Ironwood Challenged!

My first race report, and I had a bad ‘un, groan..!

However, thanks to the organisers and very friendly marshalls of the 6 mile Ironwood Challenge from Nailsea Running Club for this superb and great value event - under a tenner is great vfm these days.

Now, my disclaimer: Training hasn’t gone well. I had a ‘personal complaint’ that needed cream and NSAIDs to cure, and to be honest have been on the easy list a little too long since two Marathon’s last October so I’m lumbering some extra timber. So today was meant to be a step up in my programme.

Bearing recent form in mind, I started at the back, but that’s more or less where I stayed. This turned out to be one of the hardest, steepest races I’ve ever done, and the deep muddy conditions added to the challenge. There was an early climb that involved a rope to help us get up the hill, this spread the field out too, and the whole race involved climbs up through the woods above Long Ashton, reaching Failand at the top.

Conditions were extremely muddy. I slipped over twice during dowhill sections (yes there were some) but plenty of soft mud broke my fall. I also grazed my legs in bramble looking for better ground, but there wasn’t any! It should perhaps be recommended that trail shoes be worn, but in mud that deep there was little chance of any grip, indeed, I lost my trainers twice to the mud.

In saying that, all the runners seemed to be having a great time, and enjoyed the conditions. It’s certainly a change from road races, and I think it’s fair to say that a good time was had by all. There were cakes and treats in the village hall after, a nice informal affair, and if you like off road running this is one to add to your list for next year. I wouldn’t put anybody off and I’d like to try again in better shape.

Having been plastered in mud, I was so glad to get home for a bath, and then a nap - it really took it out of me! I hope my personal struggles today will help me pick up from here, plenty more to come in the weeks ahead, the Hogweed Hilly Half is looming next on March 20th, so let’s hope today pays off…

See the route of the 2007 Ironwood Challenge, thanks to The Mad Runner.

Four marathons this year

Hi runners.

This is my first post on the website, and I hope to share some of my running travels and travails with you over the coming months.

Starting in May this year I plan to run four marathons: Belfast, Edinburgh, Snowdonia, and one other. And I aim to keep running marathons of interest.

In the next few weeks I’m running The Ironwood Challenge at Long Ashton, and The Hogweed Hilly Half, which I highly recommend, come and join me!