Sunday 31st Jan The Pennine Bridleway Relay
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[Leg 5 - Whitworth to Rawtenstall - 9.5 miles]
This route is dominated by a 2.5 mile climb that takes you up to the top of the Pennines then quickly down again. The day was freezing cold but mostly clear. And with plenty of ice on the ground, potentially hazardous as one poor bloke found out when he broke his ankle not long after setting off.
The thing about these long relays is the combined effort that they demand. When you wake up in the morning the first thing that comes into your mind is the fact that the first two runners from your team have just set-off; and they got up before dawn to be there. And if you're running the final leg you have the whole of the morning to contemplate on the effort that's continually going on in order to get the baton to you as fast as possible.
So you better get there on time; be ready to run when they come hurtling around the corner; have the right kit to pass the inspection; and run within a reasonable margin of your best.
So when you start to feel dizzy after only 6 miles and wonder where to put your feet or where you are or why other teams are whizzing past you, you know things have gone seriously wrong. Whatever the reason (not enough fuel and not enough clothing are the likely candidates) it was careless, to say the least.
And I felt pretty low when I did finally make it to the finish. I guess life is like this. As the FRA forums pronounce: Fell running, we take the ups with the downs.
None of GMan thankfully:
PBR Event
Sunday 7th Feb - Dewsbury 10k
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Ten kilometers out and back from the centre of Dewsbury on a cold, grey day. Well, it's what you make it I guess and there were some round edges to this race. Meeting up with friends before and after the race; seeing fellow club members run well; the prospect of my first effort at this distance; and some pub action to round-off the morning.
But these events are inevitably dominated by the stats. Mrs G was gunning for under the hour whilst I was hoping for anything under 40. She came in at 55:55 and I managed 36:38. So from a performance point-of-view it was a good day. But I wasn't really looking forward to this distance and it didn't fail to disappoint. I found myself running into a big empty space for much of the second half of the race which was abit grim. When somebidy did come onto my shoulder and ease past it was a welcome diversion to try and stay with them. At least I've done one now and know how 'orrible they are. Although, let's face it, they're all 'orrible.
GMAN Dewsbury
Some low-key running in the hills next I think. No numbers or times, just for the joy of it.
