Rat Race Run Britannia - Week 1, day 3 - Padstow to Bude


Between Rock and a hard staircase

Distance: 52.46km (total so far 164.06km)
Total climb: 1654m (total so far 4535m)
Steps: 70,442 (total so far 211,124)

Also:

Number of ice creams eaten: another 1
Number of times faced certain death by falling: approx 50
Number of steep staircase ascents in the last 5km: too many!

We were warned in a reassuring message the previous evening that this was the hardest day of week 1 and possibly overall. The distance was actually shorter than yesterday, but the elevation is measured by the Ordnance Survey at over 1800m. That will get you Ben Nevis from sea level plus Brooke Hill in Oakham several times.

Padstow to Tintagel

We actually started at Rock, a ferry across the bay from Padstow. In previous years, they've used the ferry, but the first sailing was not until 8am, and we were well on the way by then.

The first part of the morning was mostly road, uphill for a while out of Rock and then down into Port Isaac, better known as the film venue for the TV series Doc Martin.


The rest of the morning was all coast path, and once probably the hardest section of the Cornwall coast path - I have no idea how anyone does this bit carrying a full camping rucksack. I lost count of the number of times we dived down sheer steps, only to climb straight up the other side - and repeat.


The views were certainly stunning, except for the fact the most of the time you were getting your breath back when looking at them.


The local inhabitants probably had better footing than we did, but insisted on hanging around on that path. Rawhide!


When I did get to Tintagel, it was worth the trip - although the number of people around suggested that there might be less painful ways to get there!


Tintagel to Widemouth Bay

At lunch, we felt we'd put in a vast amount of effort without getting the results in terms of distance. And the afternoon started with more of the same - stunning views and sheer staircases. Then we dropped down into Boscastle.

Boscastle is fairly stunning - a natural harbour with sheer rock walls. It has some restaurants,  and also has an ice cream shop. It would have been rude not to.

"Are you one of the group running to John O'Groats?". Clearly, there had been faster runners than me that day who also liked ice cream. And, since my selfie skills were shown wanting yesterday, I got her to take a photo.


The path out of Boscastle was up the river valley, which still meant going up but at least at a more useful angle. Which then got steeper. And steeper.


We finally joined the road again, but kept going up, circling back towards the coast. We finally got to a place where everywhere went down, and with the finish for that day at sea level I was hoping that I'd done the climbing for the day.


After the afternoon feed station, we were downhill for a while heading for Widemouth Bay. Pronounced "widdmuff", as a local carefully informed me. I didn't feel like light traffic at that point, but that was what the sign said.


We touched the coast with 5km to go, hoping for a run along the beach to finish off. But the route had other ideas!


And then it did it again. I was starting to get unimpressed, and told the surrounding grass that on more than one occasion.

However, at the further end (inevitably) of what is definitely a wide-mouthed bay whatever the locals call it, I did gratefully find the finish. That was quite a day.



Song of the day: "Everybody Hurts" by REM. For very obvious reasons!




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