The Strider

  • UTS 100K

    UTS 100K

    Robin Leathley writes:

    3 a.m. The alarm goes off on my phone. Finally, the day has arrived: Ultra Trail Snowdonia 100K. I had trained for six months and somehow stayed injury-free, an absolute miracle! Previously, I’d struggled with Achilles tendonitis and various hip twinges. During the taper, both had flashed warning signs, but I’d experienced phantom pains before and cursed my mind for being so cruel.


    Before I knew it, the countdown had finished, and we were off at 4:45 a.m. Heading up the Llanberis path, it was warm but clear. Most people walk the majority of the path up to the Bwlch Glas. I chose to do the same, determined not to start too fast in my first-ever 100K race. Perhaps more challenging than other 100K races, this one has 6,400 metres of climbing. To most people’s astonishment, I was doing it without poles. Many expressed genuine concern at my decision. I was asked a few times, “What races have you done in the build-up?” The only race I could recall that came close was The Bullock Smithy. “It was 93K with 2,500 metres of climb, no, near enough 3,000!” I said nervously. Little did they know, I did this four years ago now but I didn’t want them to worry. I knew I’d had a really strong training block and just needed to believe in myself.


    I made it up to Bwlch Glas (988 metres) in 1 hour and 15 minutes, a bit slower than anticipated (this would become a theme). You’re then directed onto the Pyg track, and as usual with Snowdonia, it was filled with tourists, even at 6 a.m. Navigating down the rocky steps and stones of this path is a pain, and you descend 600 metres in a short amount of time. I was very wary of how my quads would handle this race, so I walked a good bit of the steps and tried my best to ignore the people bounding down around me. Play it safe, Robin, play it safe; there’s a long way to go.


    At Pen-Y-Pass was one of many amazing aid stations throughout the route. I filled my water again, another 1.5 litres, and carried on up Glyder Fawr (980 metres). There is a little scrambling on this section but nothing too tricky, though not something you can practise outside of the mountains. The descent down Glyder Fawr takes you through the “Devil’s Kitchen,” where you pick your way down rocks and steps again, but even slower this time. Average pace for this race gets completely thrown out the window. There’s then a lovely path alongside a lake, and you ascend a path around the side of Tryfan (Bwlch Tryfan, 726 metres). It looked glorious that day, but I didn’t want to waste time staring; the next aid station was just down the hill!


    There was a huge roar of applause at the next aid station at Glan Dena, the first checkpoint that allowed your support crew. I didn’t bring one, but the extra bodies welcoming you in made a difference, and you really needed the lift before the next, arguably hardest, climb. The heat was starting to get through now. It had only been 24 km, but I’d been out for nearly five hours already. I knew I was on course for 20-22 hours; I just needed to keep moving forward! This climb tops out on a ridge with Carnedd Dafydd (1,044 metres) and further on Carnedd Llewelyn (1,064 metres), only 22 metres shy of the summit of Snowdon, so it’s no joke getting up there! The sharp rocks scattered across the trail mean you have to keep your focus. I met a guy up there who looked like he was having a hard time. Questioning why he’d signed up for this race, I tried to encourage him, telling him he’d done the hardest climbs already, but he was on a real low. I learned he’d done no elevation training for the race whatsoever—absolutely crazy! I told him he’d done bloody well to reach this point and that the next bits were easier. I wish I’d taken his number to see if he finished, but I didn’t. Mystery man, I hope you finished.


    The next sections off the ridge were much easier, onto the first bit of flat ground to a nice lakeside trail. Two guys with a freezer bag full of ice had freeze pops earlier, but I wasn’t quick enough. I waved past them, not really listening to what they said, only to find out later it was Gary House and Robbie Britton (24-hour distance British record holder). I was gutted to learn later I’d ran past one of my personal heroes. Goodbye Gary. The next sections weren’t so hilly, and I made it down to the 50K halfway checkpoint at Capel Curig with the help of a bit of pizza.


    Upon descending into the checkpoint, a kid on a wall shouted my race number down the trail, “1299!” A further “1299” echoed down the zigzag path. When I reached the bottom, a cluster of kids in “Trail Fam” t-shirts shouted, “Give me an R, Give me an O, Give me a B, I, N! ITS ROBIN!!” and then erupted into applause. It was such a beautiful moment; I was completely taken aback and nearly cried. I’ve since looked up Trail Fam, and they do such lovely charitable work in getting people outdoors. I’ll be trying to raise money for them in the future after this unforgettable memory. It really is the small things in these long races that stick with you.


