I had low expectations of timing, and my main goals were to:
1. enjoy the view,
2.finish the race and
3.not trip over and jeorpardise Brussels marathon and Palace to Palace - my endurance challenges in October
Achieved all three, and more!
Excuses not to get a PB were given to me by a fellow runner at the toilet queues:
1. the refreshment stations are well equipped with goodies like Mars Bars so you need to get your money's worth;
2. Queues build up at stiles and kissing gates ( ie steps and gates across fences to stop animals from getting across);
3. Roots and obstacles are marked with orange paint so you know what (not) to trip over.
It was an amazing experience and I do think my runs in Edinburgh holyrood park and the long run thru Lyme back to home on a friday's evening prepared me for this. I wasn't too afraid of hills and only stopped to walk up one. Had to hold back on some downhills so that I don't trip over roots.
Due to the narrower trails and to an extent the types of people that enter these races, there wasn't a lot of aggressive overtaking and people acknowledge they can only pass when they really can.
The stepping up and down thru the stiles were a good workout, lack of defined mile markers and real landmarks mean you just simply had to keep going . Well marshalled course so one would get lost.
Focus was crucial as if you don't, it can cost you an injury! Kept me occupied without headphones and no zoning out like other road races..
Running through sand was interesting, and how to keep myself going? The imagery of mr bean running thru sand in the opening ceremony came up, and the chariots of fire theme kept me going..
The fields, and panoramic views across the Surrey hills was worth it. Especially so after quite a bit of 'eye candy'.
First refreshment station outside a pub at 3miles (or even before the first mile!) was furnished with a buffet table of goodies. Bourbon cremes, choc digestive biscuits, jelly beans and the infamous mars bars chopped in bite sized pieces.
Feeling dehydrated after a first big hill, I went for some water and then greedily went for a portion of mars bar. And then drank more water and choked on it!! :( despite that, it did give me renewed strength to power through the next field.
I only attempted one banana piece in one future station, so it was all eye candy... Stuck to my tried and tested gel. Did not want any choking risk again.
This was a shorter run than our last few weekends long run , but effort was probably more...I made it to the finish with lots of cheering and landed on the mat at 2:22 - if they say a trail adds 15 mins to your half marathon time... Only just slightly better than MK in july but not really...
Medal round my neck, I was directed to another refreshment table - best I've ever seen! Cakes brownies flapjacks fruit cake bananas (fresh and mushed) more biscuits!! I only managed to take a picture (only now and not during the race at all despite the temptation!) , and few pcs - what a napkin could hold.
Goodie bag has a Farnham pilgrim 2013 which will probably have a copy up on our wall and another for my dad in HK.
No wonder It's voted one of the best new races !
The cotton race Tshirt (small sized this time!) has the words 'there's no discouragement' ...brings me back to the Pilgrim's Hymn - and as less pain this week (no reciting hymnals required to distract from distance/boredom!) I'll share part of this one as its got some good motivating bits- the trail which forms part of the pilgrim's way of the north downs way..
He who would valiant be ’gainst all disaster,
Let him in constancy follow the Master.
There’s no discouragement shall make him once relent
His first avowed intent to be a pilgrim.
Who so beset him round with dismal stories
Do but themselves confound - his strength the more is.
No foes shall stay his might; though he with giants fight,
He will make good his right to be a pilgrim.
......
Then fancies flee away! I’ll fear not what men say,
I’ll labor night and day to be a pilgrim.
Legs tired but all motivated to go again. There's work to do before the taper..
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