Katie Percival

Prologue

I love running and being out on the fells. Perhaps even more than running, swimming is where I experience a ‘high’, that feeling of awe and wellbeing which comes from being in a spectacular natural landscape whilst pushing my body to its limit. The Frog Graham round then, appealed to me and I keenly volunteered to support a friend when I heard she was taking on this challenge.

Supporting Sarah’s round was a fabulous day out and she really inspired me to think about going for “the Frog” sooner than planned. The cool caress of Crummock Water after a long leg 2 was refreshing.

“Maybe I can do this”, I thought, “I think I can do it.”

I guessed the Frog would take me around 15 hours. This would be my longest run ever, by far. But at an easy pace, it seemed doable within the hours of daylight.

Leg 1

Getting up early unexpectedly easy. As Robert has since pointed out, there was no grumbling from him. I managed to down a very sweet cup of coffee and slice of toast. Taking a second cup of caffeinated goodness for journey juice, we were in the car by 4:35 am.

Just after 5am, we drew level with Tee Watt’s red van on Brundholme road. I wound down the window and Robert said, by way of greeting “’’scuse me mate ‘av you got ten pee?”. Tom replied with a more topical “’scuse me mate is this the way to Moot Hall”. The three of us laughed outrageously at this unfathomable in-joke, muchly because of sleep deprivation and pre-challenge excitement.

We soon met Sarah by Moot Hall. She looked ready to run and also like someone who had allocated zero time to considering what her hair looked like that morning.

Headtorches on, we set off at 5:30am, making our way up to Skiddaw as the sun rose. As the sky brightened we glanced back over our shoulders to see take in the scene over Derwent water and the surrounding fells.

Conditions were humid, warm for that time in the morning and unusually still, with only the lightest of breezes even on the summits.

Sarah and Tom were perfect company with easy chat and smiles all the way. Sarah ran ahead to get all the gates whilst Tom was appointed executive assistant in charge of nutrition (he carried a banana for me).

Strategy wise, I was telling myself to start easy and walking most of the climbs.

Descending down the tricky slope towards Carl Side, we dipped back under the mist to a picture-perfect dawn. The mountain landscape like a painting in the morning light.

There were butterflies in my stomach as I thought about the upcoming swim. I let that feeling sink in, I was actually doing this!

This leg seemed to be over so quickly, and indeed we reached Church Bay a couple minutes ahead of my (admittedly slapdash) schedule. Mum, Dad and Jenny stood close together under one umbrella on the shore of Bassenthwaite.

Mum offered many snacks and Lucozade but I just wanted to keep moving (having eaten that banana by now). I clumsily dragged my wetsuit onto my sweaty body, shoved my kit into a tow float and set off for Beck Wythop with Jenny and Sarah for company. A flashing light from Robert’s headtorch made sighting significantly easier.

My feet kept knocking into the tow float making it difficult to swim correctly. This hadn’t happened when training because I never put so much in the float, weighing it down. Luckily, Jenny realised what was happening and made me switch tow floats with her. Swimming was much more comfortable after that and we reached Beck Whythop quicker than expected, helped by the still conditions.

Robert, Holly and Jim were all ready and waiting for us. Robert was asking me what I needed, if I was okay, and generally being far too nice. In order to accomplish the challenge, I needed to maintain a certain state of mind. Independent, strong, keeping going through force of will even if pained or fatigued. If I let Robert look after me this would weaken my resolve – so I had to resist his attentive behaviour!

I thoughtfully shouted a “Jim, don’t look” before stripping off and getting into my kit for the next leg.

Leg 2

The road section was a bit of a drag and Holly, Jim and I were keen to get on the fells. I took the climb up to Barf for a chance to eat something and we soon bagged the three peaks of Whinlatter. Some navigation was needed after Ulster hill just to make sure we got the right trail, after which the Visitor centre offered my last opportunity to use the real toilet of the day. Of course I took advantage of this luxury.

We fast marched and snacked our way up to Grisedale. Bit of a slog but at least it’s not Melbreck (more on that later). Leg 2 is quite runnable and I was getting into my stride with a ‘not halfway yet’ mindset. My feet hurt a bit so I sought out softer ground. I also started to get thirsty. I’d hardly drank on leg 1 and now finished one 500mil flask and took another from Holly. I began to day dream about that Lucozade.

The summits were in cloud and a little discussion needed to find the way over Eel Crag to Wandhope. I felt reassured in my route choice with Jim verifying against the official Frog Graham map – I am a shameful devotee of the OS maps app and had no such resource to hand.

Jim was sympathetically thinking of my sore feet and picking out some grassier descent lines as I followed him down into the Buttermere Valley.

As we climbed Rannerdale Knots I worried about dropping behind schedule as this leg did take slightly longer than I’d thought.

At Hause point, the paparazzi was in position - Mum and Sarah snapping photos as we leapt the last few steps down from Rannerdale and over to the shore. Of course it was spurring to have my parents, sister and friend waiting for me but I was most happy to see that Lucozade.

I planned to suit up for the two longest dips, Bassenthwaite and Derwent Water, and go in skins for the shorter swims. Note that by ‘skins’ I do not mean naked, I just mean, no wetsuit. (In hindsight, skinny-dipping could speed up transition times. During the swim, I would just need to shout out ‘Jim don’t look’ every third breath or so.)

Jenny warned me that the water was very cold, and Sarah’s spare wetsuit was laid out ready for me as a last minute just-in-case I need it option. I stuck with the plan and dived into the cold water.

“This is fine”, I thought “Just normal lake temperature in these parts”.

I considered my sister was just being soft as after all she lives in The South. It was a very enjoyable start to the swim just feeling the cool water over my body. You don’t get that with a wetsuit and it’s something I was looking forward to.

Started to feel cold about half way through.

Shivering by the time I dressed at Low Ling Crag.

I asked Robert if he had “that green fleece”. He did not.

Leg 3

Robert and Dan were waiting to start Leg 3 and in laddish high spirits as is typical.

I had all my gear on trying to warm back up as we scrambled up to Melbreck. On the reccy of this route I’d had to use my hands to claw my way up here and this time I was both tired and trying to eat crisps. There’s no way anyone would go this way if not for the Frog Graham Round! There’s just not a line. I used Sarah’s mantra “It can’t go on forever” to stay motivated.

A crane fly flickered in my face before becoming entangled in a spider’s web right where I was about to find a strategic hand hold. The spider – scary kind often seen on webs – scuttled into action.

“Spiderrrrrr!”, I warned Robert (we have a well-rehearsed spider alert-call), “It’s the scary kind often seen on webs”. Had to divert our route just a little.

I was really starting to worry about slowing down at this point. Although I had no time target, I needed to get to Derwent Water before it got too dark to swim. I even asked Robert if he thought our headtorches were waterproof, and devised a contingency plan where if the sun had set, I could just swim head-up breaststroke with the head torch on.

This leg is really where I felt tired in my body. I knew I was moving slower than usual. This much would be expected as after all I’d already done two long runs that morning. On any other day, just one fell run like that would land me on the sofa for the rest of the day. That’s why it was amazing to have Dan taking over on navigation, all I had to do was follow. Dan had thoughtfully doused himself in Lynx Africa before the run, meaning we could track him even in poor visibility.

I was not so chatty, channelling all my energy into running… well I was mostly hiking and smashing my way through bracken.

“I hope I get a second wind soon” I said to Dan and Robert.

Of course I was fatigued, but I knew I could keep going, I could do this, I was far from dropping. It was just the threat of darkness I was fretting about.

Red Pike and High Style were again reached in the clag . Robert told me we were in fact ahead of schedule, and that lifted my spirits, as did the spectacular sight of deep-blue Buttermere when we dropped back under the clouds. The rocky, scree covered descent line is not very runnable but I found it satisfying discovering a line.

I looked across to Hassness , searching for my Dad on the shore (a large man in a hi-vis, he should have been easy to spot). Worryingly I could not see him. Then I fell over and Robert told me to look where I was putting my feet.

At Horse Close Jenny was waiting again and greeted us with a “you’re 20 minutes ahead!” which was fantastic to here. She was not even suited up yet would you believe.

“This is my friend Laura” said Jenny. Her friend was up in the Lakes co-incidentally and had sportingly come along to give me a cheer.

I don’t know if I managed so much as a “nice to meet you” before flashing my breasts at Laura as I quickly changed (sorry about that, Laura).

I thought the Buttermere swim would feel freezing, but I would be able to deal with that because it is not very far. Sarah and I had swam here the week before and it was the coldest water I’d been in for a while, ie since winter. As it was, the experience was totally different. It was pleasantly cool and we took our time, chatting and taking in the picturesque surroundings. I didn’t want to get out.

Mum was waiting on the shore with Holly and a lot of sandwiches.

“Where’s Dad?” I asked.

Apparently , they’d got a flat tyre and Dad had taken the car to a garage. In Workington. Bloody miles away. My anxiety about timings was replaced by anxiety about if my parents would make it to Calf Close Bay as planned.

Dan had made a mid-Leg 3 decision to continue onto Leg 4 with myself and Holly. This involved him ‘tempo-ing’ (his words) around the southern shore of Buttermere in order to meet us at Hassness. By the time I had my towel changing robe on, he was back on the scene and surprised us by plunging straight into the lake up to his neck (Dan is not known for swimming).

After Jenny told me how much I stank (although I had washed off in the lake, my T shirt had done 30 humid miles without decontamination) and Mum told me to take another sandwich, Dan, Holly and I set off for the final fell run.

Leg 4

In the days preceding my Frog Graham attempt, one of my favourite daydreams had been of getting to Calf Close Bay, stripping off my wetsuit, pulling on my road shoes and sprinting to Moot Hall. This dream now rested in the hands of a Workington mechanic.

Despite these worries, I was in a giggly mood as we hiked the long climb to Robinson - I think and hope Holly and Dan were feeling this too. Holly was very impressed with Dan’s renown dog impression. I attempted to entertain them both by meowing, but it came out more as a croak – I was turning into a frog!

That longed for second wind had hit my mind-set, alas not my body. I carried on laughing as I treated the fence as a handrail and used my hands to ‘assist’ my legs up any high steps

Dan told us he was bonking and said goodbye at Dale Head, and that we should leave him behind. He then rudely overtook both Holly and I on the descent to the tarn. After taking water from the stream Dan managed to stick with us until High Spy.

High Spy felt like the last major climb and it was here I got that longed for second wind in the body. Yes, I was tired and my legs ached, but I knew I was nearing the end and could still run! Holly and I dropped the chat level and diverted all energy to forward motion.

We skipped over Catbells, reaching the summit so quickly I would have missed the cairn had Holly not alerted me to our position. I was on a high as we finished the leg and felt such gratitude to Holly for sticking with me.

Found Robert, Jenny and a surprise addition to the team – Jay Ro - at the shore of Derwent Water. It was a relief to spot Dan across the bay too.

“Get ready for the slowest swim ever” I said to Jenny.

Our supporters on the shore waved us off as we entered the water.

I hauled myself out like a struggling seal onto the diminutive rock of Otterbield Island. I’d like to say this felt like progress but we were still in sight of our team on the shore. I think they gave us a cheer but it’s hard to remember since at this point I tried to take a step and fell clumsily back into the water.

I was mostly swimming with my arms because the toes on my left foot felt weird and also my legs were in economy mode. More positively, Derwent water was perfectly flat and wave free. I found a moment of peace and tranquillity watching swifts swooping, catching flies above the water.

As we crossed the final island I spotted Dad’s high-vis through the trees – the team were in position! As we got back into the water we spotted 5 figures on the shore and it was motivating to have a welcome party in sight.

It’s such a short swim after the final island and I was feeling motivated. With the end in sight, I put some effort in. Kicking my legs and powering my body through the water, I went for a sprint finish. Turning to my right I could see Jenny leaning on her tow float and keeping this pace with a lazy breaststroke.

At Calf Close Bay, we were nearly done, this was the moment I’d been dreaming of.

“It’s not done yet” I told myself.

I was so motivated by the team on the shore, all smiling and wearing waterproof clothing – whilst I didn’t feel cold at all. My parents had made it after all that flat-tyre drama! They helped me get changed (I think that’s Dad’s first experience with the complicated nature of a sports bra) and had of course brought those all-important road shoes and the essential Ambleside AC vest.

Sarah, Tom and Cardboard Wayne were ready to race back to Moot Hall, but I was informed it was first necessary to climb a rope. This it seems, was the most efficient way to the footpath.

“Don’t let me slow you down, go in front” Wayne told me and we sped along the road. It felt so good to open my stride and just to know I was going to do this.

We seemed to get to Keswick so fast. “You might be sub-14!” Sarah told me.

I climbed the steps at Moot Hall. I had done it.

Reflections

This challenge was about pushing my own limits and finding my strength. However, my amazing family and friends were the real heroes of the day. I could not have done it without their help and everyone brought a little extra.

Sarah, Tom and Me at the Start, 5:30am!

Skiddaw Summit

Dropping Down to Carlside

Holly helping me keep balanced

pre-Crummock Water

Wrapped up and ready to go again

Dan being silly

Getting out of Buttermere

Climbing up to Melbrek

Me shoving some food in my face with Holly keeping our spirits up.

Surprise rope climb. Cardboard Wayne supervising.

The end.

The Black Combe Frogwomen

Black Combe Runners complete the first all-women Leapfrog Round: ‘The Black Combe Frogwomen’

On 5 July 2024, eight BCR women aged 20 to 54 completed the first all-women Leapfrog Round in 14 hours and 37 mins. The Black Combe Frogwomen team consisted of two women on each leg; Beth Ripper and Helen Walker (leg 1), Becca Cleator and Emma Seery (leg 2), Ava Grossman and Julie Darigala (leg 3), Petra and Verity Chapman Gibbs (leg 4). They did the round without any support - just a kayak for safety on swim 1 (Ava, who also ran leg 3), and swims 2 and 4 (the ninth team member, Jackie). They also did all their own vehicle support.

Here’s their account of epic fun in the fells and waters of the Lake District. Advance warning: there is a lot of whooping!

Petra: The Frog Graham round is such a beautiful and challenging round. So what better thing to do with your equally crazy friends than a relay? I suggested this to some women in our running club who are all fell runners and good swimmers back in February, and of course they were up for it. Black Combe Runners are always up for fun adventures. The planning took shape and reeces were completed. Logistics were getting stressful as we inched closer - who was driving where and kayaking at which point, the weather, time off work - but on the day it was plain sailing.

Leg 1

Beth: 3:30am is a fairly antisocial time for your alarm to go off...but today was no ordinary day! I quickly showered, force fed myself porridge and sneaked out of the house with "Frog Frog" along for company...!

Helen: It was a very early get up, and for me after a late shift at work. But I was alive and excited, and met my lovely companion Beth in Keswick.

Beth and Helen at the Moot Hall

Frog Frog, our squeaky relay baton, facing the first mountain

Beth: We touched the Moot Hall doors and at 05:40 we were off! Skiddaw by the main tourist track is by far my favourite route up any fell in the Lake District (not!) As we climbed the weather was pretty challenging; despite it being early July the winds were very strong and bitterly cold, and the compulsory Skiddaw clag swallowed us whole. It took a good while to reach the summit trig point, then we didn't hang about - we turned around and ran straight into the wind, down the steep, slatey trail towards Carl Side. We dropped out of the clag and were both in awe - I'd forgotten how absolutely stunning the view was from this summit, even more so in the morning sunshine that was breaking through the clouds.

Beth and Helen on the summit of Skiddaw, in amazing summer conditions!!

Helen: Yep, as we headed down, we were greeted with stunning views. And approaching the church, ready to swim, we were feeling good. A quick change into our wetsuit and we were ready to head into a choppy Bassenthwaite. We could see our teammates awaiting our arrival on the other side.

Touching the Church, our second checkpoint

Beth: And it was great to see Ava too - our safety kayak support. The swim across Bassenthwaite was great. Like Helen says, a bit choppy but much warmer than I'd expected. And it was easy to spot our Leg 2 runners, Emma and Becca, who had placed some hi vis jackets at the exit point for us.

Frog Frog getting excited for her first swim

That first early morning swim – Helen and Beth crossing making it over Bassenwaithe, with Ava kayaking

Helen: After a lovely swim we arrived on the opposite shore. My balance was shot due to having water in my ear and no hearing aids in. We decided to cross the road with Emma and Becca, with Emma guiding me across the road - no time to put the hearing aids in! The final laugh was Beth helping get me out of my wetsuit which I was firmly stuck in. Fantastic fun.

Leg 2

Emma: We’d done lots of nervous pacing and hi viz jacket arranging on the shore of Bassenthwaite when we saw our first frogs emerging from the water to finish leg 1. Hi fives. Photos. Handover of the squeaky frog baton. A high-octane road crossing (especially for Helen!) and we hit the trail.

It's a flat few km to start, so we got moving - each thinking the other was going too fast – but the steep scrappy climb up Barf soon sorted that out. We were treated to gorgeous views as we ticked our first few checkpoints on the tops and then enjoyed the downhill dash to Whinlatter Visitors Centre. Wisely prioritising photos with Gruffalo over making time to use the toilet.

Emma and Gruffalo

We stomped up Grisedale Pike where we found the wind, but also the dramatic undulating ridges that make this leg the best one! From here we toured the tops, getting buffeted around but having a generally lovely time. Even on the stagger up Crag Hill, which always goes on a lot longer than it should.

Becca: Frog Frog had a great view out the back of my backpack and she didn't seem to mind the cold on the tops. The time flew by because Emma knew the route very well and we had a lot of fun.

Becca and Frog Frog on Ullister Hill

Emma: Ha ha. I’d never done most of it before, but very glad I did that recce to Ullister Hill! After a short scamper down Rannerdale Knotts to Crummock Water our ~20.5km run was done, and we could see Jackie waiting in her kayak to back us up on the swim. And Beth, Petra, and Verity cheering us on. Frog Frog squeaked back.

Welcome views of Crummock below

And down Rannerdale Knotts!

Jackie: I had a lovely peaceful morning on Crummock Water until I could hear whoops and cries of enjoyment as leg 2 (Emma and Becca) descended to the lake. Still talking whilst changing and eating, which is not an easy feat. They were soon off on the swim leg and it all went quiet as they powered across to the other side. My job was to try and not bump into them as there was quite a strong cross wind.

Becca and Emma kit change and faff before Crummock swim

Leg 2 swim setting off - Emma and Becca with Jackie in the kayak on Crummock

Emma: The wind tried to push us off course, and there was a bit of lake water drinking, but all pretty cruisy.

Becca: The swim was pretty cold, but short. And great views!

Jackie: Ava and Julie were shouting encouragement and bouncing up and down ready for the off, and with the frog baton exchanged they disappeared into the distance.

Leg 2 swim complete! Hurrah!

Leg 3

Julie: Me, Brent, and our spaniel pup Flint were relaxing on Embleton beach in warm sunshine, contemplating a paddle in the North Sea when my phone pinged with a message from Petra. ‘Thanks so much for cutting your holiday short….am hoping you won’t regret it.’ Friday was suddenly looking like the more favourable weather day. Time to head home…I was so happy to be paired with Ava for leg 3, she is so cheerful and exudes enthusiasm and warmth. I knew we’d have a fun time whatever the weather threw our way.

