Hardmoors 55 - a jog in the moors
By Julien on Thursday, March 31 2011, 21:41 - Hardmoors - Permalink
Two weeks ago, I was back in the North Yorkshire Moors once more for the Hardmoors 55. Just like last year, I stayed at the Fox Inn in Guisborough, and just like last year, the music downstairs made the walls vibrate until midnight.
More than 100 runners were registered, so it was quite packed at Helmsley, and I caught up once more with the Hardmoors community. Jon himself had risen to the challenge of organising and running. Top man! I was given the number 72, the same as the PTL last year.
The start was given under a glorious sun and the day was generally sunny, but the air was not particularly warm. The water puddles were actually frozen in the morning, and the wind was a bit chilly on the ridges.
I was not feeling super confident at the beginning, with an achy right knee, and every tiny climb sending me out of breath. But I spent a lot of time chatting around with runners, and everything cleared up before Osmotherley.
First serious outing for my altimeter.
Shortly after the checkpoint, a great scenery on the Moors was offered as far as Roseberry Topping. The characteristic shape of the summit looked rather distant when thinking we had to run over it towards the end of the race!
Being immersed in the Moors landscape at last (after the Hardmoors 110 2008 by night, and the Hardmoors 55 2010 in the hill fog) gave me a great psychological boost. I managed to push a bit between Bloworth Crossing and Kildale encouraged by the "singing" grouse, whereas I was bored and tired last year. This time, I played the yoyo with Andy C. But overall, my split times were very similar to last year's!
Just past Roseberry Topping, a massive amber moon (it was indeed at its nearest from the Earth in nearly 20 years) welcomed us. I managed not to get lost in the woods and finished with Pat and Paul, 4 minutes faster than last year.
I spent a bit more time at the finish line, catching up with Steve and Co before dragging myself to bed, knackered enough not to mind the music!
Ultra like last year, but better :)
More than 100 runners were registered, so it was quite packed at Helmsley, and I caught up once more with the Hardmoors community. Jon himself had risen to the challenge of organising and running. Top man! I was given the number 72, the same as the PTL last year.
The start was given under a glorious sun and the day was generally sunny, but the air was not particularly warm. The water puddles were actually frozen in the morning, and the wind was a bit chilly on the ridges.
I was not feeling super confident at the beginning, with an achy right knee, and every tiny climb sending me out of breath. But I spent a lot of time chatting around with runners, and everything cleared up before Osmotherley.
First serious outing for my altimeter.
Shortly after the checkpoint, a great scenery on the Moors was offered as far as Roseberry Topping. The characteristic shape of the summit looked rather distant when thinking we had to run over it towards the end of the race!
Being immersed in the Moors landscape at last (after the Hardmoors 110 2008 by night, and the Hardmoors 55 2010 in the hill fog) gave me a great psychological boost. I managed to push a bit between Bloworth Crossing and Kildale encouraged by the "singing" grouse, whereas I was bored and tired last year. This time, I played the yoyo with Andy C. But overall, my split times were very similar to last year's!
| Checkpoint | 2010 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|
| Osmotherley | 03:44 | 03:40 |
| Kildale | 08:21 | 08:20 |
| Guisborough | 11:14 | 11:10 |
Just past Roseberry Topping, a massive amber moon (it was indeed at its nearest from the Earth in nearly 20 years) welcomed us. I managed not to get lost in the woods and finished with Pat and Paul, 4 minutes faster than last year.
I spent a bit more time at the finish line, catching up with Steve and Co before dragging myself to bed, knackered enough not to mind the music!
Ultra like last year, but better :)
Comments
Hi Julian!
great to meet you and of course your 06min PB, this was my 1st major ultra and totaly enjoyed it, apart from a tumble i took early on, nice to meet like wise people and of course share a great day out, got a few more to do this year so should be in better shap next year!
Dear Julien,
I have signed up for the PTL and read your awesome PTL 2010 record. I am here in London and have run many Dessert Races and also was one of the many unlucky runners to have been stopped at last year's UTMB. It would be a pleasure to meet up and have a chat regarding PTL 2011.
Philipp Mosimann
Mosimann's Belgravia, London