13th December 2014
4:31:23
Phil drove us up on the Friday evening, easier than expected now the Darford toll is not pay at barrier. Had Pizza Hut in a shopping mall (after figuring the MK grid system) then checked into 'the windmill' that is the Premier Inn at Caldecotte- very nice rooms. Couldn't see the lake properly because of the winter dark.
Next morning. Still couldn't really see the lake because ice had formed on the outside of the windows :-0
Extra layers required then!
I was very excited for my first double and was hoping to average 4h40 pace, not work too hard and save energy for tomorrow.
Simple number collection, briefing plus 200marathon patch awarded to Foxy by Traviss while we tried in earnest to keep our fingers warm. Then a walk to the start of the first extra section. Simple navigation following the flour on the ground, the course is quite twisty with several bridges. The ice on the ground at the start was to be respected. I walked all bridges and slowed for corners and to dodge ice-puddles.
I was still being cautious but on lap 3 I walked a hump bridge and then upon jogging from the end and into the turn to the right I slipped and fell, bruising my right knee and scraping my right palm. I'm soooooo glad it was not the left side as I'm still bruised from the dog incident at Saxon Shore 2 weeks ago.
--- update, turns out quite a few slipped here including at least one injury- the one where details were made public involved teeth being knocked out and some damaged and a lot of facial stitches. Ouch!
Anyways, it did warm up after a few laps, most of the puddles melted and then evaporated in the sun. I ditched my gloves but kept two hats (perfect wicking combo as the outer merino wool one was visibly wet but my head dry) and jacket with 3 layers under was a bit toasty at times but I kept it all for the full race.
Aid station and lap counting all good. Had some Haribo on earlier laps, and my own Lucozade Sport later on. Loved getting the bell to mark my penultimate lap :D
Approaching the finish I caught up with a group of 3 runners, and then one other joined us. The two of us were behind the three of them and catching them on the final stretch. We were just outside of 4:30 and had no reason to sprint finish- in such a casual race would it be rude to overtake in sight of the finish? Anyways it did turn into a bit of a skfuffle for the line with the other guy making a break for it and me coming in second. As he said it's always funny to have something like that at the end.
Medal and a hug from Foxy, then a Builders protein bar and a little walk before heading straight back to the room for a shower and some foam rolling before heading out to Hungry Horse for a big meal (chicken and ribs), then the cinema to see the Magagascar Penguins' film (feet up) and a nosy at the SnoZone.
4:31:23
Phil drove us up on the Friday evening, easier than expected now the Darford toll is not pay at barrier. Had Pizza Hut in a shopping mall (after figuring the MK grid system) then checked into 'the windmill' that is the Premier Inn at Caldecotte- very nice rooms. Couldn't see the lake properly because of the winter dark.
Next morning. Still couldn't really see the lake because ice had formed on the outside of the windows :-0
Extra layers required then!
I was very excited for my first double and was hoping to average 4h40 pace, not work too hard and save energy for tomorrow.
Simple number collection, briefing plus 200marathon patch awarded to Foxy by Traviss while we tried in earnest to keep our fingers warm. Then a walk to the start of the first extra section. Simple navigation following the flour on the ground, the course is quite twisty with several bridges. The ice on the ground at the start was to be respected. I walked all bridges and slowed for corners and to dodge ice-puddles.
I was still being cautious but on lap 3 I walked a hump bridge and then upon jogging from the end and into the turn to the right I slipped and fell, bruising my right knee and scraping my right palm. I'm soooooo glad it was not the left side as I'm still bruised from the dog incident at Saxon Shore 2 weeks ago.
--- update, turns out quite a few slipped here including at least one injury- the one where details were made public involved teeth being knocked out and some damaged and a lot of facial stitches. Ouch!
Anyways, it did warm up after a few laps, most of the puddles melted and then evaporated in the sun. I ditched my gloves but kept two hats (perfect wicking combo as the outer merino wool one was visibly wet but my head dry) and jacket with 3 layers under was a bit toasty at times but I kept it all for the full race.
Aid station and lap counting all good. Had some Haribo on earlier laps, and my own Lucozade Sport later on. Loved getting the bell to mark my penultimate lap :D
Approaching the finish I caught up with a group of 3 runners, and then one other joined us. The two of us were behind the three of them and catching them on the final stretch. We were just outside of 4:30 and had no reason to sprint finish- in such a casual race would it be rude to overtake in sight of the finish? Anyways it did turn into a bit of a skfuffle for the line with the other guy making a break for it and me coming in second. As he said it's always funny to have something like that at the end.
Medal and a hug from Foxy, then a Builders protein bar and a little walk before heading straight back to the room for a shower and some foam rolling before heading out to Hungry Horse for a big meal (chicken and ribs), then the cinema to see the Magagascar Penguins' film (feet up) and a nosy at the SnoZone.
I do love a sprint finish!
ReplyDelete