Race - The Norse Challenge 10km - 28th July 2013

I was very happy and excited to be asked by mudstacle.com to race and review at the Norse Challenge race in Northumberland. From their website and Facebook page it was looking like a great event. So I agreed and wryly smiled at the thought of the 6 hour round trip to Drudridge and back.

I arrived at the park entrance about 50 minutes before my wave start time which should give me time to pick up my race number and go through my pre race routines. Although I was soon confronted with a long row of cars with brake lights on. It took a good 5 minutes to get to the head of the queue were 2 blokes were collecting 2 pounds for parking. This wasn't a good sign. Why didn't the organisors add the 2 pounds to the entry price and make parking easier and much quicker? Especially as the line of cars was now getting even longer behind me.

Once parked up I saw the queue for registration had started, so I decided to join the queue and get changed once I had my race number, rather than letting the queue get bigger. The queue barely seemed to be moving, but the rain was moving at quite a rate. I was lucky to be in trackies, hoody and waterproof jacket, others around me were in race kit and already starting to shiver. After 30 minutes of queuing and only moving a few meters I got chatting with people around me in the queue. It turns out they had all sorts of problems sending out race numbers in the post, so all the registrants were picking up numbers from the desk. But we never saw anyone coming out the registration tent with a number.

It was now 0920. I was meant to be starting in 10 mins. I thought sod it, i can register after the race, and by the look of the ever growing queue, they would never notice. So I ran to my car and quickly got changed, gulped down an energy gel and ibuprofen and headed off to a large gathering of runners.
"is this the start?"
"No idea spuggy"
"Alright cheers"

I then spotted a large group of runners from an athletics club, jogging off trough the car park, I picked up my knees and followed them, as do 30 or 40 other runners.
"Is this the start then?"
"No idea, we's just warmin oop 'n' waitin"
"balls, I followed you guys as it looked like you knew what you were doing"
"sorry pal, the organisation isn't too canny is it?" - I'm adding quite a bit of 'northern' speak as i couldn't understand half of what they were actually saying.
I then run over to the registration tent to ask were the start line is.
"Over there" he pointed in the rough direction i just came from
"I've just come from over there, and couldn't see a start line"
"no idea then"
"......"
speechless, absolutely speechless that race organisers or marshals haven't been told were the start line is. It's a fairly important part of a race.

I re-join the rabble of damp wave 1 runners who are doing their best to keep cheerful. Suddenly like wildfire through dry grass field, a message spreads that wave 1 is delayed by 45 minutes. The wet wondering would-be runners head en-mass to the cafe and visitors centre to try and get a little warmth and shelter away from the northern persistent precipitation. Suddenly after some milling around, a cheer goes up and we all dash outside.
"Are we starting?"
"Dunno pet, I'm jus' followin' the crowd like"
"Cheers me duck" I throw in some Derbyshire dialect to make sure I'm mistaken from a Northerner
No officials to be seen, we just stand around and try our best to keep warm. I even have time to pose for a photo and even do an interview for SKY Tyne and Wear about the race and the conditions. It was quite funny as he bloke interviewing me ask what did I think of the conditions, and I replied "Perfect, Perfect for running in mud"

This photo sums up my mood on the day

Another report of 10 minutes until the start went round and we all took shelter in and around the visitors centre. One member of staff at the visitors centre, saw the miserable state people were starting to get into, shivering and wet through and through. He opened up an extra area which was under construction, but was dry and big enough to house most of the runners. He also handed out bin liners to keep the rain off and the warmth close. After the 10 minute wait we all wondered to the start area. Still nothing to mark the start area or line, but we had be told it was near a green Land Rover in a car park. Maybe this is a orienteering / puzzle / obstacle course? Guess the start time, and your next challenge is finding the start line.

