11th May The Cressbrook crawl (R17)

Maybe I was just blinded by the fact that this was a run taking place on a Saturday that was close to home. Well close to TOM's home anyway. But the fact that it had the word 'crawl' in both the name and logo used for the race suggested it might have one or two hills along its 6.5 mile route. 

Add into that that fact that it was the day when the sun decided to put its hat on which meant running in what I'd describe as 'rather warm' temperatures, didnt really help matters. And no one mentioned that the walk from the field allocated for car parking up to the actual start of the race would leave me breathless before the race had even begun. The name of the road 'Bottomhill Lane' should have given me some sort of a clue.

Not having taken place for 5 years, the race drew a small select field of less than 100 with only one of two faces that I recognised, including 'Les' from Matlock Harriers who I have had a few duals with over the past few years. So irrespective of where I finished in the race, as long as I finished ahead of 'Les' that would count as a win.

After a short short uphill start to the race, we were treated to a long downhill stretch to the valley floor, but as we know downhills only mean an uphill and it didn't take long to arrive. The runners around me all slowed down to a determined if laboured powerwalk, which must have made great footage for the drone that buzzed angrily overhead.

It was in fairness a really lovely course, which in between the two hills that punctuated the start and end of the run, undulated along some lovely trails. But in the sun it was hard going so any shade was highly anticipated. Up hill and down dale the route went in an anticlockwise direction, running for part of its way alongside the River Wye before we emerged just after the Monsal Head viaduct onto the Monsal trail itself.

Then just before the Cressbrook tunnel, the trail dropped down to the right and an icy but lovely river crossing. It would have been so tempting to have had a full dip in the water except for fear that my car keys woud get water logged and fail to restart the car. And so with refreshed feet in sodden shoes, all that was left was to 'negotiate the final bugger of a hill back to the start. And let's be honest here I didn't run it!!

6.4 miles of undulating terrain on a scorcher of a day in 1hr and 20 mins would not win any prizes in the real world. But the fact that I finished several minutes ahead of 'Les' was reward enough. Roll on the Eyam Half Marathon next Sunday.