Woodland running

 Good to get out in the woods, clear our heads, get off the tarmac, inhale those gorgeous views..... And......... Breathe..... 

 Thank you Adrian Howes, photographer, for catching the last painful moments of the race

Country to capital 2021, my race

 So, the first long distance event that I've been able to get to, due to the pandemic restrictions, for a long long time. I felt like a complete newby with this : the journey, the organisation, the overall distance, was all completely intimidating me. But it felt time to try and get back in to this, as a mental boost and kick up the bum to try and focus again, in past and present passions.

A flat race: the winner finished in approximately five hours fifteen. I have no idea how. I think many of us felt that it was perhaps harder than normal : no preparation with recent events due to cancellations, it felt very much like the first time of attempting this distance.

Yikes.

My legs got tired too quickly for my liking, with the classic schoolboy error of setting off too fast. Plodding commenced quite quickly, the ultra gear. A huge piece of luck for me : I hooked up with a chap running a similar pace quite early on about fifteen miles. After having a little moan between us, we went in to a run / walk strategy that he timed like a metronome. We were aiming for 13-14 minute miles to complete, so would walk (well, hobble) for 0.6 of a mile, then jog (well, shuffle) for 0.4-0.5 of a mile. Honestly, it worked a treat. The miles just ticked by. In between our attempts at 'running', we put the world to rights and this in itself was interesting. So, how lucky for me to have bumped in to this chap.... My race would not have been anywhere near as enjoyable or achievable without him. 

The end came after 9 hours 32. I certainly didn't feel as if I'd had a 'good' race:  legs way too sore, rubbish injuries rearing their heads. But, but but.. I didn't expect to, either. First event back, my aim was to complete, I was chuffed to get there.

Still buzzing. And still wearing the tee shirt, with pride. 

Country to Capital 2021

 I am so very grateful that this race could happen. This was the third date for the event, after pandemic postponements, and I got the impression that it took a huge amount of work to be allowed to go ahead.

It is just over 42 miles, a point to point route starting at Wendover and leading in to Little Venice, London.   A flat, fast race. The first part mostly tracks through fields and woods: the second part along canal towpaths into London.

Due to the time of year that we could run this race, it was warm and lovely. Normally this race is held in January, I should imagine quite muddy underfoot in parts during the first half, then maybe marginally creepy along a cold dark towpath in the second (depending on the speed of the competitor).

It was probably not my usual choice of scenic trail race.... But so so so good to be out there taking part in long distance again at last. That was a buzz in itself. 

A huge point that sticks in my head about this race..... The race director waited at the finish to congratulate each competitor. I managed a quick chat with him, he touched on the difficulties of holding this event this week, due to part lifting of various restrictions. Last minute and stressful seemed to be the order of his week. But, he came up with the best comment ever - he wanted to hold this race because he knew it would make people happy. Simple as that. After everything that people have gone through recently, and are still enduring.... I love this reason. Anybody that has managed to hold a running company together through the last year, and wants to continue with events for this reason, is an absolute star in my book. You've got to support these companies for the sake of running happiness. Brilliant. 

 Today I managed to plod through my first ultra for a long, long time.... The Country to Capital. Just over 42 miles. I think I finished about nine and a half hours. Legs are killing me.....