Author: petefoth

  • Evening Fell Races

    Evening Fell Races

    By Brian Holland

    This year has been a bit of a renaissance for me, I rediscovered the evening fell races.

    It started with Herod farm, the only race I know with two walking hills and only 3 miles to cover, but it is always the first of the year and gets a good crowd.

    Next up, the Gun run, a bit of a hike to get to this one, but the route was good, an easy start up a gentle slope, then down a never ending hill, which caused me and Anna to get stitches, so a bit of shared sympathy and working out if you breath out on the opposite side to your foot strike, which means it hurts less. Then the uphill, Anna abandoned me as she chased down those who had enjoyed the downhill, gradually reeling them in. Over the trig point I caught some other Striders and really enjoyed going down to the finish on the slope we had run up to start. I never caught Anna, but that is a recurring event these days.

    After a break to attempt my second ultra, resulting in the decision that though ultras happen in amazing places, my body does not seem to agree with my mind. The decision made to do more short fell was made. Pete F encouraged me and off we went.

    Hope Wakes: another in the club champs, so plenty of Striders there for me to follow, a simple over the ridge and back route, but with the climb back up being steep and tiring. No pub, no food, just friends.

    Hathersage: I have done this a few years ago, but remembered little of the route, an unusual start on a main road, followed by the inevitable big climb, nice flatter bits, a few boulders to climb which I defy anyone to run up. The long descent nearly broke my ultra-tired legs, quads tingling with the start of cramp, but a photo stop, and off again but more carefully and I made it back. Cake at the finish is always welcome even if the last few metres are very uphill, but with everyone watching and cheering it seems that everyone finds a little bit left for the finish.

    Peak Forest: nice undulating, until you are nearly back and they turn you off to go up a steep rough hill. Cake and a friendly feel to the village hall.

    Sheldon: unusually, for this one you run downhill first, then a nice trail bit along the river, then just to prove the saying ‘It’s not fell race unless I walk’ there is a big climb up wet, soft but stony ground to negotiate, followed by a seemingly endless slope that without the hard climb would be easy. Eventually you hit the road and downhill to the finish, where there is a pub, so nice to sit with a beer watching the tail-enders finishing.

    Stoney Middleton: helped with registration, then ran it. Unfortunately I was in the loo when they said ‘Go!’, so I was never going to be at the front, I remember this – a tough road climb to start, then a nice trail type run. I was not wrong, a long plod up which dropped to a walk, then a great run across the tops, with a short ‘****** this is rough, I’m walking’ section of limestone scree on the way back to the start/finish, where there’s beef burgers, beer and cake. Ticks all the boxes besides frightening scree – I can do without that.

    Cracken Edge: done this a few times, the main problem I have with it is that when on Stubbins Lane I am closer to our house than the finish. But I pushed on through this crisis because the car was in Hayfield, plus having already suffered the stile queues, unusually wet ground and the hard climb up the back of Chinley Churn. The run back from Big Stone is always nice, but a little misty this year, and the run through the trees in the gloom of dusk as frightening as ever. Great finish with a few Striders waiting for me. A new one for me, last Strider. As Pete F says, the view from the back is very different to the front, one bonus is that the grass is well trodden by the time you get there.

    Queueing for a stile at Eyam

    Eyam: I had walked most of this in lockdown, but had only vague recollections. I had a good run, but it was hot and sapping, maybe it is runnable all the way, but my body disagreed and I walked a few bits. Lovely challenging bit near the end, just when I think it’s been a tough trail route, I plunge off a nice road and into woods, with roots and rocks to keep me alert, then an unnecessary hill near the end just to give me a chance to have a proper walk. Drawback was parking miles away, legs were very tired by the time we got down the hill to the car. Hotdogs and beer at the end in part of the historic bit, so ticking all the boxes.

    You get some great views too…

    Great Longstone: This is the first fell race I have ever run all the way, no insane steep hill, not so rough I fear for my ankles, just climbs and descents that are great to run, plus a pub at the finish. This should be in the championship soon.

