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| Is there a doctor in the house |
The Shelf Moor fell race is organised by the Glossopdale Harriers and was a counter in last years English Championships.
The course is a 5.9 mile loop with 1500 ft of ascent. A typical Dark peak mix of steep grassy slopes, peat hags and gritstone. To me it has a similar feel to the Kinder Downfall another favourite race.
Things did not get off to a great start. I got to the race registration at Glossop scout hut, ten minutes before the start. The start being a ten minute jog from the scout hut. Never mind I got to the start on time and well warmed up, if a little flustered.
From the off it is a flat runnable footpath. This meant a fast start, way too fast for me. Heading out along the old Roman road of Doctors Gate, it was a pleasure to see the heather turning the valley sides purple. A similar colour to my face after the long, steep climb up to James Thorn.
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| Picture by ShaunP of the FRA forum. Thanks Shaun. |
About a mile from the finish, my legs decided it was time for a lie down. This did not work out too well as I was still running downhill at the time. ' Oooh ya Bast#*d! ' Fortunately years of crashing motorbikes and general clumsiness had taught me how to fall and I only rounded a few corners off.
The rest of the race was thankfully uneventful, those in front were too far ahead to catch and there was no one close enough to push me. I finished well down the field but had agreat time all the same.
A quick paddle in Shelf Brook, then back to the scout hut where Tim and Lynne of Global Therapies, were giving post race massages and raising funds for mountain rescue. Thanks, it was much appreciated (see Tims blog for a far better written report on this race).
It was also a pleasure to meet Noel, another blogger and frequent top finisher of Peak District races. Noels blog takes a slightly surreal view of fell running and the Peak District, it's worth a look.
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| Chillin |
Many thanks to Glossopdale Harriers and all who made this cracking race happen.
nice one steve! shame there's no photos of your spill ;) hope you're not too bruised. you've reminded me of watching 'on any sunday' as a kid and practicing 'laying the bike down' in the back garden on our bmx's. in reality we were just churning the grass up!
ReplyDeleteI like the look of that track - very runworthy. A spot of fishing at the end, too!
ReplyDeletePaul
Thanks for the mention Steve, always a pleasure providing massage to runners after a race - we know only too well how much it helps with recovery.
ReplyDeleteVery nice day!, I could feel the race´s rhythm through your report... I hope that your fall was on a soft area...
ReplyDeleteHi Steve.
ReplyDeleteI wish it was not anything important that you suffered the fall.
I love the photo that you are all with their feet (and shoes included) stuck in the river ....
kisses
Well done Steve. Sometimes the best ones are the spontaneous ones. You are smiling there in spite of the climb. Sorry about your legs not cooperating. Do they count you if you roll across the finish?
ReplyDeleteis that happiness or insanity you're expressing :)
ReplyDeleteKate; nothing changed there then.
ReplyDelete4winds; Very runnable till we got round the corner.
Tim; Good to meet you
Magbueno; It was a lovely day out.
Toni; It was nice to cool down and wash the peat of our legs.
JP; It may be a grimace.
UC; I think you know the answer to that.