Coniston Fell Race

30th April 2011

I wasn't going to run in the race. My plan was to watch and take a few photo's. But after a bit of 'persuasion' from friends I decided to put my toe on the line. Having not raced so far this year and after a tough couple of weeks, by my standards, I planned to set off very steady and see how it went. As usual these days my legs felt tired and heavy at the start. Mouldry Bank was as steep as ever but I managed to find a comfortable pace. It's a long way to the top of Wetherlam but I found myself slowly passing people and had my sights set on a couple of Helm vests up ahead. Only racing can do this to me.

I had seen Speedy Dave up near the front but now he was out of sight. Again I thought he could have a good race. When I suggested he would be well under 1 hour 30 mins he did not believe me. I suspected he was taking the race quite seriously. He had reccied the course a few days earlier. Coming off Wetherlam my legs felt good and I soon passed some familiar faces. I can't say the climb of Prison Band is a pleasure but I am very familiar with it and enjoy it in a strange kind of way. Suprised to see K ahead, more reason to push on.

Get a great line off Swirl How and pass loads on the way to Brim Fell. K passes me so I work hard to keep in touch. I hope to pass her again on the descent. Am feeling much better than I thought and actually enjoying myself. Get a poor line at first off Coniston Old Man but soon pick up my usual route. I see people joining from the left and am buoyed to see I am up with some runners I have battled with over the years. Of course I was only having a steady run for the pleasure of it but there was no way I was going to let them beat me now. I commit to the last part of the descent and once on the miners track I have enough gap to hold them off to the finish.

Speedy Dave lived up to has name and was 14th in 1 hour 22 mins. I was faster than expected! The club won the Ladies Team prize. All in all a good day.

Russell