Sunday, March 21, 2010
An Easy Week...
I have taken it quite easy this week, and as I've found somewhere to live I will be throwing myself into moving over the next few weeks- always an ordeal!!!
Although I have been to the gym and out on a couple of strolls- I walked the long way to Tesco to get my shopping!
A couple of congratulations are in order... to Rich for a successful Atacama Crossing. Rich attempted this last year but was unfortunately pulled out due to a serious illness- however he blazed through it this year; read his race report on his blog.
Also to Mimi for winning the Namibia Desert Challenge- awesome! Read her race report on her site.
Well, it's nearly MdS time again... I can't believe it's almost a year since I boarded the coach and started my journey to Morocco. I wonder what this year's competitors will face- scorching sun or floods and rain!! I feel a really strong tug of nostalgia- I want to be back there again, tackling the dunes, the endless flat plains and the mountains with the amazing people I shared the experience with.
One thing's for sure- I will be going back to the Sahara. It's still kind of unfinished business for me...
Although I have been to the gym and out on a couple of strolls- I walked the long way to Tesco to get my shopping!
A couple of congratulations are in order... to Rich for a successful Atacama Crossing. Rich attempted this last year but was unfortunately pulled out due to a serious illness- however he blazed through it this year; read his race report on his blog.
Also to Mimi for winning the Namibia Desert Challenge- awesome! Read her race report on her site.
Well, it's nearly MdS time again... I can't believe it's almost a year since I boarded the coach and started my journey to Morocco. I wonder what this year's competitors will face- scorching sun or floods and rain!! I feel a really strong tug of nostalgia- I want to be back there again, tackling the dunes, the endless flat plains and the mountains with the amazing people I shared the experience with.
One thing's for sure- I will be going back to the Sahara. It's still kind of unfinished business for me...
Labels: atacama crossing, Marathon des Sables, namibia desert challenge
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Grindleford Gallop Event Report
I decided to take this slower than when I did it in 2008, as I am not particularly training for anything and am not particularly fit! As it is a rolling start I decided to aim to start around 8am. There was a big, rather steep field to park in and I was a little disappointed on registering to discover that although there were cups set out enticingly in the pavilion, there was a barrier of chairs and red tape blocking the way to them so a coffee before starting was not on offer.
I set off at around 8:07am (precisely!) it had been gloriously sunny all the way there but the cloud was starting to come down. I had a fairly light pack, my trusty Raidlight with a spare fleece and waterproofs. The first part of the route goes through the woods to Froggatt village before climbing steeply- I had a route description on me but didn't need to look at it as I remembered the route quite well.
Climbing Out Of Froggatt
It was a little less muddy than 2008. I reached the top of the hill and followed the lane down to Eyam, past the Riley Graves and the cottages with memorial plague plaques on them.
Eyam
I passed a little shop, and noticed they had a coffee machine so bought a large cappucino for £1. The girl serving was quite interested about the event, as she had only just heard of it, but said she couldn't see herself taking part! There is a self clip checkpoint in Eyam, before the route follows a track down to a main road. I had a second breakfast of cappucino and a banana whilst following the track.
There is a short detour keeping competitors away from the road, before the long pull up to Longstone Moor, through several fields and past a checkpoint serving cold drinks. The weather was closing in at this point- really misty and damp. There is usually a lovely view from the top of the moor- but not today.
Longstone Moor
Thankfully the wind wasn't too strong, although the marshall directing us said he was freezing! Once the top of the moor is reached, there is a descend past the next self clip checkpoint to a track leading to Great Longstone. There were a few motorbikers waiting, obviously intent on riding up the track, think they chose the wrong day! I have to admit I'm not the greatest fan of motorbikes- they make huge ruts in tracks like this, making them almost unusual. Parts of the Ridgeway are hell!
The next part is easy- a walk down the disused railway to the checkpoint at Hassop Station. The runners, who set off en masse at 10am, started to come past, and I had a little jog myself. I stopped for a cuppa and flapjack, talking to a runner I'd seen on a few events before. He'd remembered I had been in training for the MdS last year so I was telling him about the race.
