CHEVY CHASE

Early in the year i decided i was going to do less on the roads and more on the fells with The Chevy Chase being my main aim. When i say main aim i mean i wanted a PB and to retain my local and v40 title.
Missing out on the road races hasn't been a problem as i picked up a nerve injury on the bottom of my foot which meant running at speed (well my speed )on the road was painful.So training consisted of the Chevy route broke down in sections with the odd cross country thrown in.The Harrier League is fantastic training for any goal and i take advantage of them.
I did the complete route in a 3.11 PB about 7 weeks before the real deal,that and a couple of wins at Hedgehope and Windy Gyle had me dreaming i could actually win and i was convinced i could go under 3 hours.Nothing like putting pressure on yourself. I'm like a coiled spring the week leading up to the race at the best of times but with genuine hopes i was worse than ever.
A nightmare to live with and work with, i was having sleepless nights and spent most of the time daydreaming about the race,every conceivable outcome was ran in my head so the morning of the race couldn't come quick enough.
Fletcher came to mine and we went up to see the walkers off ,we met in with Glenn, Shep,Simmo and Phil and we headed down to get registered.The craic was good but i was nervous.Adam tried in vain to get me to calm down.I did a quick interview for a podcast Leanda had signed me up for,you know me i hate the lime light so it was a real chore.

Then after the briefing,we where off.I had noticed a few faces that were gonna be contenders but was pleased to see a few missing that had there names down.Ian Harding was running but without a number-phew!
The pace early on was slow which suited me,my plan was to waste as little energy on the way to Hedgehope then have plenty in the tank for what is probably the easiest 10 miles you will get in a fell race back in.John Butters and me where in front with a chasing pack that included Fletch and Gary from NSP. Past Broadstruther and Cheviot Knee John started building a decent lead.I wouldn't say i was happy but knew there was plenty time so wasn't panicking-yet.
I did panic however when my bum bag broke going up Cheviot.Trying to get a gel out the zip came off in my hand,i spent minutes walking trying to get gel out with 1 hand as the other had a bottle of water in it.just as i had it sorted i got cramp so it was back in the bag for a salt stick,this disrupted my spare kit,i managed to get a pin from my number and pin it shut .It was a relief to get to the top and be able to start running,the salt sticks started working after a while ,in no time i was at the bottom,relieved John wasn't far ahead.it didn't last long though and as i filled a bottle of water he was off and i couldn't pick up his line,he seemed to be merrily skipping along a new tarmac road as i waded through 6 foot high bracken.

When i eventually got to the top of Hedgehope John was long gone,again i was ok,i was up there at amazingly the time i wanted to be so i felt good.i had good pace going to Langlee crag,in the distance i could see John take a straighter route to the road so was able to make some time up cutting a corner.We arrived at Carey Burn Bridge together,Leanda and her dad along with a few friendly faces gave me a boost and after a drink i was off.I took the opportunity to get a gel down me on a horrible little climb ,i swear its only 10 yards but its a killer,up over the top and i went for it,it's not great to run on,sharp stones,jaggy gorse bushes but i sensed i had to go for it.I walk/ran up Hellspath and managed a bit speed down to the ponds where my sister ,family and a mate from footy cheered me on.As i hit the road though every bit of energy seemed to leave my body,i had nothing,surely i couldn't lose it here a mile from the end.i have ran along this road hundreds of times and always dreamed i would be in this position and now it was happening for real,i picked it up again.

Coming down into Wooler i knew i was almost there,a few people cheered me down the track to the Hostel then when i ran past a gap in the hedge the most deafening noise hit me, it was mostly from my sister,i have grown up with that voice  but never before have i wanted to hear it as much as now.

  I crossed the line in 3 05 41 ,not under 3 as i had wanted but i had won!it was the greatest feeling i've ever had or will have in running.
John came in shortly after ,what a top bloke and great runner,he's beaten me loads and i've managed to get him here but  and he's always the same,a real class act.

  Fletch was in before i knew it,a big man hug from the guy who blanked me at Powburn fell race a few years back but has turned into my best mate,i could tell he was as happy for me as i was.After a shower it was all about what makes the Chevy the event of the year,and Wooler Running Club must take all the plaudits for this. Sitting around having a laugh with other runners,it doesn't matter if you're 1st or 101st you've just ran 20 miles in the hills and everybody's got a story to tell.
Big ups to my family for putting up with me,the only time i opened my mouth last week was to shout at 1 of the kids.Also all the other runners ,i cant name check them all but i got messages from lads i look up to and respect,getting praise from them means a lot.And also Alnwick Harriers who put up with my bitching and moaning and have provided me with a coach that turned me into the winner of the Chevy Chase.Cheers Geoff.