Lakes in a Day: Doug Alsop

Doug Alsop
Age: 76

My first half marathon was in Fleet in 1986, aged 38. It was supposed to be a “done that”, draw a line under it and get on with my life. However, I joined a club and haven’t stopped since. My first London marathon was in 1987 – 3:08:36. My second London marathon was in 1989 – 2:57:07.

I moved to Cornwall in 1998, joined Falmouth Road runners and continued with road races and cross country. I avoided Ultra events during that time as I had seen that my contemporaries who went over to ultras – their times in conventional races slipped. In 2007 we started St. Austell Running Club and I was the first Chairman and coach. I was then 60 and wanted to put something back into the sport.

I am currently the Race Director of the Eden Project Marathon, and have done many other functions in running but I am still an active runner. I did my first ultra at 65 which was the Lakeland 50 and I have gone on to complete five Lakeland 100s, three of which were when I was over 70.

I don’t think of myself as old. In my head I am still a teenager. When running in an event I am there for the same reason as all the others who look to challenge themselves. I still run with the club a couple of times a week and hardly surprisingly most of the other members a younger than me. I think they still see me as a fellow competitor rather than as a dinosaur.

I first did LIAD two years ago and absolutely loved it. I realise I can’t keep going forever and wanted to do this great run again and introduce some other colleagues. I love the fact that the course takes a pretty straight line due south. In doing so takes us over some 3000ft mountains and then follows Windermere (sort of) – definitely a race of two halves.

I didn’t do nearly enough training this year – I had a few issues leading up to LIAD. I had optical nerve palsy which gave me double vision three weeks before my last LL100 attempt in July and I had to bail out of that at 70 miles. Whilst the double vision cleared, I was disheartened by the DNF and it took a while to get my mojo back. Luckily having an entry for LIAD helped me to focus but my furthest run in training was only 13mile and on roads.

The journey up from Cornwall was bad, about 10 hours so my pre-race nutrition was motorway food. In Cartmel, after registration, we had fish and chips and a couple of pints of beer. Then in the morning we had nothing until we got to Threlkeld. I had Tailwind drink in my flask and carried powder to make up more at each checkpoint. I used no gels just the standard food provided. The food in the checkpoints throughout is excellent.

There is a lot to enjoy about LIAD. The sudden change of vista as you get to the top of Blencathra and the whole Lakeland panorama unfolds. Hall’s Fell is spectacular and then the ridge from Clough Head to Helvellyn is superb.

The river crossing is fun, you don’t always have those in races. Getting up Blencathra is a wet slog but Hall’s Fell is brilliant. Getting up Clough Head is another slog and then the ridge is exhilarating but this year the wind was exceptionally strong. Getting up Fairfield is another slog and the boulder field after that is tricky. After Ambleside the course is considerably easier but still quite hilly and by no means easy. I use poles and when the muscles in my legs are giving out they help me to keep going and prevent too many falls.

For me the hardest part of the race is the climb just before the last checkpoint. I know this is on the easy part of the course but it is steep and came at a time when my energy was failing. Luckily the staff at the checkpoint sorted me out with a selection of their offerings.

If you’re thinking of doing it you would need to be fit and have some mountain experience but someone who has done a marathon or other ultra event should be able to do it. It can be uncomfortable but the marathon/ultra mindset should cope with that. In the conditions we experienced this year you need to make sure your kit is up to standard and get into the right kit before the weather makes it difficult to do so.

I’d advise anyone to look at the videos and the route map then try and get some mountain/moorland experience. Ideally join one of the recce runs. On the eve of race day, try to get some sleep; it is an early start and you could be out there for a while on Saturday.

There is a great camaraderie with ultra runners. This year I was running with two friends so there is not so much interaction with other competitors but previously when I have been on my own I have always met someone to buddy up with. It is a shared experience and one that pushes the body and mind to the limits. Somehow it is those times when your mind goes into dark places and you come out the other side that justifies the discomfort and we all share that.

LIAD is very well organised the communication is good and it all seemed to work very well. Even though I was the last man there was still a sincere welcome from the staff at the checkpoints and the finish. Thanks again to all the helpers and volunteers for putting on a great race.