No sooner had the trail of destruction begun, there was everybody sharing the events and calling for people to help by showing their love – as this image from Andy McKay perfectly sums up.
pic by Andy McKay
Independent businesses & community spirit
Cumbria is home to so many small independent businesses. Their ethos is embodied with inherent community spirit. Think of the amazing eateries, artisan bakers, craft breweries, running communities, art shops, book shops, small hotels, chocolatiers, b&b… so so much. I make no apologies for the cliché that they always pull together in adversity. That’s just one of the reasons why I’d one day love to live in the Lakes.
Below are just a very small selection of the destruction around Ullswater alone.
pic by Catstycam
pic by beyond imagination
pic by catstycam
This video from Catstycam gives a small indication of the damage to Pooley Bridge.
This is where the bridge used to be at Pooley Bridge. Built in 1764 this used to be the border between Cumberland & Westmorland.
Posted by Catstycam – Outdoor Clothing & Equipment on Sunday, 6 December 2015
While this from David Jackson shows the sheer force of the water coming through Glenridding.
Posted by David Jackson on Tuesday, 8 December 2015
What Can You Do?
Simply show your support however you want 
That might be sending a message via Twitter, visiting for the day or booking an event for 2016. Me? Well I was already booked on the UT55 next July. I’ve also booked on Lakeland Trails Hawkshead and Kentmere. But what I also intend to do is buy more from the Cumbrian organisations online. And to encourage more friends to try out this magnificent part of the world. Also to stay over more when I do visit. And I’ll definitely book my very favourite trail run: Keswick 15k. As you can see below, it’s very likely the route will be different due to bridge damage – what we can guarantee is a truly special day for all participants and those involved
pics courtesy Lakeland Trails (top) and Tara Vallante (bottom)
Here’s to more amazing adventures on the trails 2016! And I’ll be sailing on one of these beautiful Ullswater Steamers come Nov 2016
2 pics immediately above by Ullswater Steamers
Leaving Ullswater, heading to Howtown
All the best!
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For the first time I was being regarded as a #trailrunning veteran – what with Ben having done Hawkshead only – and it being virgin territory for Dan and Simon. By coincidence, Helvellyn had been my first ever trail run and had got me well and truly hooked!
Ben and I had sincerely promised each other we’d jog and walk around due to serious hip concern and ITB injury respectively. The night before, our Facebook feeds showed many friends who know us well were convinced we’d end up legging it around. Giving into adrenaline etc. Part of me wanted to do that but knew it would mean risking longer-term injury.
Weather on the drive up had been well and truly awful. Bucketing down so badly there were times when road visibility was quite dangerous. I quickly caught up with Event Director, Graham Patten, Pete Lashley and Mark M-H aka GBStick11. And just before the start the sun broke through, to make what was to be a cracking day even brighter
At the sound of the klaxon, we soon headed out of Glenridding. Ensuring we did actually trot out it felt great to be looking forward to a run to simply take in the scenery and not for one second worry about pace or time. This was Ben’s swansong after all so we wanted to embrace it (if not each other!). A muddy, mucky affair it was difficult to keep our feet. At times we were practically surfing downhill! Fantastic stuff!
We let Dan stride off effortlessly into the distance – he was in good nick so myself and Ben were only holding him back. Simon on the other hand was really struggling due to the rain and relatively mild weather – his glasses becoming useless in the conditions, so making foot placement very dodgy! We waited for him near the switchback before the bog. The marshal kindly took this pic of us having a rest
To me the whole day really embodied the joys of running socially. We helped bring Simon to the finish and thoroughly enjoyed chatting throughout. The weather didn’t once dampen the atmosphere of another great day on the trails. Afterwards it was a case of grabbing some fab fuel food from the stall holders, before retiring to a warm Glenridding pub to enjoy a soft drink…
Finally, a quick thank you…
The number of people who took a moment to introduce themselves to me and complement me on this blog was a lovely surprise. It’s a real bonus and does mean a lot that fellow runners find your blog writing and interviews informative, entertaining and really interesting. I’m honestly very grateful
Dan is now really keen on more Lakeland Trails events for 2016. I’ll defo be joining him! But maybe competing next time
All pics by Ben Keegan, except official course photography.