    Bollington 3 Peaks: not a weekday evening as it’s too dark, but still a good run. 3 big hills in just short of 6 miles, with the last hill beating even the front runners who I am told all walked it. Loved the downhills as the first two are tricky, the last is very runnable including dull canal and road. Chilli and beer included in the price, with a great place to sit and chat with old friends after the race. Another one that ticks the boxes.

    Of course there are many more I could have done, but as you can tell I came with a flurry at the end of the season, so maybe next year I will try one a week all summer. The bonus is they are great training runs for not much money, most of which goes to a local charity not a business profit. Maybe see a few more Striders out next year?

  • The Bullock Smithy Hike…

    …58.83 miles with 8570ft elevation gain.

    By Shaun Hall

    What an event! I was under no illusions on how tough this challenge would be, it started Saturday at 12.00 with a 24hr time limit. I couldn’t get over how hot it was at the start field, made the first third of the challenge super difficult.

    Earlier in the year I’d mentioned my entry to my sister Dawn Samantha Hall, and Robert Wakelin. In no time at all we’d a plan – they were going to support me on route at the checkpoints. A MASSIVE shout out to them both, we were like a well oiled team, I couldn’t of asked for better support, thank you both so much. I spent hours planning this all out and I was met with encouraging words and great food and drink.

    Elizabeth Hall, Lily & Elsie were a great surprise at Peep o’Day, although the girls absolutely did not appreciate a very sweaty daddy cuddle! Kerry Moo, Doug Barwick and Danni surprised me at Chelmorton where I did have a little cry in my big sisters arms, I wasn’t in a very good place and my legs were killing me, I don’t think I’ve ever truly been in ‘the pain cave’ until this point, I was only just over half way. Then, Kerry and my Pops again surprised me at Brand Top which thankfully I was in much better spirits. Dawn brought her bike with her, rode along side me between checkpoints she was able too, that was nice, albeit funny at times eh Dawn!

    I’ve never taken on anything as difficult as this before. I’d planned to complete in 14.5 hours, that went out the window. I am still over the moon that I finished in 16hrs 27 minutes, 43rd out of 254 starters. The aftermath isn’t pretty though, I ache in places I didn’t knew existed. I couldn’t get to sleep afterwards, managed a couple of hours late morning. I also failed to go to work today. Will I do it again………

    Also, a huge thank you to The Bullock Smithy Hike organisers and volunteers. Everyone was so friendly, helpful and encouraging at all the checkpoints.

  • Outside Hope Valley Rounds

    By Chris Bowen

    A few weeks ago, Brian posted on social media a link to a new “Round” in the Peak District starting and finishing at the Outside shop in Hathersage – 20 miles and 4500 feet of climbing taking in Shatton Moor, Mam Tor, Lose Hill, Win Hill returning to Hathersage via Thornhill and Bamford. You can do the Round at any time and if you complete it while the shop is open you can have your photo taken for the “Wall of Fame” and are awarded a nice Montane buff. You also can have a free cuppa and a cake! What’s not to like!

    At the start – outside Outside

    Bec, Sarah F-S (plus Pipper, the dog) and I were all available on 18th August and arranged to meet up at Outside at 10am. The forecast was for light rain and wind and Mam Tor wasn’t even visible as I travelled to Hathersage. I was quite worried that I wouldn’t be able to keep up as I hadn’t done anything longer than 8 miles since June and I am certainly not running fast! I also thought that The Great Ridge was going to be very unpleasant in a strong Easterly wind. As it turned out, my fears were unfounded!

    We set off out of Hathersage, the same way as the Hurtle does, moving at a nice steady pace – running all the flat and down and walking the hills. I was managing to keep up and we were enjoying ourselves, chatting and only occasionally having to consult each other about the navigation. The weather wasn’t as bad as forecast and at least the drizzle was keeping us cool.

    On Mam Tor – I think! Difficult to tell!

