Part 2 - Kinder Downfall

Number 126 for the 30th Anniversary Kinder Downfall Fell Race. In a break with tradition the start was at 11.30am rather than at the more usual time of 11.00am to coincide with the last peel of bells from the church tower. It was a hot day, and it was only going to get hotter! The 300 lucky entrants gathered on the bridge in Hayfield in a jocular mood, plenty of banter and good humour. At the prescribed time we were off. I was lucky enough to get away near the front and was feeling good. The initial climb up the road was swiftly dispatched before we turned off road onto the bridleway over the rising mound of the Snake Path. The climbing was hard but runnable, passing a few of the GVS lads and holding on to Chris at this point, my plan was to try to get a good position before William Clough. Once over the top, and by way of a traversing line across a slope of heather (quicker than it looks if you're prepared to go for it) we quickly dropped down to the start of the long climb up the Clough.It was here that I felt my calf muscle twang, really painful. What to do, retire hurt or press on for as long as possible? I decided to press on but upward movement was pretty painful and I developed a lop sided limping action for a while. The tortuous path with few passing opportunities meant that I could at least hold my place against those who are better climbers than me who were hopefully bottle-necked somewhere behind. By heck it was a hot one and the steps up to the top of the Ashop were unforgiving and my calf was throbbing with pain. Still I'd made it this far and hearing a few cheers decided to press on to the plateau. Who runs this final steep climb? I can't that's for sure but walking strongly we crested by the final cairn and on to slightly easier ground across the top of Sandy Heys. I started to jog again, pressing on to the Downfall and my calf was not getting any worse so fingers crossed at this point. Clearing the stream next came Red Brook and the boulder strewn terrain was taking it's toll. I knew that I was losing time but there wasn't much I could do. Eventually the trig at Kinder Low came into view. Lee had caught me by this stage and a few had passed on the ascent. Caz and Katy were on top shouting encouragement (thanks girls, sorry I didn't say anything but it was all a bit too much). Finally some downhill. I knew to stand a chance of a PB I would have to go for it. So that's what I did. Opened up my stride pattern and started to motor. The leg was still holding up, a little easier on the downhill. On and on we went, it's a good way to Tunstead Clough Farm. All I knew was to run as hard and fast as I could and if anyone came past well good luck to them! Once we hit the road (hi Steve by the way) it was just a case of establishing a good rhythm and holding form. I was actually enjoying it now, even though there was a dull reminder in my right leg that all was not well. The last little hill saw me pass a couple of chaps and there was even enough left for a final effort over the finish line. Phew,made it in 1hr 29mins and 43 secs for 66th position and 2nd V55 (I think). Was it a PB? Well about equal to my PB anyway. And a cool down in the river after made me think of the question "How do those elite athletes manage an ice bath?" because let me tell you that water was flippin' cold!!

A couple of races In April - Part 1

You know when the season has started when more and more weekends become filled with the opportunity to get out and have a tussle with old friends and familiar faces.

First up was Lad's Leap. This gnarly race takes in part of the Peak not often used by racers. Starting from the campsite at Crowden the massed ranks blast out of the site and onto the lane, rising slightly before dropping down to the refurbished Outdoor Centre. (I can remember it when it was the original Centre before it was burn out in a fire. It stood that way for may years but has now been fully refurbished and brought back to its former glory). Once past the centre the race is on in earnest. Today the weather was being kind and I'd soon broken out into a sweat up the first climb. Atop the false summit there were two more ascents to follow in quick succession.  It was just a case of grit your teeth and get on with it. I knew the next section was fairly level but was often very boggy. This year however it was much drier and as a consequence everyone was running much faster. Bugger! After the first section the course gradually climbs through heather and bog on tricky little sheep trods and single tracks. Overtaking is very difficult through the deep heather and you often use up so much energy you quickly lose the place you've just gained. (Don't we all know that feeling!) With a keen wind off my left shoulder I made my way to the high point in good order. It was then over a stile and a steep and tricky descent off the plateau following a wall and a deeply rutted track. Not easy but you need to attack if you can. Once at the bottom the course turns back to head for home. Then it hits you, a wide land track meandering upo through the old quarry. Its steep but not too steep and therefore grindingly runnable. I was in hanging on mode, trying to maintain a rhythm, while trying to hang on to the guys in front and all the while feeling that others were catching me up. My tactic had been to get a good start, keep up across the moor and just hang in there for this bit. Not bad as it turned out, only losing a couple of places to much younger foes. Once atop the climb there was another short uphill section, a twisty stream crossing and then on to the flat plateau. Time to kick in the afterburners and open up. So it was, overhauling a few before the crazy, helter skelter decent back to the campsite. My thighs were really burning but the end is always in sight so it just serves to spur you on. Finally onto level ground, quickly get into the groove before a final burst across the line. 63 mins and some seconds (the results are on the website yet) but looking back over last years time it was a good PB so I'm happy with that.