Is pink really the new black? Ponies at Osmotherley
Pink Pony wins race!
The Rossendale way in a day 22 miles 3000 foot, an event to raise funds for the Rossendale Mountain Rescue team, this event is advertised in Strider and Trail an event mainly for walkers but runners are welcome.
Or in real terms Steve’s big day out!
It was a cold wet dismal day at the start, I looked around and could only see about 15 runners oh well 15th will be something to have a pint about later!
Off we trot, down hill to begin with, nothing out of the ordinary just a day out, oh how wrong I was to be proved, we settled in and I was near the front err err what the Fu*& do I do now, 6 I could count in front never mind the others will catch just plod Steve and all will be well, so I did after the first check point, 4 were now in front, the ground started to climb nothing to daft just a steady up, I just kept plodding and omg they were getting closer, oh well they must be saving them selves for the later part of the race, just keep plodding Steve, I then caught up to a couple from Derbyshire had a quick chat and found my self holding back!! Err what do I do now do I press on or tuck in? just then the heavens opened and it threw it down and I mean threw it down, we all stopped and put on wet cover but I thought just my top will do, if george can stand the cold I can!
While the couple from Derbyshire were putting on pants now was my chance, and I went for the next half hour or so I did not even look round, head down and work Steve work. I kept saying to myself
Through the clag I could see the next check point down I drop and clock in I asked how many in front 2 came the reply (I knew that) how far “ there you can see them” thanks am off now.
I had them in my sights just keep plodding Steve, after 3 or 4 miles I was within 200 m of them, on to the disused railway I was with them my heart was pounding what the hell do I do now, this section is just over 1.5m long and I knew the next 4 miles were a climb out of the valley, I just said I am off guys, and I stepped up a gear and went again did not look back just went head down, just as I left the railway I glanced back, no where in sight! It’s up to you now Steve the next check point came and I was in front could not see anybody behind 6 miles to go!!
After 5 mins I glanced back somebody was catching me oh FU&£ it was good while it lasted, he caught me how down I felt, he said how long you been out I told him he then said well done, I have just started, what your not on this event “NO” came the reply OMG we chatted some more and he was a member of Rossendale we chatted about Dennis and he said come on I will pace you, he did and the next and last check point came he said goodbye and will never know how much he meant to me, he helped me I was tired alone wet and needed the company!
The last climb I stuffed in a boost bar and my legs returned, I hit the top and looked back down the valley, nobody, my first thought was fu&% if I am going to win this I am doing it in pink! Off came the coat, I looked down and apart from my belly I could see blood from my nipples I had been so focused I did not know!
The end came I was first back in 3 hours 59 mins don’t worry Mr Jebb Mr Taggert Ricky, your crowns will never be removed by me.
It has taken 44 years for me to win a race, and trust me It was a race not FRA Uk AAA or what ever other bollocks and rules you want me to quote, the people I passed were all trying to be first back to win, they just came across a pink pony who’s time it was!
Prize was a bottle of wine now gone!
Bob Graham’s Round
No it’s not a typo, because I’m not talking about Gerry and George’s recent triumph, I’m talking about my work colleague Bob Graham who has been piling on the weight recently. He’s not a runner and he wouldn’t really consider himself a Walker and quite rightly too as his family has no links whatsoever with that of my rock climbing partner, Will Walker. No, his main claim to fame, apart from having an unpparall, unparra, incredible knowledge of the intricacies of the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme, (all four of them*), is his unforgettable utterance, “Catbells, don’t talk to me about Catbells, it’s a bloody death trap”. Which he made after the failure of his one and only attempt to conquer that fearsome Lakeland peak.
*Don’t sneer, can you tell me how to calculate the compensation due on flexible early severance to a member with reserved rights, overseas service, pre 1969 Post Office service and an on call allowance? Thought not.
Ponies do the Bob Graham
Far too battered and bruised to write anything about it yet so here are a few photos. More to follow as i get them as there were that many flashes going off on Saturday night i felt like Britney Spears! (if anyone has any more, feel free to email them and we can get them posted on here)
Tomo Thompsons Ultramarathon Challenge
Just a polite note to say that another summer of stupidity starts this coming weekend with the first of my 3 European ultramarathons – the (midge infested) West Highland Way Race. 95 miles non-stop from Milngavie to Fort William.
I am raising funds via www.justgiving.com/h4hruns for the Defence Rehabilitation Centre at Headley Court in Surrey.
I spent my formative years in a bunch of raving nutters that ran around wearing maroon berets. The airborne brotherhood have had a really bad couple of weeks recently in Afghanistan with the loss of 5 young men. On average, for every service person killed in Iraq or Afghanistan there are at least seven seriously injured that desperately need the care and rehabilitation offered by Headley Court.
I only have to endure the battalions of midges that await my arrival.
Tomo Thompson
Xtreme Snowdonia Challenge 30th August
A few of us are taking part in a charity event on the 30th August to raise money for the Intensive Care Society Foundation. Its a hillwalking challenge (but we will be running it i expect) to the top of Snowdon. There are 3 routes to suit everyone: Family- 9m/3139ft; Intermediate- 12.5m/4308ft and an Ultra route starting from the coast at 24.7m/5324ft. Each participant is expected to try and raise £450 in sponsorship though you shouldnt worry if you cant quite manage this amount, just do your best! If anyone would like to form a team (of 4) or join our Ultra team please get in touch asap via the fellpony email address. Some details are posted here and more information is available on request.
Duddon 31st May 2008
2 Steves, Karl, Gerry, Ian and Dave made the trip to Seathwaite for this tough race. Gerry knocked herself senseless by running headfirst through a stone wall rather than have to run the race. Steve T demolished a quality field in the short race in his triumphant return to competition after his Achilles op, he was a magnificent sight, something like a wild Stag. I stood on the ridge between Swirl How and Brim Fell to jeer the Ponies in the long race and throw Jelly Babies at them as they suffered in the heat. Well done to all, especially DJ for being rash enough to enter the long!
Bob Graham News
Now that Bob Graham rounds are in season, Fell Ponies together with the occasional dodgy looking character, have been assisting some of the attempts.
Sometimes drastic measures have to be employed to force a Bob Grahamer to keep going. Scare tactics are often used as a last resort.
Coniston Fell Race 3/5/2008
Ricky, Ian, George “Bare” (it says this in the results so it must be right), Chris, Andy and Dave turned out for this race which was run on a typically warm and sunny Lake District day. Cock ups included Deejay talking to a group of people he thought were doing the race. Thet weren’t and when it started the tit found himself 20 yards behind the rest of the runners. George rather spoilt his race by allowing his unfortunate, alleged, pre-disposition of following bearded men get the better of him and went the wrong way up Wetherlam.
Here is a rather nice picture of a Bristol Blenheim bomber, a plane a bit like the Handley Page Hampden bomber which crashed on Great Carrs, a hill which isn’t too far from the route of the Coniston Fell Race
The Anniversary Waltz 19/4/2008
Nine Ponies, Dan, Steve, Gerry, Karl, Andy, Brian, Mick, Steve and Dave, turned out for the free food and beer at this classic fell race. Highlights included Dave forgetting his running shoes and Mick yelling out the wrong number to the marshals in a desperate but ultimately futile attempt to improve his final placing, allegedly.
A group of Ponies caught on camera shortly before the start. That’s clearly Derek 3rd from left, but I can’t quite place the others.
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