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Position Time
Retired (12 of 14 checkpoints) 13:29:00
BS – 12:58 CC – 14:15 EX – 15:12 ED – 15:57 CA – 16:44
PF – 17:49 MD – 18:59 CM – 20:00 ES – 20:52 BT – 22:14
CC – 23:55 WB – 01:29
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Well the
Bullock Smithy really is a unique event!
56 miles round the Peak District, some 8000 feet of climbing, starting off at mid day so even the fastest have to do at least some of the route in the dark and throw in navigating between checkpoints and you quickly get a feel for how tough this race is and will quiet probably be the toughest race I do before the Marathon des Sables! I can’t possibly do this race report justice as over 13 hours a lot happens, so I’ll have to just mention the highlights.
The build up to this race was a mixture of good and bad. The good was that I’d reccyed what I hoped would be the night time section of the course, I’d managed to get 204km in training the month before, and my new fell shoes seemed good in training. The bad, my back injury had meant I’d only managed one decent months worth of training in the last three and this was several leagues above anything I’d done before.
At the start I met up with Ivan, Rose and Steph from themds.co.uk forum and started to suspect I had over packed as my back pack was the heaviest. This was quickly confirmed when I met a couple of the Stockport Harriers who had big bum bags on only! Not a good start!
My plan was to walk the up hills, jog/walk the flats, and jog the down hills till nightfall, after which I suspected I’d be reduced to walking due to the conditions
Stage 1 – to Bowstones (total distance 5 miles)
The anvil was struck to signal the start of the race and we were off. Being a runner, I followed the other runners (and there were loads of them!) down the road towards Poynton rather than the recommended route (a slightly indirect road route is quicker for a runner than a direct off road footpath). There was a great moment when in the thick of a herd of runners, a sheep got confused and tried to join us, only to realise when it got really close that we weren’t sheep and panicked. The climb to the top of Bowstones in Lyme Park was tough, but I was pleased to see I was making good time. I grabbed a drink and kept moving
Stage 2 – to Chinley Churn (total distance 10 miles)
The start was easy, all downhill, but this didn’t last long as we had to climb up the hill on the other side of the valley. Still going strong I approached Furness Vale and was joined by two experienced Fell Runners who’d done the course before (though the last time Bernard had done it was 20 years ago!). The climb out of Furness Vale was another long one, made difficult by the fact that the narrow path was flooded and very boggy in parts. As we got to the top, I checked in and headed straight off on the next stage
Stage 3 – to Edale Cross (total distance 14 miles)
I had to make a quick loo stop, and that meant I lost Bernard and Mike, but carried on down hill undeterred. The field had really started to thin out by now and I could only see 3 or 4 people within sight. Just before completing a short climb I'd past Bernard who looked liked he too needed the loo! I caught up with Mike and a woman joined us who was a keen mountain who usually biked this part of the course. After making a really steep decent, she stopped and got her trekking poles out. I foolishly thought she was tired already, but as we turned the corner I saw why... Edale Cross is one hell of a climb approaching from the West. It was absolutely gruelling, first I lost contact with the woman as the poles really came into there own, then I lost contact with seasoned veteran Mike as he powered his way up. Finally I reached the top with pulled up socks man (PUSM), though I must have looked a state as the checkpoint team asked me if I was OK!
Stage 4 – to Edale (total distance 18 miles)
Thankfully PUSM was a seasoned veteran too and knew the route down to Edale so I tried to stay close to him on the decent. The East side of Edale Cross is known as Jacob's Ladder, and is like a huge stair case made out of massive rocks, some weighing half a tonne which were winched up from the river below (which let me tell you is a long way down). Very impressive, but hard to run on, so this downhill was mainly wasted for me! I managed to just keep PUSM in sight till we were almost at Edale, but I had to stop to remove a stone from my shoe and sort my socks out and Bernard also appeared from nowhere and overtook me. It was a great relief to get to Edale as they were serving rice pudding with fruit salad! I wasted a little time refilling my water and so I missed Bernard departing sadly.
