i was actually quite surprised with my time thought i did more 2:30 than 2:20 but oh well![]()
i was actually quite surprised with my time thought i did more 2:30 than 2:20 but oh well![]()
A good race, and an interesting area (totally new to me). Having been training well on the run up to this one I was disappointed with my run (107th in 2:31) but I am reminded that there's a massive difference between training and racing fitness! The campaign starts here..
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Depends what you're training for as well Trundler!! The Valleys is tough because it saves those 3 climbs for last. The temptation is to go zooming off across the top of the Mynd early on.
I've been running the route in training and noticed that, now I'm putting in some serious long BG training, I'm rubbish on the running bits....but those last 3 climbs are no problem at all at a strong walking pace.
Plus, don't know if you were able to follow someone, but there are one or two places where the best line saves you a wee bit of time and effort.
Anyway, hope you'll come back to Shropshire next year...and don't forget the Stretton Skyline in September, a 19 mile 4500ft race which takes in the Mynd AND those shapely little hills across the other side of Church Stretton.
I was 19th....Are you sure about your position? The positions seem a bit random in a few places after position 21....![]()
Yep, the fast section on the track and road (!) did catch me out (the Tour of Pendle has a similar profile with all the climbing concentrated at the end). I'm sure there are a lot of cunning lines to be discovered as well!
I will be back! It's an interesting area and must make a great training ground.
Bottom line for me is just not enough race fitness but it will come with a few more races under my belt - might even be properly fit in time for Stretton Skyline![]()
Pound for pound, probably THEE most enjoyable race I ve ever run to be honest. The course was fantastic. I will try to refamiliarise myself with the route for next year.
There's was quite a few walkers down in the hollows got a shock with runners charging towards them.
I'm glad you liked it. There's nothing worse than travelling a long way by car to a race that turns out to be pants! The race has been one of my faves since I first did it in 91.
Ahhhh at Callow and Yearlet, you probably passed the runners like me who started at 1030!!!!
I had a really bad race, leading the 1030 pack at 1 stage and then making 2 (yes 2 different!) navigational errors. Ended up doing about 12.75 miles!! 3h09m = not as good as 10 years ago 2h31.
Thoroughly enjoyed though, thanks to everyone for helping, much appreciated.
Seemed to have the strength at the end which was good but by that stage was totally deflated by doing so cr*p navigationally, and also having to bash through off-route vegetation! Schoolboy errors = must do better next time.
D'oh.
Sorry to hear about your plight Clive. Where did you go wrong? Coming over to Mintons Batch?