I was happy taking it steady. There are a few useful ‘racing lines’ to remember around here and with all the experience around me there was no problem picking them up.

Once we’d left Pillar, Scoat Fell and Steeple come and go pretty quickly, especially as I could leave my rucksack behind for the out and back to Steeple.

We have a pleasant run round towards Haycock now, and for the first time today the steep descent feels a little uncomfortable on the tired legs. Not surprising really, but we’re half an hour up on schedule. Who cares? Lee points out that if we crack on a bit there’d be a good chance of getting under 13 hours. I decide I’d rather just enjoy myself.

 

Steeple summit

The run across Pots of Ashness is delightful; lovely soft grass in contrast to the jarring rocks we’ve had for the past few hours. All of a sudden I remember that High Raise is actually my second least favourite climb on the route. Seatallan always used to fill me with dread. The thought of this ‘in-your-face’ ascent when you’re battling against a tight schedule and the legs are tired was always a bit of a worry. But today I could take an hour over it if I wanted, and still have time to spare! Eventually the trig. point comes into view and the ground levels off. There’s only one more climb to go, the friendly Middle Fell.

We reach the summit and I change into my Pennine vest. This means a lot to me. Daz wore his Pennine vest for the last bit of his BG, and one of his sayings was “Proud to be Pennine”. And so we should be, it’s a great club with fantastic camaraderie.

Hanno takes a few photos and then it’s time to head off to Greendale to see Joss.

As we approach the bridge we can see Joss with Dave and Margaret Jones waiting for us. It’s probably fair to say that I had a pretty broad smile on my face as I ran up to the bridge. It had been a long time coming, but I’d finally made it.

 

Middle Fell - the final top

 

 

Arriving at Greendale (Hanno, me, Neil, Lee, Dave, Howard & Ian)

We had a long chat with Joss, but eventually we had to leave as we were being eaten alive by the midges!

It’s just a short walk to the parking area, and I’d had the forethought to leave plenty of beer in Ian’s van. This went down very well. Then it was back to Keswick for fish and chips at the Old Keswickian and finally the campsite in Pooley Bridge for a well-earned sleep.

 

 

Lee, Joss, Sienna, me, Dave J., Margaret, Howard, Dave W.

A small postscript to the story comes in October, when there is the presentation dinner for new members of the ‘club’. Existing members are also invited, so quite a large crowd of over-50s gathers at the Bridge Hotel in Santon Bridge for an evening of good food, fine ale and pleasant chat. New Pennine member, Steve Watts, is the only the person there younger than me. Not surprisingly he is asked to produce his birth certificate to prove he is actually over 50!

Joss presents us all with an inscribed pewter tankard. As I shake his hand, Joss congratulates me on eventually achieving my goal and asks me if I intend to return for another, even more leisurely, crossing when I’m 60. All being well, I’ll certainly give it a go.

Geoff Briggs

Peter McNulty (M55) – 31 May 2014

 

May 2011 a cold sad figure is helped up off the floor at Greendale after failing on the
Challenge. A runners rather than mountaineers decision to delay putting on warmer clothing
meant the onset of hypothermia and with only one hour left when standing on Haycock the
attempt ground to a halt.
 
Fast forward to May 2014 and after starting the year from scratch following an ankle injury,
I am again standing on Pooley Bridge with my supporters Mick Bull and Peter Potter waiting
for Sheila to wave me off on another attempt.

The weather conditions were perfect and Mick had been asked not to let me go off too fast
and he managed the pacing perfectly with him and Peter delivering me to Kirkstone a few
minutes up on schedule. When Mick completed the Challenge I arranged for wild horses
below Loadpot Hill and a herd of deer on Kidsty Pike and I expected the same. Unfortunately
all he could provide was a solitary deer on Rampsgill Head.

Sheila was all prepared for me at Kirkstone along with my Leg 2 support Carol + George
Critchley, Brummy John (Mayall) and Mark Walker. After a brief stop my hill support took
me off up Red Screes and kept me fed and hydrated to Dunmail. The leg passed without a
hitch and as we dropped off Seat Sandal I could see the gathering at the side of the road.
There was Monica Shone and Mike Langrish undertaking “meet and greet” duties. Sheila,
with my food, Leg 3 hill team of Gerry Dewhurst , Dave Garner together with Wendy Dodds,
an unexpected but welcome supporter. Also making a first appearance were Michelle Fuller
and Derek Dewhurst before driving to Wasdale and meeting me at Sty Head.

 

I always feel that the challenge starts at Dunmail with the pull up Steel Fell, and long drags
to High Raise and Rossett Pike but this time everything clicked into place, hills were ticked
off on schedule and the team ensured that I kept eating and drinking. Gerry then organised a
game of who can keep a fruit sweet in their mouth the longest that was won by Wendy.
Time seemed to fly by and we were soon dropping to Sty Head where Sheila was again,
this time again accompanied by Derek and Carol Makin. Rachael Stoney who had been hill
support on my previous attempt had also come up with Mike + Bethan Kelly to offer their
encouragement.

 

Gerry and Dave were continuing along the final leg with me and we were joined by Linda
Lord, Michelle Fuller, Steve Foster together with Jem and Dexter the Patterdales. Things
continued to go smoothly and even the never ending grind up Pillar went to schedule.
Gerry arranged another round of keeping a sweet in the mouth while Dexter provided some
entertainment by “grounding” himself on a boulder ascending Scoat Fell.
Seatallan was reached exactly on schedule and I saw no reason to rush to the finish.

