West Yorkshire Winter League - Bankhouse Valley
Sunday 8th Dec 2013
Host - Pudsey Pacers RC
Weather - Mild and cloudy
Good preparation is everything, regardless of the distance. Start as you mean to go on. And so, it was with error that I'd enjoyed a second consecutive night out with fine food, good company and a few alcoholic beverages. Above this, I'd also not slept and been up since 5ish. As I jogged down Scholebrook Lane at 9.55 doing well in this hard, sloppy race was not high on my aims - these were simply to finish and not be sick.
I passed nervous glances with Andrew 'Mighty' Byrom, Sandra Foster, 'Tony-mator' Mawson and Sara Demaine. All around me were the Lions of Stainland... I could've had an onion, beer-filled boff and taken about 8 out in one swoop; not very sporting though. And there was some fear that I might do more harm to myself! The usual instructions were given to the front runners and without incident we were off.
Within the first 50 metres all of us were splattered with brown, latte coloured wet mud. I must've felt ok as I even joked with some ladies that they had a bit of mud on their shoes... just in case they hadn't noticed. I also suggested to Mark 'Dances with Paws-on' that he'd need to take care of his glass ankles. I stretched the legs on the downhill section and went past Sara Demaine and the Mighty Byrom.
I ran behind the Tonymator and Mark Dixson up through Black Carr Woods. Soon, we passed Digger and Marley at the turn and we flew down the hazard filled route through mud, slop and streams. Grunter soon whizzed past in his customary style. Left at the big log then soon down through the water to big cheers of support from Phil and Carol. I placed myself behind Anna Brown from Queensbury at the stone stile and kept Grunter and the Tonymator in sight.
Along the track in the valley floor then sharp right at Scholebrook Lane down to the stream crossing. The water wasn't deep but as always the exit on the far side was a sticky, mudfest and foot placement care was needed. No falling here as there were cameras around! back along to the big log and some words of encouragements from Coach Hardtaker before crosiing the footbridge and into Black Carr Woods. I soon stopped for a fellrun shuffle and still had Grunter some 75 metres ahead. Suddenly, over the steep worst two Pacers went passed and then a deep wheezing noise that seemed familiar, if only in folklore... Jim Wheldon puffed past and offered brief motivation.
Past Digger for the second and final time I turned to look back along the line of runners behind - no sign of Sandra or the Mighty Byrom. I tried to make good pace down the steep slopes but keep enough in the tank for the final push up the hill. No places were lost until Scholebrook Lane and I only stopped to navaigate around a stationary horse rider. I shuffled up and round to the kennels then started the final push. I kept the Stainland vest ahead of me but couldn't make the ground. I glanced behind as the roars erupted on the corner of the Bankhouse. A last sprint to the finish and no overtaking. And no sick. Finish. Hurrah!
Postscript
Mud, mud and more mud. Smiles all round and glowing endorsements from other clubs. Although there a few reckless horsey fold who galloped through the lead runners and then shared heated exchanges with concerned marshals. Pah! Not great preparation from me, but i survived, wasn't sick and felt more human once I'd showered and enjoyed the best roast dinner at the Midnight Bell - what Sundays are made for, no?
07/12/2013
Parkrun poleaxe 2: Return of the Shipwreck...
Woodhouse Moor Parkrun
Sat 7th Dec 2013
Weather - Cold and dry (wet underfoot)
The morning after the Pudsey Pacer Christmas do the night before. This effort was never going to be a PB attempt, although I'd hoped to get close. Al Chapman, Sandra Foster, Mark Smith and Andrew Hardaker and I all shared some chat at the start line. The usual chaotic start soon witnessed all other Pacers around me heading off into the distance. I stayed with Mark for first 2kms. By then i wasn't sure if I was going be sick or need to stop at the toilets. The next kilometre was something of a blur and the last two were simply survival.
I walked back from the finish to cheer on David Owen, a few Harriers and Anne Akers from Eccleshill. I felt better for having done the race but 23.01 would be a full minute slower than the previous week. My mile splits were consistent at just over 7.45 and I couldn't have done anymore. So, I rewarded myself with a big chuffing latte and decided to forget about it!
Quite how Sandra managed to PB at 21 and a bit is beyond me... still drunk I reckon. Respect. Mind, as mark says when your paced by someone else it doesn't count.
Sat 7th Dec 2013
Weather - Cold and dry (wet underfoot)
The morning after the Pudsey Pacer Christmas do the night before. This effort was never going to be a PB attempt, although I'd hoped to get close. Al Chapman, Sandra Foster, Mark Smith and Andrew Hardaker and I all shared some chat at the start line. The usual chaotic start soon witnessed all other Pacers around me heading off into the distance. I stayed with Mark for first 2kms. By then i wasn't sure if I was going be sick or need to stop at the toilets. The next kilometre was something of a blur and the last two were simply survival.
I walked back from the finish to cheer on David Owen, a few Harriers and Anne Akers from Eccleshill. I felt better for having done the race but 23.01 would be a full minute slower than the previous week. My mile splits were consistent at just over 7.45 and I couldn't have done anymore. So, I rewarded myself with a big chuffing latte and decided to forget about it!
Quite how Sandra managed to PB at 21 and a bit is beyond me... still drunk I reckon. Respect. Mind, as mark says when your paced by someone else it doesn't count.
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