Running - Trail race 3:11:42 [4] 28.61 km (6:42 / km) +2018m 4:57 / km
slept:9.0 shoes: Xtalon 212 #9 (GtWhernside'17)
Duddon - gorillas in the mist. 1st (-1min to young ted and Jebby).
By no means an easy field but clag down to <50m vis for most of it meant it was a case of keep on plugging and who knows what might happen.
Settled off the lead pack over harter fell and had Pete Davies and Harvey Lord to help to Hard Knott. Picked up Ted, Jebby and Lee kemp on descent, they pulled away up little stand, we were a bit south but relocated - this climb seemed a lot shorter than I remember for a tough long climb.
Muddled off the CP and with Pete managed to find the trod towards 3 shires. Went a bit off-piste towards the end but popped out just in the lead, Ted, Jebby, Pez, Goldie and Pete just behind. Jebby and Ted shot off up wet side edge and I just about managed to hang on to Pez, who I managed to gap as we came off the Swirl How CP. Feeling alright and plugged on up Dow. Solid compass saw me pop out at Walna Scar in the right place to pick to the white maiden trod.
Slightly dodgy line off here but muddled my way across to Caw (both summits...). Had a nice easy run off planned for 3rd place, then crossed Jebby and realised there was a good chance for the win so nailed it, not sure where Ted was - I can get down a hill quick but Ted can do it suicidally quick. Nearly took a wrong turn on the flagged section at the end though!
Felt better as the day went on, knowing anything could happen from hard knott onwards helped me keep going. Slow winning time but these are the conditions I perform best in - need to make hay when the sun (doesn't) shine. It's amazing what briefly glancing at your map and compass can do and I struggle to see how people don't realise this (Hollie Orr won the women's race). Nice to get a Lakeland classic on the palmares.