Wed 26th May location Parbold
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Video's show the race route [taken on a training run].
This has to be my favourite race, Dirt trails, challenging hills, fast downhills on grass, great racing and a fantastic friendly atmosphere, plus an amazing prize list and all for £ 9.00 for the series, AWESOME!
I travelled Down with Paul, Simon and his friend Dave, after signing on I went for a warm up with Steve McLean, we headed up to the top of Hunters hill then took in some trails round the Hilldale Quarry.
The race starts at the bottom of the path up to the quarry, there was a record turn out of 189 runners.
At 7.30 pm the race started, I was near the front, but not for long, everyone and there dog seemed to hurtle by me, my legs felt weak and my breathing was heavy. Two girls overtook me, I quickly pass them on the next flatter section only to have them pass my again as the incline increased it's grade!
I hung on the best I could, at last the top was in sight.
While most runners start to recover from there effort I swing to the side and accelerate hard, passing at least ten runners in front of me.
I push on and pass Steve, over a stile and fast downhill over the lush green cow fields.
I pass young team mate Ben, then pass 4 more before the next stile and a technical trail between rocks and trees. Out the other side and two more stiles to jump over, I accelerate again and lock onto a young guy who is dropping off the pace of the group in front of me. Another stile and I'm out onto the road, 400m on. a left turn up Narrow lane and the start of the Parbold climb, i catch the lad in front as we emerge on to the Parbold main Rd, a few steps than we take a left turn, down a dirt bank to a stream, the young guy sprints passed me and jumps from one bank to the next, I pussy foot across the stepping stones over the stream like a girl!
Yet another stile and I'm out onto the fields again, climbing up a steep hill. I'm surviving, that's the best I can call it, I pass the 'leaping, young lad and leave him behind, but young Ben comes gliding passed, making it all look very easy! I hold off a guy behind me, he's breathing 3 in and one out, still not been able to get a hang of this fragmented breathing in race conditions yet. My own breathing is ragged, i reach what I call the Escalator, a long winding farmers track that seems to rise into the heavens. four guys catch me, dam! I dig deep and cling on to their backs by the skin of my teeth. At last we reach the top after maybe 10 mins of climbing,a right onto the top rd and then left down a private Rd to the Hall. We jump a cattle grid and one guy attacks.
I pull in behind him and shelter from the wind! Through a gate and along a dirt track, the trail climbs again, I drop back and fight to hold the other 3 runners off. over the top and turn sharp left, downhill over grass, I stride out, picking up speed.
As we reach the ruins of the old windmill [ see photo] I close in on the guy in front, up some steps and fast down a rocky technical trail.
The guys behind are breathing down my neck, I keep my cool and don't let them passed. Over a wall and downhill over the last cow field, closer and closer i get to the guy in front! Over the final stile, I push all out down a concrete farmers lane, a left turn then round a bend with a 100m uphill to finish.
I reach the guy ahead but can not close that last second, sprinting all out I finish 16th in 36.39
Ben ran really well finishing I think 10th, steve was a minute behind me and Simon knocked a min off his P.B. with a 38 min run. Trace and Jo had great races, the terrible 'twins' ran 42 mins something!
Still waiting for the full Results.
After the race we had a few pints and enjoyed the prize giving, Happy days :]
RESULTS
Conclusion, running well downhill but lack power on steep climbs, going to start some plyometrics to put that right, plus add some Lydiard type hill springing into some of my hill runs!
Strength Training for Runners and Endurance Athletes: Why most do it wrong.
TENDON HEALTH AND PERFORMANCE VIDEO
