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!