Kinder Downfall Fell Race 2015

Wormstones catching the morning sun as
I run towards Chunal Cabin

The training for my marathon is going well and it's amazing to think that 3 years ago just running this 16km fell race was a daunting prospect. So imagine how chuffed I feel today for deciding to run from Glossop to Hayfield, and then run the race today!

The flagstones towards Mill Hill

I set off at about 8.15am, giving myself plenty of time to do the 13-14km route over to Hayfield in time for the 11.30am race start. Knowing I'd be running about 30km today I took it steady, walking most of the uphill sections up to Chunal Cabin, and up to the flags on Mill Hill. Then I settled into a great rhythm on the flags (pausing only to take photos), running all the way up to Mill Hill and down to the bottom of the steep climb onto the Kinder Plateau. I can't (yet) run all the way up the steep section there, but I picked out a big stone that I'd aim for in the race and managed to run to it on the way over. Just another 150 paces and I'd be at the top. It was actually really good to do a recce on race day, and the temptation to just keep running round the edge path was really strong as I approached Sandy Heys. I'd only seen a couple of walkers and the way ahead was basking in sunny solitude...a bit different to how it would be in a few hours. But, the race was entered, and it is a club champs counter so down the hill I went.

Kinder corner....the final steep climb onto the plateau

From the bottom of Sandy Heys/William Clough I took the race route backwards....up to the White Cabin and down the Snake Path. The 13km or so route took me just under 2 hours. A super run over in glorious t-shirt sunshine, just a little chilly so gloves mostly on. I arrived into Hayfield and made my way to the scout hut. Lovely to bump into Hayley and have a chat, then onto registration via the ever-tempting Pete Bland sales....and yes, a new pair of shoes. Mudclaw 300s for me, pair #2. They'll be stored until the autumn.

Snake Path and White cabin in distance

The usual lovely pre-race banter ensued and I changed my top layers for fresh dry ones. I reckon the wind picked up a bit too before the race started so arm warmers back on, but jacket stashed. Dave Soles did a great pre-race start speech....the main take away was don't dilly-dally on the route as he wanted to be in the pub watching football later in the afternoon!

Soon enough there was the bustle of runners squeezing up the road to pick up the Snake Path. I always feel like there's a surge of everyone coming past me in the start of a race, but I settled into my own pace and managed to run to the first stile. I then did a run-walk-run-walk strategy (aka getting out of breathe then trying and failing to recover my breathing) all the way to the White Cabin. Various Glossopdale Harriers were just in sight ahead of me, but they all just stretched out the gap between us.

I wanted to push a little on here but my legs felt heavy. I know that the trod down to the bottom of William Clough offers few passing places, but I seemed to have found my pace and didn't actually need to pass except one person. Next comes the uphill section in William

the start of William Clough

Diagonal descent to bottom of
William Clough

Clough. Fairly dry today so plenty of choices to make on the route. Soon enough the steps at the top came, various comments were made about how tough it was from my fellow racers around me, but to be honest it wasn't as bad as I remembered it from 2012. Up to the finger post, thank you to the marshals, and on to the steep climb onto Kinder plateau. I made it running to my big stone, then continued to walk all the way to the top, 150 paces just as recced a few hours earlier. Thanks to Jude for the water, much appreciated.

The edge path should, essentially be relatively easy but you need total focus on the stones, lose rocks and lumps and bumps that you pass over. At some point here I was joined by Stagger of the forum and we exchanged conversation most of the way round to somewhere near Red Brook. I just couldn't shake him! My legs felt heavy and I was conscious that I could run out of water. Hmmm.

View from Sandy Heys over to Red Brook earlier in the morning 

View from Sandy Heys with South Head and the dragons
back in the distance (taken earlier in the morning)

At Kinder Downfall I was buoyed by Harshan taking photos - thanks for the big cheer, it really did pick me up. I traded places with a few runners around me, conscious that if I relaxed too much I'd slip further and just want to sit down. The temptation to stop and take photos was immense. I resisted. Next up was Kinder Low trig and then a hello to a friends son, duly on duty with jelly babies for his mum. Down the flags and I run on the soft edges catching a lady. We chat a bit (good luck with your 12hr race next week) then I pass and just eek a few metres ahead on the approach to Edale Cross.

Around here I hear a familiar voice....Nev urging me on, well it worked as although he passed me I managed to stay in touch with him down the grassy path, over the stile (hi to Geoff marshaling) across the traverse trod and into the fields. I'm flagging and fading quite nicely by now, but its too late to try and dig out some food. I have a little water left so refresh my mouth and push on. I tell Nev I'll see him at the end but in the first field I feel good and open up my stride and seem to be catching...I wonder if I can make that stile before him....push push push and I do! and the next stile...and the next. In fact I keep Nev just on my heals all the way down until we pass the Luvshack and hit the hard surface of the road. Here Nev pulls away from me a little and I let him. Legs are heavy and I don't want to end up walking in to the end so with about 2km left I get into a pace I can hold on with.

