Osmotherley Phoenix

2010 is the third year on the trot I've run the Osmotherley Phoenix.  It's a fantastic race through the North York Moors and this year I persuaded my Dad and sister Clare's other half, Rich, to join me and run the 17 mile route.  I was on the 33 miler and was hoping to improve on two previous distinctly average runs here.  I'd been training on the hills for a few weeks - pacing leg 1 of Craig Stansfield and Mick Flatley's Bob Graham, some big days out in the Dark Peak and regular weeknight runs on the Saddleworth Moors - so I was in reasonable nick.

The race started in perfect conditions but I was concerned about the possibility of suffering in the heat later.  The first few miles are along the Cleveland Way and the rolling trail proved a good warm up and an opportunity to catch up with people.  Despite a brief gaff with navigation I was going pretty well through to Carlton Bank where the shorter route runners split.  Grabbing some water and a flapjack I opted for the 'fast' route round the bank rather than over the top via the trig point.  I was running with Ian Leach who I'd run with before and we made relatively easy progress all the way to the top of Round Hill.  I struggled for pace on the climbs but outpaced Ian on the flats and downhills and at the 'turnaround' I felt in excellent shape to run under 6 hours.

The long track and then road down into Chop Gate car park took quite a bit out of my legs and the next few miles were tough.  The sun never came out for too long but I still needed a couple of salt tablets washed down to keep fully hydrated.  The navigation on this section is tricky and we seemed to pick off quite a few people with good route choice and eventually arrived at Hawnby way ahead of schedule.  From this point on the route is simple to navigate but far from simple to run.  The 3 mile uphill is gruelling and at the top I welcomed the chance to top off the water bottles and take a few moments to sort myself out.  Ian's 6'5" legs helped him take off at this point as we upped to the pace into the finish.  I kept it going well and was greeted with the 'Osmotherley 2 miles' sign pleasingly early!  Passing a few other runners on the network of paths into the village I rolled in in 36th place in 5hrs 46mins - over half an hour of my previous best and feeling I'd run well within myself.

 

A pint and some chips and I sat with Dad and Rich to enjoy the festivities in the village.  Another good day out - I'll be back in 2011 to run under 5hrs 30mins...