Stage 5 – to Castleton (total distance 20 miles)
Edale to Castleton is only 2 miles... easy... or not as proved to be the case. This short distance between the two towns has a tall ridge (including the hill Mam Tor) in the way with the lowest practical point known as Hollins Cross at 411 metres. This is a tough climb on its own, but couples with the previous ones it was tough. The view from the summit was fantastic though, and well worth the 30 second break I took to appreciated it. The decent was tricky though due to wet rocks which constantly made me feel like I was going to slip, so half of this downhill was wasted also. The history behind this route though is fascinating as the people living in Edale use to have to bring their dead over Hollins Cross to bury them in the church in Castleton until Edale got its own church! Entering the Castleton I registered at the checkpoint and caught up with Bernard. Two good Fell runners had retired through injury here… a warning that on any given day it doesn’t matter how good you are, you’re at the mercy of the course
Stage 6 – to Peak Forrest (total distance 24 miles)
Leaving Castleton there was a comedy moment when I popped into a hiking shop to ask for directions to the footpath for the Pennine way only to be told by the assistant “sorry mate, don’t know it”! Bernard directed us via the Cavedale route, and this turned out to be like hiking up a waterfall! Small and medium sized rocks make up the steep climb, but plenty of water was rushing downhill from the previous few days of heavy rain. It made climbing very difficult and soaked our feet. Bernard and I had some great chats as we progressed along this stage. My body was beginning to feel the effects of the run by this point and my pace had slowed a little and coming to Peak Forrest provided a welcome rest with the lovely oranges they had prepared for us all
Stage 7 – to Millers Dale (total distance 28 miles)
Bernard and myself left Peak Forrest together on what looked on the map a simply and fast stage with a small climb to begin with and then a downhill farm track and bridle way all the way to the end. Sadly the previous day’s rain had turned the track into a mud bath, and a farmer was moving his cows along it as we passed. We tried not to think what we were stepping in! :) As the stage progressed I knew my stamina was fading but it was great to pass the 26 miles marathon mark (6.5 hours!) and know that every step from now on was a new record for me. I began to feel like I was holding Bernard back a little and offered him the chance to scoot on ahead, but he was happy to accompany me to the end of the stage and take it from there. Eventually, feet covered in mud and soaking, we hauled ourselves into the checkpoint and had some soup. Bernard was happy to stay a little and he looked strong, whereas I wasn’t by this stage, so I set off before him to force the break as I didn’t want to hold him back, and knew I needed to get moving before I stiffened up.
Stage 8 – to Chelmorton (total distance 32 miles)
Millers Dale is a beautiful area, and I’d been on a walk previously round the footpaths here with Lauren, this time however I chose to stick to the road climbing out of Millers Dale as the conditions underfoot had been so bad I really couldn’t afford to waste energy slugging through mud unnecessarily. It was another tough climb and it was the last time I saw the Dad and his 13 year old daughter (on a “father daughter bonding day” as he told me… what a family!). Bernard and his new travelling companion also caught me up and overtook me on the climb. His new companion was fascinating as the chap was a hiker and hadn’t run at all! Just goes to show you what a consistent fast and strong walking pace can do. By the end of the climb I was in a group of 4 with Mike again from the Chinley Churn stage again! As we approached the checkpoint it started getting dark and I unveiled my sexy leopard skin pattern head torch! I also put on my running jumper as my pace wasn’t fast enough to stay warm in the cooling night time air!
Stage 9 – to Earl Sterndale (total distance 35 miles)
It was now pitch black, and whilst this stage was relatively simple, I didn’t know the way, and this worried me. I dug deep and threw the last of my running reserves into keeping up with Mike and the crew on the running sections, but it was clear I was the weakest in this group. I trudged on through the dark with the guys and we eventually approached Earl Sterndale much to my relief. I spent probably close to 10 minutes at this checkpoint trying to recover, and the man with his dog (MWHD) came in, the dog looking like it wasn’t even tired!