Nev is only just ahead by 20-25m. He says he'll pick off a few runners now so I keep the distance in check and sure enough I think we overtake 2 or 3 runners. I'd like to think that I could have got past Nev in the playground but he's experienced and I know he'll have something left for the finish straight so I give him the place and just concentrate on not stopping. I can't now anyway, there's a whole gaggle of Glossopdale Harriers shouting me in, Tim's voice the loudest!! Thanks, I definitely can't stop with such support bringing me in.

Round the corner and into the finish line. Apologies if I ignored anyone there or in the field....I found myself

thanks to MossieNet for the photo
www.flickr.com/photos/mossienetphotography/

on the floor wanting to recover but ended up with cramp in my right leg. There followed a comedic conversation with Tim telling me to 'just stand up' and me replying 'not on your nelly' (maybe not so politely). A good few moments passed and I'd recovered a little. There's some good chat but soon feeling cold me and Tim head back to the scout hut to change. Cake and a drink, sunshine and results, more delightful chat and then we're done. My time wasn't on the board when we left. Tim did astounding given he ran the Three Peaks yesterday, coming in 21st today. Good to see all my fell running friends out having a blast on such a glorious sunshine day. Thank you to Dave, the marshals, tea and cake people and everyone else that got this race happening.

I'm raising funds for Glossop Mountain Rescue Team by running the Howgills Trail 26 marathon (3 weeks today) - head over to Just Giving if you'd like to sponsor me, thank you!

*Update*
Full results now published, my official time is 1:54:19, and 220th/266.  In 2012 when I last did this race I was 245th/272 in 1:53:39. So, 40secs slower this time, but I did do a 13km warm up run over to the start line! Well pleased :)

Recce of the Kinder Downfall fell race

My marathon training is progressing well, and this week's long run was due today as I'm out in the hills all this weekend teaching navigation. I decided at the last minute to join friends from Glossopdale Harriers on their recce of the Kinder Downfall fell race. I know the route, but just fancied running with other people, at least for part of my run. The race route is only 16km, and I needed to be out 3 or so hours, which in distance terms could be anything from 15-20km-ish depending on ascent and motivation.

Leaving Hayfield along the race route I had planned to see how I felt at Kinder Low trig point, and if feeling good I'd extend the run back to Hayfield via South Head and Mount Famine. That's exactly what I did, and managed to get Sharn and Barry to join me too! So it was a band of six until Edale Cross, then Nev, Malc and Tony continued on the race route and us three picked up the flags round to South Head. I'll let the photos speak for how enjoyable the run was....

Approaching the White Cabins before descending down to
Kinder Reservoir and the bottom of William Clough

Exploring the path options in William Clough

My running companions as we've reached the edge path

Running towards Sandy Heys and Kinder Downfall

Blue gear and blue skies at Kinder Downfall

My last marathon training run was on Sunday and me and Zoe were on Kinder edge path in very different weather conditions...wow, what a contrast today - a gentle breeze and t-shirts!

My last recce of Kinder Downfall race route in full was back in 2012, the year I ran the race.

Marathon Training and the Paris-Roubaix

Kit packed & ready

Yesterday was the classic Paris-Roubaix cycle race, and the Chinley Churners Cycling Club had organised a Spring Classic tribute Sportive plus a screening of the race afterwards in the Papermill pub, Chinley. Tim was riding the sportive, so I took the chance to get a long point-to-point run in from Glossop to Chinley. I needed about 3 hours or so in my legs, distance to be approx 25km. With my route planned, I managed to recruit fellow Glossopdale Harrier, Zoe, to join me.

Our route took us from Old Glossop, up past Shelf Benches, behind James Thorn, over to Higher Shelf Stone trig point, then along Crooked Clough and to Snake pass summit. The forecast of rain was doing what it should, and so far staying north of us. A stiff Southwesterly breeze was taking care of that, and already giving us a hint of what was to come.

Zoe running up onto the edge of Kinder

As we ran along the flags from Snake summit we spent time trying to find a faint trod off to one side that would, were we to be going that way, get us back down towards Glossop. We think we found the general area....the finer navigation on that one needs some work. The ebb and flow of the paving flags and a steady running pace soon got us to Mill Hill and Zoe's declaration that she was going to run all the way up Kinder corner...which she promptly did, hats off to her! I managed to get to the top without firstly stopping my steady walk pace, and secondly being blown off. The wind was clearly picking up.

I collected Zoe from her sheltered spot behind the cairn and we headed on towards the Downfall, more aptly

Looking back down to Mill Hill from Kinder corner

viewed yesterday as the Upfall. It was doing it's classic thing of being blown straight back up and over the path. Along from Sandy Heys we adopted a comedic style of 'running' which involved guessing where your foot was going to be blown as you attempted to stay on the path - or not as the case was several times! The wind was so strong that we seriously considered linking arms to prevent ourselves ending up in Yorkshire.

