What's his name? Chess, like the board game Chess.

We had to say goodbye to our lovely Chess earlier this year.

It was a privilege to have had such a lovely, fun, calming, good natured dog in our lives. 

When we first adopted him, he was a rescue from greyhound racing, we had to teach him everything about living in a house. He had never even been up stairs before. He soon settled into family life though and was always a pleasure to take for walk. 

He amused us with his collecting. When he was left on his own, he would collect household objects - including mandarins and items of clothing - and sit with them in his bed. There was the one time though which gave us a bit of a scare....

We came into the lounge one afternoon and had a small panic, there was a little bit of 'dissaray' in the lounge, and a chewed up bit of fur on the rug. Oh my goodness we thought, he's killed a cat! But no - our daughter had been gifted a possum tail (a strange gift I know, but this was in NZ where possums are to be discouraged). Chess had found this and obviously thought it was an excellent game to toss this around the lounge and chew and pounce on it. Soon after, we purchased him 'Mr Cuddles' a rope toy which looked like a monkey. He was obviously now relaxed enough to allow himself to play. He loved Mr Cuddles. 

Chess also loved pizza night and the leftover crusts, he loved a glass of wine (if one was left unattended that is), loved bananas, bacon, especially chicken and his family. He struggled on the ice (it seemed he had too many legs), his farts could clear a room and taking him for a walk in the rain was similar to taking a sulky teenager anywhere - until you turned to go home that is.

He wasn't much use as a guard dog, he loved people and was always excited to see anyone at the door - some one else to lean on. EXCEPT...if you were travelling by hot air balloon. Chess didn't bark much, so it was of great surprise one afternoon, when Chess was barking frantically at the window. On closer inspection, there was a hot air balloon, flying really low over the street. This was obviously very disconcerting to Chess. We took him outside to watch the balloon landing safely on the neighbouring cricket pitch. This didn't reassure him much but at least the 'perceived' danger had passed.

To watch him run was amazing

RIP Thrilling Chess

14/1/2005 - 9/1/2015

Running a mile…or five

Following the fell trail fit the day of the fell race came, I had quite a few wobbles and contemplated faking a sore knee, somehow I found myself on a starting line with 233 people all chatting about speed and running and what was this route like and oh it’s your first fell run…well just enjoy it!

Strictly speaking, it was not my first fell run. I’d lied. When I was about 17/18 me and my friend heard that Grindleford was organising it’s first ever fell race. Being young and stupid, we knew that was running around the countryside but had not seen a fell race in action. We decided using the wisdom of youth to enter…dressed as a pantomime cow. We ran a round the countryside a bit ‘training’ and the big day arrived. We turn up in our running gear…I can’t actually remember who was the head and who was the tail. To our horror, turning up in the field were all these people obviously from running clubs from Sheffield…this was apparently a serious affair. There were no other people dressed up. None. 

Oh well. Can’t back out know - it was difficult enough going forward in our outfit never mind backwards. We trot out the field across the road and up a hill. When out of sight of all the spectators, and the rest of the runners (not surprisingly) we split up. One of us carrying the papier Mâché head, the other the udders. A strange site I’m sure. We shuffle around the route being encouraged to run by the sweeper. We come to the decent, splash though the river and we are actually quite close to another runner, I expect there were shouts of it's behind you!. We cow up and trot with our tail swinging high over the finish line. We were so embarrassed (being teenagers) we refused to give our names and went into the records as ‘Moo cow’.

So - this time, no dressing up, just serious getting round the course, I was mildly tempted to wear my monkey onesie but I sat down until the temptation went away. The race gets underway all the runners run off the up the hill, myself included. I managed to run past all the spectators and was very pleased not to be the last one out the village. I knew I would be passed eventually but that felt like an achievement. Up up up….down down down the positions. Me and another woman keeping up the rear. To the top, onto the rough  ground, other woman passes me, that’s OK I prefer to follow, a bit of down, more up and onto the flat. I still have the other runner in my sights and make good time across the top of the peak. The decent is fine, the marshals are great, really encouraging. Unfortunately cramp sets into my calf muscles. Stretching then running, stretching then running, I must have looked a bit weird but I was determined to finish. I think it was the small steps down the hill that did for me. Oh well. A last dash down the hill, round the square and to the finish. 

Family and a few locals greet me with a big cheer, I jog to the finish and feel a little sick. Chuffed I’d made it! OK so I couldn’t quite make it to the free orange squash table, but I’m made it! Very tempted to take Leanne’s offer of getting the car to take me home (we live 500 meters from the finish). We hang around for my official time 1 hour 5 minutes and 31 seconds. A personal best for the course - yay. Other villagers are impressed.  I finished 230 out of a field of 233, 3 runners did not finish.

Back home and into the onesie and a lie down on the sofa…oh and a beer. When’s the next one then?

I have registered for Race for Life! You can even sponsor me. I hoping this will be a casual jog compared to the Fell run!