Running - Trail 2:11:12 [4] 26.09 km (5:02 / km) +980m 4:14 / km
slept:8.0 weight:73.3kg shoes: Xtalon 212 #7 (IHMR'15)
Totley Exterminator 3rd. Winner: Steve Franklin 2:06ish.
I'd initially planned to train hard through this but after Tuesday took it a bit easier, the last 4 weeks have been good preparation for the planned next 8. Recce'd the route (as it needs it), then heard Steve was fancying a fast time, and given he normally finishes behind me in long races maybe I should as well. Steve, Nails, Aiden and myself on the startline so up for a good race!
Kept it fairly easy in a pack of 6 up to Blacka Trig (one of the other guys was a Saucony sponsored 14:20 5k/3:50 1500 runner from Scotland but living in Leeds) then played my only wurzel line (thank you RashRouteRicky's GPS trace!) of the day to the gate to get a lead. A group of Steve, Neil and myself formed (Aiden off the pace), with the other two easing away slightly up Pipers. And it pretty much stayed that way. A duff line off Stanage missing my turn in the bracken cost me a minute or so and I could hear gates closer behind me than I'd like, but kept sensible and the effort level honest.
Steve pulled away from Neil up Mitchell Field (given Steve does a lot of training on Piper's hill he reckons Neil went a little too hard here). I felt OK if a bit heavy legged and lacking a bit of oomph, but fairly pleased with this. Mince on the steeper slippery/brackeny descents mind, but keeping it safe.