A vague lull in the wind enabled us to negotiate our way past the Upfall without getting completely drenched, and found ourselves in a slightly sheltered spot. I felt battered. My legs were going ok, and my lungs. But all over body weariness from fighting against the wind was certainly adding to the challenge of my longest training run to date. I'm pretty sure that each kilometre of our run should be worth 1.5km, from the effort point of view if not actual distance covered.

Picking our way through the rocky undulating path we passed Red Brook, and soon found ourselves at Kinder Low trig point. Next up was some peaty loveliness and heather bashing across to Edale Rocks, then picking up more flagstones down to the path towards Brown Knoll. Thankfully we weren't going the way that the bog-monster lives, but bearing off to the right and over to South Head. By now we'd been going for about 3hrs, therefore my target of a 3hr run had been achieved. So, the decision was made to make our way directly to Chinley and get ourselves a good seat for watching the Paris-Roubaix.

the approach to South Head

a tad windy on top of South Head - check out Zoe's fringe!!

With map in hand (I don't know the paths down off South Head) we fought against the wind some more, down to the fields on the approach to Chinley. At the bottom of the road, just before the Old Hall in Chinley we'd clocked about 25.5km in a wind-challenged 3:44 (moving time of 3:19....did we really faff that long, or were were going backwards in the wind!). Anyway, Job Done on the training front. Time to relax and await Tim's return from the sportive. Many thanks to Zoe, without her company I'm sure the run to Chinley would have been far more of a struggle, and definitely less entertaining.

Thanks to the Chinley Churners Cycling Club and the Old Hall/Paper Mill for a putting on a great event. The buzz in the pub after the sportive was brilliant, as was the very welcome log fire.

Tim's final climb on the sportive

and into the finish he goes, well done, 2:40 I think was his time!

Kinder Downfall Run & Scramble

A lovely dry, warm September's day dawned and we had plans to head up to Kinder Downfall via River Kinder. We parked at Bowden Bridge and ran along to Kinder Reservoir, along to the bottom of William Clough then beared eastwards. The path along here was overhanging with bracken....and then something red caught our eyes....

 

My knowledge of mushrooms is more or less limited to those you by in the greengrocers, are edible and tasty. I do however know that wild mushrooms are usually poisonous, or at best to be avoided unless an expert says they're ok. Identifying mushrooms is fraught with dangers, many looking similar. In this case, I think I'm safe in naming these as Amanita muscaria, or Fly Agaric....and yes, they are poisonous. Please do let me know by commenting on this blog if I'm wrong - or to confirm I'm right!

After this delightful distraction looking at the numerous mushrooms and taking pictures we continued on our run, around past Red Brook and into the River Kinder.

Looking back down the river

Sandy Heys, with Kinder Downfall hidden round the corner

Still a few bilberries scattered around here

The downfall now in view

That slab was harder to get over than it looks,
but I did take the interesting route up river

The Kinder Downfall - at least the trickle of water was
falling,  not doing the famous blowing back upwards!

Woohooo!!!

Nearing the top of the scramble

and right under the downfall

Looking towards Mount Famine and South Head

As we topped out onto the edge path we came across three stranded sheep on a ledge, clearly they'd eaten all the vegetation on it and the only option down was about a 20ft drop. We've got photos of their tags and will be seeking out the farmer so we can let them know.

Three stuck sheep

The run back along the edge, down Sandy Heys and back to Bowden Bridge was lovely. I'm really enjoying the combination of a run-scramble-see new areas kind of outing. Believe it or not, we both went to areas on the ground neither of us had been to before. Even though we've both run around the area loads there is still places to explore and find that give you new views and experiences.

Frozen Glory

Today dawned crisp and clear. A great day for a long run. I'd pondered going to Pendle with Tim and doing my own long run version of the full tour but decided I'd like to be home by lunch rather than spending time travelling.

My plan was to set out from Glossop, go up to Chunal cabin, Mill Hill, then around the Kinder Downfall fell race and return home whichever way took my fancy. Being icy and crunchy underfoot I thought today was a good opportunity to break the Orocs out of the box. They've patiently been waiting in the cupboard since May. The temperature was set to stay around freezing until mid morning, and setting out at 8.30am I reckoned on the ground staying hard all the way round. It did. Great.

Wormstones catching the morning rays, taken near Chunal cabin

Looking down on Mill Hill as I climb up onto Kinder edge path

James Thorn and Higher Shelf Stones in the sunshine, distant right horizon

What's not so great is that I had to abandon my run in Hayfield. I'd felt a small niggle in my left heal fairly early on but dismissed it as a new-shoe-twinge. Sadly by Kinder Downfall it was a hot spot verging on blister but I didn't want to look. I didn't want it to be real.

