Made the decision to go up Sharp Edge as Phil Coates (our Mountain Leader) had one eye on the weather all the time and said it was "shifting round"....and yep - as we were hanging onto Sharp Edge a few moments later - the sun came out and it was fabulous.....
After 5 hours on the hills practising our navigation, using the compass and being taught how to run with poles we only just made it back down and into Keswick for Andy Mouncey's talk at the Mountain Festival on "Ultra Running Made Ultra Simple"...pretty exhausting day all in...
Saturday shaped up as: early morning run followed by a session on kit, hydration, maps and a foot session (!) - neatly followed by a bit of retail therapy and chill time in Keswick before preparations for the night run.
So the night run - after a bowl of pasta we drove round to our start at Wasdale Head...and as predicted by Mr Weather man (aka Phil Coates) the weather set in for the night - rain and high winds for the first part of the run - up Black Sail Pass and down into Buttermere...where we were met for the first pit stop with a welcome cuppa and eccles cakes...
Buttermere to Braithwaite and more tea and cakes...and by this point the weather has turned awful ...driving rain, we're all soaked - but we're all grinning...and then onto what turns out to be our last pit stop at a car park near Skiddaw...we decide to call it a day - as the rest of the planned route is too exposed...
And a few comments from our runners....
"I wanted to thank you all again for what was one of the most atmospheric, enjoyable, educational and inspiring weekends I have ever had. I was a real privilege to spend time with you all and take on a tiny portion of your vast knowledge and experience. You have helped to set me on the start of a trail to bigger, better and more fun things". (the "Grinning Monster")
"I loved last Saturday with you all, can't believe how much I learnt in such a short space of time, one thing for sure anytime spent with Andy coaching whatever age and ability would see a huge benefit.
Although the weather was atrocious it was actually really good to experience conditions like that yet feel so safe in the company I was with" (Helen).
