Tanky's Trog & Calderdale Way Relay

It's the end of the season and I signed up to do a couple of local races with Saddleworth Runners to finish what has been an eventful year. I've been training fairly well after the disappointment of the OMM (my partner went over on his ankle towards the end of Day 1 forcing us to retire) with AM Mayhem at school (hill reps, sprints, dragging tyres etc) keeping things ticking over whilst some decent night runs and weekend long jaunts have racked up a few miles.

So Tanky's seemed like a good idea. Much hyped amongst the Saddleworth lot the race is about 21 miles from Marsden to Edale. The route is up to you as long as you pass through a checkpoint at Crowden and the Snake Inn. Unprepared as ever, I rocked up on a wet and windy December morning having not properly recce'd the route - a bad idea according to Tanky's veterans! I had a good idea of the route to Crowden and I thought I could wing it over Kinder but the Bleaklow section would be pot luck on the navigation. Support from Swallow and Vangrove (cheers gents) from school at Wessenden was much appreciated as I settled into the race, not really straining myself until Crowden. I had initially thought I'd stick to the Pennine Way over Bleaklow but made a last minute call to go via Wild Boar Clough with Kev from Dark Peak Fell Runners. This turned out to be a good call (cheers Kev!) as we tailed Nicky Spinks all the way past Bleaklow head in fairly awful conditions. It was pretty cold with horizontal hail. It seems that this was the quicker option as most of the top runners had taken that route over the Torside option. The section down the Snake Pass to the Inn was unpleasant and the path over Kinder couldn't come quickly enough. After 18 or so miles the steep ascent over Kinder was tricky and the boggy path on the plateau was slow going. I'd lost Kev by this point and was freestyling the nav, quite enjoying some sunshine that had appeared from nowhere. I yomped down into Edale in 3hrs 53mins, 29th spot.

It was nice to be a part of a race with other Saddleworth Runners. Colin came 11th and was the first home, a good effort. I think next year I will have to make more effort with the preparation! On the positives, the Skins compression half-tights were excellent, my hams felt great during and after the race. Unlike my shins that took as dislike to that kind of pace down steep hills.

Anyway, I ignored the sore shins to run with Roy Gardner at the Calderdale Way relay for Saddleworth the following week. We were running leg 5 and Colin and Sean had set a fast pace - we were 3rd after leg 1. Good runs from Ray and Adam, the Bowden brothers and Howard and Andy left us in 17th at the start of our leg. Unfortunately we were a bit too keen and set off from the wrong point (apparently outside the changeover area - although I'm suspicious) and were given a 2minute time penalty. Unaware of this, Roy and I shot off with Todmorden and Keighley & Craven in our sights. Roy was struggling with a cold and I think I nearly finished him off with a 'keen' pace as we winged the nav and managed only to drop one place as we handed over to Chris and Adam for the final leg. In the end we came in a creditable 17th, which would have been 15th without the 2min penalty - sorry chaps! 7.5miles - not my cup of tea distance wise but enjoyable to part of a race like this.

So...2010...big plans. The Paris Marathon, The Grand Union Canal Race again and hopefully the Ultra Tour du Mont Blanc assuming the entry goes through okay. There will be the usual races and some new ones no doubt. Staying injury free whilst training harder than I have ever done before will be the challenge and I'll be posting race reports on here (is anyone actually reading?!)

High Peak 40

The High Peak 40 was a test. Could my dodgy shins survive intact and would I be able to race at the Caesar's Camp 100 in 2 weeks? I've had Anterior Tibial Tendinitis in both shins on and off since the GUCR. Over the summer it was fine, but in the last month it resurfaced and has been pretty painful during and after long runs. So I packed the ibuprofen and lathered on some Volterol gel and set off from Buxton not really expecting anything quick but hoping I could last the distance unscathed.

The first 10 miles or so passed without note, in fact I barely noticed I'd been running (that's what a 5:30am get up does for you) and before I realised it I was pacing up Mam Tor with Ian from Dark Peak for company. The Edale valley looked fantastic as we raced along the ridge at a fair pace, dropping down from Hollins Cross into Castleton (easier this way than in reverse - see the Long Tour of Bradwell report). Ian's wife met us at the bottom of Cavedale with some food and we started up the rocky path refueled. It was a slog to the top, but we were rewarded with miles of downhill along tracks, road and then more tracks through Tideswell and into Tideswelldale - one of the most beautiful areas in the Peak District. The problem was, my shins didn't see it as a reward and by the time I joined the Monsall Trail I was feeling a bit shot. Fortunately I joined up with Rich Clark and between us we kept up a good pace and after a bit my legs were feeling a bit less delicate. In fact we were doing okay in terms of time and we were on for a 7hrs 30min finish. Thoughts of this and a post-race massage (what a good idea, I'm hoping other race organisers will take note!) spurred us on and we trotted home just over the 7hrs 30min mark.