The Disused Railway
I was just finishing my drink when a friendly robin hopped onto a bush near me- he didn't seem at all afraid, just very curious as to what we were all up to.
After this the route passes through part of Bakewell and another stiff, muddy climb through the golf course and walkers warning bell, which quite a few folks couldn't resist ringing!
The Golf Course
I was being overtaken by a steady stream of runners, and the sun had come out at last. I was feeling pretty good, at least, once the climb was over! There is a final self clip at the top of the climb, before the route crosses a large meadow towards the Chatsworth Estate.
Although this is quite long, it is also quite easy as it is mostly downhill, so I jogged a lot of it.
There were great views over Chatsworth
Chatsworth House
The route descends through Edensor before crossing Chatworth grounds to Baslow. This bit always seems rather endless so I jogged some of it. Runners were still streaming past, including one chap who, seeing my pack, said 'Hast tha got t' kitchen sink in there?'
There were hot drinks available at the Baslow checkpoint, as well as more flapjack, both of which were very welcome. I stopped for another cuppa, and heard someone say we had another 5 miles to go. I was still feeling pretty good but knew we were facing the final big climb of the day- up onto the edges.
I crossed the road next to an Italian restaurant oddly named 'Il Lupo' (Why would anyone call an Italian restaurant The Wolf?) The pull up onto the edges seemed to go on for ages, several runners overtook me but they were all complaining so I didn't feel too bad!
Looking Back To Chatsworth
Nearly At The Top!!
I decided to take my time along the edges and enjoy them, as there were some great views, so I stuck to walking.
The Eagle Stone, Curbar Edge
Looking Towards Froggatt Edge
There is a slight descent to a road before walking along Froggatt Edge. The path passes quite close to the edge on Froggatt, so I took a few snaps.
Looking Back To Curbar Edge
The path gradually descends towards a road, past some amazing rock formations.
Finally Grindleford came into view, bout time too as my legs were starting to ache!
Grindleford
There was just the rather muddy descent through the woods left which became a track down to the village. I saw a large group of walkers coming up to the path towards me and my first thought was that they were a rambling club. It was only when I noticed some of them had numbers on that I realised I was walking past the car park field- they were all finishers going back to their cars! I finished in 6 hours 40 minutes, an hour slower than 2008 (when I was really pushing it!) and the same time as 2007 so that was ok with me.
I got a cup of coffee, some soup and cheese (surprisingly good combination) and just one cake- didn't want a telling off this year!!
I have had a bath and a chinese takeaway and feel human- although that's up for debate! I do enjoy the Grindleford Gallop though- the scenery is superb and the steep ascents must make it equal to a 26 miler over flat terrain. Looking forward to a lie in tomorrow! I will need to find something else to work towards, although will need to get moved first!
I set off at around 8:07am (precisely!) it had been gloriously sunny all the way there but the cloud was starting to come down. I had a fairly light pack, my trusty Raidlight with a spare fleece and waterproofs. The first part of the route goes through the woods to Froggatt village before climbing steeply- I had a route description on me but didn't need to look at it as I remembered the route quite well.
It was a little less muddy than 2008. I reached the top of the hill and followed the lane down to Eyam, past the Riley Graves and the cottages with memorial plague plaques on them.
I passed a little shop, and noticed they had a coffee machine so bought a large cappucino for £1. The girl serving was quite interested about the event, as she had only just heard of it, but said she couldn't see herself taking part! There is a self clip checkpoint in Eyam, before the route follows a track down to a main road. I had a second breakfast of cappucino and a banana whilst following the track.
There is a short detour keeping competitors away from the road, before the long pull up to Longstone Moor, through several fields and past a checkpoint serving cold drinks. The weather was closing in at this point- really misty and damp. There is usually a lovely view from the top of the moor- but not today.
Thankfully the wind wasn't too strong, although the marshall directing us said he was freezing! Once the top of the moor is reached, there is a descend past the next self clip checkpoint to a track leading to Great Longstone. There were a few motorbikers waiting, obviously intent on riding up the track, think they chose the wrong day! I have to admit I'm not the greatest fan of motorbikes- they make huge ruts in tracks like this, making them almost unusual. Parts of the Ridgeway are hell!
