Long Mynd Valley Fell Race

Long Mynd Fell Race

02 March 2014

It’s a Feb 2014 and am back in Shropshire to race at the Long Mynd Fell Race.

Its been a while since I did the Long Mynd Hike, around 18months.  The Long Mynd was one of the reason why I started to get into running in the first place. A broken promise never fore filled, add in regret and you have the reason why I started. Its not to say I didn’t enjoy running in the first place. I just never really thought about running for running’s sake before.  I suppose you don’t until you hit with the reality of completing a 50 mile hill race… Probably something I should of took a bit more seriously. I drastically over estimated it. I also underestimated how much I would become to love the sport of trail, fell and ultra running.  Its that reason why am back at the Long Mynd, this time with more knowledge and more friends. Though that doesn’t help you complete a challenging course, it does help a little.

I traveled down with Gareth Briggs, Tracy Dean and Ian Ankers. We also meet up with Dale Colclough and Will Neill.

The route is class as AL, meaning that is a long route generally 10miles plus and also it tough, bloody tough.  This was my first AL fell race.  Lets hope I last the race.  I’d finished other fell races, with the Roaches been the next toughest I’d done before which is a BL. 

Given plenty of advice from Dale, Gaz, Tracy, and Ian we will set to start the race where the visitor centre is. Which is a National Trust one.  It started in a middle of valley and lead up towards the Long Mynd vallery across the top to Pole Bank.

This was the only part of the course that I knew the rest was blind to me.

The whistle went for the start and we were off over the first hill with the sun on our backs. I started steady, and took it easy for the first two miles or so. At least what I thought was steady, I was still tired. I knew I was going to be in for hard race.  As the start was the gently part of the course compared to other half. 

We climbed up the first bank, legs and arms pumping to move the body forward. Words of encouragment came from Dale “look at young Bethell climb the hill, just like his brother (Forest Bethell).” That motivated so I moved up through packed reached the first climb and ran like kid to a candy shop all the way back down the hill. 

The climb towards Pole bank was tricky and I was trying to keep up with Tracy Dean. I stayed with her just before check point two and she was and off.  I holded myself back at this point as I didn’t want to start to go a little harder just yet. 

We moved through heather and did some zig and zag down the side of a steep hill, the approach was much like a skier. Though a lot slower and I was the slowest descender compared to my follow fell runners. I always loose places going down hill.  Still work to be done it that department. After that descent it’s a bit of blur where the course went, it was through streams, climbing sheep trods, cracks in the valley and more heather descents until we reached checkpoint 5.

Looking not so sporty...I will try to improve my fashion when running...

Tracy Dean looking good, approaching check point five

Now Checkpoint 5 – 6 was really enjoyable running and one that I have enjoyed the most compared to other fell races that I have completed.  We followed a stream all the way to checkpoint 6 on a route that is best describe as rocky trail surface with odd twist and turn.  I must of enjoyed as I began to overtake people and once I reached checkpoint 6 looked towards the next climb, I could see Tracy. I tried to catch but she was to far ahead. At this point many people were taking different lines. I didn’t have time to grab my map. Instead I just moved forward and tried to remember the line from the map I looked at before the start of the race. I decided to follow tracy and climb the steepest part of the hill instead of going right and up like a few other people. The problem was I climbed the painstaking hill, managed to overtake people but lost them when I reach the summit. I blindly ran in the direction of the course on a trodden footpath. After two minutes of running I realised I was by myself and everyone had taken a different line. Then I looked a bit further a head and saw the rest of the field. I decided to run straight to them. I did this but in my hurry I ran into a blackthorn tree. Oops. That hurt and slowed me a little. I carried on regardless and hit the bottom and saw checkpoint 7. I still haven’t decided if I lost time or if I made time. It was close either way. I think I may of made time. If just a fraction. As I didn’t recognize anyone else around me.  I did see Tracy again, so it would have been a case of minutes. I then headed for checkpoint 8 another zig zag climb. At this point I felt a bit of cramp in my leg. So I decided to slow down and stretch a little. I took two minutes and lost a few places, but then started to run again. I seemed okay after this. Well that and the magic of salt and vinegar crisps.