Kinder Downfall...a little ice but mostly white foam 

I could have gone back home from the downfall, but took a big swig of HTFU and continued. I ignored the growing pain, tightened my laces and carried on running on what otherwise was an absolutely amazing run. I was going slowly, but this was a planned 28km run so no speeding required. The views were stonking. So so clear....I could make out distant chimneys and power stations on the west coast easily. Looking eastwards there were smoke stacks I couldn't place...Nottingham perhaps? Certainly in that direction by a long way.

Kinder Low trig point with Hope cement works chimney in the distant right

Mount Famine and South Head

I paused briefly at the LuvShack (those of you who know this place know where I mean) to beg a plaster...cheers Andy!! I was now seriously contemplating bailing in Hayfield and had been doing so but shutting out those thoughts since Kinder Low trig. Damn. Such a good day. Feeling so good about this long run. Perhaps the pain will bugger off now I'd put on a plaster. Would the magic of a 5cm bit of sticky plaster work? Running from Bowden Bridge through the campsite I swiftly turned across the river and up the hill to test the heal pain 'going up' a short stretch. The route I had planned would involve probably another 400-500m ascent and about 13km. On the tiny uphill section my heal screamed at me to stop. Damn. Bailing it was.

After loitering around Hayfield for about half an hour I got the bus back to Glossop (£2.60 if you ever need this option). The wait gave me plenty of time to wonder...how would it have been if I'd carried on? Did I make the right decision? Well yes I did. But sitting here typing in my fluffy slippers and no pain with the sun still beaming down on the hills I so so wish I could have continued. I'll do the route again soon, this time maybe not wearing new shoes. Perhaps that was a foolish error, not to worry, I'm keen and human! Plus, I'm home and safe.

I've written a short blog on the equipment I used/carried today here.

Misty

In my non-racing mode today but still needing a long run of around 2hrs 20mins I headed out from Hayfield up onto Kinder. The weather had pretty much dried up, but there was still loads of misty claggy cloud hanging on to the Kinder Plateau. Running in the opposite direction to the racers in the Kinder Trog my plan was to cheer on as many Glossopdale Harriers and other fell running friends as I could, yet still get a decent run in myself. Here's a few photos from my run:

The White Cabin - a distant speck under the central summit of The Knott - my eventual target before dropping down into Hayfield

Kinder shrouded in claggy cloud with the full flow of the Downfall just visible

Heading up the steep rocky steps to Kinderlow End

Looking down Red Brook

Kinder's edge path with the Downfall hidden in the clag - this was about as clear as it got!

Kinder Downfall - the most water I've ever seen going over it...and it was going down, not up as it usually does despite the blustery wind

Rocky steps down from the western end of Kinder....descending into more claggy cloud

Legs in perfect sync!! Some of the front runners here at Mill Hill

Tim is just visible on his way down from Mill Hill....before the climb up to Kinder's edge path

Claire Aspinall of Pennine Fell Runners looking strong and relaxed over Mill Hill. Congratulations on winning 2nd lady.

No. 65 - Andrea Minshull - who would have been my invisible tow-rope had I been racing. Well done on coming in about an hour faster than you'd expected!!!

My final descent down the Snake Path back into Hayfield. The path seemed strangely longer than I remembered!

My plan worked well - I headed out from Bowden Bridge about 50mins before the start of the race and I had thought I'd be at the Downfall to see the front guys. Slight adjustment on my timings had me at the Downfall with approx 20mins to spare, so I thought, so I carried on, not wanting to get chilled in the clag. I guestimated I could get to the western point of Kinder, just 2.5-3km away in time to see them climbing up. Not to be. The clag was fully down and my plan was scuppered. So I dropped down (and then slightly up) to Mill Hill, not knowing if I'd been passed in the clag on slightly faster trods than the edge path. Nope. Pretty much perfect timing. After only 2-3minutes the first guys came past.

Much cheering, clapping and general support giving done and I was starting to chill after 20mins or so. I had chatted to someone who'd come up William Clough - and they'd reported a muddy torrent. So, using my inbuilt compass and a bit of local knowledge I heather bashed and popped out nicely at the White Cabin to the east of The Knott. Legs are a little scratched, but I took the opportunity to practice high feet lifting in the heather. There is apparently a trod down by the grouse butts, which I used briefly, but in the clag I just took a bearing and bee-lined. It worked. And timing back into Hayfield was good too, giving me just enough time to change, have a quick drink and see the race winner come through the finishing funnel.

A grand run. My run was just under 2hrs 15mins; 14.37km. I think my heart rate was a little high compared to what I should have run but the wind was so noisy I couldn't hear the garmin alert...it must have been going crazy at some points. Oooops. Sorry running coach. Will try harder next week.