Saturday, February 27, 2010
The Belvoir Challenge- Event Report
Now the Belvoir Challenge is usually renowned for being extremely wet and muddy underfoot... usually... and this year was certainly no exception!! Can't believe that I haven't done this one since 2007. It is quite high in my affections, being the very first LDWA event I ever did, way back in 1996 (interestingly enough, I don't think I have ever bettered the time I did it in then). It is also the only 26 mile event I had to pull out of in 2004- I was near my top weight and not very fit. I lost quite a lot of time in a horrendous queue for a stile and ended up at the back of the field- the routes split a lot later that year and everyone around me disappeared down the 15 mile route, leaving me completely alone. I limped along at the rear and finally had had enough at 21 1/2 miles- it was dark and snowing and I gave up at the last checkpoint.
I haven't done a 26 miler like that for some time so was slightly apprehensive about today... especially seeing how much rain we had this week!
It only took me about 25 minutes to drive to Harby so I got quite a central parking space. Registration and the finish point were at the Village Hall this year, rather than the school (the event is run to raise funds for Harby Primary School). It was quite manic when I got there- there are around 1,200 people doing either the 26 or 16 mile route, and this year was rather special, being the 20th Belvoir Challenge. Apparently 74 people did the first ever one!
They did have portaloos this year, I think they have learnt from previous years. I had my usual cuppa and banana before wandering to the start line at the school further along the road. We don't get a route description for this one, they always mark the routes with ribbons of red and white tape- I suspect this is because they get special permission to go through the grounds of the Belvoir Estate so don't want people walking it again or recciing it.
The route changes each year- this year I noticed that the long and short routes stay together for the first few miles, so positioned myself very carefully at the start- not too near the front to piss off the runners, but ahead of the mass of 16 mile walkers in case of stiles!
I haven't done a 26 miler like that for some time so was slightly apprehensive about today... especially seeing how much rain we had this week!
It only took me about 25 minutes to drive to Harby so I got quite a central parking space. Registration and the finish point were at the Village Hall this year, rather than the school (the event is run to raise funds for Harby Primary School). It was quite manic when I got there- there are around 1,200 people doing either the 26 or 16 mile route, and this year was rather special, being the 20th Belvoir Challenge. Apparently 74 people did the first ever one!
They did have portaloos this year, I think they have learnt from previous years. I had my usual cuppa and banana before wandering to the start line at the school further along the road. We don't get a route description for this one, they always mark the routes with ribbons of red and white tape- I suspect this is because they get special permission to go through the grounds of the Belvoir Estate so don't want people walking it again or recciing it.
The route changes each year- this year I noticed that the long and short routes stay together for the first few miles, so positioned myself very carefully at the start- not too near the front to piss off the runners, but ahead of the mass of 16 mile walkers in case of stiles!
The Start- With The School
9 o'clock came and we were let loose on the unsuspecting village. It wasn't too long before we hit the first muddy track- Belvoir mud is quite unique- it is clay, so extremely sticky and slippery at the same time! I had chosen to wear my old running shoes and resigned to getting absolutely caked.
Luckily, there followed good tracks and no stiles- think they must have learnt from previous years on this too!
Loads Of Brightly Attired Runners In The Distance
It started to drizzle, which carried on for much of the day apart from a few dry (and sunny once) intervals. Shortly after this shot the two routes split and we had a steep muddy scramble up the escarpment in the distance before following lovely muddy fields to the first checkpoint at Scalford.
There are always loads of cakes on offer, baked by volunteers who must have been at it all week. The flapjack was to die for!!
Unusually Dry Fields
We had a brief respite, walking through fields and alongside some gallops on a thankfully dry path. All that was to end though... I noticed the people in front of me heading up a track and my heart sank as I recognised it from the Ponton Plod route. It is notoriously rutted and difficult, and today it was gluttinously slimey and slippery too! I am really not good in mud and everybody always comes past me as I slither about on the spot.
The path along the field edges to Croxton Kerrial was slippy too, I was passed by a lady striding along like she was on tarmac, advising me to 'keep high and walk on the grass'. Eventually I reached Croxton Kerrial- the half way point with coffee, sandwiches (the only veggie ones being jam unfortunately) and cold pizza. There were a fair few there- I heard one chap tell his friend that the route had been changed from here on, but looking at it now it wasn't. One of the helpers said that last year's event had been the driest one ever- there was hardly any mud and everyone finished much faster than usual! I said that it just wouldn't be the same without the mud...
