"Vanessa Chappell"

It was glorious weather with temperatures in the low twenties for my first running since the late nineties of the Vanessa Chappell Fell race . Six miles and 1300 ft of climb this ever popular race had perfect conditions for a mid week run out in the hills above Lyme Park. There were fantastic views off the top from the ancient Bow Stones looking down to the shimmering lake made famous by Mr Darcy swimming in it!

Despite a slow start hampered by waiting at various stiles (good for getting your breath back!) i was reasonably happy with a time of 1 hour & 40 seconds

"Melchett Mere - Tatton Park

A real week of two halves. the first four days being dominated by work, headache and virus, and the second with some great running including discovering new trails over Kerridge where I have been running for decades (its amazing what you miss by sticking to regular routes and don't look around you).

The week has been topped off by a stunning five mile run around the rolling acres of Tatton Park where I have been finalising arrangements to welcome the Olympic Torch Relay in twelve days time, with a mixture of dance, mass choirs and a youth sports festival. At one section I ran through a herd of the famous Tatton deer and at that point had a number of them actually running along with me for a couple of hundred metres. Fantastic feeling!

Weekly mileage 19. Annual mileage 499 (week 20). Races 15. Sessions 93.

"Bollington Three Peaks"

Three days recovery and the second ascent of Kerridge Hill in a week was no more successful than the first, but at least the sun was beating down this time!

This ever popular race covers the three "peaks" around Bollington, and despite a fast start soon develops into a mental battle to keep moving as you rise up to the trig point on Kerridge, drop like a stone down the far side of the ridge to traverse at an angle straight back up again to White Nancy. After a rapid descent off the Saddle the last and toughest climb up Nab Head rises before you and it's hands on knees time again before a fast last mile and a half to the finish where at least my track speed on the flat meant I pulled back at least ten places to finish in 58.44. Covering 5.7 miles with over 1200ft of ascent this is a great race, run over the trails that I train on, and I will definitely be back again next year.

Weekly mileage 27.
Annual mileage 480 (week 19).
Races 15.
Sessions 90.

"The Rainow 5"

Despite torrential rain and gusting wind & having being injured for last year's race I was happy to once again be running one of my favourite events. A great turn out from all the local clubs particularly those focussing on fell running made for a great atmosphere. As always there was a fast start which wasn't a problem but the tough climb up to White Nancy, along The saddle and up to the trig point really found me out and I never really recovered finishing in a personal worst of 48.49. Having said that I am still happy given I took it really easy on the tricky descents and knowing there was another race three days later.