Starting back after my DNF at Lakeland 100, (that’s another story) I was looking for another ultra to focus my energy on for 2026. 13 Valleys looked the best option around the lake district area with around 185km and 23,000ft of vert, Date was set and I had a year to dial in the training for it.
So between myself and my coach Andy Berry, he would come up with the training plan and I would execute it as best I could.
Training ticked along nicely during the last few months of the year, where I end the year with my winter Tour of Helvellyn 38 Ultra. Ticking this off and with another PB to round it off at 8hrs on the nose, this gave me the warm and fuzzy feeling that training was progressing in the right direction.
Fast forward in to around March time when I picked up a slight niggle in my right heal which felt like Planter fasciitis, but after a visit to the physio that who quickly said it wasn’t but it did show signs of other problems. Training moved to the bike for a while to allow training to continue until I could get the go ahead to start running again.
We were heading into early spring time so it was time to start heading south towards the Lakes to recce parts of the course I had never ran before. For months to come I spent as much time as I could running over the course that I would eventually come to racing over. Not a day went by where running there felt like a chore! I never stopped enjoying myself. Training continued to flow very well into late summer and it was time to start dialling in the full race kit I would be carrying and the nutrition plan I would be using. Before I knew it I was racing the Ochils 2000 at the end of August which allowed me to just have some fun with like minded people instead of a long training day.
September was here, last few weekends of sorting all that mattered for the race then it was taper time. Race week and last phone call chat with Andy to see how race day was going to flow and my expectations for it. Thursday came and off we travelled down to Keswick to get checked into our cottage early so could sort out all my kit ready for the big day on the Friday!
Registration starts at 12pm race starts at 6pm. Got down early to have a look through the events village and relax in the queue for kit check. There is a standard kit you must carry while doing the full race so all kit and nutrition to get me to my bag drop at 119km at Grasmere weighed in around 4.5kg. Some might say that’s heavy but the fells aren’t forgiving if you need something and your stuck out there. (Later on I would find out how much I needed it!) I got through kit check pretty swiftly and back to the cottage, final kit pack and hit the sack for some shut eye.
4pm Rise from bed and on to second breakfast, well 2 bowls of Frosties and toast and jam! People sometimes over complicate things before a race and think you need big dinners, not the case if you have be doing it right for the week leading up to race day it should be fine!
We walked down to the start at Crow Park, last minute pee stop then into the starting funnel ready for the off. I started at the back knowing full well if starting near the front I would get pulled along and carried away at speed. Sensible head was on and ran at a speed of RPE 7 which was great and allowed some chat but had a wee bit of effort when required.
Count down came and went and before we knew it was out running through the edge of Keswick towards Honister Slate Mine, first CP. This first 15km is pretty undulating and no steep climbs to worry about. Had my watch set up to allow notifications every 20mins to remind me if I hadn’t drunk to have a drink. Checkpoint came and went pretty slick, no faffing. Off up the first climb out of the slate mine, now was the time to put on the head torch.
This section to Wasdale Barn CP I have run in the opposite direction for the Lakeland 100 so I knew exactly what to expect The bit that flung a few people was the band playing live at Black Sail YHA (SPILT MILK is the name of the band it’s on their Facebook page) Some thought this was a check point and drank more of their fluids thinking they would get a top up here! Oooops……
Anyway, into Wasdale CP quick refill and grabbed some Jam sandwiches to go (You will be surprised how many carbs are in a 2 bits of a bread sandwich) this adding to the gels I fuel with just to help top up and settle any issues.
Time was ticking by, it was just after midnight and it’s not very often you get a full moon and a clear night in the lakes which made for great running and not having to burn through headtorch battery life.
Onwards to Eskdale railway CP again this section was the reverse of the Lakeland 100 route so made for easy moving over the wet fells. This is when I knew I was having a wee bit of issue with the left heel. As soon as I got in to the checkpoint I made sure to sort my foot out first. Checkpoint staff were very helpful and I just gave my bottles and powder over and left them to it. (Make the most of them, they are there to help). This was the first of 4 hot food stops if you wanted it. Again I left with a couple of jam sandwiches to top up the levels as I knew the next section was going to be a long one at 21km to be exact. Some of this section is the same as Lakeland 100 and some I had done good recces on during training.