My aim had been to have a day in the hills enjoyed by me with a group of friends and that is exactly
what happened. The handshake off Joss at Greendale is the icing on the cake.

 

Sheila, Joss and Peter

Caryl Hartwright (W65) - 21st June 2014

I decided to go for it on Saturday June 21st to maximise daylight and after my final recce decided to go for a 21-hour schedule.  

I hated the taper.  Not enough to do.  Too much time to worry - was I getting a cold?  Had I forgotten anything?  Would it rain? I needed to be well rested but couldn't sleep.  I made lists and fretted.

Saturday 21 June:  after very little sleep, up at 2am, breakfast etc then at Pooley Bridge by 3am with runners Steve D & son James wearing our head torches.  Waved off by the long-suffering Archie, Steve T & Barbara.

We ran steadily, didn't push the pace and chatted up the first few hills to Arthur's Pike.  We were able to turn off our torches less than an hour later and it was clear that the weather would be good.  James kept a log of times and kept telling me that we were getting ahead of schedule.  We stopped for me to put more vaseline on my feet at High Raise and set off again at a nice pace over Kidsty Pike, High Street, Thornthwaite Beacon and several others, continuing to make good time until we got to checkpoint 1 at Kirkstone Pass 49 minutes ahead of schedule.  There were worries that we had gone off too fast and I would pay for it later.  Also there was a bit of a panic as one of my pacers for Leg 2 hadn't arrived and my cup of tea wasn't yet brewed and my bacon sandwich was still in the bottom of a plastic bag somewhere. 

I spent longer than planned at the checkpoint then set off with Jeremy & James hoping that Janet would arrive soon and catch us up.  She did - and after legging it up Red Screes she arrived smiling and joined us for the rest of it, going over Hart Crag, Fairfield, Seat Sandal and so on down to Dunmail Raise and checkpoint 2.  We were now 1hr 16 mins ahead!  But all the team were there, including Lucy and my youngest supporter - the very cute baby Molly.  With too much chatting and faffing, again I was longer than planned at the checkpoint but not worried as we were now so far ahead.

So, up Steel Fell next with Paul, Pat & Andy Mac.  Again we did a nice steady pace, chatted a lot and enjoyed the fine weather and great views.  We found our way over High Raise (yes, there are two of them) over to Rossett Pike and then for the first time straight up Bow Fell on a good line known as Billy's Rake after the great Billy Bland.  There are some big hills on Leg 3 but we continued to make good time, I was reminded to eat and drink a lot and I think we all had a good time.  Pat took over the notebook duty and we continued to get further and further ahead.  Surely this couldn't last?  Surely I would hit a wall (or at least a very big hard rock) and run out of energy after 30-odd miles after a week with not enough sleep?

We got to Checkpoint 3 at Sty Head an unbelievable 2hrs 29mins ahead of schedule and I now realised that this really messed up the plans.  There is virtually no mobile signal in Wasdale but Archie had managed to get word to people that I was about an hour and a half ahead - but not two and a half!  Neither of my Leg 4 pacers were at Sty Head.  Jeremy had arrived to meet Pat & he had some food & water for me.  James had also legged it up and he had clothes, food (and the emergency tent in case of cold wet weather!!) so I was able to eat, drink, change my shoes and socks again, slap on some more vaseline, but after all that there were still no Leg 4 pacers and I was stiffening up.  Arch & Steve T arrived - the dicky ticker team - and Andy Mac said he would start off up Great Gable with me and we hoped that others would catch up.  Steve D did soon after and then Colin too legged it up to join us and Andy was able to return to Lucy & Molly who were due to arrive shortly.

I found Great Gable hard, particularly on the way down when I started to get wobbly legs and we went slightly wrong (my fault!).  However, maybe the food kicked in and I began to feel better again going up Kirk Fell.  I then realised that if I could just keep going steadily I would definitely make my time limit with lots to spare and I might even do it all in daylight.  This encouraged me to keep at it.  Steve D was a big help talking me step by step down the tricky top part of Red Gulley and over the big rock wedged half way down.  Then the long slog up Pillar just came and went and some sort of weird elation came over me - the classic runner’s high I guess -  and I started not only enjoying it even more but I caught myself actually grinning like a maniac as I plodded and ran on out and back to the lovely Steeple, then after another bacon sandwich and some flat Coke, on up to Haycock, a trudge up Seatallan and finally the final absolutely final peak of Middle Fell before dropping down to Greendale Bridge, where a bunch of the support team and the wonderful Joss Naylor were standing on the bridge to meet me.  I was just over the moon, hugging everyone, laughing and crying and just loving every minute of it.  Steve T took lots of photos (including ones of me sitting on the river) and produced some bubbly.  Without a doubt it was the best running experience of my life.

Massive thanks to the team - my pacers and recce helpers were fantastic - Steve D, James, Colin, Pat, Jeremy, Janet, Paul & Andy Mac who not only ran with me but carried all my stuff whilst on the move.   My road support had a tough job with tricky logistics and timing but they were also just wonderful - Steve T, Barbara, not forgetting Lucy & Molly and a special big thank you to Archie who has put up with a lot all year.  What a team! 

A hug from Joss for Caryl