Monsal Trail 10k: I had intended to do... - Fun Beyond 10K & ...

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Monsal Trail 10k

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Half Marathon
67 Replies

I had intended to do this race in 2020, but it ended up being a virtual run due to covid, so when I read people’s reports of last year’s I entered again. It’s a route I know well, having walked and cycled it many times, but had never run it. . We decided to make a weekend of it in the van and had a lovely warm, sunny, if very windy day out at Chatsworth on Saturday. Then, just as we were having dinner with Shake-and-run and Mr Shakes, Storm Kathleen struck! Torrential rain, storm force wind and the odd crack of thunder and lightning ⚡️ Yesterday morning it was still raining and windy, so I set out for Bakewell Station with some trepidation. By some miracle the rain stopped and we ended up with a completely dry run. Even the wind was in the right direction for the former railway embankments to protect us, although I did get blown sideways a couple of times. We had arranged to meet up with Oldfloss Bluebirdrunner and Cantstopmenow before the race and chatted in the inevitable long queue for the pathetically small number of loos 😂 Lovely to see you all 🥰

The route is an out and back along the old railway and the surface is mainly compacted gravel. Slight incline out and slight downhill back, with the turnaround inside a long tunnel, which plays havoc with GPS (added 320m to my 10k!) It had been 6 months since I ran 10k and I’ve only been back running post injury for 3 weeks. My hip started to complain at about 7.5k, but I eased back and managed to complete it without walking in a time of 1 hr 19, which is very slow for me, but I was pretty chuffed. Nice bling too 🤑 Then back for a shower, Sunday roast and an afternoon nap!

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Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961
Half Marathon
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67 Replies
Dexy5 profile image
Dexy510 Miles

Your pics bring back memories of last year and I was running with you all in spirit . After all you have been through , and the lack running distance, that is an excellent time Sandie. But more importantly you were able to run the 10k. You can wear that medal (and t-shirt I see) with pride. Always lovely to have a meet up too.

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Half Marathon in reply toDexy5

Such a shame you weren’t there this year Dexy5 Maybe next year (possibly a meet up with Lexi). My t-shirt isn’t new - it was the one I got in 2020 when I ran my 10k on my own round our fields! 😂

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy510 Miles in reply toSandie1961

Oh those days of enforced virtual runs! I’m so glad they are over.

We would definitely like to do it again sometime Sandie , perhaps the parkrun, but it’s definitely got to be incorporated into a mini break to justify the travel.

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Half Marathon in reply toDexy5

I don’t want to do another virtual run ever, although they did serve their purpose. Mass meet up next year could tempt you I’m sure 😈

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy510 Miles in reply toSandie1961

You never know. I think we will be meeting up a few times before then too.

lexi6 profile image
lexi610 Miles

Well done Sandie, great photos and what a great time for your 10k comeback 🎉

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Half Marathon in reply tolexi6

Thanks Lexi. I was pretty happy. A base to work back from to a faster pace again 🤞

Shake-and-run profile image
Shake-and-runHalf Marathon

You were mega impressive Sandie, I know that 10k is a distance you have run many times before, but to come back from injury and keep going, and be sensible and ease back when you get a niggle, shows amazing determination.

Thanks for introducing us to Bakewell Pudding, it is quite wonderful, hubby was most impressed! I should have no problem getting him to go back next time!

Katnap profile image
KatnapMarathon in reply toShake-and-run

You could bring pork pies from Barry's next time?

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy510 Miles in reply toKatnap

You mean you didn’t place an order before Shakes went Katnap?

Katnap profile image
KatnapMarathon in reply toDexy5

Nah! We were in the East End 'avin jellied eels innit!

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Half Marathon in reply toKatnap

😂🤣😂

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Half Marathon in reply toShake-and-run

Thank you 😘 We haven’t eaten our Bakewell Pudding yet. We were too full of roast beef. Tonight though 😋

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessAdministratorHalf Marathon

What a lovely meet-up 🥰

Well done to everyone, it sounds a gorgeous route and the bling is pretty impressive too!

