Ripley Guy Fawkes 10 miler

After feeling quite apprehensive about this race, I non the less set of, little did I know how apt my hat would be , with the cool running motif on it, (the film is an absolute must if you havent seen it by the way) it was cool all right , nothing short of bloody freezing, this race has always been a challenge, throwing up some interesting conditions extreme rain one year, and this year was no different, going past the waterfall it a gust of wind was nothing short of arctic, it took me a good 3 miles to thaw my hands out, but I was pleased that I had opted for the long running leggings, especially when I saw heroic runners like Dawn running in shorts, and Jules in her vest, beyond belief these yorkshire lasses, theres me in gloves, snood over my mouth cap on top looking a complete dork, vainly trying to keep some heat in. Anyway I plodded on, telling myself its less than a half get on with it dodged the mud then at mile 5 ish the first of the hills, The Birstwith Bastard I prefer it to be called, I told myself no walking up the hills thats where you overtake walkers, by sheer persistence I did shuffle up in some sort of way but I didnt walk and was so chuffed that the visibility was so poor I couldnt see the top of the hill, so was not put of, after that slow climb the reward of the downhill stretch and the next hills didnt seem so bad, at the finish I could hear the shouts of the frozen supporters,and the club gang, willing me up that final hill, I attempted a feeble 200 sprint of all things, must have looked like a stumble, but I suprised myself and overtook 2 people on the final hill, coming home with a 10 mile pb by a minute or so to another great technical t and lots of lovely chocolate, well done everyone, finally thanks to all the great marshals, Nidd organisers, for another grueling challenge done. Thanks to guy love the boots.x

National Championship Hill Climb.

Its been over a year since I blogged last , but today I feel the need to do so, having spent a day on a hill at Ramsbottom watching the R.T.T.C 2012 National Championship Hill Climb. Sounds simple enough a race up a hill. However I can only say how amazed I was by the commitment to the painful lung busting, eye popping straining effort made by all 150 participants. Being slightly biased as my son was one of these, when I arrived he was cycling slowly around soaking up the mood of the moment, the road was being closed, so complete cowbell kindly lent, we went half way up the Rake hill to the pub, Rose and Crown, where a log fire warmed us, as we waited for number 77, in these cycling races the participants start exactly a minute apart, according to previous race results, the fastest should be the last. The support crew were brilliant marshalling with patience and tenacity in the continuous rain, with hundreds of supporters, great job. Im very proud of my son who did so well, as did all in spite of the rain not stopping for a minute, a thoroughly enjoyable day, well done all. 1st Jack Puller 2nd Gunner Gronlund 3rd Matt Clinton ah well back to the jogging, but perhaps I will take the bike out for a go. Not nearly as beautiful or light or colour coordinated with clothing as our Pauls, but all good.