Sedbergh Event Centre
This
posting has nothing to do with canals though a lot to do with water!
Sometime
back in March, Daniel and I agreed to have a go at this year's
Mountain Marathon.
Having
entered we learnt it was to be on the Howgills (seen on the right from the M6
after the Kendal turning) – one of my favourite areas where I have
competed several times (a long time ago!).
Dan
and I had got together just the once in May to walk over the hills
near Llangollen and thereafter agreed to prepare through individual
training.
We
are no strangers to the rigours of the Mountain Marathon – I have
competed in 13 such events and completed 9 of them, having got
injured/run out of time to finish in 4.Daniel and I have done 3 together, though the last Autumn one was in 1993 and the last Summer one in 2003!
My
pre-event training mainly consisted of walking with the Ramblers and
a couple of solo walks to build time on my feet to the 6 hours
needed. I also did some gentle running, mainly on the Isles of Scilly
and along the canal towpath.
Daniel
has run in London, building up from nothing to creditable hour long
runs.
We
travelled up on the Friday in our motorvan and got a good pitch on a
car park. A great advantage given how wet it has been.
The
Event Centre was based in the Sedbergh School and the first job was
to get our kit out and checked off on the Team Sheet, we were Team 1340 –
doing the Medium Score Class.
Duly
checked in, we had a walk around the Town and discussed team tactics
in a bustling local hostelry.
Van
parking for the weekend
As
predicted, Saturday's weather was bright and cold with a frost, even
in the town. It was also quite windy! The start was some 2 miles away
and the walk was a welcome stretch.
Waiting
at the Start
Just
before our Saturday Start at 9.40am
Our Medium Score Class required us to navigate on the mountain to control locations to collect as many points as we can and get to the overnight camp within the 6 hour time limit. Having got our maps, the route is basically up!
Dan
catching his breath!
Sunny
and cold - me catching my breath!
First
big climb and a photo! It was frozen on top.
Looking
back to where we've come from
Dropping
down to the road crossing after 4 hours
One
of the rivers we crossed
At
the end of Day1, we had collected 100 points and although made a
navigational mistake, got back in 5 hours 30 mins – an overnight
position of 194th. Not bad given we had walked most of the
way, covered about 12 miles and climbed about 4,500ft.
The
overnight camp is something to behold with tents everywhere – and
the occasional plaintive shout when someone can't find their way back
from the water/toilet point.
Tent
city
Well
earned rest after a cup of tea!
Hey
up! We got 'selected' for a kit check!
We
passed of course!
After
a night of little sleep, the cold, cramp and the rain – yes it's Day2
and a ReadyBrek treat for the 5 hours back! We set off at 8.17am.
And
it rained and rained!
That's
where we're going!
Unfortunately,
I made another navigational error in my orienteering and we used up
valuable time trying to find a low point control and failing. Having
moved on, we needed to keep an eye on the time.
Make
no mistake, these are big mountains and it was a tough day
weatherwise.
Having
climbed up to approach a control, we needed to contour round and then
disaster!
The
sole of my right shoe ripped off and was u/s.
The
decision was to head for home – putting both socks on the shoeless
foot, I hobbled back. At times slipping and at times falling!
After
a time check we knew we were going to finish within the 5 hour limit
and began to relax a little.
Alas
poor Woollie, I knew him well … .
Heading
back
The
finish was in sight and we jogged and slithered (me) down to cross
the line in 4 hours 32 mins with only 55 points – it gave us a Day2
position of 184th.
We
had covered about 11 miles and climbed about 3,400ft.So elated at finishing with a score and a position – and yet frustrated by orienteering errors and the shoe disaster – we didn't get a final photo?!
Overall,
our 155 points gave us 194th out of 209 entries – a
Bronze Certificate.
We both know we have it in us to do a lot better – by getting fitter so as able to run more and climb better; carrying less and better kit; getting some orienteering practice in and, a decent pair of fell shoes! Til next year!
A
big thank you to Daniel for believing in me and being a good teammate
– it may be a surprise but we count in the Vets and came 79th
Vet Team!
This
is the toughest test of mountain orienteering – and we did OK.
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