Two Races

I think I've not competed in races for  a month so I thought why not do two on consecutive nights (I managed to remove he idea of three consecutive by talking myself out of Paddy's Pole on Tuesday).

I'd already pre-entered this month's (and next month's) Chorley 4.4 Trail Race so could really not do it. My right hip had been playing up all day so I applied the ibrufen gel only to spend the race in pain - on my left leg!. It should be an enjoyable race in Astley Park. It wasn't last month and probably even worse this month. At least I did improve by a minute, proving the old adage - no pain no gain! I guess most bettered their times with the benefit of a dry course and lack of heat of previous days.

So it was with trepidation that I turned up at just about the last minute for tonight's Henderson's End Fell Race. A quick chat with a few people before Ed appeared finally at the start line - I'd seen him earlier but not had chance to talk - I presume he'd shot off to do a specialist warm up session away from prying eyes. I fully expected him to beat me this year but he muttered something about a toe.

Anyway off we went, I was well at the back at the start and eventually caught and passed Ed before walking up (ok a bit of running) to the Pigeon Tower where all hell was going on with runners being made to reach the marshal rather than short cutting up the banking with remarks like "I've always gone this way!" Again walked up the back of Winter Hill until the climb became less steep and yet again, like last year, I managed to do that climb over a minute quicker than when I run it as part of a training run. As usual lost a bit but only one place from Winter Hill via 2 Lads to Pike Cottage then surprised to find I was overtaken along Georges Lane just before the climb to the Pike - even more surprised in that I think it was Nick Leigh who I'd assumed had set off late - I do believe a few had taken headed over to the reservoir - another quickie then came past.

In the end just got overtaken by a fellow RMI runner on the final descent, retook him on the little bend/climb before he got me on the final run in. Didn't stop my watch correctly I believe my time was between 60 and 62 minutes after speaking to a mate from Burnden who I was a little in front of. Finished quite happy as he beat me by 5 minutes the previous night.

Apologies to Ed for not hanging around to chat but I was getting bitten t'death.

I'll update with time when I see results.