Staying cool

A great day out yesterday. Mark drove, Rosemary did a triathlon (on the hottest day of the year, I ask you!), and I had a fantastic time - there was so much to do. I loved the lake: lying in it to cool down, swimming, splashing and chasing after the big fish, and best of all - you can drink it. I got a bit over-excited by the crazy golf, I even managed to catch one of those little white balls, but Mark said he got fed up at my barking so he tied me up by the car. I loved seeing the other dogs (except the growly husky) and made lots of new friends; there was another collie chasing a tennis ball - why are we all so obsessed with tennis balls?

Mark's 50 at 50

Mark's asked me to post his account of his recent all day run in the Lakes. He's broken it down into sections so he can fit the pictures in.

Mark's 50 at 50 - The Challenge

In Safe Hands
My 50 at 50 Bob Graham Round 28th May 2010

The Bob Graham Round is one of the classic tough fell running challenges, established in 1932 when Bob Graham completed 42 Lakeland summits in under 24 hours. The allure of the BG and of joining the 24 hour club drives many people every year to Keswick to attempt their 42. For a few of us, 42 isn’t enough and a nice big round number looked like a great way of celebrating my 50th year. Months of preparation, a great support team in place, and I was ready.

Woke with the birds at 03:50, couldn’t sleep, mind whirring with so much to do before the start at 17:30; last minute shopping (mittens and water container), food supplies, lunchtime Keswick fish and chips, and in the afternoon carload by carload the friends (organised by Al) who would help us round arrived at our HQ camping barn. Rick Houghton, Andy Pead and I had agreed to do our BGs at the same time to share support and logistics: the plan was I’d set off 20 minutes before them for my first two (Lonscale Fell and Skiddaw Little Man) and the 3 of us met up at the top of Skiddaw; after that we’d stay together as far as possible, and if still together I’d leave them at the top of Robinson for my final six (Whiteless Pike and then along the ridge to Causey Pike). My schedule allowed me 23hrs46mins to complete the round.

Mark's 50 at 50 - Leg 1

Looking good at Moot Hall. Andy on the left, Rick in middle, and me exactly 24 hours before returning.

Set off with Alan and Michael. Michael didn’t let on he was in a lot of pain – he’d cracked a rib a few days before, but didn’t want to let me down. We gained time on the first two summits, noted at one stage I was climbing too fast (21m in a minute) and so settled to a relaxed walk up the final ascent of Skiddaw ahead of Andy and Rick. After regrouping we made up more time and reached Blencathra and Yiannis who took us straight down the Parachute Descent, saving us lots more time.

So why choose these extra 8 summits? The final 6 along the Grasmoor ridge would add another big climb to the standard 42, making it more of a personal challenge, with (in all seriousness) a significant risk of failure. The first two worked really well so that I could go round as far as possible with Andy and Rick, and were also reasonably good climbs in their own right. Another early decision was that I would complete the 50, even if it meant taking longer than 24 hours, and I made sure everyone in the team knew this. It saved a lot of discussion later on when things got tough.

Mark's 50 at 50 - Leg 2 maintaining fast pace

Half an hour up, Leg 2 started before darkness. I’d eaten well at the handover, but on the move it was taking me a long time to finish the food I brought with me. This was not a good sign, as I always tend to lose my appetite in long events, but I hoped that constant snacking would get me round. Alan stayed on and I was joined by Mark whose inch-perfect navigation brought us through the nighttime. Rick had the most energy and he was leading most of the leg, but we all stayed in one group throughout. I was running cautiously, to avoid falls and also to save my legs, which were not mountain hardened, for later. Gained more time on leg 2, but moved at a pace that made it hard for me to eat.

I’d not managed much training on the fells – only 4 visits to the Lakes in the previous 6 months – and so I’d adapted my training to strengthen my legs as much as possible in the gym. My training buddy, the indefatigable Charlie (seen here on Helvellyn in April) pulled me along (on his hands-free leash) for most of my steady running training sessions.

