Race 57 of 60 @ 60: Eskdale Show

This is a great little route - runnable in terms of climb per km but pretty technical in places. All the more of a shame then that I couldn't go full steam ahead as the stream crossing and fence climb at the beginning took their toll on the sore tendons around my left hip. A bit of a write off as a competitive event but one more in the bag. I'll come back to this one next year. 

Results: 37th/50 V60: 5th/7 Time: 55:10 

Distance: 6.9km climb: 277m

Race 56 of 60 @ 60: Scafell Pike Race

The course being shortened due to bad weather was a bit of a disappointment for my Spanish visitors but a bit of a relief for me. We were reduced to racing to the top of Lingmell Nose and back - much like a BOFRA event - but to be fair, that's still a fair old climb. I was 5th V60 at the top and not feeling that fit for tearing downhill at full speed but one by one, I worked my way through to take an unexpected category win. Nice.

Results: 50th/78 V60: 1st/7 Time: 38:16 Distance: 3.6km Climb: 470m

Race 55 of 60 @ 60: Bradley

This is getting hard now. On the face of it this is a nice little route, very runnable throughout and a course where I would hope to be flying on the not too technical descent. I was slow to the top, having lost fitness through not being able to train between races, but I was just about still in touch with the leading V60's. Instead of working my way through the field and trying to catch the category leaders I lost touch entirely and limped down, with a seemingly endless stream of runners passing me by and leaving me for dead. Not so much powfagged as shot to pieces.

Results: 61st/80  V60: 9th/11  Time: 37:13

Distance: 5.6km  Climb: 244m

Race 54 of 60 @ 60: Muker Show

I liked the look of this course from my quick glance at the map - river crossing, not a lot of runnable climb before the steep stuff and then a good fast running descent. I need to beat Chris at least one more time to hold on to my 2nd place in the BOFRA V60 Championship so I had a proper go. I pushed really hard on the steep climb and did manage to stay in touch, just about, as we approached the top but I didn't then recover quick enough to get going properly on the descent. Pure lack of fitness from my lack of training over the last few weeks. Hip was sore again afterwards too.It's a brilliant race though, and a great little show to visit into the bargain. Massive onions.

Results: 30th/82  V60: 3rd/19  Time: 17:57
Distance: 2.2km  Climb: 168m

Race 53 of 60 @ 60: Burnsall Fell Race

Friday: From the session, I believe that you have a tendinopathy to both the hip flexor tendon (front of hip) and Glute Medius tendon (outer hip). It could be that this has started with the slight increase in frequency/intensity of your running. It's important with running and rehab to remember to keep the pain below 5/10 and to keep an eye on the 24 hour pattern.

Sunday: Burnsall Fell Race.

Monday: Sore

Results: 47th/84  V60: 3rd/11  Time: 23:09
Distance: 2.4km  Climb: 244m

Race 52 of 60 @ 60: Rusland Sports 5 miler

This was the first time in this series that I stood on the start line questioning the wisdom of taking part. Within 20 seconds of the off I had the answer. The problem I have been having with my left hip hadn't cleared up so I started off slow, tried a bit harder in the middle and went past a few but then limped in to the finish losing nearly all the places I had gained. I need a week off training and a week off climbing any ladders so, Matarraña here I come.

Results: 36th/47  V60: 4th/8  Time: 51:06
Distance: 7.8km  Climb: 310m

Race 51 of 60 @ 60: Arncliffe Gala

Back to the BOFRA Championships and this was always going to be the day that I jumped up the table, being my 8th counter in the series. Lovely little village, great atmosphere around the gala and a really nice short course. The hip was sore again but with a warm up I got away well enough and although I got dropped by Joe as soon as we hit the climb I was able to run the downhill well enough to beat all the other V60's. Had a desperate sprint finish against another veteran but as it turned out I needn't have bothered. He was ony 56.

Results: 42nd/150  V60: 2nd/11
Distance: 3km  Climb: 140m