April Challenge: The Woldsman - 50 miles

Part of Millington dale - the hilly section of route.

These challenges seem to be more often than once a month at the moment. Which means it seems like I'm either ramping up miles or tapering down at the minute, always with the nagging thought "have I done enough?". On the other hand after an almost non-starter in the Hardmoors 55 there was part of me eager to sink my teeth into a comparative challenge. The Woldsman is that challenge.

This event starts in nearby Driffield so a drive up in the morning was possible and if all went well I'd be back by early evening. Maybe this led to me having a more relaxed feel about the event than prior to Hardmoors. It is a simple format circuit, no drop-bags so quite easy to prepare for - what food isn't in my bag I'd have to get from the food checkpoints (which are usually pretty good in LDWA Challenges like this one).

This route also covers ground that I sometimes do in training so there would be the comfort of some familiar ground. Also as the route only rises to the dizzy heights of 775ft, so not as much bad weather potential as some events I do. And with no mandatory kit list I was able to pack fairly light, whilst still playing fairly safe (lots of runners with just small bumbags on this one, but I still used a 5 litre pack, fairly full).

I packed and prepared mostly the days and night before and went to bed quite relaxed. Sleeping quite well till up at 5am for breakfast. I didn't set off till nearly 7 for the 8am start. And arrived with plenty of time for registration, pee and a chat with a few friends doing this. Nice to chat with Mike Blamires at the start - preparing for another Grand Union Canal 145 (mile) race, Trev Misson - having a more leisurely walk around today, and Fred Clapham who I've run a few LDWA events and off-road runs with in the past - making a step up to 50 as a possible step up to a future LDWA 100.

The Off...

200 or so runners and walkers set-off at 8am and I was soon in the unusual position of running near to the front of pack.As things settled after 20 minutes or so a group of 6 formed that would stay together till quite a distance beyond CP1. The section to CP1 was quite flat, undulating at most, but we were gathering height slowly, yet the pace was fast at close to 8 min/miles. At CP1 (Danes' Graves), 6.75m, I grabbed some flapjack and a jaffa cake for my 'roughly hourly' feed. In the half hours between I planned to drink Chia Charge and have a bit of rich tea biscuit (not exciting, but hopefully would see my energy levels stay reasonably topped-up).

Some running wisdom was keeping the group entertained, mostly from veteran, but probably fastest ultra-runner here Neil Ridsdale. My favourite gem being on the subject of eating loads before the run, "If you stop burping or farting your in trouble". Colourful presentation, but sound advice I think. Towards the more Wolds-like dales we crossed the runway of former Cottam Airfield and passed the derelict chapel to run through our first dale bottom. The climb out of the dale soon after was the first with any real bite to it and one I'd forgotten about - enough so that I was in two minds whether to run or walk it. Go with the flow I guess? The rest kept on running so I fell in line. I wonder if anybody/everybody else was thinking the same?

The Hills begin

Ascending past Fairy dale

The group pushed on hard and started to seperate now towards Sledmere. But then all came together at CP2, about 2 hours running and 13.5m covered. A fantastic spread was laid out . Soon after the checkpoint after a sustained road and track run the pace was starting to tell on those who'd tried to hang on to what was near enough an 8 hour pace now - including me as I steadied off from the front few runners to run at my own comfort. As the land became more hilly, approaching twenty miles in, one of the front group was dropped and I  passed him on the downhill to Burdale house farm in one of the many tentacles of Thixendale. But no cruise along the dale bottom into the village for us yet, there was an almost immediate climb on a minor road onto Wharram Percy Wold (with great views of Fairy dale to our right).

Wharram Percy

At the car park for the Medieval village of Wharram Percy we had our CP3 - near 21m in - and I snacked on some cheese, pringles and sugary sweets. I couldn't say that this food didn't work - as I passed through the ruins of medieval Wharram Percy and struggled with the short climb onto the path running along the top of Deep dale - as I think I just needed to slow things down a bit. I needed the Thixendale indoor CP4 so I could stop, have a more substantial eat and recharge for a few minutes. There was only a few miles to go to there, but it did involve crossing a further dale and a pounding descent on stoney-path into the picturesque village.

Approaching Thixendale from above

Once there I took up the kind offer of the "pasta with spicy tomato sauce". I think I was the first runner to stop for hot food, walkers are far more likely to stop and feast, but most runners have a fine line how much and what they can stomach in run-jostled bellies. I then refilled my Chia Charge bottle for the second half whilst waiting - this CP was at about 25m. I enjoyed the pasta and filled up on some liquid I was probably lacking too. I then moved on down the road through the village and along the dale bottom road south. At this point I'd been going just under 4 hours.

Peaceful Wayrham dale

As the road became a grassy path sheep were my only companions for awhile, the runners ahead - 5 in all - had either left before I arrived at the last CP, some not long after and nobody else had arrived whilst I was there (for about 15minutes). Despite the flat dale bottom route and more food in my belly I was really struggling to get started again. My legs feeling very stiff so I was struggling to run for too long. I pushed on through dale bottom paths and as the ground became a bit rougher and more uphill towards the crossing of the A166 I figured maybe the pasta had given me some slow burn energy, but I needed a 'spark' too. I gobbled down a few shot blocks and managed a run walk on the rutted mud tracks through Wayrham dale upto the road. 

I crossed carefully and rejoined the route undulating through fields - walking up, running down, my energy gradually returning as I climbed to the high point of the route and a few hundred yards of tarmac on the roman road south from Garrowby. Then off the road and a few hundred yards picturesque dale top running before a fast grassy descent into (another) Deep dale. As I followed the dale bottom winding south with sun peaking over its steep grassy flanks, passed dotting's of forest and stream-fed-pond, my spirits picked up further. I was starting to run easier again and in a really beautiful surroundings, in perfect solitude at the moment too.

