Wet doesn't even begin to describe the conditions this morning!
This is my second Lakeland Trail so I was aware that they weren't easy runs, but the rain made it even harder!
When my alarm went off at 7.15am and I could hear the rain pelting down outside I did consider snuggling back under the duvet and giving it a miss!
However, I wasn't going to let myself off so easily so I forced myself to get up and get dressed before I could contemplate not going any further!
I actually enjoyed my breakfast of porridge and coffee which is very unusual as I usually have to force food down on race day morning!
We left the house at 8.15am for the 24 mile journey to Glenridding, where the race HQ was situated.
We arrived at just after 9am and followed directions to the event car park. Unfortunately this was in a field! Cars, grass and rain are not a good combination! We managed to get to our parking space without too much trouble, although we were slightly worried about getting out again!
What I hadn't appreciated was that the race HQ and event registration was a 10 minute walk from the car park. Usually this would not be an issue but this morning the thought of walking and getting soaked before I had even started the race really didn't appeal.
I actually turned to my Husband and said "Shall we just go home?", He replied "We've got up early, we are here, you are running!".
Luckily I had waterproof clothes with me that I wasn't running in so we got togged up before facing the elements.
On a positive note at least it wasn't freezing cold too!
We followed the steady stream of runners to guide us to the registration point. There was no queue therefore I got my number quickly and easily.
We headed back to the car but when I saw no queue at the porto-loos I took the opportunity to nip in before the hoardes arrived!
We were back in the car by 9.30am and the race started at 10.30am.
Plenty of time to dry out before getting wet again!
By now even the paths were getting waterlogged and I had wet feet even before I started the race!
The only problem being the views were blurred with rain and barely visible through the low cloud, the footpaths had turned into streams and the bridleways were quagmires waiting to claim a trainer here and there, not to mention the 900 feet elevation!
Even the relatively "easy" tarmac parts were made difficult as the paths were covered in wet slimy Autumn leaves!
On the way back towards the starting/finishing point I was passing lots of the competitors who were heading to the start line for the 17K race! It was lovely to have them all clapping and encouraging us as we passed!
I was VERY relieved when I approached the finishing field and was pleasantly surprised to discover that I didn't have to run around the outside of the entire field as I had anticipated!
I ran through the finishing line after running only 5.3 miles and not the 6.2 miles I expected!
On this occasion I am not going to complain about being short changed!
Typically just after I finished the rain decided to stop, which was nice as I got to chat to some running friends without getting drenched further!
According to the official results I finished in 1:03:41. I was 155th out of 314 finishers. On this occasion the time wasn't paramount, survival was the key!
We went back to the car where I had to strip off completely as I was THAT wet! Thankfully I had had the foresight to take my swimming towelling poncho with me so my dignity was saved!
I decided not to bother putting any clean clothes on and opted to stay just in my towelling poncho - naked underneath! As we were about to set off my husband remarked "Mind if we are stuck in the mud you are going have to get out and push!". Now that would have been a sight to behold - me pushing a car out of the mud in just a poncho and Crocs!
Thankfully it didn't come to that! The organisers had kindly put carpet down over the muddy patches so were were able to get out the field fairly easily!
I think after running 5 trail runs this year I have decided to stick to the safety of the hard black stuff from now on!!!
You can view my run on Garmin here!
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