‘Everyday 10in10 No Cure Always Hope Ultra’
‘She
believed she could, so she did’ (Chapter 1)
The
10in10 ultra has been on the cards for the best part of two years now, Paul
& I signed up on Si Entries in May 2017.
Between leg injuries and chest infections we have not managed to pull it
off!
I have
written this blog in the hope of inspiring others to keep going no matter what,
to achieve what you want to achieve. We
all face obstacles in life, be it injury or illness.
The
route has always been in my mind a training run prior to an attempt at the Bob
Graham Round. 2017, 2018 and now 2019
have been the years. But with reoccurring
health issues since 2015 (coincidentally since I turned 40 yrs old, (or not as
it has been proved)) has not allowed it to happen.
Having
suffered from Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and received Chemotherapy and Rituximab
treatment between 2011-2013, I have been left with a deficient immune system.
Every winter I have fought prolonged chest infections and a severe cough, hence
training has come to a stop. All I
wanted was to steadily train through the winter, pick it up Feb/March, increase
April/May (to the suggested BG minimum of 40miles per week and 10000ft ascent),
then go for it in June.
Maybe 2019
would be the year. Being in receipt of
monthly immunoglobulin transfusions I remained well, which saw me to the start
and finish line of Trans Gran Canaria Marathon on 21st Feb. But then as usual, BANG, off my feet for a
couple of weeks, (but not a chest infection this time). Recovered from this
then a chest infection, another 2 weeks off my feet! I got back to the fells
Fri 22nd March, a forced jog out on the Northern Fells (with a view
to seeing if there was any point turning up at the Carrock Fell Race and giving
a reasonable performance!). I didn’t do too bad at my level! The next couple of
months have seen a steady rise in performance and enthusiasm.
 |
| Trans Gran Canaria 42km finish line |
Now,
with inspiration from my running friend Liz, who completed the 10in10 two weeks
ago, someone who really wanted to do it and just got on with it, and did it
well, I decided to ‘get on with it’!
‘Play
day Friday’ (17th May) much to Paul’s disapproval I dragged myself
around some of the route, 25miles, hence Paul’s annoyance at doing a long run
one week before ‘the big day’. Mentally
it did me good, reminded me it will hurt, but I can work through it; physically
I’m not sure, but I have slept well every night since!
Taking
advantage of Liz’s back up date, 24th May was decided on. Weather in
my favour, rucksack packed, two schedules, one drawn up by me (maybe
comfortable) and one drawn up by Paul, (setting records). To Haystacks was the same timings, Il see how
I feel from here to the end. I won’t be put under any unvdue pressure, I want to
try and enjoy the day.
Bags
packed, Natalie confirmed our meet at 6am at Swinside, Paul confirmed he would
have the kids to school and be in the region of Grey Knotts by 10am ish. Liz collecting Zack from school then he can
cheer his mum up the hill to the Swinside Inn (hopefully) and Liz can encourage
me along the road section as I did for her.
Up at
4.30am, quick breakfast, 50mins drive and Im on my way.
 |
| 6am set off with Nats |
 |
| Beautiful morning |
The
morning was stunning, I felt totally focused and ready for it. Whatever ‘it’
was, it was going to be a good day! Natalie
let me set the pace down the road and upto Causey Pike. Over Scar Crags, Sail, Eel Crag,
Wandhope. Totally stunning, probably a
good cloud inversion off Skiddaw and Gt Gable, but I’m quite happy where I
am.
Down to
Whiteless Pike enroute to Buttermere, taking Natalie’s well guided grass line
rather than the path, (due to a calf strain, I hope it is only a strain). We
had to take the diversion at Buttermere (or get wet feet in the lake, and
anyone that knows me, knows Il do anything to keep my feet dry!). The consideration of schedules was made, Paul
had originally drawn one up for me at 11hrs, which was instantly dismissed! I
rescheduled to 12hrs 53mins, we kind of compromised at 12hrs 18mins. So at
Buttermere we were 14mins up on Paul’s schedule.
This
meant we could take it easy up Dodd and onto Red Pike, phew! A bit of cloud
slightly excluded our view here, but made it atmospheric. Along the ridge to
High Stile, High Crag and Seat, along Natalie’s well navigated lines. Slight
concern at our good pace Natalie asked what was I going to do at Grey Knotts if
Paul wasn’t there. I’m sure he will be, but if he’s not you’l just have to
carry on til he catches up! Ok then! Needless to say my knight in shining
armour was in place, telling me to jog along to the summit. Oh no, is this where it deteriorates for me??
