Reservoir Runners, Thursdays at 9 a.m.

Since I keep referring to the Reservoir Runners in my blog, I figure the RR deserve a mention here.  Some months ago, as I was trying to figure out which LDWA club I geographically belonged to, I emailed a couple to inquire.   One of the club leaders replied affirmatively, and knew someone else, who knew someone else, who put me in contact with a group of runners that met at a reservoir near me for a weekly run.  Adrian told me to show up with a flask of tea on a Thursday and be ready to run.   I wasn't sure that the two things necessarily belonged together, but "when in England", right?

Well, since my schedule sometimes allows me to escape on a Thursday morning at 9 a.m., I've made it out to the weekly run a few times now, and enjoy it immensely.   Quite low-key, we meet at the car park between Fewston and Swinsty reservoirs, set off promptly at 9 a.m., and run around both reservoirs, for a total of 6.4 miles...but who's measuring?   There are always a few walkers as well, who head around the smaller reservoir, letting both groups arrive back together again within an hour. 

Photo taken by Andy

Then we crowd around a picnic table, which is starting to seem smaller and smaller as the group size grows!  With hot beverages poured from our flasks, and various biscuits shared around the table, we catch up with the lastest race reports and goings-on.  Given that we run in all sorts of weather, it can be pleasant to sit around outside, or quite dreadful.  My last run there was during the first snowstorm of the year, and as we sat sipping our hot beverages afterwards, the table and biscuits got coated with a heavy dusting of snow! 

I must confess that I am by far the slowest of all the runners who show up, and if I get any slower, the tea and biscuits might well be gone by the time I reach the picnic table!   Since the members of the Reservoir Runners read like a who's who of British fell runners, I supposed I shouldn't feel so bad....there seems to be an age group champion for every possible division showing up regularily.  I suppose normally I wouldn't be allowed to join such an elite grouping, but was given special exceptions due to being an American.  Or, perhaps I am just attempting to garner sympathy from the lady in charge of the handicap times?

Photo taken by Andy

Occasionally, instead of heading off together, we set up a handicap, where I invariably get to set off first (yay!), but still finish close to last (ouch).   A nine-minute head start doesn't seem like quite enough, Wendy...I think closer to 15 would be better!  Of course, not a few of us are trying to invent aches and pains and convey them pathically enough, to be granted a better handicap.   Given that the prize for the last handicap we ran was a giant corgette, it's definitely a race everyone wants to win....

All joking aside, the path around the reservoirs is wide and easy to follow, and the views are beautiful.  I'm lucky to have such a lovely place close to home, and a group of runners to share it with.   Now, Wendy, about that next handicap race...you see, I'm still hurting a little from those extra miles on the Rotherham...I daresay that I'll need to drop to a walk in spots, and that's really going to slow down my finish times..............

Photo taken by Andy

Photo taken by Andy

Photo taken by Andy

Photo taken by Andy

Photo taken by Andy

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Photo taken by Andy

Photo taken by Andy

Photo taken by Andy

Photo taken by Andy