Leaving Great Givendale

I sustained this through a brief climb into Givendale and CP5 (31.5m) at the remote Scout Hut. I decided to treat myself to longer stops at CP in the second half so I could dig out my cup and keep better on top of hydration. It wasn't hot today, but I was running as hard as I thought I could sustain for this kind of long distance, it was also windy so I'd probably de-hydrated too much in the first half just relying on 500ml Chia Charge drink and water from my packs bladder (probably less than 500ml). After a drink, some flapjack and a quick chat and thanks to checkpoint volunteers I headed out again walking initially as I dug out of my bag my secret weapon, dark chocolate! 

The hilliest bit

Climbing out of Millington dale

I tucked into a third of the small bar and it was good and gave me an instant buzz as I tackled the initially hands-on-knees climb out of Givendale. Then over the top of the dale I hit the minor road descending to Millington. After a crossing through a pretty mini-woodland and stream at the dale-bottom it was straight up again on what might be the longest continuous climb of the day to the top of the dale and the turn north to track the dale. This is easily the hilliest section of the run and an area I quite often drive to to practice hill running as the ups and downs come thick and fast!

Sylvan dale

The first dale crossing is Sylvan Dale and the ascent, though short, is steep enough to have steps carved out of the hillside. At the top the route levels and then drops back down on  path winding through gauze into Nettle Dale, rising back out quite steeply immediately, before the path turns west and the climb becomes more subtle - but still at maximum of run/walk pace for my tired legs. The route the rejoins the dale as it turns west quite high above the dale bottom road now, following the 'Huggate Sheepwalk' on a narrow path that rises sufficiently at first to make this bit hard work. Thankfully the path hits a horizontal plain soon enough and the dale ends quite quickly and as I hit the road I'm at CP6 (36.5m).

Flat out...

Tough, stepped, climb out of Sylvan dale

As I leave the checkpoint I figure I've done quite a good "damage limitation" job on that last section. I've maintained near enough 5mph in a section where some bits have to be walked by all but a mountain goat. I can look forwards to faster miles from here on in as undulations give way to flats. First though the route rises over farmland before a steady descent to sweep north of Huggate on a minor road for a brief time. Then back off-road, into Cow dale - which is full of sheep most days I've been here. I talk to the sheep as they scatter off the path and then its time for a relatively fast sweep along the bottom of the dale.

There's a short, sharp climb out of the dale and a field crossing before following the road into Wetwang and soon the penultimate CP7 (42m) inside the comfort of the parish hall. Another fast section for this stage at about 6mph so I get my cup out to re-hydrate and grab a sandwich whilst I have a quick chat with the CP volunteers about "how its going?" "quite well a.t.m", "the weather effect today" "wind direction behind us for the last 5m has helped a lot. The opposite of two years ago when it made for a really hard finish!" and the marshalls walk of the route a few weeks previous where they'd finished at near midnight.

On leaving the CP a guy who'd been running ahead of me returns to the parish hall. A bad cramp or suchlike forcing him to retire agonisingly close to the end. The last 8m are probably the least interesting and challenging of the event, much of it on good track or hard surface. No bad thing at this stage when, as much as I've loved the event, I'm thinking of the finish. One last hill takes the route south before the route heads west again in the general direction of Driffield. 

A sheep in Cow Dale

My bag of tricks to keep my bod going is coming to an end now, I've got through most of my chocolate and shot bloks and I've got a very straight and dusty minor road to push on along. It also seems to magnify the heat of the bit of sun that is breaking though the clouds at about the warmest part of the day. The kind of road that taunts a tiring runner, "Your tired have a walk...... but I'm so flat and a good surface you should take advantage, you can't stop, keep pushing hard you slacker!" (if roads could talk). But soon the ongoing run on legs that have run most of 45m, forces me to stop and walk for a minute.

The final, CP8 (46m) is not much more than the garage of a remote house. I get my card clipped, grab a few sweets and push on. I've worked hard today and a massive personal PB on this course will be mine. And barring a disaster I should finish inside of 9 hours, which would make me pretty happy about my efforts.

I eventually hit the end of the long straight road and onto a short north-bound section of wide path chopped-up by off-road vehicles - so a bit of dancing around to find traction in places. Eastward turn past some suburb housing and then onto the A166 for a short distance. I take care crossing to the path as the cars seem to be super-fast along this stretch (or maybe time has slowed down for me?). Then into Little Driffield and down the main road, past the pub and to the crossing of the busy A614. I keep up a good effort trying for close to an 8:40 finish - though 6mph+ pace on flat isn't easy at this stage.

Back through a small parkland and its in to the showground for what seems an awful long slog over the grassy field towards the showground building. Its an epic event, but unlike the London Marathon no grandstand finish. The only people around are watching/playing in a couple of football - maybe rugby, not sure anymore.... - matches going on in another area of the field unaware of the irregular stream of people who'll be passing and completing this tough event. There's barely a sign of life at the finishing building until the door opens and I hear something like "here's another one" a few moments before I enter the building. I've been out for 51.1m and 8hrs41mins by my measure - 1hr54mins faster than my previous outing in 2012.

At the finish I check in, grab a quick tea and a soft drink and a few nibbles. I then sit down at the only used table in the currently pretty quiet room and talk to the 4 who've finished ahead of me - in times ranging from 7:59 to 8:20 - and a few of the organising team present.

