Blubberhouses 25 mile Report

Report by Neil Stabbs.

As a climber and a fell runner, I have something of a Jekyll and Hyde relationship with the weather. Last Saturday morning was cool and damp with no breeze – the worst weather for a climber. All the local crags were soaked with no chance of the crags drying in the wind. Yet another day of training inside. The Sunday dawned with exactly the same conditions, but today this was perfect! It was the morning of the Blubberhouses 25, an event organised by the LDWA but favoured by runners for some early season training. In my case, having entered the 3 Peaks, it was a great chance to get some hard miles into my legs. Having not run anything like the race distance for some years, I was keen to see how I would feel as the miles increased.

 

Having parked up and registered in the Norwood village hall, it was soon time to line up with a couple of hundred starters. The route starts quickly with a downhill mile to reach and then cross Swinsty Dam. After the first checkpoint, it continues along paths by Swinsty and Fewston reservoirs before continuing up the Washburn Valley to Thruscross. A pattern soon formed with a pack of 4 runners out front setting a decent pace, followed by myself and 2 others about a hundred metres back. Knowing  my lack of experience at these distances, I’d set a pacing strategy for the start of the race. So, while the leaders’ pace was easily achievable, it was all about sticking to the plan.

 

The first 10k pass without incident as the climbing begins in earnest – steeply up to Thruscross Dam and the second checkpoint, followed by the steady drag over the moors to Rocking Hall and CP3. The leaders were still in sight at this point although the gap had grown, but I’m out on my own with my previous companions having dropped back on the climb. Next comes the long descent to Bolton Abbey. In a shorter race, this would have been all out but I’m not even halfway and the second half is far harder than the first. Sticking to the plan, I keep my descent steady before pushing along the riverside path to Storiths and CP5, passing the half marathon mark a couple of minutes up on my schedule in 1:40.

 

The paths from Storiths to Beamsley had dried up from my recce a month previous, but are still heavy and sap the energy from my legs. Across the A59 and down to the river before the second big climb starts – up to Langbar (CP6) and then on to Beamsley Beacon and Round Hill. I grab a quick gel on the steepest section out of the steep sided river valley and head to Langbar. I can now see the lead group, out of sight for some distance, have split up with the first 3 spread out on the skyline and 4th place about a minute ahead of me. I refocus my efforts and pass up the chance of sausage rolls and pork pies at the checkpoint and head on up the Beacon. While not a huge climb, it’s certainly tough after 16 miles! With the steepest bit out of the way, I try to get moving on the next section but a waterlogged path and tired legs make it difficult to get any rhythm, with constant changes of direction to avoid the worst ground.

 

I reach Round Hill with 4th place still in sight, but no closer than before. In my mind, I tell myself it’s downhill all the way to Swinsty, but this is the one section of the route I haven’t recced and I couldn’t be more wrong! Having run this path in reverse in last summer’s Round Hill Fell Race, I’d clearly forgotten the undulating ground and extensive bogs (even in the summer!). Add in a wet winter/early spring and that leaves sections of the moor having the consistency of porridge. I head off from the summit and, again, struggle to get any rhythm going – stop/start running and occasionally disappearing up to my knees in mud. The fatigue builds and I slow to walking pace on a few sections, but the last checkpoint at Ellarcarr Pike finally comes into view and I’m on the home stretch towards the village of Timble.

 

Heading out of Timble, I glance across the valley to see the cars parked in Norwood. The end is truly in sight – if only there wasn’t a deep valley and a reservoir in the way! My legs are really starting to struggle now, but after a few muddy fields I’m soon crossing the dam. I head onto the final climb – what had seemed like a nice, easy downhill 3 hours previous was now an epic grind. I cross the road to the village hall and slump down next to the 4 other finishers, before wolfing down some chilli and rice pudding. The second half really took its toll and I finished in 3:22, a couple of minutes down on my 3:20 target but feeling positive about my 3 Peaks preparation. Thanks to the LDWA for a really well organised event and one I’ll be trying to fit in again next year. I’d happily recommend it to anyone – just don’t make any running plans for the few days afterwards!