Trail running base camp
It had finally arrived:
the weekend Id been looking forward to for so long. I had booked onto
a trail running base camp in the lakes and it would be the first time
would be away from Joanne and Oliver. As you might have read, I was
worried I couldn't go because I had broken my toe some 4 weeks
earlier. It had healed(ish) and I could run on it comfortably.
However, my fitness had ebbed away over the weeks but I was
determined to enjoy it either way.
It would also, and
probably most importantly, be a well needed rest bite for me. Caring
for both my wife and son had taken it out of me recently and I was
looking forward to the break. I still felt guilty leaving them for a
couple of days and I suppose a little bit selfish. Even though I
shouldn't, I always do when I'm doing something for myself.
I had organised for
Oliver to stay with my sister and Joanne's Mum would be on hand for
her. I left on Friday afternoon feeling content that everyone would
be alright while I was away. I had cooked, cleaned, ironed and tidied
so nothing needed to be done until my return on Sunday. I drove up to
Grasmere and found my way to Thorney Howe Hostel where I would be
staying or more correctly “bunking” for the weekend.
 |
| Stunning views from the Hostel |
After
meeting the very friendly owner, he directed me to the bunkhouse
where I met some of the other runners. Everybody was so friendly and
welcoming it made me feel very at ease. We had a night run organised
for those who could make it so I got changed and headed out with the
group.
Night Run:
It wasn't a bad evening
for a run, the moon was waxing, lighting up the cloudy sky and giving
us an occasional glimpse of the surrounding area. We ran gently
through Grasmere and headed up to Easedale Tarn, ascending a rocky
path that was slick with rainwater. It felt so good to be running
again, out in the middle of the countryside in the crisp and fresh
night air. Sour Milk Gill roared to my right, raging from the recent
heavy rainfall. The instructor told us it was normally a trickle and
not the fast flowing rapid it had become. It was no wonder this was
one of the most heavily effected areas of the winter floods. Once we
had all reached the tarn, we were instructed to switch off our head
torches and I looked upon the black water under the moonlight. As my
eyes adjusted to the dark, more and more details came into view
giving me a breathtaking picture of the still yet very full tarn.
After a few moments at the top we descended the slippy path and made
out way back to the hostel. It was a lovely introduction to the
weekend.
After the run some of
us arranged to go for something to eat in Grasmere. Nine of us walked
into the village looking for a pub or restaurant. We found a few but
they were all closed, the recent floods decimating much of the trade
in the area. Just as we were about to give up we spotted a hotel with
a lounge bar. We ploughed in to the 4 star hotel and ordered some
food, hoping to eat in the lounge. The waitress took our order and
informed us we had to eat in the dining room. To our shock, it was a
4 star restaurant, candle lit, quiet and full of well dressed diners.
We all made our way to the table and enjoyed a well earned but
expensive drink. Considering no-one knew anyone, we were suddenly
laughing and joking, swapping stories and enjoying each others
company. A fire alarm and impromptu evacuation stopped us mid flow
but only added to the enjoyment of the night. After some really good
food (it was 2 rosette after all !!!) and a few more pints, we walked
back to the hostel and got our heads down ready for a full day of
activities on the Saturday.
Running with the poles
After an early start
and a light breakfast we all headed out for the first activity of the
day. We would be introduced to walking poles used for Nordic walking
and could be used in Ultra marathons. I must admit that I had always
been a bit dubious about using walking poles for running but I was
willing to give it a good go.
After a brief training session we set
off along the “Coffin Trail” - so called as it was the route
taken to carry the dead from nearby Rydal to the church at Grasmere.
It is a fairly easy trail which gets rocky in a few places and gives
great views across the Valley, overlooking Grasmere and Rydal water.
Using the poles was very interesting and certainly helped when going
up hill, the extra push from my upper body definitely made ascending
easier. We made our way along the trail and started to pick up the
technique, pushing harder into the ground and propelling my weight
along. We reached a hillside underneath Loughrigg and we were shown
some more ways to use the poles including skipping!, bounding and
descending. It was really good fun and we all seemed to get a lot our
of the session.
The return run took us
down Red Bank and back to the Hostel in Grasmere. We had about a hour
to spare before the next part of our course so I took some time out
and grabbed a quick snack. Then we were straight back into it. We
were having a training session in the park with last years Lakeland
100 winner Paul Tierney.
Playing in the Park.
The group stood around
in the cool afternoon air as we listened to Paul. He was a
practitioner of natural movement and showed us many of the natural
exercises we could use to strengthen and better mobilize our bodies. The
first thing we did was to play some games.
The games were really fun
way to introduce us all and soon had us moving around, warming up and
having a laugh. My favourite was a balancing game (more like a lack
of balancing game). As 2 groups we both stood in a line facing each
other about an arms length apart. Then you both put your palms up
infront of you (like you were going to play Pat-A-Cake), plant your
feet and try to unbalance your opponent with just your raised hands.
