Hathersage Hilly Triathlon 2021

On Sunday I completed my first triathlon the Hathersage Hilly. Back when I lived in Edale for the summer 2001 after graduating I heard about this triathlon when swimming at the pool, I remember thinking I'd love to do something like that but couldn't imagine being able to. Well 20 years later I did it!

On the Saturday Ali took me to register, I was quite stressed by it all. I'd made notes on all the rules but was ready to turn round and not register. Ali managed to calm me down and then the race organiser kindly answered all my questions. So I collected my numbers and we walked through the transitions so I knew where I would vlve going.

Sunday morning and transitions set up we got to the pool ready to be called for my start which was sometime between 730am and 8am. It had said you had to wear a mask when setting up transition and when moving around the event before racing, but no-one else seemed to be. There was also no social distancing. I was surprised as other events I have done have been strict about this and with triathlon having lots of rules I was expecting it to be enforced. But it did mean I was a bit less worried about making a mistake with the rest of the rules.

Once in the pool it was a lot quieter and I had a quick chat with the lifeguards which helped me feel a bit more relaxed. Soon it was time to start, first length and my Garmin flies off! I dived down to get it and swam holding it, I realised partway through I should be counting lengths as it might not be doing it correctly.... When it buzzed for 14 lengths I wasn't sure so did another 2, once out I knew I'd done 16 and checking my watch later showed it was correct. 

Into transition and I wasted some time trying to put my watch back on, until I realised the clip that held it to the watch was broken so shoved it into the pocket of my trisuit. But otherwise felt my transition was quite efficient and I was soon rubbing out with my bike.

It took me a little time to get my feet into my pedals, been a while since I've used one sided pedals, bit soon I was on the way to Grindleford. I know the road well from riding to and from the pool for a swim which was an advantage for the little hills that suddenly appear. Arriving at Grindleford I was talking to myself "put your foot down, put your foot down" as I was so sorry I'd forget. There is a stop sign there and the rule was you had to stop and put your foot down, usually I just pause in a trackstand.

Soon it was the left turn onto the Froggatt climb, this is my commute to work and it was lovely riding it on Ruby and without panniers. Near the top a tractor with a trailer went past me and when we turned at the top I got stuck behind it descending for a while, fortunately it turned off before I was on the long descent to Hathersage.

Into transition 2 and it was a quick rack of bike, change of shoes and grap my running pack so I had water before heading out on the run.

I had wondered if I should leave my pack as noone else was, but it was a super hot day and I was glad of the liquid to sip on the way round. The run route was lovely, super tough uphills but with some lovely downhills as well.  I walked all the uphills as my running is beginning to feel a lot harder with the lack of training.

Coming into the finish I could hear Ali cheering, no chance of a sprint finish in the heat but I felt strong still.

So would I do another one? Probably! I'd do this one again but not sure about one with a mass swim start and a road run. I also think I'll wait till I feel happier with covid and stick with the small running events that feel safer with their covid measures.

Also pleased with my time, swim obviously longer than expected due to swimming 480m instead of 420m and diving down to collect my watch. Bike was great and run wasn't embarrassing. Have to not think how fast and strong I was two years ago. The last few months I've barely trained due to CFS/ME so really really pleased, I was hoping for sub 2 hours and smashed that. Super big thank you to Ali for looking after me and taking lots of photos!

Not the PB57

So last year we went into lockdown meaning the PB57 was cancelled, my entry was rolled over to this year. The original route was along the Pennine Bridkeway from Middleton Top to Hayfield. To make it work in Covid times the route was changed to an out and back along the Pennine Bridkeway from Hayfield with individual start times. This meant they wouldn't have to bus us to the start. Unfortunately this year's was postponed to September and the date was close to another event I am doing.

So I decided to run the original route and Ali kindly offered to support me. Ali suggested doing it midweek so the trails would be quieter since the trails here are so busy at the weekends at the moment. Then we had to find a date we could both have off work, which turned out to be yesterday.

The first 13 miles or so is along the High Peak Trail, so easy running. Unfortunately it was also into a head wind and the weather was being changeable so I had to stop a few times to put my jacket on and off.

