GOOD LUCK ON FRIDAY 1st MARCH
GET LOTS OF SLEEP TONIGHT! (THURSDAY!)
It's that time of year again; when all the mad people make for Edale and decide to run in teams of 4 through the cold and possibly snowy terrain of the High Peak. The 42 miles are certainly testing.
I can't find any results for the last time I actually did this race. The one set I can find, is where I ran with Mark Pearce, Shaun Clarkson and Andy Plummer. I think before that one, it was Mark Buskwood instead of Andy but I might be wrong. Mark will probably be able to put me right. One tour ended up with me bailing out at Cut Gate due to stomach problems and another year, Mark fell by the wayside at Snake.
Why I wanted to enter this race, I just haven't the faintest idea. It's one of those must do runs - 3 Peaks, Wadsworth Trog - next step up... High Peak Marathon. The weather is usually unforgiving but I've never experienced pouring rain. Freezing cold and snow... YES!
So what are my memories of this event? No order, just as they come to mind...
- Finishing the event in a bit of a sprint with the team in front
- Watching Shaun Walker fall asleep in his mashed potato and saugsages because he was so tired
- Having the fastest split time one year from Snake to Mill Hill, probably because we didn't spend enough time eating and drinking at the tent
- Stomach cramps and having to drop out at Cut Gate
- Managing on one bottle of fluid because my drink was like a slush mixture
- Feeling dizzy because of light reflecting off the snow for hours on end
- Being thankful for the sun rising - it reinvigorates the mind and body and the need for sleep disappears
- Never wanting to do it again BUT having the greatest admiration for those who do it year after year.
When I walk the dog on the night the race takes place, I'll be thinking of all those taking part. AND when I walk her again the following morning, I'll wonder where Mark's and NIcky's team have actually got to.
Best of luck to both.
27 Pot Noodle
Mark Pearce Brent Lindsay Steve Burgess Andy Heading
46 3 Blind Mice & a Farmer's Wife
I thought you might like to see one of the many videos that are on YouTube.
We have a slight change to Team Pot Noodle now - we're running with Amanda Heading instead of Andy, so we're a mixed bunch. I'll do you an article about it after the event - it's always a such a bag of laughs. We might not be as fast as the "A" Team, but we're the better navigators.
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