The hills are alive with the sound of “holy hell that bog is DEEP” Weekend report.

Well, I thought this was going to be a relatively quiet one. 2000 words later, I realise that I’ve written more words than I would have done for my History GCSE exam. So a fair amount did indeed happen, despite me thinking that we’re slowing down on the old racing front towards Christmas. I’ve updated the champs spreadsheet on my computer, but haven’t got around to uploading it yet (I’ve only been at this for about 2 hours), so it will get done in the next day or so. I’ll try and check it for mistakes, but as and when it uploads, give us a shout if you think I’ve dropped a clanger, and I shall blame it on the software.

Right. I’m off to cuddle a cat.

Cross country

There were a goodly number of people out for XC this week. Evidently Chris Webb’s Wednesday night XC webbinars (known by less polite things by the people running them) have really got people psyched. As the first of the SELCC matches, they are a little lower key than the Manc ones, but over the same courses. (approximately). The Blokes unfortunately got a bit caught up in traffic on the M67 so barely got there in time to cheer on the ladies. Not that that stopped them in any way, shape or form. Ezme Brack led the charge, coming in a somewhat modest 1st in her category, with the Swan Girls following in good form. Josie coming 3rd in her race, and Caitlin 2nd in hers. Not to be outdone by the striplings, Kirsty Sharpe put in a fine performance to come in 2nd in the Seniors. Unfortunately I have literally no other information in terms of race positions…. however, I can tell you that Elanor Swan was out there, forcibly making her way through the field, swiftly followed by Cheryl Stitt (or was it the other way around?) with Emma Rettig continuing to enjoy her mudplugging winter training and Charmayne enjoying staying upright in the mud, not even finishing with a hair out of place. Becky Ashworth was doing much the same thing, hammering around, and yet, managing to come out of the race looking as sparkly as when she started, and Sarah “2 vests” Leah continued in fine form, and has not yet decided which of her vests is best for XC.

The blokes, understandably were a little aghast at the fine form the ladies were in and were a bit concerned about the impending race. StevieK managed to get the “last minute larry” prize this week, running up from the carpark as everyone else was lining up for the start… he did manage to get his number pinned on before the gun went, even if it does look a little slapdash in the photos. The gents were so late and disorganised there wasn’t even a team photo, so this one will have to do.

The course was less churned up than Boggart hole was last week (no surprise there). Tim Budd managed to lead the GDH field home in 12th – but only just, with StevieK showing that a decent warm up from the carpark, with subsequent adrenalin rush may well be the way forward – being only seconds behind in 13th. Chris Jackson is showing a return to form despite injury by easily outstriding Steve Crossman on the final hill. Next in was Paul Skuse, making his XC debut this year, followed by Dan Stinton– managing to ensure no-one passed him on the final hill, with David Chrystie-Lowe half a minute behind. Phil Swan was “out for a bimble” but still appeared to be sweating on the final run in. Andy Burnett paced himself well, ensuring there were no final straight fireworks against John Stephenson, who did not pace himself so well, and left far too much of a gap to close in the final half mile.

Well done to all who were there – as and when I find out about team results I’ll post em up.

Conwy Half

Will Mather travelled across the way to Wales for the somewhat flat(ish) and fast(ish) Conwy half marathon. Wearing his Mummy’s Star top he was somewhat less inclined to partake of alcohol on his way around and so somewhat strangely for a Harrier, abstained from visiting any bars on the course. The upshot of this was that his approximate finishing time was around 1:32 (ah – chip time, 1:32:36) which is really rather decent. I am unaware of his movements after the race, but considering the amount of pizza he ate the night before (“sharing” with his lads) I suspect that post race food has been devoured, and I suspect that the amount was volumous. Liam Amos was also out and about in Conwy, not only was he mooching around the course, he was doing so in a stonking PB of 1:56. His Dad – Paul was following him around for half the course before getting sidetracked, as is ever the case in the Harriers, by a likely looking drinking hole. After a pint or 3, he decided that it might be a cunning idea to finish in order to get a lift home, and knowing that he had given Liam enough of a headstart, cruised home in 2:37If he is anything like Will, he’ll be tucking into some serious calories as well right now. Tony “1st V70” Hillier was also along for the ride, though I haven’t seen his strava link yet, so I can’t say for sure… was he first V70? Yeah. Probably. He isn’t the sort to sit around in a pub nursing a pint when there is a half marathon to be run. But he should definitely try it some time. Nice running guys.

13 arches Trail Half

Well then. A rather exciting PB this week for Mel Riddell with an approximate time of 2:32. She and Jayne Moreton found themselves over at 13 arches Trail half this weekend. Ably supported by Guy (who has done so many indeterminably long events you’d think he’d know how to support one by now) and unhindered by a Dragon suit, they sped their way from arch to arch and pub to pub enjoying the mud, trails, hedgerows and general views of the surrounding countryside. (can you tell I have NO idea where it was?). They managed to sink a good few doubles on the way around, it was nice of Mel to carry everything while Jayne bounced along in her snazzy new bionic leggings. Flipping great running in lovely conditions. Well done to ya!

