October 16, 2024

Ladybower Ultra

Ladybower 52k Ultra

Today I took on the Ladybower 52k ultra. The event was run by run through trails and sponsored by The North Face and SportsShoes.com.
Event village was based at Hope showground. Race start was 8am and goes through the main road and turned up off the road and toward win hill. After scaling win hill you come down through the forest and onto the reservoir side. This follows through until crossing the dam and up towards Heatherdene Car park. After here you follow the road and head up the side of the reservoir toward fairhomes. The route loops all the way round to kind tree and then onto Howden dam. From here it’s a long claim up to derwent edge and follow this to the end and then back down toward Heatherdene again. Then the final 8k back across the dam and up Thornhill trail turning into the road and back to the race village.
The event was well run and the aid stations well stocked with water, cola, gels, fruit and brownies. You also get a food voucher for free meal at end from the food vendors and a drinks voucher for a free beer! All very good too.

So for those that know me I’m not the fastest of runners and also pretty poor at distances too. However back in January decided I’m going to train for this and also take on the 9 edges again. Which I did a fews weeks back. This was my A race and I had 6hrs 30mins as my goal! The race was going really well up to 38k us was in for sub 6hrs (bearing in mind I have never ran further than 35k in my life), I was well chuffed with my progress.
I was feeling strong but sadly the final hill killed me off. I slogged through and that final 10k was brutal. I came home to finish 6hrs 37mins and happily 303 out of 702.

Sorry if other MACS took part and I’ve missed you. 🙈

I happily take my hat off to all you marathon distance and ultra runners. I’m in awe of what you do. My goal was to get my first marathon distance and an ultra in one. I have an achieved that and happy to say I’ll never be doing again! 😂😂
I’m back to running for enjoyment and training cause I want too, not cause I have too.

You’re all legends and thanks for reading. 💪🏻🏃😊

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