We all met up on Friday night at our B&B in a rather wet and cloudy Hope, and over our evening pub supper - complete with Guinness! - we all got to know each other and talked through the itinerary for the weekend.
Night running; Easter egg hunting; running with poles ... there was plenty to get excited about!
Night running; Easter egg hunting; running with poles ... there was plenty to get excited about!
On Saturday morning we were up bright and early at 6.45am for our first trial run, getting the legs working and putting the guys through their paces. That first route is quite simply one of the best - probably no more than about 6 or 7 miles, and it rises from the back door right up Lose Hill, then along the ridge to Mam Tor before a fabulous long - and very muddy! - descent into Edale. Thanks to the snow the week before, there was still plenty of the white stuff up on the tops and along the ridge, but that - and the ‘atmospheric’ drizzle - all added to the fun.
With our first run over, we headed back to the B&B for a shower and well-earned breakfast - then straight out again, to Edale and the start of the Pennine Way, ready to start our ‘Navigation for Runners’ session. This class is a great intro to how to make navigation easy, and we keep it really simple, focusing on picking out what are the most important things to learn and how to do it while moving. We moved off the well- trodden Pennine Way to go straight up hill, taking it in turns to navigate form one point to the next. Hannele had a go at running with the poles, but kept trying to ski (well, she is Finnish!) so we decided to save the pole class for later …
Several hours later, after some runs along the balcony paths and a huge descent from Win Hill back into the village, we were tired and ready for a shower, change of clothes - and more food.
Sunday was Easter morning, and we made a slightly later start, leaving Castleton at 7 a.m. to run up the valley behind Pevril Castle. The Easter Bunny had obviously got up earlier than we did, and there were eggs waiting for us in the caves!
Our morning class focused on running downhill, including a stream crossing over some loose and slippery rocks, topped off by a fast walk up the valley to a great view over Castleton and the whole valley - if only we could have seen it.
It was a long descent over slippery wet grass back into the village, and yes, we all had our butts on the floor at some point! So, back for another recuperative shower, change, and yet more food. The rest of the day was spent relaxing in the cafes of Hathersage; indulging in a bit of retail therapy, and then some master classes on foot care for runners and the all-important question of kit - what to use; what not to use; the options available; sizes, colours, brands, etc.
Next, time for a snooze and a light bite - yes, more food! - before we headed out for the biggest run of the weekend - our night run. Having checked on the local weather, we brought the start time forward to avoid the heavy rain that was forecast - but luckily never materialised! We set off back up that long descent from yesterday - but in the other direction; that is, uphill! - to Win Hill, then down and back up across to Moscar Moors all the way across Stanage Edge to Burbage Rocks and into Longshaw - what a fantastic place! - along to Froggat Edge and then into Curbar and down to the Robin Hood pub. Sadly, no pint at the pub - but there are two good reasons for that: firstly, the pub was already closed for the night, and secondly, this is the end point of our night run and, yes, we need showers, changes of clothes, and more FOOD!
That was around 24 miles and just under 5 hours of running, in some pretty wet conditions. Hannele was spooked by a cow in the dark, and Simon clearly found more energy the further he ran, as he more or less sprinted the last leg! Cakes and hot drinks were waiting for us at the end (along with the fizzy fish & chips we’d snacked on along the way - you needed to be there!) So, it was straight back to Hope, where we were all showered and tucked up in bed by 11pm.
By the time we woke on Monday, the tiredness had definitely set in and Hannele’s legs had stopped working! But what a fabulous weekend …
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What an energetic weekend. I know the area well and regularly go walking there...I know my limits though.
ReplyDeleteSeems like you all enjoyed your visit to the Peak District though.