Yes, this is perhaps the lowest of low-key finishes, but what more do you need, the experiance, and enjoyment of the course and the day are the prize. The achievement is your medal - although I do get my finishers certificate and, as its my local event, I pay £1 for my fabric Woldsman badge to wear on one of my backpacks in pride at future events. The aforementioned London marathon - running the next day - is mentioned, but in the context that this is much more fun. I enjoy my veg stew and sit around awhile to greet home a few more competitors and then take a steady short drive home, knowing that this has been a really good day and one I'll always remember as a "good run".

March Challenge.... It's a good job I did that extra long run!

Run plans update

Before I get down to detail I'll just update my concrete plans for 12-in-12 runs -

Jan - Hull to Bridlington - 27 miles - COMPLETED 25/01
Feb - Round Hull run - 43 miles - COMPLETED 23/02
Mar - Hardmoors 55 - 22/03 - 54 miles - update to follow.
Apr - The Woldsman - 12/04 - 50 miles
May - Centenary Way - probably 10/5 - 83 miles
Jun - 10 Peaks: The Lakes - 28/06 - 29 miles
....
Oct - The Yorkshire Marathon - 12/10 - 26.2 miles

I have plans for the other months, but not sure of the order I'll be tackling certain lone challenge runs or settled on which organised event in some months.

The picture above is from Helvellyn Lower man looking down towards Ullswater and capturing on the right some of vertigo-enducing "Swirral Edge" path over to the steep-sided Catstye Cam. A view I'll get part way around the '10 Peaks: The Lakes'

The Golden Fleece Circuit - 01/03/14

I was feeling quite good and felt I recovered quite quickly after the Round Hull - a nice steady pace helped I think. So I put a last minute entry in for this event, which I'd been reminded about and persuaded to run by somebody at my running club... who didn't end up doing it themselves... but no matter it's a run I'd be happy to do every year. So just 6 days after my 43 miler I toe'd the line for an additional long run I'd not planned on doing in March. It was also my first organised event run of the year and although an LDWA Challenge and not a race as such, I'd be competing with my previous time set for the route two years ago and my own target. A good weather forecast would help too - and I was in luck, no wind (great after last weekend) and sun breaking through the early mist late morning.

This being an LDWA challenge - and quite a popular one despite being only 3 years old - there was a mix of walkers and runners at the start. About a 50/50 split and I got there late so had to try and pass as many walkers as possible in the first few hundred yards on road before we were funneled into field edge paths. I caught up with a few club friends in the early section before I settled down into a steady pace that I hoped I could keep for the distance.

This event takes in an area of the East Yorkshire Wolds in a kind of loop from South Cave and is flat-to-undulating and often on road or good quality trail. So it would be a runnable, fast off-road event for me, which can be tougher than longer and slower ones if you pace it wrong! But I seemed to have plenty of go passing through Everthorpe village, along minor roads, into fields, skirting North cave and taking in the tree-lined driveway through Hotham Hall Park. I kept regularly topped up on food and drink, something about every half-hour and was aided in variety by the presence of Checkpoints (CP) on route, which are often a source of great home-baked treats in LDWA events!

Through Hotham and following a track north, west, north and onto field edge paths I was gradually catching and passing runners who'd started a bit quicker than me. The grayness of the mist gave the area a more isolated feel than up until now despite a few runners in front and behind me. Briefly into the woods and skipping along a sometimes boggy, but "not too bad today" track north before an eastward turn and a long track-cum-road to North Newbald.

At the CP leaving North Newbald the long and short (15 miles) routes separated and of the latest two runners I had nearly reeled in ahead one went each way. Still munching CP 'homemade' flapjack (yum) I made a quick march up the first real hill on route at 7.25m in. It was soon over and back down the other side of the hill, before a steady climb up through a Wolds dale to meet the Wolds Way route heading north near Sancton Wold. We were soon back off this Long distance footpath though and heading east along a puddle-strewn track towards Newbald lodge. The first promising signs of the sun's rays breaking through the mist could now be seen, but the air remained moist, still and cold so I was glad to be working quite hard.

The sun should always shine in Woo Dale

I exchanged places with a lady over the next field edge and then track section to Bishop Burton. I passed as she stopped to pick-up a glove, then was re-passed as I stopped to navigate. Following a CP, the mapped route then takes you on a non-marked route diagonally across a large field, which she took. I decided to take the more obvious and trodden field edge route around this field. Her way was marginally quicker, but she had to work harder and I passed as she stopped to eat.

I came into Bishop Burton and then it was an undulating mile-and-a-bit section south on road. I was alone again, but could make out some runners over a half mile ahead who I didn't think I'd pass any time soon. This felt like the point where I'd settled into my place in the field. The route then hopped over a field to Walkington and another CP and chance to munch. I could feel leg stiffening now, but not to the extent that I was slowing down. Undulating tracks now took the route passed Risby Park to edge Skidby and onto the long stretch along Eppleworth rd. This can seem quite hard when your tiring, but I'd been down this road/track in the other direction just last week towards the end of Round Hull, so today it didn't seem too prolonged by comparison.

Leaving the track I had to walk up the bank of the small hill as my tired legs struggled in the mud. The group of two ahead were at this point only a few hundred yards ahead and seemingly moving well, so if I could reel them in and not lose distance I could be positive I was still running strongly still. 

Across Riplingham rd and I grabbed a few sweets at the last manned CP with about 5 miles to go. Two years ago I'd been happy to run this route strongly in 4 hours 22 minutes, I now knew I'd beat that this year and aspiration-ally looked to break 4 hours. But I was already over 3 hours and with the hardest section of the route still to come I knew there'd be some slowing.