    We took in part of the Tour of Bradwell route in reverse, then over to Oxlow Rake and made our way to Mam Tor. At this point we were half-way round in about 2.5 hours and it was raining quite hard. All the walkers up there were in full waterproofs but it was warm enough for us in T-shirts as we were keeping on running. “Is it August?” someone asked us. We continued along to Lose Hill trying to avoid the slippery slabs and then enjoyed a big descent to Hope and an even bigger (less enjoyable!) climb to Win Hill. By now the weather had improved and we were able to see where we had been. It looked quite a long way!

    We thought we had done all the climbing but oh no, there was a sting in the tail as there is another climb out of Bamford before hitting a very nice descent into Hathersage. We suddenly arrived back at the shop. We had done it in just over 5 hours and 8 minutes!

    Eventually the clag cleared and the heather was glorious

    The staff in the shop and café were very welcoming of three very damp, sweaty runners and a wet dog. They took our photo and we completed their form with the details of our Round. The tea and cake were delicious! We had had a fantastic day out and we can highly recommend this challenge.

    The Round is proving to be very popular with at 10 people completing it on the day we did it, including two runners from Steel City Striders who did the double – round clockwise and then immediately setting off to do it in reverse. Impressive! We didn’t ask if they got two pieces of cake.

    For more details of the Round see https://www.outside.co.uk/outside-hope-valley-round

  • GVS Balsam Bashing

    By Chris Bowen

    From time to time over the last few years, GVS have undertaken a conservation task to protect the wonderful environment that we are lucky to be able to run through. We have carried out drainage work on Bleaklow, rhododendron removal in the Goyt Valley and more recently Himalayan Balsam removal in Hillbridge and Park Wood. With our focus on sustainability, the committee thought that a new project might be in order.

    Several of us had notice the vast amount of Himalayan Balsam growing around Combs Reservoir so we decided that tackling this would be an appropriate thing to do, especially as several members also swim in Combs. We contacted the Canal and Rivers Trust and two dates were set to start work.

    So what is Himalayan Balsam and what is the problem with it?

    Himalayan Balsam has become one of the UK’s most invasive weed species. It colonises river banks, waste ground and damp woodlands. It out-competes native plant species for space, light and nutrients and excludes other plants, reducing biodiversity. It dies back in winter leaving bare banks liable to erosion and increases the risk of flooding. It was introduced to the UK as a garden plant but quickly spread and got established in the wild.

    The first day was a lovely sunny, warm Friday morning and around ten GVS members along with C&RT, sailing club members, swimmers and Ruth George cleared the balsam from the wooded area behind the dam wall car park. It pulls up easily and all we had to do was make big piles of the stuff which will rot down. Apparently, each plant can produce 800 seeds so its important to get it pulled up in June/July when the plant is easily identified but not producing seed. There was lots more to do along the new footpath so we set another date for the following Saturday. Unfortunately, it was a very wet morning with thunder and lightning and it was also a busy weekend with a championship race in the Lakes and the Big Stone fell races more locally. In spite of all this, five hardy souls turned out and pulled a vast amount of balsam getting nettled and thistle (not to mention soaked through) in the process.

    The task is by no means finished and we will probably have to leave it for this year now as we are running out of time but we have made a big dent in it, although there’s lots left. Hopefully, we can get out there again next year with more volunteers and see if we can cover the areas that we didn’t get to. It is very satisfying to see the balsam in vast heaps on the ground and to know that you are contributing to a helping protect and improve a local area.

  • Running and Mental Health

    By Brian Holland

    As runners we are always asking about each other’s injuries, and listening to the many ways in which we can inflict pain on ourselves, while hoping we will not experience our friend’s particular pain.
    What we are not too good at is listening when people try to talk about non-running injuries, crises at home, work, anxiety, depression, addiction, and although they are not running specific issues, they are something we can help with. People generally are not great about being open about these things, and most people feel out of their depth if someone talks about their mental health.

