Incidentally, where's the thread describing in detail how Marvin managed to drop our baton and didn't notice until he'd run another 3/4 mile, thus having to go back to for it? I can't find it anywhere.
Incidentally, where's the thread describing in detail how Marvin managed to drop our baton and didn't notice until he'd run another 3/4 mile, thus having to go back to for it? I can't find it anywhere.
One guy was doing a grand job of encouraging his slower partner up West Lane on leg six. By running backwards in front of him.
Thank god my partner waited for me, I was in bits yesterday. Think I left my legs in the car back in Leeds. She literally pushed me up the hills most of the time and they weren't even that steep...shocking performance by me but awesome team work from my partner, couldn't have asked for more support. would never have made it round without her...!!
Had a Great day yesterday, although now i'm suffering with a cold. Does anyone have any full results yet, or happen to know how the 'Mighty Sale Harriers' did on their debut? We had 2 teams in it, a mixed and a mens team. Thanks.
I have experienced this both ways. Two years ago I ran with a faster partner -- who was also a mate -- and had a miserable day. He ran his own pace, didn't look over his shoulder, and simply stopped and waited 50 yards from the finish of the leg so we could run in together for the handover. It almost put me off Calderdale for good (or at least off running as a pair ever again) and was so disspiriting that I actually walked up one hill...the only time I can ever remember having more or less stopped performing in a race.
Yesterday, in contrast, due to a number of late changes and emergency step-ins, I found myself with a significantly slower partner -- also a mate and also a great bloke. I will be honest and say I found the run very difficult. I never found any steady pace...was stop/start the whole way and though I enjoyed the day/event, I found the leg itself very hard work. Even when I "jogged", within seconds I was moving away from him and we really were very, very slow. With that said, I stayed on my partners shoulder the entire distance, let him dictate the pace, encouraged him to pace himself sensibly rather than push early for my sake and I think he thoroughly enjoyed his first Calderdale (had a nice e-mail this morning to that effect.)
The point, I think, is that in a 2-man team you really have to put notions of "racing" as we know it aside and get something else out of the day. Yes, if you're a potential winner in a very competitive team then that may be different, but for us mortals it seems to me that Calderdale is about something else. Incidentally, I also saw at least two other teams yesterday in predicaments similar to my own and, in the main, in each case the faster runner was doing a stellar job of encouraging the weaker one.
Personally, I would be happy to have marshalls spread around the course (because you don't find this stuff out at the handovers) disqualifying teams whose pairs really were to a significant degree running separately from each other.
Originally Posted by GeoffB
I was going to mention your finish Geoff, the way you chased the girls up that last hill and we all thought you were racing them.....
I also saw a lady physically pushing her team mate up the hill and encouraging her at the same time.
Idealy the faster runner should be navigating and running a head to open gates etc and then took in behind. Gavin my whippet partner did a grand job and only pushed on up the last hill when I told him to, it makes me try harder having someone to chase when i'm tired and on that last climb on leg 4 you need something to keep you going.
It was remiss of me to have posted three times since the event with out saying well done Halifax. Top effort.
PS.. the car crash near the finish didn't involve any runners/teams did it???
Must say well done to my partner for turning up to run with a bad chest infection. We could not get a stand in and he did not want to let the team down and kept apologising to me all the way round. Good on ya Graham.
I was running with a team mate who is a little slower than me. He was also struggling after a short distance in to the race. I slowed down and we discussed the problem. I said to him that he should set the pace and I will follow. He told me to run on because seeing me further ahead was the only thing keeping him going. He had to chase me down and this kept him moving. He was screwed after the race but well worth it. So, it works both ways. I never got mile ahead of him anyway as I was already at the next gate to open it and close it. I think he was very grateful of this.
It does quite clearly state in the rules pairs 'must stay together at all times’. However I'm not aware that this is defined and it's therefore open to interpretation. It could mean any of the following;
- Within visual contact
- Within shouting distance
- no more than 10 metres apart
- no more than two other teams between you etc…..
I’m happy to be corrected if I’ve missed some info. somewhere.
As far as I’m concerned, as long as the baton is handed over with the two running team members in close proximity (i.e. 10 metres or so), I don’t have a problem on how close the teams are on the rest of the leg.
As the slower member of a pair I’m happy for my team mate to slow down for and check all’s OK at each gate, stile or road crossing as necessary. If he wants to run a stop start race that’s up to him. I personally hate being verbally encouraged by a team mate! I suppose it depends on how well you know your partner and what you’ve agreed before hand.
You want controversy? What happened to the pie and peas? They're why I traveled up from Brighton, not for soup and a roll; I can get that down here.
Serioulsy, I had a great day, and would like to say a big thank you to all those involved in bringing this together.
All the best - Raymond
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