October

[glaconman]

Sunday 11th October - Beefy's Nab - 3m/650'- Oxenhope

No pictures I'm afraid. But this race yealded a couple of insights.

I can't think of a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon. The kids ran their races hurtling along the side of the reservoir. There were tears. Arms were held aloft in triumph. The adults then set-off for this short, testing assault on the trig-point. Then a perfect pint of TT Landlord drunk in the sunshine amongst good company. That evening's wine and chocolate were won in the raffle. And then back for some home-cooked food and a well-earned nap.

Secondly, I'm crap at running downhill. Whilst I got to the top in about 10th I finished in 21st. By the bottom of the hill I was thinking 'What's the point?'. I guess the point is that there's skill involved running down a hillside. And it's a challenge. I've been advised that improving downhill speed is easier than improving uphill speed. I'll go with that for the time being. After all, some of these guys have got 20 or 30 years of experience and conditioning in their legs.

Next-up is the Bradford City Run on Sunday. No bogs, tussocks and falling on my arse in this one. Just 10 miles of hilly roads to negotiate.

Then the following Sunday it's Withins Skyline. A 7 mile fell race around the moors above Haworth. A challenging course no doubt but without the steeper gradients. I like the look of this one. And beforehand the kids race around an old quarry dressed as rats. Should be fun.