Race Report: Eccles Pike

 Eccles Pike fell race, run by the Goyt Valley Striders, is, in many ways, all you can imagine from a fell race: a start line in a field, an out and back up a hill, and a pub at the finish line. Okay, its chipped timed as of  this year, and it not straight up but rather a wiggle up the hill, with some good footpath, but its a 5k lung and calf muscle buster. It usually signals the ending of the midweek racing season for me, perhaps with the last Harrocks Hill, though I note this year there are races right up until the end of August. Perhaps there always were these races but I just didn't notice? The light is starting to fade in the late evening, and last night it felt distinctly autumnal at times, with a good steady drizzle setting in for a lot of the race. 

With  a clash with a local 5k race, plus school holidays, there was only a small group of us out, including the odd lost road runner/fell novice. The field was relatively fast, having attracted mostly local groups with hill experience. But there are always a few people nearer the back to keep me company...

This year the race was chip times to allow a slightly less crowded start, and it also felt less busy (no entry on the night?). Out of pure laziness, I didn't warm up. We lined up by current flat 5k time, and they let us go in chunks. We headed across the field and up the ramp then on the short road section that takes you past the Navigation Inn (home og legendary cheese and onion pie), before crossing the A6 via bridge. The steps of this bridge are awakward size and i was already falling backward through the pack, cursing my laziness and fatness. 

Onc eover the bridge its past the cricket pitch and the houses and up a short steep drag where I found myself walking along with quite a few other people. At the top of here, the fell part of the  race actually starts and soon my posterior tibialis/ weak left ankle was struggling with the awkward camber of the slippy grass and mud field and we skittered down to the wall. One sheep described this section as trying to run sidewards and forwards at the same time and it is very true. Through this field you can see the next field which is quite the climb (though not the worst of the race!), and I knew I was going to walk a lot of this so tried to hang on to some pace as I descended to the stile. My left ankle was trying to skid sideways which was annoying. 

The photographer (a chap who usually beats me at fell races despite being older than my dad at a guess) was sat half way up the field and I tried to not grimace as I went past, but also I was starting to gain a few places stomping up the field. Towards the top it flattened out and I started to run a bit knowing the next section is hard ot over take.....

Over the wall the race crosses a lane and enters an old tractor track that is pitted and rocky. Also at this point, the first return runner appeared. This chap finished the race in a stunning 24 minutes something, and there was a bit foa gap behind him. Two and three followed shortly after and the first Chorltonite was one of our speedy road runners in 5th! Well done Matt!  Problem was i really wanted to over take a few places but it was too narrow to give way to the fast guys and over take..... 

At the end of the track you turn sharply right on to the steep incline up the pike. This is killer. Its a proper grab your knees and stomp climb, and the return runners are bashing down beside you. Its a bit terrifying actually, but there is lots of cheering and the spectators usually hand around here. I was gaining places, trying not to cough up my lung and stomping away. The cows at the top were making a racket and I hoped they would stay calm and not charge anyone. I also knew a couple of the guys from the club were at the top, so as soon as it flattened I tried to jog towards them, and gain a last place or two. The views from the top of Eccle Pike are usually amazing if you get the weather. Not today! You could barely see the Chinley side of the Vale! High five from Nick and Aisla at the top and then the descent. 

Misty at the top! Photo from Nick Drinkall 

I always tell people not to look at this descent, just to run. It is steep. Its pretty much what you have just stomped up, and this year was a bit more greasy from the drizzle, not to mention the 150 pairs of feet that had already gone over it. Almostimmediately I started losing places. I tried ot keep my head and not get frustrated but I knew I should be descending quicker; this is what i used to pride myself at but have seemingly lost. More people came past. One lady, who I had chatted to at the start, encouraged me telling me not to let such a strong ascent go to waste. By the bottom I had found a bit of rhythm but nothing of what I used to do. Humph.

On the track I pushed and regained some ground. Then i got stuck in a gate. I was mortified. Basically it was narrow, I am fat and I ripped my number getting out. The lady behind me tried not to laugh or get angry, then shot past me in the field as I tried to repin my number and run. 'Just run' I thought and made a reaosnable go of the grassy descent before pushing up the wonky gradient field to catch another person or two before the houses. 

I knew I didn't really have enough for the last tarmac hill past the pub but I gave it what I had and at least managed to go the right way in to the field (someone always gets in wrong). The Chorlton guys cheered and I ran as hard as I could over the line. 

Looking at my watch I was disappointed not come in under 40 minutes. But everyone else was just glad to be done. We joked its a race we keep doing but we all hate it as its such a blooming slog! But we do all keep doing it probably due to the relative authenticity of it, the  selection of pubs in the vicinity and reasonable ease to get to (its just of the A6). So I do recommend it as a race but also a nice dog walk, on a sunny day, when you can look across the hills and then go for a pint in the pub. 

