This week the Larkers went over to Bath University for our weekly mud therapy where Relish Running Races were staging the first of this winter's series of four off road 10ks.
I really think the Race Naming Committee need to get onto this one urgently, as the name is neither alliterative nor onomatopoeic. I would recommend Sham Castle Shamble but I imagine that one or two of my faster friends may wish to suggest something more suggestive of speed! Also, thanks to the morning's fog, we couldn't see Bath. I know from past experience that the views across Bath from Sham Castle are stunning and it was a shame to miss them. Fortunately I was able to fill in the grey gaps from memory.
Earlier, the day's excursion had begun (and later was to end) with entertaining conversation, and it was with some reluctance that Vanessa, Paul and I got out of the car to go and register, particularly as up on the hill beyond Bath there was fog and moisture in the air.
Debbie and Martin arrived shortly after us and we had no trouble collecting our numbers in the Sports Hall. Then back to the car park, conveniently situated beside the start and finish to get ready to race, and as we tried to keep warm and stand still for those all important "before" photos we were joined by Alan, Sheila and Tracy.
Much of the pre-race conversation seemed to be devoted to Paul's washing powder of choice. Apparently, he's using the wrong stuff. I'm confused about what the right stuff is exactly (to bio or not to bio?) and as my club vest (which once was white) is now a similar shade to Paul's, I thought it best to keep quiet for once!
thanks to Martin for the photos of us all before the run,
and of Paul enjoying himself at half way
Anyway, we had to curtail our chatter to race. The 10k was two laps, over trails and meadows, and through Bathampton Woods there were some tricky bits over rocks and tree roots, where the runners in road shoes frustrated those of us wearing trail shoes. One section of the course took us past some halls of residence where we were treated to the sight of young people in pj's, in the warm, having late breakfasts.
In the early part of the second lap I was bimbling along, minding my own business as you do, when suddenly Paul's disembodied voice called out "come on Rich K". It transpired that 1½k ahead of me the race went back in the opposite direction, somewhere up in the fog. It was great to get Paul's encouragement but he scared the life out of me at the same time!
I struggled today. For this particular Larker it was probably a race too many. I've hardly raced for several years and this was my 9th race in as many weeks, and most of them have been preceded by a parkrun. But you don't find out till you try it, do you, and it's been fun getting here. Today I had to focus on the joy of being out in beautiful countryside (again), being active (again) and in the company of such good friends (again). There is much to be grateful for, and if getting round is a bit more arduous than I'd hoped sometimes, it's a small price to pay for all the many positives.
The other Larkers seemed to enjoy themselves and their races. Once again they were waiting for me at the finish, cheering me on and pulling me across the line. Aren't they great? Having run solo for a couple of k's I'd been caught up just before we entered the final field, and suddenly I had to work hard to keep my position. Thanks for helping me do that everyone.
Post race, as Paul and I struggled to get changed in the car park, the scene was likened to waiting for children in the cloakroom at reception class. I've no idea what was meant by this, perhaps we'll be told below?
Some highlights:
•once again, the wonderful autumnal colours all around us . .
•the occasional "ping" of a golf ball bouncing off a runner's head as we skirted the golf course . .
•the lovely marshal with her list of entrants in one hand, looking up our numbers and calling out to us by name as we ran by . .
•beautiful birdsong . . contrasted by the distant sound of model aeroplanes elsewhere above the Down, and the rumble of trains winding their way through Limpley Stoke valley below . .
•a nice bit of bling for our efforts . .
•seeing the winner! Yes, I was lapped, shortly before the half way mark. Like me the winner runs for Bristol & West AC. In fact I was disappointed to be lapped. I may have called him an "unsporting rotter" as he sped past . .
Once we'd found our way out of reception class and the car park, we returned to the Sports Hall for coffee where the laughter and teasing continued until we'd had enough and were ready to leave, and as we drove home, another excellent morning out came to a close. Big thanks to Martin for supporting us and taking our photos, to Vanessa for being this week's chauffeur, and to everyone for so much fun. And finally, thanks to Sarah, who last week invented the word "mudulicious" and gave me the inspiration for "mudulike".
So, that's another 10.69k (yes, the course was a few centimetres long) closer to the Copenhagen Marathon, with only 26 weeks to go . .
1 40.54 Ben Robinson 1st man
8 46.50 Kerry Riley 1st woman
45 53.08 Alan
72 55.23 Tracy 9th lady and 2nd in age group
202 68.54 Paul
211 69.39 Sheila
242 73.13 Vanessa
289 77.43 Debbie
323 86.29 me
336 took part
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