Race report by Mandy Taylor
A 6 hour challenge organised by See York Run York featuring a 6.56 mile out and back route on the Trans Pennine trail at Penistone. (Strava did clock slightly more on mine and several others run) The idea is to see how many laps you can do in the time frame.
As it was Halloween fancy dress was optional. I went for the traditional striders top!.
Several weeks have seen me complete a steady regular training plan including speed sessions and a couple of longer runs. I was hoping for a nice 5 laps. To push me further into ultra territory.
Arriving at registration a sea of orange n black was in attendance – no, not Halloween dress but Sowerby Bridge RC. Appears this run was part of their championship.
After the usual health and safety talk off we all went for lap one. It was a fairly chilly morn and like most I had layered up. Settled into nice steady pace by following a group of Sowerby runners. All well. A slight diversion is required at the community centre where base is to register each lap. While there I decided to remove a layer as I thought I’d warmed up. Took on some watermelon and sweets and set off again. Not long into the second lap I realised I’d dropped a clanger and the cool air was definitely turning to an icy wind. Normally I would be wearing a hydrovest with spare top in it, but was trialling a drinks belt for Benidorm half, so I had to plod on.
Coming in for lap 3 I did remember to fuel up as I generally forget this! It wasn’t until a few miles in I realised I’d forgot to pick up a top and gloves. I was definitely getting colder and as such was getting slower. A cycle I couldn’t shake.
Thankfully I completed lap 3 and armed with extra layers set off for lap 4.
Unfortunately I didn’t seem to be able to get warmer, a fair few runners had also ended their stint and lack of people on the trail resulted in the run becoming monotonous and isolating and a huge drop in motivation. Still feeling cold I opted to finish after lap 4.
After putting in 8 weeks of training in I was disappointed at calling it a day but do feel it was the right call.
My training never got over 13 miles and I felt good for the first 15. Also I did manage to knock off approx 10 mins from the last attempt re mara distance so some improvement.
Still think these type of challenges are good but would recommend entering them as a group to help chivvy each other on!
78 completed the challenge
Striders Results:
17th Mandy Taylor – 4 laps 26.2miles 4.41.14 – 1st F60
First place: Chin Yong from St Theresas – 7 laps 45.8 miles 6.09.41hrs
First female: Tracey Kerridge (F55) from Sowerby Bridge Snails – 6 laps. 32.75 miles. 6.58.57
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