The next part is easy- a walk down the disused railway to the checkpoint at Hassop Station. The runners, who set off en masse at 10am, started to come past, and I had a little jog myself. I stopped for a cuppa and flapjack, talking to a runner I'd seen on a few events before. He'd remembered I had been in training for the MdS last year so I was telling him about the race.
I was just finishing my drink when a friendly robin hopped onto a bush near me- he didn't seem at all afraid, just very curious as to what we were all up to.
After this the route passes through part of Bakewell and another stiff, muddy climb through the golf course and walkers warning bell, which quite a few folks couldn't resist ringing!
I was being overtaken by a steady stream of runners, and the sun had come out at last. I was feeling pretty good, at least, once the climb was over! There is a final self clip at the top of the climb, before the route crosses a large meadow towards the Chatsworth Estate.
There were great views over Chatsworth
The route descends through Edensor before crossing Chatworth grounds to Baslow. This bit always seems rather endless so I jogged some of it. Runners were still streaming past, including one chap who, seeing my pack, said 'Hast tha got t' kitchen sink in there?'
There were hot drinks available at the Baslow checkpoint, as well as more flapjack, both of which were very welcome. I stopped for another cuppa, and heard someone say we had another 5 miles to go. I was still feeling pretty good but knew we were facing the final big climb of the day- up onto the edges.
I crossed the road next to an Italian restaurant oddly named 'Il Lupo' (Why would anyone call an Italian restaurant The Wolf?) The pull up onto the edges seemed to go on for ages, several runners overtook me but they were all complaining so I didn't feel too bad!
I decided to take my time along the edges and enjoy them, as there were some great views, so I stuck to walking.
There is a slight descent to a road before walking along Froggatt Edge. The path passes quite close to the edge on Froggatt, so I took a few snaps.
The path gradually descends towards a road, past some amazing rock formations.
Finally Grindleford came into view, bout time too as my legs were starting to ache!
There was just the rather muddy descent through the woods left which became a track down to the village. I saw a large group of walkers coming up to the path towards me and my first thought was that they were a rambling club. It was only when I noticed some of them had numbers on that I realised I was walking past the car park field- they were all finishers going back to their cars! I finished in 6 hours 40 minutes, an hour slower than 2008 (when I was really pushing it!) and the same time as 2007 so that was ok with me.
I got a cup of coffee, some soup and cheese (surprisingly good combination) and just one cake- didn't want a telling off this year!!
I have had a bath and a chinese takeaway and feel human- although that's up for debate! I do enjoy the Grindleford Gallop though- the scenery is superb and the steep ascents must make it equal to a 26 miler over flat terrain. Looking forward to a lie in tomorrow! I will need to find something else to work towards, although will need to get moved first!
Labels: Grindleford Gallop
Friday, March 12, 2010
Preparing For The Grindleford Gallop
Ok I'm not actually doing anything right at this minute (apart from eating sweets) but I have been preparing... honest...
Had a good result last Sunday- I went for a 7 mile walk and then had quite a tough session in the gym, pounding the ellipticals and the treadmill. I have taken it easier since then, just went out Tuesday for 5 miles or so and then to the gym last night.
I have done the Grindleford Gallop a few times so think I know the route fairly well, but I've also printed it off just in case. It's been raining today so will probably be lovely and muddy. I'm not going to plan for a time or anything, cos when I last did it I ran quite a lot of it as I was a fair bit fitter, but then got stuck in the shopping traffic in Chesterfield, so there are advantages to being slower.
Hoping for some decent weather tomorrow!
Had a good result last Sunday- I went for a 7 mile walk and then had quite a tough session in the gym, pounding the ellipticals and the treadmill. I have taken it easier since then, just went out Tuesday for 5 miles or so and then to the gym last night.
I have done the Grindleford Gallop a few times so think I know the route fairly well, but I've also printed it off just in case. It's been raining today so will probably be lovely and muddy. I'm not going to plan for a time or anything, cos when I last did it I ran quite a lot of it as I was a fair bit fitter, but then got stuck in the shopping traffic in Chesterfield, so there are advantages to being slower.
Hoping for some decent weather tomorrow!
Labels: Grindleford Gallop
