Defending the Back and Jelly Babies
I had seen this local event, Wolf Pack Challenges The Jackals 10k and Half Marathon held at Sunnyhurst Wood and the Jubilee Tower the year before but hadn't entered. I can't remember why ...
Weekends, I have to work every other.
Location, it's local if you drive.
Location, it's up a big bloody hill.
Confidence, I don't have much when it comes to tough running events.
Also when I first came to Lancashire I went for a walk up to Darwin Tower. Once ...
I saw it again for this year and it was my weekend off! So first issue solved.
I asked if anyone local was travelling to and from that I could get a lift with. A running friend [Lee] was doing the half as marathon a training run and said I could have a lift with him. So two out of four solved. Man up!! I entered.
I was at this point running the 10k alone. Then a new friend that I was going to the Cartmel 10k with asked what I was doing on that date, as her partner was doing the marathon there. I told her I was doing the 10k and she entered too.
I wasn't especially nervous now. I had someone to run with, and although I was worried about my pace I was glad to be having company. Especially as it looked like we might get lost as someone had taken down the run route markers!
A video was posted for directions, which I forgot almost as soon as I had watched it. I opted to get the GPX file for my new Tom Tom watch. Time to test the breadcrumb route properly!
I was picked up at half 7 Sunday morning by Lee and we drove to meet other runners at a McDonald's. I got breakfast and a cuppa. We chatted then made our way to the event.
I saw Jane easily from her description and was introduced to her friend Claire. We hung around chatting, using the loo and taking Photos. I also met Ian from the facebook page Run4Fun.
10 O'clock came and we were off. We took up a gentle pace of walking up hill and running flats, chatting taking photos and enjoying the scenery. Claire found her pace and went on ahead after a little while. I joked that we were 'defending the back' as we ate jelly babies from my waist pack. Every now and then we'd point at Jubilee Tower saying 'it's getting closer'.
The sun came out and our coats came off. We carried on ever upwards.
At about mile 4 we came across some runners who didn't know whether to go left or right. Straight ahead looked to be taped off. My watch was showing straight ahead ... After getting the attention of a marshal they confirmed it was indeed straight ahead. I'll trust in my watch in future! It was very muddy and boggy from here on, knee deep in some parts, but the sun was out and the views were stunning. We loved it. We got to the Cairn [I've been informed is what a pile of rocks is called], turned and ran fell for a while, We met with a trail then down, down a very technical descent with a little stream which was great fun.
Then came the Sting in the Tail. A short steep climb to Jubilee Tower. We trekked up, stopped at the top to have our photo taken by the marshal there then it was all down hill. We picked up pace and enjoyed the continual decent after 5 miles of up hill. Very near the end I sprint finished, even though my photos would show this to be a lie!
I was given my medal by Stu who organised the event, met with Claire and we waited for Jane to come across the line. We took advantage of the free soup, then bought a bacon butty and coffee from the Kiosk as I waited for lee to come in from his half marathon.
Brilliant day. Great event. Definitely dong this again!
Oh, and the bling had been kept under wraps ... it was awesome!
Weekends, I have to work every other.
Location, it's local if you drive.
Location, it's up a big bloody hill.
Confidence, I don't have much when it comes to tough running events.
Also when I first came to Lancashire I went for a walk up to Darwin Tower. Once ...
 |
| The first time I went to the tower |
I saw it again for this year and it was my weekend off! So first issue solved.
I asked if anyone local was travelling to and from that I could get a lift with. A running friend [Lee] was doing the half as marathon a training run and said I could have a lift with him. So two out of four solved. Man up!! I entered.
I was at this point running the 10k alone. Then a new friend that I was going to the Cartmel 10k with asked what I was doing on that date, as her partner was doing the marathon there. I told her I was doing the 10k and she entered too.
I wasn't especially nervous now. I had someone to run with, and although I was worried about my pace I was glad to be having company. Especially as it looked like we might get lost as someone had taken down the run route markers!
A video was posted for directions, which I forgot almost as soon as I had watched it. I opted to get the GPX file for my new Tom Tom watch. Time to test the breadcrumb route properly!
I was picked up at half 7 Sunday morning by Lee and we drove to meet other runners at a McDonald's. I got breakfast and a cuppa. We chatted then made our way to the event.
I saw Jane easily from her description and was introduced to her friend Claire. We hung around chatting, using the loo and taking Photos. I also met Ian from the facebook page Run4Fun.
10 O'clock came and we were off. We took up a gentle pace of walking up hill and running flats, chatting taking photos and enjoying the scenery. Claire found her pace and went on ahead after a little while. I joked that we were 'defending the back' as we ate jelly babies from my waist pack. Every now and then we'd point at Jubilee Tower saying 'it's getting closer'.
The sun came out and our coats came off. We carried on ever upwards.
At about mile 4 we came across some runners who didn't know whether to go left or right. Straight ahead looked to be taped off. My watch was showing straight ahead ... After getting the attention of a marshal they confirmed it was indeed straight ahead. I'll trust in my watch in future! It was very muddy and boggy from here on, knee deep in some parts, but the sun was out and the views were stunning. We loved it. We got to the Cairn [I've been informed is what a pile of rocks is called], turned and ran fell for a while, We met with a trail then down, down a very technical descent with a little stream which was great fun.
Then came the Sting in the Tail. A short steep climb to Jubilee Tower. We trekked up, stopped at the top to have our photo taken by the marshal there then it was all down hill. We picked up pace and enjoyed the continual decent after 5 miles of up hill. Very near the end I sprint finished, even though my photos would show this to be a lie!
I was given my medal by Stu who organised the event, met with Claire and we waited for Jane to come across the line. We took advantage of the free soup, then bought a bacon butty and coffee from the Kiosk as I waited for lee to come in from his half marathon.
Brilliant day. Great event. Definitely dong this again!
Oh, and the bling had been kept under wraps ... it was awesome!
What a fantastic blog Cheryl describes the day well and must agree it being a fantastic day. You did brilliant on a very difficult course.
ReplyDeleteMe being me had it in my head it was going to.be 3 miles up.and 3 miles back down. How wrong was I. As you say a five miles up and 1 mile down.
Loved the day and a pleasure to meet you and your friends.
Also a massive cheers to stu and all his amazing team
Hi Ian :) Thanks for the comment! It was a great day,good route, weather and atmoshere! Was good to meet you and new people and definately one I'd do again.
ReplyDelete