It was now for the hardest climb of the course to checkpoint 9 on yearlet summit. And boy did this hurt…It took a while to get to tope of this. Probably ten to fifteen minutes. Maybe I took the wrong route. Though I did manage to catch and over take people climbing up there. My ascent is far better than my descent. That’s for sure.  Off to the finish then. Well this was easy said than done. I could see a few runners in the distance so I headed towards them. I passed a friendly face of Mark Davis who was watching the race and the course. Thanks the encouragement.  At this point I was leading group of runner that had just climbed to CP9.  I tried to follow my nose, but wasn’t sure so I slowed and waited for runners to catch in hope that they knew. They didn’t. Lesson always know the course or have map to hand. We then headed towards a car park and saw some other runners and headed towards the finish line. 

Out of breath, tired and worn out with a blackthorn stuck in my ankle I was pleased to of made it back safe and sort of sound.

Will won the race in 1hr 43

Gareth finished in 1hr 57 in 11th

Tracy finished in 2hrs 16 in 54th

I finished in 2hrs and 21 in 74^th

Dale finished in 2hrs 23 in 81th along with follow and friendly runner Simon

Ian Ankers finished in 2hrs 43 in 143^rd

There were 203 runners that took on the challenge of the Long Mynd and am sure I ll be back to do it again next year. Its such a good course and one that I would recommend.

I was a little bit disappointed with my time, so I am hoping for 2hrs and 15 next year.

2014 races

This year I plan to do the English Fell Running Championship, and I aim to have these as my focus races.

I will also be running for Staffordshire Moorlands Athletics Club and Team Raidlight in races.

So I plan to do the following races:

English Fell champs

Pendle (05/04/14)
Ennerdale (07/06/14)
Kentmere Horseshoe (20/07/14)
Hodder Valley Show (13/09/14)

and also do the following:

National Cross Country Champs (22/02/14)
Long Tour of Bradwell, probably the half this year. (09-10/08/14)
Stafford Half (16/03/2014)
Passing Clouds (15/06/2014)
Shutlingsloe (26/05/2014)
Cloud Nine (06/04/2014)
Roaches Fell Race
Chrome Hill Fell Race (29/06/14)
Ipstones Five
and Summer Series

Roaches Fell Race 10th November, 15miles

I did this race last year when it was a slightly longer route, it was 18miles of fast fell running and it took me 3hrs and 25minutes to complete it. I was in a lot of pain after 12 miles. I had cramp in both legs and remember walking most of the return leg because I set off too fast on the first leg.

It was another marker race that allows me to see if I have improved during the year. My first full year of running. Though this time the course was 3miles shorter. It did still include a river crossing and rollercoaster route of up and down and more of the same. So I wanted to hit the 3hr mark.

I arrived at Meerbrooke with Tracy Dean after she kindly agreed to give me a lift to the race. Thanks Tracy.  Otherwise I would have been a bit bored.

Another cold winters morning, but no rain or cloud in sight. It was a lovely day and everyone was excited about the race.  Tracy, Jon, Dale, Janson, Mike, Will and Geoff were all taking part in the race. All of which have given me advice over the last few months. I would like to thank them for helping me improve my running.  Simon Bailey was lining up again as was Will Neill and Simon Harding. That would be an exciting race to watch at the front. Sadly I want get to see it.

We set off and I tried to stick with Jon and Janson, we hit the muddiest field in central England. I thought the passing clouds race was a dirty affair well I was wrong, this was. This was proven when Jon lost his shoe in the mud in the first field. This was the only time I was in front of him.  I tried to stick to Janson and Jon, but let go of them during the main climb to roaches. I thought I better race my only race and not get cramp again. So I let off the gas and hope that I would catch them later.  I was doing okay on the ascent and managed to over take about three or four people on the way to the trig point. This was all undone on the descent through the woods towards Gradbach. It’s clear what I need to work on…

We hit the river, I lost a few more places as I enjoyed a paddle. This was going to be a chore, I tried to push on and went for a run and walk approach on most of the ascents. Again I managed to catch people on the ascent but lost ground on the descents. This was partly due to my shoes, I had opted for trail shoes rather than mudclaws. This is because I don’t own any.