Coniston CP again was really good. In and out quickly and heading towards Wray Castle, which is Joey’s Cafe CP (if you ever get the chance to visit it, pay the place a visit – amazing food and drink) but on this occasion I grabbed some chilli that punched a bit spicy lol but had the time on my side.
By now early morning was coming this was around 6ish on leaving this CP where I would head towards Skelwith Bridge then along the Langdale Valley towards Stickle Barn CP. By now the 7 Valleys race had started at 6am and I could switch off for a bit navigating as I knew I would have a few of the runners to follow (top tip don’t always assume they know where there are going though!). This where I meet Dawn for the first time since starting (nice to see a friendly face) straight into the check point restock and focus. Toilet was required as 13 hrs of gels it was going to take its toll at some point lol. In typical Lakes fashion the rain came on as I left to head towards Rosthwaite CP I knew from my recce of this section I would be out for around 8hrs before I reached Grasmere CP. The weather was a bit hit or miss, but definitely blown a hooly when out on the tops. Still moving pretty well over the fells, quickly arrived at Grasmere CP again seen Dawn for the up lifting sprits. This is where you get a drop bag, so quick t-shirt and socks change, replenished gels and fluid, grabbed some pasta while I was doing what I needed, then it was right back out the door walked a bit through Grasmere while talking to Dawn about the race so far and how it had all been going. Time had slipped a bit but was still moving well until just outside Ambleside where my left knee gave up the ghost. I took a moment to sit and assess the situation. Poles came out and I was leaning heavily on them to allow me to keep moving. Physically the knee couldn’t bear a load at this point but with the help of the poles I kept moving forward. Saw Dawn again through Ambleside and mentioned the issue. The plan was to keep moving, control the controllables, plan B in effect.
Next CP was at Troutbeck, so off I walked knowing there was some climbing to be done, and to my surprise the climbing was easier, as less load bearing to the descending part. Again meet Dawn at Troutbeck by now it was dark, around 7pm. So quickly sorted out my bottles grabbed a jam sandwich and headed out into the darkness for the long valley climb up to High Street fell.
Heading up the steep climb towards Thornthwaite Crag before circulating around to High Street fell by now the clag had dropped in thick and there was a howling wind from the west hitting. Even with the waterproof jacket on and 2 layers you could still feel the cold biting through the layers. Came across a random runner leaning on his poles, looked like he was snoozing up right! Asked if he was ok and kept moving. At this point the descent down to Hartsop filter house was going to be tricky. This was where most of the problem lay with my knee, load bearing down hill but it had to be done. The checkpoint was warming lots of help from plenty volunteers. Grabbed a hot soup and topped up the fluids. The seats were a welcoming break on my knee at this point, gave me time to take stock of the next section and consume the soup. At least leaving this checkpoint there wasn’t as much wind around and relatively flat along the valley floor.
Onwards to Glenridding and the next checkpoint where you were blessed with pizza and some beds if you wanted it. I grabbed what felt like an age but in reality it was only 15 minutes of shut-eye on a seat lol but it was enough to perk me up and get me moving for the last big climb over Sticks Pass and down. Climbing was going great as it was short and steep which suited me but the decent was long and slow going, but now it was starting to get early morning. I was blessed with another great sunrise over the fells. Shuffling was getting easier now on the knee as I was on flatter terrain, and enjoying the banter with the cows and sheep to pass the time. On entering Threlkeld village I was met by Dawn who enjoyed a great nights sleep lol. We chatted and kept moving forward to Blencathra checkpoint where I said my goodbyes again and enjoyed an early morning tomato soup and marmite dunkers (yep you either love it or hate it) but with me drip feeding my gels in I only had enough carbs to sustain me to keep moving at a faster pace so the tummy was getting a bit hangry.
Time was moving on and after speaking to a marshal telling me the 2 Valleys would start at 10 I wanted to be round Lonscale Fell before they caught me.
Upon reaching Latrigg car park I knew it was all downhill to Keswick. This is where the faster 2 Valleys runners were flying past and it was nice to give them the 
support and I got a lot of support back.
Running through Keswick town centre at just after midday packed with shoppers and finishers! Not going to lie it was a wee bit emotional from all the support I was getting. They do give you a cheeky wee finish where you think you are near Crow Park and they send you off around the long way just for good measure to come back in the way you run out!
Crossing the finish line was a mixture of relief, emotion and sadness all round up in one. Seeing friends who have been around supporting and encouraging you over the week was just the icing on the cake.