Ava: On the day, we had a pleasant stroll from Buttermere village to Low Ling crag for the start of our leg. We soon spotted Emma and Becca’s rapid descent off Rannerdale Knotts, and after they made short work of the choppy waters of Crummock, we raced off to tackle Mellbreak. After I’d thrown my van keys onto the beach just in time… ha ha.

Julie: Forty minutes of rough, heathery scrambling later and we popped out at the south summit, chuffed with having nailed that awkward line. Thankfully it was breezy but pretty clear on the tops as we navigated our way via the waterfall and climbed Red Pike, pausing briefly at Scale Beck to refill our bottles. Soaking in the beautiful views, we raced along the undulating ridge and dug in for our final ascent of High Stile. As Ava led us expertly over the rocky summit we bumped into a couple of guys from down south, interested to learn about our undertaking. Funnily enough it transpired they knew Tim Ripper (Beth’s hubby). Small world.

Julie and Ava working their way up Mellbreak

And on the High Stile ridge

Ava: No time to hang about chatting – although weirdly we all ended up in The Round together later on! Julie set an amazing pace as we hurriedly descended to Horse Close.

Julie: Ava is a powerful, year-round swimmer (unlike me) and was quickly changed into her cossie and packing up my float as I squeezed into my wetsuit. I was a little apprehensive about the swim across Buttermere and initially stuck close to Ava, but it felt wonderful in the cool water in spite of the intermittent waves. After a short time, we could see the smiling faces of Emma and Beth, Petra and Verity across at Hassness…hi fives as we stumbled to shore and cheered our mother and daughter duo off.

Ava and Julie swimming across Buttermere

Julie exiting Buttermere. What a dramatic back drop

Leg 4

Verity: When my mum asked me to be a part of the leapfrog team, I was apprehensive – I had heard how hard the Frog Graham is and I hadn’t been swimming much. But I was keen to be a part of the team and I agreed to do leg 4. Although I’m a Black Combe Runner, I live in Manchester during University term time so my training probably looked a bit different to most of the other team members. Mainly running to Media City, swimming in Salford Quay, and running back to my house in South Manchester.

Petra: I was so pleased to complete leg 4 with my daughter. A proud moment indeed. And amazing to complete the round with such inspirational women.

Verity: The morning of the Leapfrog I was very nervous, especially for the long swim across Derwent water. I made sure to eat two breakfasts. And watching Emma and Becca come down from Rannerdale Knotts and transition into their Crummock swim it all seemed real. I felt a swirl of excitement and nervousness.

We then had a coffee and lunch and it was soon time to head to the edge of Buttermere to prepare for our leg. Ava and Julie flew down High Stile and across Buttermere. It was a rush to hand over Frog Frog and we set off up Robinson. This was a hard slog but we were soon at the top and heading on to Dale Head. The next three peaks came quickly, and fuelled by jelly babies and hula hoops we ploughed on up High Spy and Catbells. Then was the long-awaited Derwent swim.

Petra and Verity excited to start their leg from the shores of Buttermere

We made it to the top of High Spy, our 3rd checkpoint

Petra: Approaching Derwent water to see it calm, inviting and the sun shining just made me want to get in straight away. This is my favourite leg - the glory leg and a swimrunner’s dream. Getting out and running across three islands adds to the excitement.

Just about to set off for the fourth and final swim of the Leapfrog. Jackie and Frog Frog are ready!

Jackie: It was quite hard work paddling across to the start of the Derwent swim with the wind against me. And because Petra and Verity were ahead of schedule I only just got there in time. No messing from these two they were soon into the swim and on to the first island which was occupied by hundreds of seagulls who expressed their displeasure in unpleasant ways.

Verity: The water was cold and I struggled to get into the rhythm of the swim. It wasn’t far to the first island but the second swim was harder and I was very tired by this point. But encouraged by our amazing kayaker Jackie, I powered on across the next three sections of the swim and finally made it to the other side.

Petra: We even found the shingle bit on the third island this time, and from there we could clearly see and hear our fellow team members whooping from the shore.

Jackie: They beat me across on the second island and then onto the third, and soon the end of the swim is in sight with more whoops and other such noises from the rest of the team. A beautiful night on the lake and brilliant to watch a group of people having such a good time.

Stunning evening to be swimming across Derwent

Verity, Petra and Frog Frog exiting Derwent, with Jackie having safety seen us over.

Verity: We were cheered on by our other team members as me and my mum clambered out of Derwent and ran with Emma, Ava, and Julie to the final checkpoint at the Moot Hall. Emma led the way along the road to Keswick we sprinted to the finish point. After the obligatory photos at the Moot Hall it was time for a much-needed sit down and a drink.

Petra: Yes, Emma didn’t half sprint us into the finish at the Moot Hall.

Emma: And maybe another drink. And a few pizzas. (And even more whooping…)

Celebrations at the Moot Hall

Duncan Davies

I was at the Great Lakeland 3-Day 2023 and saw a short film by someone who’d done a Frog, a Bob and the Fred Whitton challenge on consecutive days. I’m not an ultra-runner or Ramseyist but the Frog seemed like it might be possible given my pre-hill running days as a triathlete. I therefore decided to give myself a 55th birthday present for late June 2024 and give it a go. I spent a lot time planning, consulting other Carnethies like Jonny Muir, who was due an attempt in 2023, Eleanor J and Sarah Warren who’d both completed rounds and generally thinking about the FGR. Throw in a few recces and years of hard gained experience, my dream was slowly taking shape.

June 24 was looming and the FGR was suddenly becoming all too real and no longer a dream. Luckily for me, Helen had got wind of my plans and before I knew it a support crew who could make my possible attempt dates was formed. Willie Gibson had been drafted in as a support swimmer. Helen Gibson was keen to do leg4 and Joel Sylvester, (probably glad he wasn’t squeezing into a tent on a mountain marathon with me again) was going to appear ‘somewhere’ on leg3 and family members were going to be at the final swim exit to get me back to Moot Hall.

With a couple of weeks to go I had a new obsession. The weather. Luck was on my side because the 22nd was my preferred date and the weather looked like it was going to be favourable.

Its 2am Sat 22nd June, I’m at Moot Hall, its raining heavily and there’s no sign of any other ‘Froggers’ or ‘Bobbers’.

A dark wet lonely trudge up Skiddaw culminated with a brief passing of a group of about 10 ‘Bobbers’ I found my way down and as dawn was breaking the rain stopped and it was a fantastic run through Dodd Wood down to Bassenthwaite which was one of my favourite moments of the day.

The Bassenthwaite swim was fine but once back on land the midgies were horrific. I’ve decided my hot cooked expedition breakfast courtesy of a self-heating bag was a genius idea. Whilst going up Barf I became aware of a group ahead of me, I caught up with them at Ullister and they were the 1am ‘Froggers’. (I’m the 2am ‘Frogger’). We split to get down to Whinlatter our own ways and met again going up Grizedale for a few mins. (their route was clearly quicker than mine). The sun finally came out on Hopegill Head and I knew there were some people catching me. By the start of Eel Crag, the 4am ‘Frogger’ group passed me looking very strong. The run down to Rannerdale was pleasant, with paragliders on Whiteless Pike and a fair few walkers in the 10-in-10 event. I also met the midnight ‘Froggers’ at Rannerdale. It was great to have briefly crossed paths with other people attempting the FGR given our shared purpose/suffering for the day. I hope they all made it safely round.

It was then fantastic to see the familiar faces of Willie and Helen at Hause Point and after a bit of food and chat Willie escorted me across Crummock Water to Low Ling Crag in what was another favourite moment.

Every time I took a breath I could see Willie slightly ahead and off to my right. It was like having a swim comfort blanket. The next surprise was Joel, who, true to his word of ‘appearing somewhere on Leg3’, was waiting at Low Ling Crag with Ash the dog. Joel was going to let me do Mellbreak on my own but meet me somewhere else on Leg3. Not much to say about Mellbreak. It’s a very steep pathless slog up but a really nice descent down to Scale Force. It was very hot going up Scale Force but that was immediately offset by Lingcomb Edge being very cold. I met Joel again on Red Pike and we continued on to High Stile and then descended to Horse Close where Willie was patiently waiting to buddy me across Buttermere. Joel saw us off.

Another ‘comforting swim’ with Willie had us meet up with Helen who was all set for supporting me on Leg4. I was starting to feel a bit fatigued. The earlier mind mantra of ‘hold something back’ was now more like ‘this is all you’ve got’. Helen was amazing at judging my ‘this is all you’ve got pace’ and it meant the final leg to Catbells was really enjoyable. The view from Catbells of the final swim across Derwentwater was very picturesque but also a gentle reminder of ‘you’re not finished yet’.

Willie had made it to Otterbield Bay to wave me off on my final swim and to collect Helen. I am extremely grateful to Helen, Willie and Joel for their advice, help and enthusiasm on the day and beforehand. A nod also to Fraser Gibson, who Willie and Helen were off to meet as he was due to be in the Ride to the Sun event on Sat night. I knew my family were waiting over in Calfclose Bay so off I set.

I was expecting a seagull frenzy on Oterbield but to my relief they didn’t bother me. It was now that things took a slight type2 fun turn. The wind had picked up. At water level, couple the choppiness with a crap tint and fogging googles, I couldn’t really make out St Herberts Island or very much at all. Thankfully there was a white moored yacht I could occasionally see. After what seemed like forever, I made it to land and wandered round the south edge of the island. There were some happy partygoers who wondered what I was doing, which made for an entertaining conversation as I tried to explain what and where the FGR went. Leaving the bemused party goers behind getting to Rampsholme was the same sighting problem but I made it. As I emerged though the trees to start the final swim I could see enthusiastic waving from Calfclose Bay – my family. I waved back. They held up an orange bag. I was hoping they’d keep it held high but they were blissfully unaware of my sighting issues. So, no such luck. I finally made it to dry land, relieved, a tad cold and after roughly 40miles unscathed and still in one piece. It was then my family said ‘the paths this way’ and set off.

Hmm – brambles, thorns, various prickly bushes later and with my legs now all scratched we eventually emerged onto the path to Keswick for the last little stint to Moot Hall.

18:35 hrs after starting I finished.

I’m still digesting what an amazing day and experience I had. There is so much to reflect on. A massive thanks to all involved on the day or beforehand.

If anyone’s thinking of having an attempt, I’ve got plenty of kit lists, spreadsheets, plans I could bore you for hours with.

Duncan

Can’t forget these two hill helpers.

Dave Sargent

FGR - A cautionary Tale.

Dave Sargent (Eden Runners, Penrith)

When we read of other people’s adventures going wrong or too near for comfort, it is easy to judge decisions as reckless or foolhardy. When we are in the middle of the adventure ourselves it’s perhaps another matter.

I completed a ‘successful’ Frog Graham round on 10th August 2023, a little late in the season for maximum daylight time for a slow plodder who likes an adventure, but had not trained or prepared properly. More of that later.

An article about the FGR in The Fellrunner immediately grabbed my attention. After a moderately successful season fellrunning as new v.50 in 2013 I had struggled with recurrent and various injuries. I started mixing the training more with cycling and even some swimming but, always needing something to aim for, I tried my hand at a few triathlons with hill / fell / trail running. Fun though they were (and my swimming was shocking!) the busy commercial organisation of the events didn’t appeal that much, nor focussing on one big event only to have it shortened or reduced because of poor weather on the hills. Added to that, most triathlons events are on Sundays which, being a local parish priest, does not make it easy to get much race experience. My instinct is for something low-key, physically challenging, but with a bit of unknown about it.

Drawn more to these long-day adventures, solo or just a few pals and going when the weather looks good for it, the FGR became my focus.

Injury scuppered any serious running on the fells, so my first foray in the direction of an FGR was my own ‘CycloFrog’ version in 2020. The mountain bike ride from Moot Hall around the Back-O-Skiddaw was great fun. Long-suffering wife Anne (more of that later too) met me at the road / swim junctions with car ready to take the bike round to next section. The swim across Bassenthwaite was good (though exiting in wrong place) followed by road cycle over Whinlatter with my running pal and BGR partner Derek Hurton. Swim across

Crummockwater (with rinsed out wetsuit) and a walk / jog around the lake to the Buttermere swim followed by ride over Honister and round to the start of the Derwentwater swim. Slow, but uneventful progress (more of that later) across the long swim before a final easy ride back to Keswick. A good day and certainly whetted the appetite for a proper attempt once injuries allowed.

Over the next year or so (and starting from a very low threshold) I concentrated on improving my swimming endurance, if not my technique. Let’s just say that I got better at swimming badly! My technique was rubbish, but I could keep going for longer. A swim technique video session was shocking! Living close to Ullswater meant I could get used to reasonably long swims in the lake, though never with any serious training regime.

Meanwhile, on the fells, recurrent injury prevented downhill running, but big, long days doing the Lakeland Birketts at a strong pace was building my hill strength and endurance without pushing the speed. I spent some good time recceing the route, especially Whilatter and the Mellbreak parts and making sure I was familiar with most of the key junctions, or so I thought!

2023 was to be the year for an attempt.

I was fortunate to be given a three-month sabbatical from June – end of August 2023. The lovely spell of hot weather in May and June led to good water temperatures in the lakes, but I was far from fit for a long day.

By the time my fitness was better, the weather had changed back to colder, wet and grey with lots of fresh water bringing the lake temperatures down again. I struggle with the cold, so a full wet-suit was clearly going to be needed for some of the route. The logistics of carrying swim and hill kit should have been better rehearsed; this would have avoided much faffing about and time gradually stretching out.

I spent June and July building my fitness with a series of longer challenges: The Ullswater Way, the George Fisher Tea Round (with some FGR route overlaps), some big Birkett hill days and the Lakes 3000s with biking in-between. I had a week or so early August to have a go.

August 10th 2023 it was. The plan was for a solo, supported round. I hoped to carry all the stuff I needed for each hill and swim section, but to make use of food and fresh clothes change support at the road crossings.

Stopping off at a pal’s flat in Keswick the night before I started at 5 a.m. This was the first mistake! I am happy on the fells in the dark and should have gone an hour or 2 earlier and reached the first swim just as it was getting light. Anne (meeting me at Dodd Wood) is a nurse and finished her shift late the night before, so I was reluctant to ask her to meet me any earlier. Good speed up and off Skiddaw and, after a faffing around change into wet suit (much faffing about repeated each time!) the swim across Bassenthwite was good. A strong, steady pace over the Whinlatter section (very pleased to have got the route sussed out) and happily over the tops to Crummockwater. I was eating and drinking well and moving steadily, if not very fast.

Lots of people and no car parking option for Anne at Crummockwater meant my food and change of wetsuit was not to hand. It was a longer-than-hoped-for rest while things were ferried to me, but the time was spent enjoying the chat with supporter of a Tadpole Round happening at the same time. They had kayaks to safeguard the swimmers – very wise! The break gave me the opportunity to look across to the beast of Mellbreak and contemplate the ascent line!

A gorgeous swim, but drawn out faffing at the far side before heading off up a good line to the (correct) top of Mellbreak from where I added a too-close-not-to-do Birkett and a thorough rinsing of the wetsuit in Blackbeck. I didn’t get a great line across the fell to the Scale Beck crossing but cracked on pretty well to Red Pike and High Stile. Over enthusiastic and not concentrating, I took the wrong line off, ignored the nagging feeling I was off-route until I’d gone too far towards Bleaberry Tarn. A contouring trod saved the day, but it was a frustrating mistake. I had quite a long rest before the short Buttermere swim and the tough direct slog up to Robinson. Mostly walking now, the familiar line over Dale Head to Catbells was hard work, but in gorgeous early evening sunlight. Beautiful, but with a nagging anxiety over remaining daylight.

By the time I started the swim the light was failing and although the islands were well silhouetted so I could see where I was heading, it was too dark for Anne (now on the far side) to see me approaching. The swim was hard going and slow; I was tired and starting to feel the chill. Otterbield was covered in seabirds and the associated muck; slippery and surrounded by screeching birds I just wanted to get on and off it as soon as possible. I wasn’t in doubt that I would finish, but was annoyed that I had got myself into the situation. Anne was on the far bank, but unable to see me. My cold-water head cap cut out her increasingly anxious calls into the darkness. Once I saw her light I could shout my proximity and assure I was OK, but it was an anxious time for her which could and should have been avoided, either by starting earlier or / and having a kayak alongside and a light on in my tow-bag.

The final run into town and the climb up the Moot Hall steps was great of course; a real sense of satisfaction at the end of an epic day of 17hrs 42 mins, but also the underlying knowledge that I had ‘got away with it’ and it wasn’t clever. Immediately after, my body pretty much closed down! Thankfully, home, bath, food, drink and bed were all nearby in Penrith. I was quite a mess.

Pleased to have done it? Definitely! Annoyed at the position I put Anne in during my final swim? Very!

As well as doing more specific run-swim training and upping the overall hill speed, what would I like to try next time and what lessons must I learn?

1. Go anticlockwise – get the long swim done early and if it going to end in the darkness be somewhere on Skiddaw not in Derwentwater.

2. Have a kayak alongside on the final swim, whichever one it is and put a light in the tow-bag if it’s anywhere near dusk.

3. Sort out the efficiency of changeover and spend less time faffing about with kit packing; practice a few times.

4. And, most importantly, if it’s not safe, don’t keep going. It could have ended quite differently.

The FGR is a fantastic day out, a superb route and of course a serious challenge. Better preparation and care would have ensured it was fun for those waiting and watching too. I look forward to an anticlockwise and perhaps a little wiser attempt in 2024.

Jonny Muir

‘A lifetime aggregate of aptitude and commitment’ – how to complete the Frog Graham Round

When Gary Tompsett became only the second person to complete Ramsay’s Round in winter he put his trust in a ‘lifetime aggregate of aptitude and commitment’. (His faith was well judged: his solo, unsupported time of 33 hours was not eclipsed for five years.) I was a much younger man when I first read Tompsett’s words. A little older and wiser now, I get it.

These words ring with truth, not least when used to explain what it takes to complete a Frog Graham Round. Running a long way over big mountains, swimming across a lake, repeating that pattern – that is the gist of the Frog Graham Round, a 40-mile, multi-summit, four-swim loop billed as the ‘ultimate swimrun challenge’. As for the rest: that’s the ‘lifetime aggregate’ stuff – the catalogue of things you learn when you choose to go to high places. Getting by on little or no sleep. Getting moving at 4am. Running in the dark. Knowing how to use a headtorch. Knowing when to put on your waterproof. Knowing when to check the map and knowing when not to. Making more good decisions than bad. Accepting, calmly, the bad ones. Packing a bag, unpacking a bag. Taking the right food, enough food. Eating it. Going to the burn before you are thirsty. Checking the bearing. Picking a line. Leaving a stash. Ensuring the stash is animal-proof. Knowing and meeting the rules. Dragging on a wet wetsuit. Knowing when to remove your shoes. Being a runner, then a swimmer, then a runner again. Allowing fear, but quietening and quelling it. Being hot and cold. Controlling shivering and jangling teeth. Being tired. Being patient. Knowing that this will pass: you will reach the other side, you will climb that mountain.

