My Monsal Trail Run weekend

[Bluebirdrunner]

Just back home again after the most fun filled weekend in the Derbyshire Dales.I was feeling nervous about the upcoming 10k run on the Monsal Trail this year, because my dear friend and Mentor Oldfloss was not able to take her place on the startline this year. We have run it together the last two years and I rely on her strength to pull me round.

This year, however someone else was going to be running with us, a special someone who had travelled from around the world to join the fun lexi6 from New Zealand!

Without Floss there to guide us, Lexi and I decided to just take our time and enjoy the run, without any pressure and run walk the whole thing.

I met up with Lexi on Thursday evening, and the next day she came with me and my little family to Chatsworth house for the day. It was glorious weather and we had fun with my grandson in the lovely gardens there. (We cheated in the maze!)

On Sunday we arrived at the Monsal start point nice and early, before 9am to pick up Lexi's race bib, and have a warm up walk. No loo queue for us. On the way back from our warm up we spotted Dexy5 and then suddenly there were Sandie1961 , Shake-and-run , cheekychipmunks Cantstopmenow , Up the Stanley and of course lovely Linda9389. Then I heard my name and there was super tall GTFC with Tasha99 at his side. There were hugs all round, it was fab to meet up with friends from HU who we have 'known' for ages. The Kat family appeared, already on an extended run, for a quick hello.

Lexi and I started right at the back of the 10k group (in true Floss style) and careful to avoid my pitfall of last year, we chose to start with a 2/2 run walk ratio. The views from that trail are gorgeous, we took them all in as we walked, talked ran and laughed.

The run became doable and easy, as we clocked off the kms. We saw Linda on her way back, and gave her a cheer, and then Sandie, and Tasha and GTFC. He broke off from his run in to join Lexi and I for a while which was wonderful (he is an excellent coach!) before he left us to finish his run.

At the turn-around point in the tunnel, the Marshall kindly put out the 5k sign and took a photo of Lexi and I. Then it was downhill all the way back, and we ran walked as we felt able. Cheers from my family at the Hassop cafe, and loud cheers from our HU buddies as we ran towards the finish line were uplifting! Suddenly it was done, we were handed a medal and we laughed and hugged. We had done it! All three of us Floss.

Time for more hugs and photos with our friends, before we walked down the hill to Bakewell. Wearing our medals with pride, we walked by the pretty waterside to the playground to join my family.

Home for a shower then a 5pm roast dinner in our local pub.

A special day!

I remembered the marmalade sandwich tip too! 😉

Lexi my family and I cycled the Monsal trail the next day 18k...

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10]

Picture added afterwards in case report got lost...

Medal

[Richard7 Graduate10 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Congratulations BBR and co ... lovely to see you have been able to do this again. The medal looks fabulous and warmly deserved 👍🍾

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10 in reply to Richard7]

Thank you Richard, those consolidation runs I had done helped I am sure. Not run 10k since last April, and only had time to train up to 6k for this, the event and excitement of the meet up carried me to the finish.💚xxx

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

Well done Bluebirdrunner - great report and it sounds as though you had a wonderful time with family and friends! Beautiful medal too!😍🏅

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10 in reply to Sandraj39]

Thank you Sandra, I think lexi6 brought the sunshine with her, we had a simply wonderful long weekend.

💚xxx

[Cantstopmenow Graduate10]

Well done BBR. The image of you and lexi6 running towards and crossing the finish line, with huge smiles and hands held high in the air, is one I won't forget in a hurry. It was so lovely to see you again and say hello. Xxx

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10 in reply to Cantstopmenow]

Thank you Cantstopmenow 😆 that finish line could not come quickly enough, not sure I finished in much style!

I would not have enjoyed running this by myself at all, well done to you and all those that did!🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️💚xxx

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

So lovely to see you not only on Sunday, but how funny that we all chose to hire bikes the next day and kept bumping into each other. Your grandson was just loving being cycled along by grandad.

I hope your saddle was more comfortable than mine! I was definitely ready to hand the bike back after our ride to the end of the trail and back.

You and Sandie1961 really made lexi6 ’s visit special , and it was so good to see her again.

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Hi Dexy, it was lovely to see you both too, both days! We did that cycle ride last year too, its great fun going through all the tunnels then downhill on the return trip! Grandson loved it, all smiles!Yes, you can definately feel every bump, it was great to get a bit further up the trail than the Sunday run though😍.

A really special weekend.

💚xxx

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

What a lovely run and great weekend 😁 so good to read

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

It was SueAppleRun, the amazing weather played a huge part in that too. The blue sky and new green growth and yellow daffs made every glimpse a picture. Highly recommend this event!

Thank you

💚 xxx

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Maybe next year 😁 I'm always hopeful xxx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

Just wonderful.... simply, simply wonderful. What a day and what a fantastic run you ran!

You had the perfect weather and the friendship, and joy, carried each of you on winged feet !

HUGE well done to you...and of course your running buddy!

Thank you so much for taking me with you... I missed you so much xxx

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

No hiccups this year Floss, apart from your not being able to join the fun.

Marmalade sandwich, decent warm up walk after a lift up the hill, and plenty of time to chat before the start. I didn't bring polo mints though.

The weather was perfect, and expected and we weren't the last 10kers over the line...just!

🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️💚 xxx

[Shake-and-run Graduate10]

wonderful to see you again, well done on your running and cycling.

