Saturday 20th November - Chasing the light

Ran with Nick late on this afternoon.
We ran the Hameldon Hill Fell race route, starting at The Peel Park Pub car park.
Nick wanted us to time the run as he had a plan ...
AS you set off on the run, the first 6 or 7 minutes are all up hill, and pretty steep in places.
We started off steady, but picked the pace up at the bottom of the coppice, reaching the top of the climb in about 6 minutes.
The next part of the run takes you along and under the by pass, before heading up hill again towards 'Moleside', a small hill on the moors. We reached here in about 17 minutes. From here it's a pretty steady run, by the side of the reservoir, then again up hill, untill you come to the bottom of Hameldon Hill. At this point you run along the bottom of the hill. This part is very wet and very boggy, in places you disapear up to your hips! The light was now fading pretty quick, and although we both know the route very well, you always have a need to get off quickly, so as not to be running in the dark. The usual long drag up Hameldon came and went, no problem, getting to the trig in 34 mins. From this point you run off the hill and basically then follow the same route home. Normally I hammer this section, but with repidly fading light and dodgy terain (pertruding rocks everywhere) it was taken at a slower pace.
The rest of the run home was pretty quick.
The run was fantastic, a really enjoyable way to spend an hour!
It was a headtorch session without the headtorch!
Watch says - 57 mins 56 secs, Avg HR 143, Max HR 158, Cals 659.
Now the plan ... Having timed the run, Nick has come up with an idea of handicapping the run. Next time we run Hameldon, Nick will set off first, 3 minutes later Dave will set off, the another 3 minutes later I'll set off. nick gets 6 minutes start, Dave gets 3 minutes. Sounds like fun!
Looking forward to the next run.
Felt great after the run tonight.
Could have run the route again at greater intensity.