I will add one more thing to a list that could continue to mushroom: context. You are not alone. Others have been here before; they will come after. If they can, you can. That certainty got me across Derwentwater, a potentially daunting end-of-effort swim of around one mile.

As I approached the dark outlines of Lake District mountains from the north, destined for a pre-round, near-sleepless night in a Keswick car park, I listened to Natalie Hawkrigg describe her ‘pitch black’ winter crossing of Derwentwater, guided by lights left on the islands: ‘I was hyperventilating and shouting very loudly, “where is it?”.’ (You will find the rest on the Wild Ginger Running podcast.) And as I stood on the edge of Derwentwater, following some 15 hours of continuous forward movement, under a gradually darkening sky, I knew the next few minutes could never, ever be that awful.

It was not remotely awful. Business-like is the adjective that comes to mind. We stuck our heads in the water and swam as fast and direct as we possibly could, emerging, as required, on to the islands, before resuming another determined thrash. I looked back to Catbells only once. That is the best way to think about Derwentwater: to not really think about Derwentwater.

The last time I ran towards the Moot Hall in fading light was 12 years earlier. That day was a start and an end, a Bob Graham Round that culminated in a joyous sprint, as if my life defended on it. I felt marvellous that day, fit and fast and flying, right after feeling dreadful for the first 10 hours. I don’t know if I will ever find those extremes of suffering and joy again. I didn’t on the Frog Graham Round. I shuffled into Keswick, scarcely faster than a walk. Perhaps this is the double-edged sword of Tompsett’s ‘lifetime aggregate’ theory. It is a mechanism of control. There is only jeopardy if you permit jeopardy, and barring a physical issue, I knew I would be touching the door of the Moot Hall twice in one day.

Maybe I should have added self-belief to the list above.

I won’t write a summit-by-summit account of the round. That has been done by others.

And, in truth, I don’t really remember. Instead, it’s the snippets of memories that linger in the consciousness: the furious dawn gale on Skiddaw, the hole in the stash, the point at which the ground on Mellbreak levels, running through the copse at Horse Close to meet Buttermere, the smell of the barbecue on the far shore of Derwentwater, and – unusually for me – sharing every step, every stroke – with someone else, to be able to say ‘we did that together’.

But even a shared journey is a personal one. I had not done a ‘big’ round for three years. I kept getting injured. One day I turned a corner – not a metaphorical one – and a cyclist barrelled into me, fracturing two bones in a leg. I had a milestone birthday that I largely ignored. I thought, perhaps, I had had my time in the sun. Pessimism seemed justified. But no, the Frog Graham Round came along, reminding me what legs and arms and heads can do when you put a little trust in your ‘lifetime aggregate’, finding that person who you thought was gone.

Jonny Muir

‘A lifetime aggregate of aptitude and commitment’ – how to complete the Frog Graham Round

Petra Chapman-Gibbs

I had planned to do the Frog Graham Round only about two months ago. Having spent 5 months doing all 214 Wainwrights and since the spring, loads of lake swimming to prepare for the Coniston End to End, I felt that maybe this was something I could achieve. Never would I have imaged doing something like this before – it was beyond my wildest dreams to start and finish at the iconic Moot Hall and be a part of such an elite club. But putting all this aside, I got planning and thought how I would like an all women support team. I got messaging my swimming and fell running girl friends from York and Black Combe Runners and pretty soon a plan was taking shape. I couldn’t believe how willing and enthusiastic everyone was to support me! The plan was to start at 3am on 22 July 2023. Andy was willing to do all the vehicle support, which included food, drinks, kit and driving people around.

As the final week approached the weather looked horrible in terms of persistent heavy rain and wind. I decided to bring the round forward 24 hours and hoped that all my supporters were able to still go ahead. I was so overwhelmed that my all women support team were able to be flexible and with only three unable to make it, roping in Kev and some shuffling around with different run and swim leg support - I had the dream team. They did not disappoint.

I found the 3am start tough and I was tired as I had only had 3 hours sleep. Ursula and Kristina were waiting at Moot Hall, they were amazing support and kept my spirits high. Ursula gave me a quick lesson in using poles, and in the mist and rain we were soon at the summit of Skiddaw. I was pleased to get to Mirehouse car park in a reasonable time and meet Becca who was early to arrive and was already getting into her wet suit. Andy was there with food and water for me and Becca and I set off for the first swim across Bassenthwaite. I felt sick, and couldn't get my breathing for a while, but stuck right next to Becca and soon we could see Ursula and Kristina's torch that we could sight too.

Porridge and tea awaited me whilst we changed and Becca and I set off for leg 2. My stomach was not coping well, and I felt tired already. This was the only leg that I had only partly recceed and Becca didn't know the route either. I was happy with the route up to Lord's Seat, but had to stop a few times for the loo. Rain set in and we got lost finding Ullister Hill. I was kicking myself that I hadn't recceed this bit. We lost some time here, but we found our way, Becca was amazing. I was pleased to meet Andy again at Whinlatter Visitor Centre, and Becca and I made a bee line for the loo which I had to visit for a second time. I was feeling quite low at this point, cold and tired, but Becca was pushing me on. We had a lovely chat going up Grizedale Pike in the heavy rain. I was focusing on eating bits when I could and keeping up with water. My thoughts were on one leg at a time, and I tried to push away any anxiety about choppy waters to come. As soon as we caught the first glimpse of Crummock Water as we descended, the clouds cleared, the sun came out and we discussed our favourite Barrow supermarkets, I was feeling so pleased I had leg 2 under my belt. The swim and leg 3 supporters were all there at Hause Point cheering and ringing a cow bell. I was on cloud 9 to see everyone. Andy force fed me tomato soup and I managed half a sandwich, whilst changing into a wetsuit. Swimming across Crummock with an amazing team of Ann Marie, Sarah, Orna and Kev was just the job to rejuvenate me and a change over of supporters for new chatter. Emma was waiting at Ling Mell, and quickly Emma, Sarah, Orna and I were hacking our way up Mellbreak. There was much discussion between the three about the best route, I just followed and got stuck in. Even the fighter pilots came out to cheer me on. The poles were a godsend and Emma’s foraging for blueberries and feeding them to me was delicious. Leg 3 was over in a flash and as we descended we could see the leg 4 crew on the far shore. I kept wondering when they were going to start swimming over to meet us, Emma reassured me that they would be there in time and sure enough, Kev and Ann Marie got to us gasping with their frantic swim across to meet us. Ava joined the support team and the Buttermere swim was perfect with Kev, Ann Marie, Sarah, Orna and Ava. We were met by photographer Pete plus Hazel and Rachel on the other side. I heard from someone that Hazel had started warming up, ready for leg 4!

Quick run to then change at the car, bit more food and much excitement about wearing our matching new Black Combe Runner t-shirts. Emma was keen to stay with the party, and joined in on leg 4 too. Pete was hiding in bracken taking photos as we started the climb up Robinson. Much hilarious conversations were had going up Robinson, mostly from Ava. Hazel and Emma led the way picking out the best routes up and over the final summits. Catbells was upon us in a flash and we were met by Pete on the summit for photo shoots. It was getting dusk now, I had been apprehensive of swimming Derwent in the dark, hence the early start. I'd been longer than I expected, due to getting lost and spending time in transitions, but Kev and I had practised night swimming so I was feeling confident I could have this in the bag before the pub closed. It was afterwards that I learnt he had already had a pint in the pub before the final swim. I think it was raining quite heavily now, but I didn’t notice much as we got into the water. Orna kayaked and with her lights it was easy to sight and see Otterbield Island, then St Herbert’s Island. Ava and Ann Marie, along with Orna swam together, but I decided with Kev to press onto Rampsholme Island and then get to the far shore. I pushed hard and sighted to a light - it was Sarah. But where was Andy for the final sprint to Moot Hall? Kev rang him, handed me a headtorch and we found each other in the dark, legged it to Moot Hall, in full wet suit, managed to run up the steps and was handed a pint and my dry robe.

Thank you to all my wonderful support team, I literally could not have done this without you. You are amazing individuals.

Andy, Ursula, Kristina, Becca, Orna, Sarah, Ann Marie, Kev, Emma, Ava, Rachel, Hazel and Pete.

Getting the tracker sorted with Ursula, Andy and Petra

At the start – 3am 21 July 2023. With leg 1 support Ursula and Kristina.

And we are off……Kristina, Ursula and Petra

Starting to climb Skiddaw. Petra and Ursula.

Coming off Skiddaw summit Petra and Ursula

Meeting Becca for swim 1 across Bassentwaite.

Petra on leg 2 Trying to smile in the wind and rain.

Scramble up Crag Hill on leg 2.

Finishing leg 2 with Becca.

Crummock water swim crew. Ann Marie, Orna, Sarah, Petra, Becca and Kev. Think Becca wanted to come too.

Crummock crew on way to Emma on Ling Mell.

Going up Mellbreak Sarah and Petra with Ling Mill Crag, Rannderdale Knots, Crummock, Buttermere and Robinson behind.

Ascent of Mellbreak. Sarah and Petra

Summit of Red Pike. Emma, Sarah, Petra and Orna.

Exiting Buttermere

Exit from Buttermere

At the end of Leg 3 support team – Sarah, Orna, Petra and Emma.

Leg 4 support team – rocking our new matching Black Combe t-shirts. Emma, Hazel, Petra, Ava and Rachel.

Tackling the last big climb – Robinson Petra, Hazel, Ava and Rachel. 

On the summitt of Dale Head

Somewhere on leg 4…..Rachel, Ava and Petra.

On the summitt of Catbells. Rachel, Ava, Petra, Hazel and Emma.

How many supporters do you need!!?? Getting changed at Derwent water.

All set for a night swim across Derwent? Orna, Ava, Ann Marie, Petra and Kev.

Starting the Derwent swim. About 9.45pm.

Running into the Moot Hall finish with Andy

At the finish.

Cheers

With most of the support crew at the end – whoop whoop. Pete, Ava, Kev, Orna, Petra, Sarah, Andy, Ann Marie, Hazel and Emma.

Petra at the end with a pint and Andy

Petra starts the debrief with Pete and Hazel!

Andrew Holt

Frog Graham round 17th June 2023

I first heard of the Frog about five years ago from a friend who had been on holiday in the Lakes and spoke to someone training for it whilst out for a run. At the time I was beginning my Bob Graham journey, reccying a bit each time I was in the Lakes and running legs with mates. Two years ago whilst on holiday in the Lakes I decided to recce the Frog over a couple of days and was really taken by the beauty and brutality of the route. I also liked that it was still largely unknown outside of the Lakes. On one of the recces I bumped into someone who had supported Billy Blands record round and they hadn't even heard of it

I decided that I would go for a Bob Graham attempt in June of 2022 so although I thought about doing the Frog as a training run I put it on hold. The BG went well and once recovered (this took a few months as it turned out I ran the BG with first time covid and it smacked my fitness) I thought about the Frog again. I'm on a WhatsApp group of friends spread across the UK who all have fingers in the endurance event pie albeit in different disciplines. Mainly we just rip each other but we do try and organise a few days out together. I floated the idea of a Frog and received some interest. Initially four of us were going to do it but nearing the time unforeseen circumstances reduced the number to myself and Paul. We planned to do it unsupported, but a couple of weeks out Calvin (known to us as Your Mum) said he would do road support for us. He had been planning to run a solo Bob Graham that weekend but had cracked a rib and postponed it for a month. This coupled with the fact that the lake temperatures were in the low twenties and we wouldn't need wetsuits would make things easier for us. We met at Thornthwaite campsite the day before. I put a tidy tub in Your Mums van with a few fresh shorts and t shirts plus some drinks and snacks. At 03.45 the next morning Your Mum drove us to Keswick and at 04:02 we set off on our round from the Moot Hall.

Leg 1

Even at 4am it was warm and humid as we trotted through Fitz Park and on towards Skiddaw, fortunately as we got above Latrigg there was a bit of breeze and it was forecast to be overcast all day which at least would keep the heat off us a bit. We were treated to a fantastic sunrise as the sun rose above the Pennines. Skiddaw summit was reached in 1 hour 30 mins before back tracking a short way and descending the steep screes to Carlside. We cut the corner a bit but I suspect it might be quicker to cut direct from the summit. From Carlside we swung right to drop behind the back of Dodd taking care to take the correct tracks popping us out at the tea rooms. I took the opportunity to take the brown bin out before cracking on towards church bay. We touched the North Wall of the church before trotting down to the waters edge. Paul had already gotten all his stuff in his dry bag whilst I was in the toilet but it only took a minute to unroll my tow float, chuck my pack and glasses in it and quickly inflate it. We were just swimming in our shorts as the water was so warm. I picked out my aiming points on the opposite shore about 1000m away and in we went. The water was pleasant and it felt good to wash the sweat away. Its quite a long swim and the opposite shore doesn't seem to get any closer for a while. About half way across I noticed a strobe light on the shingle beach. It was Your Mum with his torch. There was a stiff cross wind blowing little waves up and now and again one would break in my mouth as I rolled my head to take a breath. Soon the traffic on the A66 no longer looked like toys and we were soon walking onto the beach. It felt a little chilly initially but Your Mum led us to his van where we could dry off and put dry clothes on, although it was that warm my top half had already dried. I had drawn up a rough 17 hours 30 minutes schedule and we were about an hour quicker then I thought.

Leg 2

This is the longest leg. After a quick water refill and chugging a Bunderburg ginger beer we were trotting along the only road section towards the foot of the aptly named Barf. Barf rises steeply from the shore of Bassenthwaite and whilst the most direct line goes up over Slape crag, we opted for the safer option that initially tracks the waterfall before cutting back to the summit. Again it was humid in the woodland with a fresher breeze on top. Once Barf summit was reached it was an easy trot out to the summits of Lords Seat and Ullister Hill before heading back into the forest towards Whinlatter forest centre. Again care was needed to take the correct trails but despite a brief moment of indecision we took the most direct way and arrived at the forest centre to see the Parkrunners warming up. Just across from the centre Your Mum had parked his van awaiting us. We both took a moment for foot care, reapplying foot glide before filling our bottles and heading out towards Grisedale Pike. Word had got out amongst the horse flies that some juicy Midlands lad was about and they were mercilessly pursuing us and biting if we didn't brush them off quickly enough, I ended up with around eight bites. Fortunately once above the forestry the stiff breeze kept them at bay. The summit was reached, the views appreciated then we started trotting off towards Hopegill Head, Paul winced, his knees and quads were starting to protest so we backed off the pace a bit. Conditions were quite pleasant now at this height and after Hopegill we soon ticked off Sand Hill. From there it’s a short drop down heading for the imposing looking Eel crag, we chose the direct line heading up first over coarse scree then some easy scrambling up over the crag. From there it’s an easy walk onto Crag Hill, the summit had a tent on it with about 20 people milling about. It turned out to be a 10 peaks walking event. We followed the path of the walkers onto Wandope then onto Whiteless Pike. From here it's a big descent to low bank, we worked our way down past the walkers, Paul's legs seemed to be giving him grief but we pressed on over Low Bank and Rannerdale Knotts and down the steep descent to the edge of Crummock water. Your Mum came through again and had bagged a parking spot a few metres from the water. I necked another ginger beer and some pringles whilst Your Mum filled up my water bottles. I packed my dry bag again including a clean T Shirt and then it was back into the water.

Leg 3

The swim was much needed after leg 2, once again washing the sweat away. You have to take care though between swims to prevent cross contamination between the Lakes and have to present your biosecurity measures when registering for the round. This was a fairly short swim of about 400 metres and we were soon pulling ourselves onto the rocks of Low Ling Crag startling a dog and couple who were picnicking behind the knoll. Next comes Mellbreak, a 500 metre wall of bracken and heather. To stay on tracks we would have to make a significant detour, so straight up it was. We thought we had spotted a decent line on the descent from Rannerdale. After a small amount of bracken bashing we found ourselves in a shallow gulley scrambling over rock, bracken and heather. We were on all fours dragging ourselves up. Paul seemed like a new man after the swim and a brief application of ibuprofen gel and was steaming up. We were soon on the top and a short out and back was required to get to the summit. It has started to rain sporadically now as we headed for Red Pike which was welcome but the wind was picking up making it chilly but not cold enough for a jacket. There's a maze of tracks and trods heading for Red Pike and I picked the most direct one which was just visible through the bracken. About this time I felt woozy, I realised i hadn't eaten in a while, Paul gave me a bag of Hula Hoops which brought me round quite quickly. As we reached the cliff tops near the summit the wind was really buffeting us as it decompressed over the top. Red Pike came and went and then it was onto High Stile before the steep descent to Buttermere. As we were scrambling down the rocks we were able to pick out some good trods through the bracken below which popped us out on the shore of Buttermere for the third swim over to the opposite shore.

Leg 4

Yet again Your Mum was waiting for us on the shore, he had again found a great parking spot at the entrance to the track up Robinson. It was raining a fair bit now and we both felt cold after the swim, Your Mum set up an umbrella over us as we got ready for the last leg. It didn't take long to warm up again though on the long steep slog up Robinson. I asked Paul if I'd told him the story of how I met Tom Cruise practicing a stunt for Mission Impossible 24 on the summit of Robinson whilst I was doing a recce for my BG, of course I'd already told him but did so again and then five minutes later asked him again. This and other banter along with an Eccles cake each passed the time and we were soon on the summit, we knew we'd finish now and were pretty much on my original schedule. Just three summits remained before the final swim. Dale Head, High Spy and Catsbells were duly ticked off although we were feeling pretty wooden on the descent from Catsbells. Your Mum met us at the bottom and the legend had made us a coffee each. We necked the coffee and wriggled into our wetsuits. We hadn't worn them all day but thought after feeling cold earlier and with the longest swim ahead of us that it would be wise to use them. Running down to the water Paul asked if I felt like a new man in the wetsuit. The answer was that I did. Whether it was the compression of the wetsuit or the coffee kick I felt revitalised. Wading into the water again we headed for Otterbield Island, although small it seemed to be home to a large group of gulls who seemed none to happy at our approach. They took to the air circling us, with one plucky gull diving at us several times. Ignoring them we hopped onto the Island and quickly walked to the other side and back onto the water. We now swam towards St Herbert’s Island picking out a yellow dingy on the beach as our aiming point, the gulls settled down again and all was peaceful. It was getting late in the day and our journey across the lake felt quite serene. Reaching the island we again waded out. We were swimming in our shoes which made getting in and out of the water easy. The group in the dinghy had a fire going and some beers. As inviting as it looked we trotted around the island before striking out to Rampsholme Island. As we set foot on it we saw Your Mum once more on the opposite shore waiting for us. After the short swim to shore we took our wetsuits down to half mast. I quickly unpacked my tow float and put on my club vest for the short trot into Keswick. We could have nipped through the alley to the Moot Hall but wanted to do the glory leg up the High Street. It was nearly 21:45, some 17 hours and 43 minutes since we started when we once more touched the Moot Hall doors two happy frogmen. All that remained to do was enjoy some beers and pizza with Your Mum

Whilst it was a tough day it was also very enjoyable. The route was amazing and it was great to have the company of Paul and the superb support from Calvin.  A big thanks to Peter Hayes who created the round and to Martyn Price and team who run the Frog Graham club.

Did someone say Puddle Buckley?

Ian Fairbairn

Racing the sun....

