The Grindleford Gallop

The Grindleford Gallop – March 15th 2025

‘Covering approximately 34 km and 825m of ascent the course takes in the villages of Grindleford, Froggatt, Eyam, Great Longstone, Edensor and Baslow linking them together with paths, tracks and open moorland. Famous landmarks on the way round include the Riley Graves, Longstone Moor, The Monsal Trail and of course the stunning Chatsworth Park estate. The final high-level section along Baslow, Curbar and Froggatt edges offers breath-taking views of the surrounding Peak District.’

I wasn’t planning on doing this event as I haven’t really been running too much lately and have been struggling with my mojo.  On Thursday night (13/03) a notification popped up on FB showing that there were place available as people had dropped out.  A little voice in my head started to speak up and inquire as to why I wasn’t going to do it.  My inner dialogue has very much been this recently

• you’re not good enough
• you’ll break yourself
• don’t you think you are getting too old for this

So I decided that if I was destined to do it then there would still be places the next morning and if there weren’t then it simply wasn’t meant to be.  ‘Darn it!’ I yelled on Friday morning when I logged on to Si entries and it still allowed me to enter.  It’s such a great little event and the money goes to help the local school. The route is tough but so rewarding and on a good day it really is soul filling.  So that was it, I was in.  I didn’t really have time to think about the if’s and but’s, as before  I knew it I was off to bed.  Saturday morning I woke feeling rather nervous.  I am a bit of a faffer when it comes to getting race ready.  I have never done a kit lay as my kit is usually still draped around the house (yes it does drive my hubby mad).  I do love a good kit prep though and dusted off my harrier back pack and dug out my waterproofs and warm gear for after.

When I got there I joined the mass of excited runners, registering and getting themselves ready.  It has been so long since I ran 21 miles that I can’t even remember when it was, so of course I was nervous.  I have been doing lots of strength training so I had confidence in my ability to get round but the rest was unknown.  I didn’t know if I would have to walk a lot or if the shitty ‘getting older’ gremlins would get the better of me.  In my head I knew I would be disappointed if I didn’t get sub 4 hours but I also knew I couldn’t put too much pressure on myself.  As the race started I was right at the back which was big mistake.  The crowd slowly ebbed forward along the narrow forest path and through the stone styles.  It was painstakingly slow but meant I had a nice steady start.  Once we were free of the forest the runners could spread out and I headed off at a steady pace.  The GG is basically 3 massive hills with lots of ups and downs in between.  The route takes you through forests, fields, pastures and along part of the Monsal trail so there really is something for every runner.  One of the highlights for me is running down wide pastures towards Chatsworth Manor (videos below).  You really do want to swing your arms and sing at the top of your lungs. There are several check points where you have to dob in and at each one you are met by enthusiastic volunteers.  The local school who benefit from the event also turn out at the Hassop Station check point. There is plenty of choice at the check points and their vegan options are clearly labelled which is great.

I had good bits and bad bits in the run and the Monsal trail, which is hard and flat wasn’t kind to my stiff feet but there’s plenty of ‘Saturday family outing’ dodging to do so it helps pass this monotonous part of the run.  I intended to not look at my watch and just enjoy the pace and views but as the miles ticked past I couldn’t help but start to think I could get in well under my goal of 4 hours.

If I kept up my pace I knew I could do it but I still had an hour of tough running to go.  Thankfully the last climb takes you up on t0 Froggatt edge and from there its a lovely meandering couple of miles along the edge then down into Grindleford.  I felt like I was flying down the path as I headed for the last stretch of road to the finish and my little heart was soaring.  As I crossed the finish in 3 hours 45 mins my first thought was ‘thank god’ I had made it.  I handed in my dobber and collected my tomato soup then headed for my warm clothes.  As I have gotten older I find it so hard to keep warm after exercise and have to quickly change into warm clothes otherwise my hands and feet go white.  Its very frustrating but I can only manage it as best I can.  I chatted to some familiar faces then headed off home.

I finished 31/193 of the female runners and was 7/50 in the F50 age group.  I was chuffed to bits.  Yes I felt tired and my toenails were so sore but I think the bit that I was so pleased with was that I had done it.  The little negative chimp hadn’t won and I hadn’t collapsed in a perimenopausal mess half way round.  I had done what I have always done…put my head down, and got the job down.  I felt alive again.  I have always loved being out in the hills, running because I can, and pushing myself to see what I can achieve.  Just lately though the self doubt had been creeping in and I felt flat and boring.  I am not defined by where I am in my life.  I am defined by being ‘me’. I realise that now more than ever. Only I know my own body and I am never going to stop pushing it to do things that may not always be possible.  But as my ever supportive Dad always says ‘you wont know unless you try’.  He’s very right.

Never give up doing the things you enjoy, yes you my have to adapt things slightly but the joy you get from them far out ways the pain of actually doing them.  I feel like a little bit of the old me is back and like a bear lumbering out of hibernation I feel like I am on the look out for some sweet honey and my next fix of something awesome.  I wonder what it will be ????????

Thanks for reading folks.