So did my legs pass the test? Not really. I told myself they had but I was hobbling round for days after, kidding myself that I'd be fine to run 100miles in less than 2 weeks. So I pulled out of Caesars, more concerned with missing out on 3 qualification points for the UTMB 2010 than the race itself which could have been a grueller - 10 laps of a 10 mile course weren't too inviting. But wait - bonus! It turns out that my Fellsman finish from 2007 (!) counts as 3 points, which added to the 1 point for the HP40 gives me my qualification after all. Caesar's wasn't even needed! Well, it would have been today that I was in Aldershot for Caesar's and instead I'm sat typing this - shin-pain free and ready to top up my fitness in preparation for The OMM in 3 weeks. Could I have planned this to work out so well? Probably not. But it seems 2009 could turn out to be ending okay...

Cross Keys Relay

Considering that the majority of races I run are at least 30 miles, 2.5 miles should have been a breeze! The race is organised by my new club, Saddleworth Runners. It's a 4 man event, 2 road legs and 2 fell legs. I was due to run with Ray, Adam and Chris. Ray had bagged the last fell leg as he was arriving late and Adam volunteered for a road leg which was good as he is rapid. Chris Davies (interestingly, also our local MEP)and I tossed for the other fell leg as neither of us fancied 2 laps of a 1.25mile road leg - which turned out to be more tricky than the fell section. I won and was installed in leg 2 on the fell. Adam ran well and we were in 9th when I was 'tagged' and off I trotted up the hill towards Pots & Pans. Having passed one lady on the road before the stile I set my sights on a chap with a funny gait and a lad that looked about 16! On the way up the hill I passed the older guy but the youngster was going like a train! He blew it though and despite feeling like my lungs were on fire I vaulted the stile on the tops and passed him down toward the Isle of Skye road. The race then got unpleasant as I attempted to maintain a good pace back over the tops. Coming down back to the road on the Cross Keys side I took the wrong line and ended up going down the rocks. Three runners followed me too, probably thinking (quite sensibly) that a guy in a Saddleworth vest should know the way (especially when he marked the course!) and we all struggled to stay on our feet. Two of the three passed me on the road section metres from the finish which was annoying, still +1 places gained was not bad. Chris and Ray finished the job in fine fashion (-1 and +1 respectively) leaving us in 8th place at the end. I don't think I'll be taking up the shorter distances any time soon, the intensity of 20 minutes at that pace is horrendous - ultras are far easier!

The Long Tour of Bradwell

It's fairly rare that I get to recce any race routes but, alongside the dog Toby, I'd had a chance to scope out some of this new race in the week leading up to it. In terms of route finding it was of some use but mainly it served to prepare me for the considerable climbing on the course. I took the first few miles fairly steady after suffering on the Osmotherley Phoenix in the heat. The conditions were fairly hot and having come down through Cavedale it was a series of ups and downs - Hollins Cross, Ringing Roger (including a kamikaze decent!) and Lose Hill - before a nice trot into Hope. I was running with Steve Baker who was a similar pace and helped with route finding (his recce was a little more comprehensive than mine!) and we made it to the halfway point at Ladybower just 45mins behind the leader. We made excellent time up around Bole Hill and onto Stanage Edge managing to pick up the elusive CP13. Several runners didn't but the organisers seemed happy not to penalise people, probably fair enough given it was the first time the event was run and some of the controls were a little obscure. Navigation was tricky on our way down the valley from Upper Burbage Bridge into Grindleford as several sections of the path were completely overgrown. I was gasping for a drink by the time we arrived at the last water stop just outside Hathersage but, refueled, we made good time over the last 9km(managing to find the control located under a footbridge) and clocking in at the finish in just under 7hrs and 17th position. Dark & White Peak events have a reputation for putting on good events and this one was no exception.

After the race...

I felt I should post a thank you to everyone who supported me on the run. To the people who posted messages, texted the crew and just anyone who kept track of me over the course of the race I was kept well motivated! I have raised a significant amount of money for The Friends of Blue Coat, sponsors can be sure I suffered for the cause! As for the race, I was gutted not to finish - especially having got so far (123 miles). Suffice to say, my shins were unbearable and I risked completely crippling myself if I had carried on. The race was fantastic and I'll be back to avenge my shortcomings next year. Maybe I'll resurrect the blog for GUCR 2010!