I was great fun and soon sneaky tactics and feints came into play as
everyone twigged how to play it. It was so enjoyable and such good
fun, we all forgot that we were adults.
Once we had all warmed
up, Paul showed us some exercises to do and we all made our way
across the muddy grass Duck walking, shuffling and hopping, it was
great. To finish the session, Paul had set us up a circuit of
workouts to do. There were weighted squats, single leg jumps, and
ring hanging to mention but a few. I could feel some muscles being
used that hadn't seen any movement in a while and knew I would be
tight the day after. I didn't care, I was having a great time. After
a warm down game we headed back to the Hostel, exhausted but
contented.
Night Navigation
I had a quick shower
and headed back to the main room in the hostel for the days final
session – Map reading skills followed by a practical night
navigation route . The instructor Charlie was very easy to follow and
I soon brushed up on my navigational skills at the talk. We all got
changed and headed out into the hills for a night navigation
training.
It was a darker night
than the previous one so visibility was quite poor. The only light
came from our head torches as we made our way along a trail towards
Easedale tarn again. The difference this time was that we were not
being led, we had to navigate it ourselves.
It was interesting to
open ourselves up to the night, listening to nature for clues as to
our whereabouts and looking for collection points along the trail
(gates etc on the map that would let you know where you are).
 |
| Checking the map |
I
really got a lot out of this, giving me more experience for my race
in the summer that would be, in parts, under darkness. We reached
our destination and carried onto a different path which joined the
Coast to Coast Route.
We wound our way back
to Grasmere and the hostel, showered and changed ready for the group
meal. The hosts of the hostel had worked very hard and produced a
gorgeous steak pie with vegetables and potatoes. This was followed up
with home-made sticky toffee pudding and a coffee. We finished off
the night with some great conversation and a few pints. What a
cracking day.
Long Sunday Run
After a few hour sleep
I awoke and packed my bag. We had to be out of the hostel that
morning before our long fell run. We all moved our cars into Grasmere
and set off on a navigation course that had been provided the night
before. The co-ordinates were scattered along part of the Lakeland
100 route and would let me see some of the trails I would be running
come the summer.
 |
| This is my homework! |
We split into two
groups, one group running at a quicker pace. I was in the quicker
group and almost regretted it as the front runner pushed off at a
hard pace. Id not trained or ran for nearly two months and I
instantly felt the pace. I didn't feel too good but shoved it to the
back of my mind and pushed forward, knowing we would be hiking up an
ascent soon where I could catch up.
The route took us out
of Grasmere and over the crag to Chapel Stile. It was a good climb
and the wind whipped up as soon as we crested the top, making it hard
going for a few minutes. We dropped down the other side and onto the
Cumbrian way.
 |
| Down we go |
We headed North West along the trail up to Great
Langdale before turning south to circumnavigate Lingmoor Fell. I kept
my wits about me and started to commit the route to memory as this
was a good stretch of my forthcoming Ultra route. In fact it would be
about mile 94 of my 100 mile race so I would be exhausted by the time
I got to that point.
From there we made our
way to Little Langdale and headed back toward Grasmere. Normally I
could take the run and distance in my stride – it was about 16
miles, but I had nothing left as we came over the top by Elterwater.
I had to suck it up and push on as the pace quickened again.
I was
really hurting but kept on moving along, it occurred to me that it
was good mental training for when things get tough in races, so I
kept with it. I slipped to the back of the group and struggled on
just managing to keep up. After a fast slog on the flat path to
Skelwith Bridge we turned up to Loughrigg. The climb was long and
arduous but eventually the top came in sight. A few of the group
carried on to the Summit of Loughrigg Fell but I had nothing left.
All that remained was a steep and rocky descent into Grasmere an a
mile or so on the main road. I used everything I had left just
getting to the car and I was so glad to see the car park.
I was a little bit
embarrassed by my lack of fitness but I knew I had good reason in a
broken toe, so I didn't chastise myself too much. At the car I
slipped on some dry clothes and wolfed down a pasta salad. A few of
us headed into Grasmere to grab a coffee before departing. One of the
lads spotted some home made pasties on the counter and I treated
myself to a Beef and Stilton one and it was amazing.
It was only an hours
drive home and I thought about the weekend as I made my way home. I
had really enjoyed myself, pushing myself hard but also enjoying not
having to think about anyone else for a change. I knew my fitness was
going to be an issue but Im sure it will be back soon with a bit of
hard work. The weekend had worked wonders on me, clearing my mind and
giving me a new focus for the coming months. I decided that I was
going to come away from road racing this season and concentrate on
trail running instead. I just love being in the open countryside, its
so uplifting and energizing, I love it.
A big thanks the
organizers of the Base camp: The Endurance Store, especially Rich and Dan
who led us expertly all weekend and always had time for our many questions. Thanks also to Charlie and Nic for the pole
work and map reading and to the owners of the Thorney Howe Hostel who
were very hard working and welcoming throughout our whole stay. What
a great weekend!
