First Attempt - The Helsby Three Peaks

The Helsby Three Peaks

So here’s my account of my first bash at ‘The Helsby Three Peaks’ 

Belgium Beer Festival

Monday 10th October, I couldn't of felt much worse, the last 72 hours were a blur of coaches, chips, frikandels (bad Belgium sausage), beer and mohicans, that was the Belgium Beer Festival 2011!

I’m stood at the gate in the railings by the Frodsham War Memorial about to set off, trying to convince my body and mind that this is a great way to detox after the weekends antics when a gentleman appears giving me that smile and nod that can be taken as a ‘Oh, hello, I know you’ so after a nice 10 minute chat (brrrrrrrr) I was off....

I knew Chris (Helsby Runners) had clocked a time of 1 hour 52 minutes last week which was a tremendous effort. I also know that he did Frodsham to Helsby in under 20 minutes, another commendable accomplishment. I wasn't out to for the crown today but I did want to stretch my legs and suffer a bit (how else do you get better?).

I made it over familiar ground to the Helsby Trig in just over 22 minutes. I don’t think there’s a more direct way than what I took unless them Helsby boys have a secret network in those woods?

As the crow flies, The Helsby Three Peaks

Now it was a battle not to take the obvious road choice from the top so off over to Harmers I headed, gates, styles, mud and leaves for a bit then onto the road for a spell and into Delamere. The weather was threatening big rain and every now and again a small shower would cool me down but not quite bring on the down-pour I expected. Even though I was pushing it I seemed to be struggling. Mind games had to win over the tired legs and tumbling tummy. Now I know Delamere like the back of my hand but I still managed to add a small loop on that I could of missed out, lost brian cells perhaps?

Onto Pale Heights now and I can see the territory I’ve travelled and the territory that needs  to be overcome to get back. I’ve got 1 hour 11 minutes on my Garmin which sort of said to me ‘not bad, but I could get 2 hours if I don’t die any more’. I put my head down (to avoid any other chance encounters with talkative strangers) and set off back to Frodsham. I’d packed my towel and trunks (in the car) for a promised dip in the Forest Hills pool on my return, so with this in mind I strode forward and headed NNW back to the gate. 5 minutes from the finish the heavens opened and I got my welcomed cool down but no time to slip my waterproof on when so close to the finish.

After near impalement on the railings in my attempt to sprint finish and stop my watch at the same time I was back in 1 hour 55 minutes 33 seconds Distance 15.21 miles.

Good run, yes. Had it de-toxed me, no. Did I feel better for doing it, hell yes. Can I do better, watch this space!

Pool, sauna, jacuzzi here I come!

Wallman