    At halfway, I changed my socks and t-shirt, restocked food and drink, and left after about 20 minutes. It should have been shorter, but I really needed to gather myself after that seriously tough first 50K. I left reminding myself to just keep going. Time wasn’t a factor anymore; I could pretty much walk the rest of the race and make it through the cutoffs if I needed to.

    Up Moel Siabod (872 metres), I met a couple of guys who were a great laugh. I wish I could have stuck with them for the entire race, but I was moving a little better now and wanted to capitalise on it while I could. The climb up Siabod is tough but straightforward. You can see the top of the hill early; you just have to keep striding. I had nailed down my walking-with-hands-on-thighs technique by this point and was so proud to have reached over 4,000 metres of elevation—more than I’d ever done! At the top of this mountain, I began saying to myself, “You can do this, you can actually do it!” Still, I restrained myself on the long grassy descent to the next checkpoint. I wanted to stay in complete control. I’d listened to dozens of podcasts on ultras, about how things can go wrong at any minute, whether it be cramps, stomach issues, injuries, etc. Control the controllables, I thought.


    After the next checkpoint at 63 km, I teamed up with another runner, Alex Holt. This is where the race turned on its head. I’d been plodding along the first two-thirds of the race, tentatively picking through the terrain, with the target of completion and nothing else. I wanted the stones; I wanted to enter UTMB, the ultimate trail race. For the last third of the race, however, I felt bold, strong, fresh even! Running and chatting with Alex had completely distracted me from the 40 miles I’d already covered. We charged through the course, passing people left and right, marching up the back of Snowdon to the summit faster than I could have ever imagined. I kept looking down at my legs thinking, “Are you sure?? Can you honestly keep this up??” I couldn’t believe my training had been this good. Had I underestimated my ability on this course completely?


    It didn’t stop there. We flew down the Ranger path off the top of Snowdon (1086 metres) to the 50-mile/80Km checkpoint. With a quick changeover of food and drinks, we didn’t waste much time. Earlier in the race, I’d been crushing ready salted crisps and pouring them into my mouth to hold off cramps, but I hadn’t felt a twinge in ages. I truly think the distraction and competition with Alex had pushed me to new heights, to the point that my body believed in me more than I did!

    There were only two more mountains left to conquer before the final descent into Llanberis: Mynydd Mawr (698 metres) and Moel Eilio (726 metres). Wrapped up in deep conversation, we chatted through the next 10K into the darkness and finally turned on headtorches. Alex began to pull away on this next descent, which was pretty tricky with rocks, tight trails, and the beginnings of bogs. I had to let him go. “Run your own race,” “Don’t do anything foolish now,” so many sayings from the countless hours of lessons I’d listened to, ringing in my ears.


    Upon reaching the final checkpoint at 90K (on my watch anyway), I told Alex to go on ahead. “I can’t keep up with that pace; you go on ahead.” His reply was, “Do you wanna give it a try?” I looked up and with very little hesitation said, “No.” He, myself and the volunteers all laughed.

    I pretty much pushed him out the door while I tried to find anything that my stomach could hack, but all I could face were chocolate digestives. Spoiler alert: they did the trick. Navigating the forest and boggy trails of the next section wasn’t easy, but I was struck with such a free feeling. I’d reached the final section! I was going to do it! I was going to finish my first 100K race—and not just any race, a bloody hard one at that! No poles. Hours of hard training, regardless of the weather. I’d been ruthless in making sure I put the work in. I actually shouted out upon reaching the final hill, “I’m going to do it! I’m going to do it!!” I held back tears and was determined not to break. I wanted to finish this strong. I wanted to do myself proud. I charged up Moel Eilio and even faster down it, all the way back to Llanberis. I passed 15 people in this last 10K; I was just so excited to finish.


    One kilometre from the end, I passed someone else and felt them surge behind me. Did I really want to fight even harder for one more position? He came up alongside me, and before I tried to muster another gear, I realised it was Alex. It was such a surprise to see him; I’d assumed he’d finish 15 minutes before me, but I must have crushed the downhill to have caught him. It was a real joy to finish the race with him, and we ran it in together. It felt like the perfect finish to the race. I crossed the line and stood in disbelief for a moment as they put the medal on me. I’d done it—I’d completed the Ultra Trail Snowdonia 100K. I gave my brother a huge hug and pretty much collapsed on a bench.


