Recce #1: Mist Over Pendle

Right. 

After being inducted into ultra marathons this year, and still having full use of all body parts, I have decided now is the time to entertain the idea of a 100 mile race.

I am going to enter the Red Rose 100, an event next May that is organised by the LDWA (long Distance Walkers Association). It starts and finishes in Rivington which is near my home, and goes around and about the area for, well, 100 miles I suppose. There is no guarantee that I'll get a place on it, it's a bit like the London Marathon, you throw your name into a hat, and hopefully someone pulls it out. 

So, in the absence of the option of bribing someone in authority to give me a place, I am pinning my hopes on influencing Fate, so I am hoping really really really hard, so hard that it hurts, that I get a place, and am demonstrating to Fate my commitment to the idea by practicing on the course already. 

So, this Saturday I went on a recconaisance of 3 of the stages with my Mum and Dad, who have been really kind and totally taken the idea on board, sacrificing a leisurely Saturday morning, and printing out instructions, packing picnics and organising complicated transport details so that we don't walk 17 miles in one direction and then realize we don't have a car/ the right keys for the right car/ any keys/ other misfortunes. 

We started at Spring Woods Picnic Site in Whalley, and began the first mile uphill through a golf course through the early morning dew and flying golf balls. The next couple of miles I successfully navigated, aided greatly by them being in a straight line, then we headed up onto the Nick of Pendle, where the first navigational mishap befell us. As a poor workman blames his tools, I will blame my instructions, which mysteriously stated there were several paths all going in the same direction, so take whichever you like the look of, and then after the second pile of stones on your right, take the path on the right. Piece of cake. Thus instructed, we contentedly trekked on our way in search of stones. On and on, and on a bit more, until we did find some stones and turned right down a path. But no! These stones had been on our left! And we were now heading way off route! Sigh. To cut a long detour short, using my Dad's GPS and some resourcefulness we found the proper path, took it, and stopped for cake at the 2 hour point, and all was well with the world again.

 

Revived by fruit cake we started the next bit, which said 'head across the moor'. In the absence of any further help, such as a direction, I followed a runner, who has waved at us and looked like he knew where he was going. He did, and we were headed the right way. Ah ha - always trust a runner!

Rather bizarrely, we then ran into a big group of walkers who my parents started shouting 'Hello! Fancy seeing you here!' at. Honestly, in the middle of a field in the middle of nowhere they still know everyone. It was actually a group of LDWA people, so I suppose given that, it wasn't all that surprising they should all know each other given they are in their natural habitat, but still.

Then it was on, downhill (hurrah!) to Newchurch in Pendle, where the famous Witches Galore Shop is to be found. For those of you not au fait in the tale of Pendle and it's witches, think back to 1612, and look at this: http://www.visitlancashire.com/inspire-me/pendle-witches/the-story-of-the-lancashire-witches

All this discussion of witchcraft, and having made it to the end of the first stage of instructions signaled lunch time, and we pitched up at a handy bench in Barley for sandwiches and crisps. The LDWA group reappeared and shouted some witty banter at us on seeing us sat down and having refreshment. I always had an idea that walkers were a polite and well mannered bunch. Apparently not. 

Roused by this interruption to a pleasant lunch, we hit the road for stage 2 of the walk. Then it was up onto Pendle Hill for the second time, but this time all the way to the top. Perhaps there is something about the place - it's true that whenever my Mum and I go up Pendle Hill it it is always awful weather! Sure enough, after a sunny morning, as we arrive at the bottom of the hill, the mist rolls in and it starts to rain....

 

And then it's back down the other side, and immediately it stops raining. Just as well because the view coming down is cracking! Still not sure what the view from the top is actually like, but this is what it looks like from the bottom in the sunshine.

 

Conversation turned to tea and scones, and if we would be back at the car in time to make it to the village tea room next to the car park. There were some doubters among us. The mood dipped. We walked a little further. Into my Mum's mind sprang a memory of a tea room in Downham; the end of this stage of the walk. The mood lifted. A field or two was even jogged! And we were rewarded by tea, a scone and the confidently claimed 'best apple pie in the world'.