I thought I’d write a little about my fell running/swimming history. And a little about the day itself.

I have lived in Gloucestershire since I was 6 years old, but am originally from Salford, so my childhood holidays were either spent in Blackpool or the Lakes. This is where I have also loved holidaying with my family. Marching/dragging them all up many fells. Being in the mountains obviously had a positive effect on them as one now lives in Keswick having attempted the Bob as a 5 day hike and one in the Swiss mountains. The other 2 children live locally to us. My fell running may be inspirational or what you may consider naive/stupid. My wife and I have run in half a dozen or so events in the last 5 years, but all with the aim to complete and not compete. (Finishing each event, but in the last 10%). We took part in Windemere Marathon May 2022, which we completed in 6 hours. Then a friend of ours convinced us to do a Swimrun in Llanberis last June covering a total of about 16km. I trained hard for this and did quite well coming in the top 20%. (Whilst doing one of the runs, a chap mentioned the Frog). I then did a local half marathon Sept 2022 where I finished in the top 15%. Then my wife and her friend entered the Pembroke Coast Ultra in April 2023. I said I would train with them and then enter if the training went well, which it did, so I entered with them. Then in Dec 2022 they both pulled out with injuries. I continued training including a couple of “front door” marathon distances with 4000 feet of ascent in the snow and rain with the Frog in the back of my mind. In the ultra I finished 8 mins off the men’s podium. I realised that the Frog was actually going to be possible, not just to finish, but finish strong and in a reasonable time. The swims were going to be my bit of respite.... I swam Coniston in Sept 2021 in 3hrs 17mins, and swam the last two winters in neoprene leggings then shorts, including a 500m 4c swim, and am currently training for Windermere in September. So the swims didn’t really phase me (whilst praying for no wind).

So, in short I only started training for distance running in Sept 2022, and have only ever run above 900 foot twice. Once in Llanberis and once in Lanzarote. I had also never been to any of the way points on the Frog until the week before when doing some recces.

The day...my support was my wife (Rachel) meeting at:

Under Skiddaw carpark for a cheer.

Dodd Woods carpark for a cheer.

Out of Bassenthwaite water for a wash with 10 litres of fresh water. Water bottle top up, and a cheer.

Whinlatter visitors centre for a cheer.

Entering Crummock for a water top up and a cheer.

Leaving Buttermere for a water top up and a cheer.

Entering Derwent water for a final cheer.

I carried all my own nutrition, tow float, wetsuit, running stuff etc. and had Rachel there for water as I didn’t want to drink stream water.

Leg 1...

It all started 10 minutes late at 3:10am at Moot Hall in the dark. With a SwimRun wetsuit rolled down my shorts to hold map and phone; t-shirt; vest with leg 1 nutrition and water and my newly purchased bag rammed full with the other 3 legs nutrition, tow float and other kit. A quick flat first 1 km spotting a fox as I left Keswick for the path that leads to Skiddaw. My watch then informed me that my “performance condition” had dropped by 7 points, as I crossed the A66 my bag fell open and all my kit fell out...was this going to be the pattern for the rest of the day? My first encounter with another person was Rachel at Under Skiddaw carpark in a fairly promising time of 28 mins. Then it was the steep ascent to the summit which I timed perfectly, beating the sun to the top of Skiddaw by seconds. I put my hand on the trig point moments later as I caught the sun rise over the inverted cloud. Then a quick descent off the edge of Skiddaw to Carl Side. Then a flatter descent started, passing half a dozen dogwalkers in Dodd Woods just after 5am (mad people). Another quick kiss and cheer from Rachel at the carpark. The down to the church, past the cross, over the church wall to touch the church (should pay more attention to the ratification sheet). At the shore I could see the A66 over the other side so could see my line across; a very choppy arduous swim across Bassenthwaite.

Leg 2...

I got out the lake to Rachel who had litres of water to wash me and kit down with. A water top up and the next nutrition in my vest. Leg 2 has now started 30 minutes ahead of time...A relatively fast trot along the old A66 another quick kiss and cheer from Rachel as I passed the Swan House, and on up to Barf, where I could see where I had been (very satisfying) and a lot of where I was going and finishing (very daunting). An easy run pass Lord’s Seat to Ulster Hill, then down through Whinlatter, on one of the fire roads I felt my left knee go with a pain on the outside, but it felt manageable. A quick selfie with this guy (I think he should be added to the round). Met Rachel at the visitors centre for another very much needed kiss and cheer, and let her know about my knee. Ran/limped off into the distance. Long hike up Grisedale Pike. Then an easy although slower than I would have liked trot across Hopegill Head, I was just able to see Sandhill, through the cloud, then the steep scramble up Eel Crag to Crag Hill. Fairly quick across Wandope hitting 20 miles in 6 hours 37 mins, (I was actually ahead of my predicted 15ish hour round), then Whiteless Pike and a very slow descent to the shallow ridge. Up to Rannerdale Knotts then down to (a very calm) Crummock water as my knee was really starting to be silly painful. I met up (minute perfect on schedule) with Rachel for a water top up, painkillers and kiss and cheer. After a beautiful swim across leg 3 started.

Leg3...

The shortest, but with the most ascent per mile. So up Mellbreak which was super hard as the sun had come out. Then a tiny bit slower than anticipated to Red Pike minutes later High Stile where leg 3 became my nemesis. As I came off the top I kinked left, but didn’t notice until I could see Bleaberry tarn, by which time it was too late to go back up (this was the first moment where the choice seemed to be cry and quit or carry on...(option 2 was decided). I finally dropped down to the NW corner of Buttermere and hobbled back to Horse Close adding about an hour to my time, for a beautiful calm swim across. Once changed and ready for leg 4 Rachel realised that my phone was missing; I had left it on Horse Close beach!! So off I jogged around the lake and back, another hour added.

Leg 4...

 Now I could actually start leg 4!!! Robinson, the painful climb up never seemed to end, then I was much slower than I wanted to be across to Dale Head. I checked the map and the contours to Dalehead tarn were so close together that I had a couple of options....cry and quit or find a shallower route! So off towards Honister I went, when about halfway there I headed north, back towards the tarn. High Spy came and went in a cloud of pain, all I could think about was finding a ‘flat’ way off Catbells! There wasn’t one! I had started this day beating the sun to the top of Skiddaw by moments, and now the day was about racing the sun to Catbells, (and more to the point...the other side of Derwent) as light was getting low. A friend had lent me a waterproof head torch so I could swim in the dark, but the thought of a mile ‘heads up breaststroke’ filled me with dread. As I came off the edge off Skelgill Bank I could see Otterbield Bay for the first time. This was the moment for my first proper cry, because that was when I could see Rachel and daughter, Mim, and then I could hear them!! It still seemed a long way down, but I knew I was close. I finally got down to the road where I was greeted with a massive hug from Mim, and another cry from me. Down to the bay we went. A quick kiss and cheer from Rachel. I looked at the choppy waters of Derwent, as bad as Bassenthwaite. Then a short swim to Otterbield which was difficult to spot until the gulls started to get miffed at my intrusion. Out I clambered blowing up my tow float (oops). Now to St Herbert’s where I could see two kayaks on the southern point (a target). Out of the water I got, scaring 2 chaps to death (judging by their language!). I headed around the island to the North East corner to make the next swim as short as possible. So now just Rampsholme. This was much easier at I was getting into the leigh of the hill, so the water was getting less bumpy with every stroke. A quick hobble around the island the a calm swim to the north end of Calf Close. As I was getting changed, I got a moral boost as I got eaten alive by midges (just want I needed). Now was the “quick” jog back to the top of Moot Hall steps, to the sound of applauding and cheering from my family and one or two passersby, just before “The Round” shut, for a pint. Then finally to home...

A quick check of my step count...Gosh 106,498!!

 Total distance covered 45 miles!

Robin Hawxby

Rob’s Frog Graham Round – otherwise known as the “Cuckoo Round” as there was a cuckoo on each leg, or,  “Coronation Round” as King Charles III was being crowned!

 This was amazing!!! I had absolutely the best day and nothing could have been any better - nothing!

 We are getting so good at the logistics for this - 3rd year in a row with a similar team involved. I had a good team of wiling volunteers - more than actually needed. All wanted to be involved, even if it was just moving bags and cars.

 I felt ready for it, mentally and physically. I had a 4.30am start – my 16 year old son, Ben, ran with me all the way up Skiddaw, with two friends doing the first bit up Latrigg. Two other friends got up and out of bed to see us at the start.

 Skiddaw was slower because Ben was struggling. I got 45 - 60 mins behind schedule, but I kept thinking, time doesn't matter, it is so much more important that Ben is part of this with me.

We had a good run down to Bassenthwaite, support (Kirsten, integral part of the FG support team from the last 2 years) waiting for us with a change of clothes. A friend supported me on the swim, so we put on the wetsuits at Dodd wood carpark and ran down to the lake (touching the churchyard wall!). It was still and calm and not too cold.  

Had a good swim across with a friend on the SUP. Lovely and calm – not as it had been last year! 

Abey (support runner for leg 2 and FG round 2021) and family met us on the other side and after a quick change, I set off with Abey up Barf and onto Leg 2. I soon warmed up and with Abey setting a good pace, we made good progress. Kirsten and Mark met us at Whinlatter car park for a change of shoes and food and water top up. Then on to Grisedale Pike and the rest of leg 2. No messing around, eating on the way, Abey's positivity keeping me going. I was feeling a bit lacking and battered when we headed down to the lake to swim Crummock.

Off Grisedale

Quick toddy on Hobcarton Crag!

Scramble up Eel Crag

When we reached Hause Point there was a picnic awaiting me!  I had a fresh wetsuit, hat and goggles, hot soup and bread (even red wine for Abey!) and replenished supplies. Then swam with Abey across Crummock with kayak company. It felt colder in my swim run wetsuit.

Orna (FG round 2022) met me at the other side, along with 2 friends. We got changed and I felt so much better for the proper food and possibly the cold water on the legs. Used poles to hike up Melbreak (helps save strain on the lower back) and just hit the hill! Good to have different company on each leg too for fresh conversation! We made better progress than I thought on this more technical leg, and were soon at Red Pike then High Stile. It is a very tricky descent from High Stile that I have done differently each of the 3 times that I have been there. We clambered over the rocks and just made our way down as quickly as possible. When in sound range, we heard the cheers from the lake side!

 Ascending Red Pike with Orna

A short swim across Buttermere with Orna and Kirsten - cold again in S/R wetsuit. Arrived at Hassness Wood to a picnic blanket out, hot soup on stove with bread, ate as much as I could, plus peanut butter (my staple!) and then got ready for the last leg with Mark. It is a steep slog up Robinson but I just kept going and the bit of rain stopped, the sun came out and when we got to the top it was deserted and peaceful with amazing views in the late afternoon light. I am not sure where everyone was – probably in Keswick having Coronation celebrations. I followed Mark steadily and once we had done the climbing and the tricky decent to Dale Head tarn, we set a steady pace jogging to Catbells. Conditions underfoot were great. Got to Catbells in 2.5 hours - really good progress. A steep descent and then motored to the lake side. Other than battered legs I felt great and ok energy wise.

Last peak - Catbells

We had a lot of laughter crossing Derwent Water. The whole gang were waiting and  with Ian in Kayak, Mark on SUP and Abey for swim company, we set off. We crossed the islands with much hilarity and made it in good time to the other side. Again, everyone was waiting for us and we all ran in to Keswick. Ben ran with me playing music and taking videos. Abey’s boys also ran in with us. I was still wearing my wetsuit. It was just awesome. I am so happy with how it went.

It honestly could not have been any better. The whole experience, from start to finish, was just the best endurance experience I have ever had. I really enjoyed the Lakeland 50, but this was better because it was with my good friends. I just loved it and I think everyone enjoyed coming together for it. We all had an awesome time.

 Eating proper food and pausing to do so made such a difference. I wasn't chasing a time so I enjoyed 20 min breaks to sit, eat, chat etc. I think that is why I felt so good.

 Just brilliant!

 Total time 16 hours 49 mins 31 seconds.

Natalie Hawkrigg (Winter)

On Friday 2nd December 2022, Natalie Hawkrigg was the first female to complete a winter Frog Graham Round.

My name is Natalie Hawkrigg, I identify myself as a fell runner who can swim, I am not a triathlete. I did my first Frog Graham in May 2018 after a calf injury forced me into more swimming, then in August of 2020 I was also the first female (together with friend Clare Regan) to complete the Puddle Buckley Round in Wales.

The idea of a winter Frog Graham was always in the back of my mind. I kept my swimming fitness going into each winter with intention and the hope that a opportunistic moment might present itself. Then days before the start of the 2022 winter season, a friend happened to mention to me that the weather was looking good and the opportunity was mine to grab.

There is something to be said about ‘bloody minded determination!’. Despite the weather turning freezing days before I was set to go, I was focused and blinkered on the challenge. The drop in temperatures did give me some wobbles, but I knew that if I could get across the first lake swim (Bassenthwaite Lake) I was in with a chance of success. I purposely did not swim in the Lakes leading up to the challenge, as I knew there was a strong chance that the water temperatures would put me off starting. The adrenaline and determination to succeed would have to carry me through the cold of the swims.

I begged and borrowed neoprene kit from everyone I knew and in just a few days pulled together a team of support for all the lake swims. Support on the Lakes was crucial to my confidence and chances of success. I live and train in the Lakes, so no reccing of the route was necessary before hand. I would run mostly alone apart from the final run leg, but decided that company on the last run leg in the dark before the final swim would be essential to keep my moral up. I recruited my friend Julie Carter to join me on the last leg.

I set off at 5 am from the Moot Hall in the dark. Despite the weather having been freezing days before, the dawn brought mild temperatures and very little wind. It felt more autumnal than winter. Clare Regan helped me change into my first set of double layer swim gear at Dodd Wood, and I ran hot and sweaty to the lake shore. Rob Kenning and David Regan were waiting on the water with Canadian canoes to support me across. It was dawn now and enough light to see the opposite shore. I did not hesitate and swam straight in. I was prepared for the shock of the cold, but it wasn’t as cold as I had expected. I swam and repeated counting to 100 before allowing myself to check progress. When I emerged from the water at the opposite shore, my hands were still warm under neoprene gloves and I joked with Clare that I was warmer than she was trying to help me get changed. Now the game was on, I could do this, the first swim had been a success.

I put my head down and got on with the next leg. I didn’t want any of my support crew waiting for too long. I was also aware that if I took too long there was a risk that I would need to swim more than one lake in the dark. I had to be on it at all times. So focused was I, that I did not check my phone and messages, so on arriving at Crummock I was shocked to find that it was not my husband waiting for me, but my friend Jess Richardson. She quickly explained that my son Jonty had been taken to the doctors with a burn and she and her husband Paul had agreed to step in at last minute to support my swim on Crummock. This was an unexpected curve ball. Momentary doubts about carrying on, but Jess reassured me my son was fine. I was a bit inefficient here, flummoxed. Crummock was very cold, but I had my most inferior neoprene layers on, saving the best for the last swim. Jess’s partner Paul (having only met me for the first time here) had to help me off with my layers as I was shivering and nearly naked at times.

A few tears going over Melbreak worrying about my son, feeling selfish for carrying on, but by Red Pike I had spoken with him on the phone and he was cheerful, reassuring, and determined to come and see me finish.

A fast descent to Buttermere and a very efficient set up from Andy Fearnley on the lake shore on his SUP, meant that Buttermere (despite choppy water) was soon done. I ran to the car to meet Julie Carter and Mandy Glanvill, and met for the first time their friend Ed Gamble who had come along for the thrill. The sky was pinking into sunset and I enjoyed warm tea and noodles. Julie loaded her rucsac and for the first time in the challenge I would not have to carry my own gear.

I was glad of the company as the dark set in and the banter made the going easier. On High Sty I confessed up to Julie my fear about the final swim. It was going to be very dark, and my longest swim yet. Julie talked me through my fears, we broke it down into segments, just concentrating on each small part.

On the shores at Otterbield Bay, I had no time to be scared. Despite my fears of a windy chop, the water was black and flat. I could see that Mandy and Paul had set up lights on each island. The change into double layer neoprene had us all giggling as white hair conditioner squirted everywhere (helps get the wetsuit on) and Ed Gamble pulling from behind on my wetsuit legs looked like some weird lakeside sex scene unfolding. The laughter broke the fear I felt inside.

There is no doubt that I did panic on Derwentwater. I could not see or hear and it was very cold. The lights on the shores never seemed to get any closer and I kept pulling too far to the left, with Mandy having to shout loudly to get me to change direction constantly. I was hyperventilating, and at one point Mandy said I was talking gibberish. When I clambered out of the water to cross the islands I was shivering and uncoordinated. I remember standing on the opposite side of St Herberts island alone waiting for Mandy on kayak to arrive. I was told to wait for the kayak, but I disobeyed and started swimming and shouting at Mandy to check she could see me. I was willing this swim over.

Finally, I climbed out at Calf Bay point on all fours with my son Jonty and husband Steve and Jess there to support me. I thought I would burst into tears with relief but I was calm. I remember Jess exclaiming how lovely I smelt (it was the hair conditioner that I had used to get the wetsuits on).

A final run with Jess pushing her daughter in the pram along side me and I made it back to the Moot Hall in 15hrs 45 minutes. I was now the first ever female to complete a Frog Graham in winter. I remembered back to after I finished my summer Frog and I wrote a blog. It ended with me expressing ‘the deepest respect to those who had done the Frog in Winter’. I quietly patted myself on the shoulder.

Clare Regan

I decided to do the Frog Graham Round after completing the Puddle Buckley Round in Wales earlier in August of this year.  I did the Puddle Buckley with my friend, Natalie Hawkrigg, who had done the Frog Graham last year and currently holds the fastest ladies time. She fancied having a stab at the Puddle Buckley after our friend, Paul Wilson, was the first to complete it in 2019. We thought we would have a go at being first ladies and the second and third completers.

 After doing the Puddle Buckley it seemed silly not to do the Frog Graham as I live in Cumbria! So, I decided to try and fit it in before the end of the summer. Natalie and I did the Puddle Buckley unsupported, just stashing wetsuits and some additional gear and food at various strategic points on the Round. Hence, I decided to try the same approach for the Frog Graham and initially planned no support at all. However, I was slightly anxious about doing the Bassenthwaite and Derwentwater swims unsupported if they were potentially going to be at dawn and dusk with limited light and probably rather colder than I would have liked given the amount of recent rainfall. I therefore opted for a swimmer for support on Bassenthwaite and Derwentwater - Natalie on Bassenthwaite and my son, Robin, on Derwentwater.

 The plan was a 3:30 am start with the goal of being at Church Bay, Bassenthwaite for 6 am to start the swim. In the end due to the logistics of cars and transport I met Natalie at Beck Wythop where she left her car and we headed to the Moot Hall together in my car. Then, setting off at 3:29 am, Natalie accompanied me for the first leg over Skiddaw, down to Church Bay and over Bassenthwaite to Beck Wythop. It was nice to have the company and helped the first leg and long pull up Skiddaw to pass quickly. I was extremely cold and shivery when I got out of the water at Beck Wythop which worried me about continuing and having to swim Crummock and Buttermere unsupported. Natalie was very encouraging though and insisted I should go and that she would get to Buttermere in time to support me with a kayak for safety. It was extremely fortunate that her son, Reuben and her friend, Nix, were also doing the Tadpole Round on the same day so she had planned to be there anyway, although rather later.