    I would say that I can’t believe I did it, but I always knew I could. My belief in myself never wavered in this race, and when facing a course as tough as this, you need that kind of mentality. What surprised me was how well my legs handled the climbs and descents—who knew they had it in them! They say you learn more from your failures, but I learned so much about my body in this race, and I won’t forget it. For my next ultramarathon, I’m going to hit it a bit harder. Let’s see how much it can take. The Bullock Smithy, let’s be ‘avin you.

  • GVS Do’s and Don’ts

    Roy Whittle (Club Secretary) writes:

    If you are new to running or have just joined the club this may be of interest to you. 

    Running is one of the purest & simplest forms of exercise there is, however because humans are often complex and diverse creatures the social aspects can be a little harder understand or to follow. 

    Here are my top tips: 

    • Most runners (that I have met) are a friendly bunch and usually only too happy to chat about the last parkrun they did, the next race in the club calendar or how good the cake was at the race feed stations. If you are stuck for conversation, start here!
    • The club often runs in up to four groups of differing abilities and will wait for the last runner in each pack at a convenient point such as a stile or road crossing etc to regroup and will match the pace as best they can to the last runner.
    • If you are ahead of the pack and feel able to, please consider doubling back to meet the last runner. If you feel the group you are in are going too fast- tell the leader. They will happily adjust the pace to suit- it’s supposed to be fun after all.
    • If you are leading a run, or are the first runner in the pack, please stop at junctions to make sure that everyone knows what direction you will be heading in. 50 metres after the junction may be out of sight for slower runners in the group and not everyone in the group will know the full details of the route.
    •  If you start to feel unwell part way into a run or feel you can’t run at the pace of the group- don’t worry, tell the run leader, they will shorten the route, adjust the pace or divert. Don’t feel embarrassed to ask, everybody would rather cut a route short knowing you got home safe and enjoyed the run.
    • If you are running as part of a group and you are about to divert for a wild wee or take a shortcut home please tell someone so you don’t get left behind or we have to start a search for that missing runner! (I learned this the hard way)
    • Kit- Dress appropriately for the weather conditions. Most of the Tuesday & social runs are primarily trail and off-road oriented so expect mud or bog in the winter months and mud or bog in the summer months, it is the Peak District after all!

    The FRA (Fell Runners Association) stipulate a minimum level of kit each runner must carry during their races, it isn’t much but is just enough to delay the onset of Hypothermia should you become injured.

    For some short fell races you need nothing more than a pair of suitable shoes (usually “fell shoes”, with an aggressive rubber stud pattern), basic running clothing and a couple of quid for the entry fee.For longer races you will be required to carry mandatory kit. This will mean full waterproofs (with taped seams), hat and gloves, a map of the course, a compass, a whistle and some food. For some races, especially in winter, the Race Organiser may stipulate additional requirements such as an emergency “bivvy bag” or extra thermal top. This equipment is for your safety: the weather in the hills can change rapidly, and it is vital that you are properly prepared for a situation in which you become lost, heavily fatigued or incapacitated owing to illness or injury. The mandatory kit is the bare minimum, and runners are encouraged to carry additional kit depending upon the conditions and their experience.

    https://www.fellrunner.org.uk/faq/frequently-asked-questions#kit

    Carrying just these basics (or your own selection of kit) on a club run, while not mandatory is a good idea, especially during the colder months. I always carry a waterproof top, bivvy bag & small first aid kit for most Tuesday club runs and then add/remove items depending on the weather conditions. Kit is a personal choice so carry what you think you might need.

     If the worst does happen and someone gets injured enough to need emergency treatment or rescue it is useful to know what to do to call help.

    Make a note of all relevant details:

    • Location (with a grid reference if possible)
    • Name, gender and age of casualty
    • Nature of injuries or emergency
    • Number of people in the party
    • Your mobile phone number

    Dial 999 or 112, then ask for ‘Police’ then ‘Mountain Rescue’. Give all your prepared details of the incident and stay where you are until contacted by the rescue team.

    If you have to make a further 999 call, follow this procedure in full again.If you have hearing or speech difficulties, you can contact the 999 emergency services by text. You will only be able to use this service if you are registered with emergencySMS first, so register now — don’t wait for an emergency! Text ‘register’ to 999 then follow the instructions sent.

    In an emergency, contact the emergencySMS service by texting 999. Your message should include ‘Police’ + details of incident + location.

    Mountain Rescue England & Wales

    Above all, have fun and be safe.

