Fell running race 32:56 [5] 6.35 km (5:11 / km) +445m 3:50 / km
shoes: Innov8 Xtalon 2017 #2
Great Whernside English Champs FR 36th
Tried to keep it steady at the start but by the top of the second ramp I was in a world of pain and lactic was consuming my body. Watched Jack, Ben and Nic run away from me here. After the house halfway Mark Roberts came past but nipped back ahead of him and Nic on the steeper section. Had just about recovered at this point and started working my way back to Jack, Ben and surprisingly a fading Will Neill. Got back past Jack on the last climb and put a bit of a gap between us but not far enough.
Turned at the top in ~40th and chased on to a guy overtaking him eventually but then went up to my waist in a marsh and lost all my momentum. Jack closed and came back past, I nearly wiped him out by accident but he spurred me on to get motoring again. Set off hard after Pete Hodges (who I'd had my eyes on overtaking at the top) and eventually got him coming in to the finiship fields. Managed to get a bonus Mark Roberts just at the end too.
Lungs were not prepared for this, maybe I do need to do more speed work? Got beat by Winskill despite not seeing him all race? But only 1min behind Pete, I'll take that.
Best chanps short race finish and just off my best placing full stop. Strong field out today!