RR10 Wilverley Plain 2014

Thanks to Paul Hammond

My first RR10 of 2014 - and it was fabulous.  I don't clock watch when doing cross country - I just run as hard as I feel like doing & enjoy the scenery, being outdoors and the challenge of getting over the changing terrain.  We had a stunning sunset and many many trees to appreciate!  Wilverley requires one of the longest drives to an RR10 & is in the New Forest, between Brockenhurst and Burley. 

Thanks to Paul Hammond

 


Heather & I decided when we arrived that we'd use the loo - sheer luxury to have one.  But it was just one and queuing for it took at least 15mins - at least it served as a meeting point where we met Verity, Sue and Bridget.  The queue also provided the opportunity to apply insect repellent - a must for any summer Forest run - although Lynne later had some accidentally sprayed in her mouth - not an experience to repeat.



Thanks to Paul Hammond

There were fewer of us than I expected - certainly fewer Southampton regulars - but I'm sure that was partially due to this being the furthest RR10 from home.

The safety briefing lacked the drama of the CC6 from Wilverley Plain - no mentions of quick sand!

Setting off across a heathland plain, I caught up with Bridget & could see Lynne ahead of me - and this was pretty much the story of my race.  Bridget & I ran bits together but I'm a little quicker downhill.  I could see Lynne but couldn't catch her.  The route headed downhill into forest on gravel tracks.  More hills & we switched to mud paths with roots to dodge - but there weren't too many properly boggy bits.  One tree to clamber over - I wasn't brave enough to hurdle despite encouragement from the marshals.

Several marshals told me I was looking good - so that must have been true.  I'm glad that I'd sprayed on insect repellent - but still sported several bites on my legs afterwards.

It wasn't quite the 8K described - I made it 7.4.  The finish was at the edge of the woods shortly after the last climb - but with enough levelness to enable strong finishes.

At the end, we met up with Tanya who'd not arrived in time to run - so good of her to stay & support.  Lynne & I went back to cheer the rest of the Sisters in.  Very impressed with Sue L & Heather's finish - sprinting beautifully!  7 of our runners managed their highest finishing position for the season so far - including our rocket Siri.

We were concerned that the water seemed to have disappeared by the time we got to the start point - only to see big bottles being brought over to replenish the supplies.  So much better than Salisbury/Eastleigh/Sheffield.

Lovely sunset to admire on the way home.  Cross country rocks.

Results (with positions, not times):

• Siri Froystadt 16 - amazingly speedy & her highest position this season.
• Jo Green 56
• Lisa Graham 68
• Verity Fisher 73
• Maria Warwick 88
• Nikki Skeats 111 - highest position this season
• Lynne Newson 117 - highest position this season
• Gin Tidridge 124
• Bridget Wells 126
• Sue Leith 134 - highest position this season
• Heather Lovelock 135
• Sally Lucas 136 - highest position this season
• Jessica Martyn 139
• Kelly Singh 140 - highest position this season
• Pat Rogers 141- highest position this season

We managed 5 teams - so a good evening for Solent Running Sisters.

Netley 10K 2014

Laps (3 of 'em) and no medal - not a recipe for a must-do race in my view, but I enjoyed Sunday's 10K, organised by Southampton Athletic Club at the Royal Victoria Country Park.  To be honest, my main motivation was to complete the 7 runs for the HRRL league (apparently there's a mug involved) and Netley was the most convenient of the remaining league races.  

Positives included the park, views and lovely weather - and lots of Running Sisters (13 I think) plus honorary Sister supporters in the form of Verity's partner & Lou's buddy Gordon.  And we had some fabulous support from Tina from the wall of her home - right inside the park & about 3/4 of the way around the lap.  Pat was there in her race official capacity, reminding us to put some sunscreen on at the start - good advice as it was decidedly summery.

Another positive was loos.  There are a few in the park (all open) plus a few portaloos that meant minimal queuing.  And unlike many recent races, water was readily available en route and at the end - in fact a positive of 3 laps was 3 water station opportunities - thanks to John Compton & the rest of the SAC team. 