Now everything seemed mighty fine, as we started the last stage, which looked the easiest - short and flat. Shortly after leaving Downham, we crossed a field that was home to hundreds of cows, who all abandoned their grass chewing, and headed straight for us, at a relaxed, yet sinister, pace. Each time we turned to look behind, they would be another few meters closer.... eyes still fixed on us in a beady stare. Like they were under a spell. How disconcerting. The instructions stated to 'head for the gate in the fence 200 yards away.' It was unclear if we would make it. At the gate we all tried to be polite and let the others through first, while hopping up and down and glancing nervously at advancing cows and resisting the urge to panic and scream and flatten each other in our eagerness to jump over the fence. We made it to the other side. As to the cows, I couldn't say, I paid them not another thought once I was through that gate. I hope they've gone by next time. 

Then it was up and down another hill and here we were - Sawley Abbey no less, where Katie and Seb got married less than 2 months ago!

Then it was over the River Ribble and the last couple of miles were lovely, and easy and flat along the fields by the side of the river. We made it back to the car park, and picked up a brew from the village shop and finished up the chocolate brownies. 17 miles in 7 and a bit hours. Champion!

Poppies

Yesterday I went for a last run in London before I have to migrate north for the winter today (yes, that is the wrong way).

It was very warm and very sunny, and I will miss it tons and more. But I will not dwell on this point, as the summer has been the best. In the wise words of Dr Suess, who I consult in moments such as these "Do not cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." And so, let us smile from ear to ear, and remember "Today was good. Today was Fun. Tomorrow is another one". 

My watch, I think anticipating the colder weather, has given up with the whole idea of working. And so, as with many things, if you want it doing properly, you might as well do it yourself, so I have returned to measuring my runs by hand (/computer).

I ran down to the River Thames, which I have enjoyed running alongside a lot recently, and over London Bridge to the south side, and then east to Tower Bridge, to return to the north side and back home. Imagine my surprise on seeing this!

The bridge! It's open! I am stuck in the south! How do I return to the other side!!! Filled with doubt, I grasped the break in proceedings to rest against the wall and take some snaps and gather my thoughts. 

The moment passed (as all tight spots do) along with the ship, and the bridge lowered, creating an opportunity to visit The Tower of London on the other side. There is an installation there at the moment, called "Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red". From 5th August to 11th November this year the artist /designers Paul Cummins and Tom Piper are installing 888,246 red ceramic poppies (one for each British military fatality in the First World War) around the moat of the Tower to commemorate the 100th anniversary year. The last one will be planted on the 11th November. So I supposed it's about a third of it's way to being completed. Already it is jerking to see visually how many there are already. 

A beautiful and haunting sight at the same time.

They are going to sell the poppies afterwards, to raise millions of pounds for six service charities: http://poppies.hrp.org.uk/about-the-installation

First proper injury! - at the Thames Meander Marathon 2014 ....

...more on that later....

Since the Lyke Wake 40 miles 6 weeks ago in July, I have been struggling a bit with things - feeling like there was way too much going on and going by so fast, everything was getting on top of me, and I hadn't managed to fit in any long runs. Done plenty of short runs, but to be honest I hadn't really been trying that hard with them, was just doing them as a way to help me feel in control of other things, which I find running always helps with. The longest run I have done since the Lyke Wake was 12.5 miles while on holiday in Devon, which included a cream tea break half way round (a training approach which I recommend highly).

So, going in to this marathon I wasn't expecting much of myself. But, hey, I love this marathon, so who cares, it'll be a nice day anyway.

I did this marathon last year as part of 13 in 2013 and it was one of my favourites! Love running along the south of the Thames, sounds silly but I always feel at ease there and at one with the world, and I couldn't wait to get back there. The start this year was different to last year, and wasn't so great I didn't think, more busy and as the route went straight out onto the Thames Path which is quite narrow, everyone seemed quite on top of each other for the first few miles. Today was my 22nd marathon, but I still struggle in the first few miles to get into my own pace especially with lots of other people around me doing their own thing, and I always go off to fast. Can't help it! See other people running and want to run as fast as them!

Anyway, after a few miles it settled down and I felt comfortable in my own pace. The route goes straight from Kingston to Richmond and along the Thames Path to Putney Bridge, then back to Kingston and along a bit more for an extra loop at the end. There is a half marathon that starts at the same time, and this goes half way to Putney and then back, so after this point it's a little bit strange as suddenly a lot of people disappear  (including several I was trying to keep pace with, which serves me right for trying to keep up with others who I don't know anything about!). Lots of water stops with nice snacks - coconut flapjack squares a highlight (more sugary than a pure sugar cube)!

