Bluebell Trail
Sunday May 5th.
The forecast was uncertain but, after a number of races this year in testing conditions, Halifax came good for us. We started in about 6o, wind-free, and sunshine. My hamstring having cost me last year, I had asked Andy Watts if he'd done a profile; "The Bluebell has a total of around 1,400 feet of climbing, nearly twice that of the Langley and significantly more than the Stainland 7. It… is clearly the hardest climb of any club race". Oh!
Yet it proved to be an excellent, challenging race through a variety of terrains. Numbers were low, so points should be good, and Halifax is not as far away as it sounds. Good to have a second opportunity to run it, even if Stainland's sub-title for the event "not for shrinking violets" is more than just Yorkshire hype.
Malcolm, up one place on last year, came 2nd. Jim, as is his wont this year, was second Wilmslow runner, 18th. overall and Mike was 25th and 3rd. M45.
Diane is said to be carrying extra weight as a consequence of her enforced lay-off, although it's difficult to see where, she was third lady, first lady vet. Louisa was our second lady then Nicky who, 2nd. F50, seems to have worked her way close to being back to full fitness, although her time in the Chester Half next weekend may be the litmus test.
Allan was again the division 2 winner followed by Jarrod and Ian. Tony was 2nd. M60. Gavin ran well a week after his miserable Manchester Marathon and Richard's rehabilitation continues.
Louisa registered her first win in division 3. Matt is moving up the table with each race and the progress John has made over the last two years was again in evidence. Andy and Janine were both back from their marathons; Andy had come armed with his 'marathon legs' excuse and his fall meant he finished looking like he'd been at the bottom the rugby scrum but he's running well and no excuses were required. Chris continued his excellent start to the season.
The good news in Andy's profile was that from 7 miles onwards the course was predominantly downhill. I ran the early miles tracking Julie, we were together at the start of the famed Trooper Lane climb at 4 miles but she had taken 40m out of me by the top. Sharon was ahead of Julie, was she going to glory in her performance at the Manchester Marathon or come down to earth with a bump? She always used to start too fast and falter, not today, the next time I saw her was at the finish and she was in fine spirits; two weeks, two successes. I had caught Julie by 6 miles but we were climbing again, she was 30m ahead at 8 but a long, steep, muddy descent played to my advantage. The marshals were over-playing their role in these latter miles. I must have heard the words 'all downhill from here' ten times only, for 100m further on, as we started to climb again, for the next one to encourage with 'final hill before the finish'. Then the treat; the river crossing. Nicky and I had looked at it before the race; waist-deep, fast flowing, "not like this last year" she observed. I jumped-in and fell, my head went under, it was cold. I pulled myself up, took three strides and went under again, Julie had run all the strength out of my legs. Fortunately only 100m to the finish.
Sharon was, for the first time, division 4 winner, with Julie second and Carolyn third. Then came Trevor, Sue and Gail.
Good day out.
Ian
This is one of the nicest races to support. I know my limitiations and 1400ft of climb is well beyond my limitations!
The walks to the various viewing points close to the start/finish, although lengthy, are through leafy woods and along peaceful canal paths. I was lucky to walk past an old local chap walking his dog on the way to the my first viewing point at the canal basin who was keen to chat and filled me in with the history of the area.
Other insights came from the photographer, I spent last year in the river with him, this year I met him near the canal basin, apparently he used to organise the event; a marshall from Stainland Lions RC who regaled me with tales of their training on the slopes (!) of Stainland, happy memories of that race for some I’m sure, and a Community policeman who was unhappy that he had stopped the traffic at the start only to find that no runners appeared as they had been led on a different route through a hole in the wall!
For the second year running the weather was wonderful and for the second year running I managed to get my head sunburnt!
Anyone wishing to review the slopes I have uploaded the run from my Garmin to the link below. Choose the “Player” button on the top right of the screen to see a better profile of the run.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/175531056#.T6g0nZ0pxCg.email
3rd time competing in this race and my fastest yet. Which is a bit of a puzzle considering all my times in other races this year have been slower and the river was higher than previous years. Martin spectating near the start and finish and seeing me in 2nd place at both locations might have thought I had an uneventful race but nothing could be further from the truth!
From the start the winner sped off at a very fast pace and in no time was out of sight.
The first couple of miles I was in 2nd place with a group of around a dozen runners just behind. As soon as we got onto the road section four runners came past and started pulling away.
At the start of the big road hill I managed to fall over. Still not sure what I tripped on. Knees grazed and sore but still working. Spent the next mile feeling sorry for myself! Luckily nobody close behind.
Onto the next off-road section still in 6th place. Reach a slightly tricky bit underfoot and in no time at all I am up to 4th place. Some runners are so much faster than me on the road, but hopeless off-road.
Two runners just ahead for the next few miles. I would get close to them on the off-road bits, only for them to pull away again on the road sections.
Tough grassy climb through the fields and I move into third. A couple of miles to go and I’m on the shoulder of the guy in 2nd place. I knew there was a long off-road descent through the woods coming up which favoured me, followed by a flat section along the canal and river that would favour him.
My tactic was to go for it on the descent and hope I could get a big enough lead to avoid getting caught.
Zoomed past on the dodgy descent through the woods, nearly came a cropper on a muddy bit. Kept pushing until we reached the road. Glanced behind. Had a 200m gap. Surely that would be enough?
Tried to maintain a fast pace along the canal and the bank of the river. Glance behind again. He’s gaining on me! Where the %$&*% is that river crossing? Eventually see it just ahead. Try to run through the river but water too deep. Up the embankment and sprint for the line to finish 2nd totally knackered. Look up to see race winner looking fresh and relaxed as though he had just finished a 10 minute jog!
A very enjoyable race and hopefully one for the Summer Series again next year!
Sharon…it must be that faddy diet 😉