You all wanted it cooler and you all wanted some rain. Well here it is. By the bucket full as we speak!! Let’s hope it hasn’t washed all the markers out on Hood Hill.
Monday 24th August. Sowerby Gateway.
6.15- 6.30 pm for a 7.15. Rolling core work to finish in time to join with the run group.
6.45- 7pm. Run group. Please make sure you register as you arrive.
Warm up and running drills.
100m walk > 100m jog > 300m effort (in your ‘more or less’ similar pace groups) for 28 mins.
Cool down and stretches.
Wednesday 26th August. Sowerby Gateway.
6.45- 7.00 pm.
Warm up.
Main session: 2 x ( 3 x 3 mins @ choose your pace/ 1 min recovery) 3mins between sets.
If you are Virtual Mountain Racing tomorrow or Friday, consider doing an easy run tonight.
Thursday 27th- Sunday 30th August. Virtual World Mountain race. In our own backyard. This is the big one.
When I first thought of this course I wanted it to be worthy of a World Championship race so you could all experience what it’s actually like to run in a real Mountain championship race. Covid wouldn’t allow us to run the real McCoy. Having ran in the region of twenty real Mountain Championship races in various parts of the world I can honestly say this course simulates quite a few of them perfectly. You need to prepare to be challenged. A rough guidance suggests it will take you 10 to 20 minutes longer than your normal 10k time. It will take you longer if you get your pace judgement wrong or you take a wrong turn. Plan carefully and learn the route. I memorise it ( ie. right, right, left etc) and count them off as I go along. I split the race into three sections and only focus on one section at a time. It then becomes three efforts as opposed to one huge one. I intend to run it all but the WH steps which I’ll definitely walk or possibly crawl. This is the section that hurts the most and where you will lose the most time. It will be the same for all of us. I used to be able to run it all but those days are long gone. The ones who loose the least time will be the ones who recover the quickest once on top of the Horse. My advice is to try and get your legs turning over as soon as you can once you reach the top. The longer you walk on this section the more you will want to walk and the more time you will lose. Will it hurt? Of course it will. That’s why we run isn’t it? Every second counts so you need to put in your best effort at all times. Think of others in your team to inspire you to keep going. If each of you gain 10 seconds then it’s a minute across the team.
If like me, you’re not so good on the descents nowadays. Be positive but look out for the sticky up bits. If you fall it will hurt. Try and pick up time on the smoother sections like the middle track which I really enjoy. Be brisk and busy on the ascents but don’t trash yourself. Shorter strides but more often. The best bits about the real mountain races is the fact that you are in a team. Everyone gets support regardless of ability from the fastest to the slowest. If you get the chance over the weekend give up a little time to encourage and support others taking part. It’s not just about you but also about everyone else. Let the best team win.
Next year ( 2027) the World Masters Mountain Running Championships are being held in Switzerland. I feel as though I have a few good races left in me and if injury free, I intend to run. Maybe this years virtual will inspire me to live the dream and put in a good result.
Yorkshire Vets xcountry Championships. ( 35 years and older) See the Yorkshire Vets website for finer details.
Sunday 27th September 2027.
There is no reason why we can’t put teams out in all age groups. It’s just a matter of being positive and getting organised. If you want to run then contact me before the 10th of September. All I need is your age DOB and EA UNR. So far I have around 14 entries.
Summer Handicap.
Congratulations to Alan (AKA Ian?? ) for winning the summer handicap in Wass Woods. It’s always a tester to put in the odd hill every now and again. A big thank you to Duncan and his team of volunteers who all helped make it happen. Do I get extra points for beating my last years time by around 5 seconds?
Keep smiling and see you all soon, Rob