Mount Airey climb from Woo Dale

Turning west at 'Muddy Cross roads' I was now on familiar ground following the Wolds Way as it rose steadily to the top of Brantingham Wold and a steep descent down Spout Hill. I tried to push hard on this compacted trail and a road section and again as the path leveled out. On the tarmacked road section down the hill I pressed hard, but cautiously on tired legs. Then on the trail descent to the Brantingham dale road I pushed as hard as I dare without losing balance on the mud (with a barbed wire fence close to my left which the path cambered towards).

Back on road I had nearly caught two lads in front at the gate to climb the first of the two hills in the final 2.5m. I ran and then walked hard to go over the top into picturesque Woo Dale and marched hard up the larger second climb to top Mt Airey. I caught and strongly passed the two guys on the way up here as I was able to summon a run towards the top of the hill and knowing a downhill and a final fling on tarmac was to come. There's a great field path downhill from half-way up the drive to Mt Airey farm, but if anything it was too steep and slippy for me to take advantage on tired legs. 

I hit the road into south cave with just less than a mile to go - less than five minutes to four hours, so not possible to get inside, but I'd be close! No looking back just push and push on the tarmac to the finish nearer the other end of south cave. The sun was now out and the warmth of midday greeted us towards into the village. I tried to run down the next two guys in front, but they were strong and held distance, obviously experienced and pacing as well as I felt I had. I stepped into the hall stopping my watch on 4:01:53 for 27.65m, the fastest longer than marathon trail run I've ever done.

After a brief recovery sit down (who needs an ice bath?), and a bit of stew kindly provided by the organisers to all competitors, I had a quick change and drove back into South Cave to meet my dad, Clare and Isaac in the Fox and Coney pub. The sun shone down as I enjoyed a pint sat out front - a great way to top off a run :)

The Hardmoors 55 (what goes up...)

3 weeks after the Golden Fleece Circuit, less than 4 after Round Hull and I was at the start of the Hardmoors 55, with three more weeks running, not too little, not too much I had every reason to believe I could easily run the strongest Hardmoors 55 I'd ever run. This event was a step up on the runs I'd done so far this year, not just in distance - 54 miles - but also in terrain. With high, weather-exposed tracks in the highest areas  of the North York Moors moors a common feature along this route with 9000ft of ascent and descent along the way to boot.

I had history in this event too, I've run every staging since the first in 2010, seeing weather varying from 12 hours of freezing rain and wind, to sunny and calm and then snow drifts and really-freezing winds just last year. The weather this year just looked to be cold and with some rain, but I had every reason to believe I could beat my personal best on the route this year.... and beat it well.

But, it didn't quite work out that way. 

I felt somewhat less than perfect the afternoon of the day before as I got ready to go. I got a coffee for the 80min drive to Helmsley, which picked up my energy a bit. Once there I had a nice evening, a pint in a local pub with a few other runners and cooked a pizza back at the YHA I was staying in.

I struggled to get off to sleep and woke hours before the event and couldn't quite get back off. I had a dull headache, but not the type that a paracetamol helps with and felt hot. In the morning I got on with things in my pre-event ritual from 4.30am, dressed, final bag checks, two bowls of porridge and some fruit and then head for the bus to the start, which was picking up nearby.

On the bus I sat and chatted with my good friend Mark Dalton, about the event and what we'd been up to in the last few weeks since we ran round Hull together. It was a lovely start to the day as the bus crossed the sunny moors. At the start I got ready, got kit-checked, handed in drop bags and queued for the loo. After a long queue for the loo twice and not been able to go it seemed I was destined to start the run uncomfortable.

Off we went, 200 or so runners of various shape and size. With a time limit of 15 hours this event doesn't have walkers. The way training had been going I'd hoped for closer to 10 hours this year, which would beat a PB of just under 11 hours set the previous year on a slightly shortened, but snow covered course on an extremely cold North York Moors day.

But I just couldn't get comfortable, down the old train track path I passed a few people and I tried to run or fast walk the uphill towards Guisborough woods. Undulating through the woods I had a chat with a guy doing this run as warm-up for the Thames Towpath race (100 miles) in early May. This distracted me for a awhile, from feeling I was working too hard for the pace I should be able to run at this stage in this event. For the first hard climb, up Roseberry topping I felt flat. This is to an out-and-back CP on the top so I pushed downhill and then laboured onward to the next climb to the hill-top Captain Cooks monument. Most people around me were walking up here, but I felt I should have more zip and I couldn't get going on the downhill. My legs now feeling tired and lacking energy and when I tried to run I felt dizzy. At the bottom of the hill I could only run-walk on the flat road into the village of Kildale, I'd barely done 11 miles!

It was all over here, I tried to start up again running with Mark who'd caught up with me on the way to Kildale. But soon turned back again feeling dizzy and achey. I could have gone on further, but the Kildale indoor CP marks the last place for 20 miles where I could retire if needed and easily get back to Helmsley. As the next 20 miles were on high moorland, weather exposed and the most difficult hills of the route. CP only occured in the next section where the route crossed a moorland road.

Andy and Sarah of the organising team gave me a lift on to Osmotherley where the 31m indoor CP was being set up. I fell asleep in a chair once there. Waking up in time to see Jon, Shirley, Andy, Sarah and others in the RO team greet in the first few runners (exciting in a running geek way as these are pretty damn good, if unheard of, runners due to the low-key nature of trail running). From here I got a lift back to Helmsley with Jon and Shirley as they went ahead to open and setup the finish in Helmsley town hall. It was quite sad to arrive here and not see runners resting, rehydrating, eating and chilling after having finished this tough event. But a nice incite into the organisation side on the day, which I enjoyed and I was feeling a bit better so helped lift some supplies of food an drink in and put out chairs and tables.

