2nd and 3rd July 2011
Unlike the LAMM I am going into some detail on this one. it deserves it!!
Chapel Stile Langdale was the start venue. We had a late start time of 9.54am. This suited us fine.
I am not going to go into too much criticism of the event but there are one or two points later that I will comment on.
Day 1
The start was a little congested and perhaps some would say held up teams. Everyone started up the same trod where it was hard to pass. Not too long but enough to niggle. It didn't bother me as I just wanted to concentrate on getting the first control right. We perhaps overshot a little but were quickly on course and happy.
There were plenty of route choices as we worked our way around Easdale, The Langdales and Langstrath. Taking in some familiar ground from the Old County Tops and Borrowdale race routes. We were on our own for a big part of this section which made me question our judgement for a while but suddenly there were several teams ahead and our choice proved a good one. A steep climb and contour past Ullscarf lead us to the run in to mid camp at Steel End Farm. The last proper control at a sheepfold was in a great place but left a route choice to the finish. We opted for the more direct less climbing option and ended up inadvertently crossing a boundary. Many teams did the same. 6 hours and 14 seconds. A good day. We were second and in the chasing start. All be it 34 minutes behind the leaders.
Day 2
With the first checkpoint on Steel Fell it was straight into a climb. Never a good thing on a Sunday morning after a bad nights sleep in a small tent. Then it was decision time again. Down and up or around to the next control on Gibson Knott. Looking at the the climb it didn't seem too steep or long so it was straight for it. After some scree it was into the bracken and then a across Green Burn bog. Up to my knees twice, but managed to extricate myself without losing a shoe.
We found the kite on the second knoll. The heat of the day was starting to make itself felt and we had more choices to make. Spotting an intermittent path marked on the map we chose down and up again to control 3 but this would at least be good underfoot conditions, after the steep bracken descent of course. Finding the location OK we then went straight line via Bright Beck to control 4 just down from stake Pass. Choices again but this time I persuade DW to take the high line and not the up and down. I think it worked well but even the short climb to the control was tough for me.
With the finish in sight it was getting serious. We still had a couple of climbs to do and it was proper hot now. I had been drinking enough but had struggled to eat all day. I force down a gel and hope it will help. Too little too late perhaps. DW forges ahead but gets a good (very steep) line to the next control. I try just to keep going. The last few controls are on Limgmoor after the final short climb. We find them OK but the location of one reentrant is not obvious. After the last control we are into the final run in. I tell myself to keep going as minutes lost here can be vital. Setting off OK I am soon reduced to a walk and even stop once almost involuntarily. After a little dizzy spell I force down some jelly babies and fingers tingling somehow keep going to the finish.
Amazingly we are still in second place so have to go through a kit check. I produce bits of gear in between bouts of cramp. OK. We eat and rink and awarded 2nd prize. However a late starter demotes us to 3rd after we have gone. I can only be pleased considering my pace in the second half of the day.
Not sure how much the effects of the heat, the LAMM, Dockray Great Dodd race, hay fever and lack of sleep had on my performance. But I'm not making excuses. Honest!
Once again, a great weekend, great weather and great company. What more?
Russell
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