Everything was going well until 19 miles, when I tripped over a rock and headed superman style straight into the ground covered in grit and soil. I wanted nothing more than to burst into tears, but restrained - too many people to see, too embarrassing. The man who was running just behind me was really kind, and stopped to help me up and made sure I was alright. Didn't really feel it, mud and blood everywhere! But no reason to stop - everything was really stingy and my hips and foot felt a bit funny but didn't feel like I had hurt anything inside. Got some funny looks in the last few miles- one side covered in dirt and cuts and ripped leggings! A few miles before I fell, a lady a bit ahead of me had done the same and eventually I caught her up and asked if she was OK and said I had just done it too. She told me she had broken 3 bones from falling over when running! And also that she had only started running 4 years ago when she was 58, and since then had done 60-odd marathons! Wow. I want to be like her.

Weird, but falling actually made me feel better, firstly I wanted just to finish as everything was hurting and I wanted  to get it over with which was a good incentive, and also having a real pain distracted me from the less-bad aches that always start after a couple of hours running.

Running past the start to do the extra couple of miles loop at the end was pretty good actually, I hadn't been looking forward to seeing the end so close, and then having to go off and do 2 more miles! But there were loads of people watching and cheering, and as it was a loop you could see the runners a bit ahead of you coming back the other way, and everyone was smiling and encouraging each other as we passed each other, and I high-fived a couple of the runners I had been talking to earlier in the race! So that was a moral booster. Had a bit of a sprint finish at the end with a bloke who I had overtaken and was just behind me, then he came back and overtook, but I held on for the last 50 meters, and everyone was shouting at us! He just beat me (but only a tiny bit), but it felt wicked to be able to sprint (relatively) at the end!

Went to the St John's Ambulance tent at the end as was worried about my cuts which had a load of mud and grit in them and looked a bit nasty. The man was great, it's such a nice thing these guys do, giving up their time to make sure everyone is looked after at so many different events, and they are so cheerful! He cleaned them all up and put a dressing on my knee which was the worst cut, and I got an accident report, which I guess makes this my first proper running accident. Official.

Stats: finish time 3:48:39, 17/104 in women and 91/326 overall.

The end was quite eventful. The runners were only allowed to use the showers round the back of the leisure center, but there was only one shower room, which was full of naked men. After a mostly peaceful protest, the leisure center let some of us girls use the proper showers inside, but warned us there was only cold water. Which turned out to be no water. I had a minor (major) panic. I had to meet Andrew and Norma for lunch at Jamie Oliver's Italian in Kingston in an hour, and currently was covered in dirt, sweat and the odd tear. But one of the other runners saved the day and had some baby wipes with her and was kind to give me some too, so ended up having a festival-style-baby-wipe shower, which did a good enough job.

Re-fuelled with spaghetti carbonara and ice cream.

Today's recovery plan: biscuits.

Thank you to my sponsors!

I received a copy of the Raynaud's & Sceleroderma Associations magazine 'Hot News' this week, and a lovely note saying thank you for the money that I raised last year by running 13 in 2013. I raised money for two charities - the RSA and also the Sceleroderma Society, and raised £1097 that was split equally between the two....

....so  I would like to pass this thank you on to all of you lovely people who were so generous in sponsoring me last year!!! We raised loads of money for these two great charities!

The Lyke Wake Race - 12.07.2014

The Lyke Wake weekend arrived! After much anticipation it was finally here! Before I left Leeds in May I signed up to this race with my running club in Leeds - Chapel Allerton Runners. The Lyke Wake race has been going for 50 years, and CAR has traditionally supported it, both by running it and supporting it. Due to the demands of organising a race, this was unfortunately going to be the last year it was able to be held, the 50th anniversary, and so we wanted to put out a team for one final hurrah!

Unfortunately, due to some minor problems with our team registration and an injury, our team got disqualified twice before we started. But it takes more than that to deter our team from a challenge! And so, we arrived, at 6.30am in a small car park in the North York Moors, for a  quick photo shoot before kick off (Kath, Craig, Steve, Micheal and me in the picture, and the final member of our team was Mike, who set off later on).

