"Cheddleton Christmas Pudding Run"

It's usual at this time of the season to have trouble keeping on your feet whilst racing, but that's because it's cross country season, however it proved just as difficult yesterday at the annual Cheddleton 10k road race. With the temperature never getting above minus 1c it was a brave person who opted for racing flats without a second thought. Having said that the three x 2 mile hilly country lap was reasonably forgiving and I didn't see too many slip ups.

Although only a local race set up in the Staffordshire Moorlands, the race attracts some really quick action at the front. I could only manage a 45.15 which is 49 seconds down on last year. I went out more conservatively on the first lap this year (14.30 for two miles, compared to 14.00 last year) hoping to finish stronger, but the biting headwinds and long climbs meant I could only hold my pace and not pick it up. Otherwise it was a good race, all the better for the christmas pudding that all finishers receive! The photo shows the 12th Century St Edwards Parish Church which sits at the heart of the village with its first covering of snow showing that winter has come really early this year and me trying to hold it on the final lap!

Todays ninety minutes in the hills really rounded the week off well. Again temperatures hovered around zero, but with a clear blue sky and little wind it was a great day to be out and the views were fantastic.

Weekly mileage 32. Annual mileage 1207. Race total in 2010 - 32.