Rudyard (25th July, Summer Series)

This was the week of my 30^th Birthday, so celebrations were in full swing three nights before the race after an evening in the Silk and Strand (leek) with family and friends as we celebrated mine and my twin sisters birthday party. Most of the people who turned up were for my sister…I did managed to eat her cake and try to ride a child’s bike down some steps… Thanks for everyone who came to celebrate with my sister and myself.

After a sore head the two days later I had to put on my racing head, as I wanted to try and finish 3^rd in my category in the overall prizes.

With the support of Cara and other friends I made during the series I was surprising pleased to find myself feeling I could race this one, as I knew the course from many walks around the lake.

The Lake is named after Rudyard Kipplin as him and his family visited the lake regularly to feel the breeze in their hair to look upon the silver veils that rippled around the lake.

The first part of the race consists of approximately 2miles of straight and flat road.  This is not my strong point so I knew I had to hold a good position until we reached an uphill.

The race started at a fast pace as I expected, I hung back and tried to stay with those footprints that had become a familiar path, this came in the form of Richard and Toby.

After the nutrition of some fly’s and the summers heat, I felt a little tired as people passed me, I knew I could not do anything about it as I would blow up.  It wasn’t until the never ending straight had finished I could make my move. 

This came after the cattle grid followed by cows that made for some unusual spectators. I could hear the sound of bagpipes from the lungs of Johnny Whylock. This inspired me to put a little more effort in and this worked as I passed some of the runners that overtook me on the flat.

I managed to overtake and catch up with Tyler and Richard both were having a good race.  I knew it would take a lot to bet these two, so I tried to maintain my pace and put more effort on the gradients.  This seemed to work as we approached the boat houses I had made up some positions and with the support of members from Staff Moorlands Running Club I managed to hold off Tyler and Richard after an exchange numbers.

I then reached the visitor center and mooring points for the boats, it’s a good view from here, but I didn’t have time to admire it this time. As I had to burst into a spirit to pull away from my pursuers.  I managed to do this until the finish with a time of 31 minutes and 02 seconds to finish in 5^th place, my best finish since starting the series. Result for Team Raidlight.

This was my first race in a Team Raidlight shirt. 

Summer Series Shutlingsloe

Race two of the summer series was a fell race. That mean and steep fell in question is Shutlingsloe. The race was 3 miles according to the organisers.

So again, it was going to be a fast race.

I have ran up Shutlingsloe before, as I use it in my training runs with the roaches. The Hill offers amazing views over the Moorlands and Cheshire. I would recommend it to anyone.

I was also going with my brother Anthony.  He had just returned from running Zegama in the sky running series. He was the first Brit back in the race, and 7th best in his class. Good Work Ant. Amazing. I have no idea how you achieve this, but you did. Well Done.  He is also one of the people I hold accountable for my running.

This was the second race, I had done with my bother. The last time I raced him he finished 3hrs ahead of me...

The aim of my race was to just complete the race in the top 30, I never like to have unrealistic expectation for races.

This was also my first race under the team name of Raidlight. A French Running association that I will now be running under. I really like the ethics that they have. It doesn't matter how far you run, where you come or what type of running you do. Everyone is under one banner and pulls together. Please check it out.

As we lined up my brother was in front of me, in the narrow trail lane.

The whistle went, and so the up hill struggle began.  I decided to run as fast as possible up the hill to the fell as I knew I would get some time to catch some air when we reached the top of Shutlingsloe. I followed my brother to top, of the hill. I tried to stay on his heels in hope that I would have enough to over take him on the down hill.   This was a bit of a risky strategy as I may get tired and lose places to other people.

I kept looking over my shoulder in case this happened, but I had some space between me and he next person. As we reached the summit of Shutlingsloe my brother was, I think a little surprised to see me.  As he soon bolted down the hill back to the finish. I do remember someone shouting is that your brother you can catch him. My reply was "I am too *Ducked." My legs went a bit to jelly at the top of the summit and I lost a lot of time on the descent, as I didn't wont to fall. I headed back to the finish, a 1mile and half down hill.

I could not see my brother once we entered the forest. He managed to finish two minutes in front of me. It goes to show how much pace you can pick up on the descents. He was like bull after a red cloth.

He had a great race, and I am please that he pushed me so hard around the course, as I managed to finish in 9th in 29minutes.

Am really pleased with my result as it was such a hard course for such a short distance. The race was actually 3.6miles according to Ant's Garmin.

I reached the finishing line with Joy and congratulated my brother on his race.

I am really enjoying the series as everyone is really nice to talk to, and the atmosphere of the races are a good laugh.  Thanks for all those that are support so far.

The next race is the roaches.

On the Ascent to Shutlingsloe, Photo By Mike Hall