Ali met me at two points along the way so I could replace my water bottles and top up my food. It worked really well and I couldn't have done it without her. She had new bottles ready every stop with torq mixed in which saved me loads of time.

Leaving the trail the weather closed in again and I couldn't see that far so it meant no enjoying the views. Meeting Ali at half way I had a stitch and my feet were getting sore. I knew that the route was about to get a lot hillier as well so it was time to get my poles out.

After what felt like a lot of tarmac I had some steep climbs, which actually felt good. I think partly as I didn't feel I should be running which I did on the flatter parts.

The weather even played ball and the mist cleared so I could enjoy the views now I was higher up.

Ali came up the hill to meet me when I was a few miles from the end and got some lovely photos for me to remember the day.

Finished still feeling strong, if a bit slow and sore. Really pleased with my overall time of 8hrs 30mins.

Spire Ultra

After my first ultra was cancelled in April due to the country going into the locdown for Covid I put my name on the waiting list for one in May, that then got rearranged for October and I forgot about it. On the 31st October I was meant to be running the Cani-Trail 22mile with Chip again but it was postponed for a year after the County in Wales went into lockdown. Just days after I got an invite for the Spire Ultra as unfortunately people in tier 3 areas aren't meant to travel. So on Saturday I was lining up for my first ultra without dog power.

I was in the first starting pod, pods were made up of six people and so lined up next to my smiley face.

On go I headed off, being careful not to head off too fast as my plan for the day was to be sensible for the first half in the hope I wouldn't die. It still took a long time till people started passing me.

The weather was pretty wet and very windy and the ground very muddy. A couple of times I nearly fell over.

As was getting close to nine miles I hear cheering and there was Ali, she'd been shopping after dropping me off so stopped on her way home.

After seeing Ali the rain got heavier but although my top was wet I was warm and it was keeping the wind out so I never put my waterproof jacket on.

On one section someone had put a selection of signs up especially for us which made me smile.

I stopped at a couple of checkpoints to fill up with water and took advantage of a couple of walls to add torq powder so I was keeping getting electrolytes as well as water into me. 

On one descent I thought I must be coming to the last checkpoint but no it was a pheasant shoot.  They moved soon after I went last and I actually saw them again on another section.

The last checkpoint mentioned in the toute notes was at 20miles and I was pleased that I had maintained a 12 min mile average. After this I had a long section straight into the wind that was hard going and it was starting to hurt. But otherwise I felt okay as I had been eating and drinking well.

About 25miles I started  swapping places with two guys and then the last six miles was mainly uphill so I did slow as I was walking most of it.

The last bit was over boggy fields but as I approached the finish I heard Ali cheering for me which kept me running. I crossed the line and stopped my Garmin at 6hours and 40minutes which smashed my Gold goal of breaking 7 hours.

Really chuffed to find i finished 3rd female and 25 out of 63 finishers.

Showing off the Peak

A friend of mine from Canicross Midlands fancied a run in the Peak having never been to the Peak. I suggested the Edges loop and we met today at 10am, the weather was lovely nice and cold for running but sunny and clear. Lots of people were out enjoying the weather, for the first time I think I saw more people than deer on White Edge. Lovely run.

A loop from Tideswell

With the lovely weather I took a long lunch today and ran with the boys from Tideswell. We set off along Tideswell Dale which was nice easy running, up some steps and into the Monsal Trail. We were making good time, even with a few stops when there were off lead dogs. We left and headed up the Pennine Bridleway, this time I even managed to run some of the switchbacks. From here there was some exploring of footpaths, including a bit and to-ing and fro-ing to find the right on. After seeing a squirrel on a downhill there was a bit of walking before getting to the road. Here the route said straight on, straight on was under water so there was some wading and very little running. Beautiful though. After this a little but of road dropped us back into Tideswell just in time to meet Ali for lunch. Nice to get out in the sun for a change.

