Sunday, February 24, 2013

High Cup Nick 23rd Feb '13

Travelled up to Dufton with TF, and arrived for the race in good time. Brief discussion on the wisdom of wearing the Orocs, but on the basis of the longish tarmac and concrete approach to the fell, we both opted for Mudclaws. Conditions underfoot were not great, but manageable. TF soon disappeared over the horizon and I settled in, uncomfortably close to the back of the field.

The last few feet of the concave incline that took us to the Nick itself were a bit tricky, with ice on the rock surfaces. A lady Dasher immediately behind me had an attack of nerves and after some verbal encouragement from me was physically hauled up the worst stretch by one of the marshalls.

At the top there was a fair covering of frozen snow where the Orocs would have come into their own. From there it was a longish run in to the finish in a total time of 2:06.

Surprisingly, given the conditions, the winner ran 1:01:??, which must have been within seconds of the record of 1:1:11.

TF was disappointed with her 1:49 (17 minutes in front of me) on the basis that this was very close to her 2008 time, and travelled home determined to make appropriate adjustments to her training regime.

The following link shows the conditions we met on the day:-
 
http://www.tynebridgeharriers.com/2013/02/24/high-cup-nick-fell-race-23rd-february-2013/

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