If anyone has any doubts of the power of the HealthUnlocked Forums, today they can be put to rest.
A group of us, who have only met as a result of C25K, the bridge and the marathon forums, joined together this weekend to run the Monsal Trail HM/10k in the beautiful Peak District. We are all different ages, paces, genders, and run different distances. We have something in common - we wanted to complete that run in the best way we could. That didn’t mean we had to get a personal best time, because our running has to change along with everything else that’s going in our lives, but we wanted to run it our way.
Each of us had a story leading up today. UpTheStanley and I love running on our nearby disused railway line, and having heard about this race on the forum, we’ve been trying to get in for a few years but have always missed the boat, as numbers are limited. We entered last October and have been so looking forward to it, especially as we later found others we knew or virtually knew would be there too.
After my ski fall in March I was worried I wouldn’t be able to do it, but my physio had worked his magic and declared I could run. Then UTS started having Achilles niggles so he has been madly doing exercises to strengthen them.
We all met at the old station at Bakewell, so excited. 🦋🦋🦋. It was pretty chilly but not as cold as the ‘feels like 2C’ forecast. I was in two tops and long leggings, whereas UTS was in shorts and vest. Mmmm. I think that reflects the different speeds as well as me being a soft southerner and he a tough northerner!
There was a buzz in the air and the half marathoners , Katnap , TailChaser and linda9389 , set off first. We 10kers (younger kitten, Oldfloss andBluebirdrunner ) were to follow 10 minutes later. You’d think that in that time I would have my watch ready to go. Oh no! I had my NRC 10k race guided run ready, my music playlist was set to go, but I’d forgotten the watch. By holding back a bit I managed to get it going just after crossing the line. Then after a few hundred yards my shoe lace came undone and I had to stop to do it again knocking more precious seconds off my time. But it allowed me to hear Bluebirdrunner and Oldfloss chatting away and laughing with the official photographer. I look forward to seeing the photos!
Coach Bennett was the perfect companion throughout , and I was pleased to overtake a couple of runners but most were well ahead of me. I listened to coach and ran with easy breathing. I then reached 2 ladies who were chatting away, and I hung back behind them .
We reached the first water station, I stopped for a quick sip, then moved on , ran into the dark tunnel and round the turning point marshal, water was dripping from the roof and voices echoed. Back to the water station and then , either the ladies slowed down or I felt the strength to speed up, and I overtook them. I soon found myself behind another 2 girls. They were going well so I ran behind them too. We were lapped by the first HM runner who was going at an incredible speed and we joked that we’d given him a head start. I stuck with them until the last km and then overtook them.
In the last 25 metres the sprint started and one of the girls overtook me again. I could hear UTS and kitten cheering me on and I crossed the line. A medal was hung around my neck and I was absolutely elated.
Several cups of water were drunk and I have to confess, several Jaffa cakes were consumed. Oldfloss and Bluebirdrunner came in and crossed the line together holding hands, thoroughly enjoying themselves.
After Kitten and UTS picked up their best in age group awards, I went over and checked how I did. You could have knocked me down with a feather. I’ve never won a prize before. It could be classed as ‘the only person in the age group to run’, but I don’t mind that. I was there and I loved every minute of it.
What’s not to love? The views were beautiful, the sun came out (yes I was a bit warm in the last few kms), and the people were amazing. Families were cheering us on at Hassop station, and all along the route and bubbles were wafting in the breeze. There were dog walkers, there were cyclists; we didn’t have exclusive use, but it was jolly. I had met the lovely Oldfloss and Bluebirdrunner who had both helped me along in the early days of running, as well as the Katz family who initiated our 1st VRB parkrun get together and Linda, who had been down our way a few times. She had beaten her 21 year old son’s previous time on that course and well and truly deserved her prize. Lovely to have dinner with her and hubby on Saturday evening too.