Totley Moor 5miler

I had suggested a loop in Totley Moor to Vikki, a place I keep meaning to run as I pass it so often on the way to work. This morning we met up on a wet drizzly day. Coats on (including Cybi and George) and we were in our way. Hoping over a stile to be greeted by a sheep got the boys quite excited and the mud was testing Vicki's trainers, she ended up on the floor a couple of times. Looping round and just before the last hill George got excited, then a deer ran across in front of us. Cue two dogs barking and wanting to go go go. I got George back and had a turbo boost off both of them up to the trig point. From there it was a short downhill back to the track we had started on and back to the car. Lovely loop and another one to add to the list to run in nice weather.

First snow of the winter.

Although they had been talking about the possibility of snow this weekend when I went to bed last night the forecast was showing rain and it didn't look like it was likely to snow. But this morning there was a layer of the white stuff. It was crispy icy stuff as oppose to the nice white fluffy stuff, but it's still snow!

Ali had to go into work so she dropped me and boys off partway there to run home. Well I say run there was a lot of walking and mincing over the icy sections by me. Through Eyam I really could have done my yak traxs, but somehow I did stay upright!

Only 4.5miles but it was a stunning 4.5miles.

A weekend in Wales

I'd seen an 8.5miles trail race for canicrossers at coed brenin mentioned on the Canicross Angelsey Facebook page and realised it was a weekend Ali was down in Cambridge. A little persuasion and I had entered and booked camping in Wales so cybi and I could go on a social run on the Sunday as well.

 

Friday, feeling more than a little nervous,  I packed the car and headed to Wales. Arriving at the campsite I discovered we were the only ones on the tent field so could choose a pitch, which meant I could put the tent up away from the road and any headlights passing to disturb cybi. I also discovered they did breakfast rolls which they delivered to the tent. The place was very dog friendly and has an enclosed field for exercise, I even let cybi have some off lead time.

 

Saturday and the day of the race turned out to be warmer than was ideal for cybi and he was overexcited from us getting up, think he knew we were running as we've only camped before running recently. This meant he was barking lots in the car on the way, we were also early but that made parking easy. Registration was easy and the race number had our names printed on, a nice touch. We had our own briefing quarter of an hour after the main race had set off and then it was time for our first mass start. Cybi had been shadow chasing all day with the sun and he's been very excited recently at the start of races so I was a little concerned but as soon as we were off he was completely focused and trying to get past everyone, impossible with me attached! Soon the race settled down and we were swapping places in a group of four, mainly running with Buster and his human. Apparently Cybi was a good influence and really encouraged Buster to pull. The race was hilly and the trails technical but there were only two downhills I walked. Any bit of water and Cybi would stop, it really was a bit too hot for him. At the halfway drinks station I checked his paws as there were a lot of gravel tracks but they seemed okay, I was carrying boots just in case. My feet were a bit sore, maybe I should have put paw wax on as well.  The finish was uphill but cybi still had enough in him for a finish sprint! Being in Wales everyone knew how to say his name so calling him was very effective. Once we finished he was back to shadow chasing, obviously not tired.

 

Another night camping, another night walking up on the floor of the tent with Cybi stretched out on the sleeping mat! I packed up and drove us over to Newborough Beach for the Canicross Angelsey social run. We were there early enough for a walk along the beach, nice as we are about as far from the sea as you can get where we live. The run was lovely, round the forest and along the beach. Cybi wanted to be at the front the whole time! On the beach we let the dogs cool off in the sea, cybi being a silly boy decided to drink the sea. Near the end of the run her stopped pulling and was sick. Sea water didn't agree with him at all. He was sick a few times so I got him back to the  car and got him some fresh water. While I was worrying about him he was soon back to normal!

Then it was time for the long drive home. Fortunately a tired Cybi slept the whole way. We had a fab weekend, just wish Ali could have joined us.

A morning run

Cybi and I have a race in Wales next week so I need some miles in my legs otherwise it's going to hurt a lot. I also want Saunders to hurt a bit less this year so need to do some hills and get used to wearing a rucksack. Since its now getting busy out here at the weekends I drove us up to Cubar Gap for 730am and we set off along Cubar Edge. It was a lovely morning and we were just jogging along, with lots of stops for photos. We continued along Froggatt Edge and then up to White Edge, here we saw deer. We finished off with Baslow Edge getting back to the car just as people seemed to be arriving, we saw about four people the whole run and had a great time easily doing the distance, maybe next time I'll try and move a bit faster.

