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Lakeland 50 Race Report by Kevin Davie
As a lot of people know I love to run down the lakes, there is just something magical about the place, so it’s no surprise when I managed to get another entry to the Lakeland 50/100, so I took it. But this year It was time to give myself a shake and sort out my running. So, after some chatting, I was now going to be coached by Andy Berry Coaching. People who know will know his background and what he can bring to the table, “Dream Big Work Hard” and that is exactly what I was planning on doing. What I was wanting to happen for this event was a big ask, but showing up every day and be consistent with training was exactly what I was going to do. (6 months of results or 6 months of excuses, you can’t have both) no one was going to do it for me. People should note this is an unsupported event, NO pampered support by crew, if you need it you carry it! The kit list is pretty strict on what you must carry, and if you feel you need extra, you carry it. Think my pack weighted in at an excess of 5ish Kilos, and that was me being borderline minimal.
This year’s theme was Top Gun which keeps this event interesting and fun every year. The rain from Friday night turned a lot of the course into what can only be described as a festival muddy bog fest! I can sum up the course like it was a very long cross-country race. Right from the start there was no point in worrying about keeping the feet dry, they were going to be wet for the next 50 miles.
Race starts with a nice lap around Dalemain Estate, trying to keep my pace under RPE-7. Think I done not too bad considering myself and another guy just spent most of it talking all things Ironman events lol.
Then out on to the fells, where I feel most at home in myself. Great run down to Howtown, this was the quickest ever pit stop at the checkpoint, 30seconds in and out no faffing. (Think formula one could have me in their team lol )
Head down and time to grind out the climb up to High Kop, anyone knows this top it can be a bit boggy at times but it was knee deep bog by now. The run down Bampton Common was a pleasure in the wet conditions. First tumble of the day was just before reaching the bottom of the decent at Haweswater Reservoir. (We’ll chalk that up to the mud this time) The run around the side of Haweswater was more pleasant great views and some banter along the way helped. But by now the weather was getting even more humid. Lucky my fuel strategy paid off with carrying 3 soft flasks for this section.
Mardale Head took a bit longer to refill, as by now l had gone through the 3 bottles of fluid. which was part of my plan. Big VG at this point, watermelon was so refreshing too. Onwards and upwards to Kentmere, by far the best checkpoint on the whole course. After leaving here heading for Garburn pass the sun came out in force and just zapped the soul out of me which meant no more gels were going in. I was on to plan B, just my fluids as the stomach just wasn’t having it no matter how hard I nursed it in. Great decent down through Troutbeck and around to Ambleside. Still seemed to be running pretty good at this time.
The crowds and cheers coming through Ambleside were amazing, lifting your spirits and it makes it feel all so worth it but by this time I had no idea my tracker wasn’t picking up my movements (still haven’t moved since Mardale head) until Dawn saw me, freaked out worried lol and mentioned it to me. By this point I was on to plan C, flat coke and water was the fluid of choice (My old trick from my triathlon days) Another slick checkpoint ticked and off and running out of Rydal Park, trying to make quick work of the climb out of Ambleside. Up and down passing Loughrigg Fell down to Skelwith bridge, now some nice flat running for a bit which was a god send at this point.
Chapilestile checkpoint was quick, bottles of fluid and grabbed some more watermelon and still moving well. I knew what was ahead and this was the first time I had looked at my watch to see what time I was on. I started doing the maths in my head, been under 12hrs was still on the cards but by how much was still undecided. I knew the energy levels would be dwindling fast as not consumed a gel for some 13 mile-ish, and the coke and water wouldn’t hold out too much longer but still giving it
the best I had. The climb around Side Pike towards blea tarn was really testing my energy levels but so nice just to soak up the views and grab a cracking sunset looking over towards Scafell Pike/Seathwaite fell summit area, hoping I would make the next checkpoint before having to grab the head torch.
Coming in to Tiberwaite checkpoint in just under the 10hrs really picked my hopes up. Now I was feeling a sub 11 could even be possible but it wasn’t looking promising for me getting out to quickly as I thought they were a bit concerned about my (how can I put this) incoherent nature lol. Another quick look at the watch and a lot of blagging it to the medics I needed to get going. The sub 11hr was never meant to be on the cards, wasn’t even talked about, but it really picked my mood up. Just a matter of 3miles 300metre of accent and Jacobs steps to get by first. Very challenging with onset of cramps lol. The final decent down to the Coppermine’s, where things went a bit sideways for me in the dark, my incoherent state made me second guess the route, and I knew it, I’ve ran there loads, but it just wasn’t sinking in which in return cost me time. Eventually got down on to the road and made good progress down to Coniston. By this point another Marshal at the bridge asked if I was needing helped to the finish (must have been looking really bad lol) Na your good with a passing thanks, the finishing straight was like a blur to me till I crossed the line. The marshals took great care of me, keeping me upright and holding the railing for support, while Dawn wondered if all my lights were actually working by now lol. I was in a sorry state but I was so happy to just go 11hrs 02mins 43secs,
It’s fair to say, I left every bit of me out there on the fells. I don’t think I could have given anymore.
And they say the rest is history. Time to allow the body to recover and look forward to the next adventure.