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Thanks to Chrys and Kenny for organising a great Christmas training session on Tuesday night. Chrys had managed to find somewhere not too icy and very safe to do sprint reps; the hidden molehills proved entertaining, especially when Coach Chrys took a tumble into the snow. Unfortunately the frosty conditions meant some folk couldn't make it as they were snowed in.
Kenny had arranged for hot mince pies and mulled wine at the clubhouse, enjoyed by all as we dried out by the fire. Entertainment was provided by Sarah who arrived to show everyone her bruised and bulging leg....fascinating. Plenty of remedies were suggested with Sarah favouring rest and consumption of mulled wine.
Happy Christmas everyone, training as usual on the 29th.
Nat, Dolly and I meet at 7am, its dark and frosty. We steadily pick our way between patches of ice through the silent streets of Wooler and up into the hills. No sign of vehicles at the Duck Ponds, we decide that the Bracken Babes have probably stayed in bed instead of braving the chilly hills. Its a slow paced run, we are cautious on the slippery ground after Sarah's dramatic fall last weekend. The ever changing colours of her knee to thigh bruise have provided the main topic of conversation lately. The anticipation of Sarah appearing and dropping her trousers to show off her injury has kept many of us on edge all week.
All three of us do fall during the outing today, but luckily sustain no more harm than the denting our pride. The wind is bitter cutting through our many layers, but the glorious sunrise warms our souls. As we return along St Cuthbert's Way we spy more runners; of course it is those Bracken Babes frisking along having breakfasted on mince pies and coffee at the hillfort by Harehope Hill. Now why didn't we think of that...
It was some of the super photos from 2008 that tempted me along for a pop at this one this year. Although it was obvious that the same magical snowbound conditions weren't going to form the backdrop, I was still keen enough to set aside the 3rd leg of the Borders XC series in favour of extra distance and more testing terrain. Had some idea what to expect after Hillforts & Headaches on New Years Day- but all of the 'outback' section of the course behind the ridge was virgin territory for me. I hadn't gone out with Nick and Don for their recce which, by their own admission, had been (at least in parts) something of a headscratching session. They had managed to ascertain though that it was (surprise, surprise!) "A bit muddy!"
A record field dispersed from Rothbury at 11 bells and got stuck in. Initial leading pace didn't seem too crazy and I was content to sit at the back of the first dozen or so and concentrate on my own headgame of quashing initial enthusiasm/nervous energy, to avoid blowing up later. All the climbing in the first 3m seemed to flit past and I hoped that the steady progress I was making wasn't going to be echoed later with an equally steady descent back through the ranks. I was focussed on running economically and looking at who and what was ahead. At about 4m I was vying for 3rd place, and then 2nd, no-one more surprised than I. A bit further on and I was in what felt like a comfortable 2nd place with only the leader and another 6m or so ahead.
Whatever tussles we were having with fellow competitors, we were all in the same boat as far as what was underfoot went. And in some parts it might have been useful to actually be in a boat. The middle third of the route was ready to engulf the unwary. The footpath was dotted with little duckboard bridges here and there which spanned the swampier parts of the morass. As numerous 'tales at the finishing tape' told afterward though, you were probably safer to pitch straight on through the worst of it than take the footbridge options for thereon lay a very good chance of sliding headlong rather than feet first into the drink! I had one 'near miss' and one forward sprawl. As well as this there was a tricky section of cleared forest with some nice ridge and furrow undulation round about Selby's Cove, heather covered sheeptrack- scratchy scratchy, a punishing rocky scramble up to Simonside itself, some pleasant grassy track (!) and leg sapping hard flagstones and actual tarmac too. The whole package. Of course, special mention should be made of the "Grotto Trot" a festive detour of a couple of hundred yards into the darkness of the wood wherein there were fairy lights and music playing, courtesy of the race organisers and a generator. Brilliant stuff!
With the Grotto and Simonside approaching I was still feeling chipper and increasingly surprised. Could it be that race leader James Buis, 200yards or so ahead, was slowing up? Phil Sanderson, (I'd wondered where he was! And failed to recognise him in passing too! Sorry Phil.) who was marshalling at Selby's Cove, hinted so. "You're going faster than him," he said as I made the stile. I started to think I could catch up and then, on breaking clear of the woods of the Grotto section, found that I had. James still had the edge. He'd either held a bit back over the previous mile or so, or was just keener, because he put 20yards on straight away up the Simonside scramble. I held on though. He drew away to about 100yards up but seemed to be taking it quite steady on the descents on the ridge and by Lordenshaws I'd almost got back with him. Round the Hillfort was where he racked the pace up though and put me well and truly in his wake over the last 2m which he covered a full 2mins quicker in decisive fashion. I'd had a good dig but felt the pinch over the harder ground on the run in. One of my calves was tightening up so I had to be content with second and a steady run in for home. Far from disappointed though, what may well be my last race this year had turned out to be one of the most enjoyable.
Eventually everyone was gathered in and a prize list as long as the race itself dished out along with soup and rolls in the Newcastle Hotel. I took home a Christmas pudding for my efforts. It might just cover the calories burned up whilst swamp-trotting! Full results, photos, other reports and blogs links via NFR website. A shout out to WRC teammates Nick, Don, Kenny, Glen & Jack and my thanks to the organisers and all involved in hosting this great race.
Sounds like its been pretty busy in the hills this weekend, all sorts of strange folk running in the mist on Saturday and a record breaking attendance at the Simonside Fell Race on Sunday.
Sympathy and cake needed for Sarah who slipped on icy ground, mid-conversation, on the slopes of Harehope and now has a bruise the size of a melon (watermelon mind, not a smaller variety) on her thigh.