Then one of the organisers came over and was mobbed in anticipation. "Sorry the race has been cancelled due to worsening conditions" after lots of head shaking and frowns, I decided it was best to get my keys from the key drop and get off site, before the car park was churned up and everyone else had the same idea. At the key drop off, people were still being registered and dropping off keys.
"are you dropping or picking up keys pet?"
"picking up, the race as just been cancelled. hasn't it?"
"I think just the water obstacles have been cancelled"
"I'll grab my keys anyway"

Stepping out of the tent the Exodus was under-way. To be honest. If the organisation is this piss poor, and the race is on, less the water obstacles, I don't think I would want to run a race were the organisation is so bad. What happens if I get injured? Are the medical staff sticking around? I'm I going to get lost because they haven't marked the course out? Are the obstacles safe? I maybe an obstacle course racer, and love the thrill and challenge of the obstacles. But am I stupid and and reckless enough to put my self in unnecessary danger, when I'm 168 miles from home? Nope.

I Jump in the car soaking wet and start the fight to get out the car park. I stop later on  a few miles down the road to get changed. What a wasted day.

Race - Tara Kinder 10km - 19th July 2013

Driving straight from work I arrived about 45 mins before the race start, got changed and chatted to other members of the running team. Even at 7pm it was still very hot in the sun, with everyone hovering around the registration tent, and the http://www.derbyrunner.com/ stall, poaching every available shaded area. I wondered off to warm up stretch and 'water' one of the park's impressive oak trees, before gulping a gel and chatting to more of the team and a surprise attendance of a mate from hockey.

The pre race jostling started as I wondered over to join the melee, I rather embarrassingly though the course went in completely the opposite direction and also join the front line facing the wrong way, but I luckily spotted 300 people facing the opposite direction. I bowed the rule of majority, and grudgingly admitted I was wrong and they where right and wondered around to join the actual back of the pack. I sneaked through a third of the gaggle and chatted to a couple of team mates, and started sledging other team runners, and bigging up our predicted times and speeds. This is a great way to disperse those pre race jitters, and fears of untied shoe laces and your short's draw strings.

The gun went and the throng of runners moved off at a steady pace. the path wasn't narrow but too narrow for 400+ runners of varying speeds. I always manage to take the bait and want to overtake people in the steady starting pace. The path was widely flanked with trees and nettles. Bingo! With runners avoiding nettles like they were a mixture or saturated fatty acid, and highly refined, processed carbohydrates. I took the opportunity to overtake a few big groups and test to see if I have built up a tolerance to nettle stings. Yes, I overtook people, No, I'm still not impervious to nettles. A few sneaky 'off path' spurts through nettles and the long way round trees pushed me into open paths and a pace I felt comfortable running at.

It wasn't the heat that was the biggest problem it was the dust being kicked up from the compacted sandstone trail that was coating my mouth and drying it out, and this was only after the first kilometre. I steadily continued to pick off other runners until I was running a steady pace just beyond my comfort zone. The first lap, of three, was great with huge amount of support from marshals and people watching. I managed it in about 15 minutes, took some water on the move and and pressed on to the second lap.

As I started the second lap a couple of guys passed me, one in white and the other in black, I managed to stay on the shoulder of the guy in black but the guy in white was just too strong and he peeled away and out of sight. Me and the guy in black then slowly pushed each other harder and we picked off more runners and with a short burst I passed him also on a narrow part of the course. Once in front of the man in black either i was pushing harder or he tired but I didn't see him again, and i had to work on my own to catch up with a group of three runners towards the end of the third lap. In the final kilometre of the second lap I was looking for markers / trees/ corners that would be about 300 meters from the line to start a sprint finish. Spotted a flat topped yew tree at the end of the main avenue to castle.

Another lap down and more water and my energy levels were slowly dropping and my breathing was becoming heavier. Some bloke in very bright trainers and Little Eaton Hornets vest passed me so again I pushed to keep on his shoulder and we made our way though 2 or three other runners, but he once again slowly pulled away from me and my tired legs. I was now running in a group of three guys and trying to stay in the lead. I could still see that pesky hornet ahead and saw him pass a guy in a maroon running vest. Maroon boy was now my target, upping my pace I started to close the gap, and spurred on by the encouragement of lapping my sister who was still on lap 2 and the sight of the flat topped yew tree. I pushed hard and passed mister maroon, and encouraged by the crowds near the finish line, and Team Derby Runner's head honcho, Rob, I didn't quite sprint to the finish, but ran as strong as could over the finish line.

