I had decided to try the longer 15 Res route long before I damaged my ribs and was reluctant to change down to the 10 Res. The cut-offs were long and the ribs were gradually feeling better anyway. When I did the 10 it was 6 years ago and the race was much smaller and started in the pub. I remember the day. well because I left the van lights on and flattened the battery. Chris D helped me jump start it.
No such issues today. An easy quiet drive to Saddleworth and a nice park up at the cricket club with just a walk across the pitch to the club house. The forecast was good with no rain expected. It was chilly but not really cold. Registration and kit check were swift so I was able to have a quick chat with Charles and Claire, Sally and others.
I found Mark and David already at the bar - although they saved the drinking for later. I didn't know many of the runners but chatted to Tony H on the walk up to the start. I was glad we were walking at least part way up the first steep hill. He and Daz joked that I would be speedy and gaining another trophy; I was much less convinced.
I knew a few sections of this route but for much of it I had no idea at all. My garmin had the route and I hoped this would keep me on course- it did, mostly. After the initial climb it was fast running on big tracks past the first 3 reservoirs. I knew this section from the 10 and also from mini MMs. Leaving the big track I passed Charles who was going to sweep the route and then began my way up the rocky clough. I got wet feet on the bogs just before the main road- it was bound to happen at some point. Stuart and others were marshalling at the road crossing. From here I had no idea but it was mostly a flag stone path to Black Moss reservoir with just a few muddy and boggy sections.
My garmin was doing it's job but it was still nice to have a few other runners about to confirm the route as we crossed the next main road near Brun Clough Res and headed off to Castleshaw. Grace and I were taking it in turns to share the lead now but I got a shock on the out and back to the CP in the Outdoor Centre when I realised that 3 other women were only just behind me. Time to try to up the pace. Two more reservoirs at Castleshaw and then another small one soon after.
We had our first nav issues at a small house/farm on the way to Denshaw Res and lost a few minutes. Back on route we met a couple of runners completing the short out and back to Rooden Res. Grace and I were still together plus a couple of fell running guys who seemed to know me. A good path led to the next Res and then across to the main road again.
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| Rachel on the invisible trod |
The trod next to the fence was awful so we ran up the verge instead. Before long I recognised that we were on the Stanza route in reverse- some flag stones and some mud all the way to the stream crossing and steep climb up to the main road. It was easier going up then down on the slippery rocks. We left the Stanza route and turned onto some rather sketchy paths all the way round to Marsden Cricket club.
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| There was bog- not me as the photographer missed me all day |
Sally and Steve were in charge of refreshments here and I took the opportunity to refuel- possibly too much as I got stitch afterwards. I left just ahead of Grace but then took a wrong path at Butterley Res and she overtook me. The next section should have been so runnable as it is on a big track up gradually past 3 reservoirs.
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| Big track- not me, we beat the photographer again |
I was struggling even after the stitch subsided. Grace shot off getting further and further ahead. The only consolation was that I stayed ahead of all the guys that had been around me earlier. It was a relief to reach Wessenden Head and the CP. I didn't need much but grabbed some food and said Hi to Stuart again. Then it was the Pennine Way up and up to Black Hill. I thought back to the LDWA Pennine 100 which had also summited this hill but from further east. I passed Dom plodding his way up and it was good to now have more and more 10 Res runners to pick off.
Ben who I had been running with on and off all day made faster progress than me over Tooleyshaw Moor. The bogs were energy sapping and I skidded a few times. I could still see him up ahead- sometimes further, sometimes closer and this kept me going. Things got marginally better as we began the drop to Crowden . I lost the path in the quarries but was soon back on track and heading to the Outdoor Centre which had also been a CP on the LDWA 100. My stomach (or head) didn't fancy the idea of pasta so I ate some melon and set off with a sandwich. After a short fiddly bit it was onto the Pennine Way again for the climb up to near Laddow Rocks. Again I used Ben and others to keep me going.
Just before the rocks we turned off west to Chew Reservoir but then we diverted from the old route and stayed high on small boggy and muddy paths to reach eventually the trig at Alphin Pike. It seemed to go on and on even though I was catching some people and overtaking some tourists. I had hoped for a good run off the Pike but the trail was very gnarly with so many trip hazards. I did overtake one couple and then on the final descent almost caught another guy who then put on a sprint finish to beat me by seconds.
Daz was correct- 2nd F and definitely 1stFV, another trophy. I need not have worried about the 3 women who I had thought were catching me but Rachel was not far behind me in third place.
Lots of great food and cups of tea followed and then an easy stroll across the pitch back to my car.
