It feels unusual. I really feel like I must be experiencing some type of runner’s excessive, however I’m not. I don’t fairly know easy methods to describe it, it virtually looks like I’ve travelled again in time to a lesser skilled model of my operating self…

I’m placing it down to some issues. Firstly, for just a few years now I’ve been going from one race to a different, month after month and sometimes week after week. After breaking my ankle through the UTMB in September, I’ve not had an enormous operating journey for 3 months. I’ve barely run in that point. So my health has gone on slightly vacation and I felt extra like I did once I first began operating ultras, issues felt unfamiliar and harm greater than I’m now used too. Add to that I’ve additionally not deliberate any additional races for some time while I get better, so the thoughts and focus hasn’t instantly switched to the following problem.

Secondly, The Cheviot Goat has been lingering on the horizon for fairly someday, virtually 3 years since I first signed up early in 2020 it has been taunting me. Final 12 months we bought so far as going to the race location when it was cancelled (as a result of aftermath of storm Arwen) and operating our personal (a lot shorter!) journey across the Cheviots – the lesser ‘Cheviot Mutton’ as we dubbed it. So the Cheviot Goat has for a very long time been on the ‘Ones that bought away‘ record. Final 12 months’s run, while nice for experiencing the terrain and local weather, sort of put me off doing the precise race slightly.

So right here I used to be, lining up for a race that I may now not be bothered with, and actually had restricted confidence in how I’d bodily cope. 9 weeks of relaxation and 4 weeks of quick, simple operating (most of which had been on roads) was not the construct up required to place me in a spot the place I used to be excited and looking out ahead to this run. Fortunately although I used to be absolutely ready for it to be powerful and knew I’d get by means of it someway. I don’t surrender, I gained’t surrender and I had Jon and Yvette to run with (assuming I may hold tempo with them).

The logistics of the race had been virtually an identical to the 12 months earlier than, we even stayed in the identical AirBnB in Wooler (and ate in the identical restaurant, probably even the identical order for me (minus the dessert!)). We registered the night time earlier than and felt the chilly within the air as we checked in with the Mountain Rescue volunteers (displaying our emergency equipment – it’s obligatory to have heat layers sealed in a water-resistant bag for this occasion which you’ll’t use to run in, in addition to a bivvy bag – foil blankets gained’t do shit out right here!) and obtained our bib numbers and trackers. 10 hours later we had been again in the beginning and able to go.

For 2022 the route had been modified from earlier years. We’d profit from two help stations with drop luggage (roughly at 20 miles and 40 miles), nevertheless as a commerce off the route was barely longer and with extra elevation. It didn’t matter that a lot to me, I had every thing I wanted and even put an entire change of equipment into every drop bag. I used to be lined for all eventualities. The climate forecast was good, surprisingly good. For a race normally going down in minus temperatures and both snow or rain, we had sunny spells forecast just about all through and the one minus temperatures had been “looks like” temperatures on the upper summits just like the Cheviot itself. So I began in shorts. I wasn’t alone on this, there have been just a few others like me who little doubt overheat shortly and don’t actually really feel the chilly within the legs. I had tights and longer waterproof socks in my first help station and my plan was to vary into these once we arrived there. On prime I had a t-shirt and a merino base layer on with my tremendous light-weight OMM sonic smock to maintain the wind off. I began questioning my choice slightly wanting round on the thick down jackets and lengthy trousers and water proof bobble hats many others had been sporting in the beginning line. However I used to be extra distracted by judging individuals’s footwear alternative. I’d opted for the Adidas Terrex Smooth Floor. They’ve completely naff all cushioning or assist however mega grip. I wore them final 12 months for the 50km we did they usually stuffed me with confidence. I’d hoped to get my cushioning from the mushy, boggy terrain. I used to be stunned to see many runners in additional ‘regular’ path footwear, with loads of Hokas and Salomon footwear to be seen. I even noticed somebody in a pair of Brooks street footwear. This I wasn’t anticipating!

