Ultra Runner Gill
Montane Lakeland 50 is an amazing event. The route is stunning and hard. 10,500ft of climbing where most of the ascent is in the first 30 miles.
Staring at Dalemain in the rain, the route goes to Pooley Bridge and follows the Ullswater way to Howtown, before starting the loooooong climb up Fusedale. Over High and Low Cop and descending into Mardale, the sun came out here to light up Haweswater. This first section to Mardale head is quite slow due the narrowness of the path. A great chance to enjoy the views.
As I started the mile climb up to Gatesgarth Pass the sun really came out to play. That climb is hard enough without added sunshine and heat. A steep, seemingly never ending rough track takes you down to Sadgill and up and over to Kentmere. The next climb was up to Garburn Pass. The sun was starting to go down as I reached the top, the light and views were stunning.
Through Troutbeck and heading to Ambleside. Head torch on as we entered the woods. Lots of people still around cheering and clapping as you run/stagger past. Longer stop here to sort my feet out, change my top and put on a warm jacket. Then out into the night (11pm). I had decided to walk the last 16 miles as my feet/blisters were too painful to run. It was a beautiful evening. Still warm, clear and calm. Over Loughrigg to Skelwith Bridge, past Elterwater and on to Chapelstile. 10 miles to go. I just kept powering on. Past Blea Tarn and had a sit down in Blea Moss. Was a little bit damp . Saved the runners following from doing the same thing. How nice can you be!
Seeing the lights on the last climb, out of Tilberthwaite, in front of me was a lovely sight. From there only 3.5 miles remained. My feet hurt and I was tired, I cried for the first 5 mins of this climb, thankful it was dark. The sun was starting to rise over the mountains, it was amazing to see. As I descended to the Coppermines at Coniston I turned my head torch off.
A new day had dawned and I was less than 2 miles from the end. I shed a few tears as I came to the end. So glad to be there. So glad to stop. Never again… Maybe next year …
