I never expected this to be in my running
calendar, but I got invited to join Staffordshire Moorlands Athletic Club, I
accepted. As I feel am a Moorlander at heart and because of the runners that
they have had or have currently got. Am hoping to pick up on some advice to
improve my running. The likes of
William Neill (GB U23), and Simon Bailey (British Fell Champion) have ran for
the club and Tracy Dean (GB), Jack Ross, Gareth Briggs, Jason
Burgess (UK mudrunner champion) and Robin Hope all run for the club.
I also wanted to get to know more runners
in the area, so I saw this as an opportunity. Due to my success in the summer
series, I was asked to run for the club for the Fell Relay in Llanberis, as
part of the British Fell Relays. All the best runners from around the UK would
be here, it’s an excellent opportunity.
I was running in the mixed/open category
for the club, and paired up with Jason Burgess to run a 9 mile course, in
Llanberis. This was obviously a problem
for me as I wasn’t as quick as Jason but am also not used to this kind ascent
and descent in a fast paced race. With over 1000 metres I was a bit worried. I had my work cut out. I also had a problem with my right
knee, tendonitis. So I wasn’t looking forward to it. My brother was also runner with the V40 men team, with Robin,
Jon, Craig, Dave and Gareth. This gave me some comfort and some assurance, as I
would have his experience and support.
He had recently joined the club too, just after me.
After a night out, race day was upon us, as
was the rain. And it didn’t stop all day. This made for interesting running but
also very tough conditions. And me and Jason just happened to be doing the
longest route…
After Kerry’s brilliant opening leg of the
5mile route around quarry she looked fresh and ready to put us in a good
position I thought and she did. After 45 minutes we touched hands and we were ready to go.
And this was my story of Leg two:
Wet, damp, cold, nervous, but eager to
please my aim was to run with one foot in front of the other at a fast pace and
repeat over and over again. Do this and I might just get round. Rain, hitting face, sheltered in the
valley so far, feared the worse on top.
Slight climb over into Coed Mawr, shouts of “get past them Dave, I
follow” passed a few people, road, step road, pace slows try to keep up with
Jason. “come on Dave” and tired response of “okay” after 1 mile in. This wasn’t
good. Pick myself up and tried to stick to Jason, he knew it was going to be slow
with me, after this point. Uphill,
lose my footing and slip a little. Hold my balance by some kind of hidden dance
move. Through mud and over limestone, running through self made streams. Leap
over many puddles. Past the palm
trees, descend and try to stick with Jason. “that’s it Dave keep going, we can get them on the ascent”
My thoughts to this. You have to be joking am knackered already. He wasn’t…
As we approached Moel Cynghorion (700ft), I
was knackered, Jason still fresh and hungry. Went like a bullet from a barrel,
he shot up the Mountain in double fast speed. Now I know why he does so well in
races and I don’t. I must improve
my hill climbing. It was amazing
to watch as I continue to struggle to move my legs and breathe. I take on gels and water, in a effort
to get back into it. This was lost and so was all my hard work. Like a trail of ants the leg two
runners climbed with my struggling and lagging behind. Many Pass…
Wet, cold, windy, exhausted, lost sight of
Jason. Push on, try to get into a better mind set, push on, try harder, try
harder to no avail. Break down, this was this first time I lost my heart in a
race. I was losing the will to carry on, but I must keep going to catch Jason
and for club. Push on, fight
against the wall and the vertical climb that almost pushes you back over due to
its steepness. Minutes pass, the clock times, the pressure builds, break down
again. Rebuild one foot in front
of the other. Reach the top to
meet my running partner, shouting “come on Dave” I try to push but I tired. My
legs ache and I am tired. Must carry on, not for the race for survival. Horizontal
rain and 70mph winds hit my face, the coldness burns and the rain stings.
Run as fast as possible, descend, start
the roller coaster of the leg two, up, down up down, aim for checkpoint 3 on
Foel Coch. Really tired, my words are “Sorry Jason”, I am Sorry”. Response “its
for the fun, It’s a laugh come on”.
Down, Up, dehydrated, Foel Gron, climb the staircase, roll down the
hills. Last climb, could of pushed hard, misjudged the race, reach Moel Eilio
(best sounding Welsh name), should be a song title. A cry of relief and the a roar of “Lets F**King do this from
my heart. Through the gate, run,
run fast, this is what I can do. Need to catch the other runners, make up the
places. A new sense of confidence was found.
Run, stride, lean forward, use the wind, watch
the footing, find the line. Aim for the person in front. Pass, continue, one,
push, push hard. Feel cramp, push
on, push on for the club, catch them. Pass, bog, avoid, smile for the camera,
follow Jason, pass them. Reach disused Querry, Over Stile, through field, out
of wind, survived. Relieved to be here, am the lucky one. Run, twist, watch the
rocks, to the left, to the right, twist. Watch the bog, Jason landed in, run
fast for the team, road, hand over to the navigation leg with Jo and Ian. Wait.
Jason Burgess (SMAC)
Get warm, drink tea, eat cake, get changed
wait some more, social, wait. The
leg 3 story is not mine to tell, though the sunshine did break through for the
last leg when Mark went out.
My vow after the race, never to run a race
of importance half injured or with out the right training. Confidence and experienced gained for
next year though. Great to see so many talented runners. Dont carry too much stuff.
My brother also did this leg with Gareth
Briggs, and he had the same experience, wet, cold and hard. Though he was
slightly tired from Limone from the Sky Running championship a few weeks
before, but still ran well.
Finishing time for leg two for me and Jason
(1hr 39minutes) 21 minutes behind the first pair, position 67 out of 180.
Gareth and Ant, on leg two, (1hr 32minutes)
in 37th.
Overall finishing time 5hr and 45 minutes,
in 58th place. The team was Kerry, Me, Jason, Ian, Jo and Mark.
My Brother and Gareth’s team finished 7 in
their category with an overall time of 4hr and 56minutes. The team was Robin,
Gareth, Ant, Jon, Craig, and Dave Neill.
Both Staff Moorlands Teams
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