Hell of a Hill Marathon

After completing the Canalathon [all be it slower than I wanted] and then the Bolton Hill Marathon a few months later [quicker than I expected] I felt brave enough to take on the Hell of a Hill Marathon by  Time2Run Events. 

So I entered and began to train. Training consisted of weekly hill loop reps in the area the event would be. 

Then I fractured my ankle and I wasn't allowed to run for at least 6 weeks. My training was non existent, it's hard to find cardio when you can't use a foot/leg! I put on weight and was depressed.

I began run/walking from 6 weeks and I was soon back up Rivington trying to trail run with a wobbly ankle on cobbles much to my husbands worry.

However I started to find some confidence and just a few week before the marathon I did the lap route 3 times which was around 12 miles. Could I do the marathon? So soon post fracture?

I met up with a running friend and we did the route loop 4 times. 16 miles and the furthest I had run since I fractured my ankle 14 weeks ago. I decided I would try. I had 9 hours to complete and a friend to run/walk with. At the very worse I would DNF.

I rested until the day arrived. It was a frosty morning and I changed from my skort to my capris. I had enough kit for the event, bladder, gloves, Kendal mint etc. and I would take my trekking poles just in case I needed them.

I drove to Bibys Farm, I know the area as I ran it at one point so had no trouble to find it. I parked up, chatted to marshalls and went to collect my bib. There was tea, coffee, toast but I had already eaten and was looking for my friend. He was late and a panicked that I might now DNS!

My friend [Steve] was late due to traffic and arrived with half an hour to spare. I put his stuff on the van along with my poles. The van was the crew / feed station, only one needed as it was at the start of the loop we would be doing five times. You had the option to leave kit, food, etc. there, which was a great idea so you didn't need to carry more than needed and could stock up for each loop!

We set off on the 3 mile straight leading to the check point, mostly road with the odd bump and gradual climb. I did ok but was relieved to arrive at the start of the laps. Just five then back to the farm. 

Arriving at the start of the laps

I began the first climb. It was tough as I had just done 4 laps the previous week and my fitness had dropped off from being off my feet. The welcoming sight of the Pigeon Tower soon appeared. We ran to the gate and toward the pike, then came the steps. All 90 odd of them. Had they got steeper! Was there more of them! I'm not tall and have short legs and I struggled with the lower couple. Oh what had I done! This was now not a good idea!

Feeling unfit and out of breath I got to the top and took a quick photo then began the spiral down the back of the pike and the long the path to the gate and down some more. I was now OK. It would all OK. I could do this. We followed the course and came to the cobbles, my biggest fear with my ankle. How stable is it? Can I 'turn' it so soon? I was slow and cautiously picked my way down. At the bottom was a flat path which ran back toward the base and it felt a long way already. My pace was slower now and my fitness not as good  so I ran and walked.

I had to walk a lot of the up hills but I've never been good on the hills, I really need to actually hill train! Too late now ...

Then I saw the arrow at the little wooden gate on the right. "Oh no Steve! It's the little hill I said might be in it!" I had recce'd the route but I had been unsure of this bit and when I met Steve to do 4 laps we ran a different way to the car park.

It was a steep sharp climb that had my lungs bursting in my chest and my thighs on fire. I made the top and headed down to the final gate and the feed station. "That's a sneaky little f*****r" I said as I came through. Everyone laughed. I got a drink, and head down, shoulders back I set off to do it again. Lap 2.

I could pretty much repeat this as it's a loop of five, so I won't. We hoped each lap would be around the hour mark. Then just over half an hour for the to and then the back, so 6:30 to 7 hours to complete. Each lap got harder. The climb to the Pigeon Tower was tough each time, the Pike climb got harder but I enjoyed the spiral downward and the steps were each time quickly forgotten.

On the fourth lap the 90 odd steps nearly broke me. "I'll have to use my poles on the 5th lap or I'll not get up the stairs" I said to Steve. I was tired. This was now the furthest I had ran since BHM. I slowed but kept going. Everything ached. Just one more lap and then we could head back and cross the finish. 

As we arrived to the station we joked and laughed with the feed station crew. We were encouraged and comments that I'd done well. We collected our things we had left there and set off. The sun was starting to set and it was much cooler. We followed the road back. Running and walking despite it being a nice flat descent. "How are you feeling" asked Steve. I replied "I want it to be over"... It was the longest 3 mile ever and my watch passed 26.2 mile. We saw the last arrow and ran the final road and crossed the finish in the dark. We were welcomed with claps and comments that at least I was still smiling.
 

Crossing the Finish

Phil was there. "Never again" I laughed! "Oh you don't mean that. You'll be back" he said. He's right. I will be! I had my chip removed and my medal hung around my neck and we headed to the canteen. There was still tea, coffee, bread for toast and beans and soup available. I got some soup and sat with two runners we met and ran with a little on the last lap. I chatted awhile then left. I was tired and wanted to get home while I still could.

Conclusion.
Very well organised event with a great crew at the feed station. Everyone friendly and encouraging which is welcomed as a slower runner. Nice bling. Unfortunately no race photos for day 1 but I did track down and get stills from a video by Captured by Lawrence

Cnio time 7:52:59

.