Race 16: Black Combe

Looking forward to this, my ninth running of the Black Combe Fell Race, never was my optimism more misplaced. After an easy week of training to recover from my last double race weekend I warmed up with a jog around Silecroft and felt absolutely fine. My climb to the summit wasn't fast but there's nothing unusual in that and I expected to pick up places as we headed off into the mist towards Whitecombe Head. I didn't get going properly but held my position thinking that it would come together on the two big descents. It didn't. The first descent to the stream junction was fine but the second climb of Black Combe felt like it nearly killed me. I backed off a little - not enough to make me feel better; I ate my emergency Dairy Milk - no effect; I even stopped for a break but never recovered and all the while people were streaming past as they headed up the steep grassy slope. Kath was at the cairn on the South summit and I grabbed a drink to wash down the chocolate before heading off for the finish. I regained 10 of the places I had lost on the climb but finished miles outside the top half. By far my worst result in this series and my worst time on this race by 19 minutes. 19 whole minutes - and that's compared to my previous worst! I think I need a rest and to re-think my training regime. This 50 at 50 is going to be harder than I thought if I am going to include some tough races like this one. I walked up to the post box near the farm at 10:45pm to post my Jura application form before I change my mind!

Heading in to the mist just after the summit of Black Combe

Approaching the South Summit after the second big climb

A view down Whitecombe Beck at the beginning of Kath's ascent route.
The race route descends White Combe from the left before
climbing to the Souh summit of Black Combe on the right.

Results: 142nd/182 (finishers)  1:54:21
Distance: 13km/8.1 miles  Climb: 1000m/3281ft