Today we headed out to Edale for a 11 miler around the Hope Valley. We arrived at just before 9am and the weather was looking a little hazy up on the hills but the sun was out so it would clear out as we got up onto the tops.
Matty was the only taker from the club for today due to a couple of the others contracting niggles and dropping out. Matty has been with the club a few weeks now and is beginning to feel the benefit of the work that I’m putting him through, so this was his next challenge; his first fell run. I had also arranged to meet up with my friend Kev to come along for this run. I met Kev on and ultra this year and we just hit it off, we together from the half way point and just chatted all the way round and we finished as joint 3rd male in the race! This would be our first run together since the ultra so it was really good to see him again and run a couple of the same trails we ran on the ultra.
The weather had been a tad hazy on drive down but was already starting to clear by the time we arrived in Edale car park. The sun was out and it was mostly clear, some of the low clouds were already being burnt off by the sun. We pulled up and got out the car to stretch our legs, I gave Kev a text to let him know I’d arrived whilst Matty and I got changed into our running gear.
Kev came striding across the car park with a big smile on his face, donning the fell runner attire I know him for, we all exchanged greetings and prepared to head out. After drinking a bit of coffee before heading out on the drive down, I was eternally grateful that the Edale car park has a toilet!
The route I had chosen starts out with fairly steady climb before a good scramble up Grindsbrook. from there we head to Low Kinder trig point, Brown Knoll trig point, Lords Seat and Mam Tor before finally descending just before Back Tor.
As we set off, I was acutely conscious that this was Matty’s first fell run and the climb start could be a little disheartening if he wasn’t ready for it. Thankfully, I’d done my best to prepare him for it on the drive down. Everyone, is shocked when they do they first fell run. It’s a real eye opener (particularly for those people who mostly run in cities/town on nicely paved pathways) when suddenly you have 14% (plus) inclines where there is no obvious place to put your feet!
Anyway, we got set off on the starting climb. Myself and Kev chatting all the way. Matty, not so much, but no blaming him there! The climb up Grindsbrook was the challenge it always is but the thing I like about those climbs is when you turn around and are presented with the awesome view!
After taking a moment to appreciate the view, not to catch our breath…honest! We turned round and headed out along the flagged path. I have to admit at this point, that I much prefer running the trails to flag stoned paths, thankfully there’s plenty of breaks down this route.
We made the first trig point on Low Kinder in pretty good condition, by now the sky was clear and it was starting to get a tad on the warm side. I’d made the decision not to run with any hydration, I can usually manage without for about 15 miles as my sweat rate is pretty low, but these hills can catch you out sometimes you think you’re feeling cool but actually losing salt without realising.
The second trig point on Brown Knoll came round quite fast and before long we were at Lord’s Seat. What a view! The image really doesn’t do it justice!
We skirted Mam Tor and continued on to Back Tor, by this time Matty was dropping back a bit as the fatigue was starting to kick in. He regularly runs 10 miles, but 11 miles on this terrain is the equivalent of running a pacey half marathon! I expect him to be aching a bit tomorrow! We dropped down back to Edale car park just before Back Tor and finished up with a well deserved pint!
I was really pleased with how Matty got on with this run, hopefully now the hills at home will be a bit less intimidating after tackling the highest point in the Peak District today!