Having discussed warming up with Kelly, I led a "proper" warm up for once - I really should do that more often at races!  However, I still forgot to stretch afterwards...

I set off with Lou & Gordon but got selfish and decided it was flat enough to at least attempt a 1 hour 10K.  I ran with Melissa for a bit, but finished alone - the price of pushing for a time!  And I was unsuccessful: 60:25 although I'm convinced it was 60:13 when I crossed the line.  I guess I could probably justify knocking off a few seconds for it being non-chipped.

Sam had a rotten race, having to pull out after lap 1 with calf pain.  So galling for her.  I'm impressed that she stayed to cheer us in - hoping for a speedy recovery.  The good news is that she hasn't done any damage.

Marshalling should have been simple - but seemed to require more traffic management than I thought would have been needed - they did well.

Weirdest part of the run was being handed a red towel at the end.  It's embroidered with the race details - but still random.  Sadly no cakes - and I couldn't use the ice cream van as I had no cash.

But I'm being churlish.  It was a well organised, very enjoyable summer run & I could see the sea.  All good.

Results (bear in mind that these aren't chip times):

• Dorte Barkley 48:47
• Lisa Graham 52:03
• Verity Fisher 52:38
• Rachel Knott-Sturdy 53:45
• Gin Tidridge 60:25 (hurrumph)
• Emma Hickman 62:59
• Melissa Halford 63:33
• Louise Hillier-Wheal (and Gordon) 65:14
• Kelly Singh 66:15
• Claudia Lucas 66:47
• Tanya Carter 71:11

3 Forts Half - 4th May 2014

There are 2 runs on my calendar as “must do” for 2014 – and this was one.  Louise persuaded me to run it in 2012, promising amazing views from the South Downs.  The route climbs up from Worthing onto the Downs on chalky tracks, joining the South Downs Way along a ridge before dropping back down – almost tarmac free.  It describes its self as "The Tough One" - I can't disagree!  Even tougher for those doing the full marathon. 

Back in 2012, rain & mist meant that we couldn’t actually see the tops of the hills were running up, let alone relish the views – and as anyone who has walked on the Downs will know, chalky tracks are very slippery when wet.  But we still had a blast.  In 2013 – we were both too ill to run.  2014 – time to tackle those hills again.

It was a beautiful morning but neither of us were feeling great – Louise had a cold & I hadn’t slept well.  We took the decision that we’d run as a team and not clock watch – just focus on enjoying ourselves.  There was a bit of a bottleneck at the start going up a narrow, slippery ascent, but I can’t pretend that I was upset to have to walk a little.

Once past that first hill, the tracks opened up & were mercifully dry so we could actually get some traction.  Sky larks, buzzards, bluebells, lambs and glorious views of the Downs, the sea and Sussex stretching north once we’d (finally) reached the main ridge.

The hills were still a killer.  We experimented with walking vs running and concluded that it made no difference to our pace! 

The race was exceptionally well supported with 4 marshalled stations with water, squash, jelly babies, bananas and choice of cakes at each – plus very enthusiastic marshals.  It seems to be a feature of Rotary organised events that the support is so good.

On top of the ridge, we stopped to take photos, feeling very Sound of Music.  

The descent was also noticeably easier than last year.  We hooked up with another runner who was as obsessed with speed as we were (i.e. not very) and nattered all the way.  Even so, the very last bit seemed to take much longer on the way back than it did on the way out despite being more downhill.

Finished 7 minutes faster than in 2012 and had medals placed around our necks by the Mayor of Worthing (#coolmayor) – and we have a fab selfie with our new bestie mayor.  More cake, lots of drinks and we headed back to Hampshire.

It’s a nice run, not too big but very well organised.  Parking was an issue for many but we were lucky & ended up in possibly the closest space to the start.  Probably not helped by there being a new housing estate in the field where we'd parked in 2012!  Fab photos are courtesy of Louise.

If you fancy an off road half (or even a full marathon), I recommend it.