On
Saturday I woke up to two things. The first day of June and sunshine,
just right for the Wincle Trout 9K run.
As myself Chrissie, and Katie
had promised that we would do some pre and post race massages for Allan
Weeks, Race Organiser I set off at 12 noon. I followed the AA route
planner instructions and got there in 32 minutes. On arrival Allan
showed me the marquee that he had set up for us just opposite the finish
line. We offloaded all our couches and gear but suddenly a gust of wind
threatened to take the marquee off into the blue skies. So grabbing
hold of the nearest poles we hung on until one of the marshals managed
to get some more tent pegs and a hammer. With that problem sorted we
soon had our first customers. At 2.35 I waved ta ta to the girls and
went to join Denis and Ben on the start line.
My
game plan was just to enjoy this run as having done it in previous
years I knew it would be tough, also the next day I would be running
Westbridge 5 . Cheryl and Gordon were also on the start line. The 3,
2, 1 shout went and we were off, however the sheep to our right got
spooked when they heard the runners and joined in running as fast as
they could and Baaaing at the top of their voices, that got a few
laughs. After a few hundred yards we came to the “bog”, having done a
pre-race warm up several runners told us that it was muddy there and to
make sure our laces were tied tight. True to form it was muddy.
Suddenly, I had a flash back to when I was 6 years old. My 3 brothers,
sister and me all used to don our wellies and go and play for hours on
end in the muddy marshy field, opposite our house, I had my new wellies
on and got well and truly stuck, I only got rescued as some poor
passerby heard me bawling at the top of my voice. My dad always said to
us,”one of these days you’re going to get stuck and the mud will
swallow you up”, yeah right!!!! Well today his words were ringing in my
ears as I saw people in front on my literally sinking into the mud and
losing shoes. So… I thought to myself ‘Liz try and think of your body
as a feather and just glide across the mud’, that did not work, I sunk
into it, I nearly lost my footing completely, after several expletives I
managed to get through it. A lad passed me by in his bare feet, I
could not figure out if he chose to run like that or left both his shoes
and socks in the muddy bog.
Back
to the race, it was undulating and we ran through fields, crossed
styles and then came to the real fun part of it all, a nice little
stream, to some only ankle deep, but to a shorty like me, the water came
nearly to my knees. I was glad I wore my knee high compression socks
today. Bryan Dale was there with his thigh length waders on clicking
away. Once out of that we slip-slided for a few more yards until we got
to an open field and yet more mud to cross. At the half way mark we
took a turn onto a downward field just as the wind got us crossways.
Pity it was not behind us. Denis was just in front so we ran together
for a bit. I came to a point in the race when I could not see anyone in
front of me and was wondering if I was running in the right direction,
however, as soon as we reached the climb to ‘Luds Church’ I saw a few
people walking this section, it was steep. After this climb it was over
a few more styles, crossing some little bridges and then downhill. I
remembered this section from the last time I did this race and decided
to let the hill take me, it flaming did, I shot right past the direction
sign and ended up on the path. I could see a girl in front of me and
decided I’d try and catch her. I could hear the loudspeaker at the fete
and thought I must be near the end now. A marshal shouted “not long now”
but I never believe that, as it usually means another mile left.
Through another downhill section and across a road and I could see the
entrance to the fete. I went over the finish line in 1.15 ( I think).
Will just have to wait for the results which will be tricky as
apparently I got the number 303 when it should have been 330. I had a
queue at the massage tent and left the field at 5.30pm.
This
race is a really fun one to do. It’s not for the faint hearted, don’t
wear new trainers. You get a fresh trout at the end of the race which is
fine if you like to remove the head and tail, me I gave mine away. Ooh
don’t like things that are staring at me…... Yes this is definitely a
race worth putting into your diary. As massage therapists we got free
tea and cake and managed to hand over some pennies for the Wincle Church
Fundraising.
For more information visit the website.
Liz
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