Peak Raid Glossop

The final fell race in the Glossopdale series and we were back on home soil. Well. Peat. To be fair, it was pretty much Chris Webb’s to lose and everyone else was just trying to claw their way up the table. The day was clear as a bell, so those with less nav skills than sense of direction would generally be ok- if the worst came to the worst then everyone would just be able to run West and they’d end up at home. There is no real way to say who ran what against whom because everyone was taking vastly different lines to each other. Tim Budd came home with the highest points, an in 4th overall (2nd MSEN), after bashing through thigh deep bog, which was fairly fun, Chris Webb was the next on the list just behind in 8th, not totally playing it safe but acquitting himself well on the hills that he still hasn’t quite got to grips with yet. Next on the list was 2nd V60, 29th overall and wily vet – John Stephenson, showing that you don’t need speed to get a good score, you need intelligence, a compass and the innate ability to chase and find a Jack Russell on any terrain on Bleaklow. Charlie Eaton was nipping at Johns heels in 33rd, coming out of semi-racing retirement for the navigational amusement, and in 34th was Charlies partner in crime for the Hodgeson Brothers relays, Andy Oliver, enjoying the delightful weather on the hill. Next on the list in 58th was a slightly hypothermic and hallucinating Steve Pepper who looked like he had dragged himself through a bog and several hedges on the way back down the hill – Paul Skuse was a mere 5 points behind, but was in 65th overall, despite nailing his nav on every checkpoint. Apparently he should have been a little more ambitious in terms of his running, but we all learn something on these races. Highest place lady was Rachel Walton who put her analytical brain and parkrun fitness to good use coming in 84th… winning the battle of the mums against Zoe Barton who was a mere 3 places down in 87th – probably enough to help her clinch the Fell Champs title. Catherine Cleary got the same amount of points as Zoe, but was a little later back to race HQ, due to lying down and “having a bit of a breather” in a few places, getting her

a still very creditable 88th place (and 2nd WSEN). Marie Williamson and Lynne Taylor were not all that far behind. stacking the GDH babes in a tight knit group- only 5 points separating them from Catherine and Zoe in 91st and 92nd respectively. Matt Dawson was out for a stroll in the area and decided to make an appearance in the GDH vest in 96th, with Ian Oates a short distance behind in 104th…. I hear he was on the warpath looking for whisky on them there hills, but came away disappointed, having only tasted peaty water. Andy Burnett was one of only 2 Harriers to be a little beyond the time, losing 40 points to the clock as he ran in late. He still managed 116th place, which was a little ahead of Matt Huxford. Matt decided that in his slightly crippled state (he had a minor tumble last week, crocking his arm – so while driving may be a challenge, running is easy…. right?) that he would head out and get the furthest CP on the map. A bold move. I can’t really say much, apart from have a look at his scorecard, and realise that he STILL wasn’t last. 138th out of 146. What a great day out! Results are here.

Parkrun

This weeks parkrun was a lovely affair with a whole load of harriers doing their duty as time keepers etc. (Which, to be fair, they do most weeks). Young Imogen Trinder nailed down a decent time as her PB of 20:07, 1st lady home. Alan Scholefield laid down a PB, evidently still in a come down state from his marathon training in 22:27, and Ian Crutchley also hit new heights of 25:21 this week. Excellent work all of you. Consolidated report is here.

As a note – the final date for Glossop parkrun PB’s for this years champs will be Sat 9th Dec. Send me your best times up until that date. If you run a PB on the 16th, lovely, but it isn’t going on my spreadsheet.

Social run on the hills

There were a few people out on the hill this sunday, enjoying the delightful sun and freezing cold underfoot conditions. Looks like they headed over to Bleaklow Stones way. Apparently Julien wasn’t able to convince any of them to jump from the anvil stone to the other one – an unfeasable distance away. Thankfully. They all returned in one piece, despite his best efforts.

Stuff happening this week…

Tuesday session – Jeroens session. Details on facebook. I’d tell you what it is here, but I’m bound to get it wrong. Look for his post! Also – Fellhounds will be off out on some headtorch lit wander. If you’re going with them, make sure you’re prepared for a evening on the hill.

Wednesday session – Chris’s XC Webbinar. Some horrendous version of reps in Bankswood park. Steve Crossman will no doubt post on FB as to the details…. Look out for his post

Thursday run – Looks like Mark Davenport is leading out this week… (though he might be injured… are you injured Mark?) if he is, we’ll need someone else to lead out. Whatever… look up the doodle poll and stick your name down for any of the dates… fell/road/whatever. https://doodle.com/poll/v4pwyiw9rn94i4hz

Also – Fellhounds will be off out on another headtorch lit wander. If you’re going with them, make sure you’re prepared for a evening on the hill.

Um… .thats about it, I reckon. Unless you havent told me anything.

Ah – Final thing.

Christmas do

In case you haven’t heard, is on Sunday 17th Dec. There will probably be a fancy dress run thing in the morning followed by food/drink/presentations in the afternoon. Come to one/both. Details will be forthcoming. Theoretically there should be 200 of you, yet I seem to be writing the same names on this report every week… where are you all?!