Second Attempt - The Helsby 3 Peaks

Second Attempt - The Helsby Three Peaks

A cloudy day over Helsby's War Memorial

So no excuses today, no tumbling tummy, no beer festival blues, no feeling of ‘what the hell am I doing here’, today I’m totally prepared and have come for glory, I just wish someone had told my calfs that!

I'd decided from previous experience that I shouldn't just rock up to the start and run like hell till’ it’s all over, no today I’m going to warm up properly (apart from stretching, it’s not that serious) by jogging a little loop and shaking out whilst I mentally psyche my self up. So far so good and no chatty people!

It’s 8.30ish, it’s overcast, it’s cool conditions, it’s almost perfect, it’s time to go and I’m off...

I’m starting on the same route as last time but I’ve reccied a ‘parachute route’, if I don't go ‘arse over tit’ it will save me at least 20-30 seconds, not a lot but it could be the difference between success and failure. I take it easy on the big up to Helsby Trig but my calfs are getting tighter by the stride, so much for logic!

Helsby Trig 21:55, better than last time but I’m still not certain whether I should carry on with my tight calfs or just ease off and have a steady run back. Obviously I banish the thought of dropping and put my head down and stride it out. As much as I like Harmers (pool, farm, woods) I decide to take a different route today. My only worry now was the rush hour traffic around Helsby at this time of the day, luckily the six cars, two tractors and one horse passed without notable incident and I’m safely into the woods. It’s a bit muddier today and a few more acres of trees have been massacred but I make it to the top of Old Pale 1:07:00.  No time to take in the view and I’m off retracing my footsteps (yes, this is allowed) for a short period heading back to the monument with the promise (again) of the luxuries of Forest Hills.

I’m feeling at my best now, just legging it through the forest, I’m in a race, but there’s no one else to race except myself so I just carry on as fast as my legs will take me. I’m getting close to the finish and I haven't looked at my watch since Old Pale, but I know I’m motoring! It’s not often than I can get myself into such a state running alone but when it happens, it’s great.

The last stretch of road towards the hotel and my legs stick the ‘Vs’ up to me (not literally!) and say ‘that’s it mate, we’re done’, I squeezed the last bit of juice out of them by promising a weeks long rest in Cyprus, it worked and I crashed into the Monument gates in 1:49:38, YES almost 6 minutes faster than last time and 3 minutes off the (known) record! Todays route was 14.96 miles, a wee bit less than last time.

I will have my five minutes of glory (Sandstone Trail like) until it’s beaten which I’m sure it will be very soon. Remember though, by beating my record you will only make me stronger!

Happy running all, I’m off to Cyprus

Wallman