That pretty much ends my up-and-down story of March, I managed a longer than marathon run as per my challenge, just not the one I thought it would be. Next up is the rather tough Woldsman 50, which is less than a week away as I write this. I'm hopefully fit and raring to go for this one, and the Hardmoors 55 this year was a one-off!

February Challenge: Round Hull - 43 miles

Hull??

Same weather, but another month has passed and come the end of February it was time for challenge two. And my quite well planned/recce’d Round Hull Run. It may seem odd that I’ll run an non-local event/race without seeing the course, yet want to know a lot about a route in my own back yard. But when you enter an event/race a certain amount of route marking or at least route checking/writing is done for you.  Plotting the route also revealed to me how little I know about off-road paths east of Hull – I’m pretty “au fait” West and getting there with north. And considering the length of the undertaking I didn’t want to make a poor route choice that would cause extra miles if the path on the map wasn’t a reflection of reality.

Back to the task in hand, about 43 miles of varying terrain around, and at some points through, Hull. To run a loop around – preferably outside of built-up areas where at all possible – the city. My friend and companion for many a long run over the past 5 years Mark Dalton was able to make it down to join me for this one, company which would be a big bonus. He arrived before 8 and I’d already been up nearly two hours getting breakfast and last minute kit packing/checks. I said good bye to Clare and Isaac, then Mark and I took a short drive north to Wawne – a village north of the city of Hull on the east bank of the River Hull.

Parked up, we got bags and gear ready, I realised I’d forgot my chia drink bottle so would have to rely on water in my packs bladder till about half-way when Clare would meet us. Mark provided some last minute energy in the form of chocolate he’d got at clearance from his work as it was on (or just passed) date – a useful job perk for a long-distance runner. And at 8:47 we were off – heading east (clockwise) back through the village from where I’d parked by the river.

Nothing too scary was weather forecasted, light cloud and only a small chance of rain. But, as forecasted the wind-machine had turned on, but was helping us initially as it blew from the south-west (SSW to be exact). We made quick progress on tracks and paths, which had dried nicely over the last few weeks to Fairholme house Bridge where we started to zig-zag south-east getting a taster of the wind challenge to come on this exposed stretch. We were soon in Swine and much faster than I’d thought, we were running a decent pace for a road long run at this point!

Towards and through Swine we made good on a few miles of minor roads before crossing the A165 at Coniston. About 100 metres down Thirtleby lane we swerved left on a path through a field and made our way to pass just east of Bilton on field-edge paths. Turning east we followed the road to Wyton and then back into the fields and a challenging stretch across a ploughed field due south into the teeth of the wind. Once over the field a small nav error as I missed the bridge over the ditch and we had to track a few hundred yards west. We continued south over a few more fields, with more shelter from hedgerows for bits before we closed in on Preston. Here is was a west turn to experience the wind furthermore down the long-straight Neat marsh Road that would bring us close to Hull.

The path alongside Alexandra dock, complete with superferry

It had warmed up a bit and our fast start had continued so we stopped to take on some energy. Half a Clif bar seemed good for me as mark tucked in to peanut butter sarnies. I had already reached for energy on the move earlier – apple, half a 9-bar - as trying to keep my levels as topped up as possible as we kept a good pace up. As I really didn’t want to burn out too early today and face a long walk to the end.

Hull loomed into view, firstly Saltend Chemical works, and the top of the big north sea ferry in the docks. The road, now a rutted track, hit the suburbs of Hull near Marfleet and we followed the edge of a field south to join the long, now tarmacked, ex-railway line path as it burrowed into Hull. Passing Craven Park I attempted to explain the east-west rugby rivalry to Mark. After just over a mile we took the railway bridge path south, over the goods railroad and we then crossed Hedon road and followed the road to the river-front between King George and Alexandra Dock.

This was the bit I’d feared, seeing the forecasted wind and now I was here could see we were in for a challenging stretch along the riverfront path. I run this path to work and back regularly, but rarely when there’s such a strong wind and with 15m already in my legs. I stopped to picture the waves, it was quite a low tide, but seeing the waves bashing the river defences beside path you’d think this were a seafront not a river (I know,  tidal estuary to be precise). We now faced potentially the next 10 miles on exposed river-front paths being buffeted by a south westerly building up momentum over the river. Head down time and luckily plenty to see along the river section – I could do a bit of a Hull tourist guide thing for Mark :)

I’m not sure what it is about this path, but I don’t tire of running between the docks and river and then along the “prom” of the Victoria dock village. Sometimes you get great sunrise and sunsets and on a sunny day I think the views along river are great. Although I love running countryside trails, hills and mountains the most, I think what highlights this section for me is the old dock warehouses. Timbers left to rot and fall into the river, industrial skeletons, now detached from the riverside, the graffiti remaining on them will never be cleaned off. Maybe I’m a biast local? As I also find the huge abandoned mills alongside the River Hull somewhat spellbinding – a remnant of the past industrial heritage, the city has moved on, but it’s still there, silent and slightly foreboding.

