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!
