I’d always insisted that I’d never run an ultra event, a marathon was as far as I’d ever go. ]
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| The start at Kidsgrove station |
Then last year someone set up the Gritstone Grind, 35 miles through and over Mow Cop,
Bosley Cloud, Teggs Nose country park, the Macclesfield hills and Lyme Park, all areas that I knew well and liked running in. I didn’t enter the first event as I was injured, but the 3 Striders who did enter it came back saying what a great event it was, so I finally gave in and entered it.
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| 5 miles in at the top of Mow Cop |
Not surprisingly I got a little bit nervous in the few weeks leading up to the event. This was made worse by a lack of long distance training, 15 miles was the longest run that I’d managed. Jo and Mat, who were going to run it with me, pulled out with a few weeks to go, but Chris took one of the places and Jill kindly agreed to drop us in Kidsgrove and pick us up in Disley at the end of the day which saved us both a 5am start. Most people who gave me advice told me to take it easy, take plenty of food, and if in doubt stop and walk for a bit.
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| The bottom of Bosley Cloud |
Anyway enough of my waffling. I’d been told to take it easy & not worry about a few seconds here and there, so decided to take the camera and record the event. At the end of a week of rain it was a beautiful sunny day with spectacular views over the course, so I’ll let the pictures tell most of the rest of the story.
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| Jill and André (bottom right) met us at the top |
The only important point which I didn’t catch on camera was
the food stops. There were three of them with plenty of cake, samosas, crisps,
coke (nobody ever told me that ultra runs were powered on junk food!), fruit
and water. I’d brought some food but was very glad for the extra. There was
also plenty of recovery pasta, soup and salad at the finish line in the
community centre, and we all needed it!
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| Looking back at Sandbach, wondering how many Striders are still having a lie in |
All in all it was an exhausting day out, it took me over 7
hours to get round, but I’m very glad that I did it. The weather was too hot
for race running, but suited me and anyone else who wasn’t taking it too
seriously.
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| Half way up Wincle Minn, about 15 miles in. This
was where I first started to get cramp. |
The course was well marked with the Gritstone Trail footpath signs
and the next hill is always visible, so navigation wasn’t too hard (several people
did take wrong turns but got back on track quite quickly).
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| Wincle Minn, looking towards the transmitter on Croker Hill |
I’ll probably run
another ultra at some time in the future, and would definitely consider this
one again.
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| At the half way point, and photobombed by Mik’s friend Wona who recognised my Striders vest |
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| Before the steep climb up Teggs Nose (I’d given up trying to run uphill by this point)This is also after a ½ mile detour following someone who was lost |
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| Coming down Teggs Nose and the end is almost in sight: It’s just down to the bottom of the hill, up White Nancy (centre), down the other side, up to Sponds Hill (right) and another 5 miles to the end. No wonder Chris stopped at the ice cream van here |
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| Panorama shot from near the top of Teggs Nose |
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| The top of White Nancy, with the last hill in the background |
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| I’d just done my slowest ever marathon, but why stop there? |
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| Lyme Park, and it’s almost all downhill from here. (And I even ran most of it) |
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| Both finished, just don’t ask us to stand up! |
Martin C
