So, I've not done a running 'race' since June 2015! That's a very long time. I've run, obviously, but at no special pace, and you can't include The Forces March as it's not a race, just an annual holiday with a bit of exercise.
Interesting though the mentality of a long endurance event compared with today's 10 miles. The first incline we hit, right at the beginning, I wanted to walk up. No one was walking though, so I ran, not wanting to! This was a race, a short sprint race compared to what I've done most recently - when I did The Ruby Run, my last race, I was on form, today I felt like a beginner. If I wanted to get back to what I was, training has to be done.....once the swim is over.
I just couldn't get my breathing right, I actually felt like I was coming down with something as my breathing has never been so bad as this before...ever.
When I did start to power walk, others did too, thankfully! Although has to be said I'm a damn good fast walker and was overtaking people trying to run, I've always had a good stomp on up hills and after a stream crossing we went up, and up, and up and.....well you get the idea, but this view on the left my friends, is the view from the top of that particular one. Stunning!
We then descended gradually into bog, I mean, proper bog, not just a little open , wet ground, we sank, in places up to groin level!
I'm probably missing bits of the route, but these are the bits that stuck out so much in my mind, the bog running was hilarious, I was running behind 'Ian' who I guess was from the Isle of Wight as he had an IOW road runners t shirt on.
So, I was watching where Ian was stepping, and trying to avoid going too deep and losing a leg or two!
Then Ian went over, sideways, was okay and then he decided to run behind me, and I went over, pretty much doing the splits, something I've never done before in my life.
It continued this way, bog, more bog, losing a leg momentarily, slipping, sliding, and the noises from people in front and behind as we all struggled to find balance and run at the same time. We were using muscles you don't usually use when running, and I'm glad my core is as strong as it is.
I took a couple of moments at the top to take in the view and some photos (you will see in a bit) and then off we went down the other side and back into bog!
As is usual there were a few of us running a similar pace, and all having the same difficulties with staying on our feet.
At six miles there were some refreshments, I downed some coke and off we went again, with a heck of a lot of downhill, this is something I usually hate, but on this occasion it was welcome hard ground and I raked it down there towards a bridge, and some more bog.
The rest of the route was going down, the original hill that we had come up. and again, for me I strangely enjoyed, running down like a child with not a care in the world.
I would have loved to have got a sub 2 hour, now knowing what the route was like, but as usual I saved myself at the start of the race, you never know when you need reserve, but as my body is used to be out longer, I found that when I got back, I had a lot left in the tank, more than I should have done. Maybe next time? Did I just write that?
So I need to get out and do more running for myself, as much as I enjoyed the race I realised that if you want to be good in more than one discipline, you need to train in them all, if only I had that much spare time.
I think the coastpath needs a re-visit so I can get my running fitness back on track.
It's tough, admitting weakness, but it will only help to push me forward to get back to where I was again.
So, according to my watch I was 2 hrs 1 minute, not sure on the official, but I did it, and I don't ache today (day after) so all isn't that bad. Great race Pure Trail, and thanks to Steve and Mark for brilliant organisation and a lovely shiny medal.
No comments:
Post a Comment