We didn't make it - boo - but we both have a storey to tell!!!
Prep - we thought we were prepared - we had rece'd alot and helped on other attempts and been given out good luck cakes (thank you Karen Davison and Janet McIver)
Leg One - well before that - there was sooo much traffic on M6 we (me Alex and Paul) thought we were gonna have to change the start time. Luckily it all went smoothly and we picked Britta (Fellrunner and run247.com editor) and Ben (brittas boyfriend and superhuman runner) up at Dunmail and got to Keswick with 30 mins to spare - time for a few nervous toilet visits and a few photos and we were off. I was on such a high - everyone had said that by the time you get to Moot Hall for the start you should be bursting to run - I was - and the others had to keep reigning me in - i was far too enthusiastic but Britta kept me in check. Hillary bloor met us in the car park at the start of Skiddaw for a big cheer and a hug then Paul was further up the hill and we made good time up Skiddaw, the air was still warm and it was fantastic running with people carrying your stuff, feeding you every half hour and watering you every 15 mins. Ben opened gates and mended trekking poles and ran ahead to check things out - Support is great - i love it!!! We got to Threlkeld about 10 mins up and found our next crew plus a load of Macc Harriers waiting for some Stockport Runners. Paul Farmer (Alex's fiance) was there with our kit and food, yummy pasta and a cuppa coffee for me followed with some of Janets special coffee and choc and rum cake.
Leg 2 - Alex Pilkington and Paul Baker then joined us, Alex is part of my Adventure Racing Team (Team Haglofs)but we had never raced or run together before - i was keen to make a good impression as we were to be doing a four day event in August. Paul was a friend of Alex's who'd done a few rece's with her last year. Alex P knew the leg well and we had pulled him in on this leg late on thursday evening when we found out our navigator for leg 2 couldn't make it! Alex was gonna start at Dunmail with us. So thank you Alex for a rather late change of plan and for such a supperb piece of navigating us round the Dodds and onwards. We both still felt great and made good time on all our hills keeping to schedule. But just after Helvellyn I started slowing and feeling a bit yuk and not eating much, well i could put the food in my mouth but it sort of stayed there - i couldn't chew or swallow and by Fairfield i was in a right state - I hate Fairfield - it was sooo hard getting up that. Britta coaxed me up Seat Sandal and i felt a bit better going down to Dunmail. More food - i was fine - eating more pasta and changing some clothing, more coffee and some people to join us. Britta and Ben went home from here - thank you both for such wonderfull support.
Wasdale - no one let me give up - Rachael and David Lawrance were there and they fed me bacon sarnies and tea (apparently they had fed bacon sarnies to alot of people and gone hrough 25 rasheds of bacon!), they found my clothes, packed me and my supporters off and sent me up Yewbarrow - apparently i was carrying on!
Leg 4 - God it sounds so short when you write about it - it is not short, it is not easy and at this point I wanted to die! but i picked up a bit and got up yewbarrow in good time. We had no navigator at this point but Mick had done this leg years ago and David and Stu got their maps out - luckily after a bit of search by David on top of Yewbarrow we found the top and then i discovered my new found eating plan - I can eat as long as I stop - or sit down - as long as I am not moving I can eat - luckily David had a rucksack full of cheese and pickle sarnies. And I remembered all the tracks and lines on all the hills - phew!
Surprised looks - they all thought I was bonkers - maybe I was - poor Alex had just pulled out so i asked her if I was bonkers - she said yes but do it - it will be good for my head. I felt great so I asked if anyone wanted to join me - no-one did so after tommy soup I put a rucksack on and took off by myself! BONKERS - DEFINATELY!
I did make it - in 27 hours and 54 minutes. I even beat my mates Racheal and David to Moot Hall - got the pix and got in the van to meet up with Karen, Janet and Mike in
I write this on Tuesday and I am still on a high - what a great day in the hills (I have forgotton the bad bits already!)
Thank you to all the supporters and Alex promses to have another go in September, I have said I will do road support!!!