Summer Series
The summer series is a great social event for anyone living in staffordshire and beyond. There are nine races in total and they happen every thursday evening from the the end of May, I think. The races are organised by Staffordshire Moorlands Athletics Club.
Its a great chance to do a short sharp run in the middle of the week and to catch up with follow runners.
As well as competing in the series for a second time, I also organised a race. In order to be included in the league standings at the end of the series you have to complete 7 out of the 9 races. This is harder than you think. As its demanding to race every week. So my advice is to plan which seven or eight races to do, as I always feel you need a rest in the middle somewhere.
Friday, 26 December 2014
Kentmere Horseshoe English Champs.
Kentmere Horseshoe 20/07/14
Borrow car. Drive for 3hrs. Forget Club
top! Panic. Meet club captain. Buy random top. Warm up. Think to myself why the
hell am I here.
At this point I’d only ran once in June for training
as I got injured MTB in Wales. And since then I have had a bad back, which is
now starting to get better. Now am just stuck with my bad glute that I’ve had
since October 2013…
Meet Will Neill, Gareth Briggs, Jo and Emma Gould. And its time for the
start of the race. I position myself near the back. Confidence is low and there
is little racing legs in me apart from the summer series.
Langley Fell Race
Langley Fell Race 30/06/14
This is a local race, located in Langley near Macclessfield, it's a short 3mile race which is attached to a village fete. Village Fetes are a common sight among fell races, and there a welcome sight at the end of the race with plenty people watching to do, and tea and cakes are in abundance. Every fell runners little dream.
This is a local race, located in Langley near Macclessfield, it's a short 3mile race which is attached to a village fete. Village Fetes are a common sight among fell races, and there a welcome sight at the end of the race with plenty people watching to do, and tea and cakes are in abundance. Every fell runners little dream.
Gritstone Tryal Navigation Race
Gritstone Tryal Navigation Race 27/04/14
This is organised by a Staffs Moorlands runner Ian Ankers, a super nice chap.
This is my first navigation race, and I wanted to do it to force myself to learn how to read a map and use a compass. Dale Colclough showed me how to do it before the race. Now time like the present.
After a quick plan and chat with John Whilock on what route to take to the marked checkpoints we were standing on the starting line.
I decided that I wanted to go my own route and not follow anyone, as I wanted to learn the hard way. I certainly did, I was last at the first checkpoint. I had a lot of work to do to finish in a respectable position. Lucky the other checkpoints were areas that I kind of knew. So I hoped that my local knowledge would come in useful.
This is organised by a Staffs Moorlands runner Ian Ankers, a super nice chap.
This is my first navigation race, and I wanted to do it to force myself to learn how to read a map and use a compass. Dale Colclough showed me how to do it before the race. Now time like the present.
After a quick plan and chat with John Whilock on what route to take to the marked checkpoints we were standing on the starting line.
I decided that I wanted to go my own route and not follow anyone, as I wanted to learn the hard way. I certainly did, I was last at the first checkpoint. I had a lot of work to do to finish in a respectable position. Lucky the other checkpoints were areas that I kind of knew. So I hoped that my local knowledge would come in useful.
Wolfs Pitt Fell Race
Wolfs Pitt Fell Race (16/04/14) 34th
Invited by follow team mates from Staffs Moorlands to do this iconic race in the white peak. I was hoping for a better result than Edale Skyline...
I rested for this race and got excited, as I always do. After a brief warm up in the chilling wind. We were lined up and good to go. The first climb was the toughest in the race but a most enjoyable one, as you came see all/most of the runners at this point. Gareth Briggs, James Wood, Craig Jeffery and Jason Burgess all ahead of me.
Invited by follow team mates from Staffs Moorlands to do this iconic race in the white peak. I was hoping for a better result than Edale Skyline...
I rested for this race and got excited, as I always do. After a brief warm up in the chilling wind. We were lined up and good to go. The first climb was the toughest in the race but a most enjoyable one, as you came see all/most of the runners at this point. Gareth Briggs, James Wood, Craig Jeffery and Jason Burgess all ahead of me.
