Finger on the Trigger...

What better fitness test than a point-to-point twenty-odd miler as a return to racing after a couple of months lay-off? The first running of the Marsden to Edale Trigger just happened to fit in quite nicely so I thought I would have a crack at this variation on the classic Tanky's Trog route. Taking in the Peak District's Black Hill, Bleaklow and Kinder I thought that I would be guaranteed some nice soft and forgiving underfoot conditions which wouldn't trouble my injury too much. As it turned out the ground was frozen solid and it couldn't have been much harsher on the feet. Fortunately I was comfortable in my X-Talon 190s and my niggles behaved themselves quite nicely.

The first few kms on big trails out of Marsden were swift and I was hanging on to Jon Morgan who set a fast early pace. Onto the flags over Black Hill and I took the lead, hopping gingerly between the sheets of black ice. I was behind again down into Crowden, but took the lead for good on the way up Bleaklow, which was a desolate winter wonderland of hoar frost. After that it was just a case of pushing on and trying not to overcook it on the way over Snake summit and up to Kinder plateau.

Dropping down into Edale I looked over my shoulder a few times but couldn't spot anyone behind me. This was a good feeling after a couple of months off racing and a good few weeks off running. I really enjoyed this route, which had a bit of everything, and the race was extremely well-organised with plenty of marshalling from members of Woodhead Mountain Rescue. I can thoroughly recommend it for a good day out next January.