Life In The Fast Lane
Tony contacted me about writing a report in Ian’s absence. I did point out to him that my role as unofficial uninvited sweeper precluded me from seeing anybody, therefore it would be difficult. Undaunted, he asked for the race from the back and he would get proper runners up the field to contribute.
Group 3 and 4 were well represented as we set off along a wonderful stretch of tarmac. Thinking I knew what was to come I settled in behind Carolyn and Cat knowing that I would run every step of the first climb and catch them. Half way up I noticed they were walking – along with Don further up – quicker than I was running it. By the time I had run every step of that ascent I was even further back. Through the stile at the top and into the first descent which was steep and either loose underfoot or slippery. Ten metres in and I was in full Michael Jackson moonwalk mode.
Halfway down Leanne,Trevor and the rest of the field dropped past me as thoughts of Stockpot A & E loomed large. I managed to catch Trevor on the 400 metres you could actually run – along the ridge – but once we were on the descent again it was back to moonwalking.
Great runs by Sally Price, Huma on a gammy knee, Angie using her marathon fitness and particularly Don after a torrid time with injuries. Patrick, Rachel and Sharon went for self preservation and keeping each other company right up to the finishing line. Carolyn is coming back to form after a good run at Chester, Cat does incredibly well on no training and Leanne showed confidence after her 10k pb. Trevor just kept going and deserved the points.
It was great to have a Bollington Nostalgia type finish with the gang at the top of the hill. They even saved me a doughnut. Andy Watts pointed out several people had dropped out and suddenly life got a whole lot better.
I tried a couple of fell races when I started running thirty years ago. I just couldn’t get that enthusiasm fell runners get when lobbing themselves off hills so never went back. Trevor pointed out in the changing room the following night that “any fool can run up hills but it takes talent to run down them”. This where I am going wrong, I most definitely have that the other way round.
Simon Fenton