So, I set off and warmed up by about three quarters of the way up Barf. Another contender passed me just after Barf and we had an unfortunate short period where I swapped positions with him and his support team a few times as our paces varied. In the end he fortunately pulled away with his team on the ascent of Grisedale Pike and, although I could see them ahead for most of the time, we didn’t swap places again.

I descended to Crummock about half an hour ahead of my target and saw Natalie setting up the kayak in the last few metres of the descent. I had left a fresh wetsuit, hat, googles and two tow bags with some food and drink in a second car at Crummock ready for my arrival. The Crummock swim, whilst cold, was not as bad as Bassenthwaite which was a relief. Mellbreak went OK, it was never going to be very nice! I wasn’t sure about the higher path cutting up towards Red Pike as I hadn’t had time to recce it very well so descended to Scale Force and picked up the path to Red Pike from there. This seemed a long haul.

On the descent from High Stile I could see Elwood, Natalie’s second son, on a paddle board waiting to support myself and Nix, Reuben had already gone through Buttermere. I retrieved stashed wetsuit number 3 and got changed and then, by very good fortune, Nix and I arrived simultaneously at the Lake. I was about an hour ahead of my rough timings by now. Nix had followed the lake shore path from Crummock on her Tadpole Round. We swam over with Elwood on his paddle board for reassurance. It was great to have him there as it was pretty cold and rather choppy now. I struggled to warm up again after the swim, finding it very hard to dress and pack up. It was a relief when I was sorted to be running again and working hard on the way up Robinson. I didn’t find Robinson too bad, but Dale Head went on forever. It was very nice to reach Catbells and see Derwentwater looking very flat and still below. I avoided all the erosion control areas and descended down a grassy section to meet the road and pick up a path to Otterbield Bay.

The plan was that Robin would join me at Otterbield Bay after finishing work at Cotswold Outdoors as long as I wasn’t earlier than 5:45 pm. I had been quite worried about this timing as, after the shock of the water temperatures, I hadn’t wanted to do this swim unsupported. As a backup, because I thought Robin wouldn’t make it in time, I had asked poor Natalie to once more turn up with her kayak and help ensure my safety. I actually arrived at the Bay at 5:44 pm, having retrieved wetsuit number 4 again stashed the day before, to find Robin ready and waiting in his wetsuit and Natalie ready and waiting in her kayak.

The water temperature was not as bad as I had anticipated it might be and, apart from one dizzy spell in the middle of the lake that didn’t last too long, we were pleasantly quickly on dry land at Calf Close Bay. Natalie dumped the kayak while Robin and I changed and then we all ran back to the Moot Hall via the lakeside path and the Theatre by the Lake. I arrived back at the Moot Hall at 7:07 pm after 15 hrs and 38 mins. I was very happy to have made it round despite the early qualms due to the temperature. It was nice to have all my family at the end and fish and chips to round the day off!

Thanks to:

Natalie Hawkrigg

Elwood Razzetti

Robin Regan

• Moot Hall - 3:29 am

• Skiddaw - 4:57 am

• Church Bay Bass arr - 5:46 am

• Church Bay Bass dep - 6:01 am

• Beck Wythop Bass arr - 6:28 am

• Beck Wythop Bass dep - 6:37 am

• Barf - 7:24 am

• Lord’s Seat - 7:38 am

• Ullister Hill - 7:46 am

• Grisedale Pike - 8:43 am

• Hopegill Head - 9:01 am

• Sand Hill - 9:04 am

• Crag Hill - 9:32 am

• Wandope - 9:40 am

• Whiteless Pike - 9:50 am

• Rannerdale Knotts - 10:18 am

• Hause Point Crum arr - 10:29 am

• Hause Point Crum dep - 10:40 am

• Low Ling Crag Crum arr - 10:58 am

• Low Ling Crag Crum dep - 11:08 am

• Mellbreak - 11:48 am

• Red Pike - 1:02 pm

• High Stile - 1:22 pm

• Home Close Bass arr - 1:58 pm

• Home Close Bass dep - 2:10 pm

• Crag Wood Bass arr - 2:20 pm

• Crag Wood Bass dep - 2:31 pm

• Robinson - 3:29 pm

• Dale Head - 4:06 pm

• High Spy - 4:38 pm

• Cat Bells - 5:23 pm

• Otterbield Bay Derw arr - 5:44 pm

• Otterbield Bay Derw dep - 5:56 pm

• Otterbield Island - 6:00 pm

• St Herbert’s Island - 6:10 pm

• Rampsholme Island - 6:28 pm

• Calf Close Bay Derw arr - 6:38 pm

• Calf Close Bay Derw dep - 6:45 pm

• Moot Hall - 7:07 pm

15 hrs 38 mins

Mike Quinn

Three years ago I completed the Bob Graham Round (BGR) on my 42nd birthday. It was the hardest thing I have ever done by some way. I had to push myself well beyond anything I had previously done and and it took a lot out of me. Consequently, it took me a long time to recover afterwards. Physically I was ruined. I could barely walk for a couple of days and didn't run again for a couple of weeks. Mentally was possibly even tougher. For ten years I had focused on this day and trained, gone through recces, memorised schedules and generally absorbed myself in being ready for the big day and completing the round. Now, suddenly, this was in the past and I felt a bit lost. When I was asked what was next I wasn't sure. For some fell runners the BGR is the first step on the way to bigger challenges. They go onto winter rounds, double rounds, Paddy Buckley, Charlie Ramsey etc. Not me. I knew I definitely did not want to do anything as hard as the BGR again!

I can't remember exactly when I first heard about the Frog Graham Round (FGR) but it was probably during the BGR preparation. The FRA Forum had a thread about it and I bought Peter Hayes' book “Swimhiking in the Lake District and North East England” after reading about it on there. Peter completed the inaugural round in 2005 creating the route in the process and offering certificates to anyone else who could complete it although he didn't think that it was likely that any certificates would be needed! The route covers about 40 miles with 15,000 feet of climbing including 18 summits and swimming across 4 lakes. It is a great route linking up some classic fell terrain with four lakes and shares the same start and finish as the BGR, the Moot Hall in Keswick. I felt I could complete it all in daylight which appealed massively.

During lockdown I had started to think about a new challenge and was considering the FGR for 2021. I thought by then I would have a chance to regain some fitness which was massively lower than 3 years ago after consistently over eating and under training. It was quite a surprise at our club training run on 23rd June when Paul Williams announced he was having a go at the FGR in August with Patrick Wallis and asked me if I wanted to do it too as he had noticed I had been open water swimming with my daughters during lockdown. My initial reaction was that I would love to but it would be too soon. I had done my first hilly run for a few months just 10 days before this and was ruined after “only” 10 miles and 3000 feet of climbing. Even at my peak fitness I would have been very wary of getting into a round with two runners who are much faster than myself and made sure they were aware of my limitations. They were both very supportive and said they just wanted a nice day out and would quite happily wait for me.

I didn't commit straight away as I wanted to be more aware of what I was getting myself into. On 12th July I took Sophie and Lucy on the Tadpole round, a smaller version of the FGR for children and beginners which we all loved. This included swimming across Crummock Water and Buttermere using the same entry and exit points as the FGR. With more confidence on the swimming part I was lucky enough to be able to recce the whole route by myself in two long days on 18th and 24th July and could feel my fitness rapidly improving with each outing. From my recces and from reading previous reports I had managed to create a rough schedule which involved setting off at 4am and getting to Derwent Water at 7pm. This would leave us with 2 hours of daylight to swim across Derwent Water and a decent margin for going slower than this scheduled pace. I didn't fancy swimming Derwent Water in the dark or even worse having to give up so close to the finish. I still decided to hedge my bets and, after checking with Paul and Patrick, asked around to see if anyone would like to join us. My reasoning was that if Paul and Patrick got fed up of waiting for me I would still have some company! Support duly came on all four legs although Richard Clark had to pull out of Leg 1 last minute after severing his finger on a lawn mower the day before. He was rushing to get his chores done so he get across to the Lake District and join us. Most of these friends were familiar with supporting on BGR rounds and were quite surprised that they didn't have to navigate for us or carry anything! The spirit of the FGR is that contenders should be as self-sufficient as possible. For us that meant carrying all our food and gear including wetsuits.

On Friday evening, the day before we started, we had dinner at Paul's Dad's house in Portinscale and tried to get a few hours sleep in a tent in the back garden. All too soon it was 3am and we were up and getting ready to walk the mile or so to Keswick. As we walked up the main street in the dark to the Moot Hall we could see there were already a couple of groups waiting there. At 4am in the morning it could only be one of two things. “Bob or Frog?” was the question we all asked each other. Four people were part of a “19.45 ish” BGR and another couple were there also attempting the FGR. We had cut it pretty fine so after a brief chat we all set off together. The BGR group went off quickest but rather amusingly missed the left turn up to the bridge into Fitz Park. They caught us up in the park and were soon out of sight. The FGR couple passed us too not long after Spooney Bridge using a bright head torch but we managed fine without one. We had decided against taking a head torch as we would only need it for about 30 minutes and would then have to carry it. We noticed that the couple didn't seem to be carrying as much kit as we were which helped me to justify our slower pace!

As we passed Latrigg car park there was a lovely cloud formation rising out of the valley between Latrigg and Lonscale Fell. It was already warm so we took our tops off to avoid over heating so early on. The climb up Jenkin Hill seemed easy enough and we could see the sun rise as we reached the plateau, feeling very lucky to be up here at such a time. As we neared the summit I put my top back on as my hands were getting cold. We met the couple again at the cairn which marks the descent to Carl Side so they weren't too far ahead.

We reached Skiddaw summit bang on schedule (96 minutes) which was a big relief for me. We looked at the views for a while and Paul eventually managed to take a photo after having a problem with his phone. It was nice to feel relaxed and not having to rush. On the long descent Paul took us down a trod which he had recced cutting the corner off to White Stones and we overtook the couple without actually passing them just before entering Dodd Wood. It's always gives you a boost when a short cut works! A couple of very easy downhill miles brought us to St Bega's church which we made a point of touching as per instructions from the club secretary, Martyn Price. Apparently a few contenders are not touching it but they must pass within a few metres of it to get to the lake. Paul took a photo to ensure we weren't denied membership on this technicality. We were about 10 minutes ahead of my schedule here so it was a fairly relaxed change into wetsuits with the usual errors from lack of practice like leaving goggles in dry bags etc. Errors that are amusing when it happens to some-one else but less so when you make them!

Paul and Patrick topless on top of Skiddaw at 5:30am.

On the swim across Bassenthwaite I was pleasantly surprised to find that I wasn't the slowest at everything! Paul and I were swimming at a similar speed with Patrick not too far behind. We started swimming at about 6:30am. The water felt warm, there was mist at the southern end of the lake and it felt just right being in the middle of a lake enjoying the views. We got out at a shingly beach where a couple of fishermen were setting up and changed out of our wetsuits.

Bassenthwaite Lake with early morning mist.

I started to eat my first lot of pizza while changing. I had brought much more food than Paul and Patrick (2 whole pizzas cut up into 3 lots for after each of the first 3 swims, 4 bananas which I ate before each swim to try to avoid cramp, 4 Bountys, 2 bags of wine gums, 18 salt tablets (1 every hour) and 1 bag of chocolate raisins for emergency use). I was expecting to see Nick Ray and Peter Kemp waiting for us at the shoreline but we were a bit ahead of schedule. They appeared by the wall before I'd finished getting changed and we set off up the track then the road towards Barf. It was nice to see friends that I hadn't seen for over a year now and the conversation flowed easily.

On the road Fiona Brannen and Max Wilkinson appeared so there was quite a big group of us heading up the steep track by Beckstones Gill to Barf. We stopped to wash out our wetsuits and other swimming gear in Beckstones Gill to avoid contaminating Crummock Water and Buttermere (two of the three “pristine” lakes still to be found in the Lake District (Wast Water is the third)) with New Zealand pygmy weed which can be found in Bassenthwaite. This is a key requirement for the FGR with two wetsuits recommended but we only had one each so had to rinse them out. I also had a good drink here but didn't fill my water bottle as we cross back over the same gill again further up.

Rinsing out our wetsuits in Beckstones Gill.

I noticed that I was falling behind a bit on the road and also the climb up to Barf but wasn't too concerned as we were ahead of my schedule and there was plenty of support so that we could split up if Paul and Patrick wanted to go ahead. Again we stopped at the summit to take in the view and it felt pretty relaxed which was just the way I was hoping it would be. I mentioned about splitting up to Paul and Patrick but they were adamant they were going to wait for me. This was the first of many times they had to field this question!

It was turning out to be a perfect day weather wise as the photos show. There was barely a cloud in the sky and the temperature was perfect. If anything it was too perfect which isn't a complaint you often hear in the Lake District! I was trying to make sure I drank plenty of water and that I remembered my salt tablets.

Barf summit.

For about the only time all day I led the way for a couple of minutes from Barf to Lord's Seat by leaving the summit first. Nick kept sprinting ahead and taking photos which I wasn't expecting. Other people also took photos throughout the day and they have helped to create a great memory. The photos show how perfect the weather was and capture the mood perfectly. It was a long day out on the fells with friends. We just happened to be completing the FGR along the way. There was certainly no pressure of having to keep to a certain speed other my own schedule which we were comfortably ahead of. From Barf the next two summits are passed quickly. Lord's Seat only takes about 15 minutes to get to and Ullister Hill is about another 10 minutes on.

On the way to Lord's Seat.

We didn't really stop at Lord's Seat summit carrying straight on down into Whinlatter Forest.

Everyone was moving well and spirits were high.

Dropping off Lord's Seat.

We made sure we didn't mss out Ullister Hill, one of the lesser known summits on the round. The boggy trod across to its summit is getting wider and wider as people try to follow it without getting their feet wet. At the summit we took a different trod to the one I was expecting but Nick and Peter are very familiar with this area and I had no hesitation following them. Not surprisingly it was slightly quicker than the way I would have gone. For the descent through Whinlatter Forest we followed the main tracks most of the way and then a direct route known only to locals which brought us through an outdoor play area and the main car park. This was about the only section that we didn't follow the suggested route on the excellent Harvey's Frog Graham Round map.

Descending through Whinlatter Forest.

After crossing the road we followed the wide, gently graded forestry tracks to take us onto the Grisedale Grind. We had a drink and refilled our water bottles at Sanderson Gill just after the bridge over it. It was starting to feel very warm now even though it was before 9am and I wasn't looking forward to this climb after finding it long, tough and steep when I recced it. However, it was over soon enough with plenty of conversation to distract me from the exertion and my estimated split time of 75 minutes was way too long. This was one of the few sections I

didn't have a precise time for from my recces due to backtracking and checking out different options in Whinlatter forest after not liking the path suggested on the FGR map.

Martin Perry caught us up on this climb and it was nice to see another person who I hadn't seen since lockdown and be able to catch up with them. I think it was Fiona that had mentioned that Martin was planning to meet up with us at some point on the round and it gave me another little boost to see him. There was now quite a few of my BGR supporters out which brought back great memories especially as I was in a much better way then when I saw them during the BGR! The summit seemed to come much sooner and more easily than I expected which was great news. It was now about 9am and the first 5 hours had gone very smoothly.

Grisedale Grind. Skiddaw in the background.

As a result of my over estimation we were about 30 minutes ahead of schedule at the summit of Grisedale Pike. A couple of mountain bikers had also had an early start and presumably had pushed their bikes up to the summit. It is way too steep to ride up. I'm not sure which way they were heading down but I wouldn't have fancied any of them!

Grisedale Pike summit.

It was a nice feeling to be ahead of my schedule to get to Derwent Water with plenty of daylight left and I was able to stay relaxed over Hobcarton Crag and onto Hopegill Head even though I was falling behind the others. Having friends with us definitely helped me here as Paul and Patrick could go ahead at their pace and yet none of us were left alone.

On the climb to Hopegill Head. Hobcarton Crag in the background.

Hopegill Head summit.

From Hopegill Head we had the easy job of getting to Sand Hill which is a comfortable three (yes 3!) minutes. I'm not sure why this top is included as a checkpoint on the round as the quickest way to Eel Crag, the next checkpoint, lies along the path goes over this anyway. Still, it's nice to tick off another check point so easily! From here we diverted slightly to Liza Beck at Coledale Hause to have another big drink and fill up our water bottles.

Approaching Liza Beck at Coledale Hause.

The climb up Eel Crag seemed to go quickly following the Coledale Horseshoe race route and I had a chat with Martin before he headed back to his car. The others were still moving quicker than I was but I wasn't too concerned as I was eating and drinking well and generally feeling fine. It didn't feel like we had been going for 6 hours.

Approaching Eel Crag summit. Hopegill Head and Grisedale Pike in the background.

And again nearer the summit.

At the summit we were still 30 minutes ahead of schedule and spirits were high. It was getting warm but not too warm as it was still only 10am.

Eel Crag summit.

The next top of Wandope requires hardly any climbing and there are good views eastwards from the path which runs along the edge of the plateau. This was a very enjoyable 8 minutes or so. From the airy summit the next part of the round is in view along with a lot of the fells on the BGR.

Wandope summit.

Paul and Patrick nearly made the mistake I did on my recce by heading off too far south and descending the flank to the east of Third Gill not Whiteless Edge and I was pleased to be able to keep them right. Peter said his goodbyes on the way over to Whiteless Pike to head back over to Beck Wythop where he had parked up.

Whiteless Pike summit

From Whiteless Pike summit Nick led us down the east flank away from the main path. This was steep but much nicer underfoot and we rejoined the main path where it flattened out. Another few good lines and Nick was saying goodbye as he headed down Rannerdale to his car while we continued over to the summit of Rannerdale Knotts. From here it is a steep descent down to Crummock Water and decision time over whether to wear a wetsuit or not. Paul was going skins and Patrick was wearing his wetsuit so I couldn't just copy as I was hoping to! At some point between Bassenthwaite and Crummock I had managed to snap one of my elastic laces and had to do a repair job which gave me a bit of time to make a decision.

It was quite busy at the Crummock Water entry point with people swimming, going out in a boat or just milling around. I found a spot to sit down and ate a banana while I tried to fix my shoe lace. This took a bit longer than expected and Paul was soon swimming across. Patrick set off after another few minutes and when I was finally ready to swim they both seemed a

long way out so I decided to stuff my wetsuit in my dry-bag to save time. Luckily for me the water was quite warm as I didn't realise how much slower I would be without a wetsuit on. Patrick nearly caught Paul up on the swim which shows how much benefit a wetsuit can give to weaker swimmers like myself. I didn't feel like I was doing anything different but the swim seemed to take forever. Thankfully this gave me a good time to cool down as I had been pretty hot on the hills. I kept drifting over to the left and couldn't work out why this was. I kept remembering that Martyn Price had wrote about how he had got really cold doing the same thing on his round and was in a very bad way by the time he got out. I was relieved to find that while I was cooling down I wasn't getting cold or going numb.

Crummock Water entry near Hause Point.

Arriving at Low Ling Crag.