Back to things running, after crossing the marina at the lockgates – glad they were shut, saves a half mile round trip – it was onto the elevated section of path which runs over the roofs of Albert dock warehouses. A bit of a novel route I’ve always thought, I explained to Mark that I think it was built for people to view a “royal arrival” by boat to this dock a long time ago, but wasn’t really sure. For completeness of my rugby league brief started in the east, I also pointed out the KC stadium from this elevated viewpoint. Tourism aside, the effect of running into the wind was tiring me so I opted we take a more sheltered route from St Andrews Quay down Hessle road to our halfway food stop in Hessle square. The original planned route being the path running along the south of the A63 close to the river. The combo of more wind-blasted miles combined with the traffic roaring past didn’t enthral me.

It was now early afternoon and it was starting to feel warm. Maybe a trick of the wind, but I was also thirsty and glad when we trotted into Hessle square just inside of four hours and just over 22m. Clare had passed us on the way in as we took a ‘rare’ walk-break – honest – and I was glad to see her, Isaac and my bottle of chia charge mix – which would be welcome in the second half. The excitement was lost on my 1 year old who was mid-nap.

The Real Sandwich shop was still open and the massive choice on offer must have been too much for my brain. So I just went for a cheese and spring onion and a bottle of coke and we sat down on a bench in the square to eat. Ten minutes later, onwards again and we headed down station road and then took the path under the Humber bridge and dipped down the steps into the Country park and out again onto the shore.

Passing the - still shut after “Storm surge” flooding – Country Park Inn we were confronted by a confusing array of signs at the start of the shoreline path to Ferriby. On one hand very large “path entry / no access” signs on the other a sign saying this path will be closed for works until “21/02/2014”, i.e. yesterday. Was it finished or would we find an impassable section of path collapsed into the river? We took a chance, went down the path, and it paid off. There was just a short section of closed path with works vehicles around it and nothing going on today (a Sunday). We were able to get around this and run on a new piece of defence wall that had been built, before re-joining the path and running into Ferriby.

Ferriby Church

We passed through the village up Church Rd, High street and passed the pub, before an upward turn to climb Woodgates Lane and the start of the day’s undulations-cum-hills. Near the top we cut through the plantation and crossed the field passed the ‘radio mast tree’ and into the next plantation, which I always knew when young as Scout Wood. Down the hill past the small campsite and we carefully negotiated Melton Bottom road before heading uphill on the track through Bow Plantation with the large chalk quarry to our right. At the path junction we made a left following the Wolds Way route as it visited the edge of pretty Welton village and then headed through scenic Welton Dale. With its grassy bank to the west and tall tree covered bank east, one of the most scenic parts of the county.

We followed the Wolds way as it undulated along paths to the hamlet of Waudby and then on tracks through ‘muddy cross roads’, York Grounds Farm and on to cross Riplingham Rd. North of the road we picked up a field edge path that led north-east tick up the eastward bound track then road into Skidby – munching mini-jaffa cakes as we went. We were more run-walking now than in the urban sections, tiring but enjoying the going, especially with the wind now behind us. Leaving Skidby – our second-to-last village on route – we tracked north to Risby Parks and took the road east to cross the A164.

Now on narrow woodland/crop-field tracks – ‘Jillywoods’ – the light turned golden as the sun lowered in the sky and behind thin cloud, lighting up the area in a warm, comforting way. Time to eat again and we shared a peanut butter sandwich as we moved along wriggling paths towards the electrical substation ahead. Beyond the quite scary substation we crossed the railway line and the route felt more suburban again. Under the A1079 we picked up a green lane into Dunswell as the sky darkened with clouds, the sun now setting.

A last brief negotiation of a muddy track and we came to the Beverley-Hull road and crossed, heading down a road to pick-up the river Hull. The next section had frustrated me in route planning, I’d really wanted to cross the river near Wawne, but the nearest bridge is a few miles south at Kingswood or a few miles north at Beverley (how inconvenient). So we’d have to head south along the west bank of the river here, cross the bridge, and head back north up the other river bank to get to Wawne. I’d even considered planting a dirigible boat here at one stage to save some running – but then sanity prevailed, running 40 miles and then drowning in a muddy river to save a miles running wouldn’t be good.

The River Hull, in evening colours.

It was running into the wind time down towards the bridge and Mark was flying, I’d got a slight energy return, but couldn’t keep up at this stage until he stopped for a walk. Over the bridge and we made quick work of the final mile and a half – wind now behind us – up the meandering river bank to return to my car parked by the river. A good days running - as we completed the loop of Hull and nearby countryside on a varied and interesting route.

The final scores on the doors were 43.6 miles in 8 hours-and-38 minutes. Now for possibly the highlight of the day the return home to feast and replace the 4500 or so calories burned. In fact there was no chance of doing this in one go, so I would get to help myself to “seconds” guilt-free till at least Tuesday. A curry takeaway from Raj Pavilion was the choice this evening. And that’s 2 down and 10 to go! Next up, the 10 miles+ longer and considerably hillier Hardmoors 55 in the North York Moors on the 22^nd March.

pre- Round Hull Run (RHR) update

My plan is to go ahead with my planned 43 mile or so Round Hull Run this Sunday, probably starting early in the dark so I don't finish too late in the day.

My initial aim with this one was to make the route true to its name and keep outside built-up areas (on farmland paths and tracks mostly). However, to keep the length down I’m going to cut through West Hull suburb villages and towns – not strictly Hull so I think that’s fair enough.... etc. 

But, I wasn't entirely happy with that, and decided to truly maximise the 'orbit of the city' idea I started with I've changed the route a bit avoiding suburbs of Hull in the west and taking in the Wolds-edge countryside paths around Ferriby, Welton to Skidby. And I've reclaimed the extra distance that would have cost me as I'm now going to start on the loop rather than running from Home, north 2.5m and then starting the loop (with the same at the end).