Boo to Storm Kathleen but that didn’t deter our runners 🥳

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Half Marathon in reply toIrishprincess

The HM gives you the best views, but it is a lovely part of the world. Unusual to have a flat route round there too! What we put ourselves through for bling eh? 😂

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy510 Miles in reply toSandie1961

The route may have been flat Sandie, but I remember having to walk down hill to the town for a roast lunch and then up the other (steeper) side to our holiday cottage . Glad we picked up an evening meal from the co-op beforehand, and didn’t have to go back to town again. 😴

SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRun10 Miles

Sounds about perfect and I'm glad you didn't get drenched from the rain 😁

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Half Marathon in reply toSueAppleRun

Not half as glad as we were Sue 😅 The gods were smiling on us for sure!

Katnap profile image
KatnapMarathon

Well done Sandie1961 ! It's so much better when you can share the day with real and virtual buddies ❤️

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Half Marathon in reply toKatnap

It really is. So lovely to see Floss and BBR again after all this time. Mass meet up next year?

Katnap profile image
KatnapMarathon in reply toSandie1961

Could be!

over61andstilltrying profile image
over61andstilltryingHalf Marathon

Hello Sandie1961 and well done to you! I am quite surprised that you have run your first 10km for 6month in a race and that it is just 3 weeks since injury. I am sorry I haven't following closely so I am not sure what sort of injury. I am sure that you know you body better than anyone and felt confident in what was possible. Very pleased all went well.

I am not quite sure who is in the lovely photo, but I think that you are on the left. Enjoy the afterglow 👏🏃‍♀️🏅🏁

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Half Marathon in reply toover61andstilltrying

Thank you over61andstilltrying I had tendon/ligament inflammation problems in hip/pelvis area for several months. In the end I had a month’s total break from running (having tried to keep going) and had some pretty intensive physio and exercise routine. If it had hurt, I would just have walked, but, thank goodness, it wasn’t necessary 😅

In the photo from left to right are me, Shake-and-run Oldfloss and Bluebirdrunner . Cantstopmenow had disappeared at that point!

over61andstilltrying profile image
over61andstilltryingHalf Marathon in reply toSandie1961

Aw that's encouraging that you are progressing after problems. I'd guessed correctly about the identities of the members of the lovely HU running group. Thank you for clarifying. Very happy injury free running to you 😊🏃‍♀️

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathon

You did so well Sandie! Sensible keeping it to a steady pace (round about my normal pace for the record! 😅) Such a great meet-up too, and I’m sorry to have missed out this time. There’ll need to be a next time. Just saying. 🥰

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy510 Miles in reply tocheekychipmunks

And there is still Bushy Park!

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathon in reply toDexy5

💯 want to do that!

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Half Marathon in reply toDexy5

That is very true!

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Half Marathon in reply tocheekychipmunks

About 15 minutes slower than my previous pace, but I’ve got something to work on! I think the planning has already started for next year (with possible antipodean visitor 😈).

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathon in reply toSandie1961

I’m in.

Week7 profile image
Week7Half Marathon

Sounds like a lovely weekend. So pleased to hearthstone your hip ( almost) behaved. Hope it's OK today.

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Half Marathon in reply toWeek7

Thank you! Feels fine today, so that’s definitely positive progress ☺️

Week7 profile image
Week7Half Marathon in reply toSandie1961

👍

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy510 Miles in reply toWeek7

That is spooky. Your autocorrect changed ‘hear that’ to hearthstone. Now that is the name of a very nice restaurant in Bakewell - start of the Monsal Trail Race.

Week7 profile image
Week7Half Marathon in reply toDexy5

Spooky.... maybe I need to proofread my replies!!!....

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy510 Miles in reply toWeek7

🤣

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66AdministratorHalf Marathon

The steely fingers of your physio seem to have you on the way to recovery Sandie. A really sensible pace given the circumstances; brilliant work. Lovely meet up, weather gods smiling on you and a fabulous venue. Perfect.

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Half Marathon in reply toBeachcomber66

Yep, it all aligned beautifully! Target pace was 7.30 and I achieved 7.37, thanks to slowing down in the last 2k, watching Shakes disappear into the distance (first time she’s beaten me, so I’m going to have to sensibly up the pace again to regain my crown 😈)

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66AdministratorHalf Marathon in reply toSandie1961

Nothing like being outpaced by a friend as an incentive to recover fully. My 13k this morning was 7:34 pace; no injury issue, just lots of hills! Still; the season has begun.👍

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Half Marathon in reply toBeachcomber66

Indeed 😂 Sounds like a good run for you too. As the nights are getting lighter, my club runs will also start going on trails again. Not many hills, but good for balance and strength!

