I've been back out and at it for 2 months now and I can feel myself getting fitter but by heck, the heat does me no good at all. I set off with good intentions but am reduced to a red-faced, panting mess after a couple of miles.
Stoney Middleton Fell race is definitely NOT a fell race. It's a trail race really but it's a nice one and a 5 mile leg stretcher. It sets off from the playing fields just outside the village on the A623. Good old fashioned race registration, £5 entry and fill out your own sticky label for results. A good race for the novice or the more nervous competitor. A friendly atmosphere and a good range of types there from the lean mean and keen to the stout middle-aged person. (Me).
Nice to see the gang out, Tracy, Mary, Chris, Mark W etc. I think that the same hardcore from the club have done most of the races this year.
After the start on the football field we trotted, with some bunching and queuing, along the path through Stoney Middleton to the Moon Inn, where a lane veers steeply upwards.
Up and up we ran. Or walked in my case. Right to the top of the edge above the village. There were quite a few friendly locals out to cheer us on. At the top of the lane the route took a left along a broad stony track, there was a water station at this point which was very welcome. The track led on for a couple of miles up and down, giving good views across the landscape. I was plodding dreadfully slowly but I could still see Chris ahead and I had plenty of folks around me so I didn't feel as discouraged as I sometimes do in races.
At the end of a ridge a narrow path led us downhill thorough some genuine off road terrain. It was very gravelly, pointy limestone in places and quite painful through the soles of my crappy Karrimor trail shoes. (The only ones that fit my insoles properly). There were even some small unwelcome patches of scree from quarry waste down the narrow dale that led back toward the finish.
A small uphill close to the end threatened to kill me off, it is terrible that at the end of a race, if someone even puts a molehill in my way it feels like Everest!
Down to the playing field and through to the finish. Everyone was waiting for me and I was desperate for a drink my mouth felt like it had fur in it it was that dry.
Well done team GVS and thanks to the organisers, a nice little race on a fine Summer's evening.
