Sunday 25 September 2011

Orton Autumn Fair Fell Race

6 MILE/845 FT

Its been 9 weeks since I last raced and feeling upbeat with how my left leg has been improving these last 2 weeks, thought this 6 mile race would be ideal to give it a proper test
With only 845ft of climbing it felt more like a cross country race and with all the rain we have had recently it was ankle deep in soft mud for parts of the course- just like cross country.

A small field of 63 stood on the start line and a good turn out from Helm Hill was present. I positioned myself in about 3 rows from the front and as we set of up the road for the first 500 yards I fund myself jostled into about 20th position, so as soon it was possible I started moving up on the inside and by the time we had set foot on the fell I had got into 5th place and was on my own, with 4th place about 20 yds ahead and group of 4 about 20 yds behind.

The hill was all runnable but eventually the group of 4 caught and passed me as if I was stood still and I struggled for a couple of minutes whilst they got ahead of me.
Once on the top I managed to open my legs out on the descent and caught one of the 4 who had past me and was beginning to catch up on another  runner.
Managed to catch another runner on the run in and ended up in 7th place and 2nd v40, 15 seconds behind David White of Helm Hill, who I have never beaten since he turned v40.

So, happy with run and got some great tips/stretches of Dave Stones and Gavin Thomas regarding my problems with my left leg. All in all a good day.

Tom Addison was first male and Melanie Hyder first lady. A double for Helm Hill.

Helm Hill team bath

2 comments:

Ian Davies said...

Good that you're back racing Stu. The injury doesn't seem to have impacted things too much as that's a strong effort.

I'm working in Penrith now so we'll have to catch up some time and go for a run (if you slow down on the hills for me)!

Nick said...

Welcome back Stu. Take it carefully for a strong recovery. I look forward to more upbeat race reports.