Race Report: Half Peakskyline

Having spent the week weather watching, mulling over kit and generally worrying about how it go, it was actually a relief on Saturday to get in the car and drive over to Buxton. It was dry but grey on the drive over, and the clouds looked to be gathering. The A6 was wonderfully quiet and I arrived and parked in time to walk over and catch the ultra runners from Chorlton runners before they set off. They were quite nervous I think, or maybe I was projecting. Watching them go off to the distant strains of bagpipes on top of the hill was lovely but now I was alone and need a number and to get the rest of my kit on; the waterproof jacket question pressed on my mind and I went for at least three nervous

wees. 

The ultra had been a small field; 100-150 at a guess. The half was even smaller with less than a 100 and more women than the ultra. After a briefing that included the fact some of the arrows marking the route had washed off, we were off and I was still in the jacket with no rain. 

The first climb is as you leave the start field and you undulate through lovely woodland paths. I was making reasonable progress except for having to climb a tree they was both too high to go over elegantly and too low to go under…. I took my waterproof off on this section. People came past me and I came past people and we broke up on to the open hill at Solomons temple where the bagpiper was still playing for the half race long after the ultra runners must have passed. We then descended to a road which then began the main climb out of Buxton. 

I actually jogged most of the road uphill, and gained a few places. I was feeling strong on the uphills and wondered if I would pay for it later. The top the road gave way to a track and then a marshy ascent that was quite wet from recent rain. 

At the top we hit a track, crossed a road then continued on good firm track a while. I was running comfortably but people were pulling past which was a bit disheartening after a strong uphill run. This was to become the order of the day: strong uphills to gain places that I would lose on the flats and descents. I used to be good at descending but between Covid and a posterior tibialis niggle, it is now a weakness. 

After a while we started a more undulating/wetter section between slippy tracks and farm roads and tracks that would eventually take us down to three shires head where the half course split from the main course. By this point there was a cluster of us who were running similar paces, overtaking and being over taken as the terrain suited our individual strengths. It was very friendly for the most part. 

After the split the half continued along the Dane valley way which was a mixture of slab paving and boggy patches. I wasn’t fast and a couple of people caught me up. I was feeling less strong and started on some chia charge flap jack to try revive myself. It would have been a very beautiful section but I definitely had my self doubt head creeping in. Then I saw the end of the valley and the VERY steep section up to the road to get out of it. My calves burned as I stomped up it, keen not to lose too much time. Then the road barrier at the top caused me some indignity…. Sometimes being a little short is awkward. 

Even though the next section was steep we were all having a recovery walk from the steep climb! I enjoyed this for a bit then pulled my waterproof back on as ahead I could see shining tor with its head firmly in the clouds and weather coming in. I got trotting on the good track across the moor (it was a bit rocky but not too bad) towards the Cat and Fiddle and the check point.

I had decided to stop at the checkpoint and get water. I had already finished one 500ml bottle and half my electrolyte flask (another 500ml). I lost places here as I got tangled in my rucksack and had a chat with the marshal and really should have been better prepared with more water or a more efficient system here. I didn’t feel I was competing with people ahead of me but I wanted to do well for me and these people were dragging me along. Across the road, the course joined a track that I had done a few weeks before on a training run and we bobbled away until the ascent  of Shining Tor.

I knew I was going to walk some of this. In fact, I walked a bit more of this than I should and it was an out and back so I could see the people coming down at me further ahead and in my mind some where further ahead than they should have been. My podcast started talking about walking when you should be running and I gave myself a kick up the bum. 

The descent was not fast: I usually like descending but my ankle was not happy and I couldn’t get going. I was trying not to get frustrated at myself but I knew I should be  going faster. My ankle was having none of it. At the bottom I had joined up with two other women and we hit the road that marks the point where you start the last ascent in a line. 

The next ascent was runnable, but through thick bracken. One lady in front was taking most of the bracken beating but we were walking and it was nice for company. It wasn’t slow walking but I suppose I might have been faster in this section. Toward the top it opened out and I pulled away slightly. They would both catch me easily on the way down…. 

At the top of the hill you could see Buxton and it was about 1.5-2 miles to go (no one was sure of the exact distance). I wanted to go faster down the grassy descent but couldn’t as my left ankle felt sore medially, and my brain wouldn’t let me push it harder. I managed to get going a bit on the track then the road but not fast. Pulling in to the road section through Buxton I was pulling off 9:15 pace but the road section felt like forever and had the odd cheeky upward section. I was going to finish within my 3:30 target (my B target) easily but I wanted a strong finish. 

