This article comes off the back of completing one of the most challenging races I have done both mentally and physically.
The weekend of the 17/18th July saw me and a handful of my fellow Dorset Doddlers travel up to the Lake District to tackle the last ever Man Vs Lakes in what was the hottest weekend so far this year with temperatures reaching 28/29°C.
The race started with us crossing the quicksands of Morecombe Bay before heading off into what was a rollercoaster of hills and forests. This included Rat Races infamous ‘vertical kilometre’ as well as the opportunity to take a quick dip in the lakes themselves, which I have to say was quite refreshing in the blistering heat! As always the company of my fellow Dorset Doddlers was without question one of the reasons I completed day 1 of this epic adventure, crossing the finish line in Coniston like the 4 musketeers.
With 28 plus miles already in my legs, waking up and getting ready for the second day was in itself a mental challenge. In the bus on the way to the start line it dawned on me that I may have to face sea to Scarfell on my own. I was the only one crazy enough to upgrade to the second day. Pretty sure there was alcohol being consumed at the time of booking! For those that know me, I’m renowned for getting lost, so with the second day being self-navigating I was immediately a little nervous. I mean, 32 miles is long enough, I didn’t want to make it any longer. Thankfully I found a fellow runner to buddy up with, which was a massive relief for the both of us, keeping each other going through the picturesque views and gruelling climbs.
If you had asked me 5 years ago whether I would ever be running the distances I do now I would have said ‘you must be joking!’. It just goes to show that your body and mind is capable of so much more than you think it is. If you believe you can, you will.
By: Mel Mitchell
