A tale of mixed emotions from Daisy Nook and Black Knight ( very for some )
A summary from last night as rumour has it that our newsletter and website will have a number more reports to follow !
For me , my first race since March ( that was a token hobble to make up numbers in a relay team ) and in reality since the opulent St Tropez 10 last October .
Excitement and nerves = adrenalin and this increased as I hit the M60 and a large accident tailback : local knowledge assisted as an alternative route was navigated : not so fortunate the many WRC late arrivals .
Race registration and that familiar club gathering : tight calf what about you , who is here , how many points , the map shows we do a reverse loop , etc ,etc .
We have an escort to the start from a gathering of ECH runners and get an impression that this is not a road shoe course ! All very civilised at the start as we gather around the canal and presume that the start is close by : The poles subsequently erected confirm .
On time the race begins without numerous from WRC who have either turned back or arrive late and gallantly run their own race making inroads into the field .
My plan was to run a conservative race and pick up the pace : dont bugger yourself up again was a common piece of advice !….I followed race plans and started conservatively and then got slower except a token push on the last half mile of canal tow path .
My own plans went further off course ( ouch ) when taking a wrong turn and losing a few hundred metres : after the race , this transpired to be a small detour !
Delighted to have had a first race back and know that I have a bit to do yet and a few pounds still to lose ( those three helpings of hot pot were good ).
Highlight of the night was perhaps Clare staggering from the presentation with some dozen bottles of wine and numerous other prizes .
From memory :
Men : second team , Ladies : first team
Cant remember all vet categories , doubtless someone else will but Tom and Peter W most certainly won their categories .
Jane was first lady and vet 35 : prizes too for Catriona , and Penny in their categories.
In summary : We will no doubt have mixed reactions covering :
- Delays on route
- Getting lost between ECH club house and start
- Getting lost on the course
- Falling on the course
- Great course from some and great race was said by a few others
- Canned beer or draught
- Daisy Nook or the Gun run
- Interesting and contrasting allocation of Summer series points !
We operate in a democracy and it will be interesting to read other thoughts .
One day on , my thinking is that I prefer the Gun Run . Traffic delay was unfortunate and the getting lost between start and clubhouse a direct result of the traffic delays and late arrivals .
In the main the course was well marked although the numbers going off course may suggest otherwise .
Last year the race was run under baking sun and racing flats were needed.
The course was excellent .
A friendly club with good facilities , cheap entry and food !
A bounty of WRC winners.
A new experience and a different venue : cant be a bad thing can it : now what date the Gun Run next year !?
Have fun ! Nick.
Similar feelings to Nick now 24 hrs has elapsed.
I pre-entered this as knew it would be tight getting there after work. The fact that the M60 was a car-park made the journey even longer.
Despite having the benefit of a map to the start issued by East Cheshire Harriers Ian,Rod and I managed to overshoot it before having a brisk warm-up to the start – where were the signs??
Met Sally P on the way who’d found the Visitor’s Centre but didn’t have time to go and register and then get back to the start so missed the race. Jo Aves meanwhile had charmed the marshalls so was running and registering later.
The start along the tow path was congested – and the fun runners started with the seniors. I enjoyed a battle with 10 yr old James Parrot – who flies downhill true to his family talent. Luckily he turned off on the 2 mile course leaving my pride intact for a while.
The course then wound uphill and I can still see Don as we climb.Finally it flattened out over some fields – time to enjoy the descent but…. suddenly the path disapears. Luckily there’s someone form East Cheshire behind who assures me we’re right but after scrambling down a 10 ft rock step I know this is not a running route. Back up we go to see Penny disappearing into the woods.
Snuck past Penny – making her jump in the process – sorry!Am gaining on Ian Ashcroft but then the path goes up again -but we’ve been here before! Head back and see John Porteous and Jo make the turn back to the canal. Somewhat (!) fed-up I go pass Louisa. Trying to make up ground on John I trip and skin both knees and my R hand – now wish I’d stayed at home.
Do get past John but not Jo or Penny in the distance. At the finish hear that Rob also got lost – Ian,Rod and Peter appear after having run about 8 miles.
Glad to find there are good showers and friendly club memebers offering Clare – who has also fallen and I first aid clean towels and spare toiletries.
Have to miss the free hot-pot as going out.. On reflection a good course that needs better signs/marshalling..
Kate S.