Mark's 50 at 50 - Leg 3 - The wheels came off

For leg 3 I was joined by Bob, and Mark stayed on. We all left Dunmail together in a big group, still half an hour up, and climbed fast up Steel Fell, but I was not keeping pace. Big effort to catch the others at the summit. Trying to stay in touch with the group. Needing to eat, but no appetite. Can’t chew anything solid. Only stuff that would go down was gels – I’d had 2 towards the end of leg 2, and had more now. This was not good. I should be keeping gels for emergencies. Stomach was in pain - tight and uncomfortable. Knew that I couldn’t go on much longer without fuel. Struggling hard to keep up at Sergeant Man. Conscious that I wasn’t in the mood to chat, that Al was running alongside to keep me company, with Mark behind to make sure I wasn’t last. The signs weren’t good. By High Raise breathing laboured, I sensed that I badly needed a rest but I couldn’t decide where, and thought I could rest at Wasdale – as this was 4½ hours away I’d clearly lost the power of thinking straight. Resting was not unusual for me: I’d slept for 90 mins in the previous year’s Lakeland 100, and for 60 mins in the Ridgeway race, and gone on to finish both. To my relief the decision was taken for me at Thunacar Knott – I was slurring my words by then. Andy, Rick and the others had waited for me, but would go on, I would walk from here with Mark and Bob until I’d eaten and regained strength. I’d been going only 10 hours..........
A common question is how do you train for these events? You don’t need to be fast. Mental stamina is the key. I think this is probably more important than physical. After several hours on the go it is harder to take rational decisions and it’s easy to get confused by emotion, fatigue, pain, delusions, and ‘why on earth am I doing this to myself’ thoughts. For the previous 6 months I’d rehearsed this mental state, and my response to it was always the same – just keep going. It was essential that I had a simple plan: stripped down to its essence, it was to take no decisions on the day, make no changes, and keep going to the end, so that (as I joked in the months leading up) they would have to peel me off the mountain if I didn’t make it. This meant that on the day I wouldn’t need to summon up new mental energy when it got hard – hard was part of the plan: it was never going to be easy, but I wasn’t going out there to make excuses.

Walked, threw up, walked some more, drank, ate a bit, drank, ate, jogged, and with Bob and Mark’s patience after 2½ hours started to find the right pace again. Sorry about there being no pretty sunrise photos here: I was grim, and so were the conditions, getting windy, with rain showers. The forecast was right, but this was normal weather for the Lakes. Bowfell at last, now in the rocky (and wet) section, lost a bit more time to Scafell, rapid descent to Wasdale down the screes, and in the car park 18 minutes behind schedule.

Mark's 50 at 50 - Damage Limitation on leg 4

Complete change of support here – joined by Sarah, Peter and Paul for leg 4. My brother Julian had driven supporters and supplies here; he’d been told by mum not to let me get too tired! thankfully he chose to disregard this piece of parental advice. By taking only half the planned break, we left Wasdale only 10 mins down on schedule, thinking that it would be tough, but achievable as long as I got to Honister in good shape. While Leg 3 may the longest, leg 4 is tougher with the big climb coming straight after the 900m descent from Scafell. Started climbing Yewbarrow too fast (altimeter read 15m/min), was sweating, reduced pace, and ascent was exactly on pace. Morale good. Sarah reminding me to eat. For me leg 4 was about damage limitation, I soon gave up caring about the schedule and found a pace that was comfortable. Along the way Paul pointed out a few extra summits that would involve a small detour. Not interested. My route was planned, and I was sticking to it. Pace dropped at Kirk Fell and Great Gable, causing a bit of worry in the team; I didn’t know at the time, but they were seeing my 24 hours slipping out of reach again. Paul navigating up front, Sarah doing a great job sticking close and keeping me focused. Green Gable done, picking up a bit of speed on the grass, stumbled, tripped, fell headlong, avoided most of the rocks, supporters worried, checked for injury, no damage apart from torn altimeter strap, but a whole minute lost. I was more worried about being told off by Sarah for not concentrating than by the fall itself. Underway again. Last summit of this leg was Grey Knotts. Paul, “it’s 14 minutes to Honister from here, 12 if you push it”; checked watch, it said 13:11, I’m still in with a chance of the 24 hours. Damage was limited, now let’s go: we came down in 12 minutes.

Mark's 50 at 50 - Four hour adrenaline rush

Happy after Dale Head. Feeling strong, eating again and gaining time. Flying into Honister we picked up Wendy, Mandy, Roy and Pete(W) for Leg 5; leaving behind Paul, and with only 5 mins rest we left 9 mins behind schedule. I describe leg 5 as a 4 hour adrenaline rush. I was on my second wind; we hurtled up Dale Head in 30 minutes. I was now eating jelly and rice pudding on the go; they were the only things that slipped down easily. At Robinson Neil joined us again – he’d joined us earlier from the top of Blencathra to Dunmail.

Mark's 50 at 50 - Why?

Folk who hear me talking about this ask Why? I know why – it’s about having great people helping you achieve your dream, and being totally in their hands. Throughout the round everyone had been so positive, and now gaining time and sensing success, the whole team got infected with tremendous energy. It was a great feeling.
Up on schedule, and up on Robinson (Rick finished in 20:34 – arrival 14:24 – about the time this photo was taken)

Mark's 50 at 50 - Final 6 summits

Climbing Whiteless Pike from Sail Beck (Andy finished in 21:27 – arrival 15:17 - about the time this photo was taken).
From Robinson, we dropped down as quickly as possible; folk not keen on the kamikaze waterfall descent I’d planned, so we went slightly longer; no matter, we’re still good for 24 hours. Now for the final climb up Whiteless Pike. These final additional 6 summits added over 800m ascent, and about 2.5 extra miles, but with the benefit of only 3 miles on roads. We climbed well, and kept moving ahead of my schedule, then relaxing, laughing and joking about having enough time to stop at the pub at Swinside before Keswick.

