Summer Series, Race 11
Thursday July 5th.
My drinking mates had opted out of this one. There had been a catalogue of injuries in the past some, like broken ankles, quite serious. The weather forecast was not good; 60% risk of rain, probability of thunderstorms. It had been a pleasant summer's day, we arrived to blue sky and a warm 20o.
The first half mile is fairly gentle uphill on the road. This you leave onto a good track, but it becomes steeper, and a footpath, before you tackle the main ascent which, in my part of the field, everyone walks. At the top, for over a mile, there is a mix of rough track and jagged rock that leads to the trig point. Having started conservatively, I was able, along the ridge, to pass Nina, Don, Huma, Sharon, Julie, Kate and Janine. The down section to the road is paved, but narrow and difficult to overtake. I closed on Nicky and Chris without ever threatening them. Three-quarters of a mile uphill on the road and Janine sped through, a similar distance down and Kate was also back ahead.
Next for half a mile you are on a decent track, but this gives way to a boggy field. It was here, seemingly out of the blue, that the heavens opened. I have rarely seen such torrential rain, you were soaked in seconds and, when it hit you full-on, it was quite painful. As at Goyt Valley, it was the slower runners who took the brunt, the leaders were probably finishing as it started. The bog gave way to a cow field and, with the rain turning the pats into a soup, at least the downpour had the benefit of it washing-off the shit that splashed up your legs. A romantic spot for a reunion with Sharon. A mile to go along a proper track, which was now part stream. At first I hoped that I could stay with her but, whereas I was tiring, her running was strong and confident.
I felt I had run ok and in the context of 2012 this was the case. However, running can be cruel, whatever you think and feel, the reality is there in black and white. I looked back to my previous Roaches, 2008, it was 7 minutes faster. The rate of decline is frightening and it's not as though I feel I'm running badly, just the aging process. But again the statistics argue that I'm lying to myself, Simon is managing the process much more successfully.
Malcolm has won this race in the past but he, too, isn't as young as he once was and had to settle for 4th. Jim was 13th, Mike 18th, Graham Screawn 22nd, and Rob, continuing his comeback, 43rd.
Diane McVey led our ladies home, then came the consistently improving Diane Bygrave and Nicky (2nd F50). Not a course that either Janine or Kate relished, in contrast to Sharon, Julie, Carolyn and Nina who all did well. Huma is not 100% fit but it was terrain over which Sarah always performs.
Allan was again the first division 2 runner home and, at 20th., well-in amongst the big boys. Graham Taylor was second, Jeremy third then Diane, Tony (1st.M60), Aron, Craig and Gavin.
A great race from Steve who headed division 3 in front of Diane. Also from Jamie who defies the years. Andy took advantage of terrain that fits his skills and Chris's points score exceeded his downbeat pre-match analysis.
Sharon is starting to look favourite for division 4. Don scored well in the sort race that, pre-injury, he would have been challenging the division 2 runners. Trevor was 1st M70.
Ian