Cannock Chase Trail 10k

[Sandie1961]

Some time ago I decided that, as I am never going to be a speedster, who can take advantage of the “flat and fast” boring races around city streets, I would look for more interesting routes. That is why, after last week’s epic Monsal meet up, this week’s HU meet up saw me and my bestie Shake-and-run turn up to the Cannock Chase Trail Running Festival in Staffordshire.

Following yesterday’s 21c sunshine, it was drizzling and 8c when I left my hotel at 8.15. The race didn’t start until 10.00 and was only 15 mins away, but the free parking closed at 9.00 (once a Yorkshirewoman 🤣🤣). Thankfully, by the time we needed to drop our bags with our waterproof jackets, the rain had stopped and it stayed dry for the rest of the race and the sun even made a brief appearance.

Cannock Chase is huge, but, for some reason, the organisers had created a course with a 5k(1loop), 10k (2 loops) and HM (4 loops), all on the same course along single track forest trails (although starting 30 mins apart), together with walkers, dog walkers and cyclists. Bearing in mind that the fastest HM pacer was 1.20 and the slowest 10k pacer was 1.15, it got quite interesting at times.

It was a lovely route, quite undulating (115m elevation gain over 10k) although with only 2 serious hills on each loop. Whoever had the idea to place the official photographer at the top of the steepest hill needs their head examining though. My photos are going to be horrible! The second hill was also at 4.5/9.5k 😖 My Garmin buzzed 5 miles at just under an hour, at which point I foolishly thought that, if I could up the pace a bit to 6.45/km, I might just beat my Monsal time. Km9 came in at 6.37 (my fastest km), but that hill at 9.5k defeated me and Garmin time was 1.14.08, 30 seconds slower than last week. Still mightily chuffed! Waiting for chip time, but will be there or thereabouts.

After Shakes arrived back a few minutes later, we retired to the nearest pub for a delicious Sunday roast. Fab weekend 🥰

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

Absolutely lovely report Sandie, sounds great

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

It was great, even if my bestie needed some convincing (I think the Rolo cheesecake pacified her 😂)

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

That does sound like a lovely race Sandie1961 . I bet you’re relieved it wasn’t as warm as yesterday. Sounds like you had perfect conditions! A lovely weekend indeed. 😀

That’s two epic weekends in a row you’ve had. How are you going to match them next week? PR PB (or at least the best time this year maybe?) 💥

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Depending on the weather, I have discovered A, Q and V within 40 mins drive, so another PR alphabet letter I think😊

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Well done Sandie1961 - this sounds great and the Sunday roast looks yummy!🙂

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

Very reasonably priced too - and a pub full of runners, given it was only 4 minutes away (once you managed to get out of the car park 😂)

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

Superb run Sandie; those hills will be great exercise! As for the calorie restoration process; 😋

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

How wonderful Sandie (well. apart from the interesting organisation perhaps)! That's a great time given Monsal is pretty much pancake flat!

Don't forget ' flat and fast' Lincoln streets were exactly that ... fast! But I suspect Lincoln will remain 'the one to beat' forever more 😍

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

You did have a great run that day!

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to linda9389]

Monsal is definitely not flat when riding a bike Linda 😂

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

Well done  Sandie1961 , 2 races on the trot deserves a medal, never mind doing a hillier one.

Love you r pics too. Was the penguin a local football team mascot or did they run like that?

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

The mascot was meant to be a Roadrunner, mascot for Runthrough! A very friendly crowd

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

That’s a very pretty medal Sandie 😍 and the food looks even better!

Well done to you and Shakes 👏

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Never sure about wooden medals, but it is rather pretty

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Sandie1961]

I know. I have a few wooden ones too that are lovely but I’d rather have the weight of a metal one.

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon]

Having had a good night’s sleep I am feeling much more refreshed and my reflections on the day are getting more rosy by the minute 😂😂. I’m so pleased you enjoyed it and your performance was very impressive. I’ve decided I quite like the medals. When they are wooden it is often a bit of a disappointment but the size makes up for it I think. Anyway I don’t intend to go back, so it will remain a memorable experience. Thanks for suggesting it.

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to Shake-and-run]

Need to think about where we go next now 😂

[GTFC Marathon]

That's so good Sandie1961 especially with the inclines and the way it sounds like a bit of a free for all at times. To back up Monsal with this is just superb. If we'd have said that you'd pull these two races out of the bag when you were coming back from injury, you'd have probably doubted it. You've done it and done them both with aplomb 😀🏅⭐️

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to GTFC]

It has been a year since I started running again after injury, but I am much more aware of aches and pains and trying to avoid them nowadays, so skipped parkrun on Saturday. But 1000 runners in total across 7 x 5k loops. Crackers!

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

Well done to you both! Sounds a nice route! Xxx

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

I really enjoyed it. Shakes wasn’t so sure!