Weasdale Horseshoe Fell Race 23/08/14
A rare trip up to the lakes to race, this was my first lakes fell race. You start to fear the worst when you see the mountain grow as your driving on the motorway. And for those that know me, my nervous started to step it up a notch, so there were a couple of stops on the motorway!
I travelled up with a Craig Jeffery, Gareth Briggs, and Martin Dearden all from Staffs Moorlands running club. This made for an enjoyable journey because of the banter. Laughing definitely helps settle nervous.
We arrived at the Wasdale and it was no surprise that the race was attached to a village fete. A gently warm up and a quick look at the map and a technical tongue wag with Gaz about the the route as he has done it before. And I was set for me race plan.
Sunday, 28 December 2014
Saturday, 27 December 2014
Half tour of Bradwell
Half Tour Bradwell
This year I opted to do the half tour of Bradwell, rather then the full tour that usually cripples me. The half is 15/16 miles long and takes the first part of the route from the full tour until you get to the Hollin's Cross and then it goes across the ridge until you join the route on the full tour. Then the Half goes back to start/finish line on its own route once you hit the car park checkpoint near Lady-bower reservoir. And this is the bit I didn't know, as I didn't do a recce.
I arrived just in time to get myself sorted and also meet up with Janson Heath who was running the full tour along with Frank Murphy. Lisa, Janson's wife was also there. Myself and Janson were running for Team Raidlight, though in separate races.
This year I opted to do the half tour of Bradwell, rather then the full tour that usually cripples me. The half is 15/16 miles long and takes the first part of the route from the full tour until you get to the Hollin's Cross and then it goes across the ridge until you join the route on the full tour. Then the Half goes back to start/finish line on its own route once you hit the car park checkpoint near Lady-bower reservoir. And this is the bit I didn't know, as I didn't do a recce.
I arrived just in time to get myself sorted and also meet up with Janson Heath who was running the full tour along with Frank Murphy. Lisa, Janson's wife was also there. Myself and Janson were running for Team Raidlight, though in separate races.
Friday, 26 December 2014
Summer Series 14
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.
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.
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.
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