As we left the village, we followed the Ponton Plod route for a while- along more really muddy, slippy paths. It was a relief to reach relatively dry fields;
Fields Near Harston
We had a bit of road walking after Harston, and I guessed they were going to take us down Sewstern Lane, which was correct. Sewstern Lane should be lovely but unfortunately isn't. It's used by off roaders and motor cyclists, so is rutted as well as slippy. I even came across a burnt out car on it a few years ago. Following this, we had a quite steep, grassy descent to Woolsthorpe, with good views of Belvoir Castle;
Belvoir Castle
There was another checkpoint here, with more yummy flapjack (not that I'm food obsessed or anything...) After this we had a long pull up to the castle.
After a bit of road walking, we dropped down a mostly good track, which turned out to be slightly demoralising as it went on for ages- you could see walkers who were just a tiny speck miles ahead.
The Never Ending Track
The track eventually turned uphill into the woods and became muddy (no surprise there!) We had quite a long climb before dropping down through the woods to the last checkpoint- it was in the middle of nowhere but they had a caravan and were offering coffee! One of the volunteers drove up and told the folks manning the checkpoint that the last walkers had just left the Woolsthorpe checkpoint. They were calculating how long it might take them to reach this one, reckoning on them doing 4 miles per hour, which I thought was a bit of wishful thinking as I hadn't been doing that and had had a few little jogs, plus the mud would slow them down and they would be getting tired.
I left the checkpoint behind two other walkers, and was frustrated to find that we had to follow another muddy, slidy path for a considerable distance through the woods. Eventually this became a slightly easier muddy track. I had stones in my shoes which were hurting so had to remove my shoes which was a very filthy operation, with me trying to work out how to undo my laces without actually touching them! (If anyone works this out let me know).
We came across a stile and footpath sign leading away from the track, which had lots of red and white tape around it and more tape in the field beyond. People were having a bit of a conflab- some thought it was straight on and others were in the field looking for more tape. I walked down the field a bit but couldn't see any more tape, so we all went straight down the track. It was a relief to see more red and white tape confirming our decision, obviously it had been somebody's idea of a highly unfunny joke!
We passed through Stathern and back into fields;
Glad This Wasn't Our Path!
Of course, they turned out to be very muddy fields! Was I really expecting anything else!?! I was hoping for a sub 9 hour finish, as I had done it in 10 hours 11 minutes in 2005, 8 hours 59 minutes in 2006, and 9 hours 10 minutes in 2007.
There were quite a few people around me, and we turned on to a depressingly slippery path, so of course they all passed me which was quite frustrating as I felt quite strong and would have been striding out had it been a good path (maybe my secret weapon of 2 nurofen at the half way point had more to do with this than my fitness!!) It started to rain heavier, and was just starting to get dark but I knew I would finish in daylight which is a plus (although I did have my head torch on me this year!).
Eventually we reached the village, and I managed to put a bit of a spurt on, passing folks and running to the end- my time was 8 hours 26 minutes which I am delighted with- I know the route changes each year but it was certainly no easier than previous years!
I had some cold bread and butter pudding with cold custard, which went down well. I actually had the foresight to take a change of clothing- talk about caked!! I think I will tackle my shoes tomorrow...
After a long hot soak in the bath I am feeling human again, damage is one blister on my right foot and slightly aching legs, so I'm well chuffed with today's result.
Labels: Belvoir Challenge
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Another Overdue Post!!
Another over due post... life seems to be a bit hectic lately what with training and trying to find somewhere to live!!
Although training hasn't been great, I have been doing some for Saturday's Belvoir Challenge. I have forced myself into the gym and out in the countryside- Saturday 13th February I covered 17 1/5 miles; I walked my usual route to Stoke Bardolph, and this time turned left alongside the River Trent, bypassing Burton Joyce (not completely... I needed to take advantage of the public loos!)
Gunthorpe Bridge
There is the option of taking a bridleway instead of following the river, a lane running a straight course compared to the river's meandering one, so I followed this, rejoining the river further up.
I followed the river under the bridge and past Gunthorpe.
Gunthorpe Bridge
I stayed with the river for a while longer before cutting across fields to the village of Caythorpe and back to Gunthorpe. As I made my way back to Burton Joyce along the river, it started to rain but luckily didn't come to much. This section of the river is quite attractive and I saw a bird of prey (buzzard?) near Burton Joyce.
Looking Across The River To Sheldon
I reached Stoke Bardolph again and joined my usual route by the Lagoons. I was feeling pretty tired and my legs were aching- not a good feeling considering I'd still have another 10 miles to go in the Belvoir Challenge!!
Last Saturday I got out for a 13/ 14 mile route, around Stoke Bardolph and Colwick Park, quite local and easy. I made myself run quite a lot of it and actually felt quite strong- hopefully a good sign!
This week I've been tapering really- just a shortish run Tuesday and I am putting off going to the gym at the moment so will get into gear as soon as I finish this cup of coffee!!