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2 years battling with Lyme Disease and I was able to return to running a Lakeland Trails #trailrunning event. That it happened to be the Hawkshead 17km – the very event I’d last been able to run in 2013 – felt like I was genuinely on the way back.
The omens were good. Ben Keegan was joining me. The sun was beaming. And we had a record number of entrants, all eagerly anticipating a cracking day. And it didn’t disappoint!
Boom Dang Samba Drumming Band got us all in the mood as we readied for the off. Have to admit to a real mix of joy, nervousness and running pure excitement at being back on the start line after 2 years. Ben was a little nervous too, this being his first ever trail run. Countdown from 10 and we were off! A short route out of Hawkshead village and we were already on the climb up into the woods where conifers loom all around you. Stunning scenery!
Then you’re simply into your rhythm, keeping going uphill, remembering posture to increase oxygen intake as your thighs and calfs begin to complain.
As For always the effort of climbing over 200m in roughly 4km was worth it. The views as you emerge from the forest trail are a pure joy to behold. I couldn’t help but spread my arms with the sheer exhilaration of doing this again!
Contrasting from the heat of the forest track came a lovely refreshing breeze of as we topped Bible out. Legs recovering, pushing on, soft underfoot – we really felt we were running free at this point.
As we continued over plush pastures, we undulated for about 1km and the ‘smile’ sign reminded us to switch from a grimace as the course photographer captured us both with the Tarns and Langdales cheap jerseys in the background.
It was almost all downhill into Far Sawrey where we gratefully threw some water down our necks and over our heads. Then we were slogging up the farm track that switches back north towards Lake Windermere. At 8km the uneven, rutted trail here has always been one of my favourite parts of the course because you can really go for it, totally focused on your step over tree roots, rock, mud, as you pelt down towards the shoreline of Lake Windermere.
We were then enjoying the speed and tranquility of trail running through Heald Wood, the shoreline of the Lake to our right. You can really pick some speed up here if you want – or simply let your legs recover a little, in preparation for the infamous coffin trail!
Onwards to the 14km drink station, we took a very short pause to throw some more water down us – a welcome cool down. Not so welcome was the first lady disappearing up the coffin trail leaving us in her wake! The coffin trail is 1 solid mile cheap jerseys of over 250m elevation – brutal! Very rough ground too. That’s the pleasure again of trail running varied terrain. You know it’s going to be worth it.
I have to admit to slowing to a [ahem] brisk walk at this point. The fact I found the breath to chat to another runner suggested I was easing off a little to recover
Topping out for the third time on the day we gave it everything, letting gravity do Cabu its job of taking us down at top speed. Ben got 100m away Jill from me at this point and I never quite got that back!
After we crossed the showground and tarmac, we gave the final push into the Hawkshead Recreation Ground for a strong finish – well cheap nfl jerseys there was a crowd! The noise and atmosphere created by everyone at the event really made the finish enjoyable. I was beat but beaming! I demolished a moroccan tagine and coffee, before going for the full monty with a hog roast and trimmings. Ben went straight for the cider!
So it was a case of kicking back in the sun, my sunburned head catching more rays, lapping up the atmosphere of the Apres Trail Party and singer/songwriter Pete Lashley. Just as awesome was race director Graham Patten, coming over to say welcome back – did I mention I’d been away for 2 years? 
This excellent footage by Graham sums up the spirit of the day, the views, the #trailrunning community.
A massive thank you to all marshalls, volunteers, Coniston Mountain Rescue – without who these events wouldn’t be the success they are. Staveley 17km Lakeland trail run next!
Just one word: Awesome!
