Summer Series race 12 – Passing Clouds June 2015

Summer Series, Race 12

Sunday June 14^th.

The first view expressed to me about Passing Clouds was that it would it be ok for fell runners but would be too challenging for the rest of us. I then found it had been in the Series once before and was not as daunting as it sounded.  Looking at the course, I could see that 7.5k of the first 10k was uphill and, apparently, both steep and rough. As a poor climber, I dismissed any thought of racing this 10k, deciding to take it conservatively so I had something left in the tank for the final 6k downhill section in which to try for some places and points.

it had been a hot, dry week, which would have suited me, but the rain came Saturday and the temperature had dropped, 13^o. It was dry, the sun broke through and there was no noticeable wind, I think most people would have considered it ideal running condition.

Mike led Wilmslow home followed by Allan and Graham. Matt was in hot pursuit of Graham but was in want of a marshal and ran the last hill twice, not something you would do by choice.  Phil was 4^th. League 1 runner.

Ian took the League 2 60-points from Matt, Richard, Louisa and Andy.

This gave Louisa Wilmslow first-lady. She runs this sort of course so well. Next Sally, the demands of whose new gym means she is racing off minimal training mileage.  Zoe, whose lifestyle also constrains her training, was third lady with Angela fourth.

Sally was League 3 winner from Tony, Gareth, Geoff, John, Chris (a good result, given his hamstring) and Patrick.

I’m running well at present but for no accountable reason this was one of those days when, initially, my legs felt heavy. I ran the first km. just behind Andy, feeling it was unlikely we’d be so close at the end. Tactically possibly not wise, there were long queues at the stiles.

When I reached at the stream at 2k, Sharon was there, she’d been directed to run through it, slipped, hit the back of her head heavily and was still in some distress 2 hours later.

Thereafter the gentle uphill turned into a serious climb. I caught Nina at 3k but then Julie, who always climbs well, passed me at 3.5k, Julie was gaining places, running when everyone else was walking. Another kilometre and the worst of the uphill was over.

I overtook Julie at 5k and Clare at 6k. Clare is superb uphill but struggles whenever the surface is uneven and it was not a day for those who demand firm footholds. I could see Carolyn in the distance but could only make slow progress catching her and once we started the ascent to the trig point on the Roaches she was pulling away. I reminded myself that this was her third race in four days, I must be able to catch her. I pursued her hard across the rugged rocks on the top of the Roaches and by the time we came to the descent, I was close behind and we had both closed on Patrick. Too eager on the descent I fell, but took most of the impact on my head, a black eye but nothing critical damaged.  I passed both Carolyn and Patrick but then, to my dismay, we had to climb again. I survived, the final 3k was predominantly downhill but weariness was starting to set-in.

I could see by Angela’s face, even before she spoke that she’d got a PB, 15 minutes. Jon was weary, but had again won League 4 off-road. Bernard, I missed, but he’s in good shape and got a result.

Julie was rewarded with her first League 5 60-points. Nina had clearly struggled with both Cat and Trevor overtaking her after I had seen her.

This had been a hard day. I settled down to the Sunday papers. I had re-opened some of the cuts from my cycle crash of a fortnight ago and my knee was starting to stiffen but a quiet aura of satisfaction buzzed around me, only disturbed by Tony wanting the handwritten results deciphering.

Mike’s support much appreciated, though he got cold with Cat not having her best day.

Ian