Stour Valley Marathon

After a party down near Haslemere in Surrey on the Saturday, it was an early rise to drive to Nayland in Suffolk for my second Marathon of the year. The first of 2015 was at Milton Keynes was only a month ago. As this was also a trail marathon (MK was on roads) it was going to be interesting to see how my body coped with the limited recovery time and more demanding terrain.

The course consisted of a sort of figure of eight, with an overlap linking the two loops. It was an extremely hot day and as a trail marathon you are expected to carry your own water etc. Certainly I got through quite a bit, but managed to refill on the second loop. As marathons go trail ones are more challenging as you need to read directions and understand where you are on the map. This is the area where my experience pays off, even if my endurance & fitness doesn't. Also runners seem a more friendly bunch and willing to chat while you are with them, which helps pass the miles. Some passed me several times as they took wrong turnings and I managed to overtake a few towards the end, despite struggling with the hills and course myself.

The finishers medal was the largest I've received so far and incorporates the logos for the three trails that the route links. A much deserved McFlurry on the way home and after months of Osteopathy I was able to drive home pain free.

wimpole Hall Night Run

Tonight a small group from my running club arrived at Wimpole Hall, the National Trust property near Cambridge ready for the organised Night Run. When we arrived it was a nice warm early evening, it seemed the 'night' part was optimistic. However, as the start time of 6.20 pm drew closer the temperature rapidly dropped and the light started to fade.

Once we got started on our 7 km run around the parkland, we were generating enough heat to keep warm and the undulating lumpy terrain proved a challenge at times, especially as the head torches did not always fully highlight the potential traps underfoot.

After Sunday's 45 miler I took it fairly easy this week, except for two 2-3 milers in the last few days and accompanying 10 mile bike turbo sessions. I was really pleased that I felt pretty good on the run and made good progress with the runners. As we approached the folly in the park we doubled back slightly, and this e enabled a view of the swirly snake of lights following along behind.

As we approached the house the runner from a nearby club, who had been playing leapfrog through the second part of the course seemed disappointed with the final stretch being more gravel than grass. The Inov-8 Roclite 295's coped well with the mixed terrain well. As I passed the finish line RJ was there with encouraging shouts, having finished 4 minutes earlier. My time was 35:21 for the 7K course, a pleasing result considering the terrain and my recovery period.

A rather watery cross country race

Finishers commemorative
horse brass 

The Hardwick X-Stream is a great cross country race that takes place in Buckinghamshire. It lives up to its name as there are several stream/water crossings during the run. None of which can be avoided and require at least immersion up to the waist.
Heading off with a small contingent of runners from my local running club, we descended on the small village of Hardwick prepared for all they could throw at us. This was the second year I have run this race, last year the water was so high that one crossing and small section of the run had been removed. So when we came to this first water crossing I was not prepared for the cold and feeling of shock that it rapidly produced. A quick run around the field and then back across the same stream. The second time actually felt worse than the first, only a few minutes earlier.

One of the more straight-forward water crossings

The unravelling shoe laces struck again and I lost valuable time doing them up. It took some time to catch up with a fellow club runner, and soon I was ahead and making good ground. Never a real contender for the team, but a pleasant way to spend a Sunday morning.
It is a tough race, with numerous water crossings that take it out of you, but satisfying. Probably more type II fun than type I, but never something I regretted signing up for.

Fell running in Leicestershire - the Charnwood Hills race

Today saw a small select group from the running club heading off top Anstey in Leicestershire for the Charnwood Hills fell race. Granted this is not an area people automatically think off when considering areas for fell races, but this one is extremely popular. So much so that it sold out within 24 hours!

Optimistic numbering at today's race! We did finish in this order though,
but these were not our overall positions in the race.

A quick dash around the muddy school field and then off into the 'wilds' of Leicestershire. The conditions were officially described as 'soft going' and good grip was essential if you wished to stay upright. The route goes through ploughed fields, open moorland, the middle of a golf course and around a country park. Apart from the loop around the country park it is more of less an out and back. Despite this it feels like most of the 14 miles are up hill. The hardest is Old Tom, which looms ahead of you for the first few miles. Most of us had to walk some or most of this steep climb up to the ruins. After passing over the brow the hill the full blast of the cold February wind hit you.
This was my second time running this race, and the weather was much colder than the previous year. Finishing a couple of minutes slower I think was justified by the prevailing conditions. No bling to collect on this race, just the satisfaction of finishing. Then into the school hall for a hot drink and something to eat.