Reservoir Bogs
Posted in Running
That was my first error as some people behind me had taken what was my initial choice and were now running on good paths ahead of me whilst I was trying to pick up small feint trods through the heather. The leading group were going fast and on remembering a thread on the FRA forum about setting off too fast and finishing strong I decided to slow right down to a comfortable speed and see if it works?
The rest of the run to checkpoint 1 was uneventful albeit a guy got close behind me then just stayed there. I was picking good lines and paths through the worst of the terrain, more by luck than judgement so he was content in beliveing I knew what I was doing. Checkpoint 1 to 2 was probably the worst terrain for me. I may just not have seen a path but it was just large tussocks all the way. Stopping any running rythm and then it became about finishing with my ankles in one piece. Only occasionally tussocks would be broken up with a bit of bogs.
2 to 3 was fine! A bit of track, followed by cutting across some short heather, picking up a small trod then bashing over boulders and heather to a small path direct to 3. Then drop down a hill where I just slowed right down. Wanting to get to the bottom in one piece through these head sized tussocks, only for it to the develop into steep sided heather, with a stone wall hidden in the heather. Up the other side and fern up to the chest, again no paths in sight, until a Calder Valley Runner went past us on the smallest of trods and I decided to follow. He eventually decided to cut up a clough but me thinking I would continue, kept on the path, only for it to disappear within seconds so I also made the choice to go up. Eventually getting on a decent path and overtaking a few people who had chosen the bottom route. We were now heading home. A good path until the Calder Valley runner runs off and I decided following was the best option. I knew where I was but this trod we were running on was not on the map so I was staying close. Annoyingly for the 2nd time in a 6 mile race my shoe lace came undone so I had to stop and tie it up again. This lost me a few places but they were not too far so I pushed on. It seems that at the end I was able to push a bit faster, there was some left in the tank to keep pushing. So starting slower was a good thing as in the final 1km I overtook 3 people to end up in 10th position. I was either 10th or 11th at all the 4 checkpoints and the finish so I think the pacing was correct, alebit a bit too fast at the start.
Final results 10th out of 67 runners
Great race! Although local knowledge is the difference in this race.
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