The start consisted of a man in overalls shouting "7.10ers - GO!" and we all unquestionably did as he said, and set off. There is no set route for this event, you start in the small car park near Osmotherley, and you end at the Raven Hall Hotel in Ravenscar, but how you get there is up to you. If you're smart, and handy with a map and compass, you will choose the shortest route, 40 miles. Therefore, this was the plan. I was nervous, as having moved away, I had missed the recce of the first two stages, which looked the most complicated part. I had tried to be prepared, but as you can see, the maps are upside down, which is just a technical hitch with my computer, but actually isn't too far from the truth when I am handed a map.

It was so good to see the running club again! The first two stages passed largely unnoticed body-wise, catching up with people, but some beautiful views were around already - gradually coming up through the woods onto the moors, high up above the ground in the quiet early morning air. It is indeed a treat to be able to be out in the world in such a place at such a time when it seems that every leaf and every dewdrop is shimmering with anticipation of a new day. And what a day it was!

But quickly back down to earth, and a quick custard cream (it can hardly be 8am, and it's acceptable to eat biscuits - if for no other reason, that alone is enough to do this) and re-group at checkpoint 1. Then we pressed on to checkpoint 2 where the support crew had arrived - it was a big and lovely surprise to have so many people supporting us today - John, Jas, David, Rhian, Kath's Mum - with refreshments and encouragement and advice. And of course my Mum too, who had planned for hours how to get to the different checkpoints to see both us runners, and also my Dad who was walking the route. Logistical nightmare, but not a match for my Mum! Huge thanks to all - it makes such a difference to know that in a few miles there are going to be familiar faces and smiles to spur us along. And of course, this is HUGE amounts of time to give up to come and support people at an event like this, it's incredibly kind.

 

Then it was off again, to tackle the next section before the Lion Inn at checkpoint 3....



It was starting to get hot now, and there would be no more shade all day up on the moors. I ran out of drink only half way through this stage. The sun beat down harder. You could fry an egg on these rocks. Argh! Thirst! Then, we turned a corner, and there was the Lion Inn in the distance, where cold rice pudding and peaches were waiting! This had been widely promoted by Micheal in the run up to the event, but truthfully I had been slightly unenthusiastic by the prospect of cold rice pudding. But oh, what a delight! Never has anything tasted so good or provided such needed energy!

At the Lion Inn Kath decided to run her own pace, and run separately. I didn't want her to and was worried about her, but on the other hand, I had already met some lovely people running during the morning, and was confident that we were really all one large team, and I knew we would all look out for each other. I have found this on all long races I have done, there is definitely a feeling of all being in this together, in fact, someone I spoke to described these types of run as "less of a test of speed and more of a test of survival", which is a bit ominous, but I get what he meant. 

So, we set off, along the road for a while, and past a signpost for Fryup, surely the most desirable place name in the UK. A bacon sandwich? Don't mind if I do. And a fried egg? Yes please! There was a cycle race coming in the opposite direction along the road, and it was a great few minutes where runners and cyclists were all shouting out encouragement and grinning to each other - a big boost to moral for all.

Then it was up onto the moors. Initially, this was brilliant! The peet bog had dried out enough so that it was firm, but still bouncy, and running on it was like bouncing along a trampoline! A welcome relief for sore feet. Bogs are brilliant! Happily bouncing along in our false sense of security, we brusquely disappeared knee deep in the first non-bouncy/ actual bog, part of bog. Strange to say this, but it was unexpectedly pleasant - feet feeling so hot and dusty that the bog felt as luxurious as a foot spa!  The shout of 'BOG!' became our frequent battle cry as the runner in front tried to find a safe path through the moor. Mostly unsuccessfully.

At about half way, the conversation turned to pee. I have never run this far with a group of only men before. I remained on the outskirts of these conversations, not being entirely sure about contributing to the detailed and enthusiastic discussion of body experiences. After 30 miles I didn't care any more, and joined in the conversations. No, actually, now you mention it, I haven't been able to pee either, and no, in fact, I don't feel like I need to. As soon as I said this out loud, I immediately began to worry - surely it can not be normal to not need to pee for 8 hours?! Is it?! I have been obsessing about this ever since, and have calculated I drank about 5L of fluids (mostly electrolyes, but some water, squash, lucozade and flat coke - flat coke! Amazing!!), but this must not have been enough. I am still worrying about this. Was I dehydrated? Or was by not peeing mean I was retaining water? What does it mean????

