Coiners Fell Race (BM, 7 miles, 1100ft)
After watching the 2nd in the FRA English Junior Championship series in the morning, and gradually freezing to death, I was wrapped in my waterproof wondering why I'd paid my entry fee. So I was greatly pleased to see Steve Moss bounding across the field towards me, all ready to go. After sheltering by the tents for a while, it was soon time to line up at the start. This was my second outing at this race, having run here first in 2008, but for Steve it was a new race. At the time I ran it last year, it was the boggiest race I'd ever run, but I think I've had a couple of races that surpassed it since. I had a feeling that based on recent form, there was a chance I could dip under the hour, since last time I'd finished in 1:01:27.
It's important to get off to a good start in this race, as after a short run down a lane there is a stile where there tends to be a big queue before climbing up through some woods onto the tops. I had maybe 6 or 7 people queuing before me going up, but the further back you are the worse it tends to get. Out onto the climb, and I was going OK, but was still the first to start walking, I few passed me, but I knew that at the top it crossed a stile onto a lane where a flat section would enable me to pick up the pace.
Heading up the second climb to Stoodley Pike, I started to feel more comfortable and passed a few runners. Rounding the monument, and starting the descent, I saw Steve on his way up, but not too far behind, but now we were onto the fast part of the course, where it's difficult to make up places. I was caught and passed by the ace V60 runner from Dark Peak - Dave Tait at the next stile, and was then chasing a small group down through a wooded section before dropping down to the next section.
Then we reached the bog! The swamp monsters were out in force, sucking your legs down and refusing to let go. I could hear cries and curses from behind as I trudged my way through. Finally reaching a murky pool where I took lead from the runner in front of me and just went straight through. The swamp was easily up to my shorts, but the alternative routes hadn't looked much better.
Once out I was onto the narrow sheep track and some fairly steep drops through heather where I went over on my right ankle, but not too serious. Finally reaching the top of the start field, and a short fast run along a track before a steep descent of the field to the finish. There were a bunch of us within a few seconds at the line, and a quick glance at my watch showed me that I had made it under the hour with a time of 59:11. Job done!
Very shortly afterwards, I saw Steve descending the field and into the finish. We chatted with runners around the finish area before heading back to the car park. A good race, and one I'd recommend, made all the better by having some good company. I have to say that I enjoy it far more when there are team-mates around.
It's important to get off to a good start in this race, as after a short run down a lane there is a stile where there tends to be a big queue before climbing up through some woods onto the tops. I had maybe 6 or 7 people queuing before me going up, but the further back you are the worse it tends to get. Out onto the climb, and I was going OK, but was still the first to start walking, I few passed me, but I knew that at the top it crossed a stile onto a lane where a flat section would enable me to pick up the pace.
Heading up the second climb to Stoodley Pike, I started to feel more comfortable and passed a few runners. Rounding the monument, and starting the descent, I saw Steve on his way up, but not too far behind, but now we were onto the fast part of the course, where it's difficult to make up places. I was caught and passed by the ace V60 runner from Dark Peak - Dave Tait at the next stile, and was then chasing a small group down through a wooded section before dropping down to the next section.
Then we reached the bog! The swamp monsters were out in force, sucking your legs down and refusing to let go. I could hear cries and curses from behind as I trudged my way through. Finally reaching a murky pool where I took lead from the runner in front of me and just went straight through. The swamp was easily up to my shorts, but the alternative routes hadn't looked much better.
Once out I was onto the narrow sheep track and some fairly steep drops through heather where I went over on my right ankle, but not too serious. Finally reaching the top of the start field, and a short fast run along a track before a steep descent of the field to the finish. There were a bunch of us within a few seconds at the line, and a quick glance at my watch showed me that I had made it under the hour with a time of 59:11. Job done!
Very shortly afterwards, I saw Steve descending the field and into the finish. We chatted with runners around the finish area before heading back to the car park. A good race, and one I'd recommend, made all the better by having some good company. I have to say that I enjoy it far more when there are team-mates around.
Spen Results
44 Chris Jones V45 0:59:11
58 Steven Moss V60 1:02:27
129 finishers
Full results here
Posts
3 comments:
Chris
If you want more team mates around maybe you should sell the events better e.g For Anthony Bradford try and stress the fast runable aspects of the race and how a fast road running would shine, for Frank you could highlight the public transport links and for me and Spike concentrate on the pies at the end!
Funnily enough Tony has expressed some interest, and Steve and me were trying to think of a good race for him yesterday. Maybe the same race would suit Chloe too if we figure one out. But I thought you and Spike would be more enticed by the swamps ;)
They sound like good workouts to me(just the short ones). I was speaking to Steve Moss on Thursday and he is going to give me an event time table for the Fell races.
You never said anything about the pies at the end - when can I start?
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