Rough plan is to start from Wawne, run paths and tracks to and through Swine, minor road to Coniston, across field paths to edge Bilton and a short road section and more field-edge to Preston (thats still in East Yorkshire for the out-of-town viewers). Follow an old green road to edge Hull and then join a long straight ex-railway path to journey through much of Hull parallel to Hedon road. Head south to hit the river and run along Alexandra and Victoria dock paths which is probably the most scenic bit of urban running on route. And hopefully some nice river views if I stick to my timings and hit this section at around sunrise.

Across the marina and passed the old docks. Unfortunately no avoiding using A63-side path south of the city... which has no south. A small price to pay and adds to the variety. Into Hessle and the first hill on route to go into town for a mid run meal of some kind. Then take the riverside - if path is passable - or road route to Ferriby and into the plantations over the hills to Welton on the Wolds Way route. Skirt Welton and through beautiful Welton dale and follow footpaths rolling over hills and the long track to Skidby.

Through Skidby and north on field edge paths towards Risby and across the A164 and more farmers field edge paths over towards the big power sub-station north of Cottingham. Across the railway line and under the A1079 and a green road into Dunswell. Dog-leg down the river Hull to cross at Kingswood and back up the bank to finish in Wawne.

Then I think a beer and a takeaway may be in order. I've even hopfully got some company for the whole distance, which is great and will help the hard miles fly by. Happy days

January Challenge: Hull to Bridlington - 27 miles



Now I feel I have some real focus with my year long challenge, I'm going to try and keep the blog updated with run reports. In the last few years I've not done this well and I think at least part of that is that I felt I’d be duplicating the good reporting of somebody else or multiple others doing the same event, who invariably get their act together with reports quicker it seems. Many of my runs this year though are solo projects, so I feel i should tell you a bit about these runs, with some pictures too.



The Hornsea Rail Trail, a few miles out of Hull



My boy turned 1 a little over a month ago and started nursery full time. Hence, I’ve spent December and January suffering one bug or another he’s brought home! Things were going well in early January with two good weeks training and I was geared to do the Brid run Saturday 18^th – only to be flattened by another virus midweek before. So I did my very best to eat, drink well and look after myself to try and be fit for my January run in January rather than fall behind at the first hurdle.

It must have worked as after a light protein/carb-balanced breakfast – to try and engage “fat burning mode” for the run to run steady all the way instead of fast early and suffer later on – I was out the door at about 9.45 on the morning of Saturday 25^th. At about 27 miles this should have been a gentle introduction, but with recent bouts of illness I figured I’d be happy just to get around and made sure I was well prepared for all eventualities on route. Weather looked ok for January, rain mid afternoon which I hoped to beat, about 5c, sunny spells and the wind would mostly be assisting me on this point-to-point venture. Nevertheless, best to be over-prepared, in the bag I had:

·         waterproof jacket, water-resistant jacket and over-trousers

·         clothes change (which I hoped I wouldn’t have to open till Brid)

·         ibuprofen and paracetamol

·         plasters and light dressings

·         woolly hat, thin gloves and thick convertible mitts

·         Drinks: over 500ml water in bladder, 500ml chia charge drink in bottle

·         Food for run: chia charge flapjack, chia charge trail mix, banana chips, chocs from Christmas supply, clementine

·         Food “just in case” and for after: sachet of chia charge mix, electrolytes, powerbar recovery bar

·         All in a Saloman S-Lab 12 pack

More than I’d carry for most runs, but the pack didn’t feel too heavy and nearly all tried-and-trusted stuff. I know if it rains and is windy close to zero degrees you quickly need a few layers, especially if you’ve been out a while and you’re tiring as your body doesn’t manage temperature as well. The food and drink should be about right. Barring the trail mix I’ve been using Chia Charge products for a while now and find them tasty and effective without feeling too manufactured – very effective energy release for long days on the feet.

I live just under 2m south of the outskirts of Hull, but backing on to the Hornsea rail trail, which is a godsend quick link to the countryside for a trail-preferring runner like myself. The path follows the old track bed of the Hull to Hornsea railway and is now hard path for a few miles out of Hull before it turns to cinder-path. As I passed under road bridges, crossed minor roads and passed dog-walkers in the initial suburban miles I checked my pack fit was good and adjusted clothing to comfort.

Towards the edge of Hull my baselayer and windjacket combination was feeling a little warm, but not so warm I wanted to take off the jacket. I knew I needed longer to get comfortable and see how the winds out of town effected me, so should leave the jacket on. So I rolled-up the sleeves a bit pulled the zip down and got on with it. For the kit geeks out there I was wearing/carrying:



One of the old railway station platforms on-route



·         Inov8 Trailroc 255 shoes

·         Drymax mid-protection trail socks

·         Ronhill DXB tracksters

·         Odlo Evolution warm baselayer

·         Sugoi Windjacket

·         Buff (pirate style)

·         Map

·         Garmin 910xt



Out of town a bit of breeze kicked in predictably, but I felt comfortable, all systems go and I now had about 7 miles of the Hornsea Rail trail to make some progress along – as the route once I left this track may not be as clean or fast. Being a fairly straight route and consistent surface for long stretches these miles seemingly dragged, despite maintaining a good 6mph+ pace without great effort. Hitting road crossings and the trail-break and mini-climb – to over 20 metres above sea level, a regular mountain on this landscape – passing through New Ellerby provided marks of my progress and I otherwise looked forward to half-hourly drink or food breaks.