The last few miles became tougher, and I am so proud of all my team who carried on in the face of discomfort with good humour, and maintained the ability to laugh always! Especially my team-mate Craig who only started running in January and had never run more than 13 miles before today - whenever anyone (including myself) says that something is too difficult to attempt - he is proof that if you want to do something enough, if you put your mind to it, victory will be yours!

Around this point I used my emergency energy gel. I hate energy gels. They are sickly and sweet and sticky, and somehow manage always to get everywhere. But I always carry one in my pocket on long runs for emergencies, as like it or not, they pack a lot of calories in a very small punch. I have come to have a sort of a "lucky gel". I got it free after some race ages ago. I have been carrying around so long without needing it that it is now a few months out of date. But by having it, it's like a security blanket. But not today! Still a few miles from the next checkpoint and starting to get the unpleasant sensations of your petrol tank running low, I cracked open the gel with some sadness. It worked though, within 10 minutes I was feeling better. I suppose I'd better get a new one.

Soon the sea came into view! And the mast which signals the official end of the walk (although, rather unkindly, to finish the race you have to carry on a bit after that to get the the end in the Raven Hall Hotel). Anyway, the mast is approaching! There's an "up" to the mast, but it's a gentle incline, Micheal assured us. Indeed, filling our field of vision was a gentle hill, rising up to the mast of our dreams (the end), even broken by the final check-point at Jugger.

Jugger. I knew there was something about that name. Indeed, a few minutes later, we reached the edge of what I would unhesitatingly describe as a vertical drop, a cliff even, to a stream, with an equally unpleasant vertical climb up the other side. "Gental incline" indeed. We put a plan into action. Walk up the hill to the small tree where it flattened out a bit, and then start running, as we were approaching the checkpoint and must give the impression to our supporters that we were still holding things together.

Things became slightly tense at the checkpoint as after comparing watches (those which still worked) it became clear we had about 35 minutes to get to the end within our 9 hour aim. It was about 30 minutes run from here to the end. We cut short our final break and set off with purpose.

We made it! 8.57 minutes (3 minutes spare, loads of time, don't know what all the fuss was about). The end was fab - we crossed the line together in a band of green and couldn't stop grinning!

Kath was hot on our heels. I almost missed her come in, as I needed to set off again with my Mum to go back to meet my Dad who was coming through an earlier checkpoint, but I just caught her and was so happy to see her sprint down that last road still smiling - her first ultra, what a finish!

And.......we were un-disqualified and won the team prize! A trophy!!! Totally worth all the blisters. In fact, what blisters? What pain? All forgotten already!

My Dad was powering through, looking great, and strangely non-muddy and serene for someone who has just walked 40 miles through bog. Here is is having just climbed the hill at Jugger, near to the end.

So, I was lucky to be a part of two fantastic teams - CAR and also my awesome family! Big congratulations go to my Dad who finished within 15 hours, in spectacular style, walking off the moor at the exact second it went dark and a storm of biblical proportions hit! Here were are at the start..

...and the end...

...and, of course, my Mum, by the official finishing stone - without her, neither of us would have made it there with body and mind (largely) intact - thank you!

For more info on the Lyke Wake walk check out the website:

http://www.lykewakewalk.co.uk/race.html

Keeping everything crossed it will be on again next year! 

Last long run - 36 miles

Well it's been a while since my last post. Have been suffering a little from writers block really. Everything running wise just seemed same old, same old stuff, trying to get miles in around life. I suppose I lost the love a bit, I tried several times to write something interesting, but couldn't do it, nothing much seemed worth writing about.

This week has been different though. The running zing has returned. This week I have covered 61 miles on foot in training. And 6 on a bike, which is my new commute to work, which I initially hated, but now love it (a thousand times better than the Northern Line!), and good for the bum muscles. Hurrah!

This renewed enthusiasm I think is partly driven by fear. I'm scared. I am running The Lyke Wake 42 mile race in less than 2 weeks time, and I am running as part of a team (Chapel Allerton Runners). I have never run a distance race as part of a team before, and it gives a different perspective for sure, if I have a bad day I won't let only myself down, but my team too, so I can't let that happen! Nothing like a bit of pressure to get you off the starting block and into the distance.

