Craig and I are running together, this year in the Bowfell class, one up from last year and the longest of the pairs courses.
It is a cool day as we start from just South of Pooley Bridge, not a great forecast but, perhaps, this will suit us. We have an early start and are soon marking our maps, whilst the clock is ticking. As is often the case we don't get the best line at the start, bracken bashing is not much fun. CP 1 is close on 3km away, but vis is good and running on a bearing are soon there with little fuss. But it's a big route choice decision to get to CP 2; it's a long way, sited close to Laythwaite Crags; we, I, choose the high level route, longer but more running; this seems to work well.
Then to CP 3, again again we take the high road, CP 4, close to Blea Water is a down, round and then back up and then it's a long run, via Nan Bield, to CP 5 at an old mine entrance just west of the track leading to Gatescarth Pass.
Another up and over to CP 6, then a long trudge up past Kentmere Reservoir to a sheepfold close to the source of the river Kent. Not too far from here, just up and over High Street to the last two CP's close to Angle Tarn.
We run well together and route finding was pretty good; we spare a few minutes on the final, and very treacherous, descent to ask if a casualty needs help - not a great situation, but already people in attendance and MR on their way (he gets stretchered out and a bit later a further fall into the gully results in a heli rescue - fortunately both are ok).
Then a run into the finis at Bridgend, close to Hartsop - 6hrs 57mins, 8th out of 35.
Overnight camp is good, but at times wet and chilly. Chores done (i.e. a full strip wash) and then it's down to eating and drinking, and a good night's sleep.
Actually I don't sleep that well and get up feeling a bit rough, but keep that to myself. We are one of the first teams to get away, as we are keen not to get held up in traffic. We climb well to Boredale Hause and then towards Place Fell before contouring west to the first CP; not quite spot on, a minute or two wasted, but again often the case on the first leg.
It's a short up and over to CP 2 and then, like yesterday, CP 2to CP 2 is a monster, a monster route choice too; we (I) take a contrarian view, stay high but more distance; not sure it was better, but equally no worse.
It was a long way and then from CP 3 it's a tough climb up and over Wether Hill to drop to Measand Beck, close to where we were yesterday. Heading for home now, to CP 5 is relatively easy and good running but to CP 6 is a nasty surprise. A steep descent and then even steeper ascent, leading to a long trudge across tussocky ground, but it goes well and just the last few CP's to go. We push hard and find them easily and enjoy the final sprint to the finish.
Out for 4 hrs 48 mins on day 2, a total of 11 hrs 45 mins over the two days. We finish 10th on day 2 but actually improve to 7th overall. I'm happy with that, I felt I ran well and didn't hold Craig up too much !
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