Southport Waterloo A/C Win Ashurst Beacon Team Award

The seriously challenging 5.9 miles Ashurst Beacon fell race proved good hunting ground for SWAC.
Young Ben who trained with me on Wednesday finished an impressive 2nd overall [38.53] one min behind winner Nick Leigh of P&B. Ben, Rob Ashworth [42.36] and Steve McLean [43.41] made up our winning team, nice job lads :]
As for my own race, well it was a case of only two hours in bed after another tough night shift.
Steve Lewis kindly gave me a lift to the race. Heavy rain cleared for the start leaving very mild temps but plenty of mud out on the course.
My plan was to go out hard and see what happened. The first mile is a suicide downhill, I wanted to try and stay with the leaders but got hemmed in, drat , even so I reached 4.20 pace on the road section before we moved onto the muddy trails. After a mile we started the steep ascent up through the quarry path to the top of Parbold [500ft]. I felt OK but didn't have the energy to dig really deep. I guess I reached the top in about 20th place.
Next followed a 1/2 mile along the top road, I gained a few places as I hit 11 mph. A right turn and I was running downhill on dirt tracks through Fairy Glen, so far so good! After the long descent we climbed up steep steps, out and over a wall and onto a very muddy cow field. My trail shoes slivered and slidded, it took all my concentration to stay upright. I lost quite a few places before we rejoined the dirt paths Again.
Now a final challenge of 500ft of climbing in a mile. My energy left my legs just like water going down a drain. I could not suffer it was just a matter of plodding on, I was now in fat burning mode [slow boat to china mode].
Steve Lewis [30th 44.54, his best race by far!] pulled past as we hit the final 500m on what felt like a stage of one of the toughest Tour De France mountain stages! At last the final 100m up to the top of the Beacon.
I finish a spent force in 35th out of 157 [ 45.21]. Not to worry, I'm always crap this time of year, the form will come, be sure of that. Roll on Parbold hill race next month, time for revenge :]
See Garmin Map Ashurst Beacon Race HERE

Ashurst Beacon hill race and RicksRunnings future, long and short term aims

On Wed I took friend and team mate Tracey down to the Ashurst Beacon fell race.
My plan was to enjoy the scenic views and pace Tracey round at the same time [ stopping myself running round at race pace and doing myself some serious damage just 3 days after London].
The race starts at the top of a 550ft climb with a suicide downhill for a mile, first on tarmac then dusty dirt tracks.
Away from the start I found myself still up with the leaders after 400m,.
I looked round and saw Trace was some way back, ooops, I pulled over and waited for her to catch up, I then made downhill progress at a more sensible pace [ I still hit 4.25 pace on one section].
After a mile we came out onto the valley floor, up ahead the monsterous climb up Parbold loomed ahead.
Over the Leeds Liverpool canal Bridge and the 1st climb started, I let Trace take the lead and tried to give helpful tips!!! Lean foreward into the hill [from the ankles] keep relaxed, remember to take deep breaths etc :]
We made good progress to the top, coming out onto the main rd by the icecream van, sorry Tracey no time to stop!
After half a mile along the top rd we turned left and descended down Fairy Glen [ no sightings of fairies today, not even the human kind!] see photo; Fairy Glen.
My legs felt very good, but was glad I was not pushing all out, soon we reached the bottom and took some wooden steps up and over a wall, across green fields, then back along the dirt track we had been on some 15 mins ago.
Now we had to climb straight back up to where we started from, Tracey was working hard and I tried to encourage her forward [ speed your legs up and shorten your stride, imagine there is an elastic band attached from the guy in front to you, pulling you in etc].
At last we turned off the rd and followed the final track up to the Ashurst Beacon monument.
I remember trying to sprint up the very steep bank here a couple of years ago, man it hurt, no problem for me today but poor old Trace went through hell and collapsed in a heap over the finish line!
Tracey achieved her aim of finishing first of the Southport girls back and it puts her in a good position for the club GP.
Me, I had a great time and enjoyed the run up and down the hills on my favourite trails, with no damage to my legs. RESULTS
Disclaimer; this was not part of the Marius recovery plan :]
I was going to tell you about my future racing plans, but I've run out of time,.
Lets just say I'm planning to run the hardest, toughest and meanest Marathon in the country in September, more news soon!


Recovery Week
Sat 1st May
easy run over the big sandhills with Tess = 1 hour 25 mins
Fri 30th
easy = 28 mins
Thru 29th
easy = 28 mins
Wed
Race = 48 mins
Tue
Velvet trail easy = 37 mins