Autumn running

 A beautiful Autumn run yesterday at Derwent , with another running work colleague. Soaking up the views and air.  Blissful. 

 

 

Photos from Lakeland Trails website

 

Lakeland Trails : covid secure

 I feel it must be pointed out, how safe these events felt. The organisers went to great lengths to ensure there was space and safety. There were many hand sanitising stations, no occasions where groups of people had to congregate. We were asked to wear face coverings at the start and at the checkpoints: food was painstakingly individually wrapped at the checkpoints, no plastic cups but full water bottles instead. Most impressively, we were given staggered starting times to leave in groups of six : I can only imagine the work involved in distributing hundreds of different start times, then trying to calculate the corresponding individual finish time. But, they managed it. It just shows that, under some circumstances anyway, this is possible :  good for them, putting in this effort to ensure these events could go ahead. 

Lakeland Trails Coniston marathon, 2020

 I don't think I can overemphasise how thrilled I was, to take part in this event during these times. We were incredibly lucky that the weekend was allowed to go ahead,  and this race took place on a day when many mass participation marathons had been postponed, including London. With this in mind, there was not a minute of this race that couldn't be loved.

An absolute stunning Autumn day in the Lakes. The race encompasses over 900 metres overall elevation gain, and was wet and tricky underfoot.much slipping and squelching through peaty mud. The last 5k through the most uneven wooded path compelled many swear words in my head. The marshals were lovely, the route well marked. Two food stations with plenty of snacks to energise the next section. 

I have run the course before, but this was the first time that I had attempted back to back trail races:  the 15k on the afternoon before the full marathon was enough to affect my legs and therefore finishing time. Somehow though, it did not matter a jot. Running through the most beautiful area, for the whole event, was the reward.

I have never before appreciated the actual 'taking place' of a race, until now. Like most people, I just presumed they happened and I went along or I didn't. All the events that have been postponed this year due to the pandemic, have made me savour this one opportunity to participate in a marathon. Hugely grateful. 

What a fantastic race

 Finished in just under six hours, what a fabulous race today. Avoided the cut off by er three minutes I think. Work colleague sped past effortlessly, awesome. Pictures to come. Fantastic day, fantastic lake district running weekend, loved every second. Lakeland Trails, you did a smashing job. 

Coniston marathon

 Back here again for the marathon today. It is truly beautiful here at the start, incredible scenery, amazing. After yesterday's rain, I was a bit concerned. But..... What a day. Fingers crossed we'll all make it OK to the end. Happy to plod, want to soak up these views.

 Awesome 15k, slippy and muddy and everything you want in a lake district run. Plus the quintessential rain at the end. Fabulous stuff.

 

Coniston

 Very excited to be here. A bit rainy but not too bad yet. Beautiful here. Races feel really well organised, lots of space between runners and starting groups. Now I just need to get up those hills. 

Lakeland trails running weekend

 Well, brilliantly, it looks like the Lakeland Trails races can still go ahead, and we are allowed to go.  The company seems to have done a really good job of ensuring the event is covid secure :   they have asked people not to car share, race numbers have been sent in the post to avoid groups congregating at the race Village,  : we have been given staggered start times with small groups setting off at one minute intervals. Presumably, this will be running events for the foreseeable future.

For me, I am thrilled at the thought of participating in an event at the moment :  after this years' earlier lockdown, I did not think this would be possible this year. I need to take a deep breath before we enter the second phase of this pandemic : I think this weekend will allow that.

Fingers crossed.