We head to the cat and fiddle road and towards Shutlingsloe the half way point and the toughest climb. It was at this point I saw Simon, Will and Simon all pass me by with about 3 minutes between them.  I carried on and tried to push on the ups but started to go with the hand knee walk on Shutlingsloe, though I did manage to over take two doing this.  But I did lose out on the down hill again… So annoying, when this is suppose to be the easier part, well so they say.  On the down hill I see my brother, give him a high five and carry on. I had a such a slow descent its an embarrassment to fell running…

I carry on down the hill and repeat the course again this time heading back to the start. At this point I was racing against three people, after a bit of battle I emerged on top and managed to stick my overtaking when I got Roach End. It must have taken me 4 miles to over take a couple of runners.  I did loose time of the river crossing due to wrestling match.  As I hit my final mile or so back through the farmers field I was caught by another runner, who said he had got lost at a turning. My race was back on, but right when I need my legs to go I got cramp and lost my shoe in the mud. I stumbled back to the finish as if I had been on a night out.

Simon Bailey took 1^st in 2hrs

Will Neill took 2^nd in 2hrs 07

Simon Harding finished in 2hrs 09

Jon Melia finished an incredible 11^th in 2hrs 29

Janson Heath  finished 14^th a great run in 2hrs 29

I finished 29^th in 2hrs 39, so I was pleased with my time. I do know where to improve and work on.

Tracy Dean finished 34^th in 2hrs 41 for third lady

Dale Colclough finished 60^th in 2hrs 52

Mike Perry in 74th in 3hrs 

Mike, Janson, Dale photo by Lisa Health

Me and Janson photo by Lisa Heath

A 142 runners entered the race. 

Passing Clouds. 9miles

This year I wanted to do both the passing clouds and the roaches, both of which are races just outside of the Leek. I do a lot of training around the area and wanted to see if that would help in any way. Here’s what happened:

A change of clothes and a changes of tops, nervousness always makes me wonder if am wearing the right clothes. After a flick of a wizard’s wand I was good to go. I decided to set off in shots and a waterproof jacket.

I quick jog around the car park and few a stretches and not before having a pre race banter with Tracy and Jon, Gareth, Jack and Robin we were ready.

The whistle went we were off and my feet started a petter patter, petter patter wet feet and a glance of who’s around and try to move my legs. Gareth, Robin and Jon all go off fast, as does Jack Ross who stays with Simon Bailey. I lost visual as jack was heading off with him.

1mile down through a cows field, avoid the footprints look for a stile. Avoid, go over the gate, and steal a few places. Go through the farmers yard, a few go the wrong way and I lead the right way make a few places back and call people the right way. Head up towards the first climb, adopt a walk, run style up the hill towards Ramshaw Rocks. Climb, dodge the walkers, pull the heather out and use my arms. Stay with the group. This develops a gap between those behind.

See my brother, he offers support and tells me Jon is just a head of me. I see him but don’t think I ll catch him. All the Staffs Moorlands team members are head of me. Down through the muddiest field that lies in this parts, I swear its never dry. I begin to think I ve entered a tough mudder.  See someone injury, twisted ankle maybe. There okay. I carry on, chasing a Buxton man.  Hop over the heather and miss the bog toilets. Reaches the road a bit of a relief and its starts again. 

