Since being injured back in March I've done a couple of races recently and I'm beginning to do more regular running now. It's not been easy but I seem to be able to keep things under control by immersing my feet in ice-water regularly.
Arncliffe Gala Sports - Sat 14th August
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Arncliffe is a small village that sits in one of the most beautiful valleys in the Yorkshire Dales about 15 miles north of Skipton. You expect James and Tristran to come walking around the corner at any moment. On offer was an undulating 4 mile road race down the valley to Hawkswick and back and a fell race of the up-and-down variety. Plus an array of other diversions such as kids races, strong-man and dog shows. After descending the Cracoe fell race like a sack-of-spuds a few weeks ago I stuck to the road and chanced-my-arm over 4 miles. For the most part I got away with it, coming home in a respectable time (25:02) then retiring up the fell to watch the other main race of the day. I could have stayed up on that hill til nightfall.
Burnsall Feast Sports - Sat 21st August
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Burnsall is a similar event although it has a longer history and a bigger place in the calender. In fact it's worth reading about the history of this event to gain a full appreciation. There's a good section in Feet In The Clouds.
I opted for the 10 mile road race. Despite not having run (never mind raced) this distance since February I was feeling chipper enough to give it a go. With 5 mile splits of 33 and 43 minutes has anybody ever overestimated their fitness in ... the history of running? Let's just say it was a slow and painful ending. Although encouragingly I ran the first 5 miles well enough.
Better was to follow as Mrs G came in with a pb for this distance (no mean feat given the hills; the course goes to Grassington and back for anybody who knows the area). Then Junior G bagged the bronze medal in the under 8's fell race. And he's only 6. That's my boy.
But the real highlight of the day was watching the senior fell race. 140 years of history as Rob Hope (Pudsey & Bramley) battled it out with Ian Holmes (Bingley) for the honours whilst our own Helen Glover (Keighley) took the ladies trophy. Keighley also took the men's team prize on road and fell. Seeing the runners cascading down the hill then sprinting for the line in front of an appreciative crowd and under a blue sky, and in one of the most picturesque corners of Gods Own County, was indeed a stirring sight. Never to be forgotten and, with luck, oft repeated.
Glaconman at Arncliffe
History of Burnsall
Burnsall Picures
Burnsall Fell report
Burnsall 10 report
Arncliffe report
