Blacka Moor Fell Race

Great race last night 27th out of 200. I had the aftermath of a cold so legs felt empty all round which I reckon lost me 5-10 places. First time I've done this race and it really is a tough one.

Big climb, very steep descent through Heather, slow climb up to A road., long descent, another looooong climb followed by a climb of the steep heather descent earlier, long run down to finish.

Enjoyed it, but this was the first race where my legs didn't feel good. A few days off beckons !

Results here

Blacka Moor Fell Race Route Map

Blacka Moor Fell Race Profile
(steep descent 1.4miles, steep climb 4.6miles)

Edale Country Day Fell Race

Great race in Edale the weekend just gone - as it was the Country Day Lewis, Teresa and mum came along. Weather just about held out. Race went well despite a cold - I was around 20th at Grindslow Knoll but lost 10 places on the descent, so ended up 30th out of 200. Andy was 68th I think. Olivia Walwyn Bush put in a seriously impressive time finishing 1st woman quite a bit ahead of me.

2012 Results should be here

Edale Country Day Fell Race Route Map

Edale Country Day Fell Race Route Profile

Lewis (aka Batman) and the Sheep Shearing

Fisherfield Round

Intrigued by John Fleetwoods recent Fisherfield Round, I thought I'd plot it on a map to see exactly where it goes.

This is the summary - pretty epic stuff ! 

60 miles, 25,500ft, 24hrs

Route goes CW from Dundonnell >> Inverlael >> Beinn Dearg >> Fannichs>> An Teallach

Tansley Fell Race

4.3mile, 7th out of 64

Tansley Hill Run Route : Clockwise

The weather over the last few days has been truly gruesome but - unlike Mountain Biking - running in the rain is actually just as pleasurable as running in the dry. I got there early and did a warm up half lap to loosen the legs. It was good to see Krish, Andy Rose and Craig along to make a 4 strong Belper Harriers turnout.

A small field meant I was quite near the front on the first few climbs.  This race with hindsight proved a good test as over the last 2 short races, I've teetered on the edge of going too fast but always kept it just in check. Last night I didn't keep it in check and pushed too hard early on suffering from burning legs then for the whole of the climb from miles 1.7 to 2.7 on the bottom gradient profile. As soon as it eased off (on the road) I eventually got things under control and started feeling strong again. I might have lost a place or so I think due to this error.

After 2 steep climbs at 1.6m and 2.5m,
all other climbs near the end are on road

A Ripley guy (must have been Dean Taylor who finished 2nd) came past me and as I'm normally good on the climbs, I thought I'd stick with him. Yes, I know now that was a cock up and I didn't know he was going to eventually finish 2nd!  I overcooked it big style so by the top of that climb, I felt like everything was difficult. I forgot what that horrible feeling was like! The deluge of rain turned the stream leading down to Lumsdale falls into a raging torrent, but it all added to the epic quality of fell running.

It took ages to get a good feeling back in my legs (over a mile) but eventually they started talking to me. I overtook James Furniss on the road and I could hear guys behind me, but kept pushing - holding them all off...

...Until the final 30 yds where - despite a full on sprint from both of us - Simon Flitter (Matlock AC) showed to be a better sprinter and just took me on the run in.

Well done to Krish for finishing about 50seconds behind me and to Andy Rose and Craig. We all finished in the Top 20 which was good.

A few beers in the Tavern after and I got a completely unexpected surprise - the first Vet40 trophy! Very pleased. Overall - good race, learnt a few things, nice drinks after and a trophy to add to the collection!


Results here

Bamford Fell Race 8:32/mile 1000ft

10th out of 135. Happy !

Great race yesterday on a course I thought I knew!
Last year, Teresa entered as her first ever fell race - she did quite well and me and Lewis supported. Lewis and me walked up the descent path last year and I thought this was the ascent path too - oh no!

It actually turned out to start for the first 2 miles or so along a dead flat disused railway - I could have been in one of the clubs road races for alll I knew!

It was bad - I hate flat stuff and really felt like I was chugging. The climb up Parkin Clough soon came round though and almost immediately I started passing guys. Think I took 3 up here. It then 'levelled out' a bit (only in fell running terms would the next section be classed as level!) and thought I'd better sit behind Gavin Williams for a bit as I knew he is strong. After 30 secs, this was out the window and I made a break for the summit making about 20m on Gavin. He soon took me within about 400m of the summit and pulled away gradually. Again, I physically could not have moved even the slightest bit faster for any step of that descent. I don't know how those top guys do it !!!

I was very pleased to not be overtaken again on the descent. I'm getting used to at least a few coming past me on descents!

Hitting the disused railway again and I actually felt alive with legs working well. I probably wasn't, but I really felt like I was moving twice as fast as at the start of the race - the climb / descent actually waking my legs up. Nevertheless, I didn't look over my shoulder and powered to the finish feeling very very good.  A big cheer went up from the big crowd on the sheepdog trials day and I crossed the line in 10th which I was very pleased with.

I really couldn't have ran one second faster I don't think.. Like the last fell race on Totley Moor, there was not one moment where I wasn't red-lining it.

Spot where the railway track finishes then starts again ?!?

Pleased with my legs on only my second fell race in years.

Results are here