I couldn't have been far behind the hornet as he was still catching his breath at the water station, I thanked him for his pace setting and also the guys that pushed me hard in the final lap too. I grabbed some water and then went back to the course to clap through other runners, team mates and my sister,

In summary:
You know its well organised great race when you don't notice the organisation. Marshals and sign-age so well placed, avoiding any ambiguity. Water and race timing in obvious and accessible area. Shame it was three laps rather than 2 or ideally 1.

Scores (out of 10)
Course: 6 - beautiful (loses points for 3 laps)
Terrain: 5 - flat paths and tarmac (well maintained but dull)
Difficulty: 5 - standard 10km
Return factor: 10 - beautiful, fun, friendly and local
Overall: 8

Race - Crich Monument Race - 13th July 2013

NightBeforeRace Prep:
18:20 - Game of squash,
19:00 - Pint of larger (its summer, I'm allowed a dirty larger rather than ale)
20:30 - Game of indoor cricket
21:00 - (mid game) Bottle of Spitfire ale (usually nice, but the bottle had been kept in the fridge)
22:00 - Pint of some guest ale in the local with my squash buddy
23:00 - Got home and did about 2 minutes of lacklustre stretching and went to bed

The race wasn't until 13:30 so I got up nice and late, pottered about in the garden and decided to have a late breakfast of muesli so I wouldn't have to eat again or be too hungry at mid day. We didn't have any milk so I poured tropical fruit juice over the cereal. Never doing that again. Looked and tasted a bit like vomit. But I was drinking as much water as possible as I knew it was going to be a hot one today. I did some more stretching got into my race gear, and started to head off. Couldn't find my wallet and the missus had no cash either, so I had to raid the the step son's piggy bank for the tenner race fee. Today isn't going well.

Got to Crich and couldn't see any signs for the fete car park so parked in a lay by on the outskirts of the village, and went to find the reg tent. This took a bit longer than expected after getting myself and 4 police officers lost by following the wrong track to the main field. Today is getting worse, maybe I should just go home and do some weeding, trim the acer, and mow the lawn. With 10 minutes to go before the gun, I found the reg desk, handed over my stolen tenner, pinned my race number on, washed an ibuprofen down with an energy gel. stretched out my ITB, went for a pee, came back and settled into the middle of the pack ready for the gun.

The gun went and the race bumbled along with the whippets at the front setting a decent pace, I made my way through bunches of runners and got into a steady pace, as we left the fete ground, there was a bit of a uphil which thinned the pack out to almost single file, we then passed my car (was too early to be tempted by sneaking off into the car and driving home), and came off the road into an open field. the field was slightly up hill and no one was complaining when a bottle neck formed and we had to stop and wait to navigate a narrow style. the course then took a more downhill turn and everyone's pace happily increased.

Once we reached Crich Chase the trail was very technical, with plenty of twists and strewn with rocks and roots. I love this type of running. Downhill, through trees, soft ground, twisty challenges. rocks and roots to leap and navigate. The two minutes of running perfection were cut short by Cromford canal. The run from Ambergate to Whatstanwell was a very long, very flat, very hot drag. Don't get me wrong, this is a stunning place to run, beautiful shallow canal on your right, perfectly maintained tow path in dappled sunlight, but its just soooooooo long, well it was probably only 3 miles but it was hard going, and I had a runner from Belper Harriers right on my shoulder, I couldn't pull away from him, nor would I slow down and let him pass me. At the end of the tow path I walked through the first water station to make sure I took on as much fluid as possible, and then started to run. the path went back into the woods, and took a steep uphill slant.