Remember the five D’s, duck, dodge, dive, dip and o yes dodge! Try and keep a rhythm.  Him a blackbank farm and head up towards Roach End. Slippery sandstone, slip, twist ankle. Nothing serious. slows my pace down. Take on some jelly babies. Take moment. A little bit of happiness in that juicy goodness. Get over taken, gutted. Need to push on. I adopt for a walk and run up to roach end. Hide in the shelter from the 70mph winds. Yes 70 mph winds and am running in shorts. Take on a gel. Go to the trig point. Keep pushing. No one in front, no one behind. Try to pick up my pace and find the line. A quick glance of the view and carry on, find inspiration, catch another runner over take them.  Keep to the heather. Over the ridge past Doxey’s pool, down to hen cloud, through the gates try to run my hill rep sections. Catching Jon on the ascent see him about 30 seconds in front. Hit the descent, try to catch three or four runners including Jon, fall on my arse.. Bottle of water in the air, wet bum.  Try again lost sight of the group push on, no one behind and no one in front need to keep going.  Start to feel the pain, cramp. See Gareth and Robin, they give a shout of support and I finish in a time of 1hr 25minutes in 25^th position. Staffordshire Moorlands take the team place with Jack (2^nd 1hr 12), Gareth (3^rd 1hr 13) and Robin (6^th 1hr 18).  Jon finished 19^th 1hr 23. Tracy finished in 1hr 37 and won first w40.

Grab a tea from the Tittlesworth visiter centre 

British Fell Relays, Llanberis

British Fell Relays, Staffordshire Moorlands.  20th October 2013.

I never expected this to be in my running calendar, but I got invited to join Staffordshire Moorlands Athletic Club, I accepted. As I feel am a Moorlander at heart and because of the runners that they have had or have currently got. Am hoping to pick up on some advice to improve my running.  The likes of William Neill (GB U23), and Simon Bailey (British Fell Champion) have ran for the club and Tracy Dean (GB), Jack Ross, Gareth Briggs, Jason Burgess (UK mudrunner champion) and Robin Hope all run for the club.

I also wanted to get to know more runners in the area, so I saw this as an opportunity. Due to my success in the summer series, I was asked to run for the club for the Fell Relay in Llanberis, as part of the British Fell Relays. All the best runners from around the UK would be here, it’s an excellent opportunity.

I was running in the mixed/open category for the club, and paired up with Jason Burgess to run a 9 mile course, in Llanberis.  This was obviously a problem for me as I wasn’t as quick as Jason but am also not used to this kind ascent and descent in a fast paced race. With over 1000 metres I was a bit worried.  I had my work cut out.  I also had a problem with my right knee, tendonitis. So I wasn’t looking forward to it.  My brother was also runner with the V40 men team, with Robin, Jon, Craig, Dave and Gareth. This gave me some comfort and some assurance, as I would have his experience and support.  He had recently joined the club too, just after me.

After a night out, race day was upon us, as was the rain. And it didn’t stop all day. This made for interesting running but also very tough conditions. And me and Jason just happened to be doing the longest route…

After Kerry’s brilliant opening leg of the 5mile route around quarry she looked fresh and ready to put us in a good position I thought and she did.  After 45 minutes we touched hands and we were ready to go.

And this was my story of Leg two:

Wet, damp, cold, nervous, but eager to please my aim was to run with one foot in front of the other at a fast pace and repeat over and over again. Do this and I might just get round.  Rain, hitting face, sheltered in the valley so far, feared the worse on top.  Slight climb over into Coed Mawr, shouts of “get past them Dave, I follow” passed a few people, road, step road, pace slows try to keep up with Jason. “come on Dave” and tired response of “okay” after 1 mile in. This wasn’t good. Pick myself up and tried to stick to Jason, he knew it was going to be slow with me, after this point.  Uphill, lose my footing and slip a little. Hold my balance by some kind of hidden dance move. Through mud and over limestone, running through self made streams. Leap over many puddles.  Past the palm trees, descend and try to stick with Jason.  “that’s it Dave keep going, we can get them on the ascent” My thoughts to this. You have to be joking am knackered already.  He wasn’t…

As we approached Moel Cynghorion (700ft), I was knackered, Jason still fresh and hungry. Went like a bullet from a barrel, he shot up the Mountain in double fast speed. Now I know why he does so well in races and I don’t.  I must improve my hill climbing.  It was amazing to watch as I continue to struggle to move my legs and breathe.  I take on gels and water, in a effort to get back into it. This was lost and so was all my hard work.  Like a trail of ants the leg two runners climbed with my struggling and lagging behind.  Many Pass…

