A Wobble and a Dash! 13-14 November
Report by Andy Purll
As many have experienced, Covid has had a significant impact on race planning with many events either cancelled or re-scheduled and this weekend saw an unfortunate clash with 3 races planned over 2 days.
Saturday saw a trip to Derbyshire to see me taking part in the Wingerworth Wobble, a 4.5 mile race, as low key as you can find these days. No fancy gimmicks, no chip timing, and a small field of only 70 runners. Run on paths, through woods and across fields, there were a couple of interesting hills and a slimy section through a cow field (plus donkey) complete with a dodge the cow pat competition thrown in for good fun! (not easy but negotiated with care). A cruel finish saw a punishing climb up a field to the end, with a simple medal for your efforts and warm soup and a roll for a small contribution to the school it was raising funds for.
Having been extolled the virtues of the Dalby Dash 10k by my run buddy for the day, Fiona Alder, I finally took the plunge and entered this years race, despite some concerns about the famous “Hill”. Before the start I met up with my uncle who despite breaking a rib or two at the Langdale half marathon 3 weeks ago, decided to give it a go and also the wonderful Jenna Sachs from the club, whose last race it was before undergoing hip surgery – a couple of soldiers running through the pain barrier! Being on Remembrance day, there was an impeccably observed two minutes silence, made
more poignant by the presence of ex-military personnel, the main charity benefiting being Help for Heroes. And then we were off.
I’ve often heard the phrase “for every up, there is always a down”, and this race was made to demonstrate the saying. A gruelling 2 miles of climbing 660ft almost straight from the start didn’t allow you to take in the wonderful woodland scenery, but the sun was shining bright and I managed to crest the top without stopping, passing a number of servicemen running with their 25kg back packs (how do they do it?). What came next was pure joy for a runner. Three continuous miles of downhill running, along gravel tracks, that seemed to go on for ever (in a nice way). With a couple of sub 8 minute miles, the recent downhill training with our coach Javed had his words ringing in my ears! (Don’t forget how you are using your arms, lean slightly forward, glide silently with your shoes etc etc). It had to end eventually and the final mile followed the parkrun course back to the finish near the bike centre, and a lot of happy runners chatting gleefully about their run. I can’t believe I haven’t done this before, it is a little further away than a lot of races, but a great place to run as the trees turn golden in the autumn hue.
Result for the Wobble, was 46th place in 47.09
Dalby dash result, myself 160th 53.20, Jenna Sach 190th 56.22, Fiona Alder 210 in 57.58, Uncle Roger 249th in 1.02.16.