Lakes Mountain 42

Race: Lakes Mountain Ultra, shortened course (28m/7000ft)
Time/Position: 5.30 (22nd from 120)
Generally speaking, I dislike it when races are shortened: believing that the responsibility for competing should rest with the runners, not the organisers. However, there are sometimes exceptions, and today was - I think - one of those where the shortening was probably the right decision. The reason was obvious: hard-packed snow-ice on Helvellyn, where runners would have been tired and vulnerable, along with -17C windchill, meant that one of the two big loops taken by the course was removed entirely. After a night in the back of a van in Askham, we set off for the long (11 mile) climb up High Street at 8am. Given the shortening, it seemed sensible to push a little harder than planned (with a view to marathon training - three weeks until London!). Conditions were fairly grim: this is just open moorland from the edge of the Lakes up to the first checkpoint Loadpot Hill in thick clag and wet snow. From here, the route climbed over a series of whaleback summits, the weather getting progressively worse until we reached the hard-packed snow at High Raise. Jim and I ran together for this section, drifting too far left at one point. A bitter northerly, snow, and icy ground up to High Street - quite a contrast to my last time here, in glorious sunshine on the Kentmere horseshoe last summer. Then came the tricky nav, back north to towards Knott, then looking out for another junction to gain the undulating path to the next checkpoint at Angle Tarn. Snow gave way to driving sleet but we picked a really good line down, excellent running to eventually gain the tarn. We finally emerged from the mist above Boredale Hause with Patterdale below. Very wet, heavy rain, as we entered the climbers hut for a good feed - cheese, nuts and tea. Jim and I were still together as we began the crux climb up Place Fell, taking the normal route (which I last did while Kate had a drink in the hotel, 2001 perhaps) as opposed to the horribly steep direct climb. Either way, it is a hard slog, with heavy snow high up and verglassed rocks on top.Tricky navigation off the fell towards Martindale, new territory for me, although I think I got it more or less right down to the valley then along the road to Martindale. Views over Ullswater for the very long run-in along bridleways back to Askham. Second ultra of the year, albeit much shorter than planned: currently 7th overall in the British ultra running championships although I'm not sure that will last!