Wet, cold, windy, exhausted, lost sight of Jason. Push on, try to get into a better mind set, push on, try harder, try harder to no avail. Break down, this was this first time I lost my heart in a race. I was losing the will to carry on, but I must keep going to catch Jason and for club.  Push on, fight against the wall and the vertical climb that almost pushes you back over due to its steepness. Minutes pass, the clock times, the pressure builds, break down again.  Rebuild one foot in front of the other.  Reach the top to meet my running partner, shouting “come on Dave” I try to push but I tired. My legs ache and I am tired. Must carry on, not for the race for survival. Horizontal rain and 70mph winds hit my face, the coldness burns and the rain stings. 

Run as fast as possible, descend, start the roller coaster of the leg two, up, down up down, aim for checkpoint 3 on Foel Coch. Really tired, my words are “Sorry Jason”, I am Sorry”. Response “its for the fun, It’s a laugh come on”.  Down, Up, dehydrated, Foel Gron, climb the staircase, roll down the hills. Last climb, could of pushed hard, misjudged the race, reach Moel Eilio (best sounding Welsh name), should be a song title.  A cry of relief and the a roar of “Lets F**King do this from my heart.  Through the gate, run, run fast, this is what I can do. Need to catch the other runners, make up the places. A new sense of confidence was found.

Run, stride, lean forward, use the wind, watch the footing, find the line. Aim for the person in front. Pass, continue, one, push, push hard.  Feel cramp, push on, push on for the club, catch them. Pass, bog, avoid, smile for the camera, follow Jason, pass them. Reach disused Querry, Over Stile, through field, out of wind, survived. Relieved to be here, am the lucky one. Run, twist, watch the rocks, to the left, to the right, twist. Watch the bog, Jason landed in, run fast for the team, road, hand over to the navigation leg with Jo and Ian. Wait.

Jason Burgess (SMAC)

Get warm, drink tea, eat cake, get changed wait some more, social, wait.  The leg 3 story is not mine to tell, though the sunshine did break through for the last leg when Mark went out.

My vow after the race, never to run a race of importance half injured or with out the right training.  Confidence and experienced gained for next year though. Great to see so many talented runners. Dont carry too much stuff. 

My brother also did this leg with Gareth Briggs, and he had the same experience, wet, cold and hard. Though he was slightly tired from Limone from the Sky Running championship a few weeks before, but still ran well. 

Finishing time for leg two for me and Jason (1hr 39minutes) 21 minutes behind the first pair, position 67 out of 180.

Gareth and Ant, on leg two, (1hr 32minutes) in 37^th.

Overall finishing time 5hr and 45 minutes, in 58^th place. The team was Kerry, Me, Jason, Ian, Jo and Mark.

My Brother and Gareth’s team finished 7 in their category with an overall time of 4hr and 56minutes. The team was Robin, Gareth, Ant, Jon, Craig, and Dave Neill.

Both Staff Moorlands Teams

High Peak 40

So it’s been a year and a day since completing the Long Mynd Hike, a 50 mile race that covers the Shropshire and Welsh borders.  To this day, I wonder how I completed the hike. I do have my theories but wont go into them now.  However it is the only ultra race I have done and finished thinking I could do an extra mile or two here. I still had energy left in the tank to continue a few more miles. Even Helen Skelton told me at the finish that I looked fresh.  Never has this happened again…

So you can probably tell that the high peak 40 become a bit more a challenge than I expected.

I set off to fast, but I thought it was a comfortable pace at the time, I was wrong.  Preparations for the race didn’t really go so well either, having only done the first 15 mile in a recce. I was also struggling with my knee in my previous race (ipstones five) and I hadn’t ran before since then. So with five miles in the bag and some hill reps it wasn’t the idea start to a 40mile hike that include Man Tor, The Lords seat and the tricky work at Cave Dale.  My confidence was blown out of the water before the ship had even set sail.

