Red Bull Steeplechase, 2013

The Red Bull Steeplechase is a 21 mile knock-out endurance race that starts and finishes in the fantastic Peak District village of Castleton. The terrain is undulating to say the least as several peaks are scaled with total height gain totalling over 1,400 metres. The fantastic element to this race is the knock-out zones. After 8 miles, 125 of the 375 male entrants are knocked out.4 miles later, in the village of Hope, a further 125 are not allowed to proceed. Then 6 miles later, in Edale, a final 95 are knocked out. 2013 saw an increase in competitor numbers from the inaugural race in 2012 to 500 people.

Given how hard I knew the race is having come 6th in 2012, and having raced a half-ironman the week before, I now, post-race, accept that I was stupid in thinking I would get my body around the course in a position to justify my present fitness levels. My goal was to finish top ten and, as in 2012, to break the three hour mark.

I made the trip up to the Peak District with Jon Albon, David Hellard and Rob O’Grady. Jon and I had spent some time with a film crew the previous week, working on some urban footage and interviews for the steeplechase footage. This maybe put a little bit of pressure on the two of us to reach the final 30, if not the top ten on the day. David, as ever up for a laugh, was on the start line in a ‘Pamplona running of the bulls’ costume.

I had warned the others to start slowly and to save your legs for later in the race. After the first kilometre, which includes a crawl up the steepest climb on the course, Jon was ahead with Rob and I 20 seconds behind. Jon slowed for us and we were soon into a nice steady pace with Rob being mad on the down-hills but being caught by the two of us on the up-hills. It was already warming up and the cloud was sitting beautifully in the valley below us. It is nice to have a race in which you have no choice at various points but to take in your surroundings.

Against the tactics, we were all in the top ten after five miles, but I felt fine. Further back, David was tumbling down mountains and cutting his arms and legs as he fought to make it in to the final 30.

It was at around mile 11 that my legs started tiring. My fitness levels were fine but my quadriceps were hating me. The down-hills were harder than the up-hills as the steep and bumpy terrain sent impact forces into my already torn muscle fibres. Jon and Rob broke away at this stage. A few miles later and I was back running with Rob as he was struggling with and berating his cramp issues.

Although Jonathan was surging ahead, others around me were struggling as well due to injury or bad pacing. I plodded on, with my legs tiring further and my mind wondering. Did I really want to carry on? Damn, still in the top ten at check-point two- I had best carry on. Slightly downbeat I continued to walk where the previous year I had run. I continued to talk aloud to myself, telling myself I was stupid for racing the previous week and for not targeting one of the two races. Yet, I find myself still smiling at how much I love the race I am doing, despite the pain I am in.

At the final steeple I really was spent. I stopped before I crossed the timing mat. I could still stop and get the bus back to Castleton. I was still in the top 15 though and it was ONLY three miles to go. Just one more peak to scale. Two other guys came alongside me and started walking once they had crossed the line. So, I joined them for a walk and a chat. Half way up the climb I took my walk/jog pace up to permanent jog and caught two guys to move alongside Hugh, who came second last year but was this year struggling for fitness.

We made our way down the final descent as Hugh built a small gap. Luckily I had just enough left to overhaul him and finish ahead in 12th place.

After a chat with Anna from Red Bull about my race for the short race video I got my new Red Bull hoodie on and tucked in to the inclusive BBQ, Hog Roast and bar. Jonathan had amazingly finished second so we then got quite a bit of champagne as well!

Despite the pain and suffering, I will definitely be back again in 2014. Hopefully with a more rested and peak-district tuned body to carry me around the course much faster. I cannot recommend this race enough and Red Bull and the organising team do a fantastic job.

Today I have received a ticking-off from mother about not resting my body enough so I will be resting for two weeks now before pacing at York Marathon and taking on the Spartan Beast and Men’s Health Survival of the Fittest in the space of four weeks :)