Glossopdale Christmas Social

Yesterday was my second ever club run with the Glossopdale Harriers, and it was to be a fun one. Saturday morning brought a covering of snow, maybe an inch at best by home. But yesterday was much better.

Tim as camera man

It was the club social - a morning run and and afternoon of merriment, awards ceremony and socialising. I thought I'd make the effort to get out with the club given that I'm joining in a few weeks. I was disappointed Mr Budd couldn't join us due to his phantom toe injury but I'd announced I was going so run I did. It was strange though, him holding the camera and me running off up the track. Tables turned for once. Or so I thought.

Path up to Spring Cabin above Mossy Lea

It was also strange running on the white stuff....a new experience for me. Our route took us from Old Glossop up to James Thorn, a route I know well. The stony track was not totally snow covered, in parts a river was flowing down it so careful foot placement on the way up was called for - I didn't want icy cold feet at the start of a 2 hour snow run. That'd be daft. The track soon disappeared into fog and the run took on an eerie feeling as leaders in front and those behind me were fuzzed out of sight.




After a couple of regroups we all made it to the pond below James Thorn. We then split into A and B groups - the snow was making running a challenge to say the least and it's good for moral if the slower runners don't feel like they're holding back those that were bestowed with mountain hare genes at birth. It was here that a strange creature in mountaineering boots, crampons, walking sticks and a big rucksack came charging up the hill.....yey, Tim was chasing us. What a surprise, though I'd secretly thought he might do just that. I know he was utterly gutted not to be out running, so having done a few short walks in hard boots he'd discovered it didn't especially bother his toe injury.

Footsteps in the snow

So, with Tim joining the B group we turned northwards and into a icy blast of wind. I quickly discovered the jacket I'd borrowed from Tim wasn't windproof, as I'd thought...so I slipped on my Montane smock and was happily getting cosy again.

A few of the B group  heading north towards Dowstone Clough

It's here the terrain turned interesting. We'd been following a trod already flattened by the rest of the group, but now the 6 of us were route finding over peat groughs and into snow drifts - lots of fun, if a little hard going. There's no path anyway, so it really is just a matter of trying to find the best line. A brief stop was made very merry by the warming hip flask containing blackberry vodka, thanks to Tim for carrying that!  

Gladly the fog lifted and we were rewarded for our efforts with amazing views, the sun warming us a little, and sightings of a few real mountain hares who were disturbed from their snow holes by us.

Me in the blue jacket....attempting to stay upright!

Over the top of Dowstone Clough we now turned west and were soon at Dog Rock and without any delay we were swallowed up by the rest of the group who'd been up to Higher Shelf trig. I should have mentioned before, some of the club had turned up in fancy dress - most amusing. The image of a nun (John H) chasing a man in a kilt (John S) down Yellowslacks will stay with me for quite a while.

The A group running towards Yellowslacks

A brief chat ensued after the two groups had fully become one again then it was off...and off at a pace too. I've never run in snow before, not really walked in it much to be honest, so this was all a very new experience for me. So far I'd managed to keep up with the group...well the slower ones anyway. Now it was different. As soon as the slope took on a decent degree of downwards slope the whole lot of em were off....no way I was keeping up so I slowed and walked the last bit.

Looking towards Glossop from Yellowslacks

How they managed to all stay upright running down Lightside is beyond me, but it did look fun! When I got to the track they'd all gone! I expect they thought I was walking off with Tim but he could have easily run down even in boots and crampons, it was I that was the slower one, I that didn't know how to run down a steep slope in snow, I that was scared of falling over and hurting myself. I'll work on that one - it's surely a mental battle I need to overcome. Still, some guidance or support on that final bit would have been good.

So, off home to shower and change then over to a club members house for an afternoon of good food, various homemade beverages and lots of socialising. There was also the awards ceremony for the club, which this year included a few new trophies, including best newcomer ...and that award goes to Tim...well done. Now he's got a trophy for the mantelpiece and is a happy lad.

As I wrote in my Aspirations blog I plan to join the Glossopdale Harriers....we I have done just that. Paid my dues yesterday and will be obtaining the club vest very soon. More thoughts and ponderings on running with a club will no doubt follow.