Quote:
Originally Posted by PeteS
Well done Pete... such a tough route, and if you're not 100% on it, you can just leak minutes on every part of the route...
You showed far more patience with that group than i'd have managed...
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PeteS
Well done Pete... such a tough route, and if you're not 100% on it, you can just leak minutes on every part of the route...
You showed far more patience with that group than i'd have managed...
yes: nice one Pete: you're quickest so far!
(out of three :) )
Thanks guys. I doubt I will remain quickest for long! Just found the route gadget on the app. My line to CP3 was way too high but couldn't remember exactly where to hit the path and thought it best to drop in rather than miss it and have to climb back up. That cost me a minute or so.
Entries for this excellent race open tonight at 6pm on sientries.co.uk
Limited to 80 runners so don't hang about.
p.s race is on sunday 19th December.
Intriguing - Callow in winter? A tough little race usually made even harder by the heat of summer.
Just entered.
Replace the heat of summer with the slippery conditions of winter. Some of those steep climbs could be a nightmare if they're very greasy... Should be interesting!
A fantastic day at Callow today... driving over it was distinctly foggy and glum, but absolutely lovely at Little Stretton. Despite temperature barely above zero, it was certainly vest weather with the sun and lack of wind.
I know this route by heart now, so it's a case of getting head down and working hard. Although didn't stop me from taking a very dubious route up the final climb and dropping a load of time!
15th in 1hr16.... didn't quite have the usual zip up the climbs today... although having not raced on the fells since Peris in September, that is perhaps not entirely surprising... didn't race badly, just would have liked to have been much closer to a few names in front of me...
Started fairly confidently, and reached the first summit in 4th place without pushing too hard... basically power-walking all the way. I knew there's no chance of holding that kind of position and was in a more realistic 11th or 12th by midway... but as mentioned it just didn't happen on the climbs and i was powerless when the likes of Mel Price, Andy Davies, Virgil, and Athers of this parish came past.
Hello to PeteS, good to chat briefly, and for someone "just trying to get fit" that was an excellent result. And also to Athers... i was 20secs in front of you at top of Yearlet, and reached the bottom of the next climb 20secs behind you!! I assume you descended Yearlet straight down the nose...?
I heard from another runner that this race may be held in November next year.
Pete
Nice one, Pete. Very impressive run. Good to have a brief chat to you again.Quote:
Originally Posted by Travs
I know the route well now and driving over through Wyre Forrest and Shropshire, I thought we were going to be in for thick fog which would have made things interesting for the uninitiated. Conditions were nearly perfect though and I was glad of the sun at the start.
Gloves and buff were soon off after the first climb and by Yearlet, I was then struggling with the heat. This year has all been about resolving long standing injuries and trying to get back to some kind of fell training next year so the plan was to get around without breaking anything and in that respect, I think mission accomplished (assuming I can get down the stairs in the morning!)
Pleased with 43rd place in 1.34 - good 10 minutes or so off my best but progress in the right direction.
I see the results are up: https://mercia.giz.me.uk/node/3336
Worst case of DOMS ever this morning but thankfully nothing else broken. Onwards and upwards!
The guy who finished a place in front of me went past me like a train on the final descent... didn't realise he had won the prize for the fastest descent from Callow to the finish!Quote:
Originally Posted by noel
I lost a chunk of time on the penultimate leg, the climb up to Callow... instead of going up the little hanging valley i was going sharply up the fellside to the right, and effectively hit the summit coming from the south instead of the south-west.... looks like it cost me a good two minutes (although only one position)
Sara Willhoit fastest climbing Callow, as well as 3rd overall. I seem to remember she was in the same position at the Cardingmill Canter in 2019, when I ran it. She obviously likes the steep, grassy slopes of the Long Mynd.
Yes she's a good athlete... sub-17 5km, sub-36 10km, and obviously even stronger on the fells.
Looking forward to this in few weeks time. Hoping to beat last year's time but a PB is probably not on the cards.
Looking forward to this on sunday.
Not been on the fells for about 6 weeks but feeling fit.... Callow is a brute though so may come unstuck.
Looking at the lineup, there's no stand-out contenders for the win (yet.... and i believe there may be entry on the day). A few usual suspects from the Shropshire races, and a few names i don't know too well.... hoping to at least have a vague stab at a v40 prize.
Good luck,Pete.
Hope to see you there. My aim is just to beat last year's time which was about 10 minutes off my best.
I know one thing... i'll be going out of that first field like a rocket, regardless of whether it puts me in a false position or not...
I can't afford to mess around on short races and there's some people on the list who we may well be within a minute or so at the finish, so i'll take any advantage i can get.
Looks like some healthy numbers for Llani in the v60, although got to make him favourite on current form and all that marathon training.
Please don't burden me with such pressure Travs. That kind of talk just increases the number of pre race toilet visits I will have to endure. :eek:Quote:
Originally Posted by Travs
There was a previous thread (Breidden Hills?) where somebody (Llani?) was enquiring as to the full list of Shropshire WInter Series races.....