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66AdministratorHalf Marathon in reply toSandie1961

🙂 Lincolnshire isn’t famous for its hills!! I have had to be really determined to run hills again. No walking today, but there will be, to start with at least, when I hit my 5k Horseshoe ( ends near the cafe though🙂…but so do all of my runs!!

misswobble profile image
misswobbleMarathon in reply toBeachcomber66

it’s quite lumpy about the Wolds where my niece lives. Beautiful too 😀

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66AdministratorHalf Marathon in reply tomisswobble

Lumpy is ok, but if you have a long lay off from running hills, it takes some time to build up the strength and fitness needed to cope. I could run this route 30 secs/k faster than I did today….might just be getting old of course 🙂

misswobble profile image
misswobbleMarathon in reply toBeachcomber66

I run hills all the time but it’s always hard work and a grind. I’d love to be able to attack em with real vigour 😀.

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66AdministratorHalf Marathon in reply tomisswobble

Any direction you choose to run in the approaches to the moor top ends with a hill you have to walk, no matter how fit you are. Just a fact of life. There maybe people who can run all of them, but I have never met one! 🙂

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Half Marathon in reply tomisswobble

Always my problem when I swap Lincoln for our place among the hilly vineyards of the Dordogne 😖 Although funnily enough I quite miss running down hills when I get back on the flat!

aliboo70 profile image
aliboo70Half Marathon

Congratulations to you on your 10k, so lovely to have a meet up with all the HU gang! 😊x

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Half Marathon in reply toaliboo70

It really is the icing on the cake 😃

Sandraj39 profile image
Sandraj39Half Marathon

Fab photos of ‘the crew’ Sandie1961 - and well done on hitting that 10k so soon after injury!💪🙂 I’m glad the storm abated a little, so you could get your lovely bling!👏🏅👏

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Half Marathon in reply toSandraj39

Ah, it’s all about the bling Sandra. And the company of course 😁

misswobble profile image
misswobbleMarathon

Well done Sandie 😀🏃‍♀️👍🏅. Glad you enjoyed your meet up 😘😀

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Half Marathon in reply tomisswobble

It was lovely and I still can’t believe the weather behaved for us!

misswobble profile image
misswobbleMarathon

no I can’t. It was a horrible prospect 😬

Cookscat profile image
Cookscat

Well done and great photos 😃

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Half Marathon in reply toCookscat

Thank you ☺️

Folkylass profile image
Folkylass

Congratulations on your great race and super time ! Oh and lovely bling!

Super photos too . Thanks for sharing 👏👏🥳🥳🎉🎉🥰x

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Half Marathon in reply toFolkylass

It’s all about the bling at the end of the day 😂😂

Folkylass profile image
Folkylass in reply toSandie1961

😂😂yes it is xx

Cowladyrunning profile image
CowladyrunningMarathon

Well done - it sounds a great run and with some lovely meet ups too!

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Half Marathon in reply toCowladyrunning

It’s always nice to meet up with VRBs 😃

Mudita11 profile image
Mudita11Half Marathon

That’s a great time all things considered Sandie! Love the bling. I really fancy this run and have done since reading about it here. Maybe next year! Great pictures too x

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Half Marathon in reply toMudita11

You’re trying to beat cheekychipmunks globe trotting aren’t you? 😂😂 It is a really nice run and not too many people, so, although it’s quite narrow, it never feels crowded

Mudita11 profile image
Mudita11Half Marathon in reply toSandie1961

🤣🤣🤣

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserMarathon

You’ve done brilliantly Sandie. Congratulations on your determination and tenatiousness - you really deserved that bling 💪😍

linda9389 profile image
linda9389AdministratorMarathon

Sorry I'm so late in replying Sandie.

I definitely had FOMO on this one having enjoyed it so much last year. It sounds like a brilliant weekend, despite the weather. So glad you enjoyed it. Fabulous that you completed it without walking after all your niggles - hoping that will be me too in the not too. too distant future.

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Half Marathon in reply tolinda9389

I’ve been to Monsal many times, but never run it. It is a lovely route. Are you up for a big meet up next year?

Fingers crossed for your recovery 🤞🤞

linda9389 profile image
linda9389AdministratorMarathon in reply toSandie1961

I'd love to. All things being equal, April is likely to be a Canada month, but I'd love to be able to plan around Monsal 😊🤞

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