Just spent two days in the Lakes on a recce mission for the Lakeland 50. I covered the last four legs of the route from Kentmere to the finish in Coniston over two days.

Day 1: 2hrs 47mins, 19.9km with 725m of ascent and 815m of descent  from Kentmere through Ambleside to Chapel Stile. Dont be fooled by the descent being the greater number when you are on the hills it certainly doesnt feel like it. The weather was absolutely stunning and apart from the odd dog walker and mtb'ers the fells were very quite. The route finding is fairly straight forward using the roadbook supplied and a 1:50,000 map I had no major hickups. It will probably be a lot different come race day when running at night and feeling very tired.

Day 2: 2hrs 31mins, 17.2km with 670m of ascent and 708m of descent from Chapel Stile through Tiberthwaite to the finish in Coniston. It took my brain and my very sore legs at least and hour to wake up with the help of Ibruprofen and energy gels. Another stunning sunny day and again really quite on the hills, probably due to the wedding. Again nav was fairly easy and the route has no major suprises.

For those who are interested and who may be running long distances in the future here is the kit list I used:

Osprey Raptor 10 http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/index.cfm/product/osprey-raptor-10/fuseaction/products.detail/code/63110128/group/47/level/2

Osprey Hydraform 2ltr reservoir http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/index.cfm/product/osprey-hydraform-2l-reservoir/fuseaction/products.detail/code/68220001

Lifesystems 1st Aid kit http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/index.cfm/product/lifesystems-light-dry-pro/fuseaction/products.detail/code/B4110025/group/52/level/2

Spare safety clothes including mandatory hat, gloves, spare base layer top and leggings http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/index.cfm/dep/mens/cat/base-layer/fuseaction/products.list/group/24/level/2

Waterproof jkt and trousers

SIS gels http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=products.list&group=469&level=2&id_brand=-1&code=&searchvalue=&rowstart=1&action=add&feature=31&feature_option=SIS

Fully charged moby, again a mandatory carry

GPS, optional, not sure if I will carry one on the day

Wearing:

Salomon running tee and shorts http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=products.list&group=396&level=2&id_brand=-1&code=&searchvalue=&rowstart=1&action=add&feature=31&feature_option=Salomon

Bridgdale X-hale multisport http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/index.cfm/product/bridgedale-x-hale-multisport/fuseaction/products.detail/code/3C110243/group/146/level/3

La Sportiva Wildcats, the fit for me is perfect, the longevity not so.

If anyone wants to give tips or comments on gear or anything to do with running then please post I will be more than happy to read replies.

Adios