Edale Skyline 23/03/2014
Having completed the route on a recce day with Janson Heath earlier in the year. I realised two things, one that Edale Skyline is a beautiful race, in terms of the landscape and location. Two, that my love of the landscape would get me through the race, that I had pre entered. As this is one tough cookie... During my snowy recce with Janson, I nearly cried towards the end of the route. The pain that came to my concrete legs was heavy felt.
I went to the race with Gareth Briggs, a follow Staffs Moorlands runner. Excitement gripped my hands and turned my stomach at least four times... A brief chat and the thought of this marmite race was underway.
Having completed the route on a recce day with Janson Heath earlier in the year. I realised two things, one that Edale Skyline is a beautiful race, in terms of the landscape and location. Two, that my love of the landscape would get me through the race, that I had pre entered. As this is one tough cookie... During my snowy recce with Janson, I nearly cried towards the end of the route. The pain that came to my concrete legs was heavy felt.
I went to the race with Gareth Briggs, a follow Staffs Moorlands runner. Excitement gripped my hands and turned my stomach at least four times... A brief chat and the thought of this marmite race was underway.
Thursday, 24 April 2014
Pendle Fell English Championship
Pendle Fell Race
English Championship
05/04/14
This was my first race in the English Championship, excited is a one word, nervous is another. It was a chance to put myself up against the best in the Country and see how I compared.
I travelled up with Lisa Heath who was supporting Janson Heath, her partner, both run for Trentham running club, though Janson runs for Ambleside on the Fells. Both are good friends of mine and are really good ultra runners. I have learnt a lot from both in the last year I have known them. Many Thanks. The Journey to and from the race was no different. A chance to exchange ideas and thoughts about running.
I was running for Staffordshire Moorlands AC once again. I hoped the heart of the roaches and the hill reps from Hen Cloud would carry me forth...
Pendle is known for its witches, so I was hoping that some witch and her magic would cast a spell for me to fly up the hill and back down. Sadly I was mistaken. The course is pretty much an up and down race. With one big long climb, a little drop and a really breath taking, heart in mouth, blood to the head, pain to legs, steep climb to the trig and back to the start. A pacey race for sure.
I meet up with Janson and follow staffs moorlands runner Martin Dearden also from Leek, after good warm up, we will ready for the start. We were ready as we would ever be. I also meet a follow runner from Leek called Will Neill, an extremely talented runner. An exchange of hellos and wishing each other luck we were all ready to go. Along with the other 400 runners in the Village of Barley.
Lucky for both you and me Will's Dad and Sister who had just completed her Ladies race for Staffs Moorlands were filming. So I don't have to bore you with all the details. Will's sister Becky finished 43rd in the time of 47minutes and was third in her Category.
Heres my quick description of the race:
Breath, Wish good luck, avoid car and all the other runners, one foot in front then the other at wide spaces, as fast you can. Admire the Reservoir. Tactic...Maybe...No. Avoid that women with the camera and that puddle. Go as fast as possible. Wow that hurts, reach climb, dying on my feet. Chest forward, climb, breath. Walk, run, walk run, repeat. Seriously how long does this climb go on for!?! Finally, release legs on the down hill. breath avoid the rocks and stones. Receive the applause for acting like child or a crazy man. Yes I feel like a caveman, hit the big stupidly stupid big steep climb, pull and rip the grass, pull on the rocks. Am rubbish at climbing at pace. Repeat and wonder why am here. Get overtaken by a huge amount of runners that appear to be rest of the field behind. Reach the top of the trig, go round it and back down on big downhill. Watch footing, try to make up places. Can't. Stick with the runners. Reach the pavement, make my move. Increase pace on the road and on the last little bit of ascent overtake approximately 20 runners. Boom! I have found my inner cat self. Continue to push, and catch the last two runners in front of me before the line. Must of finish with 5 minute miles...
