Charnwood Hills Fell Race
A stark contract to last week's fell race. I didn't shoot out of bed, I didn't go for a swim before hand, I didn't have to prepare for snow and ice and it was local. I have mixed memories for this race, I always feel that I should be able to run it faster than I do as the hills aren't that bad and conditions underfoot are much easier than a 'real' fell race.
Arrived with Andrey in plenty of time to join the loo queue and get changed. Lots of other WRRs around as it is a popular local race and we normally do well. The weather was fine, grey sky, no rain and warm enough for shorts. I had decided to run in my trail shoes as my feet ended up a bit sore after last week's race and this race has plenty of trails to run on - I would come to regret that choice.
The start was new with a run around the football field and I was already sliding around as the ground was soft and wet. The run downhill was even worse, within 1 mile I knew I was in the wrong running shoes. I quickly settled into a pace and place as we headed up the first serious hill and headed for the golf course - how they must hate runners! I was able to make good time on the firmer surfaces but the soft ground was painfully slow as my feet were sliding everywhere and collecting vast clods of mud to make them heavy. By the time I got to the trail around the third hill I was running on good trails and moving through the field quickly with this continuing back to the golf course for the last real climb. The ground was soft - I was overtaken by 2 Wootton runners, quickly retook my position with one but he then surged away and I didn't see him to the end. I was then able to run comfortably until the final hill up to the school field, through the deep mud and up the hill, closing the gap on another Wootton runner, but just as I caught him up he shot off and left me behind as I ran grimly to the line.
The run was 14.17 miles, longer than last year, I ran if it 2hrs 11mins, 5 minutes faster than last year, so I should be feeling better, but perhaps not.
When I crossed the line I saw Andrey there so I know he had not completed the run, he had pulled out after a few miles as his injuries were playing up. He will now rest as the next big fell race is the Edale Skyline in March.
Its been a long week, total training time this week has been 13hours 9 mins, including 5hrs 13mins this weekend. A bit more than planned but still feeling strong if a little tired at times.
Arrived with Andrey in plenty of time to join the loo queue and get changed. Lots of other WRRs around as it is a popular local race and we normally do well. The weather was fine, grey sky, no rain and warm enough for shorts. I had decided to run in my trail shoes as my feet ended up a bit sore after last week's race and this race has plenty of trails to run on - I would come to regret that choice.
The start was new with a run around the football field and I was already sliding around as the ground was soft and wet. The run downhill was even worse, within 1 mile I knew I was in the wrong running shoes. I quickly settled into a pace and place as we headed up the first serious hill and headed for the golf course - how they must hate runners! I was able to make good time on the firmer surfaces but the soft ground was painfully slow as my feet were sliding everywhere and collecting vast clods of mud to make them heavy. By the time I got to the trail around the third hill I was running on good trails and moving through the field quickly with this continuing back to the golf course for the last real climb. The ground was soft - I was overtaken by 2 Wootton runners, quickly retook my position with one but he then surged away and I didn't see him to the end. I was then able to run comfortably until the final hill up to the school field, through the deep mud and up the hill, closing the gap on another Wootton runner, but just as I caught him up he shot off and left me behind as I ran grimly to the line.
The run was 14.17 miles, longer than last year, I ran if it 2hrs 11mins, 5 minutes faster than last year, so I should be feeling better, but perhaps not.
When I crossed the line I saw Andrey there so I know he had not completed the run, he had pulled out after a few miles as his injuries were playing up. He will now rest as the next big fell race is the Edale Skyline in March.
Its been a long week, total training time this week has been 13hours 9 mins, including 5hrs 13mins this weekend. A bit more than planned but still feeling strong if a little tired at times.
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