Eventually I arrived at Low Ling Crag to see Andy Hyde grinning down at me. Apparently I'd missed a couple of female swimmers completely strip off. I don't think Patrick was joking about this! After a quick transition we set off on my least favourite part of the round.

Paul and Patrick waiting for me (out of sight!) on Melbreak.

I think it might be because of the lack of a path but I really don't like the climb up the steep, southern face of Melbreak and I really struggled on this. It didn't help that Andy, Paul and Patrick all seemed to fly up here and made me feel even slower than I really was. It reminded me a bit of the Esk Valley Tuesday night training runs where the others wait for the slowest person then as soon as they arrive say “Tea break over” and shoot off again. Patrick very graciously told me to have a sit down on one occasion which I was very grateful for. I'm not sure if it was general tiredness or if the swim across Crummock without a wetsuit took more out of me but I had to stop more than a couple of times. I was very happy to reach the summit plateau and be able to walk on an easier gradient up to the summit.

Heading off Melbreak Paul tripped on a metal stake which was barely visible above the ground. Luckily it wasn't serious and it gave me another excuse to stop! We were soon on our way again heading down to the waterfall at Scale Force where Fiona and Max met up with us again. On the way up to Red Pike I stopped at Scale Beck to get some last water before Buttermere. When I looked up everyone else had pulled ahead and I was very grateful to Max who both noticed this and came back to walk with me. I was starting to tire more rapidly than the others and it was nice to have the company to distract me from this. In complete contrast to Melbreak I really enjoy the climb up to Red Pike as it is relatively easy walking and the path follows the edge of the escarpment for quite a long stretch of it (see photo below). I hadn't met Max before today but the conversation flowed easily which made the climb go by quickly. I recall spending a lot of it encouraging him to swim in Buttermere and do the FGR himself!

On the way to Red Pike.

The last part of the climb to Red Pike.

At the summit of Red Pike there was a paraglider who looked like he was getting his gear off so he could hike down. We couldn't believe he would do this and later saw him gliding round the lower crags of High Stile. Apparently there was a paragliding competition that day with checkpoints very similar to those on the FGR.

Red Pike summit.

I was in good spirits again at the summit of Red Pike. It is not far to High Stile, I enjoy the technical descent down to Buttermere and I was really hot and couldn't wait to get into the lake to cool down. The others pulled ahead again and we got the maps out to make sure we got the right summit. High Stile has two points marked on the map at 806m and 807m respectively. It is the slightly lower top that is the check[point on the FGR and is slightly off to the left of the main path. The 807m top is passed by on the way to the ridge and the descent. I've read about some faster routes than the main path off High Stile but we stuck to the path and made reasonable progress down here. We weren't going for any records, had plenty of daylight left and gaining a few minutes just wasn't needed.

Heading off High Stile. Note that a lot of leg 2 plus Skiddaw from leg 1 can be seen in the distance.

I started getting twinges of cramp on the descent down to Buttermere. Fiona encouraged me to stop and eat some food so I got some pizza down which seemed to help. I didn't like the thought of eating this before the swim as in my head my pizza was for after each swim but it made sense and did seem to help. At the lake I had a banana as planned too. Five of us ended up swimming across. I'd managed to convince Max it was a good idea. He and Andy stripped off their tops and dived straight in. They seemed to thoroughly enjoy it from the noise they were making! Paul wasn't too far behind them opting not to wear a wetsuit again. I also went skins while Patrick put on his wetsuit. Patrick and I swam across together stopping about half way to take in the view from the middle of the lake which has to be one of the best on the whole round. I was in no rush for this swim to end. The water temperature was perfect and it felt really nice to cool down. This was probably one of the highlights of the whole round.

Exiting Buttermere.

At Buttermere I was really happy as we were still ahead of schedule and well on track to get to Derwent Water with plenty of daylight left. It was at this point (similar to Honister on the BGR) that I started to think we had already done it and switched off a little. Big mistake (again).

Paul at Buttermere.

There was a bit of a party atmosphere at the shore and we were all in good spirits as Patrick demonstrates in this photo below. I had hoped to see Elaine, Sophie and Lucy here but their plans had changed so I would have to wait until Derwent Water to see them.

Patrick at Buttermere.

After taking photos, chatting, eating, getting changed and generally wasting at least 10 to 15 minutes at the shore of Buttermere we got going again. Max and Fiona said their goodbyes and Claire and Kevin joined up with us for the last leg. We filled our bottles from Hassnesshow Beck just before crossing the road and starting the long slog up Robinson.

It was really warm now and Robinson in the heat was steep and tough. Paul, Patrick and Claire easily pulled ahead leaving Kevin to the difficult task of keeping me going. Kevin did a great job of keeping an extremely one-sided conversation flowing. I was struggling and not saying much while he talked about all manner of different topics.

Having a breather on the way up Robinson.

As the slopes finally eased two young lads came speeding past us checking their watches and delightedly informed us they had done about 50km.They didn't ask us how far we had gone! I still congratulated them. It was a relief to climb the fence near the top and enjoy a relatively gentle walk to reach the summit of Robinson. The two young lads overtook us once again having made a navigation error by heading off to Dale Head which made me smile. They were still checking their watches to see how much their distance had increased.

Heading off Robinson.

Coming off Robinson I tried to jog and keep up with Paul and Patrick but it just wasn't happening. I started to feel twinges of cramp again. This always seems to be my problem on long runs. Walking is fine but as soon as I begin to run I overheat, start to sweat and cramp up. I was ready for the steep climb up Littledale Edge. On my recce I thought it was an easy level path over to Dale Head but the climb up here took me by surprise. Expecting the climb didn't make it any easier though and I was finding it hard to keep going. If it hadn't been the last leg I would have found it much harder to keep moving.

Dale Head summit.

A welcome breeze picked up as we neared Dale Head Summit and after a photo we set off down to Dale Head Tarn. I was struggling to eat now and had to force some chocolate raisins down with a drink of water. I knew this was a bad sign especially with the last swim to come. The stream out of Dale Head Tarn is the last water source before the finish so I made sure I had a good drink as well as filling my bottle up. High Spy came and went without too much difficulty but I was still struggling to run after the summit. This was really frustrating because it should be a really fast descent to Hause Gate along easy gradients. It was along here that Paul and Patrick finally cracked and said they would go ahead to Derwent Water and wait for me there to give extra support to Elaine and Derek who were looking after our children. Claire went with them while Kevin had the unenviable task of staying with me! We did manage to jog some downhill sections without any cramp twinges and I was pleased that as we started climbing Cat Bells we could see the other three near the summit. I was getting concerned, though, that I hadn't eaten or drank enough and was trying to force more food and water down.

On the way up Catbells, the last summit, I remember commenting to Kevin that this only confirms why I would never do the Bob Graham again. It is just so hard and takes so much out of you. Whenever I do the Teenager With Altitude race I always think I should be able to run up to the summit of Catbells but it never happens and it was unsurprisingly no different today apart from that I didn't think I would be running.

Catbells summit.

Coming down off Catbells there was evidence of the “staycationers” who do not seem to know how to behave and are, in my opinion, completely unwelcome in the Lake District. A father with two children had pitched a tent precariously close to the edge of one of the steep slopes and looked like he was planning a wild camp. Far worse was the sight of a group of young lads hauling crates of beer up the hill. Kevin commented to them that you're supposed to travel light on the hills. One of them replied in a broad scouse accent that they “didn't get the memo obviously”! This kept me chuckling for a good few minutes. I was very conscious of how wide Derwent Water looked and reminded myself of the three islands which are the last three checkpoints before the finish.

It was a relief to arrive at Derwent Water at 7pm, bang on schedule, and see Elaine and Lucy. Sophie had hurt her knee so wasn't there but I was reassured it wasn't too serious. We still had well over two hours of daylight which was a good job as I seemed to take an age to get my wetsuit on, eat some more food and drink the remainder of my water. I was feeling tired now while Paul and Patrick were changed and ready.

Derwent Water entry at Otterbield Bay.

Patrick said he would give himself a head start and Paul said he would swim with me but this plan didn't last long! Patrick did set off by himself but started heading too far south from Otterbield Island while a few people tried to shout to get his attention. He was oblivious. We were all puzzled by how off course he had got so Paul went and swam after him. Paul caught him up and they got to Otterbield Island with Claire and Elsa providing canoe support.

Once I had got myself ready to swim Jenny was in her canoe waiting. Paul and Patrick were on their way to St Herbert's Island, the second island. As soon as I set off I understood why Patrick had struggled so much. That breeze that had been so welcome on Dale Head was now causing some unwelcome waves which were hitting us head on. Every time I tried to breathe or looked up to sight a wave smacked into my head making it hard enough to get some air in never mind looking where I was going. I was very relieved Jenny was close by in the canoe but it was hard to tell if she realised how much trouble I was having. She didn't seemed concerned, though, which made me feel that I couldn't be doing that badly.

Derwent Water with Skiddaw in the background.

The last swim across Derwent Water is the longest but spilt into four sections by three islands. The rules of the round state that contenders have to fully emerge from the lake at each of the three islands which sounds easy enough in theory but is one of the most challenging parts of the round. The water is very shallow for quite a long way at the edge of the islands with lots of large rocks hidden just below the surface. It is incredibly difficult to stand up amongst the slippery rocks when exhausted, wearing a heavy wetsuit and carrying a dry bag. Once you have managed to stand up it is still surprisingly hard to walk over or between the rocks with the waves splashing all around you. It seems that the best way to get fully out of the water at each island is to snake your way in, avoiding the big rocks, to as shallow water as possible then try and stand up. On my recce across here I struggled to stand up even with neoprene boots on so had decided to keep my trainers on for the last swim. Paul and Patrick did the same and we all agreed that it worked well.

I felt that I reached Otterbield Island quite quickly and was thankful there weren't any seagulls there to swoop down on me as there often are earlier in the year when they are nesting. Emerging and getting back into the lake was easy enough and I could see Paul and Patrick still heading towards St Herbert's Island. I shouted to Jenny about my difficulty with the waves and was pleased when she agreed that they were challenging so I felt it wasn't just me being soft.

It was on the next section that the cramp started kicking in. First one and then both of my legs locked up across my thighs and it was a real battle to try and stay relaxed. I realised a few years ago in a masters session (I swam while my daughters were swimming with their club) that my legs are next to useless when swimming while my arms are quite good. I concentrated on my arms, breathing every three strokes and hoping the cramp would pass. It eased off occasionally but kept coming back and also spreading to my calves. It seemed to take a long time to reach St Herbert's Island with bigger waves Jenny described as “white horses”. I hadn't heard that term before but it was quite clearly referring to the size of the waves creating foam as they crashed over me. Paul and Patrick were out of sight again by the time I reached the island and I really struggled trying to stand up with spasms of cramp, slippery rocks and general exhaustion. I fell a couple of times and luckily didn't hit any rocks. I had planned to walk across the islands as much as possible to minimise the swimming. My cramp eased off once I had stood up and it was easy enough to walk across the island. With hindsight I should have headed more north up the length of the island to make the next swim even shorter but it wasn't obvious from my vantage point.

The third section of swimming was really tough. I could see Paul and Patrick with their support canoe ahead which was very helpful for sighting. It is hard to see Rampsholme Island when swimming in this direction as it merges into the woods on Walla Crag. The cramp came back with a vengeance almost as soon as I had started swimming and was getting worse. Both of my legs were locked solid and at times the pain was excruciating. I was praying it wouldn't spread above my waist otherwise I doubt I would have been able to complete the swim. It wasn't too dangerous as I would just have had to turn onto my back and let my wetsuit keep me afloat but it was far from ideal! The waves appeared to get even bigger on this section but the two photos I've included don't seem to do them justice. They seemed a lot bigger trying to swim through them!

Derwent Water with Blencathra in the background.

If I hadn't been exhausted and in so much pain with my legs locked with cramp, and if finishing the swim wasn't the difference between completing the FGR and not, I probably would have enjoyed this swim. I was making reasonable progress through the waves and quite enjoyed the excitement of more extreme conditions. On reaching Rampsholme Island and eventually managing to stand up the cramp eased off again and I again enjoyed walking across the island knowing that the last swim to Calf Close was shorter than the previous two. As I re-entered Derwent Water for the final time Paul and Patrick suddenly appeared a lot closer and this gave me renewed energy for the final swim. I could still use them, and their support canoe, to sight and the last swim didn't seem to take very long despite the seizing pain from cramp in both legs starting up again.

As I reached Calf Close I was pleased to find that I had caught up Paul and Patrick, and that I wasn't the only one struggling to stand up in the shallow water on the slippery rocks. I was even more pleased to find that they had struggled on the swim too and it wasn't just me being weak. We had already decided to keep the bottom half of our wetsuits on for the final run back to Keswick so it was a quick transition as we all still had our trainers on from the swim. My cramp eased off when we started walking but came back again when we tried to jog and I

started to heat up. I tried to keep up with the very slow jogging pace but it was still too much and I was forced to walk. Claire, Elsa and Kevin joined us on this last land section, which is about 2km, back to the moot Hall. Apparently Elsa had been concerned that she wouldn't be able to keep with us on this last short run but she must have realised very quickly that she had nothing to worry about with me in the group!

Kevin easily caught us up, after helping Jenny with their canoe, and it was a nice feeling heading into Keswick knowing that completion and membership of the club was in the bag. Paul seemed keen to get the round finished and set off jogging. I tried to keep up with the gentle pace but spasms of cramp meant I couldn't even manage this.

Keswick was pretty busy with long queues outside the Fish & Chip shops and also numerous people sat outside pubs and restaurants. It was still quite warm even though it was late evening now and would be dark in an hour or so. We got a few puzzled looks as we jogged through the street in our wetsuits. I made the effort to run a bit here with an adrenalin surge helping me pick up the pace. We reached the Moot Hall at 8.32pm, exactly the same time of day as when I finished the BGR. It was nice to be able to climb the steps this time as the building was under construction work three years ago and we had to be satisfied with touching the door below the steps. There's something a bit special about finishing in the same place as legends like Joss Naylor, Billy Bland and it was a very satisfying end to a long, hard day on the fells.

After getting a photo at the Moot Hall (see below) we hung around for a short while chatting. A puzzled looking man who was having a drink in The Round, the pub next to the Moot Hall presumably named after the BGR, came up to me asking what we had done. He hadn't heard of the Frog Graham Round or the Bob Graham Round so I tried to explain the route to him. He didn't seem to get it and asked me why I wasn't out of breath! I replied that I could barely stand up but didn't try to explain it anymore. It easy to forget how people who are not used to climbing hills can't get their head round big days out on the fells.

As always on big days like these there are numerous people who have helped the day go smoothly. We were lucky to have so many supporters to share the day with. I know for many people it is a good excuse to get over to the Lakes and up onto the fells but I am aware that there are many other places to go and really appreciate that, yet again, people have given up their time to help me. After asking for support I was delighted when Kevin Barron replied requesting leg 4 and wondering if I would like some canoe support from Jenny across Derwent Water. This was completely unexpected and massively eased my anxieties of being left behind by Paul and Patrick towards the end of the round when I suspected I would be struggling. I had swam across Derwent Water at the end of my second recce which was about 30 miles. I had followed the route from Keswick over Skiddaw, across Bassenthwaite and over the fells round to Whiteless Pike before cutting across to Robinson to pick up the rest of the route back to Keswick. The swim across Derwent Water is quite daunting when you are tired and you get a long time on the descent from High Spy to see how wide it is and to psyche yourself out of it. The islands provide a bit of a safety net when contemplating it but in practice are possibly more of a hindrance than a help. On my recce I suffered severe cramp and was really struggling by the time I got to Rampsholme Island. It was so bad that I actually stopped, sat down and opened up my dry bag to try and get some crisps (and salt) down. There were a

couple with a canoe camping on the island and I was very close to asking them to row me across the final stretch of water but in the end decided to go for it. Thankfully I made it ok but it didn't fill me with confidence for the real thing! Behind the scenes is less obvious. We had Elaine, Claire and Derek looking after mine and Paul's daughters (five in total) for the day. Elaine, in particular, agreed to look after all five of the girls by herself while Derek drove Claire round to the start of leg 4 so she could join us on the last leg. This was a big sacrifice for Elaine as she had planned to take Sophie and Lucy to Buttermere and possibly Crummock Water so they could all see part of the round. Elaine had also helped us on the Tadpole Round and joined us for the second half of this.

Finish at the Moot Hall.

To conclude, would I do the Bob Graham again? After three years it is still a resounding no! Would I do the Frog Graham again? In complete contrast, most definitely yes. I'm already thinking of a solo, unsupported clockwise round as well as going round again with other friends who are interested. This, for me, is the difference between the two great rounds.

I have included a schedule I would use next time based on my recces and round. I have also recorded my kit list which may be of use to future contenders hoping to join the club.

Kit List

• Wear – Short sleeve thermal, shorts, socks, fell shoes, buff, watch, cap

• Backpack & Dry Bag (inside back pack and with most other gear inside)

• Wetsuit (on straps of backpack), Swim Hat & Goggles (top pocket of backpack)

• Waterproof jacket and trousers, long sleeve thermal, mitts

• Phone (in small dry bag), head torch

• Map, compass & whistle

• Water bottle (1 litre)

• Food

Ben Abdelnoor

Most of us have heard of the Bob Graham Round, the classic Lake District challenge where runners have to visit 42 peaks in 24 hours. But fewer people know about an alternative Cumbrian challenge, the Frog Graham.

The Frog Graham is the ultimate swimrun challenge, combining fell running with lake swimming, covering around 40 miles and 18 summits with 4800m of ascent. The round starts at the Moot Hall in Keswick and begins with Skiddaw, before heading over to north western fells like Barf and Hopegill Head, then down towards Buttermere, taking in Red Pike and High Stile, before heading back to Keswick via such fells as Robinson and Catbells. Along the way people who take on the round swim across Bassenthwaite Lake, Crummock Water, Buttermere and Derwent Water. It is the brainchild of Peter Hayes, who created it and was the first person to complete it in 2005.

Ben Abdelnoor on his Frog Graham Round attempt

 So this is a very tough fell running and swimming challenge and it also requires some great navigation skills. There are also serious precautions relating to the ecosystem in the Lakes which must be adhered to. It definitely isn’t one to try unless you’re an experienced fell runner and open water swimmer and very confident in your ability in this environment. You also need to put the time in on the recces because it’s not just hitting the summits that’s important, it’s getting in and out of the water at the right points.

If you’re successful then you’ll get your name on that all elusive roll of honour on the Frog Graham Round website. To date less than 70 athletes have completed it.

This weekend Ben Abdelnoor, inov-8 ambassador and top fell runner, became the latest to complete the Frog Graham and set the fastest known time in the process. He completed the round in 10 hours and 55 minutes, taking just under an hour off the previous fastest mark. Ben opted to carry all his own kit and food, dragging a drybag as he swam, and to do all his own navigation to make the attempt as autonomous as possible. He ran and swam in his wetsuit and inov-8 MUDCLAWS.

Ben arrives back at the Moot Hall having broken the record

 Ben told the bare minimum of people that he was planning the Frog Graham. He’s something of a fan of keeping things under the radar, having done a similar thing when he did a very quiet Bob Graham Round back in 2015. In 18 hrs 25 minutes, we might add!

