Keswick to Barrow 2014

12 hours, 54 minutes, 38 seconds

An earlier start this year as we had to bring our team together from two different locations and try and make the 5:30 am start.  In the end we reached the start point almost on time, but had to wait to get out of the car due to everyone else trying to do the same.

We had woken at 0400 and noted that the forecast heavy rain had already started and it stayed with us till 9.

By Thirlmere

Shortly after that photo above the road was totally flooded to a depth of at least 4cm.  While some clambered on the dry stone wall or climbed up onto the grassy slope on the right, we hardy souls plodded on through the water.  I did start to wonder if two spare pairs of socks would be enough.

Four of us had started: myself, Bill, Carl and Andy.  I was the only one to have done the K2B before.  Bill had done support last year so had some idea of what to expect.  Andy was going to run it (hence the 0530 start).  Matt and Mike both wanted to do it, but Mike was ill and Matt had stepped in to do support duties.  Also on support was Andy's wife Emily with their two kids in tow.  Emily was mainly support for Andy, with Matt handling the rest of us. 

At the start Andy set off running.  I followed at a brisk pace with Bill and Carl not far behind.  It was very wet, with lots of run off from the hills:

On Dunmail Raise the rain got the better of me and I stopped on the verge to put on my over trousers and pack my electronics (including camera) into waterproof bags.  Apparently as I was doing the one-legged dance, Carl and Bill walked right past me without noticing as I caught up with them on the descent to Grasmere.  On the side roads we caught a glimpse of the sun, but had to negotiate another flooded road.  My socks were already wet so...

After Grasmere and checkpoint 1 the rain eased off, settling into occasional showers and brief glimpses of the sun.  Much better than the forecasts had threatened.

By checkpoint 3 and the second encounter with Matt I had settled into my pace - a little faster than Bill and Carl but close enough that they would catch up with me at each brief stop.

It was clear that I wasn't going to be setting any personal bests, but I would be content with less than 13 hours.  Bill was suffering from blisters early on and Carl had knee trouble but they soldiered on.

At the halfway halt I had sandwiches and changed socks.  No rain, unlike last year so the new pair went on dry.

At Lowick Bridge we heard from Matt that Andy had finished (still don't know his time!) and Em was taking him back to their camp site.  Since we walkers were bunched together, Matt was able to handle the support by himself.  However Bill was contemplating dropping out at Lowick due to his painful blisters.  I set off by myself, wanting to avoid standing still for too long.

Heading up to Rake Cross I could feel a blister forming on my right sole, so after checking in at check point 6 (30.5 miles) I visited the first aid point where they applied a nice large bandage.  I set of again and met Bill and Carl tending to their own feet. Bill was feeling he'd had enough - his feet were a mess.  I plodded on, anticipating my first sight of Barrow (an odd state of mind...).

In Marton Matt confirmed that Bill had dropped out, and was awaiting transport to the check point so that Matt could pick him up.  Carl was still going.

Once you reach Dalton you know that only something drastic can stop you.  I pushed on and turning onto Abbey Road I set my iPod to Abbey Road.  And just like last year, as Here Comes the Sun started the rain made one last appearance.  I didn't care.  I crossed the line, about 5 minutes under the 13 hours, with Matt taking my picture.  After collecting the medal and the time card I went straight into the First Aid area to get the feet checked.  This time there was a blister on my left sole.

I exited the tent and went looking for Matt, just in time to see Carl finishing - I couldn't get my camera out quick enough.  In the days leading up to the walk he'd been convinced he wouldn't get further than the 26 mile mark but in the end he finished in just over 13 hours, faster than I managed on my first outing.

So with two exhausted walkers (and poor Bill waiting in the car) we decided to forgo the free pie and the free beer(!), and left Barrow for the hotel.

That was my ninth K2B.  I'm not doing more than ten, but as 2016 is the 50th walk I might skip next year.