I went ahead anyway, as my aim for the year was to compete in the run further series.  I felt pretty good hitting the first couple of checkpoints. I even felt good running down some of the downhill’s, I remember thinking that I could be in for a good race as I descended from the Lords Seat, passing about 5 or 6 runners. 

Once the down hill came around into Castleton (Hollins Cross) I hit a stone and lost my balance and rapidly adapted my footing in order not to fall. I managed to avoid the couple walking the hill, I think they were just as confused about me as I was to their movements or dance on the hill. This did hurt my knee due to jarring. It continued to hurt, but I thought I could run it off. Lucky I had the company of Peter who I meet in Bradwell to keep me going, as well as Liz Reeves who was having a good race in the ladies.  They managed to keep me going. I did think about stopping and handing in the towel more than I ever have before. Especially when my jelly babies jumped for freedom on cave dale.

Though I decided to keep going, I thought I’ve done this before in the Long Tour, I do it again. And that is what I continued to do keep going, at a slow pace.

I couldn’t keep up with Peter and Liz and wished them luck and said I may see them at the end. I later saw Lisa and Janson Heath, Lisa was doing her first ultra, and was running well. She passed me just outside Tideswell.  I wished her luck and told her to push on.

Again this is what I did, bit by bit, foot by foot, a left and then a right, a tree and a view to see me through. Then I hit the road, this destroyed me and I lost all energy and time as I had trail shoes on rather than a road shoe. This would of being a better option… Too late now!

I managed another left and right. Steps turned to a walk and then a jog and then a run and then I repeated. Better to finish late than not at all…Maybe in the short term not in the long term. Injury’s are hard to shake off after the half way point… and they stay with you for the weeks after.

I was later cheered by Pete, Tracy, and Liz as I got to the finish. I was pleased to see them. I later saw Lisa and Janson too.

I managed to finish with a time of 8hrs 10minutes in 58th. I found out that Tracy had won the ladies race. Well Done Tracy.

Much fun was had afterwards, looking for a car key that I dropped on route, lucky it was at a checkpoint and it was pickup by a marshal. Thank you marshals, you saved my bacon! And also aided me getting back home and also provided much entertainment for me, Jon and Tracy. Thankyou all volunteers and marshals for an enjoyable race.

Me as Pie Protector 

Tracy and Jon, post race. Well Done to Tracy for Winning the Ladies race

in 6hrs and 21minutes

Ipstones Five Road Race

7^th September

So it was the day of my hometown race even though it’s a village. I decided to enter the race because of this.  I wasn’t really in the right frame of mind as I was suffering from an on going pain in my groin, due to an IT band problem. It was also a road race…Not my strength, a fast pace road race at that. I still decided to do it, and I later found out that a few friends from the village were also running, Craig Barks and Carl Barks, they were having the best brother wins race.  I also saw Andrew Sayers, Janson Heath, Lisa Heath, Dean Windsor and Dale Colglough.  All of which I got to know through the summer series.

Ipstones Edge, me and Dean

The race started with a 1 mile ascent to Ipstones edge at this point I felt good, but as soon as I started to descend my leg started to hurt and I thought my race was over.  I still continued to run trying to push myself with out over doing it.  Towards the bottom of Sharpcliff there was a small dog that provide some entertainment for me and Dean. This seemed to stretch my legs a bit more as I thought it was going to bite me. I continue to go steady over the flat parts and tried to work on the ascents. I know the roads well as I have ran around the Basford lanes for some time.  This helped my mental state and I continued to push on the hills and the flats. Not as fast as I would of liked but am happy with the speed I went.

I managed to finish 11^th with a time of 31minutes and 42 seconds and I was the first Ipstones person back, so I won a some quinness , happy days.  Andrew managed to bet me  (6^th with 30:45) and I managed to hold of Dean who was biting at my ankles all the way round the course. Good race Dean.  Dean finished 13^th 31:50.

Craig beat Carl in the battle of brother with a great time of 38:12 finishing 73^rd.

photos from Bryan Dale