Will Kilian feel the need to challenge Ben’s record? Time will tell. Congratulations, Ben!

Natalie Hawkrigg

Did you know that there is a ‘Frog’ inside a calf tear? Well, there was one in mine.

In May 2019, I was taking part in a team orienteering relay with my son Ruben. It was a Scottish championship relay and we were doing really well. We were in first place as Ruben came running in to tag my hand to go. As I tagged and turned to leave I felt a sudden severe pain in the back of my left calf like I had been hit with an axe. I knew straight away it was a torn calf muscle. I recognized it instantly as exactly the same pain as previous time when I tore a calf in the Hodgsons Brothers Fell Relay 2 years previously. I also knew instantly it was bad news and would take months to heal.  But what should I do there and then? There was a moments hesitation ‘Should I pull out?’, but I quickly shelved the sensible option and set off, with a determination to finish. I just couldn’t let my team mates down. I did finish, and we ended up in third place, but I was taken off the event field in an ambulance because I could not walk.

So what does a runner do when they can’t run? They swim. I started rehabbing my calf by swimming at my closest pool, which happens to be Greystoke outdoor pool. Swimming was something I used to do everyday when I was younger and lived in Australia. I even swam for my university team, but I hadn’t swam properly for years. I soon started getting hooked to the meditative laps of the pool early in the morning and then slowly but surely I returned to running as my calf healed. Yet the swimming was a new obsession now and I kept going.

One day I was swimming when the idea of doing the ‘Frog Graham’ popped into my head. I guess it was something that had previously caught my interest but I hadn’t really considered it seriously. Then coincidently a friend of my husbands sent me a link to Dan Duxbury’s ‘Chasing The Frog’ video and challenged me to do it. So that was the start of it. It had to be done. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_laODHvWOc

What it really meant was that for me it was the start of becoming obsessed with the wind speed and temperature of the Lakes. I started reccing the lake swims, gaining my confidence in open water. Whilst I am a confident swimmer in pools, I can sometimes panic in open water. I knew that the lakes would have to be calm for me to do it, which meant a wind speed of 10 mph or less. I soon realised that I would also need kayak or swim support on the lakes, just to clinch my confidence in the water. So, I emailed my friends with kayaks and got together a ‘on-call’ support team, so that I could go when the conditions were good. I also had the goal of making it a zero-cost round. I told myself I wasn’t allowed to buy any fancy equipment or gear in order to do it. The most important thing was to make sure I was familiar with the biosecurity requirements, and make sure that I stuck to the ‘Frog’ rules. I digested the information on the Frog Graham website. www.thefroggrahamround.co.uk

My personal ambition on the day of the Frog was to ‘get the best possible time for me’. I wasn’t going to chase any records. I purposely made sure I did not look at any female record times. I knew Wendy Dodd’s completion time and so I put together a detailed schedule with splits for each summit and swims based loosely around Wendy’s schedule and my own known split times for certain run sections. I emailed the schedule to my friends who immediately bounced back with comments such as ‘You will be close to the female record if you do that?’ So, I adjusted my original times thinking it was too fast. My aim was to stick to a schedule so that my kayak supporters would not be kept waiting too long. After all they had other things they needed to get too!

Starting at 4 am at the Moot Hall it was quiet but as I trotted in to get ready for the off there was a lone runner just leaving the Moot Hall. I wondered if it might be someone else doing the Frog but I soon forgot about him. My friend Clare Regan came to see me off. I would do the same for her, and it was much appreciated not to be alone. I carried a Tom-tom watch to track my route but I had no idea how long the battery would last.

I felt great on the way up Skiddaw. My legs felt strong and I was keeping my splits in my mind. Just below Jenkins Hill I caught up with the lone runner – it was Steve Breeze, West Cumberland Orienteer. He was on a solo-unsupported Frog attempt. We stayed together for the summit of Skiddaw sharing our plans and missions. Steve’s approach was to complete and take as much time as needed, all his gear in a large pack, whereas I was just carrying a small bum-bag on this leg knowing my kayak support had everything down at Bassenthwaite lake waiting for me. Again he tried to tell me what the female record was but I refused to hear it.

Steve and I parted in the descent to Bass, but I saw him briefly again as I was ready to enter the water at Bassenthwaite. My expert swim-run friend Rob Kenning was there ready waiting for me. Bass was like a millpond, like swimming in a chocolate bath. I got cramp in my legs which was a real surprise as I had never had cramp in any of my training lake swims. The cramp soon passed, but it made me ask Clare to bring my swim-buoy to Crummock water so I could avoid using my legs on my subsequent swims. That worked well, I never got cramp again.

 My Mum was waiting on the opposite side of Bass and I remember my Mum and Clare massaging my campy legs as they yanked my wetsuit off me. I did not use that wetsuit again on my round in any of the other lakes (for biosecurity reasons), and I changed my shoes here as well (as I had swam in my shoes for speed and warmth). I only used a full wetsuit on the Bassenthwaite swim. On Crummock I swam in a home made tunic that I made by cutting the shorts, arms and legs out of one of my son’s old wetsuits. In Buttermere I swam in my run clothes and on Derwentwater I used my tunic again). My swim hat (to protect weed getting in my hair) and goggles were rinsed after the Bassenthwaite swim by my support friends. The kayak on Bassenthwaite was not used again on any of the other Lakes.

I was pleased to see Claire Dickinson waiting for me on Barf as I pulled up to the summit, I was already ahead of my schedule but she was there in good time, though I surprised her popping up from a different direction than she had anticipated. She ran all the way to Hopegill Head with me and then turned around. The Whinlatter and Coledale fells were shrouded in a warm hazy mist so navigation was crucial, but as I dropped down to Whiteless Pike the day started to clear and Crummock was in sight. I was loving it.

 Cumberland Fell Runner Jenny Chatterley and loyal friend Clare Regan swam with me on Crummock with Robin Regan in kayak. I felt honored to have their support and expertise. Robin was amazing with focusing me on what I needed to carry on the next leg, and kept my transitions on track.

Poor Jenny had to endure the longest and smelliest leg. As I was ascending Mellbreak I kept thinking I could smell a rotting sheep, but it was only until I got closer to Red Pike that I realised that the rotting sheep could not be everywhere and that it was me that was stinking! My urine had got onto my swim costume after a hasty piss, and had started to stink as I sweated. I will always remember saying to Jenny ‘Gosh, so sorry about the smell’ and her polite reply of ‘Don’t worry about it’.

Coming off High Stile we were in blanket mist again and we took a wrong line thinking we were on the last cairn, but in fact we were not at the last cairn and we were heading down to far in a Northly direction. We quickly corrected with a sneaky traverse and we were back on track. I was so relieved to get to Buttermere simply to get in the water and get relief from the smell. I shocked Robin by refusing to put on my swim tunic, just diving in and started swimming.

 A complete change of clothes on Buttermere beach had me feeling fresh. The briefest of hugs and exchange of words with Angela Wilson who was doing the hardest job of the day and looking after my kids, and I was off. Chris Curtis was my companion and support on this final run leg and he was completely brilliant. He kept me on track and urged me to pick up my pace just when it was needed. We arrived at Derwentwater exactly on schedule.

I absolutely loved the Derwentwater swim. The family team of Ella, John and Helen Horne were my kayak support the whole way, as I swam and stumbled across the three islands. I will never forget surprizing the family of campers on Herbert Island as I did my traverse through the tree’s.  Arriving at Calf bay we had a debate as to whether Helen could accompany me on the run back to the Moot Hall, which was not planned and would leave John and Ella alone to kayak back to Hawes end on their own. Helen won the toss and we were soon on our way, feeling relaxed and catching up on news as we ran.  The round was in the bag now and I didn’t feel I needed to rush. We jogged into the busy Moot Hall and found some space near the steps and someone remembered to check my finishing time. (My Tom-tom had run out of battery at Crummock).  Some perplexed looks amongst my friends as I thought I had done the round in 14hrs something (having lost track and got confused somewhere along the line) but in fact it was 13h 19mins. Someone was brave and ventured to guess that it might well be new ladies fastest time. This was a lovely surprise, that topped off a perfect day out in the fells and swimming the lakes. 

 The biggest relief of getting the Frog done was that I could now stop obsessing about wind speeds and lake temperatures, but I will miss those lake swims as winter takes it’s icy grip. My deepest respect to those who have done the round in winter, and those who do it fully unsupported like Steve Breeze who also completed the round the same day as me, and later recounts that he sat and had a full picnic lunch on Mellbreak , quite a contrast to my constant eating on the move.

There is plenty of scope to do a much faster female round. I was sticking to a schedule which helped me get a good time,  but there are faster running lines, descents, time saving tips  and much faster female swimmers and runners out there. I don’t think I will hold the fastest female time for very long but nice to have it while it lasts.

PS. A final plea to anyone who decides to attempt the round – there is a risk that the round will cease to exist if the Lake District National Park Authority feel there is any risk to biosecurity, so please make sure that this is your top most priority before setting out on any attempt, and follow the recommendations on the Frog Graham website.

Toby Savage

Simon Gray

Detective Sergeant Simon Gray from Cumbria Police took on the Mid-Winter BoB Graham Round alone on Monday.

The idea to take on the physical endurance challenge came soon after Simon finished the Frog Graham Round back in August.

The route, based on the famous Bob Graham Round, starts and finishes at the Moot Hall, Keswick, but unlike the Bob Graham 24 hours club, there is no time limit to finish it.

It comprises of 40-miles of fell running, 16,000ft of climbing, and is split up with four lake swims.

Those who take part have to swim across Bassenthwaite, Crummock Water, Buttermere and Derwentwater, via all of the islands on the lakes.

The 31-year-old, who is the fourth person to complete the winter event since December 1 - and the first to finish the mid-water one - finished in a new record time of 11 hours and 49 minutes.

Simon said: “I completed the round alone, but had supporters helping me with food, drink, my wetsuit and supporting my kayak.”

“It is a spoof of the Bob Graham, but is actually a really decent challenge and takes you on a lovely route out towards the western fells.”

To classify as a mid-winter round, the contender has to complete the round between the weekend before the shortest day of the year and no later than January 10.

He added: “The Frog Graham Round actually caught my attention in 2013, I was told by my Dad about this book ‘Swimhiking in the Lake District’ by a chap called Peter Haynes.”

“He concocted this round along with other routes and gave instruction of how to make a ‘swim sac’ - this was effectively a rucksack with some armbands stuck down the side pockets, turned upside down and strapped to your back. Things have changed a lot with most people now using specially designed swim floats/dry bags to complete the Frog Graham.”

“In 2013, the Frog Graham Club didn’t exist and I didn’t know about anyone who had repeated Peter Hayes’ route.”

“Then, in August 2013 my now wife and I, who were just friends at the time completed the route of the round over two days as a fun, unusual challenge.”

“We had a great time and I always thought I would return to complete it over a day.”

Originally planned for December 18, Simon brought forward the event by a day due to the weather.

“Weather watching had been excruciating.”

“I decided to bring the attempt forward by 24 hours as there looked to be a weather window on the 17th.”

“The downside of this was that I’d just worked seven days straight before having to get up at 3.30am for an attempt, not the best prep.”

“The winds were also forecast to get up to 50-80mph after dusk so it was either a quick round or no round.”

The marathon was completed in four ambitious legs, Moot Hall to Beck Wythop, Beck Wythop to Crummock Water, Crummock Water to Horse Close, and finally, Buttermere to Keswick Moot Hall.

The day was documented by Jake McKenna, a young film maker from south of the county. He will make a short film of Simon’s challenge to be released online for free in January.

The Frog Graham Round can be done at anytime of the year, but verification must be provided to the secretary in order to be ratified.

Rob Davison and Matt Rigby

The Frog Graham Round is a big challenge. It’s a hell of a thing to do even when it’s nice and sunny – but in winter? In winter it’s a completely different beast and not something to be undertaken lightly, but this is the sort of thing me and my adventure partner Matt have done before, we’ve been cold-water swimming for years but the Frog was something that eluded us. I first heard about the round when I was given a copy of Peter Hayes book “Swimhiking In the English Lake District” and loved the idea of going out on an unsupported swim/run circuit, just the sort of thing for me and Matt. As the FGR started to get popular we made our own plans for what we wanted to be the first winter attempt (mad as it sounds) and did try a couple of years ago (January 2017), but the freezing weather was just too much and eventually self-preservation kicked in and we abandoned on the shores of Derwentwater. We got close, but not close enough.

We still wanted that “First Winter Round” status though and had been planning our second attempt for a while, eventually deciding to go for a completely unsupported round on Sunday 9th December. It was really exciting rocking up in Keswick and we were completely up for it, the weather forecast was good, light winds, little rain and the valley temperature was around 2 degrees. We couldn’t have expected much better.

Whilst eagerly donning wetsuits, unbelievably we got a message through saying Tim Mosedale was actually out on a Winter FGR attempt and would be finishing shortly – if we went up to the Moot Hall we should see him finish. The news came like a hammer blow, I hoped someone was having a giraffe, but then I received a call confirming it was true. There was about 40 minutes remaining before our intended 10.00pm start. We climbed inside the still-warm van, the wind knocked right out of our sails.

A couple of minutes passed, both of us feeling sick inside. I opened the conversation:

Rob: That’s it then. We’re done.

Matt: No its not. Nowt’s changed.

We discussed the real reasons behind us doing the Frog: The route, the challenge, the great big day out in the hills and of course the swims. We talked about failing last time and dug up a few of our heroes, what would they do? Ross Edgley would just don his big smile and crack on, no messing – this sort of thing wouldn’t have stopped him at all. After our little chat the notion of turning around and going home seemed feeble.

So, with only 20 minutes to go we kitted up and trotted to the Moot Hall, then back to the van for the map left on the dash! Last-minute calls home delivered more encouraging words like “get a grip” ... “butch up” and “sounds like a lame excuse” etc. And so it was on that cold night that we set off on our second winter FGR attempt, shaken but not beaten.

All Smiles at the Start!

 The long climb up Skiddaw went smoothly, only hitting the clag above Little Man. The Bassenthwaite wim was at a nice temperature, we lost each other towards the end but reached Beck Wythop at the same time, our little flashing bike light marking a safe landing. Barf through to Whinlatter went well, finding the tricky Ullister Hill despite rain and low visibility. As we pushed on the rain gave way to a light sprinkle of snow on Grisedale Pike, giving our winter round a touch of authenticity. The clag was down, but the wind was kind most of the way to Crummock Water, the mist just clearing as we dropped on to Low Bank. Another dark swim followed and we separated again, finding each other as I switched on my torch at Low Ling Crag. Mellbreak was as always a joy to climb (hint of sarcasm there) pulling ourselves up by the heather. Our knees started to squeak a bit coming down off High Stile, but a refreshing swim in Buttermere soon put that right and we reached Hassness feeling cold but OK. Both of us finished the long and steep climb up Robinson in good shape but the descent from Dale Head was a challenge. Matt had a 5-minute sleep on High Spy, but I felt I had to wake him up and crack on; very soon we were descending Catbells to Derwentwater. The lake looked calm and innocent apart from blue-green algae in the water and it was coating the rocks like wet paint. I thought it was too late in the year for the green stuff? Anyhow that wasn’t going to stop us, right then we had more important things to worry about!

Dropping down to Derwentwater

 Matt and myself are very experienced winter swimmers and confident of our ability, but when you factor in 17 hours of hard exertion and the freezing water conditions, just about anything can happen. We didn’t hang around, knowing that if we cracked on we could get most of the swim done in the light. We made good progress to Otterbield and St Herbert’s islands, but by then I could tell Matt was struggling. I stayed with him to Rampsholme Island (by which time it was dark), but then pulled hard for the shore, knowing I couldn’t help him directly. I got a headtorch on and waded out as far as I could, conscious of the dangers of trying to help someone in the water. I found Matt in a bad way, fighting with me even though I was trying to help and get some warm clothing on him. Hypothermia was affecting us both, it had taken such a hold that once we were on dry land and moving I couldn’t even remember which way to turn for Keswick and that was after we had navigated well throughout the night.

We did eventually make it to the Moot Hall and collared a passer-by to take the all-important photo. She helped Matt zip up his coats, hopefully not compromising our otherwise unsupported round. You decide.

Hurrying in the direction of the hotel and safety we forgot to turn GPS off, hence a slight discrepancy – the watch says 19:03 but we’re claiming 18:55 for the SECOND winter Frog Graham Round and this has been reviewed by the FGR Club Secretary and confirmed. We’re also claiming the FIRST unsupported winter FGR and had a great time, despite difficulties at the end. It was a truly epic day and that’s what we came for.

Many thanks for all the good wishes, but especially to the FGR Club of which we are now proud members.

Cheers

Rob Davison (FGRC 047) and Matt Rigby (FGRC 048)

WARNING: Don’t try this at home kids. Anyone considering a winter round needs a great deal of experience and above all the judgement and flexibility to call a halt and come back another day. As I found out on our attempt two years ago, we had to call a stop 15 hours in and close to home, otherwise we would be going into the last swim in the pitch dark. Seeing how quickly hypothermia can get hold of you and knowing what we now know, we made a good call. For the record, Matt is the toughest guy in the world – and it is meant to be fun. So congratulations to Tim for completing the first winter Frog Graham, it was truly heroic. And also well done for making a good call and taking along a few friends to help - a wise choice and a much safer option. Not without its own set of challenges I should think.

Peter Murphy

As the fantastic summer slipped away and I always seemed to be too busy doing something else I kept finding more and more reasons to put it off – too hot, family holiday, triathlon club relays, too windy – but it wouldn’t go away and on Friday 14th September I knew I had to have a crack or go bonkers over the winter thinking about it.

 I had intended to go a week earlier but the high winds had put me off. I’m not sure I would have got round if I had tried as I reckon I would have been pretty cold coming off the hill and even colder getting out of the water. Hats off to those who were braver than me and got round safe and sound a couple of days before and after.

 Stuart and Carol had been all set up to swim and canoe the lake sections with me last week but with 18 hours to kick off I had no-one to help on the hills or in the water. A quick text to Martin, “Are you free tomorrow?” and swim support was sorted. No-one available to run though, but with a decent chance of clear tops and not too much wind forecast I was good to go.

On Friday night it was still breezy but the forecast was consistently saying that it would calm down on Saturday and that the cloudbase would lift to well above the tops for most of the day so it looked safe enough to go for it. I left the moot hall at 5am and took a risk in taking the Carlside route up to Skiddaw rather than my usual Latrigg route. As it was a last minute decision I hadn’t reccied this section but had heard it was fiddly through Millbeck so feeling a bit of a cheat I relied on my Garmin to guide me onto the fell. The trouble was that with no reading glasses and a dim headtorch I couldn’t really see the screen anyway! Luckily it also beeps when you go off course and beeps again when back on the right track – not so helpful for the detailed route finding but good enough to get me through the village with just a few wrong turns and without stumbling through too many gardens.

