The Trog Weekend

6th February

The Wadsworth Trog race at Hebben Bridge

2 Dallam runners, 158 others.

Race day: This was to be my first solo fell race of the year .I woke and looked out of the window and I my heart sank at the pea soup outside I'm sure it would soon lift. I was picked up by Stuart and we drove the 40 miles to Hebben Bridge and the stat of the Wadsworth Trog. We prepared and watched the start of the half Trog get under way with much apprehension having never been to this area before, our map reading skills are limited and we were surround by fog, the race prospects were not looking good forget about times I would be happy just to get back.

Off we set a gentle down hill through a very muddy wood, I could see why the race has a numbers limit, then up and onto the open fell, this first few miles were ok we could just about make out runners ahead we were in a party of around 15 runners that was to be the format for the next few miles checkpoint come and went as we pushed on over some very wet muddy open fells one bog catching Stuart and pulling him and a lady in thigh deep. Our group was soon down to about 6 runners we were well into the run, think it was around 16 miles, when I notice Stuart was starting to complain about the terrain this is the first time I've heard him complain when out on a run all he wanted was a steep hill that just went up then we could run down the other side but there was none of them type of hills around here just long slow drags over wet grass or mud.

We reach Box hill summit again and we were unsure which path to take, we had four on offer our group of 6 had a chat Stuart snapping and one chat that had followed us all day, he had made no contribution to the group and he never looked at a map or Gps , route sorted we set of down a track which was nice running after endless mile of almost un-runner able grass lumpy fell, it was that good we missed a turn which meant we had to cut across some leg sapping heather but we found the checkpoint. As we turned the Marshall telling us that the last few miles were flagged, at this point our leech left us as he didn't need us any more, the final mile insight and Stuart was struggling with cramp but he dug in well and we made it home. We had done it, we were happy to be back, we had gone the extra mile or three and we managed to pass a few runners twice.

We checked out my dibber and had clocked ever checkpoint but Stuarts’ hadn't, the ref said that it would be ok as mine had. After a quick brew at the cricket club we returned to the car as we did the legend Wendy Dodd’s was just finishing which brought a smile to us, not sure if it’s justifiable as she is a vet lady.

Sunday 7th February

Arnside Knott

4 Dallam runners 3 Dogs

After Saturday's run today was never about speed I just wanted to get out two days in a row. The morning was crisp chilly and foggy again the fist climb over the crag went well as did most of the run really, we had a good steady pace adding a few extra loops here and there. We climbed to the view point of Arnside Knott I was feeling strong not running the ups but walking them as I will be on the Booby Gee my main aim for the day was trying to keep a good pace going.

A quick stop for food and drinks before we hit the summit then the descent to the level crossing then following the railway line to Middle barrow Quarry we were heading home which is always a nice feeling and I was still feeling strong which was great then bang my energy levels were starting to fade we only had around 3 miles to go so it was time for a smart gel washed down with water, SIS smart gels full of Caffeine, within a few minutes I was feeling good again with just the final climb through the woods of Yealand to go.

Overall a good hard weekend a tough race on Saturday followed by a good paced run Sunday with some great banter.

Totals

• Wadsworth Trog :23mile( should have been 20) 4000ft ascent 4.9mph 4:32:10hrs
• Arnside Knott :15mile 2300ft Ascent 5.0mph 2:59:52hrs