EverUltra

The Conquering of the Lake District

The Lakeland 50 has always had an air of notoriety surrounding it, while I have not been running ultramarathons for a long time, I knew the Lakeland series; both the 50 mile and 100 mile race as top teir.

Therefore when I was lining up amongst 1000 other incredible runners to set off on what I would soon learn is one of the most challenging 50 mile races in the UK, needless to say I was nervous.

But let us start off earlier, arriving at the camp, the air buzzed with apprehension and excitement as there was just hours to go until the Lakeland 100 was to set off from the base camp in Coniston.

After pitching my tent and eating my pasta watching the 100 racers make their final checks and consorting with their families, I walked with the other spectators and 50-mile runners to the street. As Thunderstruck by ACDC blared over the speakers, the countdown was released with around *** racers setting off to complete the 100 mile race around the Lake District.

After that explosive start, we returned to the camp with fire and excitement in our veins. Sabrina V** and *** sat down with Tea and Trails Podcast host *** for an awesome chat about the race and I ate pizza. The main camp was fitted out with tents supported by the likes of race organisers Montane as well as food trucks from everything from coffee to pizza to jerk chicken. There was even an ice cream truck to combat the unprecedented warm weather.

The next morning it was our turn. The morning was accented with the British staple of a heavy downpour as we congregated in the school hall for our race briefing.