We've had just enough rain lately to make the Belvoir Challenge nice and muddy... the route is now on the site; there is a shorter option of 16 miles, and it looks as though both options follow the same route through tracks in the woods for the last few miles, so by the time I get there it will probably be a quagmire!!
Here's hoping I can do this... bit worried as I haven't done that distance for some time and the mud is bound to slow me down! Hope everyone else has a great weekend.
Labels: Belvoir Challenge
Sunday, February 07, 2010
Well Overdue Post!
I haven't posted in a while. I guess that I have been putting off updating my age in my profile!!
Center Parcs was very good- it was absolutely pouring when I arrived. I joined my mum and stepdad and the others arrived at various stages. Unfortunately, they don't allow you to drive through to the villas and unload until 3pm, so at around 2:45pm there was a mad scramble as everybody descended on the car park and started to queue...
We had two villas side by side, they were quite comfy (though we did have mice in the cupboard under the sink!)
Center Parcs is not really a relaxing holiday. As well as the swimming dome, there is lots to do and you need to walk everywhere so we acually got a fair bit of exercise. My stepdad is a keen 'twitcher' and had previously seen a woodpecker whilst in the hide at the Country Club. As he had a massive new camera lens to try out, me, him and mum walked the considerable distance to the hide, and were rewarded by the sight of the woodpecker. We left him happily snapping away and wandered around the shop.
The funny thing was, we were eating breakfast in the villa the next day and I looked out of the window and saw a woodpecker!
An Unexpected Dinner Guest
Me, Katie and Dan had a game of crazy golf- think I lost...
Crazy Golf
My birthday was really busy- it's not often you get to play badminton, go swimming and play ten pin bowling all on the same day! The swimming was fun- there is a new ride which involves going down a waterslide in a big inflatable ring! We all went down the rapids several times too- quite scary as the water takes you and you can't control where you're going! My older sis managed to rick her neck trying to recreate the lake scene from Dirty Dancing with her husband, but apart from that there were no major injuries!
The Cake
My older sis had had the cake made and it was gorgeous- in the shape of a green hill, with shrubs and rocks made of icing, with a girl with blond hair (me!) sitting on a boulder studying a map!
They decorated the villa up with lots of banners and balloons, plus suitably embarrassing old photos... no, they will not find their way on here!
My Balloons!
So- I am now officially 40. Not 30 something. That's scary! Time to get off my backside and get back to running! Unfortunately that's kind of been on hold lately as I came back from Center Parcs with a stinking cold so did nothing at all for several days.
I suddenly realised there is only 3 weeks until the Belvoir Challenge so forced myself out the door today and covered about 12 miles round Stoke Bardolph, the Lagoons and Colwick- and am aching a little!
Center Parcs was very good- it was absolutely pouring when I arrived. I joined my mum and stepdad and the others arrived at various stages. Unfortunately, they don't allow you to drive through to the villas and unload until 3pm, so at around 2:45pm there was a mad scramble as everybody descended on the car park and started to queue...
We had two villas side by side, they were quite comfy (though we did have mice in the cupboard under the sink!)
Center Parcs is not really a relaxing holiday. As well as the swimming dome, there is lots to do and you need to walk everywhere so we acually got a fair bit of exercise. My stepdad is a keen 'twitcher' and had previously seen a woodpecker whilst in the hide at the Country Club. As he had a massive new camera lens to try out, me, him and mum walked the considerable distance to the hide, and were rewarded by the sight of the woodpecker. We left him happily snapping away and wandered around the shop.
The funny thing was, we were eating breakfast in the villa the next day and I looked out of the window and saw a woodpecker!
An Unexpected Dinner Guest
Me, Katie and Dan had a game of crazy golf- think I lost...
Crazy Golf
My birthday was really busy- it's not often you get to play badminton, go swimming and play ten pin bowling all on the same day! The swimming was fun- there is a new ride which involves going down a waterslide in a big inflatable ring! We all went down the rapids several times too- quite scary as the water takes you and you can't control where you're going! My older sis managed to rick her neck trying to recreate the lake scene from Dirty Dancing with her husband, but apart from that there were no major injuries!
The Cake
My older sis had had the cake made and it was gorgeous- in the shape of a green hill, with shrubs and rocks made of icing, with a girl with blond hair (me!) sitting on a boulder studying a map!
They decorated the villa up with lots of banners and balloons, plus suitably embarrassing old photos... no, they will not find their way on here!
My Balloons!
So- I am now officially 40. Not 30 something. That's scary! Time to get off my backside and get back to running! Unfortunately that's kind of been on hold lately as I came back from Center Parcs with a stinking cold so did nothing at all for several days.
I suddenly realised there is only 3 weeks until the Belvoir Challenge so forced myself out the door today and covered about 12 miles round Stoke Bardolph, the Lagoons and Colwick- and am aching a little!
Labels: center parcs
