Bluebell Trail
Sunday May 1
Another perfect running day, another bank holiday Sunday so another opportunity to bank some points before the competition gets fiercer.
Damian was the winner, Malcolm 3rd and 1st.M45, Jim 10th., Tom 11th. and 1st.M55, Andrew 38th.
Nicky was first Wilmslow lady, Janine took the 59 points, Clare 58 then Angela, Soraya, Sharon, Carolyn and Gail.
Ian Smallwood took his second Group 3 60 points, ahead of Tony, Steve, Paul G, Richard, Gareth, Paul N and Matt.
Jon was first in Group 4, Andy took silver and Geoff bronze then Nicky, Janine, Clare and Angela.
Group 5 winner was Chris (3 firsts and a second in four races), Soraya there again with 59, Sharon 58 then Carolyn, Gail and Trevor.
I 'did' my hamstring on Tuesday. Never done it before. I go to Wayne. I wonder how it will it will stand-up to Sunday. I know for many of you this is part and parcel of running but for me Wayne and injuries are new, perhaps I'm now a real member of the club . It's unfortunate because I'm running better than I have in years. Is running well and injury connected or co-incidence? I suspect connected. Wayne's amazed how tight some of my muscles are and how some of them I don't use at all. He gives me a few simple exercise to get them all working better. Come Sunday, not only is the hamstring is sore but the new muscles he's found really ache. So I wimp out of what will doubtless prove to be the toughest race of the Series.
I will be on a flight back from Djerba for the next race so, whilst I'm happy to report on its impact on the Series tables (which is all I can really do for the Bluebell), it would be good for Mobberley if someone posted on the site something giving the action and flavour of the day.
Tony becomes overall leader. Only four now have run all the races. Chris is second, Carolyn third and Gail fourth. Bit of a worry for them is that Damain is 5th. with Graham, Tom, Andrew, Ian Smallwood and Paul Garnett the top 10.
Carolyn's still there, top of the Ladies with Gail in second place – not what the bookies were predicting at the start of the season. They are followed by Janine, Soraya, Angela and Nina.
Tony heads Group 3 followed by Ian (Smallwood), Paul (Garnett), Gareth and Paul (Norris) with James in 5th. looking a major threat.
Patrick leads Group 4 from Andrew, Janine, Owen, Ian (Ashcroft), Angela and Don.
Chris is the force in Group 5 with Carolyn second and Gail third. Challenging are Trevor, Nina and Roy.
Ian
It was a tough race but enjoyable! Lovely scenary and friendly and enthusiastic mashals and lots of food in the goodie bag, which always wins votes with me. The sun also helped.
The first 4 miles were what I would call undulating apart from a section along a canal. I then had a lovely walk up the nightmare Troopers Hill – I spoke to Damian afterwards and he said he ran all the way up it – no-one was running up it where I was in the race!
I was terrible at the downhills as usual – Curtis Cannon caught me on the last downhill at about 9 miles and this spurred me on to sprint the last mile or so which was flat along the canal.
River crossing to end the race was fun. It wasn’t very deep and was great to see Martin in his wellies supporting us all standing in the river!
The highlight had to be Gail in her new running socks. Martin has a picture…..
Good day out
Wandered throught the woods, charged along the canal, stopped on the hill, admired the view from the top, dashed down the lanes, enjoyed the bluebells, struggled along the canal and finished with a paddle.
The descent through the bluebell wood must be one of the best bits of running I have ever done; dappled sunshine, warm spring day, bluebells, soft underfoot and best of all downhill!
I understand that all group 1 runners managed to run the hill, the rest of us sensible mortals walked!