Cat writes… Hilary, who has been my friend since university, came to stay with her family this weekend. She brought with her some delicious tablet that she’d made, knowing I adore it. It’s a Scottish version of fudge, with a texture like Kendal mint cake and similarly packed full of sugar! With a tough race planned for Sunday morning, I put a few squares of this potent sweetness in my running belt.
It turned out to be a morning that even runners would want to turn over in bed and go back to sleep. It was dark when the alarm went off, the wind was gusting and it was pouring with rain. Norman the boxer refused to go out for a wee. However, I was feeling excited because I enjoy heading for the hills, even on a bad day and it was the last race of the Wilmslow Running Club Summer Series, so not one to miss.
I arrived with my little support crew: Mike with Norman and Sam the boxers. Surprised at the overall turnout for the race, we were delighted when Ian Smallwood pointed out a parking space adjacent to the start…..it was still pouring and cars lined the road for some distance. There were just 12 Wilmslow runners in the small field ready to start with chattering teeth.
It was an odd start and any prior knowledge of the race would have given a great advantage as we funneled up a steep incline at walking pace and waited whilst runners in front went over a stile. The narrow paths and stiles hindered any fast progress for about a mile but I have to confess, it was welcome as I had to re-tie a lace, as I was worried about losing a shoe in the mud. By two miles we’d had a reasonable climb and I’d passed Stephen, who had a good start. We were now rounding the quarry and I was a bit daunted by the further six and a half miles ahead. The wind was strong and the ground was very slippery. Overall, I think fell shoes would have been better than trail shoes.
I could see Paul in the distance and Patrick well up ahead. I didn’t know where Ian, Jan, Carolyn or Julie were and because most were wearing waterproofs, there were few Wilmslow vests as markers.
There were three main undulations rising up to Harboro Rocks, around half way and then we dropped down steeply towards Carsington village. It was at this point that I indulged in the tablet rocket fuel. I caught up with Patrick, who was being a little wary on the descent and enjoyed a skid on his bottom. I overtook him but, as expected, I soon hear the pitter patter of his feet on the flat and he resumed his lead. Time for more tablet….it would either power me on or I’d be sick! At five miles, I had that lovely feeling of running for free and for a nanosecond regretted that there only three miles left to run. On I went, enjoying a conversation with a couple of local runners who knew the race well. By six miles, my euphoria had passed and I was grinding it out, once more passing Patrick and this time feeling confident that I’d be able to hold my position to the end.
It was good to be back at the quarry, knowing it was a short but steep descent to the finish. Mike and Malcolm were waiting to cheer us all in at the top of the last hill. Malcolm had finished well up the field and won his age group.
At the finish, Chris was nursing a bleeding knee and had clearly worked hard and earned a good result. Sally G was glowing, unaware that she’d also won her age group. Tom, Andy, Ian S, Rick, Paul and Mark had had good runs and Tony was probably already halfway back to Macc.
Patrick came in at my back, soon to be followed by Jan, Carolyn, Julie, Stephen and Ian. We all shivered our way through the prizes: First Male won by Wirksworth and and First Female by Beeston (with Wirksworth in second).
I thought it was a very well organized race, with excellent marking across challenging terrain and where there were marshalls, they were very friendly and encouraging. I’d be happy to see it on the SS schedule for next year….ideally with some sunshine 🙂
PS will recommend that Running Bear stocks Scottish tablet!