Anyway, sufficient individuals judging. We had been directed below the orange glow of the Montane beginning arch and shortly set off. The route started with a sluggish regular climb over the primary few km to Cochrane Pike. Method off within the distance we may see headlamps disappearing into the darkness as we walked steadily. For the primary hour or so it drizzled on and off. This meant I used to be pulling my waterproof jacket out, then not lengthy later stopping to take off the windproof from beneath as I used to be too sizzling. Then stopping once more to take away it when the rain stopped. I used to be fussing. I couldn’t settle. Up to now so good although. The primary 10km or so the terrain was pleasant. It was moist, however agency underfoot with only a few areas of concern and we had been in a position to cowl the undulating route with ease within the darkness till the solar began to interrupt as we ran in the direction of and alongside Wether Cairn, the very best level within the first part of the race. From right here we had a beautiful runnable part as we descended. The final a part of the descent all the way down to the street was slightly steep, however induced no points. From right here we snaked alongside the street earlier than beginning an ascent on the opposite facet.

Jon and Yvette had been doing a sterling job of navigating (I used to be being egocentric and hadn’t turned alone navigation route) and saved us on observe when some runners additional forward missed a flip. All of us joined again up although just about straightaway. I believe it was someplace alongside this part that we first encountered the bogs. I recall just a few sections of comparatively flat routes (between the climbs/descents) the place we hoping from lavatory to lavatory for some time. It wasn’t simple. We don’t prepare for leaping. While you possibly can simply navigate across the majority, some required a leap of religion. As a bang common top male, not one of the jumps had been notably difficult for me, however I couldn’t try this constantly for the remainder of the run! We managed to navigate them with nothing greater than soggy toes, or slightly soggy socks due to sporting waterproof socks! It made me assume that the tales you hear are all slightly bit exaggerated. You’d both need to utterly mis-time a leap (possible!) or be deliberately wanting to enter a lavatory greater than knee excessive. Except you’re operating tremendous shortly with out time to assume/alter course or are operating along with your eyes closed, the bogs aren’t wherever close to as dangerous as individuals prefer to make out. Both means, we’d survived the primary lavatory part and shortly accomplished just a few extra climbs and descents and had been someplace close to Barrowburn, the place the help station can be.

As we had been approaching Barrowburn, the day was wonderful. It was chilly, but it surely actually wasn’t wherever close to as chilly as I’d anticipated. I’d been operating in two skinny layers all morning and solely put my liner gloves on once we had been lavatory hoping. With just a few extra hours of daylight forward, I felt I may get away with out turning into the tights for a bit longer. So deliberate to simply eat and alter my socks on the help station. Arriving on the help station we headed inside and took the chance of sitting on the comfortable couch while the volunteers served us heat soup and bread rolls. Good. I struggled to get the recent socks on and we most likely stayed right here slightly longer than deliberate. With an extended climb to Windy Gyle to comply with although we weren’t involved by the size of our relaxation and knew it was time nicely spent to set us up for the following part which, arguably, can be the longest and hardest of the course. Refreshed we headed again out. Regardless of the sunshine, I added the OMM layer again on prime. We had been heading in the direction of Scotland in spite of everything!

The part to Windy Gyle was pleasant too. Gradual regular climbs, largely dry tracks to comply with with some undulations. The views right here although had been improbable with clear skies displaying the rolling hills for so far as the eyes may see. One of the best bits although had been quite a few rainbows of insane readability and brightness. I really feel like we handed by means of the tip of rainbows a number of instances. No want for pots of golds although with the fulfilling views we had!

From Windy Gyle, earlier than the part in Scotland we had a brief stint alongside the Pennine Method and the notorious slabs (or Flag Stones – I did get facet tracked on the best way residence studying in regards to the distinction between slabs and flags and nonetheless don’t know which is the right time period to make use of). These aren’t too gratifying to run on. I believe some runners do prefer it, however I’m not considered one of them. Onerous, slippery and uneven, they aren’t notably enjoyable to run alongside. But they serve a function (or many!) notably on the part in a while to the Cheviot Summit which actually do hold you away from the bogs. As soon as we reached the tip of the deliberate route alongside the slabs we had been welcomed to Scotland by the Mountain Rescuer Crew (there have been quite a few factors marshalled by mountain rescue on this route. They had been all so pleasant and useful and actually did hold all runners protected out on the course) and directed off the Pennine means in the direction of the Farm at Cocklawfoot. As we navigated by means of the farm we had been slightly confused as there have been just a few methods the route may go and a few signage which we weren’t positive was for us or not. We adopted the GPS route and had been quickly assured we had been heading the appropriate course because the climb in the direction of the Cheviot started.

