Wolf's Pit March 20th and other bits

It's been a funny old week. Training with the team on Tuesday saw the Strollers outnumber the Striders but we had a good run out with Mark & Al leading us all astray before finishing up with a tempo blast along the canal from Buxworth to Tesco. Thursday was cancelled - no not the run, I just couldn't get away from work. Friday was a glorious run over Lyme Park on one of my regular training jaunts and Saturday was the local Parkrun (but I forgot my barcode so I didn't get a time) but it was a tad over 20mins. Going in the right direction at last.

Sunday and the main event. The Wolf's Pit - Shatton. Fantastic turnout, over 300 I think, with Lee and me waving the flag for the GVS. The mass start saw us flying down the field from the start to the lane, across the ford and then onto a lung bursting, leg straining, all in all a s-of a-b**ch climb that turned me to jelly by the summit. Still no time to pause, must get on! The run over the moor was delightful and fast. Sun was out, sleeves were rolled up and the chase was on. It was all going so well (apart from a minor tumble) until we hit the turning point at the bottom of the hill only to be shown the route going back up again. Pain and more pain followed. All the time I has made on the fast sections was being eaten away as I slowed to a crawl, walk, walk and more walk. Just had to dig in and grit my teeth. Finally the last descent, let the legs go, into the lane, jump the ford and then back into the finishing field. Now that slight decent at the start seemed like a 1 in 3 and some young whippersnappers were passing me. Well that just wouldn't do. One final effort and I was home, Lee right behind me (so equal really). Couldn't talk at the end. Completely spent. But isn't that how it should be? Bring on Lad's Leap (I think Lee is doing Mow Cop). Full info can be found at:-
www.wolfspitfellrace.org.uk

12th/13th March

Isn't it strange but sometimes you do everything right and the result is disappointing. Such was the Parkrun this weekend. Feeling ok but ran the exact same time as last week when I felt rubbish. Oh well there's always next week. Rounded the weekend off with 30 mins tempo after the rugby.

Weekly Round Up 11/3/11

It's time for that retrospective again. Tuesday was an hour out with the Striders over to Kettleshume lead by the ever keen Al Fitz. There were hills alright and after racing on Sunday I was running out of steam towards each summit. Still a good chance to catch up with all the banter from the weekend. Felt sorry for Claire who had to turn back still suffering from a chest infection. Hope it all goes well for Grindleford.

Thursday night was a wash out. No one turned up (saving themselves for the weekend) so after changing in a cold car park (again!) I decided to head off back home. On the way I was in two minds about running or just getting back for my dinner. It's kind of tough to motivate yourself sometimes but I was to let fate decide. If the traffic lane was empty turning right at Fiveways then I would run, if not then go home. It was clear and on green so that was that. Parking up near Bramhall I decided to do a few circuits of Bramhall Park. It turned out to be four laps, charging the hills, resting on the downs and tempo on the flat. 10k done and I felt like I'd earned my dinner! Let's see how the Parkrun turns out on Saturday.

Cloud 9

The first fell race of the year and I don't know why but I was a bit nervous, silly really, but I'd made some good improvments last season and I didn't know if I would be able to carry on from where I'd left off. A packed start, a quiet moment of remembrance for a departed runner and then we were off. Cracking start, Neil, Lee and Trevor were ahead and we were soon clear of the pack and up to a good tempo pace.

The start and first few kms are fast but I was hanging on to L & T. Soon it was the climb up the Cloud and, surprisingly, the two lads didn't pull away too much to begin with but they got away towards the Summit.

A madcap descent through the woods and I'd gained a little. Soon we were on the next climb and I felt my lack of hill training starting to tell. More ground lost but the sun was out and I was passing a few young 'uns. Road next, time to pour it on and make a big effort to get back in contention. Amazingly the legs held out and I pulled 20 m back. Keeping pace just needed to whittle away. Knowing the course really helps and I could judge the effort and distance left to go. I caught Lee and encouraged him to dig in. Chasing Trevor across the muddy fields I was joined by a lass from Sale Harriers. Knowing there was a trail and road section before the end my plan was to stick with her (just for the road speed you understand) and have something left for the little sting in the tail. As we rounded the bend on the final descent I knew I had to gain an advantage or Trevor (who I'd just snuck in front) would have me on the final 400m. Teeth gritted, lungs scorching I gained an advantage. Then on the run down to the trail I forgot to turn sideways through the stile thing. Oops and ouch! Still it's only pain. The final run on is all about holding you form and, gentlemanly to the last, I allowed the Sale lass the position. No really! A good start to the season, great club turnout and some fantastic individual performances. Solid. Time 68.54 ish I think.

Parkrun 5/3/11

This was my first 5k since October last year, so, with a race the next day I was looking for a solid time rather than something special. 20.15 was good enough for 25th and as i've moved up category, good enough for a 1st in cat! More to come I hope. Let's see what happens

Weekly Round Up

Well I missed out on the Tuesday Striders run due to lack of motivation (and the fact it was cold, I'd had a stressful day at work and was suffering from low bio rhythms). But then only four of us showed up on Thursday for the Thrash, and so it came to pass that we enjoyed one of Andy's fast ones. Basically from the layby on Long Hill drop down the footpath to the bridge over the stream and then warm up with a run up past Taxal church - you know the one - and then carry on along the track until the dam at the end of the reservoir. This little uphill battle was to get out blood circulating. Well a good sweat later and we continued right along the road, past the entrance to the woods alongside the reservoir and uphill again (Andy does like his hills) to the first gate. Then, pausing for a moment to zero stopwatches, it was an all out blast on mainly flat (who's he kidding!) trails to The Street. 9mins and 57 secs later (I think) Shaun and I were propping up the gate, bent double, gasping for air and waiting for James and Andy (fair enough they did give us a head start). 1.2 miles legend has it, felt longer in the dark. A nimble jog down The Street followed and across the dam road (no resting on these jaunts note) and it was time for the second thrash. A 1 mile burn up along the opposite side of Fernilee. Without stopping Shaun was off and I had to hit top speed to catch him. Half a mile later Shaun did comment that we might have gone off a bit quick but all credit he kept up the pace with me hanging on just off the back. 6mins and 40 something and we'd arrived. Knackered. Legs like jelly but pretty pleased with our efforts. James and Andy followed up and as it turned out Shaun had set the fastest time. Now there's a turn up for the books. (Andy was surprised!) Cloud 9 looms on Sunday.....................