Bluebell Trail 10

Sunday 5th May

Did anyone run this race yesterday??
http://www.stainlandlions.com/Club_R...rail/index.htm (map at bottom of page)

I'd been told about the main hill in this race before, but was still gob-smacked on ascending it (I'll admit I walked quite a bit of it)

It's called Trooper Lane, & according to the route description, it ascends nigh on 570 feet in half-a-mile:eek:

That's a fair amount!!, I've ridden up Lee Lane, further across town (passes the Shibden Mill Inn, & ascends to the Ski-Slope), but Trooper Lane is far harder!!

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Originally Posted by RichardAThackeray

Sunday 5th May

Did anyone run this race yesterday??
http://www.stainlandlions.com/Club_R...rail/index.htm (map at bottom of page)

I'd been told about the main hill in this race before, but was still gob-smacked on ascending it (I'll admit I walked quite a bit of it)

It's called Trooper L:ane, & according to the route description, it ascends nigh on 570 feet in half-a-mile:eek:

That's a fair amount!!, I've ridden up Lee Lane, further across town (passes the Shibden Mill Inn, & ascends to the Ski-Slope), but Trooper Lane is far harder!!

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Did this yesterday for the third time, I've still not managed to conquer that hill, even though I've ran it umpteen times as the route is on my doorstep. Can do it at recce pace but not race pace. Would love to know if the winner managed to run up. as he got under the hour...

Yes, I did Richard. This race betrays the friendly, flowery nature of it's name and is actually quite a tough route. I overcooked it by not realising there would be so many ups and downs after the main climb to Southowram. I seem destined to die in the last mile of every race I run.

Andi Jones took the record under an hour which was impressive.

Good do this. I did it once around 2006 :thumbup:

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Originally Posted by damienpearson

Did this yesterday for the third time, I've still not managed to conquer that hill, even though I've ran it umpteen times as the route is on my doorstep. Can do it at recce pace but not race pace. Would love to know if the winner managed to run up. as he got under the hour...

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You were far in advance of me, as Plantar Fasciitis has come to visit my right foot, so whilst I could manage the uphills (barring Trooper), the downhills were painful (flats weren't much better in 2nd half of race)
That said, I did enjoy the sections of the Magna Via off Beacon Hill (from a historical point of view)

75th/390 @ 1.24:26 for you

Way, way, back for me

Yeah, my second one, it's also right on my doorstep and I do a lot of training along the route, so I like to do the race. Didn't really bother trying to run Trooper Lane - it seems like one of those where it's more efficient and probably as fast to 'power walk' it!
Had a good one this year, managed to knock 7 minutes of last years time. Mainly because last year I got held up in the woods at the start by a load of namby-pamby road runners who I don't think quite realised what they'd got themselves into ;)

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Originally Posted by RichardAThackeray

You were far in advance of me, as Plantar Fasciitis has come to visit my right foot, so whilst I could manage the uphills (barring Trooper), the downhills were painful (flats weren't much better in 2nd half of race)
That said, I did enjoy the sections of the Magna Via off Beacon Hill (from a historical point of view)

75th/390 @ 1.24:26 for you

Way, way, back for me

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Not way, way back. Just way back... Only kidding. That is a good time for the route to say you have the injury. Beacon Hill, is that the one looking over Halifax?

And in advance of me...:p

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Originally Posted by richsund

Had a good one this year, managed to knock 7 minutes of last years time. Mainly because last year I got held up in the woods at the start by a load of namby-pamby road runners who I don't think quite realised what they'd got themselves into ;)

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Good time Rich, you got the time I was aiming for.

I was a namby-pamby the first time I ran this, last year I got held up at start, this year got through the gate as soon as, though it was undone as I'd worn my full trail shoes, didn't think it would have been so dry so soon through all the wooded sections. A lesson learnt.

Damien, the high ground, after we crossed the road at top of 'Trooper', ran between the 2 stone walls
Where we popped out onto open (high-level) moorland is Beacon Hill

The Magna Via; http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/841842 http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/38276

Beacon Hill; http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/161417

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Originally Posted by damienpearson

Good time Rich, you got the time I was aiming for.

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Thanks. I was a bit of a newbie last year too, but obviously far less scared of a few rocks and tree roots than a lot of people! In contrast I find the tarmac / canal bank bits the worst, they just seem to drag, and there's nothing to distract you from the plod, plod, plod at a constant energy-sapping pace. But I guess it's a good reminder of why we're all on this particular forum!

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Originally Posted by richsund

Thanks. I was a bit of a newbie last year too, but obviously far less scared of a few rocks and tree roots than a lot of people! In contrast I find the tarmac / canal bank bits the worst, they just seem to drag, and there's nothing to distract you from the plod, plod, plod at a constant energy-sapping pace. But I guess it's a good reminder of why we're all on this particular forum!

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This race was tougher and more hilly than several fell races I have done in my time!
Trooper Hill puts most hills to shame!!