    From personal experience I can say that while running, it is a great time to not only open up, but to listen. I am not making eye contact because I am looking at my feet or the view. There are natural breaks in the conversation, stiles, road crossing, hills that make breathing difficult let alone talking. As you possibly know I had an accident on my bike and got concussion, causing fatigue, depression and a permanent head ache, which lasted for many months, one of the great things I found that helped was the covid rule that said you can run with one other person, so I arranged to run with many people, just the two of us. I can’t tell you how beneficial it was for me to talk, but it was great to listen, I heard of other people troubles, past difficulties and how they coped, all those runs were special for one reason or another.

    Well the concussion has healed, but I still find time to talk, there a few friends out there who I am completely at ease with, and there are other people who I will gladly find time for a run with if asked.

    The main lesson I have learnt is that talking does not need a trained counsellor, it needs an ear that is prepared to listen, maybe not understand, but not judge either.

    I am unaware of any specific running groups, but there are outdoor groups, Mountains of the Mind is the biggest that I found on Facebook. There is also ‘Fancy a Walk Mate’ on Facebook which does walks in the Peak District. Plus there are groups like ‘Andy’s Man Club’ which has physical groups in Macclesfield, or Mentell which moved to online groups during lock down and just continued as it means you can do it privately at home. Sorry to say being male I have looked for male groups, I am sure there will be support for women out there, as well as non gender groups like Mountains of the Mind.

    Most people as you read this will be fine, a small number will not be and could do with a mate to unload on. Think of it as a privilege to be unloaded on, not a burden. And in the extreme, it does not matter if it is the wrong place, the wrong time, the wrong anything, if you think someone is on the edge there is never a good time. Swallow your social etiquette and ask ‘are you ok? It might save a life.

  • Hope Wakes Fell Race (continued)

    Hope Wakes Fell Race (continued)

    by Rob Nock

    9 Striders took part in the Hope Fell Race on Wednesday evening. Heavy rain from earlier in the day mostly retreated to leave a mild but moody June evening. 

    Race HQ at Hope Sports Club was busy with the 185 participants.  The race began with a crowded lap around the school field, elbows out, before heading out through the village. 

    A flat(ish) first mile, was followed by a steep climb up the first of two hills Wooler Knoll.  The initial crowds were now stretched out. There followed a fast technical descent into woods before the second climb of the course up Win Hill.  Here the heather taunted legs and pulled at our shoe laces as we staggered on.  

    The pay off though was a fantastic sweeping mile descent through slick fields before a final push home.

    The Striders were well represented across the age categories with a highlight being 2nd in the W40 for Bec Day.

    Pete F’s report from Strava
    > Dead last, dead hard, dead good!

    Finally, here’s a post from 2019, including a report on that year’s edition of this race.

  • Eyam Away Run: 13th June 2023

    Run Leader: Luke Cafferty
    Report: Roy Whittle

    We assembled on a very hot and dry evening in Eyam at the start line of the Eyam Half Marathon (for those that know) and the majority of us had car shared in some form or another however, Sam won extra sustainable transport kudos points by cycling the 17 miles there & back!

    17 of us set off downhill towards Middleton Dale along the narrow and well shaded trail, we were warned of some very steep drops ahead and to take our time, this trail scenery was fantastic, a sheer 100ft sheer rock face to one side and steep drops on the other, along with some great views across the valley. We gathered in an open clearing to check numbers- nobody missing yet! Luke popped out of a hole in the ground that turned out to be a well-known cave entrance, it turns out the dale is full of them so it’s a popular caving spot.

    Next followed a long, calf achingly steep but suitably tree-shaded climb back across flat (in comparison) open fields towards the village centre and past some of the grade II listed plague graves (Lydgate graves) before heading up Water lane, up through the steep woods, past random bible quotes wedged into gateposts and on towards Sir William Hill trig point where we took a moment to appreciate the fantastic 360 degree view.

    All that was left was a speedy descent down through the fields, following the trod then a sweaty, gravelly climb up Sir William hill road (more of a gravel track than a metalled road) before a beautiful descent down past Mompesson’s well (another Plague monument) and more shaded woodland tracks ending at the Miners Arms pub for much needed rehydration!

