It's been a mixed month of running and life since my last post.The middle of the month saw a return to my most local and shortest fell race of the year the thirteen minutes that is the Kerridge Climb. Run from the annual Rainow village fete I have competed in this race most years since the late 1970's and although being very short, straight up to the summit of Kerridge Ridge along the top and straight back down, it is certainly a real test (of how long you can survive before walking hands on knees .... answer not long!). Being a local race with around fifty entries you might think there is a chance to place well up the field. Think again. When the holder of one of the Lakeland Peaks toughest records can only manage third you realise that you are in serious company! As usual I started out at a gallop, bouyed up by running through the cheering throngs at the fete! However as always gravity got its revenge and at the summit of the ridge I was definitely suffering from a lack of oxygen. A rapid descent (not helped by not being able to focus or think straight) I ended up with a good strong finish on the uphill field back into the fete. For the whole week before the race I had been struggling with a stiff kneck but still I managed 13.03 (my PB is 12.48 from the mid 80's) not bad all things considered for twentieth place, but well behind the sub eleven minutes of the winner.
The last two weeks of July were mainly maintenance weeks with a mixture of steady and longer runs, but worringly (due mainly to work and family commitmets) I have now missed a whole month of those vital coached track sessions for which I will no doubt pay the price at the last track meet of the season in a few weeks time.
The last week and a half has seen us all off for a family break in northern Spain. With the extreme heat (35 degrees on the days we visited Barcelona) I tried to get out a few times very early in the morning. One run turned out to be the scariest and most surreal ever. We were a few miles out from the resort of Salou that has quite a reputation for enjoyment late into the night. Imagine my surprise that my 6.30am run took in a variety of "arresting" situations as police fought with over fuelled revellers from the night/morning before (there was only ever going to be one result for them ..... a trip into the back of the police van!). Subsequent runs took in the quieter back roads of Catalonia! Running on holiday can be a great experience but its sometimes good to get back to the quiet of the Peak District hills!
Annual mileage 791 (week 31)
