The Great Langdale Half Marathon

The time had come around when one of my drunken evening moments of madness caught me up, and I was having to travel to the Langdale Valley in the Lake District to partake in the Great Langdale Half Marathon.  I had images of a beautiful setting, with undulating hills, as well as a perfect weekend to myself when I booked it.  In reflection, I would say undulating hills was stretching the truth somewhat, but all the other boxes were ticked.  So on a Thursday evening after having a meal with an old friend, I made my way to Victoria Coach station, and took the overnight bus to Preston, where I was to catch a connecting train to Windermere Friday morning.  All else from here was purely whimsical, I just had to get to a campsite in Great Langdale at my own pace, rest up, and be ready for the big day Saturday morning.

Windermere

Sitting at Ambleside Pier

My home from home

The trip up was long and arduous, but I managed to get a lot of broken sleep along the way, and didn't feel too bad when I finally arrived in Windermere.  From here, as it was still early, and there was no-where open for breakfast, I decided to walk to Ambleside and get my fill at the pier on Windermere's (the lake) edge.  I stocked up on provisions, and then managed to find a bus that would take me the whole journey down to the campsite, where I hired a wooden pod for two nights.  It was simplistic, but all I needed to bring was my sleeping and cooking gear, therefore no tent.  It was also rather quaint, spacious, and after I learnt it wasn't ready when I arrived... newly fitted with electricity, therefore coming with a light and a heater, not to mention the all important plug to keep my phone charged throughout.

On learning that I had a wait ahead of me before moving into my little home, the campsite owners were kind enough to look after my large backpack, while I filled a smaller one with what I needed to spent a few hours in the sunshine, up upon the Langdale Pikes... and this was to be a rest day.

Langdale Pikes viewed from Side Pike <click to enlarge>

The Langdale Pikes are a collection of several peaks that form a very picturesque view from the valley.  The complexity in the shape of their tops all grouped so closely together gives the impression of a mountain gone wrong.  I headed up the Old Dungeon Ghyll path towards Loft Crag, then followed the ridge to Pike of Stickle; across to Harrison Stickle, before opting to stay on the edge, and avoid the boggy ground, heading to Pavey Ark, and coming back to ground via Stickle Tarn.

A picture paints a thousand words:

View from Pike of Stickle <click to enlarge>

Harrison Stickle from Loft Crag

Stickle Tarn coming down from Pavey Ark

Harrison Stickle from Stickle Tarn

Pavey Ark from Stickle Tarn

Stickle Ghyll

Lingmoor Fell from Stickle Ghyll

Another view up to the Langdale Pikes

Good morning world

Anyway, I fear I may find myself digressing too much on what I did other than what I ran.  To be fair, it's rude not too, as you can see, all was stunning, and I didn't have much care for anything in the world while I was out there.  I read up on the weather forecast for the next day, as you do, and it read that it was going to be far nicer the next day.  So with that comforting thought in mind, I supped a few ales, and ate a nice pie at the local pub, and headed off to a nice pre-heated cabin with the anticipation of what the morning may bring.

I wasn't to be disappointed, and with a hop and a skip in my step, I was soon up, showered and fed ready for what the day had in store for me.  The deal with this event is pretty much two things; a/. it is not by any stretch of the imagination going to be easy, so don't worry about your time, and b/. you could enter the one lap half marathon, or if you are crazy enough, opt for the two lap full marathon.  I am in training for a full marathon, so didn't fancy the idea of doing the one lap twice over... and with hindsight, stick to this principal.

After the first kilometre, it was simply one direction

It was sunny, little breeze in the air, but just chilly enough to not consider things to be all too warm for the event.  As approximately 500 runners all milled together on a tight country road, with traffic queueing in frustration that they weren't able to get to their start point for the days walking, the clock struck noon, and we were unleashed onto the roads proper to complete a circuit with only one way to return... 13.1 miles forwards and round the back of Lingmoor Fell to the start/finish proper.

The first two miles were possibly the hardest I have ever attempted yet, as there was a less gentle ascent over 2km in length.  People were already slowing to a walk as the gradient took its toll.  I insisted on running, but I wasn't catching those walking in front all too quick.  It was slow, and a serious slap in the face to let you know what you had let yourself in for.  Once over the top, a well loved water break was had and the course undulated along until near halfway a marshal stood in the middle of the road and ushered us up a smaller road to the side, which simply went up again for another kilometre.  By this time, I was feeling good, I knew I had coped well so far, so there couldn't be much more they could throw at me.

The route profile, and info for 3 categorised climbs

Could there?  Another evil marshal pointed us away from the main road into Langdale at Skelwith Bridge, that felt like running up a cliff for over 2.5km's.  Coming down the other side wasn't much either, as I tried to not lose too much control.  After, it was just a case of focusing on getting to the finish, which I managed in 1:52:17.  I was very happy with that time, and later discovered I was in the top 121 of half marathon runners (alternatively position 121/367).  It was a great experience, and was run by some great people, who were friendly and helpful in their warnings along the way (e.g. "CAR!!!", "BIKE REAR!", etc).

What better way to celebrate is there than getting rehydrated in a typical fashion:

Done that.  Got the T-Shirt