Breidden Hills (as run on 9th October)
Callow – 20th November 2022
Cardington Cracker – 4th December 2022
Long Mynd Valleys – 11th February 2023
Cardingmill Canter – 4th March 2023
Wrekin– 2nd April 2023
best 4 results from 6 to score.
This is good news for me as it looks like i can scrape 4 races together...
Here we go then...
Looks like it might be a decent morning for it... although i suspect the damage has already been done with regards to the underfoot conditions.
Good to catch-up with you, Pete. Hope your race went well - there was a red vest high on Yearlet as I was coming up Town Brook so presumably so!Quote:
Originally Posted by Travs
Well, my aim for today was to beat last year's time (which I admittedly took rather easily) and to not increase my physio bill in doing so.
Target achieved - hill training is only just starting to get back to somewhere near where I was a few years ago but everything held up and I made it to the finish virtually unscathed.
1:25 - 9 minutes off last year but still a way off my PB although that was for the race when it was in the summer.
Positives for the day were that Strava tells me I broke my record for all 4 climbs. I was feeling good but really didn't go at any of them full gas so training is definitely working and still felt reasonably fresh for the descent off Callow.
Negatives. Mainly my descending which to be fair was partly down to the conditions as it was as slippy as hell in places but mainly down to a lack of confidence still from my fall. It's getting better certainly but not where I'd like it to be. I also managed to make a mess of the run down Callow Hollow. Missed the path junction early on and ended up on a higher trod with a load of gorse preventing me making amends. Probably cost me a minute or two but no great harm done.
Llani I meant to say hello but somehow missed you although I believe you may have met my wife at the finish? (And if it was you in a Matlock vest I helped you untangle yourself from a blackthorn tree on Ashlet!)
Didn't make it to the pub/presentation as by the time we had made it back to the van and got cleaned up, the rain was pouring down and soon turned to biblical proportions. Thankfully the race weather was pretty good in comparison.
Cardington Cracker hopefully up next.
Well done Pete.... it was myself who was chatting to your good wife at the finish!
Finished in 9th today, which was a bit lower than i'd hoped. But a huge pb by 5 minutes, so i can't really do any more than that, so overall very pleased.
Didn't feel like i had much "zip" going uphill... although i think now i'm becoming a bit more proficient along the flat and downhill bits, i'm spreading my effort out across races, rather than only being able to go on the charge on the climbs.
Made a brisk start out the first field, but not quite the pace i'd intended, it was just a bit too soft and slippery to build up a real head of steam... that said, i was 1st onto the opening climb and reached summmit in 3rd, 12 seconds quicker than last year (9:47).
Dropped a couple of places over the next descent. On the way up Yearlet was surprised by Llani appearing in front after an apparent directional issue off the first top.... from here spent most of the race in and around a group containing 5th-10th, and we were joined by Chris Jackson, Virgil Barton and Mel Price on the 3rd climb...
The leaders were still in sight on the final climb, perhaps 3-4mins ahead, and 5th-8th were tantalisingly close, but couldn't latch onto them and had to settle for defending 9th place from a couple of quick descenders behind.
Knew on the way up Callow that 1:10 was in with a chance if i kept it together, and dibbed in around 1:09:30 in the end.
Good to see so many familiar faces, from both on and off the forum. Really is a good fellrunning community round Shropshire.
Pete
Given my wife's description was nothing like how I would have described you, I assumed it had to be another forumite!
So, the question now is how did Llani end up in front of you on Yearlet? Maybe it's all that marathon training or perhaps the cheesy chips??
I am sure Llani can shed more light on it, but i reckon a direct descent north off Ashlet into Townbrook Valley, rather than the race-path east down to the reservoir.Quote:
Originally Posted by PeteS
A couple of people have now mentioned ending up on the higher path on Callow Hollow and losing a little bit of time. I think finding the best route down off Grindle might throw a few people as well... you don't directly cross the main path at the two trees, but turn left along it for 50 yards before turning off it downhill again, gives you a much better line....
To be fair, there is no checkpoint at the bottom of Townbrook Valley.Quote:
Originally Posted by Travs
Kicking myself over the Callow Hollow error - I've run down there sooo many times.
Grindle, I don't get, After you hit the main path I usually turn right down the spur into the valley from the trees and take the straight line down to the head of the valley. Is there s quicker line?
So I descend off Grindle and when I get to the main path at the two trees, I turn left following the path for about 40-50 yards. Then a sharp right to begin my main descent from there.
No idea if that is the "main" line or not? But it keeps you on a vague path/trod of sorts all the way down.
Someone mentioned to me today that they got bracken-bound on that descent and I assume it was just a case of being 50 or so yards off the best line.