Congratulations to the 6 valiant runners, Kenny, Nixdown, Ronaldo, Jack, Glen and Adam who all did extremely well at Simonside. Hoping Adam might tell us what its like to be a hero, leading the field, 2nd runner to cross the line, in a wooler vest, wow.... what must that feel like??.....haven't the foggiest.
Twink wrote:
8o'clock loomed, dog desperate to go out, even after his run with the Braken Babes yesterday. Debating what to do, the decision was to put on the running gear and shoes and head out into the hills, also to see if ankle was going to be ok.
Gentle jog up Common Road to the ponds, carried on up towards Common Burn, passed Bell's Valley. Thinking that if there was any pain in the ankle I could cut the run short. However ankle was good, so carried on up to the cattle grid, then followed around the Glendale Gallops. Heading up Black Law I noticed a tall figure comng towards me. It was James & Finlay, exchanged hellos, then headed off in separate directions. Me heading back toward Gains Law then to Drythrople then down to High Humbleton. Back home, feeling good for putting my footprints back in the Cheviot's mud. Hopefully will be clocking up the miles again.
The "Braken Babes" decided to have a run in the freezing fog today, although we were not the only ones out, on the way to the ponds there were a few other team members out for a jaunt too.
We warmed up with our usual lap around the ponds, then headed for Gains Law. A pull up the hill was a refreshing change, Rudy was on his extendable lead which is great!! Over the "Boggy Moor", passed "Tom Tallons" crag, but instead of heading on more of St Cuthbert's Way we turned left towards Wackenage Crag, at the wall / style/ gate we headed back up the hill towards Easter Tor, not quite getting to this Tor, a great photo oppotunity of the sun breaking through the clouds was taken by Kris and a few extra for good measure. We then headed around the butts and went over to Wester Tor. The views were not quite as good today due to the fog, but it was so quiet and no sign of another soul it was great. Double backing on ourselves we found the track which would have taken us to Hare Law, but decided that was for another day, we followed the fenceline down passed Harelaw Cairn then onto Common Burn. The run ended by following the track from Common Burn around to the "Boggy Moor" then back via part of the "Glendale Gallops".
Pretty decent run, considering how cold it was.....
I spoke to Dolly a bit later and heard that the other team members had a good run too, although there was a fall.
Hope you're better soon Tammy.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7370993.stm
Thought you'd like the look of this, something a bit different. Although some of us have been doing it all summer :-)
Wednesday morning dawns and I'm sure I'm getting a cold, but I'm not at work and its a frosty, clear December morning so I have to run.
I start at Kilham, hard to believe this was once a bustling community of 200 with a smithy, bakery, and joinery. Today its quiet and deserted as I set off along the disused railway line that runs parallel to the Bowmont Water. Its a gentle introduction, which is just what my reluctant body needs before the climb up Kilham Hill.I cross the lower fields, the sheep pause in their grazing to stare at me and the crows rise in a raggedy flurry their raucous calls bleak in the still, cold air.
A steady plod up to the summit cairn, the sunlight is glowing over the Newton Tors bringing a welcome warmth. To the north and west is Scotland and to the south the familiar bulk of the Cheviot. I continue along the undulating ridge to Longknowe Hill, the distinctive gap in the wall is clearly defined against the clear sky. As I reach the summit I realise I am not alone; a bulky figure leans on the trigpoint. It is Old Geordie Rumfella of the College Valley well muffled in a grey woollen scarf contemplating the hills and settlements below.
" I'm glad to see you " I say reaching into my bumbag for the neat square of hankerchief that belongs to him "I have been carrying this around for a while to return to you." Old Geordie turns, his wrinkled brown face breaking into a smile, then he frowns and looks at me shrewdly " What's up Bonnie Lass?" he asks his voice warm with concern. " I've not been sleeping so good " I reply, " I'm worried about the ones I love." He is silent for a while still gazing at the surrounding landscape, " Can you heal if you are sick?" he offers "Can you give solace if you are raging within? Rediscover joy again; for the grass will keep growing and the wind will still blow whatever we do." He gently folds my fingers around the now crumpled hankerchief with his rough weatherbeaten hand. " Ye best keep this now Bonnie Lass" he murmurs " there is comfort in these hills". I leave him standing by the wall tinkering with that smelly old pipe of his and weave my way across the hillside towards Ring Chesters.
On the fast valley road down from Ewartly Shank I pay heed to his words and my feet strike out a rhythmic chant "Hope, hope, hope...."
English fell running championships
Click on the link above when you have a spare 5 minutes and are looking for inspiration......
I have not posted for a while. Tonsillitis followed by some virus has had me out of running for a good few weeks. However, I'm now back on the road to insanity and looking forward to resuming some kind of running normality - up at 5.45 am for runs before work; heading out in the cold for 3 hour weekend runs; nearly killing myself with speed training on a Tuesday night.....
During the breathers the conversation was buzzing with the challenges for 2010. Everyone appears to be stepping up a gear and feeling really motivated. I was caught up in the enthusiasm and found myself agreeing to join the others who are going to sign up for the Lakeland 50 in July. Alison and Amy did it this year and reported how tough it was, so much so that we all want a share of it!
Nick B has got the club place in the Virgin London Marathon. He has proven himself as a marathon runner over the past couple of years and we all wish him luck.
Alison has got a place with the North Face team for the CCC race which is a shorter version of the Tour de Mont Blanc, being just 60 miles!
Charlotte and Toria are continuing with their triathlons and are both doing the Helvellyn Tri, which is renowned for being one of the UK's toughest triathlons.
So, for me, 2010 is going to be less racing in the first half, concentrating instead on endurance and off road running, and doing a lot more on the bike. Hopefully Tony will be up for doing some more cycling coaching.