  • Winter Half Tour of Bradwell

    Photos

    Results

    Robert Nock2:41:57
    Johnathan Cooper-Knock2:45:48
    James McGill3:35:11
    Paul Hunt3:50:37
    Ivan Whigham3:50:52
    Roy Whittle3:50:56
    Wayne Grant3:57:07
    Eddy Webb3:57:22
    Bec Day4:10:51
    Julia Carter4:26:35
    Chris Tetley4:27:51
    Stuart Keen4:34:54
    Claire Elsworth4:44:09
  • Hit The Trail

    Hit The Trail

    Chris Tetley writes:

    So it begins, the 2024 championship season, well apart from parkruns. Hit The Trail was the first full race of the 2024 season of championship races. Twelve of us turned out for this five-mile trail race on a chilly Sunday morning.

    The race runs along trails through the Reddish Vale country park just outside Stockport. They warned us it might be muddy in places, and it didn’t disappoint. They also mentioned the odd “puddle” or two and yes there were a couple of sections that had been flooded. Can I say the second one was particularly cold. Still, it washed the mud off our shoes, and we soon warmed up on the uphill finish.

    Results

    John Moore35:041st V60
    Wayne Grant36:16
    Brian Holland37:461st V65
    Roy Whittle40:06
    Mary Jones42:33
    Paul Hunt43:21
    Ita Kelly43:041st V60
    Christine Bowen46:30
    Claire Elsworth47:52
    Stuart Keen47:47
    Chris Tetley48:46
    Jane Keen57:24
    Emma Martin59:09

    Thanks to Jon-Paul Kearns for the pictures

  • Hypothermia

    Hypothermia

    Roy Whittle

    As we are now in the middle of winter, just past the shortest day (21st December) and with the coldest weather probably yet to arrive it is probably a good time to refresh our knowledge on how to avoid the effects of the cold when out on a run and what to do if you or someone else is suspected of showing signs.

    The official term is Hypothermia. This is when the body loses more heat than it can generate, usually when body temperature drops below 35 degrees (normal temperature is 37 degrees) and it can be lethal if not acted upon quickly.

    Symptoms of hypothermia include:

    • shivering
    • pale, cold and dry skin – skin and lips may turn blue or grey (on black or brown skin this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or the soles of the feet)
    • slurred speech
    • slow breathing
    • tiredness or confusion

    Now is the time to act: Get help from anyone you can in the vicinity or call 999 or 112. Put on extra layers. Eat or drink something sweet. Move to a sheltered position if possible. If you are helping a casualty, make sure you protect yourself from the cold by putting your own layers on.

    Making sure you wear or take the correct amount of clothing with you is important and the type of run you are doing has an impact on this choice.

    If your route choice is a short local run around the housing estates on roads & footpaths then you may decide that just the clothing you are wearing will be adequate as you are only a short hobble from home in the event of a twisted ankle etc.

    If for example your run is up into the hills, several miles from home then it would be sensible to consider taking extra kit (see FRA kit advice below) as well as letting someone know your route and expected arrival home time as a twisted ankle out in the hills might cause you to cool down rapidly thus increasing the risk of hypothermia.

    Some good advice produced by the FRA and Mountain Rescue is linked below:

    The FRA (Fell runners association) have produced a simple guide aimed at runners, the link is here.

    Often Hypothermia is linked to not wearing or carrying the correct kit for the conditions which is why the FRA insist on minimum kit requirements for entry into their sponsored races, the minimum kit link is here.

    What to do in the event of an emergency (general guidance) here.

    Buxton Mountain Rescue hill safety advice here.

  • Dambuster 10½

    Results

    Rob Nock1:13:14
    Kieran Smallbone1:22:12
    Shaun Hall1:31:10
    Christine Bowen1:46:42
    Chris Tetley1:50:07
    Shaun, Rob, Kieran, Chris, Chris
    Rob flying to another top ten finish
  • Meerbrook 15k

    Results

    Rob Nock1:02:57
    John Moore1:12:03
    Matt Biglin1:14:52
    Ita Kelly1:29:40
    Sean Adams1:30:51
    Christine Bowen1:34:10
    Julia Carter1:37:39
    Chris Tetley1:38:39
    Chris, Sean, Julia, Ita, Chris, Matt, Rob, John

  • Evening Fell Races

    Evening Fell Races

    By Brian Holland

    This year has been a bit of a renaissance for me, I rediscovered the evening fell races.

    It started with Herod farm, the only race I know with two walking hills and only 3 miles to cover, but it is always the first of the year and gets a good crowd.