Yeah, I get that and that's the way I go too. I did recce a more direct line a few years back and there is one and it could save you a few seconds if it was perfect conditions but it's steep and loads of gorse and bracken to negotiate.
[QUOTE=Travs;681046]I am sure Llani can shed more light on it, but i reckon a direct descent north off Ashlet into Townbrook Valley, rather than the race-path east down to the reservoir.
Apologies for the late reply but I've been in Wales and can only post on here from my lap top at home. Password issues :mad:
Yes Pete, spot on. After the dibber on Ashlet I was following everyone else to the right but then saw two runners off to the left in the far distance. I think they were the leaders, so changed tack but by the time I had got to where I saw them they had obviously disappeared, so being a lazy bugger and not getting my map out I headed down and when I got into the Townbrook Valley the leaders were coming towards me!
It crossed my mind to run against everyone down to the dam and back again but didn't and I found myself in 3rd place going up Yearlet soon to be overtaken by others including a surprised chap wearing a Coventry Godiva vest :)
By now I had decided not to go flat out and was then steadily overtaken until the dib point below Callow. A steady climb up Callow and then the fast run in to the finish.
I have not seen the results and fully expect a DQ next to my name as I did mention my cock up to a marshal. If I am shown in a false place in the results I shall email Mercia.
I thoroughly enjoyed the course and now will have to come back next year to do it properly. And yes, PeteS, thanks for unhooking me off that branch as I was about to be flipped backwards. I too had planned to go back to the Village Hall for a cup of tea and flapjack but after the heavens opened on getting back to my car I was cold. I can't remember rain that cold for a long time and was glad it hadn't started whilst I was on the hill.
Chapeau to the marshals.
Hopefully see you at Cardington.
Oh I nearly forgot, I found an old £20 note going up Grindle. No longer legal currency but Charlotte at The Angel in Llani let me spend it on Butty Bach 4.5% from Wye Valley Brewery.
Well that clears a few things up. Glad you enjoyed Callow- it's a fine race and I was impressed by your direct descent of Ashlet to Townbrook which can't have been easy! Hopefully you'll come back next year and, as you say, do it properly.Quote:
Originally Posted by Llani Boy
I should be at Cardington and if not maybe LMV but as it's a championship race this year, may be giving it a miss.
Llani mentioned to me at the end that Callow would be a fantastic champs race as it would "sort a few people out"....
I have to totally agree.
I think the reason it isn't is due to that first climb.... 300-400 people charging towards that bottle-neck on the bridge, and that narrow initial climb up through the trees. I think they would have to start the race right back in the village to let it thin out, and then still look at an alternative way up Ashlet.
Results should be out today on Mercia site and SIentries.
https://merciafellrunners.org.uk/results/callow-2022/
Results.
Pretty gutted to have been so close to 4th/5th (in fact i was battling up the 3rd climb with Virgil who came 4th). There's only really the first three who pulled any kind of gap on the rest of the top 10 or so.
Will post the splits up if/when they turn up on sientries.
Looking at the splits, my error in Callow Hollow cost me at least a couple of places which I did claw back on the climb. So without that, I'd have been in the top half of the field but I'm pleased with my performance on the day regardless.
Onwards and upwards!
That section off Grindle and down Callow Hollow seems to have been my strongest (opening climb aside). I was "putting the boot down" in Callow Hollow.
It would make a great championship race but there are problems with the start as you have stated and the lack of parking etc would need to be addressed.Quote:
Originally Posted by Travs
An alternative would be to move the start to Church Stretton and hopefully string the field out enough before you hit the pinch point at the bottom of Townbrook. Though I guess that would pretty much be the 6 summits race minus a couple!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DXZ...w?usp=drivesdk
Winter Series table after two races.
Llani and PeteS looking strong. Hoping to challenge the v40 placings but will probably fall short as Long Mynd Valleys Champs race will have to be a counter for me, and will probably be 25% down on points at that one.
As a baggies fan and like a lot of seasons (but strangely not this one!), I often find myself wishing the season would end at Christmas before we begin our customary slide down the table...
It's looking increasingly unlikely I'll make Cardington and the LMVs being a championship race is not going to yield many points. So, I'll be pinning my hopes on a miraculous recovery with Carding Mill Canter and Wrekin (which really is pushing the boundaries of winter in April!)
Anyone fancy this? Nov 19th
Sadly i'm missing it this year, as i'll be doing Brampton-Carlisle that day.
Best short race in the country.
Another Callow done and dusted. It was very windy on the tops and although we didn't get much rain, it has obviously been very wet for a while and consequently wet and slippery in places. Times were slower than last year due to the conditions but a good turnout of about 60-70 runners took part. Strava tells me I was climbing strongly with my 3rd best times on most of them. Other than the traverse of Ashlet, any running (which is negligible anyway) was heavily impacted by the weather so time was lost there.
I wouldn't say I have my descending mojo back but felt far more confident on the descents than last time out so hope to see further improvement in that respect soon.