    Route Details

  • April – night run in the demon valley

    April – night run in the demon valley

    By Mary Jones (This article was originally posted in Mary’s Blog)

    At the head of the Goyt Valley, towering above Buxton, lies Shining Tor. The Goyt Valley drops down to the east of the Tor. The Goyt Valley has always been a busy place, once it was a place of mining and industry; now it is a place for tourism and sailing. Families come to walk the paths around the two reservoirs which fill the valley, explore the ruins of Errwood Hall and buy ice creams from the vans which park in the many car parks.  If you drop down the western side of Shining Tor, the Cheshire side, you enter a very different valley. The hidden valley of Thursbitch, a quieter place; the demon valley; A place steeped in myth and legend. Made famous by the Alan Garner novel of the same name this is a place where, according to Garner, farmers lock their doors at dusk and the local vicar refuses to enter. It is a place of standing stones, ancient magic and pagan ritual. Thurs is the Old English word for demon so Thursbitch is quite literally the Demon Valley, according to the 14th century people who named it. 

    Garner’s novel is based around the true tale of Jack Turner, a young salt jagger, who died in the snow near Thursbitch on Christmas Eve in 1735, or possibly 1755 – the confusion about dates is part of the mystery. He should have been heading home to Saltersford but was actually heading uphill towards Thursbitch when he died. A single woman’s footprint was found by his body. A memorial stone marks the spot. Garner spins a tale of an isolated community still bound up in the ‘old ways’ – strange rituals devoted to ancient deities.

    I am fascinated by folklore and the ancient history of the land under our feet. We walk on a landscape that has been walked for thousands of years and the ghosts that frightened our ancestors still haunt us today. So when someone suggested a Friday evening run in to the valley how could I refuse?

    We meet up near the Cat and Fiddle, which used to be the highest pub in the country until it closed down and has been turned in to a gin distillery. It may now be the highest gin distillery in the country. It is a calm, warm evening in early spring and we have a short run up to the summit of Shining Tor. 

    Pete’s selfie at the Shining Tor trig point

    At the top of Shining Tor we pause to take in the view. How many counties can we see from up here? From Hereford and Worcestershire in the south, to Lancashire and Yorkshire in the North and East. The view of the Cheshire Peak District hills include the alpine point of Shutlingsloe, and on this clear, bright evening we could see the Mersey estuary glinting in the sun. 

    We enjoyed the easy descent in to the Thursbitch valley. In reality, Thursbitch is a tranquil, verdant valley. It is warm and peaceful in the spring evening sunshine. If this place is has been special for generations, maybe it is because it is a fertile valley sheltered from the worst of the prevailing weather by the ridges of hills.




    We looked out for the standing stones which, according to Alan Garner, align with the Pole Star. We couldn’t find them although some people claim that many ancient sacred stones have been repurposed as gateposts in the valley. As we run along the valley we spot the ruins of old homesteads. Small dwellings with even smaller outbuildings for livestock. These are a reminder of the generations who have lived in this remote valley which is still farmed today. I recall Garner’s stories of local farmers who lock their doors at dusk and won’t so much as cross the yard in the dark. I am not sure any sheep farmer would be able to sustain his flock if fear kept him inside after dark at lambing time.

    We come across John Turner’s memorial stone. Garner describes how he came across it while running in the area in the 1950s. He describes getting his arm trapped as he looked at it. He panicked, and his panic increased when he read the back of the memorial which describes the footprint in the snow near the body. The experience stayed with him for years and inspired the novel. We tried to work out whether it was possible to get your arm trapped in the 6 inches between the stone and the wall. Are we seeing evidence of a modern myth maker? Much of the reported mythology of Thursbitch that I find online, references a talk Alan Garner delivered at Knutsford Literary Festival in 2003. A talk which marked the publication of the book. 

    So the myth of Thursbitch is a modern one, spun by a master story teller with a book to sell. Or is it?