 The main problem now was trying to relax and not blow everything on the first hill, trying to climb efficiently and knowing that every wasted effort now would come back to bite me later. The clag arrived at the top of Carlside but apart from the usual breeze on top of Skiddaw it remained calm and by the time I turned for Bassenthwaite at the summit daylight was beginning to push through the murk. On the descent I found a cracking line of scree and rock through the heather down to the top of Dodd Wood and started down the forestry road when my Garmin froze! I wasn’t intending to use it to navigate any more but really wanted to record my times on each section. Pressing all the buttons in every different combination and rhythm whilst running down didn’t do any good so I gave up and swore at the trees. Luckily my fantastic swim support and psychological counsellor (Martin Bluck) offered me his watch when I met him at the car park. Gratefully I strapped it on and Martin took mine away to try to reboot it.

 After an inordinate amount of faff getting the wetsuit on (a theme for the day that only got worse and worse as I got tired and greasy and the wetsuit got wetter) we ran down to the lakeshore and swam across without much drama. It was pretty chilly though and I didn’t feel my feet again until well into the woods on the way up to Barf. Martin took my wetsuit to make sure it was clean before Crummock and swam back to his car on the other side towing it behind him - which apparently dragged rather more than he had expected!

 I had really enjoyed the solitude on Skiddaw and after the swim it continued to be a solitary affair. In fact after Jo waved me off at the Moot Hall at 5am, Martin was the only person I saw until I flashed past a couple of walkers on Whiteless Pike five and a half hours later. I always knew that this would be my fastest section as once on Barf the climbs weren’t too steep and there was plenty of nice fast downhill and real runnable terrain. I’ll gloss over my rubbish route finding on the whinlatter forest trails (what was I thinking? I’d reccied this bit!) so was very pleased to arrive at Hause Point slightly ahead of my most optimistic schedule.

 I was expecting Crummock to be cold compared to Bassenthwaite and it was, but it also seemed to be much further than I expected. I think it measured 600m of swimming rather than the 400m I had read from the map and with Martin sighting we went pretty well direct. We went from the gravel beach, not that there was much of it, rather than from the point which probably accounts for the discrepancy. It was also clear that there was a good few metres of extra lake compared to some of the reccies I’d done during the summer drought.

 Shivering and shaking out of the water and onto the rocky shore we were confronted by a herd of slightly surprised young bullocks. They kept my mind off the looming climb ahead for a few minutes while I got changed and walked past them but very soon the ground reared up in front of me and Mellbreak wouldn’t be ignored any more.

 I’d been dreading this climb as last time I had reccied it we hadn’t found a decent line at all, but after seeing comments on the facebook group I tried further left and it really paid off. A bit of bracken and heather to start but pretty soon a grassy rib that took me all the way to the summit plateau. Timing was pretty much spot on schedule for this climb even when trying not to exert too much. But from there on it started to unravel a bit. I was indecisive about the best line across to Scale Force (there had been a lot of bracken last time I was there) and in the end didn’t go high and didn’t go low so had the bracken to contend with but still had all the climbing.

 The climb to Red Pike is a joy when you’re in no hurry and the sun is out, but on Saturday the wind got up, the clag came down and I struggled to keep the pace up. By the time I got to High Stile I wasn’t actually sure I was on the summit so faffed a bit checking the GPS on my phone and then pushed on a couple of hundred metres to the true top.

 Upon starting to descend towards Buttermere I found a dozen or so walkers milling about obviously a bit lost. “Look a runner!” someone said, “He’ll know!”. I tried to put my head down and run on but ... “Excuse me mate, is this the way to Haystacks?”. So I stopped (any excuse for a rest) and spent 5 or 6 minutes showing them where we were on the GPS, where I was going and which way they wanted to go. They wouldn’t believe me at first as apparently I was heading for Ennerdale! They seemed so convinced that I started to question myself so had to double check and even then I wasn’t absolutely certain I had got it right until I was halfway down and out of the clag.

 In my hurry to get away from the walkers I missed the path at the top, not that it is great anyway, and stumbled down through wet slippery boulder fields until finding the path again lower down. It was great to see Martin and Kim on the lakeshore and it was time to struggle into my soggy wetsuit again. The swim was chilly but thankfully nice and short and we had Jo on the far shore in her orange cap to aim for!

 A run up to the road in the wetsuit started to warm me up and a couple of pots of rice pudding and a gel later I was dry(ish) and ready to go just as a brief shower hit. All in all I was really lucky with the weather all day and this heavy shower turned out to be pretty much the only proper rain that I encountered.

 I thought I’d probably lost a bit of time on the last section but wasn’t looking at my watch any more and instead was looking forward to the next section which felt like home ground. The Robinson, Dale Head, Catbells loop from Portinscale is a favourite midweek summer’s evening run for us, driving over from Tynedale after work. The only problem of course is the climb (crawl) from Buttermere up to Robinson. I’d only done this a couple of times before and if it wasn’t for the Frog I’m not sure I’d ever do it again! Anyway, it passed, eventually, and I had the usual panic about which part of Robinson was actually the summit before pushing on to Dale Head. When I’m feeling good I run every step from Robinson via Hindsgarth to Dale Head but certainly not on this occasion. As soon as the ground stopped going downhill I was walking which was the story all the way to Otterbield Bay. I’d done all the fell sections alone and apart from the lost walkers on High Stile and the usual people on Catbells had hardly seen a soul all day – what a privilege to have the hills to myself!

 The hardest part of the day was not giving up at Otterbield bay. I stumbled down to the lakeshore to see Martin, Kim and Jo all waiting for me and if they’d given me a sleeping bag I would have got in and not come out all night. The water was not looking inviting! When I had looked down from Grisedale Pike earlier in the day the lake looked glassy and smooth with faint ripples from boats but now it was grey, breezy, choppy and distinctly uninviting. Best thing to do is not to think and crack on, so that’s what we did. Definitely chillier then a week ago and definitely a lot more water in the lake. I’d been looking forward to the Swallows and Amazons adventure of crossing the islands and although I did enjoy it, it wasn’t quite as I had pictured it! Definitely have to go back next year and do it again in warmer weather and enjoy it a whole lot more! Even so, with my teeth chattering and my numb feet stumbling across the islands I was grinning from ear to ear and so pleased to be able to enjoy the adventure.

 We made landfall on the point and clambered up the gravel cliff. The quickest change of the day and then I was off on the run in to Keswick. After my struggles on Dale Head and Maiden Moor I thought I’d be walking this bit but somehow (the icebath effect of Derwent Water or perhaps the call of the Moot Hall??) I seemed to be running pretty well. A few steps of walking when the path reared up just before town and then I was bowling past Fishers and more people than I’d seen all day. They must be used to wild eyed, desperate looking, sweaty people arriving in town by now as no-one blinked an eye. Jo was there to meet me with a big hug

 I sat down at the top of the Moot Hall steps and didn’t move for half an hour whilst Jo got me a huge hot chocolate from Costa, which they kindly gave her for free!

 Wow, what a day! After my Bob Graham 8 years ago I was pretty sure I’d never do it again – but after the Frog, I thought – wow, what a route, must get fitter, must do it in the sunshine, must do it again!

The End

 https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/3018224973

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Wendy Dodds

A 67-YEAR-OLD South Lakeland woman has completed an epic Lake District fell-running and swimming challenge.

Wendy Dodds, of Milnthorpe, finished her Frog Graham Round attempt in 15 hours and 52 minutes.

Along with covering just over 40 miles and ascending and descending 15,750 feet over the Lakeland Fells, Wendy had to swim across Bassenthwaite Lake, Crummock Water, Buttermere and Derwent Water before finishing where it all started at Keswick’s Moot Hall.

"I had support on the running legs," she said. "Except through Whinlatter Forest, I did that section on my own. I only swam the swims alone, the rest there was always a good friend there and that helped you onwards and upwards.

"I was counting my strokes as I swam but in the running legs I was just concentrating on working hard on the climbs and the rest took care of itself."

Wendy, who competes in fell races for Clayton-le-Moors Harriers, said she had been thinking about undertaking the challenge for 'more than a decade' but it was after she broke her fibula last July that she started to do more swimming.

She did her training swims with friend Julie Carter, from Keswick AC, who plans to do her own round in a couple of weeks.

"As well as regular fell running and races, I think that my fitness was helped by a couple of weeks in the Alps in July with mountain guide Chris Ensoll, from Windemere, climbing somewhat bigger mountains," she said.

Wendy said that she found the whole experience 'not too bad' and she had been 'faster than expected'.

"Compared with a Bob Graham it's shorter and easier," she said. "So my big fear was getting cold after the swims and that didn't materialise.

"I've done things that are much harder so it was quite a relief that it wasn't difficult. I'm pretty familiar with most of the legs. It wasn't too taxing going round."

Dan Duxbury

‘The Frog’ seemed destined to become another running dream consigned to the ‘that would be great but I’m too busy’ bin. For the previous two years I had thought about it through winter as I enjoyed long runs in the hills, but just as the weather began to warm up, other things took precedence. That was until I got a call from Ian wondering whether I knew of anyone doing anything adventurous for a filming opportunity? I didn’t. Was I doing anything interesting? Not really – just the usual round of fell races. A throwaway mention of the Frog Graham by me, a quick search online by Ian, and a plan was hatched. Ian wold provide the extra motivation to make me commit to doing it, and I would be his slave in front of the camera.

The Frog Graham is a swimming and fell running challenge in the Lake District. Covering 40 miles and 16,000 feet of ascent plus 4 lake swims, it takes its name from the popular 24-hour round of 42 fells – the Bob Graham. As an experienced fell runner, the hill running element didn’t faze me too much, however the swims would be a different story.

I like running because it is simple – minimum faff. I also love being in the mountains. As I am based in the south Lakes, the Frog route would take me up some of my favourite fells around Buttermere that I don’t get up that often. I have always enjoyed the process of preparing for challenges like these. Poring over maps, choosing the best lines, reccying, what to wear, what to eat, when to set off, pacing, timings, bracken, lake temperatures – with the Frog there is a lot to consider. As I prepared, I became more interested in trying to do it ‘fast’ if possible to set a time for others to aim for. The current fastest time was just under 14 hours.

Swim training consisted of a weekly mile in the pool for the few months in the run up. Alpkit had kindly given me an excellent new wetsuit to wear as I psyched myself up to get in the lakes. Worryingly, the lake temperatures remained low into May and I only managed 3 or 4 lake swims before my attempt. Run training was pretty much the usual for me. I did quite a few fell races through February to May and tried to have a long 3-4 hour run each week too. I reccied most of the course over one sun-drenched weekend in mid-May, although I was broadly familiar with most of it from races and running over the years. Although I would be in my comfort zone on the run sections, the distance and elevation were still daunting and I knew that I’d be visited by ‘the man with the hammer’ as the hours ticked by.

Compared with running, I am far less comfortable when it comes to swimming in the lakes. Deep, dark, cold – FISH! – does anyone actually enjoy it? But as a runner, the swimming element would really provide the challenge and was a key part of what I’d signed up for – it had to be done.

The self-supported nature of the Frog (carry your own stuff) means that, unlike the Bob Graham where support runners who will navigate and mule are lined up months in advance, you can maintain more flexibility in when you attempt it. To this end, I put aside a few weekends in late June and July and all was set.

Wonderful May weather – the hottest on record - put a spanner in my plan for an attempt in July. The fells were bone dry and the lakes had warmed up quickly; it was perfect conditions for an attempt. Over the years with the BG I have seen plenty of people sit out excellent early season weather hoping to squeeze out that extra 5% of fitness and stick to ‘the plan’, then end up trudging around in the lashing rain, regretting not going earlier when conditions were ideal. The forecast looked stable, so the date was brought forward to the start of June.

I put an email out to those people who had shown an interest in coming along to keep me company, and to my delight I found that I would have someone with me on all the swims, and some of the hill sections. As the day approached, one final decision had to be made – wetsuit or no wetsuit? It is the norm to do it with one. The lakes were around 16 – 18 degrees which is quite pleasant once you are in, and the weight of carrying a wetsuit and the extra time taken putting it on and taking it off would add a significant amount on to my time. What to do? I still hadn’t decided as I sounded out people for advice the day before.

Some last minute changes in the weather forecast caused some concern and when a grim-faced Ian picked me up at 3.30am in Kendal, it was raining hard. Getting decent footage for his film was his concern; being able to see the opposite shore on the Bassenthwaite swim was mine. We joked and chatted on the way north as the weather improved, stopping off to dip my hand in Windermere on the way past to help solve my wetsuit quandary. It felt warm. What to do?

We pulled into Keswick with 20 minutes to go and it was decision time. Some semi-useful advice from my good friend and company for Skiddaw section and Bassenthwaite swim Ben Abdelnoor and the choice was made – I would take it. Bags were hastily repacked and I traipsed through the alley to the Moot Hall steps. The tops were clear, the temperature was cool and the weather appeared stable and just about perfect. Ian almost looked happy as he fiddled with his cameras. Switch the tracker on. Final check of watches. Go!

I had decided in advance to go up Skiddaw via the less popular route of Doddick – for two reasons. Firstly, that way offered the chance to ditch my kit at Whitestones and do an out and back unburdened with my 4kg pack. Secondly, I have supported many a BG up the main route and I wanted this to feel entirely different. Ben kept the chat going on the climb and all was good. I was at Skiddaw summit pretty much bang on schedule in 68 mins. A lovely descent down through Dodd Wood and the butterflies in my belly started, as the first lake - Bassenthwaite - approached.

Conditions on the lake were perfect. The change into my wetsuit felt time consuming, although, in reality, my run - swim transitions probably amounted to no more than 3 minutes at each end. It was my intention to be slick and fast with them, and much to my family’s amusement, I had practiced them in my living room in advance. The water felt warm and I was regretting taking my wetsuit as I would have to carry it, perhaps unnecessarily, over 40 fell miles, potentially costing me 30-40 minutes of time. I gapped Ben slightly on the swim, which gave me immense pleasure, though knowing what a nice guy he is, he probably let me get ahead to boost my confidence. Another wetsuit wrestle on the far shore and it was off on the short road section to the wonderfully named Barf.

The best line up Barf takes you three quarters of the way around it before summiting. It is steep but good going through a lovely conifer wood. A committed Frogger in future may well scope out a faster, more direct, line up here from the lake but I hadn’t had enough time to have a poke about, so ‘did the tour’. The pace was fast and I still felt strong (as you’d expect – I was only 2hr 30 mins in) and Michelle, who had joined me for this section, was working hard to keep up. The lovely run over Lord’s Seat and the sublime traverse of Ullister Hill was pure pleasure. As was the satisfaction of nailing the fastest line down through the woods (easy to get wrong as I had on my recce a couple of weeks before). I was through Whinlatter in 3 hours 15 mins and feeling great.

The next section has some of my favourite running in the Lakes. However, this has to be earned via a gruelling slog up Grisedale Pike. Even though you are already at Whinlatter Pass when you begin, this climb still always feels like the gift that keeps on giving. I had to have a word with myself to take the edge off my pace as I climbed because I was clearly working too hard. I had a plan for pacing the Frog, gained from experience over the years. I always set off considerably faster than I finish on things longer than 5 or 6 hours and accept that my pace will slow in the second half. Experience has shown me that, if I have done enough training, my pace will not slow too much and this is be best strategy for me to get the best time. I struggle to eat when running hard- typically I can manage less than half a bar every hour, more than this and my stomach complains and moving well becomes uncomfortable. I hoped that I could achieve a fast time on the Frog if I got that fine balance of eating enough, but not too much, and going hard, but not too hard, early on and maintaining pace and ‘hanging on’ in the second half. A strategy full of jeopardy.

The first feeling of fatigue came as I climbed steeply up Crag Hill and I took some food on board. Once up on the summit, the next couple of miles floated by over Wandhope and Whitless Pike and a great line down and over Rannerdale was just about possible with the bracken levels. Crummock Water looked inviting as I descended steeply to it and attempted to flick the switch to . An over-exuberant wetsuit change left me with an uncomfortable squeeze in the ‘gentleman’s department’ which needed mid swim adjustments that thankfully didn’t require the assistance of my slightly perplexed looking swim support Tanya. Crummock is the deepest lake and coldest of the swims on this round but it still felt doable without a wetsuit. I used a pull bouy to rest the legs on the swims and found that the cool water and rest of the legs left me feeling refreshed and invigorated for the start of the next run section.

Not that there was much running on the climb up Mellbreak. This brute of an ascent, that I had really struggled on in the heat on a previous recce, had become a sort of barometer in my head. I told myself that if I could manage this and the big Red Pike climb to follow at a reasonably good pace, I would be over the worst of it and, providing I didn’t completely blow up at the end, a decent time would be possible. I was moving ok but my legs were feeling it now, over 6 hours in. I had a bit of a rough patch over Red Pike and slowed down as I approached the rock strewn summit of High Stile. I am a confident descender and was soon moving well again plummeting down the 2000 foot descent to Buttermere. I had found a line well to the right of the steep ridge path as you descend and was happy to get on it and hit the stile at the bottom bang on.

I decided to do the relatively short Buttermere swim without a wetsuit and was looking forward to a cool dip and a chance to rest the legs. After a speedy transition, I was in and the temperature was comfortable. The swim passed quickly and a small crowd of supporters at the other side gave me a boost as I got changed and trotted out towards the final hill section and the massive climb up Robinson. However, the energy in my legs quickly drained away once the climb began and on a steep section less than half of the way up I had a big energy crash.

This is what I was dreading. I was staggering about, making very slow progress and generally having negative thoughts about my ability to finish. Doubts filled my mind – ‘What was I thinking? I haven’t done enough long runs. I’ve set off too fast, what an idiot!’. Michelle was with me and provided the necessary encouragement/abuse as I shovelled jelly babies and a gel down my neck. As the sugar hit my system, my energy levels and mood changed, although from now on my pace would be reduced to ‘survival plod’. But I knew it would be this way and my timings accounted for this. I just needed to maintain forward movement and avoid another blow up.

The summit of Robinson, the final big climb, came and went and it started to feel like I was heading for ‘home’. There was, however, still ten miles of running and the final lake swim of 1 mile across Derwentwater yet to come. Throughout my time preparing for this Round, I had spent more time thinking about this final swim and what state I would be in when I got there, than any other element of it. A mile of swimming after 38 miles 16,000 feet of running is no small task. I found to my surprise that I was looking forward to it. My run-weary body yearned for a rest and a cool dip and the chance to use different muscles was appealing.

My spirits were lifted as three clubmates Chris, Paul and Jim came up to meet me on Catbells and we descended together to the shore of the lake. I met Sharon, who was going to swim with me, and following the success of the wetsuit free Buttermere swim, decided again to do it without.

The mile of swimming across this lake is broken up by 3 islands which you must visit. Psychologically this is a big help, with the swim effectively broken into 4 shorter sections. I got into my rhythm on the first section, then embarked on the longest section to the middle and largest island – Rampsholme. Halfway across I started to shiver uncontrollably and I knew I was in trouble. There was still over half a mile to the other shore. It got worse, I couldn’t hold the pull buoy between my legs as the shivering worsened. I was in a bad way, and I was alarmed at how quickly it had come on. A glance up showed me I still had a couple of hundred metres to go to the next island. It struck me that if I could get to there, I had the option of changing into my wetsuit (which I was towing in my dry bag) for the remainder of this swim. I reached the island and with difficulty, shivering violently and with limited control of my fingers, changed into my wetsuit. If I had not had my wetsuit, my attempt would have finished there and I dread to think how awful that would have been, not to mention