I think I have run one ‘fell’ style race. It was up Win Hill god knows how long ago, and I think I did alright (this was before my Strava days), and I distinctly remember nearly obliterating a drystone wall on my descent. I’m not too sure why I haven’t done any others, but Fiona’s Uncle had been mentioning a race known as the Trunce and that I should come down and have a go. 4-ish miles with 180-ish metres of climbing with 3 river crossings, yes please!
With my entourage in tow (Dad, Fiona, and Fiona’s Auntie Steph), we lined up at the start and watched the youth runners set off. Shortly after, with no more warning than catching 2… 1… Go… I was off. The pack was tight and I found it impossible to overtake, getting boxed between runners whilst others could creep up the edges. A sharp right turn and I began to claw my way up places. It goes from flat to a semi-steep climb, followed by another sharp left and flat but muddy and wet track. I lost count of the overtakes but managed to get to a group of similar paced runners. At the end of this is a long section of single track that descends steeply to the first river crossing. After quickly regretting my choice of worn sole SpeedGoat 5’s and practically surfing my way down, I attacked the water like a Labrador. I spotted the cameraman and cracked a smile, but as you can see, I don’t think the command reached my face…
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Along a short road section an elderly couple, who are a staple of the Trunce supporter scene, were spinning those ratcheted clackers and wooping as runner sped by, right, and down some steps in a recessed wall. Or, if you were the guy in front of me, leaping the metre or so straight down without breaking stride. This led to another climb which again became single track about halfway up through a stile. This persisted for what seemed an age, only split up by another section of farm track. Throughout this whole section I had held the heel of a runner in a hi-vis t-shirt, I later learned he was in the 60+ category.
The second river crossing went almost as well as the first, with an attempt to overtake both the hi-vis guy and a woman almost successful. She then proceeded to stop to tie her shoelace and a place was gained. I then overtook the hi-vis guy on the short hill section leading to the road. Not for long. As I picked up the pace on tarmac I couldn’t help but notice the slowly increasing volume of footsteps behind me, then next to me, then in front of me. I thought I was properly sprinting but was only averaging 4:20/km. All I could do was watch them slowly increase the gap back to the final river crossing.
What I hadn’t backed on was the final climb. I was under the impression that it would be a similar elevation to the first descent. Wrong. It’s about twice as high. After momentarily going the wrong way (thank you unknown runner who shouted LEFT at me), a long power walk was all that could be mustered, interspersed with little pockets of speed where the trail momentarily eased its approximate 20% grade. Needless to say I lost a couple places here, but they’d be the last.
The last kilometre and a bit is fast, very fast. From the high vantage point of clambering over the drystone wall at the top you can practically see the start. Here you do not run, you let yourself fall with style like Woody and Buzz. I could see the runner in front and I didn’t want to let the gap increase, and I didn’t. Ever so slowly I gained on him and on the last straight I engaged the afterburners… and proceeded to blow up about 30 metres from the finish. I had kicked too early and crossed the line with a chuntering thud. I can’t complain with 21st though!
Stats
Time: 31:43
Distance: 6.2km
Elevation: 187m
Average Pace*: 5:05/km
Average Speed*: 11.8kmph
Calories: 602
Average HR: 178bpm