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10 in reply to Shake-and-run]

You too Shakes, its such a special route isn't it.

You did brilliantly, protecting your calf, and still recording a faster time than last year!

One for the memory bank.

💚xxx

[grumpyoldgirl]

Oh what a fabulous report Blue, and what a brilliant meetup. I always get warm and fuzzy when Vrb's get together at an event like this. It reinforces my belief that the nicest people are on this forum. Even though some of them live on the other side of the world 🥰

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10 in reply to grumpyoldgirl]

It was very special Gog, you can't imagine how amazing it felt to get that cheer from our fellow HUers as we ran to the finish line! GTFC and Tasha99 and cheekychipmunks and of course lexi6 all joining in this year made us a very merry group.

💚xxx

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

That was fabulous BBR, seeing you and lexi6 run over the line hand in hand. 💕

[Stephen_UK Graduate10]

Great report, BBR. Sounds like a wonderful day.

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10 in reply to Stephen_UK]

Hi Stephen, A great event, not too busy, but buzzing with energy. The trail itself is a perfect running surface.

Lexi and I are claiming our time was due to slowing down for dog walkers 😉

💚xxx

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

It was wonderful to meet you at long last Bluebirdrunner after years of Strava/Adriene chat! What a weekend, so memorable in every way. ❤️

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

You too Cheeky 😊 what a long drive you had to get there! The day was perfect and one I shall remember forever.

Sorry not to be able to spend more time with you all, I had a certain little someone who was waiting for his nannie 💙

💚xxx

[lexi6 Graduate10]

At long last I've been able to get on to HU and post and reply to comments. What a great report BBr I am still buzzing after the most wonderful experience, meeting you for the first time, then running the Monsal 10k with you, meeting your family, Chatsworth, Monsal Trail Cycle Ride all bucket list stuff. So, so special Thank you ❤️ xxx

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10 in reply to lexi6]

Not to mention 'games night' 😁 Mexican Train and 'our' card game! 😂 xxx

[lexi6 Graduate10 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Ah! um lets not 😂 I was really good at those games NOT! but another huge laugh, note to self, learn to play and develop a poker face 😜 xxx

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Ooh! Do tell! 🤨

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961]

Hee hee, Sandie 😆 this was with my daughter, SIL and hubby nothing to see here! xxx

[Sandie1961 Graduate10]

It was great to see you again BBR, if only fleeting, and I am so glad that you and Lexi decided to run the trail together. You really did have a blast didn’t you? Great company, beautiful route and perfect weather 😊

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961]

I don't think I would have enjoyed it much on my own Sandie, the companionship made it fun. GTFC was so nice to spend time chatting on the run with a few of us, great to hear he helped you get such a good finish too!💚 xxx

[GTFC Graduate10]

What a brilliant post Bluebirdrunner you captured your special day so well 😊 I'll take being thought of as super tall 😁 I'm 5ft 10 and I'm well happy with that compliment! It really was great seeing you there after all our years supporting each other and the forum. You ran with Lexi and Oldfloss was in your heart and mind. What a brilliant 10k you both did and experience you had. Hopefully we'll all do it again and Oldfloss can lead us all ⭐️😊🙏

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10 in reply to GTFC]

Hi GTFC,

Everything went perfectly, the whole weekend was a complete success. Except one person sadly missing who started this whole Monsal get together when she ran the HM in 2018. (Sandie and I only watching and supporting Oldfloss that day)

I do believe the magic thread will find a way to get us all together for another special run!

Best wishes to you for your event this coming weekend.

🏃⭐️💚 xxx

[linda9389 Graduate10]

You really looked like you were having a ball BBR, it was written all over your face. It was wonderful to see you again ... and I loved the excuse to stop at the water station for a quick chat 😍

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10 in reply to linda9389]

I never quite believe it will happen Linda, and then there we all are at the start together...and we're off!

One of these years I will be properly prepared and 10k ready (maybe 😅)

I would have enjoyed chatting to you for longer, you have had so many adventures, travelling far afield. Scrapes on mountains, and Lisbon event worries all overcome to name but a few. You take things in your stride and move on, I think you are awesome.

You did stop for a quick drink break, and a word of encouragement for us, on your return leg on Sunday, yet still finished under the hour.

Another awesome feat! 🏃‍♀️⭐️💚xxx

[Irishprincess Graduate10]

What a fab day, loads of memories, great weather and a roast dinner! What’s not to love? 😍

Surrounded by friends and family you must have felt on cloud nine 🥰 Well done you lovely lady. You deserve all the happiness xxx

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10 in reply to Irishprincess]

Aaaw thank you IP,

We really had the best time.

This never seems to be about the running for me, its being part of something special, about friendship and support....

I am often found up on Cloud Nine whenever my little grandson is around. 💙

He is 4 Today! 🎈🥰

💚 xxx

[Irishprincess Graduate10 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

They do grow up so quickly! Our eldest will be 15 next month!!!

Enjoy every minute xxx

[Katnap Graduate10]

Lovely to see you BBR and all the other HU ARBs. It's amazing how much we appreciate just being able to to do what we do and enjoy it in good company 🥰

🐱 Katnap 🐱

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10 in reply to Katnap]

You Kats do more than most too!⭐️⭐️⭐️🏃‍♀️🏃🏃Happy days! 💚 xxx