The climb to the Cheviot summit is the one part of the route we lined on our journey the 12 months earlier than. We had been approaching from a distinct route this time, however would be a part of up on the Mountain Rescue Hut (Auchope Rigg) for the precise ascent. Like final 12 months, we stopped on the hut for slightly break and alternative to regulate our equipment. We sat within the hut chatting to 2 native lads as we layered up (waterproof on now because it arduous began raining in addition to hotter waterproof gloves and mittens overtop!) and ate. Hen and chorizo empanadas for me, wraps for Jon and Yvette (yep, I used to be holding tempo with them thus far!). That is extremely operating! As we pressed again on and started the climb it began to Snow, identical to it did the earlier 12 months, solely not as heavy. Annoyingly although it was head on which was slightly awkward because it meant I used to be head down attempting to climb. Nonetheless till this level we’d been completely spoilt with the climate. We had been making respectable time too and may be capable of get off the Cheviot earlier than the solar began to go down. As we overcame the majority of the climb, the snow eased off and we had been rewarded with unimaginable sundown views over the glistening white hills.

The one factor we learnt from final 12 months was that, as soon as the climb was over, you’re nonetheless not on the summit! There’s a part of some kilometres alongside the slabs once more earlier than you attain the precise Cheviot summit. Final 12 months it was irritating. This 12 months it was a recognized formality. We’d exit alongside the stones and ‘tag’ the summit earlier than returning alongside the identical observe after which descending a distinct course. So alongside we went, cheered on by the Mountain Rescue workforce who had been manning the turning on the return level. The part was uninteresting. There aren’t many issues you possibly can honestly say about it in a greying December night. Its like some parallel universe from a sci-fi movie, simply bleak and chilly. To your left and proper, so far as you possibly can see within the clag are darkish bogs damaged up solely by glistening white snow on the agency sections. Deviate from the slabs and it’s doubtless you’ll get fairly moist. Sometimes slabs had been ‘lacking’, presumably consumed by the bogs. We gingerly crossed them, hoping they had been simply lined by a layer of water slightly than lacking altogether. The traverse was sluggish as we’d cease and provides technique to runners coming within the different course. Ultimately we reached the summit Trig Level, grabbed a workforce picture after which set again off in the direction of the marshals.

And right here, slightly over midway by means of at 55 kilometres, issues started to get arduous…..

We had been in good spirits and in fairly good situation. Yvette appeared utterly positive, Jon was beginning to expertise some knee/calf pains and my largest challenge had been my left metatarsals hurting, which I believe was a shoe/laces challenge (I used to be continuously having to cease and re-tie the laces on the Adidas SGs which saved coming free – maybe a design flaw with the flat lace design?). Mentally we had been pleased, however that every one began to vary as we descended. The preliminary a part of the descent was rocky. Whhhyyy. Rocks are my nemesis, why I do mountain ultras I have no idea. The rocks had been small, free and really slippery. We had been very sluggish to cowl this part and to achieve extra forgiving terrain. Right here Jon realised that it was the descents that had been aggravating his knee/calf. While the descent ended fairly shortly, it was most likely the final time we ran because the ‘flat’ part in the direction of BloodyBush Edge was simply moist, boggy and lined in tussocks. The lumpy grass meant we had been sluggish, rolling our toes and angles, bobbing back and forth and attempting to keep away from ploughing straight right into a lavatory. The headlamps had been out by now and runners round us had been complaining they couldn’t really feel their toes they had been so chilly (put up race there have been murmurs that one runner completed with a single shoe and hadn’t realised he misplaced one as a result of his toes had been so chilly!). Waterproof socks had been proving to be smart alternative although as our toes had been solely chilly when absolutely submerged in water,

The trek felt prefer it went on for ages, passing the following set of Mountain Rescue marshals as we ascended the quick climb to Bloodybush Edge. This was by far my least favorite part of the race thus far. From right here we headed alongside an ‘okay’ sort of observe in the direction of Cushat Regulation the place we started to descend once more in the direction of the following help station at Excessive Bleakhope. We left the observe at Cushat Regulation and had been going ‘off piste’, wandering round within the darkness attempting to roughly align with our gps route. We weren’t the one ones. Head torches appeared to face all instructions within the darkness and once in a while one other head torch would be a part of up with us from someplace else and say “not that course”. ‘Bleak Hope’ is a slightly apt title for the placement had been we discovered ourselves at this level within the race! There was one runner who’d executed the March version (a one off occasion) and sort of knew the place he was going and mentioned we must always be a part of up with a quad observe someplace, which we finally did. From right here it was slightly jog into the second help station.

