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Through the Villages

NICOLA NUTTALL 5 NOV 2012

When looking at my diary for November I noticed that the Through the Villages race fell the day after the first Trawden winter series race at Pendleton. That’s okay, I thought, Saturday’s race is only 3.5 miles…how hard can it be?

So on Sunday I dragged my very sore quads downstairs, clear in the knowledge that I had completely underestimated fell running AGAIN. Will I ever learn? But I had pre-registered so was turning up come what may and if I was hurting then how would John McDonald feel, having squeezed in another race on Saturday afternoon?

At least the weather was good; clear bright and dry in complete contrast to Saturday’s conditions. John, Derrick and I met up with Ken in the village hall then braced ourselves for a punishing 8.45 mile loop from the Dressers Arms in Wheelton, through Brinscall, Withnell and back.

The race starts with a mile uphill then it would be fair to say the course ‘undulates’ with some significant ups and downs all the way round.

Derrick pushed ahead despite having run a marathon the week before, I eventually managed to chase him down for a couple of miles but suffering from a stitch, solid quads, and the ill-advised curry the previous night, had to pull in at the drinks station as Derrick cruised passed.

The one good thing about the hill start was the super fast downhill at the end, and the finish line was a welcome sight having sprinted my little legs off to overtake a Mossley lady runner on the way down. Derrick was only four seconds ahead and looked slightly disappointed with his time, until we realized that the 103 was his number and not his finish time!

I was thrilled to come in at 1 hour 1 minute 54 having failed to break 1 hour 10 in my two previous attempts at this event. John and Ken had their own race, with John nudging ahead on the way down the hill.

Back into the village hall (with our medals) for free hotpot with red cabbage and a cup of tea, we were thanked by the organizers for attending the race and representing the team (and I got to independently verify the official results which inflated my self importance no end!).

Nice event with great organization, lots of friendly marshals a challenging course and free food. What more could you want on a sunny Sunday?

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