Bullock Smithy

[socks]

Thanks for encouraging comments, but not sure I deserve them! The lad I was with (with the poles) was called Dave. He was brilliant up the hills so went charging ahead of me. I then caught him whenever we went flat or downhill. Knowing we'd done most of the hills by Walker Barn, I was fairly sure I'd be back before him. Nick was very persuasive in getting me to jog when I felt absolutely knackered! What he didn't say is that he was walking at the same pace as my jogging (if I cared about that sort of thing I'd be quite embarrassed!). Just read back over the earlier posts - well done to Tom for first event over marathon distance. You picked a hard one to start with! Rotherham coming up in October and the Woldsman in April will seem a doddle!

[lantern rouge]

Now that was tough, but what a glorious day AND night.

I could burst into poetry about the way the harvest moon lit up the scattered clouds and rugged hills, etc... but I won't... you know what I mean.

Did this with my mate Dave and spirits were high as we left up towards Bowstones and beyond...

Once warmed up, felt pretty good and we were making respectable if unspectacular progress... darkness fell and still good spirits... the dramatic peaks of Earl Sterndale behind us and we got upto the A53... but then the navigation fairy turned nasty (as well as the wind getting up) and despite making confident judgements about the best way to pick up the route again, had a sinking feeling that,

"Hang on... shouldn't be able to see the Cat and Fiddle from here....!"

"Well how the hell did we cover that rough ground so fast... and in the wrong direction??!!"

Now Dave had been suffering with shin splints since about mile 20, but they were bearable. Not now... all the ground we had gained on some other groups was gone... they had gone from A - B without going via the scenic (tussock and marshy plus about 3 miles of road to compensate) route, and so were well ahead. No amount of subtle, "Ready to try a trot along yet?" was going to make his legs feel better and so walking was the order of the night.

Very gradually, we made progress through the moonlit lanes and trails, and very pretty they were too... the never ending Middlewood Way to finish in 19.14... so it cost us less than a pound an hour to take part!!!

And Dave went to A&E on Monday with a suspected stress fracture in his foot...

I know where we went wrong and will have to recce this section again. The winner was another Macc Harrier, Julian Brown in 9.40... well done that man.

Another adventure and the longest expedition yet... back next year? Probably... and go for sub 17.

Thanks to all who make this institution happen... if it's a mammoth to participate, it must be something very large indeed to organise!!! And is it well organised!? I've never seen so much food! Great day.

[DazTheSlug]

lantern - Great Report!

I know a few of the Stockporters that finished in about 11 1/2 hrs (including the two lasses that set the new record), and they are already planning a sub-11 assault for next year

I'm planning on doing it too, but more likely in the 15-17hour range!

[SteveT]

Full results for this year's Bullock Smithy are now available here...

http://www.cs.manchester.ac.uk/~temples/bs/

Cheers, Steve

[lantern rouge]

Cheers Daz.

Yes it was quite a day / night... I'll be back.

It's like getting timed out at Borrowdale... at the time you think 'Oh, bloody 'ell!', but before long you're focussing on where you went wrong and what to do next time!

Just hope next year, the weather is as good.

Next up Windgather... might do two laps to get the mileage and climb up a bit, and then The Roaches... can smell that cow slurry already

[stevefoster]

No amount of subtle, "Ready to try a trot along yet?" was going to make his legs feel better and so walking was the order of the night.

Well done Simon and mate, he's got a good name for the order of the night

[DazTheSlug]

lantern - surely you jest about doing 2 laps of Windgather?
it nearly did for me last year
I'd like to wreak my re-wengee this year but not sure if I'll make it
Three Shires is next up for me, then Sandstone Trail

Gawsworth 10k tomorrow though - that's your way on isn't it - don't you fancy sneaking across for it?

[lantern rouge]

No... not joking about 2 laps... I am seduced by the simplicity of it... if you need to find a way to cram more mileage and climb in, just do it twice... Planning a similar scheme for the Roaches.

My lad's doing the Gawsworth 10k... but I won't get there myself.

And how's it going Merry? BG plan going to... plan?

The Bullock Smithy didn't go to plan, but I know where we went wrong; I still had fire in my belly after 19 hours and had plenty of trotting potential left... not a bad experience overall... and it was 19 hours on my feet with NO breaks.

[stevefoster]

No... not joking about 2 laps... I am seduced by the simplicity of it... if you need to find a way to cram more mileage and climb in, just do it twice... Planning a similar scheme for the Roaches.

My lad's doing the Gawsworth 10k... but I won't get there myself.

And how's it going Merry? BG plan going to... plan?

The Bullock Smithy didn't go to plan, but I know where we went wrong; I still had fire in my belly after 19 hours and had plenty of trotting potential left... not a bad experience overall... and it was 19 hours on my feet with NO breaks.

Everything's going to................plan mate, 19 hours, no break, you desreve a break for that

[lantern rouge]

Have a break.... I'll have a KitKat