Roll on 2013

The Glossop Five

OB1 the glossopdale king of the park runs, 97 and counting....... suggested that a New Year park run would be a good way to start the year. Being from the wrong side of the pennines he was keen for a trip to his mother county. So a plan was hatched and myself, wilyvet, John S and Malc all set off from the spinners at 8.45am, it was a rather more leisurely than usual 10am start. Well we did eventually after realising that Sikobe had not received Malc message on yahoogroups we rang him and scooped him up.

Last beer of January for me

After a straightforward and traffic free drive over Holme Moss the clouds disappeared and a sunny cloud free morning beckoned us into yorkshire. The park just west of the town centre was easily located as being glossopdale harriers we used our innate navigation skills (position of the sun, wind direction and trails of animal droppings) and had no need for recourse to an electronic muppet manipulator.

Greenhead park is situated in the more affluent end of Huddersfield and it was obvious that Kirless Council had spent a lot of money on improving the appearance and amenities within the park.
Whilst warming up the word started to spread that the run would be on the old "hillier" course due a largish puddle near the cafe although to be fair the platt field organisers wouldn't even have put on wellies. Maybe they are not so tough on other side t'hill.

Pass the Ambre Solaire!

The old course is 3 laps each with a fair amount of climbing (by park run standards) in each lap with a downhill sprint to the line. This allied to blustery conditions and varying degrees of hangovers made fast times unlikely.

In the end we all performed credibly enough especially Malc who showed considerable improvement from his 10k last Thursday. Little did we realise that the real fun as OB1produced an impromptu picnic from the back of his car which the only adjective i can think of using to describe is Splendiferous.
A great way to start the year with friends and yes I do need a trim :)

Glossop – Marple Sprint Triathlon dress-rehearsal

Credit for this article should go to Obi. On this occasion I am merely a surrogate blogger refusing any possible royalties:-)

Glossop – Marple Sprint Triathlon dress-rehearsal (Sat 5^th Jan 2013):

800m swim, 7.5 mile bike ride, 5km Parkrun, 7.5 mile bike ride

By Obi-wan-sick-obe

The idea of a Sprint-style Triathlon from Glossop involving a Saturday morning Parkrun was hatched on New Year’s Day as Neil, Nev, JohnS, Malc and I were driving over Holme Moss back into Longdendale after visiting the Huddersfield NYD Parkrun. Actually, we were talking about what I might put on for my imminent 100^th Parkrun and what Neil might put on for his imminent 40^th birthday (not coincident I hasten to add). It was after I had dropped the lads off in Hadfield that I thought of the idea of a triathlon-style event and I texted Neil to see what he thought. His response was positive.

Today’s dress rehearsal was however, completely impromptu. I currently have a 10-day free trial pass for the Glossop Leisure Centre and Pool (courtesy of Nev) and on Friday night I had the idea of having a swim on Saturday morning before driving to Marple Parkrun. I contacted John S to see if he wanted a lift to Marple. He replied that he was thinking of cycling over anyway. So, I said, since I was thinking of swimming at 7.30, why didn’t we swim-bike-run it then! In fine fashion John rose to the challenge and we agreed to meet at Glossop Pool at 7.30 am on Saturday morning with bikes.

This is a potted summary of the morning’s dress-rehearsal event:

7:15        I drove over to Glossop Pool with the bike (MTB) in the back of the car. Met up with John.

7:30        Arrived Glossop Pool just as they opened for lane swimming, completed 32 lengths (800m) swim.

8:00        10 minute transition including a mug of soup from soup-flask (made earlier).

8:15        Through Glossop on the bikes to road to Marple Bridge, ~7.5 miles.

                (Me on my 20 year old MTB struggling to match John’s pace on his road bike)

8:53        Arrived at the start of the Marple Parkrun, 7 minute rest / transition.

9:00        Ran the Marple 5km Parkrun – very muddy underfoot but bright and mild.

9:45        Long transition (1 hour) over breakfast at Libby’s Bakery / Restaurant in Marple Bridge

10:45     Set off back up the hill on the bike to Glossop, ~7.5 miles

11:15     Arrive back at Glossop Pool, to pick up car.

A thoroughly enjoyable outing and definitely one for me to consider repeating for my 100^th Parkrun, hopefully pre-planned and with lots more of you in tow. Today was my 98^th Parkrun so it won’t be long now – I better get planning.

A big thank-you to Andrea M for looking after our day-bags at Marple Parkrun.

Obi-wan-sick-obe