Running on Ilkley Moor. Cow & Calf Rocks Punk Panther Ultra Marathon Recce. An awesome Boggy Run!

I seem to be running another ultra marathon! It’s a Punk Panther race on Saturday 22nd May 2021 called A Short Circuit Too.
The race starts at the bottom of Otley Chevin (and begins with a brutal run up to the top of the Chevin… enough to put some people off!) and is a circular in West Yorkshire taking in Yeadon, Guiseley, Menston, Ilkley Moor, Ben Rhydding, Denton, Timble and Lindley before returning to Otley.
You can expect to run around 34 miles and the race route is mostly on trails which are incredibly wet and muddy at the moment!
The section that descends from the Cow and Calf rocks on Ilkley Moor can be tricky so we set off to recce this part of the route so that, on race day, I have a plan for how to climb down the front of the rocks to avoid the suggested additional half mile loop back for the faint-hearted.
Running on Ilkley Moor is always fun... the view is beautiful, there are waterfalls and lots of technical sections of running. Luckily I had my climbing expert with me for technical advice!

[@sr6424]

Really enjoyed this. There so many people pounding the streets trying to knock a few seconds off a PB, trying for a road race, a marathon etc. Hopefully seeing this will encourage them to use the fitness they have built up to try something like this! I have one description for it ‘RAVE RUN’.

[@NicolaRuns]

Exactly that!!! There's no joy to pounding the pavement?! Get out there and hit the trails! It's less about speed and more about quality of life 🥰 Thanks and I'm pleased you enjoyed it 😊

[@BUSHMANandBLUE]

Awwwwwwww I love you two bouncing about!

[@NicolaRuns]

This was the day you said it was pure rain at yours! How lucky were we to get this window of sunshine?! Hammered it down as soon as we got back in the car! #FTW

[@karenspackman1960]

“It’s worth stopping every now again to admire the views” what wise words!

[@NicolaRuns]

❤️❤️❤️ Although this did not feel wise while I was racing on Saturday! 🤣 I had a real internal struggle between wanting to win and wanting to appreciate the views! Hopefully I got the best of both worlds 😍🏆

[@TheDeterminedRunner]

Good luck with the race tomorrow Nicola & have a great day 👍🏃

[@NicolaRuns]

Thanks... I'll need it - reckon I'll be doing more swimming than running after the rain this week! 😱🤦🏻‍♀️🤣

[@dualranger]

the rock scotch was brilliant. such lovely views. what an amazing puddle jump too. love the vlogs!!!

[@NicolaRuns]

Thanks 🥰 pleased you're enjoying them 🤗 Poppy is BRILLIANT at clearing puddles... Way better than me! 🤣

[@AllenMulliss]

Lovely scenery again and sound of the water cascades over rocks. Great to see both of you enjoying the terrain.

[@NicolaRuns]

Thanks. It was less enjoyable today on the ultra with miles in my legs and no sidekick! Still beautiful though 😍😍😍

[@tirzah1978]

How lovely that Poppy enjoys running with you! Her energy is boundless! What a joy to see ❤️

[@NicolaRuns]

I'm so lucky!!! Don't know what I'd do if she didn't like running?! 🤔🤷🏻‍♀️