Will had a great run and all his training pays off in the races. Janson, is currently training for the Bob graham round, so he is doing more longer training session, so I imagine this was a bit of shock, he had a great race, as did Martin who has just started competing with the races with me. Good effort everyone.
Will Neill finished 16th in 35mins and 33 seconds
I finished in 99th at the time, now 101 in 41minutes.
Janson finished in 44minutes and 43
Martin finished in 47minutes and 05 seconds
Pleased to have made the top 100, disappointed to be now out of it. By ONE place. O well next year. Will Neills videos, please subscribe and watch them.
Finishing Part of the Race, click on the link below:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10203346574888165&set=vb.1324746172&type=2&theater
English Championship
05/04/14
This was my first race in the English Championship, excited is a one word, nervous is another. It was a chance to put myself up against the best in the Country and see how I compared.
I travelled up with Lisa Heath who was supporting Janson Heath, her partner, both run for Trentham running club, though Janson runs for Ambleside on the Fells. Both are good friends of mine and are really good ultra runners. I have learnt a lot from both in the last year I have known them. Many Thanks. The Journey to and from the race was no different. A chance to exchange ideas and thoughts about running.
I was running for Staffordshire Moorlands AC once again. I hoped the heart of the roaches and the hill reps from Hen Cloud would carry me forth...
Pendle is known for its witches, so I was hoping that some witch and her magic would cast a spell for me to fly up the hill and back down. Sadly I was mistaken. The course is pretty much an up and down race. With one big long climb, a little drop and a really breath taking, heart in mouth, blood to the head, pain to legs, steep climb to the trig and back to the start. A pacey race for sure.
I meet up with Janson and follow staffs moorlands runner Martin Dearden also from Leek, after good warm up, we will ready for the start. We were ready as we would ever be. I also meet a follow runner from Leek called Will Neill, an extremely talented runner. An exchange of hellos and wishing each other luck we were all ready to go. Along with the other 400 runners in the Village of Barley.
Lucky for both you and me Will's Dad and Sister who had just completed her Ladies race for Staffs Moorlands were filming. So I don't have to bore you with all the details. Will's sister Becky finished 43rd in the time of 47minutes and was third in her Category.
Heres my quick description of the race:
Breath, Wish good luck, avoid car and all the other runners, one foot in front then the other at wide spaces, as fast you can. Admire the Reservoir. Tactic...Maybe...No. Avoid that women with the camera and that puddle. Go as fast as possible. Wow that hurts, reach climb, dying on my feet. Chest forward, climb, breath. Walk, run, walk run, repeat. Seriously how long does this climb go on for!?! Finally, release legs on the down hill. breath avoid the rocks and stones. Receive the applause for acting like child or a crazy man. Yes I feel like a caveman, hit the big stupidly stupid big steep climb, pull and rip the grass, pull on the rocks. Am rubbish at climbing at pace. Repeat and wonder why am here. Get overtaken by a huge amount of runners that appear to be rest of the field behind. Reach the top of the trig, go round it and back down on big downhill. Watch footing, try to make up places. Can't. Stick with the runners. Reach the pavement, make my move. Increase pace on the road and on the last little bit of ascent overtake approximately 20 runners. Boom! I have found my inner cat self. Continue to push, and catch the last two runners in front of me before the line. Must of finish with 5 minute miles...
Will had a great run and all his training pays off in the races. Janson, is currently training for the Bob graham round, so he is doing more longer training session, so I imagine this was a bit of shock, he had a great race, as did Martin who has just started competing with the races with me. Good effort everyone.
Will Neill finished 16th in 35mins and 33 seconds
I finished in 99th at the time, now 101 in 41minutes.
Janson finished in 44minutes and 43
Martin finished in 47minutes and 05 seconds
Pleased to have made the top 100, disappointed to be now out of it. By ONE place. O well next year. Will Neills videos, please subscribe and watch them.
Finishing Part of the Race, click on the link below:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10203346574888165&set=vb.1324746172&type=2&theater
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