Back in 2012, Bobbie decided to do something a little bit different: Well, where shall I begin? A few weeks ago I casually mentioned to Jo that I fancied the look of the Shutlingsloe Fell Run which was advertised on Bryan Dale’s website. That was my 1st mistake as Jo immediately jumped at the chance to try something different and it was decided that we would give it a go. After further investigation and from speaking to various people I realised that this race was going to be a bit more tricky than I first thought and as the day approached I became increasingly nervous. The day arrived, gloriously sunny and very hot at about 27c (my favourite running conditions – not!). The run was part of The Wildboarclough Fete which was held at a stately home. The venue was lovely and the scenery stunning. We quickly established which was the ‘hill’ we had to run up and I was horrified. It was a mountain! We registered for the race and at that point only 28 other people had registered and I started to feel a bit sick. We got talking to an experienced fell runner who told us that fell runs were graded from A to C with A being the hardest. Shutlingsloe was graded as an AS – the S representing steep!!!! We lined up at the start in an overgrown, uneven field. I think the field had reached about 68 by now. I knew I was going to be last as everyone looked very experienced. Thankfully Jo had promised that she wouldn’t be her usual speedy self and we would stay together. The whistle went and we were off. All the runners went speeding off and immediately it was clear that we were a bit out of our depth – oh well can’t give up now! We ran as fast as we could down the bank to the river. We had to cross the river which was about calf high. This was really nice as it was nice and cool. I could have quite easily stayed in there. Next we had to climb through Bluebell Wood. Easier said than done. This was really steep and very muddy with rocks. There was no way I could run and was using the trees to help me get up. At the top of the wood we came to a track along which we had to run along for a few hundred metres before the climb to the summit. The climb up the hill was very challenging. There were several stiles to cross and I’m not exaggerating when I say it was more of rock climbing exercise. There was no way I could run and was on all fours most of the time trying to climb up. Although it was very sunny it was extremely windy up there and I did feel rather apprehensive and scared. When you got to the summit you had to go round a check point and then come back down. This has got to be easier than going up, I thought. WRONG. There didn’t appear to be a natural path down and I really found it very difficult and spent most of the time on my bottom! Eventually we got down to the track and just had Bluebell Wood to get through again. It was harder going down as all the mud had been churned up by the front runners and again I spend most of the time on my bottom. When we got to the river on the way down it was so cooling I could’ve stayed there all day but alas we had to finish the race! Back to the field and just a short steep climb to the finish and everyone was clapping and cheering us. 1.9 miles clocked on my watch in approximately 42 minutes. My slowest race ever but I had done it!!! This may a bit of a negative review but on reflection I did enjoy it and felt a real sense of achievement at finishing. I don’t think I’ll be fell running again but glad I gave it a go and we had a lot of laughs both on the way up and down. I can’t finish without thanking Jo for sticking with me because if she hadn’t of done so I can guarantee that I would still be sitting at the top of that mountain waiting for someone to come and rescue me. Bobbie was back at Shutlingsloe in 2014 as part of the Staffordshire Moorland Summer Series... and conquered the mini-mountain all over again! |
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