Today I ran 36 miles in 5 hours and 54 minutes. I ran the same route that I did a couple of times while training for The Woldsman, but today I was about 30 minutes faster! I put this down to my new playlist and new drink. Went to a concert of Friday night of the Philharmonia Orchestra playing hits from the movies. Awesome music, so, inspired I downloaded their Bond album. I listened to this for 6 hours. I think I know it pretty well now. Goldeneye? Tick. Die Another Day? I got you. Moonraker? Easy! I also drank 1L of eleyctrolye drink and 1.5L of water, which I think helped with the body, while the music helped the mind.

I also have a new accessory. To say it has changed my life is an exaggeration, but it has improved the running experience massively for something so simple, and it's brilliant! All it is a elasticy piece of material that goes around your arm, I wear it on my wrist above my watch, and it has a pocket inside, that is big enough to hold a small bag of sweets/ phone! It is so much easier than holding them in a hand! £5.99 from Runners Need. Recommend it!

Running around Richmond Park, a man cycled towards me, pointed right at me, and shouted "GOING THE WRONG WAY!" At least, in my little Bond immersed, slightly low-sugary world at 22 miles into my run, that is what I heard. I thought it was a little odd. He didn't know where I was going. How could he know I was going the wrong way? Oh! I thought, of course, he must have said, "you're going a LONG way". No wait, that doesn't make sense either. How does he know how far I'm going? Oh.

I pondered for a few more steps. Then I remembered what I was wearing - he had pointed at my Chapel Allerton Runners vest and he must have shouted "NO WAY?!". By the time this had registered, and I turned round to acknowledge the fellow Chapel Alltertoner, he'd already cycled off., probably thinking I was very rude. Oops. I wish I wasn't so slow.

The Orpington Marafun 2014

The last few weeks have been emotionally undulating! (running speak, undulating = hilly)

Lots of life stuff going on....leaving Leeds, moving house (twice), deadlines (the worst part), practical exams (oh no wait, they were the worst) etc etc...and so the furthest I managed to run in the 5 weeks since the ultra was 8.5 miles...

....oh...

...this was not looking good for the Orpington Marafun!

I entered this only a few weeks ago, whilst in a particularly deep depth of despair about uni work. I wanted something else to think about, so chose this, as I did it last year and really enjoyed it. I decided on entering that I would just go to enjoy it, and use it as a training run, and not go out to do a good time.

Of course, this was all theory, and I forgot it all as I stood at the start line and saw 26.2 miles ahead which needed to be conquered.

This was all very well, if I paid no attention to the fact my recent training had been dreadful, lacking structure and mileage. The last two days before the marathon I successfully ticked all the boxes for what not to do to prepare for a marathon....about 8 hours sleep in the 48 hours before the race, no stretching, eating all the wrong things, lugged my life around in a suitcase from Chorley to Leeds to London the day before (but this is a great whole body workout at any other time!), G&T the night before (but this was technically Andrew's fault, so I can't take responsibility for that) and no proper breakfast (as there were no oats left and the bread was moudly, and I hadn't caught up with what was happening and managed to do anything about it).

Well, I ignored all of that and set off, after a jam pastry and cup of tea I found at the start (I mean, I bought it, not that I just found a random pastry lying around somewhere). The route had changed for one thing and there now was a definite increase in hills. Embrace the hills! I thought, as I enthusiastically set off, destroying my leg muscles withing the first 2 minutes. Smart.

I was going on pretty well for the first 8 miles to be honest. The only problem I encountered was that I'd tied my shoelaces too tight and my right foot went numb. That was a bit disconcerting. Soon after that came the flaw in my plan, that I hadn't run more than that in quite a long time. Things went downhill fairly swiftly, stomach cramps, headache, hadn't brought any food/drink with me and it was HOT!  Then, at 22 miles I got a stitch! I stitch! I've never had a stitch before! I thought I was having appendicitis it was so painful. I now have COMPLETE sympathy for anyone who gets these, I had never appreciated how much it hurts before, like a knife! It hurt so much I then felt sick so spent the last few miles trying not the throw up, while trying not to land too heavily on my right leg, as every time I did the Stitch Monster  twisted the knife more deeply and aggressively.

I hopped over the finish line in 3:51:39 and I think I came first in the ladies as several people shouted that at me on the way round. So, pleased with all that! Definitely not my peak physical performance though!.

I have now recovered from the experience physically, although mentally it still hurts to think about.

I am much encouraged by the idea that you must make mistakes to become better.....

....so, by making a lot of mistakes...you can learn a lot of things.....and next time, you will know how to do them better :-)