Stage 10 – to Brand Top (total distance 39 miles)
This was a tough stage and I knew it! From here on in I knew the way at least, and it was a good job as Mike were too strong for me on the vicious up hill (that’s a great downhill on the Buxton half). I slipped back into the group behind which was 6 or so strong including MWHD and had a bit of a laugh with him about his super fit dog (which apparently doesn’t like him donning his running kit without taking him out too!). As we approached the climb to Brand Top we encountered the ridiculous climb to the farm. It was one of the smallest climbs all day, but it was liquid mud all the way up, absolutely disgusting, and the only way you could escape it dry would have been with waders! MWHD joked that he must write a letter of thanks to the farmer for keeping that path in such excellent condition! At the top it was a short run to the checkpoint where they were serving hot dogs!
Stage 11 – to Cumberland Cottage (total distance 43 miles)
I left Brand Top by after changing my socks but knowing there was a group only a minute in front. I caught up with them on the downhill and was surprised to see it included PUSM. It was raining a medium amount by this point and I had my waterproof jacket on. The legs were struggling and I felt my body continuing its downward spiral. I was fairly amazed I was still in the game as I’d been on the ropes since the Chelmorton checkpoint. We stayed mainly walking on the roads (even flats and downhill) as it seemed the most sensible option. The public footpaths may have been shorter, but would have cost more energy dealing with boggy off road conditions, with the risk of getting lost. We passed Three Shires Head which is beautiful during the day, but there’s nothing to see at night, and my legs felt drained... though not as drained as my Garmin gizmo which ran out of battery at this point! I wasn’t talking much by this point as all my focus was needed to continue. Eventually I saw Walker Barn and was relieved as it gave me the chance to put my water proof trousers on.
Stage 12 – to Walker Barn (total distance 47 miles)
I was the weakest in the group and knew I’d be holding them back and being pulled along faster then I could cope with so I told them not to wait for me whilst I was putting my waterproof trousers on. There didn’t seem to be any other groups around for the first time in the entire race, and so I left the checkpoint on my own, feeling bad, but knowing I could make it to the next checkpoint. The first third of the stage is fairly flat, but the rest is all up hill (albeit road uphill so not as tough as Edale Cross). On my own, in the dark, rain drenched, legs drained, the spirit was taking a battering, but I firmly believed if I could get to Walker Barn then I was likely to finish. As I came to Macclesfield Forrest I stayed on Chancery Lane as I thought it would be easier then the off road sections the Forrest route covered… maybe I was right, but it wasn’t an easy option. Chancery Lane is a cycle path, but is made from fist sized stones, and so is very uneven. For the best part of a mile I trudged on with mist rolling in and growing pain in my left knee from the constant jarring it was taking on the uneven road now that half my muscles had packed in. My walking speed had been reduced to about 2 miles an hour by the time I got back to smooth roads, my left knee was in pain, and my spirits were at an all time low. Hobbling up to the Walker Barn checkpoint the lady manning it said “Are you by yourself? You’re not supposed to be on your own during the night stages”, I just trudged off inside and sat down… I knew deep down that to continue would have meant serious damage to my knee, but I was so close! I think the lady realised I wasn’t in a good state and came in after me and asked if I was OK… the realisation dawned on me, and the only sensible option for me was to say “No, I think I need to retire”… probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever said. I was completely gutted. Eventually I managed to get a lift back to the start and I trudged off home to bed. The graph below charts my downward spiral before my gizmo packed in.
Summing up, this was one tough race. The organisers were swamped with retirees this year with a grand total of 77 pulling out and just 64% of starters finishing due to the horrible conditions underfoot. However don't let the bad conditions put you off, this is an excellent event, with incredible organisation and fantastic camaraderie amongst the competitors. I can't thank the Scouting movement enough for holding it, their many volunteers were excellent, and it wouldn't have been possible without them. I very much feel like there is unfinished business between me and the Bullock Smithy, but with a friends wedding taking place on the date next year, I will have to wait until 2010 before I next get a chance to enter!
Cheers
Andy
