Holcombe Harriers

Harriers on Tour.

Great training run tonight over Winter Hill and Rivington Pike.

What a great turn out at the inaugural Chip Chase Fell Race.

Winner was our very own Matt Driver

Good turn out tonight by Holcombe for Whittle Pike fell race.

A proper tough mid week fell race organised by Rossendale- steep climbs, steep descents, bogs, streams, nettles and a lovely uphill finish! Well done to everyone – great running

Massive thanks to everyone for your support on my BG attempt this weekend. Sadly not successful this time but here’s my race report:

I knew it was going to be a tough one. The weather turned at just the wrong time. I postponed from last weekend hoping it would improve by this weekend but it was still grim. Rain came in just as we were reaching Blencathra summit and the descent down Hall’s Fell was slowed by slippery rock and rubbish visibility. Thanks to my awesome support runners and road support I was in to Threlkeld and off again to get back on schedule by the summit of Clough Head and kept on track despite increasingly bad conditions on leg 2 but then dropped 10 minutes after we lost the trod in the clag descending to Dunmail. Another perfect road changeover and I managed to claw a couple of minutes back on the way up Steel Fell. Things looked ok all the way to Bowfell but from there through to Scafell Pike the rock was just treacherous underfoot, we were all soaked through despite full waterproofs, and progress was painfully slow. By Mickledore I was 1hr 15 mins down on my 23:30 schedule and there was no likelihood of the weather lifting enough for me to get those missing 45 mins back on legs 4 and 5, plus the weather had left me feeling pretty beaten by that stage. So I called it there and dropped down to Wasdale. Disappointing to say the least, of course, but still one of the best adventures I’ve ever had and it was fantastic to share it with so many Harriers, some former members who have moved on to other things, and friends from other clubs. Even when it’s doing its best impression of Mordor on a bad day, the Lake District is the best place in the world to play out with your mates.

7 Harriers made the trip up to the lakes today for the Pete Bland Kentmere Horseshoe ( only half of Matt driver pictured ) great race with some interesting weather thrown in for good measure. Well done everyone

Two Harriers took on the Lakeand Trails Coniston Marathon this morning. Yours truly and Neil Swan (Sheparding his brother Ian around his first marathon- what a one to choose!). 867m elevation gain over the bumps around Coniston. It got pretty hot, as you’d expect in this weather but plenty of feed/water stations to avail yourself of all required. Unfortunately one poor bugger didn’t and collapsed with heatstroke, to be revived by one of my wife’s colleagues who’s a Dr and was also doing the race. From what I hear Neil and Ian just jumped over them shouting “out the path- don’t you know there’s a race on!” (apparently the guy is fine or I wouldn’t jest ). Pretty pleased with my 5th vet 50 result

A great Holcombe Harriers turn out at Edenfield today. The Harrier girls did us proud with Yas winning V40, Helen winning V45 and we won the girls team prize. Well done to all the Harriers running

It’s been a good running year for me with pbs in 10k and half marathon so I thought I’d have a go at a marathon. 14 years since my last one and now I’ve remembered why . Went with Yorkshire because it’s flat. It’s actually not flat and has a horrible hill just before the finish.

All was going well until about 20 miles, was pacing it right and feeling good but coming out of a long out and back section I felt my guts rumbling. Like a oasis in the desert a portaloo appeared and I dashed in and found relief. Unfortunately my legs decided that they’d had enough after this short interlude and I just couldn’t get moving again and was starting to get cramp.

Managed to hobble over the line in 4.02.49 so a huge 17 minute pb despite being disappointed about not getting closer to my target time. 219/1088 female finishers so that’s not bad either.

It’s not often that I say I want to do a race again immediately after but I think I do want to do another marathon. But a flat one.

27th September, the Berlin Marathon. Trainers ready by the door, clear blue skies, everything in place as I head to the start line. The only difference being that I’m not in Germany, I’m at home. The Berlin Marathon has come to me!

I was joined on the start line by Neil, Greg and Phil, and after a rather unconventional start (my mum shouting “Ready, Steady, Go!”), we trotted off towards Summerseat and down Kirklees trail with Phil setting a rather brisk pace. We shared the usual race prep discussions, Neil had experimented with cocktails the night before, whilst Greg was planning his recovery birthday meal. We quickly arrived at our first point, Burrs park, before taking the trails out of the park and the uphill stretch to Edenfield. Phil continued to push the pace and it wasn’t long before we were arriving in Edenfied where we were greeted by Claire and Emily (and Penny!). Neil headed for home at this point (mumbling something about a football appointment?) and after more crowd support from Anna and Elliot, Greg completed his 13.1 mile target and left Phil and I to continue the journey through Ramsbottom to the Clubhouse. Phil was still looking very fresh and given the lovely day, he decided to join us for an extra stretch to Peel Tower.

So after a change of shoes and a few jelly babies from my mobile family support crew, we waved goodbye to Jo, then Yasmin, Sean, Graham, Helen, Phil and I headed off to the fells. I’ve run the “standard” route to Peel Tower so many times, the stunning scenery never fails to disappoint, and this time was no exception. In next to no time we arrived at Peel tower, greeted by JK, Brenda, Claire and Emily, plus my faithful family support (this time offering half a packet of Jaffa cakes – the rest of the supplies had been eaten on their way up to the tower!). After persuading Phil that he would be fine continuing a little further, we headed towards Pilgrims Cross and up to the summit of Bull Hill. Now for the downhill! Helen peeled off home and was quickly replaced by John R as we continued down towards Lumb. Picking up the Irwell Trail we made the final stretch into Nuttall Park – accompanied by Phil who has now officially completed his first marathon distance! Oliver and Naomi joined me for the final lap of Nuttall park to complete the 26.2 miles. I’ve never felt better at the end of a race.

Unfortunately Claire’s Oktoberfest celebrations will have to wait, but we made do with a slice of banana cake and Emily’s crispy cakes.

I am completely overwhelmed by all of the support you have given to myself and my family over the past, extremely difficult year. I’m so grateful to be part of such an amazing and supportive group – Thank you! xx

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