A rare uphill on route at New Ellerby



At 30 mins chia charge trail mix, banana chips, chocs and at 90mins half a chia charge flapjack went down well respectively. With chia charge drink on the hour between. Lots of that “Chia Charge” word there, they don’t sponsor me, but I find these products very agreeable and chia seeds – and what they are mixed with in these products – do seem to provide a good drip feed of energy/nutrition from not just carbs, but protein and fat

Not long after New Ellerby near the old Sigglesthorne station – distinguishable as a few of the old station on route are by still having platform edges at side of the path – came the end of known route for me. Looking for a left turn to a series paths I didn’t know, which would take me to my destination. The turn came and it wasn’t promising, crossing a stream on a bridge which had a felled tree laying across it I had to manoeuvre through the branches of – not a good start, hopefully not a sign of things to come! Then it was my first brief bit of mud following a field edge in an arc away from and almost back onto the path I’d just left, before rejoining roads through a hamlet called Goxhill.

A few more fields edged or crossed now, some quite thick mud where I probably worried some tentative walkers as I barrelled past them in sucking, ankle deep stuff. I then passed into a wooded outcrop and over a fallow field to arrive at Seaton – Hornsea Mere remained just out of view to my right, which was a shame. Edging Seaton I hit a farm track heading north. It was about the best part of the morning now, the sun was out and the wind wasn’t much in evidence. I was feeling very happy to be here doing this. But my tranquillity was soon shunted as I passed a farmhouse and was persued by aggresive dogs for a while, probably harmless, but one of them was confident enough to dive at and nip close to my legs. I accept this kind of thing as an occupational hazard, you can’t expect rural homes to tie up their dogs all day just to suit the rare passer-by on routes like this such as myself.

Hitting Beach at Fraisthorpe Sands

Next it was past Bewholme and a zig-zag route around newly built houses on a nice soft grassy path they’d laid out. I look at my watch and was over half-way, and still moving well so messaged Clare to say I was running on or maybe ahead of time and would arrive at my destination at about 1.45-2pm. I slipped into a self-congratulatory moment, took on my planned foodbreak and rook my eye off the map.

The route bounced around unusually shaped field-edges at this point and I got to a hedge with a gap and what might have been a downed bridge over a ditch. There was no footpath sign here so it was going to be guess work if I should cross here or follow a similar line this side of the ditch. In the end my desire not to wade the ditch made me decide to keep following the field edge this side. I got going again, but soon enough ran out of path so back-tracked slightly to find a place to jump the ditch now there was no blocking hedge. I’d probably gone wrong, but not far wrong, but the stops to check route had punctured my good-going bubble. No biggee though, I wasn’t in a hurry and I soon came back onto minor road through Dunnington. Following a zig-zag minor road I was passed by a fast group of cyclists who I reckon were having as much fun as I was on these quiet roads.

I soon came upon Skipsea, but didn’t pass through, instead crossing the damp field past Skipsea castle – which I’d seen on the map, but had never been to before and had me wondering. In reality all that remains is the motte (hill/mound) the castle would have stood on and the earthworks looping around that probably formed the defences. Thankfully I didn’t see the ghostly ‘lady in white’ that haunts the hill – she probably kept away more scared of me than I would be of her. Reality was soon very much restored as I past a sewage works.

I was soon back on road briefly and passing through Ulrome. Pausing to picture the unusual – or so I thought at the time, doesn’t look so much from the picture – clock tower on the church. Over a large field and across a wide drainage channel on a wooden bridge brought me to Barmston and within short distance of the coast for the first time. I turned right down the main village road and then left back onto rural path, just a short distance before this road abruptly ends where land – and a holiday park – has been eroded by the sea at a rapid-pace.

I rounded one of the biggest hills I’d see on route @26metres or 85ft above sea-level. The challenge today was more the terrain than the hills – I’d only ascend 425ft in total on route. I then arrived at a dike which impeded onward progress and made me turn east to finally join the coast at Fraisthorpe Sands – a naturist beach, but too cold for “action” today.

The Sun always shines in Brid

I now turned north for the last leg on clifftop, beach and then clifftop again. Plenty of people were about now on the long stretch of good clean sand south of Bridlington. I passed another Holiday village and park-and-ride - very much empty today – and was gathering pace as I hit the south promenade. I gave passers by a comedy minute or so as I dropped a cereal bar packet and then chased it as it was blown along consistently just faster than I was running, but in the same direction. Every time I raised speed to catch it and stamp on it, I couldn’t stop dead on tired legs to pick it up, so it blew on past me again. At about the fourth or fifth attempt and about 300 yards I finally got it. I wonder if anybody did more than me that day in Brid to Keep Britain tidy?

I’ve not walked the Bridlington south promenade for many a year and I was impressed by the tidy up job they’ve done on it. Wide, smart, clean, and my perception probably helped by low-footfall on such a winters days. Approaching the harbour and I slowed up the last hill (ramp) to bring me to street level and into the town centre near Audrey’s fish and chip shop/restaurant. I stopped the watch at just over 27 miles and 4hrs50mins, just after 2pm in the end, but sufficiently early that Clare or my dad weren’t here yet. I popped into the nearby conveniences to change into my spare trousers and baselayer and came out again just as the rain arrived and the wind seemed to ramp up too. I chomped on a power bar recovery bar and directed Clare towards the meeting point, whilst getting battered by the sudden onslaught of wind and rain. I perched in the doorway of a closed shop and was glad when Clare, Isaac, my dad and grandma arrived and we could go inside Audrey’s to get warm and have fish and chips!

Post run facilities, changing on the right (WC), food on the left, mmmmmm :)