Great Lakeland 3 Day
We had been descending for close to a mile. It was a steady descent, more than runnable. A chance to stretch out the legs. At the bottom we stopped at the checkpoint to refill out water bottles from the fast flowing stream when cramp struck.
I watched as my friend Matt grimaced in agony and beads of sweat fell from his brow. The muscles of his inner thighs had completely spasmed. He was unable to move. We were nine miles into day two of our three day Lakeland adventure with fifteen miles and numerous summits still to go.
It was a relief when after a few minutes he was able to take a few hesitant steps. Disaster seemed to have been averted. We continued along a flat road before beginning our next ascent. Suddenly, Matt let out a cry and fell to the floor writhing in pain. The cramps were back. The day seemed to be over and we began to discuss how to get back to the campsite.
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Matt, his wife Kelly and I had booked onto the Scarpa Great Lakeland 3 Day that is held in the Lake District on the first May bank holiday weekend. The location of the starting point changes every year and is only revealed a few months before it takes place. This year the point of arrival was Croasdale near Ennerdale Water.
All those signed up to the event congregate at the meeting point. Cars are left and participants must pack their tents and belongings for 3 days inside dry bags weighing no more than 13kg.
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| My kit |
These bags are ferried to the next campsite. Runners and walkers then have the choice of five routes the next day to get to their kit and pitch their tents.
The second day involves a similar choice, but over a circular route returning to the campsite. Day three has four more routes of various difficulty ending at the initial meeting point in Croasdale.
During the evenings there are food stalls, a bar and entertainment including documentary films and talks. It is also a chance to meet other runners and socialise.
We arrived on the Friday afternoon after a long but uneventful drive up from London. Low cloud obscured the surrounding fells and a damp mizzle hung in the air. Croasdale overlooks Ennerdale Water and I could just make out its reflective surface at the bottom of the valley below our campsite.
Once the tents were pitched we grabbed a pizza and a beer and went to watch a film about a woman who held the Fastest Known Time (FKT) for the Bob Graham Round taking in the Wainwrights.
Day 1
After a poor night's sleep I awoke at six and, following coffee and breakfast, headed out with my companions on the Herdwick course - the second hardest of the five on offer - 13 miles and 7 summits totalling 3660 feet of elevation. Each of us had a dibber attached to our wrists and a tracker on our shoulder. Along the way we were required to 'dib in' at certain unmanned points to register our arrival and progress.
We descended gently into the village of Croasdale and, after faffing around with various layers of clothing, passed by Ennerdale Water before the first climb of the weekend which took us up to Great Borne (2021 ft). At this altitude the wind was strong and the temperature had plummeted. We layered up and my hands were frozen despite wearing gloves. We scrambled our way up a rock face to Starling Dodd (2087 ft) and then on to Red Pike (2477 ft).
On our descent we crossed High Crag (2441 ft) and Seat (1841 ft). By now the wind had begun to abate and the temperature had risen a little. I began to feel my lack of hill training in my quads and glutes. It was a steep and painful descent to Gatesgarth. Kelly fell and hit her arm on a rock, but thankfully was unhurt apart from some bruising and a reminder of how brutal the wet and slippery rocks on the hills can be.
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| Gusty |
It was a relief to get to the lakeside and the flat ground. Our new camp was waiting for us on the other side so we traversed the eastern edge. There were sandy beaches, rocky tunnels and emerald forests to enjoy and we were soon at camp in Buttermere. Surrounded on all sides by fells and with the sound of a cuckoo in the woods just above us, it was stunning.
Pitching my tent the second time was much easier and then it was time for more food and beer, followed by an inspiring talk by Sarah Perry who ran the 650 mile South-West Coast path self-supported in the palindromic World Record time of 13 days, 11 hours and 31 minutes.
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| Sarah Perry |
I slept much better that night only waking once to the sound of a hooting owl (banging portaloo doors and snoring).
Day two
This was the big one. Matt and I were running the Extreme course - 24 miles and 10 summits with 10270 feet of elevation. Kelly was going to do the shorter Cafe course and meet some new people.
The climb out of Buttermere took us straight up Whiteless Pike (2165 ft) and through Ghyll Wood where we saw waterfalls cascading down the fell valley.
Once at the top of the hill that keeps on giving, we enjoyed a delightful descent via Saddle Gate (2047 ft) and Thurdgill Head Man. (2408 ft) We ran at speed into the Coledale horseshoe where I overshot our turning, only hearing Matt's shout at the final moment.
Having made up some time it was a scrambly, rocky climb up Eel Crag to Crag Hill 2749 ft.
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| Scrambled legs |
It was then a technical descent for a while over Sail, Scope End, Red Knott and High Crags before levelling out. This enabled us to stretch our legs and get some speed into the valley alongside Rigg Beck with Causley Pike towering above. It was at the bottom of this stretch, at the Newlands Pass, where Matt had his first bout of cramp.
He managed to soldier on along the roads to the base of Hindscarth (2385 ft) where he was fell-ed once more. Surely it was too much to expect him to recover again, especially as this was a climb up one of the highest points on the weekend?
After a rest, a stretch, some salt tablets, water and food Matt proposed we try and continue. To our relief the cramp didn't return as he took his first tentative steps. Nor did they as we carried on ascending, even as we scrambled again pulling ourselves up with our hands and seeking out footholds. By the time we made it to the top of Dale Head (2470 ft) Matt was feeling much better.
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| Honister Slate Mine and Cafe - no sausages! |
That said, it was the most difficult descent of the weekend and I crawled down on my bum trying not to look down at the precipitous drops to either side of me, while Matt (now recovered - did he ever really have cramp?) bounded down like a gazelle.
In camp we met up with Kelly and a few guys she had run with on the Cafe course. They were great conversation and good fun. Plus one of them was pretty well off and insisted on buying us beers all night. We had managed 18 miles and 6500 ft of elevation.
Day 3
The next morning, slightly worse for wear, we all met up again and left early on the short course to get back in time to make the long journey back. Just two summits at the top of the one climb - Gavel Fell (1726 ft).
We began by the side of Crummock Water. The still water provided endless photo opportunities as the fells reflected off the surface. Bluebells were scattered over the grassland and, despite the lack of blue skies and sunlight, it had us all gasping in awe at the natural beauty we were privileged to be running through.
Finally we began to climb after a very runnable few miles. Legs were sore and tired, but we all made it to the top relatively easily and I still had enough in the tank to hurl myself down the steady descent to the carpark below. I felt like I was flying as I flew down the side of the fell to the cross the line and dib for the final time.
It had been a day to admire one of Britain's most scenic National Parks with spring flowers, soft lichen, endless birdsong and baby lambs aplenty.
I had come out with something that felt quite profound during the runs. Odd for me. It was something along the lines of "Run to your circumstances not your expectations." It was particularly in response to Matt's injuries, but I think it holds for most circumstances. Sometimes you just have to adapt, and that is ok.
How would I sum up the weekend?
Udderly wonderful....