I hit the car park and stumbled up the steps to the finish line. It felt a bit of a none event; it was raining now so no one was really there except the lovely lady Dip I had been chasing for the last few miles, a few wet runners and the race director. I felt pleased and Dip and I got a photo. Then I walked to the car to change in to dry clothes. I was soaked through 

After I was warm and dry I walked back to the finish to await the full ultra guys. I saw on Facebook that one had pulled out due to a turned ankle and he showed up at the finish too. The first ultra runners came through soon, and I tried to do some clapping and cheering. On the tracker I could see our two remaining runners and passed time chatting and cheering .

I came 48th out of 76, and 22nd female out of 45. A solid midpack finish. The full ultra guys pulled off 12th male and 6th female which was amazing and I loved sharing their finish line excitement and hearing their stories (they had had far worse weather exposure!) It was a nice if soggy day out. 

I would definitely recommend the race. It’s not one for those who need big finish line feels but the views are lovely. The full ultra has very strict cut offs so probably isn’t a good first ultra unless you are quick. The checkpoints were friendly (i marshalled one a few years ago) and well stocked despite Covid. The full might be beyond my scope but takes in the some stunning scenery. 

Preparing for my 'A' Race: Half Peakskyline

 Having been through Covid, I decided this year I would make my 'A' race very achievable. I have a few carry through event entries left for autumn (mostly via Lakeland Trails) and with the unpredictability of life/ my job I didn't fancy my chances of training for an autumn marathon. So instead I have opted to train for a the half version of the Peakskyline. The Peakskyline is a real aspirational ultra (just- its 28 miles) based out of Buxton that takes in some of the most stunning peaks of the surrounding Peak District: Shuttlingsloe, the Roaches, Ramshaw Rocks, Shining Tor. It has very strict cut offs and is not designed as a first ultra; the organiser is very unapologetic that he wants to keep it a bit elite. But to compensate there is a 'Half' version starts on the same route then cuts a rather large corner to take on Shining Tor before coming bac. Its still a little over 14 miles, and 2,700 ish ft of elevation, so it isn't a small undertaking, but its a bit more realistic given my present fitness status (that is overweight, over stressed and underwhelming performance wise). 

Over a spring of lockdown, I had tried to keep my basal fitness reasonable with one longer run a week (10-12 miles, local, mostly road and canals), a bike session each week (thank goodness for Zwift), one tempo run most weeks and some sessions such as hills or speed work where I could. The latter are hard to motivate myself to do as hard as I should and I have defnitely lost speed. I missed club track sessions and even since they have started back, have struggled to make as many as I would like. 

In June I started working with a coach (see post) and she has helped me bring aa bit more structure and focus to my sessions. The first step was to start bringing in a bit more elevation to my longer runs, and over two months we have really built this up. I have started to go to the Pennine Moors or Peak District those weeks I can to do my long run, as well as the return of blacksheep midweek sessions (though these are often easier pace as I lead the 'lambs' group). The hot weather brought about a few challenges and I had to postpone my longest run, but most weeks I got out for a longer run with elevation. It was really nice to get out; I had missed it and my confidence in my ability to go do these things had just fallen. Somehow being told to go out and do made me actually do! 

Views from the last long run 

Another thing it is easier to be told to do than decide to do is go 'easy' pace. I have started taking the dog for a few of my easy runs and the pace is usually appallingly slow, but I try not to let this bother me. 

Things I would have liked to include in my training but just didn't happen include getting out to recce the course, and a few more tempo or track sessions. I have worked a lot of shifts recently, and the return of the traffic as the world goes back to the office makes mornings and evenings that much more difficult. I haven't made a Tuesday clubrun in months and am prepared that I might not get back to these for a while. Where I can I have tried to replace this with a run with my local trainnig buddy who makes me work my pace, but this doensn't always work out. Also, my partner has stopped walking the dog (alongside a few other chores), so I am having to do nearly all of that which eats in to my time and energy. A recce would have been nice but my partner just ignores the dog for the hours I am out and going to Buxton to run takes time. Hopefully I can get the dog up to longer runs over the coming months which will help. 

I am excited about the route. Despite not reccing it, I do know sections of it, and Shining Tor always feels a triumph, even if the weather is against us!  

Courtesy of the Met Office website 

I try not to keep checking the forecast but I can't help it!

The kit is packed, though its not a great expeditions worth. It may be my hydration vests last outing as it is getting quite holey and isn't going to do for my longer runs I have planned next year. 

Which leads me to what do I do after this race? Well, I will try write a report obviously. And I will get annoyed at my weight and my slowness. But after that I haven't much to train for until next summer when I want to do both Abraham's/George Fisher's Tea Round, and the Lakeland Trails 55K. I need to have a chat with Michelle but I think I will pencil in an event around December (something trail based and on the longer side to keep working towards but I haven't identified something yet. 

Let's see how Saturday goes first. With the real chance I will be last, I may never want to run again!