Running 2:48:30 [5] 21.51 km (7:50 / km) +2090m 5:16 / km
Howgills Fell Race, English champs counter. Had a whole host of excuses lined up for this one and seriously considered not running, but in the end I figured it would at least be good to have a nice run in the hills and catch up with a few people. No clue about current fitness going into this, as training has been erratic since TGC and recent illness knocked me for six, but set off purposefully and got on the Dark Peak train (with Josh, Tom and Max) towards the top of the first climb. A pattern quickly emerged of me struggling on the descents and making up time on the climbs, but I was probably working too hard given the nature of the route. Climb 4 (of 6) was a struggle and I came properly uncoupled on climb 5. From there on it was a bit of a death march and I started getting passed by quite a few folk. Bumped into Josh on the final climb, who was reduced to a hobble on a tennis ball sized heel blister, and had a good moan just as Adam (RO) was passing us - he seemed well pleased to have devised such a tough route. Last descent was as nasty as expected, felt bad for abandoning Josh and his mutilated foot, but I'm sure he would have done the same for me.
Overall, this was a great day out on a fantastic route and I was well pleased to make it to the finish in one piece. Really glad I ran and it has given me a bit of a benchmark for the season. I need to work on my gammy ankles and sort out my descending (and get fit again). Some great results from Tom and Max, who paced things really well and it looks like we were 2nd club, although not in any danger of beating Keswick today.