He is still going! 7.45am

There were moments when we thought Chris wasnt going to make it. He needed to apply industrial amounts of anti-imflammatory gel to his shins and thighs. He said it felt like a cheese grater was attacking them. And he wasnt the only one who was in pain. Every runner we have passed this morning is running with a grimace and at 7.30 when we reached the 100 mile mark at least three dropped out. All of the buddy runners have done 10 miles and now Matthew is on his 19 mile leg

02:30 Sunday

Sat in a car park in the pitch black waiting for Chris and Dad Webb to reach 87 miles. There are about 3 runners 10 mins ahead but we havent seen anyone else for a couple of hours. I must admit that it isnt the safest job and we are all looking forward to the sunrise! Chris was very tired at mile 80 and said he could have fallen asleep on his feet. Im sure it wasnt helped by Matthews expenses conversation! And turns out Matthex didnt find it that interesting either- he is crashed out in the back of the car! Just about to put the kettlf on. . .

Saturday is nearly over

Thank you Simon, James, Lisa and Emily, and the Dowlands for your blogs! I have read out all of the messages and Chris said they were tidy. Team Webb are also enjoying the comments. Matthew is just about to swap with Dad Webb who is limbering up at the mo. It is just approaching midnight now and as the field has started to thin out its starting to feel a bit lonely at the canal side check points. We have adopted a couple of lone crew supporters as a result which will hopefully help us all through the night. Speak to you all on Sunday!

Half way point passed!

I wanted to let you know that the timings on the postings are incorrect but for some reason they wont change! Its now 22.20 and we are in the Milton Keynes part of the race. Matthew has joined Chris for the next 10 mile leg and having a fresh pair of legs with him seems to have boosted Chris who looked fairly spritely when he ran off into the night with his trusty best man.

51 miles in - over a third of the way

Thanks to Ann and Dan for the comments! Chris will be really chuffed. We are just waiting for him at the Weedon checkpoint and he is still about tenth in the pack. The guy in 12th place is jogging backwards! Team Webb are still in good spirits. Buddy runners starting to feel pretty nervous. Its still very hot and support crews and runners are incredibly rosy! Will update again soon

Flecknoe bridge (weak)

We have arrived at Flecknoe which is 41 miles in. Currently an hour and twenty mins ahead of schedule. However, the heat is taking its toll and these desperate times call for pot noodles. Team Webb are firing up the stove as I type. The rest of the field is doing well- Chris is about 10th at the moment. I think the next few check points are going to be a hard slog because there are quite a few busy pubs and most runners are dying for a drink of something stronger than power drinks! Does anybody know what 10mgw means by the way? It says that on a weak bridge sign and I cant understand why. Hope you like the photos

Check point 3-Knowle Lock

The race is underway and so far so good. Chris is approx 40mins ahead of schedule which is promising but could be a risky strategy. Other runners are taking it at a slower pace for the early stages. He is feeling confident so far although the testing stage will be after the 70 mile stage when runners must decide if they can continue. Team Webb are also doing well! We are definitely the most vocal support crew. We even accidentally cheered on a casual jogger- he said he had never had so much support! Please do add comnents and/or ask any questions. Speak soon

Friday 22nd- The last supper!

Team Webb are all present and correct in Birmingham. We have got so much stuff it will be a miracle if we can all fit into the van and make it to the start line! Roll on 5am. . . . . . . .

TUESDAY 19TH MAY - 4 DAYS TO GO

Final preparations for the race are proving costly - blowing almost £100 on nutrition at least makes me feel more like an athlete! A bit of publicity in the Oldham Chronicle was nice - you would have had to buy a copy of the paper however to witness the buffon hair-do as I jogged across Oldham Edge looking, at the photographer's request, 'gritty'. TeamWebb is meeting tonight to discuss the final particulars (vital stuff like whose bringing the custard creams etc.) and then we're good to go. The next post will be via Blackberry courtesy of Clare who assures me that this blog will be kept updated throughout the race...I bet you can't wait...

MONDAY 4TH MAY - 19 DAYS TO GO

Welcome everyone to my blog. I'll be keeping you posted with my preparations for the race on the weekend of 23rd/24th May and on the weekend itself you'll be able to track me here as my crew upload photos and updates of my progress.

For those of you who don'ty know about the race, feel free to look at http://www.gucr.co.uk/. I'm being sponsored to run for the Friends of Blue Coat and associated charities. Thanks to all of those who have donated so far.

So far training is going well. Spent this weekend running in the Lake District from Ullswater to Ambleside via Stybarrow Pike, Raise, Helvellyn etc. I'm not sure this is ideal preparation for a flat 145mile race but hopefully it all counts!