Lots of hugs, and lots of laughs, and a few aching limbs. Enormous Sunday lunch. The hardest bit was walking up to our rented cottage which is just out of town up a steep steep hill, but luckily we’d bought provisions for a night in so we could rest our weary limbs. Today we are going to walk and take in the beautiful peaks and dales. Pub lunch and Bakewell pud may be involved!
Written by
Dexy5
Graduate10
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Sounds like it was a great day !I was hoping at one point to come along if I could have worked back up to 10k but it would have been a bit of a push .... Then unfortunately other events stopped me in my tracks !
Ah well maybe a good challenge for next year 😊
It's many years since I spent time around that area but still have fond memories..... Ah well , One day ...... One day .
Smashing report Dexy, what a fantastic, memorable day we had.Yes, Floss and I went without headphones so we could make the most of our time together and we chatted the whole way. We even took a few mins to have a giggle with my grandson (almost 2) as my family were seated on the terrace at Hassop!
You did so well to run like you did, and thoroughly deserve that prize. Fabulous.
It was really exciting to meet everyone and to have you cheering us over the finish line.
So glad you got your places this year, it is a such a great course.
The Monsal Trail is a lovely route especially as it is slightly downhill on the return at least to Hassop, I am not familiar with the Bakewell side of Hassop. Congratulations on your results. I thoroughly recommend it as a training location when you are close to the GSR and running 14k or so. Out and back from Hassop takes you through 3 tunnels of various lengths. Makes a mess of GPS or course, as it often picks up a trig point on a hill some way away.
Yes it is downhill all the way to Bakewell Coddfish , just like running with the wind behind you on the Prom! It would certainly be lovely to run further on the trail - today we put the hiking boots on and walked over the viaduct and under it.
Congratulations on fab runs and so much lovely bling 🥳🥳 It is such a lovely course. The last time I did it was on my bike with hubby, daughter, son-in-law and grandkids 😊 I was supposed to do the 10k in March 2020, but we all know what happened to that. It wasn’t the same doing the virtual run after it got cancelled again in 2021! Enjoy the rest of your stay xx
What a lovely report Dexy and huge well done on a) doing it and b) your bling! It sounds as though you had a really good time - another great VRB meet up!
I’m still running but have been relegated to my treadmill this winter due to so much ice and wind! But I am hoping to get back to my trails this year. I haven’t been on them for a while and I am in definitely in need of some trail therapy! It is so nice to see you all still running and getting together for these events.
You didn’t just turn up Dexy5 - you prepared hard for it and then drove half way across the country to get there! You earned your trophy and I’m looking forward to seeing it!
A clean sweep for the HUers! I am really jealous. I love Bakewell tart; Bakewell pud sounds like an upgrade as it implies hot custard.
Most of my route this morning was on an old railway line; a few bridges, but no tunnels. They seem to drain well which helps winter running. Anyway; you came, you saw, you conquered. What a brilliant day 👏👏👏👏🥇🏆
I still haven’t made it to a tearoom that sells them Beachcomber, Stanley seems to prefer a pint. But today we did buy tarts and a pudding to take away, to make sure I do try them.
Love this description of your event Dexy5 there are lots of great memories to look back on - what an amazing day/weekend you had. Well done all who took part! 👏🏻
What a great description dexy! I know that area quite well so I could really visualise it. What a great run from you and how lovely to meet up with all those VRBs. Just sounds like a perfect day!
I did envy the HMers as we didn’t go through a whole tunnel or get to see the viaduct, but we made up for it the next day and did a fantastic circular walk which took it all in at a slower pace.
Awww what a lovely day had by all by the sounds of all the race reports. Well done to you all! 😁🎉🎉. The strength of this forum to me is invaluable, so much encouragement, support and advice I've only met Sandie1961 and linda9389 at an event last Oct and it was great to meet virtual run buddies I'd been chatting with on this forum.
Wonderful post Dexy and fab photos too, so much bling and happy smiley faces! 🤩Now, when you say Jaffa cakes, I say: full moon, half moon, total eclipse 😁🌕🌘
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week3run1 ✅. 3 x 17 mins with 1 min walks. 