This is one of the many events put on by Lakeland Trails and
they really seem to have hit a winning formula. On race day you had the option
of the Marathon “race” or Marathon “challenge” and likewise with the half
marathon, the only difference between the race and the challenge being the more
generous cut off times at checkpoints for the challenge events allowing runners
to take longer over the course so there was something to suit everybody whether dependent on fitness or on on what mood you were in. They
have created a friendly event suitable for all standard of runner. There was no
mistaking from the start line banner and the range of goods on sale in the
registration tent that this event was sponsored by Asics.
 |
| I wonder who its sponsored by...? |
There was no doubt about it, it was gonna be a scorcher of a
day. Even as Cath set off on her race at 7am the sun was already hot, hot, hot
and showed no sign of abating as I toed the start line very conscious of the
fact that two weeks previously I was hauling myself up a gulley in knee deep
snow and now its forecast to be 27 degrees C and I’m about to attempt to run a
marathon. How is it even possible to prepare properly?! The start line safety
briefing seemed rather extensive and lengthy given the not particularly extreme
nature of the terrain, something along the lines of “if you feel it’s too rocky
underfoot then slow down”. Well, duh! After a couple more delays we were
finally set off along the path to Coniston village.
 |
| The start of the marathon challenge |
 |
| Cath setting off |
I was glad to be moving after quite a lot of waiting around
so possibly set off a little too enthusiastically given the conditions but as I
usually run well enough in the heat I wasn’t unduly concerned. I’ve since
revised my thoughts on this.
The marathon route is basically a big loop of the trails
around Coniston water with a couple of extra detours thrown in to make up the
distance. The first few hundred meters were flat but on leaving Coniston
village the undulations started… and then continued for the duration of the
race giving some 4000ft of accumulated ascent. Another good reason for having
two races is that in some parts the paths were quite narrow and it would have
been a bit of a hassle trying to overtake many more people. As it was the field
spread out nicely and although I was never completely alone it didn’t feel too
overcrowded which is always a bonus. Given the heat it was fortunate that the
event catered for the runners well in terms of water stations although by mile
18 the temperature and lack of food took its toll and I dissolved into a greasy
spot and from then on it was the dreaded “death march” to the finish. I had set
off at 9am and by the first water station I was guzzling back fluid and, you’ve
guessed it, my new favourite drink Coca cola but it wasn’t long before I was
struggling to stomach much in the way of food and drink and the sheer effort of
fishing around in my bumbag for anything became a bit too much.
 |
| Coniston Hall |
 |
| A noisy spectator |
It was an interesting course, never dull, on runnable tracks
and trails and single track roads, a lot of the course went through wooded
areas including nature deciduous woodland as well as forestry plantation. There
were a couple of sections of open hillside and a loop of the picturesque Howes
Tarn but none of it was so steep and rocky to cause problems although I did
find a couple of the rocky descents harder than I should have later on in the
race as my inability to consume much in the way of food left me with slightly
shaky legs. Often the course opened out to lovely views over the lake and over
the Lakeland fells, obviously the plus side of it being a glorious summer’s
day. The whole landscape shimmered in a heat haze under blue skies.
I shuffled onwards from the 18mile mark to the final aid
station where I took on as much coca cola as I felt able to and then buoyed by
the idea of the last 3 miles being on a “lakeside path” I picked it up a bit.
Suffice to say the lakeside path was not what I was expecting. It was not flat
and was covered in rocks and tree routes just lying at the right height to
catch your toe on and a mile and a half before the end I hit the deck.
Fortunately I only suffered from bruised knees and bruised pride and an
excruciating cramp in my calf muscle however the suddenness of my fall and the
loudly expressed expletives must have been quite dramatic as a couple of
runners stopped and expressed concern while I was sprawled out in the dust. Cath
had noted that quite a few folk had crossed the finished line with bloodied
knees so I’m guessing I wasn’t the only one to fall. I pondered the
instructions in the safety briefing about slowing down while going over rocky
terrain but concluded that if id slowed down anymore going along the lakeside
path I would have actually been going backwards. It wasn’t what you might have called a
high speed fall.
 |
| Running above Howes Tarn |
 |
| Colin in action - There were a few folk that i knew taking part but sadly i didnt realise until after the race |
I picked myself up and I hobbled along until the cramp
subsided and I was actually able to run the last mile including the perfectly
located straw bale obstacle jump (thanks to the race organisers for that wee
gem) I was slightly worried that I was going to have to walk in through the
field to the finish line which by now was hooching with spectators having BBQs,
drinking beer and listening to live music. It had something of a party
atmosphere in the sunshine. Just before the finish line I heard a familiar
voice shout my name. It was Liz Sloan who promptly handed me a beer as I
crossed the finish line. Priceless. At least it was a start in getting some
fluid back down my neck to replace that which I had lost and to kick start my
kidneys into back into action.
Cath had rather a long wait for me to finish so at least it was good
weather, it would have been pretty grim hanging around the finish line field in
the rain. Sadly we had to get back up the road and so couldn’t stay for the
festivities and although I would have killed for a burger and a pint it was
probably a good thing I didn’t spend too much more time out in the sunshine as I
was already starting to closely resemble a lobster. Despite struggling towards the end
of the race it was an enjoyable day at a very well organised fun event. Thanks to
Cath for suggesting it and inviting me. Since I’ve moved to Aberdeen I don’t
get down to the lake district nearly as often as I would like so it was great
to visit again.
 |
| What further reason would you possibly need to visit? |
 |
| Relaxing in the sunshine |
 |
| Grasmere fells |