This help station was in an open barn. There was a hearth pit outdoors and chairs inside. We sat down and went to work. I stuffed my face with crisps, mini eggs, biscuits and a heat cup of espresso. I then determined to swap my skinny lioner gloves for a drier pair (hoping they’d add slightly extra heat), add a buff to my neck and swap the one on my head for a skinny merino hat. This together with refilling my bottles and adjusting my bag appeared to take an age and Jon and Yvette had been patiently ready for me. I first wanted to re-tie my laces (once more) after which heat my fingers by the hearth earlier than placing the gloves again on. Which additionally took an age as my fingers appeared to have swelled and didn’t simply match again in. We did finally depart and I used to be lifted by the information that from right here we might end. I joked that I all the time say for those who get to the final verify level/help station then you will get to the tip. It amused me that the second help station was additionally the final one on this race. Admittedly there was nonetheless a really lengthy technique to go and extra bogs and obstacles lay in wait!

We had one other climb straight from the help station after which an inexpensive descent. I believe my thoughts switched off at this level as all I bear in mind is a bit the place we needed to flip left, solely there was no means by means of thick, knee top heather. So for what felt like a really very long time we had been bimbling alongside lifting our drained legs excessive after which sinking additional down than anticipated as the bottom beneath disappeared. It was power sapping. Like a lot of the course since we left the Cheviot, it was troublesome to generate any form of momentum even when strolling. The uneven floor meant your stride was continuously interrupted with a wobble to the facet or a rocking backwards movement. It required a number of focus to try to hold transferring ahead! A bit of later, we descended alongside a fence line all the way down to a river the place we discovered two head torches within the darkness pacing forwards and backwards looking for a means throughout. They’d seen different runners come this manner however couldn’t see the place they crossed. A small committee shaped as perhaps 7 or 8 of us seemed for a means. One other runner joined on the opposite facet of the fence and I climbed over and we discovered a spot to cross a littler additional alongside. From this level it was a really, very moist and muddy climb as we began to make our means in the direction of Hedgehope Hill (the second highest level on the route).

Beneath us was some semblance of a person made path, some honeycomb sort carpet laid out to try to present some safety from the bogs. For essentially the most half it was ankle deep beneath the floor of the water/mud and I bear in mind it bouncing as we walked. At this level I’d given up all need to navigate round any bogs or try and leap over them and was enjoying roulette trudging straight by means of. It wasn’t that dangerous although and as soon as extra I by no means misplaced my legs to something greater than kneed excessive.

As we approached the final ‘huge’ climb as much as Hedgehope, the snow began to fall, once more head on. We’d been fortunate and it had solely rained just a few instances for brief durations, as soon as it was sleet and some extra mild dustings of snow. With every although I used to be wanting down at my toes to see the place I used to be going and now my shoulders and neck had been beginning to ache. I hoped it wouldn’t final lengthy. Fortunately by the point we accomplished the climb it cleared up and we had been in a position to start the descent. Albeit slowly because it was yet one more sluggish trek as we navigated the mud and random damaged fence posts sticking up out of the bottom. For a small deviation we someway left the trail and went off on a tangent and needed to trudge alongside a lumpy part to search out our means again on the right track. I’d realise we went unsuitable on this part as a result of I’d been following the muddy foot prints of earlier runners, the place the snow had been melted, to navigate across the bogs. What I hadn’t realised was I used to be quickly following a single set of foot prints belonging to the runner forward who’d made the unsuitable flip!

