Kinder Trog Recce - Nice and Early, 19 May 2012

The recce went well though at the start we were all a bit surprised how cold it was when we climbed out of heated cars at 7am. (The grand outing included Alison, Becky, Sue, Adele, Lins, Beryl, Andy B, Sikobe and I).

After the sharp early climb of Lantern Pike we wound our way along the farm tracks towards The Grouse quite happily. Although I started with a thick OMM top under a waterproof it quickly got removed, and in general we were all warming up as we continued the climb up to Burnt Hill. The slog up the slabs to Mill Hill was where some of us secretly started thinking of maybe dropping back towards warm and comfy beds, but of course no one did.  The clouds were still enveloping Kinder so as we ascended the ‘knee’ we entered that grey world of low viz and cooler air. I think Ali was getting cold feet up there, (literally, not the scaredy cat kind). All the way along Kinder to Edale Cross I think we only saw one walker – mind you it was still only 9 o clock.

As we dropped to Edale Cross we came out of the cloud and could see all the way to South Head and beyond. The light was brighter and it just felt warmer too as we bombed down the long descent into the River Sett on a bearing of about 211. (I just looked that up, we didn’t take a bearing on the day). Quick halt for some nosh to fuel the climb back up to meet the path from Brown Knoll to South Head. This path is usually a bit soft in May, and possibly come June it could be firm underfoot and fast running territory. On Saturday it was in full winter mode – bogs separated by short stretches of less squishy morass, but still gently downhill so not too hard. Round the foot of South Head (the old route meant going up and down this!), then onto firm tracks all the way to Peep o day where there will be a water station in the race.

The little climb up towards Hills farm is no problem to jog up normally, but after 12 miles it seems almost impossible so we walk until reaching a more level section. The path curves south west for Cracken Edge, still climbing gently but cruelly. Then comes the last bit of hard work, the climb up to big rock where we head west to the New Allotments and back towards Hayfield. If you’ve paced your race well then you could really make up places in the race here as many will have begun to pay for too fast a start. A long descent to Phoside Farm then the horrible traverse/dash across the fields lead to the track that takes us back into Hayfield.

 By the end we knew we’d been out for a decent run, some legs were promising their owners retribution come Sunday and Monday. If the weather on race day is more June like then we’ll be several kilos lighter and hopefully the wiser for having renewed/learned the route. A very enjoyable morning run, I think I’ll make more effort to make early starts this summer.  Great company as always made the miles much easier to run, thank you all.

 John S