More canicross adventures.

Once again we were at Elland Lodge for two days of racing with Canicross Midlands. After having to carry Cybi across the last water crossing a month ago, he put the brakes on and refused to cross, my aim was to get him to cross it. We've been practising in the stream in. The village, my wading in and tempting cybi in with treats. Well it worked both Saturday and Sunday he went through, I did carry a treat and it was needed to tempt him in but once in he went across, I was so proud of him. On the Sunday we also ran a PB for the course 25:14.4 which was super speedy for me.

Running

I haven't been doing much and the half marathon, which is actually 15. 5miles is only a couple of weeks away. So today I went for a longer run. It took me an hour and a half to cover 6.5 miles. All I can say it was muddy and hilly and my legs were tired.

I met Ali st Hassop station cafe for lunch and hot chocolates.

More running

Just a short run this evening with Ali after the Doctor had visited me. 1.7miles but nice and hilly. I found myself grinning as we came over the hill and was so glad we had got out.

Dr told me I needed to get back out on my bike so I guess that is the next thing.

Last run and ride over Winter Hill

I'm going to miss my Monday night runs with Ros. It keeps me running as I haven't had the motivation to go on my own and it is great getting out into the hills.

Since I've now finished work I was inside all day packing (and falling asleep on the sofa) so I rode over on my mountain bike. It was nice to get some off-road miles and ride some of the trails that feel like mine after so many years of riding them.

A trail half-marathon

Today was Ali's birthday, thanks to Pauline and Greg she had decided to run a trail half maarathon, actually 15.5miles. She had actually thought about the marathon but took the 'sensible' option.

So today I was battling headwinds to get to various points in the course and cheer. It was great fun but I wished I was running....next time.

Next weekend may not kill me.

I met Jumbly this morning for a run at Rivington, she wanted to test her knee and I wanted a longish run before the hf marathon. I went for the not ideal preparation of a night out in Manchester on the Saturday geting home at 2am. But just after 9:30, waterproofs on we set out for a nice chatty run. Much hilly than next week we didn't set any speed records but we did run 8miles and I felt I could have done more even though it was hurting. I just have to remember to set off slowly next week and it should be fine.

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Starting running training

Last week I was looking for a half marathon for Ali to run in her build up to the Kielder Marathon. I came across The Cross Bay Half Marathon which looked really interesting, next thing I know we've both entered. Which of course means I need to get running again, run regularly and build up my miles so that the race doesn't kill me. I've even wrote myself a rough training plan based on running twice a week, I think that is realistic as work is going to be busy and mean lots of commuting miles.

So today was the start. This week called for a 2.5mile and a 5mile run, as i'm only just getting back into exercising after my op I was only going to manage one run this week so I decided to do the 5miler, I also fancied running the Park Run so I decided to combine them. I jogged down to the start, then ran the Park Run, then jogged home. I took the Park Run easier than last time, but still spprinted a bit at the end. My time was 28:32 so nothing that will set the world alight but not as slow as expected. The jog home was very slow but all together I nearly covered 7miles.

Ali is in Cambridge this weekend so ran the Park Run there, she stormed round in 23:50. I don't think I'lll see much of her during the half marathon!

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Missed a week but back running again

I didn't run last week, I'd plan to run on saturday morning but I was so tired after being on taxi duty for Ali on friday night so I didn't set an alarm or go running when I did get up. I didn't feel too bad as I obviously needed the rest and dragging myself out for the hour on my bike was hard enough.

So today when riding home I told myself that it was in the house, change and out running. No heart rate monitor as I was too lazy to find the strap. I set off down my road and decided on my slightly longer circuit, couldn't remember how long it was though. By the time I was heading uphill I realised I hadn't looked at the Garmin once, so decided not to till I got home. I usually find this impossible, but I managed. Home and the watch said 5.6km in 33mins. Nicely under 10min/miles and the fastest i've ran in ages. Determined to keep it up, I know i've no chance of running with my friends who run, but it'll be nice to keep the legs ticking over.

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