The steep hills slowed me to half walking, half jogging. I lost 6 or maybe 10 places on these hills but I just didn't have the legs or lungs to walk / run any faster. The great advantage of walking sections of the course, allowed me time to pick up my head and look around the absolutely stunning Derbyshire landscape. A short section of downhill running on the road was a very welcome rest, crazy as it sounds running was restful compared with the uphill trudging. I could now see Crich monumnet in its full glory, and I knew the path I had to run up, from walking around here. I walked through the second water station and then started the slow plod uphill. I was over taken by a lady in pink on the way up, and was determined not to let her out of my sight and try and reel her back in.

The uphill path narrowed nearer the top of the hill, and banked on either side with brambles and hedges, this acted like a brilliant heat trap and the air was thick and muggy, I now regretted being such a hairy Muppet and my thoughts drifted into weather I would be quicker if I had a more aerodynamic face, that didn't hold as much heat and sweat. the thoughts soon went as I reached the top of the course at the foot of the monument, the cheerful marshals informed me it was "downhill all the way" now, and I started to pick up the pace and close the gap on the lady in pink, she beat me to the road at the bottom of the monument entrance, she beat me through the fields, she beat me through the graveyard, she was first to cross the road. But I past her through the small estate of houses, and kept the lead past the next marshal "almost there, downhill all the way". I beat her to the 400 metres board, as I took the corner I looked over my shoulder and saw I had taken 10 metres from her. started to empty the tank as reached the final corner and saw the fete ground insight. Running hard for the final run round the edge of the field, being clapped and cheered by fellow runners who had finished was great, but not as great as stopping my watch at 1h05m19s having a drink and collapsing in a heap in the shade.

I wouldn't have ran today.
-It was too hot.
-I hadn't stretched enough.
-I had loads of other stuff to do.

so a huge thanks to the organisers for getting me running!

http://www.cacn.org.uk/news/crichmonument10k0713.htm

In summary: A very hard race with a killer 2 miles of climbing at the end of the race, great location, perfect organisation and very friendly well informed marshals

Scores (out of 10)
Course: 8
Terrain: 8
Difficulty: 8
Return factor: 10
Overall: 8.5

Race - Colin Potter 10km - 5th July 2013

Sneaked out of work a few mins early to make sure I got to Darley Abbey on time (Actually I worked an extra 15mins at work because I love my job so much - just in case my boss reads this ). My sister had already picked up my race pack so all I had to do was pin my number on and lace in my timing chip. It was already pretty busy and I caught up with a few of the Team Derby Runner members and popped my head into the Team Derby Runner stall.

Started my pre race stretching and warm, I'm always surprised how little stretching is going on pre race, maybe they don't need too, maybe I warming up far too late, maybe I think too much. Anyway my leg were feeling a little looser and the start line was filling up. I still don't jostling for a front position unless I need a sprint start to avoid bottle necks. So I tucked in around the middle of the peleton, I was still chatting to Team mate who wasn't running and saving himself for a weekend 1/2 marathon when the gun went. "See you in the pub later" and I was off. It was busy all around and I opened up and starting weaving my way up to find runners hitting my pace.

Running Darley Abbey is great, I love this park, train here, chill out here, occasionally even juggle here, the crowds were out in force on Darley bridge and out side The Abbey pub, these cheered and encouraged every runner on this superb sunny evening. The short hill after the was hard work at this pace, but ended with a very welcome sheltered and shady path downhill path through the park. Another climb to peak of the park and i knew that was the last of the climbing for the first lap. After the first couple of kms I had found my pace and was passing and being passed by the same small pockets of runners. I set my sights on a couple of female runners who were just quicker than me and tried to maintain their pace. I managed to always keep them insight for the first 5km but lost them when I slowed to walk for the water station. 

After taking on a couple of cups I pushed the pace and managed to regain line of sight with the two runnerettes. I carried on pushing but the hills took their toll and they increased their lead. I now started to focus on where and when I would push for the finale. The kms dropped away and the crowds and marshals were incredibly supportive and generous. As I reached the final avenue the couple running behind me were discussing how much they had left. I took this as challenge, looked up and saw a runner 20 meters ahead, i pushed hard to catch and over take with about 200meters to go. now on the grass with the finish line in sight I heard my mates dad shout, "Don't let that chick beat you", sexism aside I take the challenge and push harder still, only to here him shout to the 'chick' "Don't let that beard beat you, luv" laughing away I managed to pass the lady, to then hear one of my running club team, mates start yelling encouragement and to "DROP THE HAMMER" with 150m to run, I ran, ran as hard as my stubby little legs would go. I do love a 'sprint' finish, but it does make you want to vomit when you cross the line.

