This 30km run/walk always looked like being a tough one; I mean, trig points don’t tend to be sited in valleys. On the other hand, that mere fact meant there would be plenty of necessary walking which if not too steep could serve as recovery time. Basically, I wanted to do it and it was my day off so I made up the justifications on the hoof.
As we headed off, jogging a flat route out of Delph, the weather was indeterminate but the clouds high enough to suggest navigation even on the tops shouldn’t be hampered. This was especially good, as though I was following the suggested GPS route, both on my Aventura and on a paper map, there was no route description for the event
Having walked the first 4km of the last long event I did this was a different sort of start on flat footpaths and minor roads that went on for rather longer than I wanted but a diagonal uphill provided some good relief as we headed for checkpoint 1. I was settling in as we left the checkpoint, and the route proper seemed to be beginning as started to get into countryside; nothing serious as hills go but definitely much more of the broken short running and walking that suits me now. Checkpoint 2 was quickly followed by number 3 at a suitable road crossing for there to be a refreshments. Having not drunk much I quickly downed most of a bottle so I could refil ahead of a long 12km stage, mostly along the Rochdale Way.
It felt great to be up in the Moors again, even though once this would have been merely a prelude to getting into the mountains. Over the M62 and on towards checkpoint 4 at Lydgate. It is frustrating not to be able to run even easy, slightly boring sections without having to break into walking to give my calf muscles a rest, and this was most noticable section of the Roman Road that led to the sharp turn south up to Blackstone Edge Trig and checkpoint 5. Not much to write home about, just another clipper in amongst the rocks before the Pennine Way led us back to the M62.
I was struggling by now, seldom able to muster a decent length run before having to walk, but two-thirds of the way through with as much time ahead to complete the route as I needed whatever the mix of running and walking. Checkpoint 6 at White Hill Trig, definitely time for a photo stop to ease my legs, before jogging onto CP7 as it was only a couple or three kms.
Refilled the water bottle and onto the last main moorland section, still following the Pennine/Oldham Way. I seemed to have lost about all the positions i was likely to lose on this route though those who had started an hour later were still passing and helping the navigation. I stuck with each one for awhile as it looked like the navigation was going to be a bit awkward and twisty mixing roads and paths after CP8 at Standedge Trig. No real problems any more as there were obvious road ways back to Delph (and a cutback to the final checkpoint if required) but it never feels good to miss a turning in one of these things.
The finish from CP9 was just a runny/walk along roads back into Delph. Not the success of my previous Craggrunner events as though I wasn’t last I was a long way down the field, even in my age group. Then again, I was well inside any possible cut off and had enjoyed a good day out on the moors so all good.