Mark's 50 at 50 - Timing error revealed

Final summit, Causey Pike, we thought. Pete wrote “Except a minute later we realised that not only was this photo taken on a false summit but the schedule 'skipped' half an hour and we were now out of time. That was an amazing last 40 mins to get back to Keswick with a couple of minutes to go!” The error when later corrected gave a schedule time of 24:05. In an instant our comfortable time cushion and easy pace evaporated, and we had to race for it. From the top of Causey Pike we had 50 minutes to get to Keswick. Achievable, but we would have to work hard.

Mark's 50 at 50 - the Finale

In a hurry, every minute counting - about to hit the road at Stair, with less than 30 mins to go. Meanwhile in Keswick increasingly anxious friends watching the minutes tick by; wanting to do everything possible for me, they cleared a path through the Saturday afternoon Keswick market shoppers. Three miles away I must have been mentally attuned to them willing me to succeed, and I was flying.

Paul ready by the car to guide us in. What pace do you want? As fast as possible. 8 minute miles? Yes, sounds good. Fast pace for first section, but slowed to a walk on the first hill. Paul getting worried. You’ll have to really run now. Picked up speed on the descents, and through Portinscale with 10 minutes left - should be just enough. Along the Keswick streets dodging shoppers and cars. My team were stopping cars and moving people for a clear run. Final push to the Moot Hall. Touched. Stopped watch – it read 23:56.59. Too exhausted to celebrate. Flooded with relief, emotion and pride in the team.

Later that evening, final act of the day was a couple of important pints with everyone who made it possible. Making the most of the occasion. And why not?
Scarcely had the sweat dried, and I was being asked what’s your next big event? No hesitation, I said, “Nothing”, it’ll take 3 months to recover from this. The BG affects people in different ways, some can’t run for months afterwards. Well, 11 days later I found myself on the start line of the Boars Head fell race. Why not? Andy was there too; he won V40 and I won V50 – a boosted training effect, I understand.

Vuvuzelas

(Charlie's blog again) I was all set for a quiet Friday night in, having my tummy rubbed, cosying up on my sofa, everyone saying what a good boy I am. But then the boys took over, shouting, fighting each other, and blowing their loud horns while getting very excited about some football on the TV. I didn't like the horn blowing, so I took cover upstairs and hid under Lea's bed. I hope the noise ends soon.

Training Buddy

Mark told me he's writing about his 50 at 50, and how I am his training buddy. I'd just like to set the matter straight that he's my training buddy: I'm the one pulling him along when we are out together, and often he's just sitting at home while I'm doing all the hard work chasing the birds out of the garden,
Here's a photo of us resting at the top of Helvellyn two months ago watching the JJs play snowballs and Mark studying his 50 summits.

First dog

Just back from the village fun run through the woods where I won a bone for being the first dog; I stopped at about 5 trees, and had a roll in one muddy puddle along the way. The bone was nice, and I started on it straight after the prize giving. I've just buried it somewhere at the bottom of the garden, with my other bones - quite a good collection now, if only I could remember where I put them. I pulled my young master around, and he was the fastest under 15 boy, and Mark won the race - he won a voucher for a pub meal, so he's very happy now. He keeps telling me he will write up his recent 50 at 50 in the Lakes; I would have liked to have helped on this run, but I wasn't allowed.

My garden

My family has a nice garden. It's big enough for Mark, or anyone who wants, to throw a ball or my squeaky a long way, and for me to bring it straight back ready for another throw; it's my favourite game, and I could play it all day. Sometimes, if none of my family wants to play, I drop my ball over the fence for Alf to throw for me; he can't throw very far, but it's better than nothing.
The garden at the bottom of mine has some bunnies in a hutch; I sit and watch them all day. Underneath the big shed there's a new family of small animals just moved in; I sit and watch them all day too.

Race for Life June 6th 2010

My first marshalling duties this morning. Mark had volunteered to help with the marshalling, while I assisted by just being there. After the morning's usual rowing coaching, we trotted off to the Parks. Lots of people wanted to make a fuss of me, and I obliged by rolling on my back a lot. Another warm day, and I was glad when Mark asked if I would mind if we took the bus home. The bus ride was fine, and Mark reminded me of when I was a puppy and used to get really angry with buses, especially when they swallowed up Young Master when he went to school.

Colllywobbles

Today at Blenheim, a nice lady was talking to Mark. She said she has a collie the image of me, who is 13 years old; last year, she had the collie wobbles, which apparently affects older collies, and ones who get too hot; basically the brain gets disconnected from its balance functions, the eyes roll, and the dog can't balance. Normally all gets back to normal after 48 hours, but in her dog's case it took a week.
We were at Blenheim to see Rosemary and Sue (Team Summer Madness) do the triathlon. I would have liked to have gone for a paddle at the edge of the lake, but Mark said that the thick, black, smelly mud might spoil the inside of the car. Shame, I wouldn't have minded.

Recovery week

I'm pleased to see that Mark is back, as always, but I haven't been out for a decent run for well over a week now, and I'm getting stir crazy. Perhaps it's for the best given the hot weather recently. He mentioned something about a run along the river early tomorrow morning. Can't wait.