That's him. Victoria Terrace, on the way up to Heptonstall.
That's him. Victoria Terrace, on the way up to Heptonstall.
Heh heh, thanks Jez/Splatcher, it was great to watch you all past the house from the comfort of my doorstep. I kinda felt for you runners that went the other side of the road as I was quite lazy in putting out the water and jelly babies..... only in front of my gaff, couldn't be bothered to trott over the road.... so I did feel quite guilty, thought the least I could do under the circumstances was to shout (some kind of) encouragement!
Well done to you both, and well done to all.
A proper check-point...
Thanks to Emma for the image
Thanks to Brett and the kcac group for a fantastic event. Well organised.
It was my first ever ultra and a harsh lesson in pacing. First 20 miles came and went in 3 hours...then it all went Pete Tong after the ascent of Stoodley Pike..the last 12 miles taking 2.5 hours...the descents wouldn't normally worry me on a 10 mile run - but after doing 20 miles at a good pace they obviously did! It was a love hate relationship at some points.
Was really looking forward to the hotdogs and donuts - but my body rejected both! (never done that in a race before).
Great event - and already looking to improve on my new found PB! :-)
Well done everyone, it was a great day out wasn't it? Thanks Brett and all your team for making it so enjoyable. I foolishly believed I could run it in under 6 hours as I had done 2 years ago but I ran as a pair last time and solo yesterday. There were just too many nice people to talk to and I soon realised this wasn't going to happen. I got cramp in my hamstring coming off Stoodley, something I've never had before and wasn't sure if I'd pulled a muscle but I carried on and chatted to Wendy all the way down to Hebden Bridge. There I met my pal Clare getting drinks off Clive (thanks Clive!) so we walked up to Heptonstall together. I pushed on near Haworth Old Road and met another 2 chaps to chat to so we all ran in together.
Stef - I have no idea how I managed to miss you at the hot dog checkpoint, hope you had a fun time though.
Steve Foster - thanks for driving me over even though you weren't running, much appreciated as always and great to see the Crumblydowns again.
My legs felt very sore when I got out of bed but I've been on my feet all morning and they're feeling much better now.
Ah-so YOU were the famous Clive! Thank you for your words of encouragement which are always needed at that point! I wasn't joking when I said if it was a glass of wine you were offering I'd have been over the road like a shot!
Thanks to all the wonderful marshalls and organisers as usual. Apologies to the Scotsman who I told to "get f***ed" when he told me I was looking good after 18 miles! It was adrenaline!!
Splatcher, there won't be a next year!!!! For 3 years on the trot I have said "never again" after this race! It is such a fast/runnable course isn't it? Not so long that you can get into a slower rhythm and not so short that a faster pace can be sustained? I was really surprised to see you on Penistone and that I managed to equalise our wins!! Pretty pleased with my time-a few minutes slower than last year but it was a tad windy in places so I'll blame that!
Great to see and chat to so many of the usual ultra nutters and to chat to Helene-"the legend"- for a while! Wouldn't it be great if the top premiership footballers were as down to earth and ready to chat/give advice to us amateurs??????
Well done "Mountain "Billy Whizz" Man" on finishing with your injury-the only time I ever beat you is because you are running on 1 leg!!! Typical! You never fail to impress me!
Another great day for the annals of my mind!!!!
Rachel
Yes it was a good day out in retrospect but not at the time! About 45 minutes slower than last year but with no distance in my legs for the last few months through injury it was inevitable it was going to be a hard day out. Looking at the FRA mag article on the Hobble I reckon it must be my 30th year possibly my 31st!! I couldn't find a certificate for 1980 so I may have missed the first one and another year it was cancelled with foot & mouth.
You think I would have learnt my lesson by now! But then what would I do on the second saturday in March!
Thanks to Brett and all his helpers for making it all possible.
Last edited by MOUNTAIN MAN; 11-03-2012 at 05:14 PM.