    Next up, the Gun run, a bit of a hike to get to this one, but the route was good, an easy start up a gentle slope, then down a never ending hill, which caused me and Anna to get stitches, so a bit of shared sympathy and working out if you breath out on the opposite side to your foot strike, which means it hurts less. Then the uphill, Anna abandoned me as she chased down those who had enjoyed the downhill, gradually reeling them in. Over the trig point I caught some other Striders and really enjoyed going down to the finish on the slope we had run up to start. I never caught Anna, but that is a recurring event these days.

    After a break to attempt my second ultra, resulting in the decision that though ultras happen in amazing places, my body does not seem to agree with my mind. The decision made to do more short fell was made. Pete F encouraged me and off we went.

    Hope Wakes: another in the club champs, so plenty of Striders there for me to follow, a simple over the ridge and back route, but with the climb back up being steep and tiring. No pub, no food, just friends.

    Hathersage: I have done this a few years ago, but remembered little of the route, an unusual start on a main road, followed by the inevitable big climb, nice flatter bits, a few boulders to climb which I defy anyone to run up. The long descent nearly broke my ultra-tired legs, quads tingling with the start of cramp, but a photo stop, and off again but more carefully and I made it back. Cake at the finish is always welcome even if the last few metres are very uphill, but with everyone watching and cheering it seems that everyone finds a little bit left for the finish.

    Peak Forest: nice undulating, until you are nearly back and they turn you off to go up a steep rough hill. Cake and a friendly feel to the village hall.

    Sheldon: unusually, for this one you run downhill first, then a nice trail bit along the river, then just to prove the saying ‘It’s not fell race unless I walk’ there is a big climb up wet, soft but stony ground to negotiate, followed by a seemingly endless slope that without the hard climb would be easy. Eventually you hit the road and downhill to the finish, where there is a pub, so nice to sit with a beer watching the tail-enders finishing.

    Stoney Middleton: helped with registration, then ran it. Unfortunately I was in the loo when they said ‘Go!’, so I was never going to be at the front, I remember this – a tough road climb to start, then a nice trail type run. I was not wrong, a long plod up which dropped to a walk, then a great run across the tops, with a short ‘****** this is rough, I’m walking’ section of limestone scree on the way back to the start/finish, where there’s beef burgers, beer and cake. Ticks all the boxes besides frightening scree – I can do without that.

    Cracken Edge: done this a few times, the main problem I have with it is that when on Stubbins Lane I am closer to our house than the finish. But I pushed on through this crisis because the car was in Hayfield, plus having already suffered the stile queues, unusually wet ground and the hard climb up the back of Chinley Churn. The run back from Big Stone is always nice, but a little misty this year, and the run through the trees in the gloom of dusk as frightening as ever. Great finish with a few Striders waiting for me. A new one for me, last Strider. As Pete F says, the view from the back is very different to the front, one bonus is that the grass is well trodden by the time you get there.

    Queueing for a stile at Eyam

    Eyam: I had walked most of this in lockdown, but had only vague recollections. I had a good run, but it was hot and sapping, maybe it is runnable all the way, but my body disagreed and I walked a few bits. Lovely challenging bit near the end, just when I think it’s been a tough trail route, I plunge off a nice road and into woods, with roots and rocks to keep me alert, then an unnecessary hill near the end just to give me a chance to have a proper walk. Drawback was parking miles away, legs were very tired by the time we got down the hill to the car. Hotdogs and beer at the end in part of the historic bit, so ticking all the boxes.

    You get some great views too…

    Great Longstone: This is the first fell race I have ever run all the way, no insane steep hill, not so rough I fear for my ankles, just climbs and descents that are great to run, plus a pub at the finish. This should be in the championship soon.

    Bollington 3 Peaks: not a weekday evening as it’s too dark, but still a good run. 3 big hills in just short of 6 miles, with the last hill beating even the front runners who I am told all walked it. Loved the downhills as the first two are tricky, the last is very runnable including dull canal and road. Chilli and beer included in the price, with a great place to sit and chat with old friends after the race. Another one that ticks the boxes.

    Of course there are many more I could have done, but as you can tell I came with a flurry at the end of the season, so maybe next year I will try one a week all summer. The bonus is they are great training runs for not much money, most of which goes to a local charity not a business profit. Maybe see a few more Striders out next year?

  • Groovy Kinder Love

    Results

    Rob Nock2:56:11
    John Moore3:57:00
    Wayne Grant3:57:02