Nice steady pace with Natalie, route march with Paul?? He was reminded by both us ladies to be nice
to Ange for the next 25 miles.
Quick
photo of the 3 of us (anyone who knows me knows I love my running photos, it
was so hard keeping my phone in my bag!). Natalie went off to bag her birkett of the day, Black Star
(no stopping this lady, killing two birds with one stone!). Paul and I set off
to Brandreth.
 |
| Summitting Grey Knotts |
 |
| The handover! |
Brandreth,
Green Gable, quick call to the school to release Zack early from after school
club. Arron Slack, with encouragement from a couple of hikers with Paul giving
them a brief of what we were doing. They said they would take a photo and try
and find my blog (hope they do!).Seathwaite Fell, past tarns I don’t remember
behind Sprinkling Tarn (another beloved), direct line to the path to Esk Hause
then off to Allen Crags and Glaramara. I wasn’t particularly looking forward to
this ridge, but all went well, and a lovely descent down Thorneythwaite Fell.
 |
| Descending Arron Slack |
 |
| Seathwaite Fell summit |
 |
| Enroute to Borrowdale and Castle Crag |
Castle
Crag is our next summit and one of my son, Zack’s favourite playgrounds in the
lakes. Today it was fairly tough and I
was using my poles.
 |
| Castle Crag summit |
 |
| Castle Crag climb aided with poles |
Now the
next section I have been warned about, a 1500ft climb up to Maiden Moor, on no
particular path, but in my favour, before the bracken is shoulder high made the
going much easier. I mosied on, still smiling, and on the look out for Clare,
Robin and Sarah, who were going to meet us somewhere between Castle Crag and
Maiden Moor, (lucky for them we summitted before we met!) I even managed a
moment of humour with Paul on this climb giving him the finger and a smile as
he video’d my plod!
 |
| Moment of humour plodding up Maiden Moor |
My legs
are fairly tired now and food isn’t going down too well. Clare and Sarah are
blamed for my slow eating of a packet of crisps, but it really wasn’t there
fault. We summitted Dale Head and I’m still managing to run the downhill to Hindscarth
but back to a pole aided walk up the final big climb to Robinson. Sarah & I
chit chatted our way up here (walking and talking, proper professional now!).
Fairly good feeling at the top of Robinson, a jump of joy and photo with hubby!
We said a brief goodbye to Sarah here, but would meet again at the finish.
 |
| Still running the descents! |
 |
| The meet with Sarah & Clare |
 |
| Chit chatting our way up Robinson |
 |
| Final big climb, I did it! |
 |
| We did it! |
High
Snockrigg, Newlands Hause and I’m praying Natalie has coca cola. She did, my
heroine of the day. I couldn’t eat anymore but that sugar boost from the coke
and change from drinking water was ace.
Natalie,
Elwood and Jonty, Clare and Robin gave me my final words of encouragement,
before we set off on the last section, 4 miles on the road, the bit I really
wasn’t looking forward to.
 |
| Road section Im not looking forward to! |
 |
| Coke and Paul keep me going to the finish |
Liz was
meant to meet me at Newlands Hause and run the road section with me, but my
slightly faster pace meant it was going to be tight, after she picked the boys
up from school and drove out, (which was hindered more by having to follow a
caravan, (you weren’t that slow Liz, Zack did comment you and Natalie are the fastest
drivers he knows!).
I managed
to keep a reasonable pace on the roads, Liz met us with 2-3 miles to go, a
lovely change of ‘crack’. We arrived at the only bit of ground to be covered
twice, over the bridge into Stair and up the hill to Swinside Inn. I can hear cheering, I now just need to not cry!!
 |
| Liz made it! |
 |
| Final corner and look who's waiting for me! |
The
final ‘sprint’ (jog!) up the hill was made all the more special as Duncan
and Yvonne Booth, the inspiration behind
the Everyday 10in10 NCAH Ultra, as well as my son and family friends were there
to applaud my efforts. I’d made it and in record time, 11hrs 33mins, (50mins
faster than the previous ladies record). I didn’t set off fully intending to
get the ladies record, the day just went perfectly. I enjoyed every moment and
smiled the whole way round.
 |
| Relief! |
 |
| Top hubby |
 |
| Royal handshake with Duncan |
 |
| Top support crew |
I believed I could
and I did!
I guess
this is the end of Chapter 1. I’m hoping
there will be a chapter 2. A date has
been set for me to attempt the Bob Graham Round, my ultimate challenge.
 |
| Thank you Team Wilson |
