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| After lap 2, still smiling, but for how long? |
As the
weekend grew closer we had changes to the team with a few personnel changes.
Momentarily we were down to 4 runners but knowing that we needed the full
contingent we had first registered my Dad - originally coming along to support
- was invited to join us. It was clear where my team and slightly competitive
spirit comes from when he promptly agreed and a t-shirt was ordered!
Three of
the team arrived on the Friday evening, Myself and Mike suffering from a long
long traffic filled journey, only made better when we stopped for an ice cream
and a road atlas. By the time we had arrived my Dad had followed instructions,
secured us a superb camp HQ and started the set up for our team... Pimp My
Stride.
Once the
tents were up we headed to race HQ to register, collect t-shirts and watch the
Olympics opening ceremony on the big screen near the start line. When we headed
back to the tents for a good nights sleep we were subjected to the unwelcome
musical styling’s of a cover band or really bad karaoke - we could not determine
which but relief was short-lived at the final song played at midnight when they
announced their return for Saturday night... noooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
On
Saturday morning the rest of the team arrived along with more support and our official
catering manager for the weekend, Karien's hubby - without the tea and kebabs
we might have never made it through! I also spotted both Anne-Marie and Karen
from my team last year getting ready to take on the challenge solo along with
Karen's hubby Tim, I was quite envious at this point and a seed was sown.
Before
long it was time for the briefing and we made our way to the start line. Soon
we lost track of Mike R and panic ensued as we realised we did not have a team
photo and as soon as one team member was on the course we wouldn't have another
chance until the end..... emergency!!!! We scanned the crowds, I finally found
him, reprimanded him accordingly and dragged him to the others for a photo two
mins before the gun went off to start the race!
Lap 1 - In the Summertime
I was
second up and set up on my first lap in the sweltering heat but determined and
excited to get off. The course had changed a little since last year although so
much was familiar and I was so enjoying being out in the sunshine and enjoying
the woods and the enthusiasm of all the runners and marshals that it was
incidental. This was my quickest lap and I knew if I was going to get in more
than my 4 last year I would need to rein it in a little so I could keep going.
Lap 2 - Continental
Challenge
Most
runners were now in their stride and on their first, second or third laps. I
chatted amicably to a variety of runners throughout my lap as we fell in and
out of pace with one another and shared our stories of what had led us to sign
up to this event.
The
continental challenge happened upon my lap, oh dear. It was offering a prize to
the fastest male and female to run up a rather long steep hill. I gave it my
all even though I knew it wouldn't be enough I tried my damnedest!
After my
lap I thought I'd better freshen up so headed for the shower blocks. I came out
looking for food and as I turned a corner there was my husband... making a
surprise visit to support me. What a lovely surprise, we picked up a baked
potato after a long potato based saga in the food tent and headed back to camp
for a while.
Lap 3 & 4 - Tree hugger and the light brigade
Night time
had arrived as I set out on my double at just after midnight. With head torch
in place, a spare dangling from my wrist I was impatiently hopping around in
the change over area getting chilly. I knew once I started running again I
would be fine but right now I was cold! The runners waiting all seemed to have
gone a little loopy by this point and we all started heckling when runners came
in, nothing bad just mostly shouting 'get naked' the new runner would pass
their layers to the runner coming back from their lap or shouting the name of
the person who seemed to have failed to show up to run.
The first
lap went by with a few stumbles and a little caution but I was hot, too many
layers, I knew it! As I passed our camp at just after 9km I detoured and
de-layered, grabbed my powerade and carried off on my way along with the other
bobbing lights in the darkness. Passing through the start and onto lap two I
wondered if I doing the right thing but it was too late now. I was getting
pretty tired now, the band had been playing again so I didn't have any sleep
prior to the run.
Onto the
second lap and I was really feeling the pressure now, my pace had slowed and I
was getting nervous. I started chatting to a man whose torch seemed to be
dimming and he was on his first of a double lap, I gave him my little spare as
it would have been pretty awful in the dark alone, we continued to run together
for a while before hitting a hill that I needed to power walk up and he was
off. The questions of why started to enter my mind, was this really a sensible
thing to be doing... running through the night, hmmm not so sure.
I found a
nice running buddy, a lady whose name I will probably never know but we kept
each other company. I moved to the side to let a runner pass and went flying
through the air and collided with a tree, lucky it was there I think as I would
have landed on my face... as it was I stubbed my toes, bumped my arm and felt a
bit silly. The other runners stopped and checked I was oaky, reassuring them I
was I sent them on their merry way through the woods at night!
Lap 5 - Nectarine Rolling Contest
Like the
infamous cheese rolling that takes place... this was of no such scale. Quite
simply a solo runner looking exhausted and using sticks went to eat a nectarine
from his supplies, it fell in slow motion at the top of a steep and grassy
hill. I leapt into action seeing the look on his face that had written on the delectable
piece of fruit. I managed to prevent it's tumbling and hand it back to him so
he could enjoy it's sweet if slightly dented flesh. He thanked me and I was on
my way again... good running Samaritan act number two!
Lap 6 & 7 - Anyone for a double?
As I
started my 6th and what was meant to be my final lap I was once again struck by
the feeling that maybe I could do this solo and all the tough parts had faded
away. I was happily trotting along and chatting to people as I approached the
8km mark I started to think that there was plenty of time for a final lap but I
don't think anyone from the team wanted to do it. I hollered words to that
effect as I passed the camp and then with their confirmation they were happy
for me to continue I set my mind to the task... another double was coming my
way!Just after the 5km mark where the water and sponge station was I took a moment to douse myself once again stating that that was possibley the greatest moment of the last 24hours, feeling that cold water cool me down before the final few miles. I crossed the line for the final time around 12:17pm on Sunday 29th July and I knew I would be back again next year.
The results:
- The other runners and marshals were so support, this really is an all inclusive event that welcomes everyone from tortoise through hare and everything in between.
- The team were fantastic in spirit, effort and support of each other.
- Pimp my Stride came 50 out of 70 Mixed teams of 5
- We ran 210km in total (21 laps)
- I ran 70km (7 laps which included 3 singles and 2 doubles)
- I might just sign up for a solo run next year!
Great report Liz, I really enjoyed reading about it, made me doubly sad I pulled out!
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