Having finished i was handed a water bottle, a goodie bag and a take away container for those lovely chefs at viceroy restaurant. I sat down to drink my water and the lady who I pipped in the final meters came over and thanked me for race, and that she was a member of the same running team, but was keeping her vest clean for a different race on the weekend!

After watching more TDR runners finish and forcing my sister to a sprint finish too, i got changed into a clean t-shirt and then went straight home to my wonderful girlfriend ( went to the pub for a swift pint and talk about running with TDR members )

http://www.colinpotter10k.com/

In summary: A great race, great location, perfect organisation and marshals

Scores (out of 10)
Course: 8
Terrain: 6
Difficulty: 6
Return factor: 10
Overall: 7

Race - Water Wipeout 29th June 2013

Rocked up on site an hour before the gun for our wave, and went through the usual signing of waivers, toilet stop and checking out the course. We then started the briefing and warm up. I must have done too many X-Runner races as the warm up guy now recognises me and gives me grief! Maybe its time to shave the beard and resume anonymity. The warm up was fantastic, and was both motivating and great for getting prepared for the race.

From the gun JP and I pushed to get into the top 10 to ensure a clear run at the hay bail pyramid, which was a nice warm up to the obstacles. The next obstacle is the open water swim. Swimming has never been my thing, I can't do breast stroke at all and my front crawl is 'un-orthodox' at best. once I had waded out of my depth I put my shoulders and arms to work. To my great surprise my swimming was strong enough to maintain my spot in the top 10, and because my lack of co-ordination means it was all upper body, my legs felt rested after the 150 meter swim, and I could push up into the top 5. After a few minor obstacles we were in the woods on a great trail run, I managed to lose an energy gel I had stuffed in my shorts which was a pain but easily forgotten about.

Through the trails I managed to push up to the lead of our wave and was feeling comfortable. A bit water slide and short swim broke up the trail run and was great fun. A few cargo nets, balance beams and duck and vault obstacles and yet another dunking. As I approached the final km of the first lap there was a cargo net climb, this was the first bottle neck I had hit i was force to wait and queue, this was frustrating and allowed runners to catch up and over take as i was stuck behind a runner struggling getting over the top.

It was now a race to cross more water and get onto the 2nd lap in under 2 minutes to avoid being behind the wave due to start shortly. But the gun went whilst I was in the water meaning the start of the 2nd lap would be littered with runners. I was 2 minutes behind the wave and the hay bales were clear as I reached them, but the open water swim looked more like beach on a hot sunny day with free money floating in the water. After my lap1 success in the water I took a wide path and swam hard. I must have overtaken 50 to a 100 people in the water, mainly due to lots of people in buoyancy aids doggy paddling.

There was still a lot of back markers to run through once out of the water, my mate JP was wearing bright orange and an easy target to spot and try and chase down. at the next water obstacle, which was a 6 meter pond to wade through. I knew it was waist deep after a meter or so, so i took a huge running leap, making it half way across before getting wet. this worked a treat and managed to pass a dozen people as I flew through the air. I couldn't gain any time on JP and he was always 100 to 200 meters ahead. He kept this lead all the way to the finish and over it. I finished about 45 seconds after my rival and mate.

After a quick home made shower and dry off, I caught up with an old friend and then went to watch Steve Cram start his race.

with the preliminary results in I was 37th and Steve Cram 281st

So for the only time I will ever get to beat Steve Cram in race, I am absolutely stoked!

http://www.x-runner.co.uk

In summary: A great race, with lots of swimming, and a very slick organisation team.

Scores (out of 10)
Course: 8
Terrain: 7
Difficulty: 6
Return factor: 7
Overall: 7