So Friday night was pretty much panicking, calling people to borrow maps, and packing a bumbag full of spare kit. Instead of 1 map for the whole lot, I had 2 maps, and had to use both sides of the 2 maps. This could get confusing. Also, not being a great believer of not testing something new on raceday, I had a new t-shirt (long sleeve Rab Aeon tee) and nutrition (TORQ gels).Fun times ahead.
Up early doors Saturday to get up to Buxton for registration (sorry Mel), then spent from 7:30 to 7:48 (race starts at 8, 10 minutes walk away...) in a bit of a panic marking up the maps (all 4 sides) as I had overheard someone say something about it not being marked well. Oh dear.
Made it to the start line ok, quick hi to fellow TORQ team member Tracy Dean, brief briefing (ha) and then we were off. There was the usual mad sprint, but I resisted, having figured that I was going to stick to a 7 min/mile on the flat strategy as it worked so well last weekend. Over a couple of lanes, then up slight incline and then stairs (walked - can't run 'em) then onto the old railway path. Managed a brief headcount in front of me, figured I was about 14th. By the time checkpoint 1 was reached, I was 13th, and had just downed my first gel. Interesting flavour, forest fruits, but had a massive caffeine kick. Great stuff. Off down the hill to follow the reservoirs, then up the Goyt River. Still keeping it steady at around 7/7:15 a mile, managed to reel in another couple of people, then up to the main road and checkpoint 2.
Through CP2 in seconds - a well oiled machine that checkpoint. Up a hill then down, then up Eccles Pike. I had made a decision not to fight the hills, to my effort steady but try and run them as much as possible. All the way up the hill, picked up another place, then down into the next CP. Just taking on water at the CP's, as I was taking gels not far before them and didn't need anything extra.
Around the back of Chapel-en-le-Frith, then under a railway bridge, quick turn left then right, then a long slog up to South Head. Managed to pick up another place, and set my eyes on a bloke in orange up ahead. I had my eyes on his back for quite some time. From South Head to Rushup Edge was a nice run, passing Charlie Sharpe on my way up Mam Tor. Finally caught up to the guy in orange (I think it was Phil Hayes) on my way into Castleton, but that was shortlived as he put a push on and got a bit of a gap on me. Closed up on him and Kevin Hoult, who was in 3rd (didn't know it at the time) by the top, but then Kevin had a good run down, and Phil was a little faster also across Bradwell Moor. In through the next CP, then down into Tideswell. Caught back up to Phil at the next CP, then passed him as we ran through the mud and he cramped up.
Down Monsall Dale, Phil was a steady 30 or so metres back, so once we were off the disused railway and down onto the river trail, I tried to gap him, and got a little ground on him over the undulations. Next up was Deep Dale. Not the most picturesque place in the world, but it was slightly uphill, and runnable. I pushed up here, as I knew Phil was slower up the hills than me, and I wanted to drop him. Happily, Kevin in 3rd was also having issues with his calves and running up hill, so by the time we reached the top I had caught him. Quick hello, blasted through the CP and I was off in 3rd. Briefly. Kevin caught up fairly quickly, so the next few miles I was pushing, trying to pretend I wasn't pushing. Managed to get a few metres by the end of the road section (it was the dreaded Flagg Lane section we were on, 3 miles of undulating road which, after 32 miles usually gives people a hard time. Barely noticed it.), but then there is Deep Dale 2 - a short, steep down and up just before the last CP.
Kevin at this stage was descending better than me, so he was a little too close for my liking. Nipped through the last CP fast as, then off through the field. I had about 50m on Kevin. Concerned. Had a bit of an argument with a gate (they tend to confuse me in the later stages) and was concerned even more. Saw the next few fields. They were slightly uphill. Now or never. Pushed hard. Dropped him. Steady run in (looking over shoulder) to take 3rd place, in 5:51. Duncan Harris won, in 5:26 (fast) and Stuart Walker in 2nd, 5:33 (Still fast). Tracy Dean took out the ladys race in 6:21.
Cup of tea while I recovered, quick photoshoot, then off for a nice warm shower. Actually, no. It was cold. I hate cold showers, with a passion. I squealed like a little girl. Dunno what Stu thinks of me now. "Yeah, not a bad runner, bit of a pansy though".
Had my first cheese and onion pie. Amazing.
Things that went well:
- TORQ gels. No flat spots, nice taste, no aftertaste.
- Fuelling - 1 gel, 30 minutes. Works for me.
- General pacing - didn't slow down much over the race. 2:47 for the first 20, 3:04 for the second.
- Cheese and onion pies.
Things I could do better
- Start faster. If I want to do better, I need to be closer to the front.
- Don't lose kit and force a panic. Dur.
- Slightly more vaseline.
Strava link:
Thanks to TORQ for fuelling my race!
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