    On the climb back up to Shining Tor I speed up the steep hill gaining a PR in the process. I tell myself it is because a cold wind has picked up and I am keen to get back to the car; but as the sun sets in to a blood red sky over the Cheshire/Manchester conurbation in the distance, maybe, just maybe, I do not want to linger in the valley of the demon for too long after dusk.


    References and further reading


    Garner, A. (2003): The Valley of the Demon: The writing of Thursbitch 

    Lewis-Lycett, E. (The Local Mythstorian: Death of the Jagger: John Turner and the mysterious birth of Jenkin Chapel

  • FRA Outdoor First Aid Course

    FRA Outdoor First Aid Course

    By Helen Parry

    Last weekend I completed the FRA recommended 2 day (16 hours) Outdoor First Aid course and I would highly recommend anyone who organises or marshals at fell races. In fact, I would recommend it to anyone who gets out and about ,enjoying the hills and mountains – running, walking, biking, horse riding, hang gliding………the list is endless. Whether you are on top of Kinder or a high Lake District fell, or just having a stroll up the Goyt valley, it can be invaluable. I was also not the only Strider on the course ….hello to Mark Richards who came all the way up from Oxford.

    “Does my arm look bug in this?”

    I decided to do the course at first purely because I often marshal and was involved in an incident on the Whaley Waltz about 4 years ago on the top of Windgather. The incident turned out fine thankfully, but it did leave me the thought of what could I have done differently. I also then thought about what I would do if I came across an injured or ill person while just out by myself. Or if someone with me became ill or injured. What if my phone has no signal? I do have some degree of knowledge being a nurse, but the situation is so much different on a bleak hilltop when the wind is blowing a hooley and mountain rescue could potentially be more than an hour away. I also wanted to know what the best kit is to have with you if an incident arises. That led me to discovering the FRA Outdoor First Aid course.

    I first completed it in Feb 2018 (last weekend’s course was a 3-year update). It was held at Woodhead MRTs centre. A lovely place inside but, being February, we had rain, sleet, hail and snow. All ideal conditions to lie outside on a cold hill playing at being injured while another person tried to help you. My overriding memory was trying to save an “injured” Nicky Spinks. However, it did bring home the reality of how difficult a situation can be if you are in more remote locations. This year’s course was held in the more lovely and user-friendly setting of Youlgreave and it was a lovely warm June weekend. The outdoor scenarios this time were held near to Youlgreave cricket pitch/park.

    Resus mannequins


    The course itself involves a mix of class-based discussions,(Covid secure) hands on sessions using resus mannequins, and then practising moving and positioning skills on each other. It is informative and interactive and very sociable. It seems a little perverse to say this about a first aid course, but it was fun. On the second day, we moved to the outdoors and practiced the learnt skills on scenarios. There is no exam at the end (hurrah). The course is an ongoing assessment with an extremely easy short multiple-choice question at end of day one. You are assessed by the instructor throughout the course. The course is ideal for any mountain/outdoor education leader.

    You can do a lot with a buff!


    If you want to do a course like this then I would encourage you to do so. It does not mean that you should feel obliged to be a designated first aider on a race if you do not want to. What it does mean is that you will feel more confident in dealing with a situation if you are out on the hills regardless of whether you are marshalling or running a fell race. This course is not just about how to patch up cuts and bruises to injured runners at the end of a fell race (you do not really need a first aid course to stick a plaster on) nor is it wholly like a work based first aid course even though much of that is covered too. In fact, one of the reasons Nicky Spinks did the course was not only because she is a hard fell runner; she is also did it because she is a farmer, and dangerous situations can come with the territory. For me, it is about trying to keep an injured/sick person (and yourself) safe/alive until help arrives. It is about using what kit you have to hand to help a person that is not necessarily in comprehensive first aid kit. (Although ideal personal kit is discussed) It is amazing how useful roll mats and bike inner tubes can be when you do not have bandages or sling. Or what you can use a buff for (no not a hat). I really hope I never have to use the skills but at least Ill be more confident now if an incident does arise.