Someplace alongside this descent Yvette and Jon talked about we nonetheless had about 10km to go. This broke me slightly as I felt prefer it ought to have been so much much less by then. We began a climb (I assume someplace round Dunmoor Hill) which all of us assumed was the final climb in the direction of the tip of the race, it wasn’t. This was additionally very rocky and slowed us down considerably. A couple of km later on the backside of the lengthy descent, we caught a much bigger group of runners and all bought misplaced collectively. Within the darkness with our tiredness we had been all struggling to establish the right means and would cease once in a while to climb a fence (there was a number of fence climbing on this route!) to get again on observe. Generally we’d be main, generally others can be main. Progress was sluggish and our moans and groans had been turning into extra audible. We finally emerged on a street part and had been cheered on by some extra marshals. I felt the end was imminent, but it surely wasn’t. We had been now at Brough Regulation. The final climb and nonetheless just a few kilometres from the end line. Right here we had been circumnavigating Brough Regulation and never climbing over it. Jon and one other woman had been main the best way and identified we would have liked to climb slightly increased onto a rocky path. We had been ever so barely scrambling now. Bloody rocks. A lot of the pack left us and bum-skidded down and onto some greener tracks. They powered forward. We continued on the rocky observe and finally emerged behind them on the climb.

After the ascent, as we descended for the final time it dawned on us how lengthy we’d been on the market. Yvette identified we’d been going for over 19 hours. We had been hoping to be completed someday between 10pm and midnight. I used to be now nearing 2 am. Bugger, it was going to be an exhausting journey residence the following day! Not too lengthy after our complain on the time, we had been again onto a sealed street and Yvette powered on forward and Jon began operating. He may sense the end. I couldn’t give a shit at this level. We’d been strolling for hours, I had no need to run and end minutes sooner. I plodded on behind them, handed some parked automobiles, over Ingram Bridge and onto the gravel observe that led across the again to the Café, the end line. Jon and Yvette waited for me and we walked by means of the Montane arches, into the café to complete the race collectively. Ben was ready for us (legend, popping out in the midst of the night time to assist us) and we had been handed our medals and had a finishers image taken. We then went inside the place Ben introduced us all sizzling cleaning soap and bread.

We stayed so long as we may earlier than the chance of falling asleep on the desk turned actual. We collected our drop luggage and Jon drove us again to Wooler the place a heat bathe and a comfortable mattress was ready…

The Aftermath…

Let’s begin with the ankle. It harm the following day. I wasn’t positive if I’d executed extra injury and wanted to attend till the ‘pains’ of the run settled earlier than confirming if it was really an issue with the ankle once more or simply the exertion of operating 95km. Fortunately I believe it was the later.

I didn’t come out of it utterly unscathed although. I believe I may need pulled each hamstrings slightly. Per week later and I nonetheless have two fist sized black bruises, one on every hamstring. For just a few days afterwards I used to be in ache attempting to stroll/bend my legs. No thought how I managed that.

Mentally all is nice. I began off writing about how I wasn’t arsed about this race. I believe that someplace over the last 3 years I’d constructed this occasion right into a monster in my head. Extreme climate, troublesome terrain and so forth. Don’t get me unsuitable, it is vitally powerful, however this 12 months I’ve executed just a few races which were past powerful as compared. So total it wasn’t wherever close to as arduous as I assumed it will be. Largely delicate climate all through and no waist excessive lavatory incidents. So a winner! Having good equipment actually helped!

For comparability although, runners who’d executed earlier variations of the route had been indicating there was perhaps an hour or two additional length this 12 months of their instances. I’d anticipated near 18 hours (and final 12 months was even considering 15 hours!) and it took us 20 hours, so timewise it will counsel it was harder than I’d deliberate. And, for additional comparability, this 12 months Jon did the Lakeland 50 (one other notoriously arduous 50 miler) in 13 hours. This was virtually 50% longer in length.

I believe the assume I struggled with most was the disorientation of the darkness. At any time when we seemed up, in all instructions you possibly can see head torches coming and going. It was troublesome to get a bearing and a way of the place you’d come from or the place you had been going. For me this made navigation that little bit tougher.

So regardless of the ‘bla-ness’ I’m experiencing put up race, I’m bloody pleased. Completely satisfied to have lastly executed the Cheviot Goat, pleased that my ankle is likely to be okay, pleased that I didn’t get frost chew or sink to a sluggish, chilly dying in a lavatory and really pleased to have had the corporate of Jon and Yvette all through. Working with likeminded buddies all the time makes it simpler and these are two of the most effective operating buddies you possibly can ask for on an journey.

Large due to Coldbrew Occasions for placing on this bastard and to the Mountain rescue Groups for supporting us all through.

Cheviot Goat, I gained’t be again once more!