Last year the Wolds 20 was a challenge to see what I was capable of, having tailed off my training after completing the Yorkshire Three Peaks the year before. This year the Wolds 20 is a step on the upswing to the same challenge and a chance to get an understanding of what I can do after months of running and a few weeks of distance walking to get back into my boots.
I learned from last year in terms of gear, route and pacing. I booked onto the walk well in advance and signed up with some friends who helped me speed along. The weather was good on the day, dry, sunny and not too warm. We arrived in time to grab a slice of toast while we booked in and had plenty of time for last minute kit adjustments.
As well as testing myself, I was testing a little new kit; a new adapter kit for my water bottle so I could use it like a hydration pack and seamless running socks as an extra layer with my Darn Tough Merino Wool socks.
Learnings to take into next year:
The route was a repeat of last year and my memory had a few gaps. A couple of personal notes on navigation will get me through the same route again.
With the availability of water at the half way point and the last manned checkpoint, I can carry less water as I finished with quite a bit left. I could possibly have managed with just 1L.
My feet still blistered quite badly, so I need to work on the comfort and fit of my boots. Despite clocking over 200 miles in them I am still not completely happy.
Jumpers and coats can be left behind! Even at 16°C in the sheltered dry valleys it was a warm day. If it’s not actually going to rain on the day they are weight I don’t need.
After Thixendale a long section of the valley was swarming with midges and clouds of St Mark’s flies. I was glad to have a buff I could pull up to stop them bothering my neck and ears.
Hill climbs remain my nemesis. I need to get some more hill training in, especially before the Yorkshire Three Peaks.
Year on year I was faster and I am happy with that. As a personal objective for the year I am glad that I have stuck to it, trained hard and proved to myself what I can do when I set my mind to it.