    For more info on the course The FRA first aid coordinator and course facilitator is Ian Winterburn (everythingoutdoor@btinternet.com). The course costs £85 currently

  • February – The Long and the Short of it. A not quite race report

    By Mary Jones (This article was originally posted in Mary’s Blog)

    February is too short.

    Our running club has set a championship challenge (in lieu of races) to run a fast 5k during February. The route choice is your own. Hence lots of Goyt Valley Striders have been throwing themselves off the top of big hills and hurtling down in an attempt to break the land speed record.

    My first attempt was misjudged. I found a big hill, ran down it: I won’t bore you with the details but I still had a lot of 5km left when I got to the bottom. I ended up running back through the village at 6pm on a Friday night, dodging the socially distanced chippy queue, which must have cost valuable seconds. It was still my fastest ever 5k but I thought I could do better.

    The shortness of February meant that I didn’t have time to recover properly before having to do another attempt.

    Attempting a route tried and tested by my better (at least at running) half, I took myself up another hill on a fine early spring day. I stood for a moment at the top of the hill and looked across the valley. The sun glinted on the reservoir. My other option for this morning was to go for a swim – why didn’t I choose the swim?

    I started to run down hill. I tried to increase both my stride and my cadence until it felt like I was flying – I remember this feeling as a child – running down hill without a care in the world. Running faster and faster. Leaning in to the descent like superman.

    I tried to keep up the momentum, even when the road took a slight upwards trajectory briefly, but my legs and lungs were burning. My breath was noisy in my throat. I know the next descent is shorter and soon my route will turn flat and I will no longer be able to rely on gravity to keep me going.

    I turn on to the trail. The second half of my 5k will be flat. Now it’s my legs, not the gradient of the path that must keep up the momentum. There are no runners ahead of me, no runners behind me, and no-one waiting to cheer me over the finish line, but this is still a race. This is the club championship, lockdown style.

    One mile to go. My body wants to give up but I have come this far and I am not doing this again! The pace no longer feels free and easy. I come to the end of the trail and drop down on the the canal. A moment of descent but it is not enough to gain any more momentum. Nearly there… and stop. My legs shake and I cough as my lungs try to recover. The coughing attracts stares from the families walking along the canal. I start to walk, I can’t run any more, my heart rate needs to return to normal. My legs need to stop shaking.

    I walk along the canal in the spring sunshine. A man walking in front of me in green wellies sings along to Frank Sinatra playing in his headphones: “Let me see what spring is like on Jupiter and Mars”. I don’t want to start running again and break the reverie of this moment. I listen a minute and then I start to jog again and overtake him as he sings along to ‘The Girl from Ipenema: “She stares ahead but not at me”

    I get home, download my run to Strava and run it through this website which will calculate the fastest 5k in the route. I was 7 seconds slower than last week’s run.

    February has also been too long.

    We have been in lockdown for what seems like years. This is lockdown number 2 or 3, depending on how you count – and I don’t count the not-lockdown before Christmas because I was still going to work and my children were still going to school.

    The government have finally released the long awaited road map out of lockdown. Now anyone who knows me will know that I am not good with maps but even I have noticed the ominous words ‘no sooner than…’ before every date where things might get released. ‘No sooner than’, which means that if it all goes tits up after any of the previous dates, and the dreaded R rate starts to climb, then it ain’t going to happen.

    England Athletics' roadmap back to normality
    England Athletics’ roadmap back to normality

    England Athletics have kindly translated the roadmap for the running community:

    I dream of summer fell races. The ‘turn up – pay a fiver – run up a big hill – run down a big hill – pray you don’t come last’ kind of races. I hope they can go ahead. I have entered the Manchester Marathon in October. The atmosphere at the first few big events will be amazing. I am looking forward to a summer of parkrun, gigs, music festivals, theatre. I am trying to remain optimistic but I am glad I am not the organiser of a summer event (any more).